Suggestions for 7 days in Northern Italy
 

My husband and I are traveling to Venice from San Francisco in mid-May of this year to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We only have a week because we are leaving our 3 little ones at home with the GP's (yes, the best GP's you will ever meet!) so we want to make the best of it. We're flying in and out of Venice but would really love to see the whole region. We love outdoor activity - strenuous hiking (are the Dolomites too far for that short of a time?), relaxing in cafes, walking around cities, seeing beautiful scenery. Not so much in for shopping.
Can someone please suggest what they would do if they only had that amount of time?
Thank you!!

Perhaps closer than the Dolomites are the Alps at the junction of Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The last picture in this set was taken with 10 km. of that border, but on the Austrian side:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622926792957/

Since we only drove through, I can't say much more about it.

For mid-May in Dolomite, be sure to check what is open as it is the transition time between the seasons when many things are closed including the mountain gondolas, which are shutdown for maintenance.

We took a train from Venice out to Bassano del Grappa for the day. You can see mountains (Alps?) from there. Perhaps you can find more about actually getting into those mountains. This small city is very picturesque with a rushing river passing thorough it.

Thanks for the feedback! Since it may still be snowey - maybe we should stick to the lakes. Any favorites in that department?

Consider a train trip to Bologna if only to have a meal there!

You only have a week--I would see Venice and one other destination. The Dolomites would be my pick. Click on my name above for my trip report from last Sep in Venice and the Dolomites. Good luck !

Whatever you do, make sure you don't short yourself on days in Venice; I think the longer you are there, the more you fall in love with it.

I am not sure about weather in the Dolomites mid-May, but in early June the year we went the weather was lovely and we could do some day hikes, but many things were closed for off-season. Cortina, for example, was a bit of a ghost town. But we also stayed in Castelrotto and had no trouble arriving w/out reservations and finding a room.

It is absolutely gorgeous there (and I live in some pretty spectacular mountains myself!), and it was fun to all of a sudden be in this German speaking part of Italy. Great apple strudel!

We did this trip from Venice - took the train to Verona and picked up our rental car at the station. Trains run regularly from Venice to Verona, so no problem getting there. We stayed longer that departure day in Venice than we had planned, so ended up staying an unplanned night in Verona. Really were glad we did, as we enjoyed seeing the arena there and trying some of the wine bars. Drove to Bolzano the next day to see the Iceman at the archeological museum and then on to Castelrotto in plenty of time to find a room and have a nice dinner.

We spent just two nights in the Dolomites, but felt like we got a good feel for the area and had a great hike.

Verona itself could make a nice two day excursion from Venice.

The closest of the lakes to Venice is Garda. The northern end, in my mind, is more spectacular. It was kind of misty when we were there (that same trip, so early June), and we didn't get a chance to do any hiking. It was quiet and low key then, before summer hit. I'm glad I went, but not sure if I'd put it on the top of my list...

Enjoy your time together while the kiddies are home in expert hands.

The Dolomites are beautiful, but I'd be concerned with the weather. We were there mid May last year and hit alot of snow in the lower altitiudes and very heavy blwoing snow surrounding Cortina. It was also very hard to find places to stay as it was mid season and much was closed.

I would second Bologna, fabulous food and a fun city. Verona is also really charming as is Vicenza. Bassano del Grappa didn't do much for me -- spent a couple days there and its charm eluded me.

Enjoy your trip!

All that said, i agree that a week in Venice would be easy to do and I wouldnt short myself on your time there.

Thank you to everyone for your responses! Great suggestions - I'll start looking into Bologna as well. I think the Dolomites are off the list considering the weather concerns and it's been such a cold winter that I bet it's pretty snowy up there.
Is it crazy not to book a hotel in advance of getting to Venice or any other place? That would give us complete flexibility in case we fall in love with Venice too and want to stay longer. . .

I'd consider Venice and Florence( 2 hours by fast train from venice)

I'd want to have reservations when I arrive in Venice. U'll likely be tired and jet lagged and looking for a place to stay would be a drag. Maybe u could make them for 4 days or so and then go from there. For other locations u might have to spend some time finding places to stay, but if you're open to several different locations I bet you'd find something. We've been to NITaly the last 2 Springs and did a combination of reservations and winging it. A couple times we left a reserved place early and weren't charged any penalty for doing so. But I imagine that may vary by hotel. All in all it worked out fine.

