Day trips from Venice in the June/July?
 

What are your favorite day trips from Venice? We may be staying as many as 6 nights in late June - early July. Is Torcello worth a visit for lunch or dinner?
Thanks a bunch.
-Bill

We did a half day trip to Murano (ok) and Burano (really cute) that was fun, we were back in Venice by around 4 pm I think. We also took the train to Bologna and I would highly recommend it. Bologna is a beautiful city with enough to keep you busy a short walk from the train station. It would be a long day (leave by 9 am, train back to Venice by 6...the trip is about 2 hours each way), but worth it IMO.

Interesting day trips from Venice are Verona (Roman arena, medieval churches) and Vicenza (buildings by Andrea Palladio, including La Rotonda).

Torcello is worth a visit for the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta but not for lunch or dinner. The Locanda Cipriani has a nice garden, but the food is only so-so and grossly overpriced. There used to be a good and reasonable restaurant called Al Ponte del Diavolo, but when I was last in Venice, it had changed name and ownership; the new restaurant did not inspire confidence.

I would suggest taking the boat back to Burano and going to Da Romano for lunch: excellent risotto alla crema di scampi.

I second Vicenza and Verona and would also add Padova. Padova has amazing Giotto frescos in the Cappella degli Scrovegni (you'll have to call to reserve a time to see them in advance though), beautiful churches and a nice town square. It is home to one of the older universities which is interesting as well. You can take the train there from Venice. It is a 35-40 minute ride.

alg,
The Bologna idea sounds interesting. The restaurants are supposed to be good. What was your experience?

Verona sounds good too.

-Bill

We did a day trip to the lovely little town of Asolo.
We did another to Chioggia, which was really wonderful -- fun to get to by boat, bus and then ferry. It's like the working man's Venice -- canals, lots of good restaurants, but few tourists, only locals out enjoying themselves.
Padua and Verona are both great day trips.
We had a nice lunch at Torcello, but there sure isn't much there otherwise.
Burano is fun, even though it is more toursity that Venice itself.

I agree with Patrick, Asolo, also Padua and Verona. Get a little infomation ahead of time so that you can get the benefit of traveling there.

Have a beautiful trip!

Great post....just wanted to verify the location of the Giotto fresco's, as I thought the town was Padua,not Padova. The Bella Italia magazine had an artical on Padua and the Giotto fresco's; perhaps this is a difference in the Italian vs. English spelling? Thanks for any clarification.

Hi DAJ,

Padua and Padova are the same place.

Bill-
In Bologna, we had probably our best meal at a place recommended on this board: Da Cesarina. Excellent! I think it is closed on Mondays and most everything else in the city is closed on Sundays. There's a beautiful square around the Neptune fountain (there's a church here too, but the name is escaping me) and off the square are great side streets with shops, restaurants, etc. We also climbed the Tower of the Asinelli for great views of the city.

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions! The more info I have the easier it will be to make the tough decisions on where we go to and where we don't. Thanks!
-Bill

How about Trieste?

artlover,
How about Trieste?
Tell me more.
I've been intrigued by what I've read about it. The piazza sounds like a great place to hang out.
Thanks,
Bill

Patrick and LoveItaly,
Thanks for the Asolo suggestion. What are some of the things that you did there? Any suggestions for places to eat in Asolo and Verona as well?
Thanks,
Bill

For restaurants in Verona, you can see my trip report from last May. Do a search for "Vendors in Venice, Valpolicella in Verona." We spent 8 nights in Verona and I miss it terribly.

Verona, I especially like Il Dodici Apostoli. When you are in the piazza facing the coliseum, walk down the road heading north (with the coliseum on your right). I am sorry I do not remember if there is a side street but "someone" will direct you.

Asolo, in the middle of town, where the arcade is, I don't remember the name but
you will see it for sure, there is a wonderful cafe. Almost like Vienna. Wonderful spot to have coffee/espresso and pastries etc. I usually have dinner with friends in their homes in Asolo and the few times I have eaten in restaurants I cannot remember the names but it is a wonderful city to walk around in and I feel sure you will find a restaurant to your liking.

If you go to Trieste, and if you go to the Tourist Center ask for Tevo. If you meet him tell him that Nancy from California wishes him a big hello. His mother is a very good friend of mine. Have a wonderful trip.

Jamq - Another place not to miss is Treviso - one of the most charming towns of the Veneto, and only 30 mins from Venice.

There's a regular bus service from Treviso to Asolo - so they could be combined to make a nice day.

Or ... for a day in spectacular scenery, how about a trip to the Dolomites?

Steve