Stay in Venice or Not
 

Hello Fellow Travelers, I will be spending 4 days in Rome before spending 7 days in the Venice area(10 September 2016). My question is whether to spend 7 days in Venice or maybe some place like Verona. I am thinking that Verona would allow the ease several different day trips, Milan, Venice, etc. On the other hand, I have heard that staying in Venice can be magical especially in the early morning or evening once the tourist crowds have departed. Maybe the additional question should be "Is 7 days in Venice too much time?" Thank you

While I realize that people's opinions on the subject of Venice are all over the place, I can't imagine visiting there and not staying in the city. There's no other like it on the planet, utterly unique. Yes, parts of it can be crowded but no one who stays there need limit themselves to those parts. In fact, that's another good reason to stay there, to learn where those quiet places are and to enjoy them. I hope you don't allow yourself to be talked out of it. I stayed 2 weeks on one visit and was never tired of it for a moment.

Definitely stay in Venice for at least part of the time - it's completely different at night. You can do Verona as a day trip if you want - or stay there for a couple of nights to see other things in the area.

I'd stay there for a minimum 2-3 nights to be able to enjoy the city in the early morning and evenings. It is just magical. Be sure to 'get lost'. Just start walking with no particular destination in mind. You will find lovely little alleyways and squares that the locals frequent. We loved sitting in the square near our apt and watching the children play soccer after dinner. Truly one of our favorite places in all of Europe.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother visiting Venice if you aren't going to stay there. If you do a day trip, you'll get the Disneyland crowds and mobs and miss the best times to be there. I'd do the opposite: stay in Venice, day trips to Verona, etc. (though Milan would be a stretch from Venice as a day trip.) Could you split it: a few nights in Verona, a few in Venice?

I agree that day tripping to Venice isn't the way you want to see the city. Do stay for at least part of your trip, or all for that matter, and perhaps day trip from Venice.

Or split your time with Venice and Verona.

Stay in Venice - for at least some of the time. How about 4 days in Venice and 3 in Verona? Day trip to Milan from Verona.

Another vote for a at least a few nights in Venice!

"Is 7 days in Venice too much time?"

For me, yes, but there's really no right or wrong answer here -- it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. As others have noted, you could spend some time in Venice and in areas near it. And/or you could add some time to Rome -- 4 days is, IMO, not much time there.

Enjoy!

I spend nine days in Venice on two separate visits. Not nearly enough, I would rather spend 1 month :)

A few years ago I've visited Venice from Padova, which is a short 30 mins train ride away. Padova is a good city, and it was nice to have the opportunity to see a few things in Venice which I missed on an earlier occasion, but it's not the same as staying in Venice itself. Nothing beats a after dinner walk around the St Mark's Square or an evening stroll back to your hotel along the canals.
Like others, seven days would be a little bit too long for me. I would say that three full days is enough for most people.
On the mainland, I found Verona the least interesting, but it is well possible I didn't have my day. Vicenza is much more interesting if only for its Palladio heritage, and closer to Venice if you decide not to stay there.

why not stay in Venice the whole time and do your day trips from there?

Padua, Vicenza, Verona are easy to get to and you have the option of going out to the islands of the lagoon too, plus evenings and early mornings in Venice.

Just left Venice about 10 days ago. Part of the enjoyment of the city was sitting in St Marks square in the evening, listening to the music and sipping grappa after a nice dinner. Absolutely delightful!

A few days in Venice would be fine. Spend time in Verona as well.

Except for rare occasions, I'm not a big day-tripper when it involves cities. Sure, if you're visiting an attraction, such as Versailles, a day trip is fine. But I always feel as if you're shortchanging yourself with a day trip. A lot of places have a great feel at night, and rushing out means missing out on that.

That said, I, going east to west, would probably spend about 4 days in Venice, a day or two in Vicenza (which I prefer to Verona) and a day or two in Milan. Transportation between and among those cities is easy and affordable.

