Should we stop off at Lake Garda for a few days and spend less time in Venice or skip it and extend our stay in Venice?

Subtract days from how many? and what time of year?<BR><BR>I'll supply my own answers, and formulate a reply for you.<BR><BR>Four days in Venice? June through October? Sure, subtract one and half or even two to spend in Sirmione, or make your way up to Malcesine - - or just spend a half at the lake and one full day in Verona.<BR><BR>If this is not your situation, then tell me what is, and I'll put together a similar or different opinion.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

going in April.

Worthwhile to brainstorm the logistics - I also stopover at Garda in spring.<BR><BR> Where is best to take a ferry excursion from the easy trainstop base of Descenzano besides the obvious Sirmione; Malcesine? It looks easy to work in Sirmione into the natural flow of the ferry stops, bus, or even walking (Des. base unchangeable for me).<BR><BR>Also to work in Verona stopover on way to Venice, I gather bus to Verona is better than train which stops so far from the historic center. Where does such a bus leave from Descenzano and is it obvious where to get off in Verona? I was even thinking of peeking at Vicenza and Padua briefly along the way; will an IC, IR, or whatever train ticket allow changing trains with just the single validation stamp at first departure of the day?

I'm not sure if April changes my opinion or not. I have only been to Lake Garda in September. But I was nearby (Bassano del Grappa) about March 31 in 2000, and the weather was fairly summy and mild - - nicer than it had been just one day before in Venice.<BR><BR>Still, the question requires knowing how many days in Venice?<BR>

to the top, for Geith<BR>

It is worthwhile to stop in Lake Garda for one day to see the castle at Sirmione. If you have kids, they will especially like roaming around the castle. The town is very quaint and nice to walk about.<BR>Pam B.<BR>

april 98 drove from milan across the lake area up near switzerland and over to venice.<BR> We stopped at all the lakes but are favorite is lake orta,which is entirely<BR>within piedmont,small with a castle on an island, nice small town orta san gulio.Was <BR>very quiet. RR

On another thread, I was questioning taking the train from Sirmione, where my husband and I will be for several days, for a day trip to Verona. However, I see that it might be better to take the bus. Any thoughts? <BR><BR>Our trip will be in mid-June; Sirmione then Venice. I know that weather is unpredictable, but what type of clothing would be most suitable? Since we will be traveling to Venice by train, we know that it is best to travel as lightly as possible. However, the first part of the trip in Sirmione is a business meeting for my husband and we will be staying at the Grand Hotel Terme which will require a little more upscale dressing. I'm looking forward to the trip but not the packing. Two years ago, we vacationed in Florence and continued down to Positano with several stops in between and I can't tell you how many times we said how THRILLED we were that we were only carrying a 22&quot; bag each (for three weeks - lots of handwashing). At times, we were sorry that we had bags that large. Having to constantly be on guard about your luggage and having to drag it on the train QUICKLY can be a bear. <BR><BR>Thanks for any assistance that anyone can offer.