Chrissy4

DH and I are planning to go to Venice to celebrate our 40th bdays the last week in June. We will have about 5 nights. Where else should we go? Stay in Italy and see lakes and/or mountains? Venture over to Slovenia & Croatia? I'm wondering what's doable in 5-6 days and what are some highlights to see in that area. We are game for anything (city, country, water) and price isn't a consideration just yet. Thanks!

Aussiemaid

The lakes in northern Italy are breathtaking. Croatia in the Dubrovnik area not so much. We are planning on taking a day trip to the Veneto area from Venice in May of next year. Good luck!

Andrew

Slovenia is gorgeous and right across the border. You can take a 3.5 hour direct bus from Mestre to Ljubljana, Slovenia, the beautiful capitol city of Slovenia (small, cute architecture). Triglav National Park on the border with Italy in western Slovenia includes a huge area with Lake Bohinj and the area close to Lake Bled. The lakes are both really nice, though Bled is much more touristy than Bohinj. Google for pictures of each.

http://www.tnp.si/national_park/

You could also rent a car in Italy and drive over to Slovenia if you want to explore Triglav and Bled. It's very easy to drive in Slovenia and much less touristed by Americans than Italy. (Just be sure to buy a vignette toll sticker for your car as you are driving across the boarder into Slovenia - required to drive on the highways!!!) If you want to drive over to Croatia you could see amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park which has dozens of waterfalls and huge turquoise-colored lakes full of trout - but that's pushing it when you have only such a short time. At most I'd probably venture over to Slovenia for a day or two. There's plenty to see in or near Venice as well if you want to stay in Italy.

Jean

Obviously, there are many options, but your overall trip is fairly short. You might want to investigate flights back to your home airport from some of these and decide how many connections you'd be willing to make and how much time waiting on those connections. Maybe heading in the direction of Munich (Dolomites, Innsbruck), Milan (Lakes) or Rome (Umbria or Tuscany) would make more sense.

anothertravelinsong

5 nights? I spent 4 in Venice and felt it was not enough, so I would be MORE than happy to spend the whole time there! Some closer options than suggested above, which could also make good day trips: Padua, Verona, Vicenza, Bologna

cruiseluv

I'm 100% with anothertravelin's opinion, specially if you haven't been to Venice before. Last time we stayed 4 nights and would have been happy with more! Check out the Locanda Cipriani in the island of Torcello. We had a lovely lunch in their garden and vowed to go back and stay at least overnight if we go back to Venice.

easytraveler

I'd agree with the two previous posters.

5 days is not really that much time.

The first day, the day of arrival, is most likely a "lost day" as you get out of the airport, find your way to your hotel, unpack, and get over jetlag.

That leaves you 4 days.

The last day is also at least half of it becomes a "lost day" - as you pack, get to the airport, etc.

In reality, unless you have already factored out your travel days, you have only 3 full days to explore all of Venice.

charnees

I'd stay in Venice the entire time, but if I wanted to see something else I would take day trips by train to nearby cities. Verona, padua, etc. are all worth a day trip.

Chrissy4

Thanks so much everyone. I had factored in travel time so total trip will likely be 7 days with 5 to spend in/near Venice. We have two little kids and haven't been to Europe in so long (and won't go again for a while) so I know I'm probably trying to cram too much in. We visited Rome, Florence & Positano years ago but I was always sad we never made it to Venice. Sounds like we'll have plenty to see in and right near Venice. Is Lake Garda or the Dolomites a day trip? Any specific suggestions for things to see and do and places to stay in Venice? Thank you!

zeppole

Neither lago di Garda or the Dolomiti are a doable day trip from Venice. In the last week in June, if crowds start to get to you, consider an easy train jaunt to Treviso. If you are looking for some zing and wine, try pretty pink Verona. If you would rather kick back and go deeper into the misty mysteries of the lagoon, take a boat out to the island of Torcello and prowl around. Bring a picnic lunch.

In late June, make sure you have a hotel with air conditioning so you can shut the windows at night against mosquitoes.

Venice is profoundly varied place, and while there are some iconic tourist sights and activities, it is surprising how many things about Venice absolutely fascinate some people while utterly boring others. There are people who have repeatedly been to Venice without ever paying any attention to masks or music, but love the fish market and the church interiors, while still others are fascinated by mosaic-making or the legendary cafes and literary life of Venice, and could care less about glass blowers and over-the-top palaces. So get a couple of guide books and see what appeals to you.

For hotels, it is best to read recent reviews on Tripadvisor, booking.com, venere.com. For five days, you might prefer an apartment. Start your search on Flipkey.com, which also has a lot of recent reviews and an excellent search feature that lets you search by price and what's available during your specific travel dates.

qwovadis

In less than 2 hours you can train to Desenzano di Garda
and back sort of a long day trip doable better an overnight
at Hotel Vittorio a short walk from the train station 100
euro for me last see my TA review.My wife and I go there
a lot we NEVER get tired of Venice-tourism.com would
spend most of my time there.Not long ago we snagged 2 spg.com
no foreign fee CCs got the points and stayed at the Westin Europa Regina right at San Marco it was awsome. Last may for
40000 sky mile spoints per nite we stayed at

www.bauervenezia.com

in a Canal View Suite also awesome. For budget for us there last www.hotelpausania.it booking otel.com 59 euro a cute little palazzo suite #211 best there upstairs overlooking a small canal in the Dorsoduro best residential area.Forget about Slovenia and Croatia hard to get to expensive not
enough time and not as picturesque as Venice and Lake Garda.
eurocheapo.com/venice for some great tips

Congrats!

adventureseeker

Another vote for spending entire time in Venice. Take day train trip to Trieste, Ravenna or other nearby towns. We were there for 4 full days and not nearly enough time to savor and explore this magical city. Our next time to Venice will be no shorter than a week. Much cheaper to find a lovely apartment at VRBO.com and you can peruse the local Rialto market and opt do some cooking in your apartment using the fabulous local ingredients.