My partner and I are going on a 17 day trip to Italy in May. We have not been to Venice and would like to also visit some of the surrounding towns. We are flying into Venice and will be using only trains/buses. We love architecture, museums, history, in fact most aspects of travel. Which plan would you recommend?

1. 3 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Verona. Stop in Padua on the way to Verona. Day trip to Vicenza from Verona, full day in Verona, train to Florence.

2. 4 nights in Venice, 2 nights in Verona. Stop in Padua on the way. Will not see Vicenza.

We can not stop in Vicenza on the way to Verona because of the lack of a bag check. Also Padua and Vicenza may be too much in a day. The fourth night is still available at our hotel in Venice, but not for long.

I love Verona but I would spend the four nights in Venice.

Stay in Venice longer.IMHO One day in Verona is enough.

Número due.

Thanks for the feedback. I have added the night to Venice. Luckily there was still availability. I will visit Padua on the way to Verona and perhaps do a day trip to Vicenza from Venice if there is time. The train is only 1/2 hour one way.

Wise decision IMO. I'll be in Verona for three nights this summer but going there for the opera performances. You will find MUCH more to see and do in Venice.

Question: is it feasible to do a Padua and Vicenza day trip from Venice? I would train to Padua in the morning and then do Vicenza after their siesta period. Venice to Padua 15min/30min depending on price. Padua to Vicenza 15min/30min depending on price. Vicenza to Venice 30min.

Padua from Venice is very doable. Don't miss the Scovegni Chapel. U need reservations. Padua is a charming town.
It would be a full day but one could go from Venice early, spend the am in Padua and then go onto Vicenza returning in the evening to Venice. But why pay the hotel rates to stay in Venice and not spend your time there?
Maybe you could c Vicenza on your way to Verona? Not sure if there is luggage storage somewhere, but you could check on that.

I also would do 4/2-- one day in Verona I think would suffice but it was a very full (and hot) day. Padua was lovely, husband was on business there last Fall. Charming city and not many tourists. We did not stop in Vincenza as we were told the 'sights' were not close to the train station, we were passing by late Sunday afternoon. You would need more than a morning in Padua to do it justice. Yes, the Scovegni Chapel I suppose is a must-see, but it was not our favorite part of Padua, so don't worry if you miss it. I wish I had taken the cruise from Venice back to Padua stopping at palladian villas. In late Sept. it only ran few days/week but thought I would enjoy seeing this architecture. "Next time...."

Every time we visit Europe its the same problem. So many wonderful sights, so little time. My partner has retired but I am still working, so our 17 day trip is about the max I can manage.

The photos of the Venice to Padua canal look spectacular. We just won't have the time during this vacation.

I am planning to see Padua on the day we leave Venice for Verona. But there is no baggage check in Vicenza and I don't want to be caught touring a town with rolling bags in tow. I can just wait and see if we feel we can take a day off from Venice for a day trip to Vicenza but the train reservations are so much cheaper in advance.

Wise idea to wait and see about Vicenza when you get there. Both Vicenza and Padua are esp nice because they are less touristed.
If you are a fan of early Renaissance Italian art and esp Giotto then don't miss the Scrovegni Chapel
http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/index.php/en/

From our experience I would avoid Padua on a Sunday. We took a day trip by car from Verona on a Sunday last October and it was difficult to find a restaurant open around the Scrovegni. We didn't want to miss our reserved time so hoped to find a place to dine for lunch in the surrounding area. Nothing was open but we finally found a hotel with some outside tables. We loved Verona and enjoyed the luxury of 8 days there. For me, Venice was dirty, crowded, chaotic and less appealing after Verona. We are going back for a second look at Venice in May, avoiding the places we felt we had to visit on our first visit . Have a great trip, Deborah

Quite a bit to see in Padua. I've got to go back.I was on a tour and saw very little. Venice is the most beautiful and romantic city. www.rimerson.com
Rob

DeborahAnn is right-- Padua is 'asleep' on a Sunday and it was difficult finding dinner -- our hotel restaurant was closed as well. You must explore Venice off the main drags where it is peaceful and engaging. We did not find it dirty, but wander away from the crowds... Try and get up into the Ca D'oro or Rezonni Palace and watch the life a la Grand Canal... Have an Aperol spritzer (Aperol + Prosecco w/ slice of orange, quite divine) and chill out