I am planning a 10 day trip to the Veneto early next October (not counting the final day spent in Milan, it will be 9 full days). We are planning to get a taste for different types of scenery and to avoid changing hotels more than twice. In addition to seeing the so-called basics, objectives include sampling the local cuisine, experiencing church architecture, not moving too quickly, and avoiding long commutes when changing locations. So with only 9 full days in the region, and without a car, we have come up with the following:

Day 1: arrive Venice late morning
Day 2: Venice
Day 3: Venice
Day 4: Venice
Day 5: Verona
Day 6: Verona
Day 7: Verona (day trip to Padova)
Day 8: Sirmione
Day 9: Sirmione (visit 1 or 2 towns on southern part of Lake)

Venice hotel: Bauer Il Palazzo
Verona Hotel: either Gabbia d'Oro or Baglioni
Sirmione: Villa Cortine

My questions are:

1. Any comments on this itinerary in general, including hotels?
2. Any idea whether it is still convenient to travel by boat from Sirmione on Lake Garda to other towns on Lake Garda even in early October? (The website Navigazione Laghi still has the summer schedule posted, but anyone have experience with boats on the lake in October?).
3. Comments welcomed on whether to base in 1 place on days 5,6,7,8,9. In other words, basing in Sirmione and seeing Verona and Padova as daytrips? Alternatively, basing in Verona and seeing some of the lake towns as daytrips given proximity to Verona?
4. Restaurant recommendations are welcomed as well...

Thanks.

I stayed at Gabbia d'Oro several years ago and thought it was spectacular. A beautiful hotel. Stay there.

I like your trip and certainly the hotel choices. Be sure to allow time to ferry the full length of Garda and spend time at Riva and Malcesine---the north end is so pretty.

I'd recommend allowing a full day in PAdova and also recommend the Scrovegni Chapel with its Giotto frescoes -- allow some time for the "hurry up and wait" before you go into the chapel itself. You'll want reservations.

http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/eng/index_e.htm

I believe it is a much shorter distance to Padova from Venice (about 30 minutes) than to Padova from Verona (about an hour), so it might make more sense to do Padova as a day trip from Venice, or to visit Padova on your way to Verona.

In my opinion, Verona is charming, but very very touristy. I would recommend spending only one night there and spending two in Padova. Padova is old school yet has a very young vibe due to their famous university. This is not like an American college town. Drink a few spritz with aperol or campari, take the "double" time visit to the scrovegni chapel at the end of the day, indulge in delicious food.
Again, just my opinion; Verona is fabulous too.
Also, here are some of our fave places for cichetti e ombre in Venice:
http://www.approachguides.com/2009/0...tti-and-ombre/

Agree with Sassafrass about Padua distance from Venice but that's your call. And, I'd make reservations for the Scrovegni asap.

Choosing between Padua and Verona is too personal for me to recommend one over the other, but Verona is larger. You could also do a side trip to Vicenza from there if you are interested in Palladio's Rotunda.

Thanks everyone. And please feel free to add any restaurant/other recommendations.

M1