Verona vs Padua vs Ravenna?
 

Which would you choose if you could take only one day trip from Venice?

Ravenna is too far; Verona is much richer in things to interest you.

I would not day trip; I would reduce the Venice stay by one night (where the lodging costs are so much higher) and stay in Verona that night instead.

A day trip from Verona to Trento would be a nice treat (if you already had 24 hrs or more in Verona).

Best wishes,

Rex

Agree w/ Rex. Verona is great for wandering in and exporing, especially in early evening. Maybe not as nice as a daytrip. Then again, if you only have a couple days planned for Venice, I'd say stay put.

I don't know Padua. Perhaps someone else can chime in.

The plan is set that we will be staying in Venice and will only visit another city via day trip. I guess Padua/Padova and Verona are the frontrunners. Anyone else care to comment? Thanks.

I also say Verona. Its a nice town. Can't comment on Padua since I have never been there. Wasn't all that thrilled with Ravenna, but I was only there for 2 hours.

One major reason to visit Padova is to visit the Scrovegni Chapel of Giotto. This may require reservations and it may be closed for restoration... not sure. If you are a fan of St Anthony, you can visit his basilica and see many relics. Padova is closer to Venice (half an hour) than Verona. I would probably choose Verona myself--lovely city, great food and wine, interesting sites.

Verona is so beautiful, and I found Ravenna (aside from the incredible mosaics) to look a bit industrial in places. Verona is only 1.5 hours by train from Venice.

I think Verona is worth an overnight stay, at least, and you'll probably be slighting it if you just go as a day trip, without sufficient tme to wander. Ravenna itself is not that interesting a city, but the mosaics are spectacular, and unlike any others I've seen. For the mosaics alone, it's very much worth visiting, but a day trip is sufficient.

I have not been to Ravenna or Padua. However, I can say that Verona is truly a great place if you are a "people person". Becuse it is not overrun with tourists, you can get a glimpse of life in Verona. The downtown shoping area is one of the most classy areas I have been anywhere. The Italian sense of style is apparent everywhere. The people are open, friendly and helpful. If I were to spend a month in Italy, it would be in Verona.

I understand that there is an interesting cathedral, the Gitto work and a university in Padua. What are the highlights of Verona?

I have not been to Verona or Padua (both these day trips were scrapped for us to have more time to just wander in Venice!). Having said that though Ravenna is amazing just for it's mosaics though not worth the time of a side trip. We stayed over night there en route from Florence to Venice. Unfortunately, we got stuck for an extra day because of a train strike (surprise surprise in Italy!). So to pass the time we got the combo entrance ticket and saw all the museums, churches, and monuments in the town. We also saw and did everything mentioned in both of our guidebooks. I really do not recommend doing this as the only truely interesting thing there are the mosaics. The town itself lacks the charm of other places in Italy.

I would urge you (and anyone interested in Italian art) to visit Padua. I have plugged this town many times on this forum as a day trip from Venice. It is only 1 hr away and the entire town is very walkable. The Scrovegni Chapel is the BEST! You must make reservations to visit it on the internet but it is easy and not expensive. The chapel's Giotto frescos were recently restored and they are fabulous. There is also a large university and Roman ruins next to the chapel.