annabelle2

If you type in Venice hotels (or B&Bs or apts or lodging etc.)in the search box here you will come up with lots of posts with lodging recommendations; that would be a good way to read about a lot of favorite places of posters here - lots of Venice hotels recommended on this site! Last time I went there I used veniceby.com to find a place (I needed a triple room on a budget) and had luck.

susoir

For Venice lodging, you might want to take a look at this b&b:

http://www.pontechiodo.it/en/index.asp

A friend and I stayed there last March, and I though it was the best bargain and best location of the three different places I've stayed in Venice. The location is convenient to both the Alilaguna ferry to and from the airport and the grand canal vaporetto (water bus) lines. It's within easy walking distance of the main tourist sights, but in a quiet area outside the crowded Rialto-to-Piazza San Marco corridor.

The owner of the b&b provides a helpful list of non-touristy restaurants, and all the guests eat breakfast together around a big table, so you'll have a chance to chat with other guests in the mornings.

Since it sounds like you want to see some smaller towns a bit off the beaten tourist track, I recommend a day trip from Venice to Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is about an hour by train from Venice, and the Bassano station is just a few blocks outside the walled, historical center of the city. It's a lovely, small city in a tranquil, beautiful location on the Brenta river.

Mcfernandez

thank you sosir and anabelle2 I looked into your suggestions and they both seem great...I will def keep them in mind as time gets closer for my trip which Im planning for May 2014..
Also Bassano del Grappa does look like such a wonderful place def will consider making a day trip there from Venice..