We are traveling to Italy mid dec. and are trying to decide between venice and Asolo or both.
We are using the Starwood deal.

As of today, we have a few nights in Venice the idea being to recover etc. and then onto Asolo, we would like to keep costs and anxiety down, so were planning on not renting a car.

We are wondering whether we would have enough to interest us in Asolo for 8 days. We are staying at the Villa Cipriani in Asolo.

Any thoughts?? And is there and appreciable difference in cost of eating etc. between Venice and Asolo??

thanks for your thoughts.

Since it is almost impossible to get to Asolo by public transportation, you would do well to rent a car. Also, as far as I recall, the Villa Cipriani is outside of Asolo rather than in the town. In December, the walk into town may not be terribly inviting.

Eight days in Asolo would probably be six too many, unless a) you wish to write a volume of poetry there, as Robert Browning did; or b) you have a car to take you on day trips to places like Bassano del Grappa, Marostica, the Villa Barbaro (Palladio and Veronese) or further afield to Padua and Vicenza.

Restaurants in Asolo (of which there are probably not a great number) are likely to be considerably cheaper than those in Venice, but given the choice, I would nonetheless spend most of the time in Venice.

I just talked about the transportation issue on that other thread where you posted.

I'm tempted to answer your basic question "Venice vs. Asolo" with a very blunt, "Are you kidding?" While Asolo is a charming little town, I can't picture myself staying there more than one or possibly two nights, and certainly not without a car!

gregg: I hope your reference to " a few nights in Venice" means at least three. Venice is one of the most delightful cities in Europe and you will love wandering the various neighborhoods even in December.
Asolo is also delightful, but very small and really can be seen in a day. The villa Cipriani is a resort type hotel and while a short distance from Asolo's center, it won't be a problem even in December. But, I don't know about eight days. In December, you won't be able to take advantage of the outdoor activities the hotel offers. The hotel does offer day tours to surrounding towns and villages, but, in December? I don't know.
Finally, getting to Asolo from Venice by public transportation is going to be a bit tricky. The best I can see is a bus to Bassano del Grappa (through Padua)and a cab from there to the Villa (about seven miles). Or a bus to Treviso (again, through Padua) and another bus to Asolo. It is doable.
By the way, the towns that have been mentioned are fun, but don't forget Treviso, a very attractive little city, which is also close by.
Yes, food in the Asolo area will be, generally, less expensive than in Venice. Of course, that doesn't apply to the restaurant at the Villa. Have a great trip.

Hi Gregg,

>We are traveling to Italy mid dec. and are trying to decide between venice and Asolo .....<

Can you tell us what there is about Asolo that makes you think that you would prefer it to Venice, one of the world's most wonderful cities?

By the way, to get to Asolo from Venice, we took a train directly to Treviso, where we walked a couple blocks to the main bus station (not the bus stop in front of the train station) and took a bus to Asolo. But as I mentioned, that bus stops outside of town and you have to take the little local bus up into town, or somehow call a taxi or the hotel to come get you. There will not be taxis at the Asolo bus stop!

You can also train from Venice to Bassano and take the bus from Bassano to Asolo Bivio, where you catch the mini bus to the historic district up the hill (or make arrangements to be picked up by the hotel or by a taxi)

Where do you catch the bus in Bassano, and is there a bus schedule online?

well to be honest..we were looking for little tile roofs and the like..romance etc. but indeed our concern was to feel "stranded" and we are using Starwood points and the Hotel in Asolo happend to be on the list..sooo that is how we got to Asolo!!

Thank you very much for the informative replys!!!

Now, say we stay in Venice...we are on a limited budget...can we eat out there at places that are "delightful" and not in the HUNDreds of dollars range??? (jeez, I was last there with a backpack 23 years ago so my idea of eating out has changed )

If so, does anyone have recommendations of specific spots...??

We are booked at the Danieli right now but it seems the concensus is that the Europa maybe a nicer bet???

I have vision that traveling to other little sites by train from Venice (other than Asolo) is pretty simple.

Thanks for your input!!

lu and Gregg

On a limited budget -- staying at the Danieli -- please expand...I'd like to learn the trick.

Ted - Lol! Yes - I haven't cracked it yet either. What's the secret, Gregg?

Castleton - There are 2 bus companies that do the Bassano-Asolo (Ca'Vescovo) route - CTM and LaMarca.

www.ctm.spa.com
(Bassano-Ca'Vescovo)

www.lamarcabus.it
(Bassano-Treviso)

Buses leave from a piazza 3 mins walk from Bassano station.

From Ca'Vescovo there's a minibus service up to Asolo town (not very frequent).

Hope this helps ...

Steve

greggwt--yes, there are many, many places in Venice where you can dine and not be in the hundreds of dollars range. In fact, the majority of restaurants in Venice a couple can eat quite well and not be in the hundreds. And you can eat well enough for much, much less than that.

I have no particular recommendation, but we would just start walking at around 7:30 in the evening--walking away from the most popular tourist areas. We found that prices became much more reasonable the farther we got from P. San Marco and the Grand Canal.

Hi gregg,

Two places in Venice that we like, for less than 100E for two with wine

Alla Madonna, near the Rialto Bridge

Cantinone Storico, which was recommended by more than one person on this forum. It is on a canal near the Accademia Bridge, within sound of the bells of one of the churches. Lovely atmosphere. Excellent cooking. Very good presentation. Superior service. Highly recommended.

Thanks again for the nice responses...oops is that an oxymoron..budget and Danieli?? We are able to use the Starwood deal that is why...we stay very reasonably. Lu, here by the way...and my hubby runs the reservation department... so cost I don't appreciate till I pay up!! but he is careful!!

Any more thoughts on the Eupropa vs.Danieli?

You can find several threads that discuss the Europa and Danieli hotels --- key in "Danieli and Venice" or "Europa and Venice" in search function. To get you started, here's a couple that provide feedback ....

Venice: What is the ultimate luxury hotel on the Grand Canal?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34517644


Please think twice about the Westin Europa and Regina in Venice...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34495149

Additionally, check the Trip Advisor website ... www.tripadvisor.com

I haven't read the comments on www.tripadvisor.com, but from the point of view of location, I would prefer either the Europa & Regina or the Gritti Palace to the Danieli. It's two steps from Piazza San Marco, with all that that implies -- hoards of people day and night -- and overlooks a number of vaporetto stops. I've seen mixed reviews of the Gritti Palace here and elsewhere; when I stayed there some years ago, everything was faultless: the rooms, the service, the restaurant (but if you have a limited budget for meals, I do not suggest you eat at the Gritti).