Just my take.

Stay in Venice and get lost in the back streets after dinner. The city is somewhat less crowded at night.

Buon viaggio,

Another vote for staying there. Here is a revised response of what I wrote to a somewhat similar question not too long ago.

To us the essence of Venice isn't so much the major sights but just the general ambience of the place. Staying in a more regular neighborhood rather than the usual touristy locations helps to reinforce this. And, get a flat rather than staying in a hotel. Going to the grocery store for some supplies to have on hand is nice because Venice restaurants are expensive and not particularly great. We also found some delis and take out type places for eating in our flat. So, that's my first suggestion.

Just taking the long rides on the vaporetto (Grand Canal and out to the islands) provides great sightseeing opportunities. Ride the entire Grand Canal both in the daytime and at night when the lights are on.

Take the vaporetto across to Guidecca, and just sit in a waterfront cafe and watch the passing boat traffic.

Avoid St. Mark's Square, the super-touristy bridges, and the milling tourists. Just getting away from the crowds will make it better.

We've been to Venice three times (last time for a week) and spent much of our time just walking. We had thought we might do day trips but never found the time because we were so busy in Venice. And, that trip we didn't even do museums--just everyday stuff.

This is a fabulous book, much better than the usual guidebooks. Buy it for some new and different ideas.

http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Italy-H...+guide+hammond

I think 7 days in Venice is way, way too long a visit. Venice is very interesting but you can see enough of it in 3 days and maybe even 2 full days. Go to the palace in St Mark's square. I would add another stop such as Lake Como or Cinque Terra for 3-4 days.

"...you can see enough of it in 3 days and maybe even 2 full days."

This statement describes a style of travel that, for me, is completely unsatisfying. But mrt obviously finds it suits their way of doing things. For me, yes, you can "see" a lot in 2 days, but seeing, again for me, is not the point. I like a slower experience so I can get something of the feel of the place. But neither of us know what suits you and why I try not to put forth absolutes or say "you" can this, or "you" should that. Travel is a highly personal pursuit and all we can tell you is what we like ourselves.

Abby--I'll vote for Venice, but concur with mrt that seven days on a first trip is around four too many--maybe five.
Venice is expensive compared with mainland cities, and if budget factors into your trip planning(or even if it doesn't, I'd recommend splitting as you first described. Verona has a lot to offer on its own and is conveniently located for day trips.

Stay in Verona for four or five days and do day trips you describe. Milano, Mantua, Vicenza, the Dolomites are all easily reachable. Then stop in Padua on your way to Venice.

As to the crowds, Venice is wonderful early in the day and late at nite. We've learned to take the Vaporetto out to Torcello to escape the mid-day crowds, or else escape to the San Polo region which was not overwhelmed with tourists last time we were there, but has quite a bit to see: I Frari, Scuola de San Rocco.

Buon viaggio!

To all who replied...Wow, so many responses and not exactly what I expected. I am a 'slow traveler' who likes to take my time and not rush anywhere. So, based on advice given, I will do my 4 days in Rome(2nd trip), train to Venice for 4 days and then 3 or 4 days in Verona. The trip will conclude with 7 days in Villefranche-sur-Mer followed by 14 days in the Luberon (my favorite special weakness).

I couldn't imagine 4 days in Verona. I would shoot myself with Klonopin bullets.


My swarthy and muscular husband (don't be jealous because he is a horrid dresser) and I spend up to two weeks in Venice at a clip.

Most people who say 4 days in Venice is enough don't know the city and congregate around Piazza San Marco as if that is all there is to Venice.

My sister lived in the palazzo behind Santa Maria Salute for many years (in fact, she died there).

Please, book a room in Cannaregio and get away from the horrific nightmare cruise tourists who only want cheap souvenirs and a photo of the Rialto so they can brag whilst standing in line at Whole Foods.

You will thank me later.


Thin