We have one free night between a week in Tuscany on busines/pleasure, and 3 nights in Venice (DH insists on 3 and it is ok with me).

I think Verona is ideal, but he, who has never been there, thinks this may be too short a time.

My plan is to leave our base in Tuscany at around 9 am for the 2 and a half hour drive to Verona, ditching the car and getting to the city in time for lunch.

Then plenty of sightseeing, maybe a little rest, followed by a little shopping and late dinner. In the morning, we would see the Arena before getting a train to Venice.

I don't normally like a one night stop, but this one seems to fit. I would like to hear what others who know Verona think. I have been there twice: once for two nights, but was ill for one whole day; and once for a very brief stop on kid's school trip.

And if this plan can work, is there a moderate hotel, somewhere in range between the Torcolo and the Gabbia d'Oro that anyone might recommend?

Hi,
We were only in Verona for an over night, several years ago and it was delightful. We arrived around noon and found a hotel. We walked round and even got tickets to the opera for that night. The next morning we explored some more before driving to Venice. It was wonderful and I am so happy we picked Verona. You will have enough time see quite a bit of the town. Sorry I do not have any hotel recommendations. We went to the tourist office when we got to Verona and they found us a nice 3 star near the arena. Have fun!

I've been to Verona twice, both times for two days, but I think you can see most of Verona in one day. I would urge you not to miss the church of San Zeno Maggiore, even if it is a little out of the way: lovely Romanesque, stunning 11th-century bronze doors, a Mantegna triptych.

The second time I was there, I stayed at the Hotel Bologna, a somewhat characterless but quite acceptable hotel just off Piazza Bra. Its restaurant is supposed to be good, but I didn't eat there. I liked La Greppia very much; it's near Piazza delle Erbe.

Sorry but I wonder if I could hijack your thread...

Anyone here has used the Verona Card? Is it available for purchase at the train station?

I will let you highjack my thread if I can tell you that all the guides, online and books, seem to recommend the Verona card. Now, tell me, where are you staying? ;-)

tuscanlifeedit-

Sorry, we're only daytripping from Venice. That's why I want to know if the Card is available for purchase at the train station. The Card covers city buses, so if we can get it at the train station, we can use the Card for the bus we'll need to take to get to the old city center...

Hello tuscanlifeedit. I do not know what the rates are for the hotels you mentioned but when I have been in Verona we have always stayed at the Colomba d'Oro Hotel that is right on the Piazza Bra..the colloseum is right there also. I "think" it would be around $140.00 euro. Have a lovely trip.