My wife and I are spending four days in Menaggio in the beginning of October, and then spending three days in Piran, Slovenia. We left one day open to break up the 6 hour drive, and to see another city. We're looking for recommendations for an "in-between" town for that day. Note - We're spending four days in Venice after Piran.

To help with your recommendation... We are a younger couple (each just on the other side of 30). No kids. This will be our forth trip to Europe together. We are getting good at "powering" through a town when the clock is short, but we can also just sit at small cafe, drink the house wine, and watch the town go by. We usually take in the important sites, but don't crisscross the countryside to see every church/castle listed in the book. Thanks for your help.

Hmmm - Verona? Lake Garda? Vicenza? Asolo? Padova?

Or alternatively ... you could take a longer route through the Dolomites for some stunning mountain scenery, and stop in Castelrotto, Ortisei, Corvara or Cortina.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve, if you had to choose between the towns on your initial list (the Dolomites sound fun but could take considerably more driving time) which would you pick? Thanks.

Steve has a very good list. I would probably pick Verona. BTW, have you checked your about taking your rental car into Slovenia?

Julie - Yes, I'd pick Verona too.

Steve

Steve/Bob - I've heard others mention Verona as well, but I also liked Steve's idea to go through the Dolomites. Will I get a flavor of the Alps being in Lake Como and Lake Lugano, or are the Dolomites something to behold on their own?

Verona is certainly a shorter driving route. I haven't done any research on it yet, but is it unique from others I'll see?

Thanks for your help so far...Chris

The Dolomites are probably the most spectacular mountains in Europe IMO.

A drive through to include a few of the best passes (e.g Gardena, Sella, Valparola, Falzarego ... to name a few) - and a couple of cable-car rides - is one of the most visually stunning trips imaginable.

If you have time to stop for a day or two so much the better - the possibilities are endless.

Yes - Lake Como and Lugano give you a taste of the Alps, - but the Dolomites are very special.

Hope this helps ...

Steve