Tour Veneto or drive the coast?
 

We're ending a cruise in Venice toward the end of October and renting a car. Four trips to Italy and two of the things we have not yet done is tour the Veneto outside of Venice, nor have we seen the east coast of Italy. Kind of leaning toward the drive down the coast this trip because we'd like to add San Marino to our list of countries :) Any thoughts on what you would do given the choice? We have 10 days (but don't want to be on the road every day!) and need to end up in Florence.

Lady, I had the same thought as you, but after researching, everything I read said the actual coast is boring, especially late October. Just flat expanses of sand, intermittent with Industry.

If you are wanting to venture into the hills in Le Marche, then there are lots of small towns, Urbino, Urbania, area, around san marino, but long and winding roads, a lot of driving.

Think Ravenna, Padua, Vicenza, Verona, Bologna. It depends on what you like to see as well, city vs country etc.

I know this is not too specific, but at least will keep your post topped. :)

Thanks. We kind of wondered about that. Just a beach, huh?

Look at Verona and Bassano del Grappa and perhaps Lago Garda.
Forget that coast.

Verona, Vicenza, asiago, marostica, bassano del grappa, Sirmione, Bolzano area/Dolomites.....beat the beach any day in my opinion

I would forsake the coast in a heartbeat, considering all the treasures of inland Veneto.

OK, the coast is out. I unintentionally misled, I think, when I said 10 days. That's what we have from leaving Venice to flying out of Rome, including time with friends in Florence. And we want to be sure to spend a night and day in San Marino. Right now were looking at Bossano del Grappa and Vicenzo before heading for lunch in Ravenna and the night in San Marino. Sound OK? We WILL be back to Italy, so we don't have to do everything this trip :)

Good concept.
Plan 3 trips in advance---you will return.

We just drove the eastern coast and I can confirm that it is not great. You cant even get close to the water because it is all pay-to-rent umbrella resorts and the towns are not that attractive and cater to the type of tourists that like the resort style - no open sandy beaches!! Or very few!

We absolutely loved Le Marche - if you click on my name you can find out trip report from June of this year.