If traveling to Venice for a weekend in August (I know--not ideal timing) would you recommend staying in Venice, which is likely to feel like Disneyworld given the number of tourists. Or, would you stay in Padua and do day trips into Venice? My husband and I are hoping for a bit of a romantic get away--hotel suggestions either way would be appreciated.

I would definately visit Venice. It is
the most spectacular place. You will
be so happy you both visited Venice
together. The beauty of Italy is breath
taking. Padua is a beautiful place,
especially visiting St. Anthonys on a
Sunday for Mass. I have family in Verona, so I cannot suggest a hotel.
Please visit Venice you will be pleasantly surprised. Have a lovely time in Italy. I will be visiting with
my husband for our 25th anniversary in
July.

Congratulations on your anniversary--25 years is no easy feat!

Thank you for your response--we only have two days while the kids stay with friends in Germany--trying to make the most of it

Especially if you only have two days, do stay in Venice. Venice is especially wonderful in the late evening, and the crowds will be less then, too.

To try to avoid the crowds, visit places other than St. Mark's Square. Visit there, too, it's wonderful, but make sure to visit the far reaches of the less-touristy areas in Castello, San Polo, Dorsoduro and/or the Cannaregio. Also, stay in one of those neighborhoods, as well. Our favorite hotel is one that I rarely see mentioned here, the Giorgione. It's a 15-20-minutes walk from there to St. Mark's, which may be too far for some, but we enjoy walking, so it's no problem. It's off the Strada Nouve, which I find to be an interesting street. And the hotel itself is very nice, and the lovely interior courtyard where breakfast is served is especially appealing.

I returned just yesterday, I would stay in Padua, Venice is crazy tourist spot, novelty wears off within hours, Also Vincenza was lovely town, easy access to Venice.

Hi

You also have the option of staying in Mestre.

depending on the timing in August it may be very quiet in Venice. The Italian holiday season is somewhere around Aug 15, and extends for 2 weeks. I took my vacation over this break, and it was fabulously low on tourists.

Please consider staying in Venice...it can be magical...especially if you stay somewhere othre than the San Marco area. Taking a vaporetto down the Grand Canal in the evening when most of the tourist have gone is lovely. Walk the back areas of Venice and you'll truly enjoy the experience and your imagination can run wild thinking of all the history that it holds.

I have been to Venice twice, both times as it happened in August. It did not feel like "Disneyworld" to me... not in the least.

I think it would seem more so that way, if you stay outside and day-trip in with other tourists like from cruiseships and all. Walking around Venice at night is beautiful. You'd miss that opportunity staying in Padua.

I think you should stay in Venice. It gets really quiet there after the cruise ship folks go home.

Really, everyone beats a path between the Rialto Bridge and San Marco. If you stray a few blocks off the beaten path, you're on your own, even during the day.

For a weekend only, it seems to me that travelling back and forth is wasting time, money, and effort.