We are planning to spend several days in Venice before going to Split, Croatia for cruise/cycle
trip with Freedom Trek.......we are new at this....any suggestions for getting there? Also,
any input on where to stay in Venice?

Thank you

You can take a train from Venice to Ancona, Italy, and then take a ferry to Split from there. Depending on the time of year, you might also be able to fly from Venice to Split. Sometimes you can find seasonal flights into Croatia from Italy.

Train from Venice to Trieste.

Bus from Trieste to Split.

Hotel Antico Doge is lovely, rooms aren't huge but it's clean, convenient and plenty for breakfast. Great place to travel round the city from.

When are you traveling? You could take a boat from Venice to Pula and fly to Split.

What is your budget for a hotel in Venice? They tend to be a bit expensive. But be sure to stay in Venice proper, not on the mainland in Mestre and not on the Lido. To get the full experience of a town without roads or motor traffic, but with footpaths and water traffic: water buses, water taxis, water delivery boats, water garbage scows, etc.

There are direct flights from Venice to Split (not daily). Fares start around 60 EUR.
In summer you may also go by catamaran (not daily) or by direct bus (daily) to Pula, from there by boat to Zadar and finally by bus to Split.

The boat from Pula to Zadar does not run since 2013. There is new seaplane service this year Pula to Split, www.ec-air.eu

Hotel L'Orolgoio in San Polo Venice was wonderful. New hotel so rates were low when we were there. Close to rialto but also in a good spot to get away from the crowds. Nice staff, great breakfast. Lovely all around.

Thank everyone for all the input.....I LOVE getting this info....we are not world travelers so we depend on your advice....we received so much info when we decided to go on a tenting safari in Africa several years ago..... We live in north Florida and are planning on going to Split (bike/boat trip)...... Then....spending a
Week in Cinque Terre.....any suggestions on our route from Tallahassee? We are thinking of going to Milan....train to Venice....then ...not sure how to get to Split,,,.after bike/boat trip get to cinque terre...not sure how....

Thanks for any help...