My husband and I will be traveling through Italy in November and since he has never been to Venice we thought we'd stop on our way to Tuscany (we are driving from Austria). Since this will only be a one night stopover we figured it would be better to stay on the mainland and just go in to Venice for the day rather than lugging our luggage in on a boat for one night. Is this a possibility? What towns/cities are on the mainland? Any nice hotels there? Thanks in advance for your help!

I think you will miss the best of Venice by not being there at night (or having to return to your hotel on the mainland late). How about a compromise? Just take a small bag with what you need for a one night stay? Assuming your luggage is covered and out of sight, there is no reason to think it wouldn't be safe in the car overnight inside the garage at Piazza Roma where you can hop on a vaparetto and go to a "real" Venice hotel.

I agree with Neopolitan. Venice is beautiful at night and you don't want to have to worry about travelling back to the mainland. Stay in the Dorsudoro neighbourhood and live like a Venetian for one night.

Thanks so much for your input! That was actually what I suggested to my husband, but he is paranoid something might happend to our car and thus, our luggage! Where's the best/safest place to park overnight? Thanks again!

I would also recommend staying in Venice. There is something magical and mysterious about the city after dark when the majority of the tourists leave and all you hear is the sound of the water lapping against the buildings and people talking...

Thank you again... I would definitely prefer/like to stay in Venice but am just concerned about the car with all the rest of our things. I was just reading in a book on Italy about how theives target rental cars. Anyone know a secure and/or attended location to leave the car overnight? Thanks so much!

Hi J,

You can leave your car at the parking garage at Piazzale Roma.

It is at the end of the causeway from the mailand. You can't miss it.

See www.mappy.com

You could stay at a hotel in Mestre, on the mainland, and take the train into/out of Venice. The trains run late.

See www.trenitalia.com

Too bad you have only an overnight.

Enjoy your visit.

Thanks again for all the info... We've decided to stay the night in Venice and just take a small overnight bag. I'll check out the link for parking...Hopefully the car will be safe. =)Thanks again