We’ll be in Venice in November (seems like an eternity away) and are thinking about day trips from Venice. We’ve seen Verona, Torcello and the lagoon generally, and will likely take an overnight trip to Bologna and a day trip to Padua. But we’re wondering about Bassano di Grappa or Trieste as day trips. Any thoughts? Any suggestions for other places?

We’re more interested in history and architecture that art.

Thanks

For architecture, what about Vicenza with all of Palladio's buildings?

Second for Vicenza.

Treviso, to the north, is supposed to be attractive - but we ran out of time - we didn't have your leisurely trip!

Trieste isn't far away, about an hour by train apparently. We had planned on going there this year to stay with an Australian friend who goes to the family home each northern summer, but cancelled due to a family illness. Basically, it's on the other side of the gulf of Trieste. Largely a fishing village but wineries as well.

Are you going for a month or so again? I can recall reading your fabulous trip report and waiting eagerly each day for another installment.

Trieste is not a fishing village but a city with a strong Austro-Hungarian influence, many grand coffeeshops for instance, and an archeological museum which includes the neoclassical tomb of Wincklemann. James Joyce lived there for years and the tourist office has a free leaflet with a Joyce trail. It takes a bit more than an hour by train to get there.

Aquileia, in that direction but only accessible by bus, has marvelous mosaics. Or you could take the ferry to Rovinj. But the best by far is Vicenza, where you feel you are walking in a Piranesi print with all the Palladian palazzi and two villas, the Rotunda and the Nani with Tiepolo wall paintings (you can stay there.)

Accidentally pressed submit.

Bassano del Grappa is fun if you go to the grappa distillery on the famous bridge, and if you get that far, Asolo is a cool quiet place. These must be done by car, and you should include two of the best villas, the Emo and the Barbaro, both in that area. And have you done the Brenta canal excursion? I am a big Palladio fan, looking forward to a week in the Villa Saraceno in May, volcanos permitting.

Another vote for Vicenza and its Palladian architecture. Padua is also interesting -- the Giotto frescoes in the Cappella Scrovegni are spectacular

My husband went to Trieste a few years ago and was just describing the Miramare castle to a friend the other day. He is fascinated by the history of Maximilian of Habsburg and Charlotte of Belgium.

We did a day trip to Bassano del Grappa and enjoyed it very much. It was a little over an hour by train and the bridge and old city were an easy walk from the train station. If we had been able to get an earlier start that day I would have stopped in Piombino Dese to see Villa Cornaro.

Make reservations for Cappella Scrovegni if you go to Padua. Old university showing early surgery. Old bar.

I second Vicenza. La Rotunda is magnificent. It is outside the town so get taxi or bus if you aren't driving. There is also a river tour of other Palladio villa nearer Venice (check with your hotel-it may be too late in season for it).

We took train to Trieste and went on to Maximillian's palace by bus-very interesting place. As other poster says, the city is not Italian at all. We couldn't find any gelato stands. In November you might not want to.

Bologna is wonderful and yes, do stay overnight. Beautiful porticos, old university and great food. About 20 minute walk from station to centre.

I'd look into the Brenta Canal day trips. Stops at Palladian villas. I think they end up in Padua for a train trip back to Venice.

DRJ, that's the one I was thinking about above. Does it run all year?

Thanks to all for your advice, and it is most appreciated. The grappa distillery in Bassano del Grappa sounds promising, especially as it will be in early December so probably pretty cold.

I’d not considered Vicenza, and so that is really helpful too. And the medical museum at Padua would be worth a visit too – I’ll go and research that one.

Vicenza is a wonderful spot for Palladio. Do not miss the Teatro Olympico. there are also several of his public buildings within a short walking distance in the town centro.

Castelfranco Veneto is another spot reachable by train that has some interesting sites and restaurants.

Asolo if you have a car. Some other spots in no particualr order;

Trento, Riva del Garda, Bardolino, Sirmione (last 3 on Lago di Garda), Citadella, Villa Barbaro at Maser.

Peter, the grappa is very good indeed. I suggest you start up the hill at the Poli distillery for some tastings and then after several it will be quite easy going downhill to the Nardini shop for tastings at the base of the bridge. Both places are excellent and we came home with several different types. They package them nicely for you and then we wrapped them in our clothes in our suitcases and all arrived home with us safe and sound.

Has anyone done a day trip to Slovenia? I'm doing early planning for next Sept.

Wilhelm, start a new thread with your question and you will get more answers.

Last time we were in the area, we based ourselves outside Treviso, so for us Venice was the day trip (several times over two weeks). We absolutely loved Vicenza (went back twice) and Padua and Ravenna (the mosaics are quite amazing). Also Asolo and Bassano del Grappa.

I think Ferrara is a perfect day-trip from Venice. It's an hour or less on Eurostar (leave about 8:30 am and return about 9:30 pm). The town has both medieval and Renaissance areas, an interesting Castello (Este family), a stunning Duomo, and a few impressive palazzi that are open to the public. (Buy the museum card.) It's a very 'tidy' town, almost absent of tourists when we were there in October a couple of years ago. We had some great dinners of regional specialties. I'll look for the restaurant names.