If you only have a week and want to hike, 4 days in Venice seems like a lot. Don't misunderstand me; I love Venice. My last trip there was for a week, and I hope to return another year for a long visit to the Biennale once again.

But there isn't any hiking, and you only have a week.

You might want to head up Lake Garda. The scenery and hiking around Monte Baldo/Malcesine look spectacular.

If you aren't set on hiking, I would say that you could make the most of your week with Venice, Padova, Vicenza, Verona... in other words, you don't have to go very far to see a lot and have a good time.

A few years ago we spent a bit over a week in Venice and at Lago di Garda in mid-April. I really wanted to take my husband to the Dolomites---which I had visited but he had not---but decided that mid-april was too early. I think mid-May might be OK for a driving tour, but not fo rhiking. (We are serious hikers and lve the tought hikes in the higher regions).

So, after a bit of research, I decided on Malcesine on Lago di Garda. Lovely little town on the north part of the lake, with a cobblestones pedestrian section, lakefront hotels, and a huge mountain (Monte Baldo) that rises 5000 feet above the town. There is a cablecar that goes to the top. We hiked up halfway (gaining about 2500 fett) and then rode the cablecaar the rest of the way and hiked soe more up there. In mid-april there was still a bit of snow around, but we could still walk a bit and the views were terrific. In May it should be much better.

We spend 5 nights in Venice and walked all over, plus went running each morning along the zattere. ONe day we rode the vaporetto over to Giudecca to the public swimming pool (the most beautiful pool I've ever seen, a wall of glass windows looking out to the lagoon). My husband is a master's swimmer and just had to do it. He was welcomed warmly for the lap swim and it was a great experience.

I would happily go back to Malcesine and spend more time. I can recommend some hotels if you like. Four nights Venice and 3 at Malcesine would be good. google of photos of the town and its splendid ruined castle, and you'll be hooked.

We were looking at a map last night and also reading a book on Italy and we too were thinking of Malcesine - so I'm so glad to get your advice to back that up enzian! Thank you!

And wow, I didn't realize you could get to Florence in 2 hours? That's great news since my husband has never been there and we have friends who live there.

Buuuut, I think we're leaning towards Lago Garda (northern end and Macesine), Verona, and Venice. Sounds like a good mix of city and nature.

Any and all hotel recs would be MOST welcome! Thanks again for all the feedback!!

In Malcescine, we stayed at Hotel Capri, a bit out of town to the north. It is across the road from the lake. Every day we would walk into town along the lake and pass Hotel Castello---right ON the lake, just below the castle. Next time I would stay there---the beach right in front is very nice, and the views across the lake lovely. (Read the reviews on Tripadvisor and you'll see people love this place). And keep in mind when you see the prices that this includes a 5-course dinner, which I'll bet is very good. We opted out of half-board at our hotel one night and had trouble finding a place to eat in town.

Also, be aware that this area, like much of the Dolomites area as well, has an Austrian influence and as many German-speakers as Italian speakers. My husband was a little surprised by that--he kept asking "I thought we were in Italy".

In Venice, we have only stayed at Pensione La Calcina, and we would happily return there. I'll bet they are booked, but it's worth a try. They have a rooftop terrace that you can reserve for private use for an hour. Reserve at sunset, and before that walk up the Zattere to the grocery store (Billa) and buy a bottle of wine and some antipasti. That was our best evening in Venice.

In Verona---you might have a look on at the reviews for La Finestre sull'Arena. It's not a hotel, but a B&B run by a family. We haven't stayed there yet, but we will be in June. Massimo has been very kind through the reservation process (and his English is excellent).

We stayed at a simple but very clean and friendly hotel in Verona: Hotel Armando. I don't have the website (we were directed there by another hotel that was full) but you can find them through Venere.com. Very convenient to the Arena, but in a quiet area.

In Venice I loved this place:
www.casamartini.it
Family run, a property that has been in the Martini family for several generations.The owners take pride in guiding you to local restaurants, etc. In Canneregio, near the Jewish ghetto and a short walk to the train station. It is off the busy main street.

Also liked this B&B:
Ca'Turelli, booked through www.veniceby.com
Look under B&Bs. Small, clean, good Dorsoduro location.