Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Venice Alternatives?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlessandraZoe (Post 17569600)

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Anyway, we stayed at the Savoia Excelsior Palace in Trieste. I have no idea what its reviews are like now, but the location was to die for. If I recall, we only stayed two nights and we wanted to hit the ground running plus get our kid to the Venice Airport, so access to the train station, other transport, and local sights and restaurants was key. We lucked out with large room with a view. Plus some kind of competition was going on in the hotel--every time we entered and left, paparazzi were taking our pictures just in case we might be important (NOT).

AZ

We stayed at Savoia Excelsior in Trieste in 2018 and it was a great place and location for Trieste. We enjoyed the city but just know, there's a reason it's not "swamped" with tourists; so, as nice as Trieste is, it does not take the place of Venice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neckervd (Post 17569674)

Never stay at Mestre! The whole charm of Venice comes fully to its own in the evening, when all day trippers have left.
The train from Mestre to Verona will not be easy at all in August, because the Vicenza - Verona leg will be closed

Agree with staying IN Venice if you go. As others have said, you can be in the less-touristed places during midday and enjoy the magic early morning and in the evenings when they leave. Advance booking is available for the Doge's Palace, St. Marks and I'd recommend that.

Alternatively, Verona may actually fulfill what you are asking for. It's truly lovely in its own right; we spent a week there.