Best Way to Spend 5-6 Days Near Venice?

We did 48 hrs at lake bled, Slovenia, beginning and ending in Venice. We stopped at aquiela on the way out, 5th century cathedral w mosaics on the floor w sea monsters, etc. Nice little cafe on the grounds w pizza and ice cream, would be a good stop for kids. We stayed at mulej bled turist farm about a mile walk outside of town . They have apts for families, friendly animals, and pony rides and bike rental can be arranged.

Three full days in Venice after the cruise will, in my opinion, give you a "once over lightly" introduction to a truly unique city. You might want to spend the first couple of days there before the cruise. It is a great place to recover from a long overnight flight, get over jet lag, and let the kids acclimate to the new environment. The days before the cruise can be used for day trips to Murano and Burano, Verona, Padau, and soaking up the atmosphere. We've cruised from Venice so let us know if you need information about getting to the port.

Salzburg is a great place to spend a few days and you can go to Berchtesgaden, Germany, just across the border as well. If you go there, I would not try a second location, unless it was one night in route to Salzburg.

Slovenia and Northern Croatia are very scenic, and we visited the area back in the early 90s when it was still part of Yugoslavia. However, I would not recommend a city today, since it has been so long ago that we visited there.

If your cruise ends in Rome, that is a wonderful city to take in the sights, however, you don't seem interested in historical stuff, probably because of your kids. Yes, you would not want to try bike riding in the city of Rome.

I disagree about not wanting to bike ride in a Rome. There’s a bike tour to the catacombs and aqueduct Park with very little city riding, great scenery, small groups and mostly level terrain. I took this tour last year and there were several families with kids taking tours.

If I were a grade-school kid I'd be excited about spending time in a city with no cars and lots of canals, instead of a long drive or train ride to Salzburg or someplace that far away. And a long trip to Rome, crowded and full of old stuff, would appeal even less. Slovenia might be a good choice for some of your time, though, to get out of the city. I haven't been there. Or perhaps Bolzano or such near the Dolomites?

Thanks for all the great feedback so far ... keep it coming!

We are definitely wary of exhausting our kids--but mom and dad also want to see Europe ; ). I've been to Venice and as wonderful as it is, I don't want to spend all 8-9 days there if I can also experience a new place (but to be fair, I've also been to Rome).

I'm really liking the idea of Slovenia, since it looks so beautiful and has so many family-friendly daytrips--almost like a more-accessible Austria. It also seems compact enough, and close enough to Venice, that we could see a variety of things without wearing ourselves out.

I haven't seen a great deal of Slovenia, but I think it would be a great destination for you. Ljubljana has a charming historic district for mom and dad and a castle plus the dragon bridge for the kids. Postojna Caves would be a good stop, and there's something horsey at Lipica.

The trip from Venice may not be as straightforward as one might hope (though I think perhaps new rail service is planned), but several folks have been happy with GoOpti shuttle service.

We’ve been to Slovenia multiple times with our two kids. Just got back from a hiking trip in Kobarid, actually. Don’t be sucked into the Lake Bled hype. Not really a lovely place any more. Go to Lake Bohinj, rent a house. Hike to Slap Savica and do the Mostnica trail (be sure to hike to the end for amazing strudel). We loved Kobarid and it has amazing restaurants too (Ana Ros from Chef’s Table fame). Tolmin Gorge and hiking the Soca River trail are amazing. Also in Slovenia - caves, castles, and Piran (a superlative coastal town). Be sure to rent a car. Roads are excellent.

While I think Slovenia is a terrific destination with children the distance betw sights are quite long. Also driving a. Car rental is generally not recommended. Theft etc are common apparently. If u are up for a guided bus tour then that could be gd choice. Otherwise I suggest u stay closer

Northern italy is gorgeous. The lake regions-dolomites, relaxed, beautiful and nr Venice.

Rome and Lucca give you a good mix of experiences

Slovenia sounds interesting. I think it would work best to bus or train there then rent a car locally.

I'm not sure I'd go to Salzburg. October is great for northern Italy. It will get cold in Salzburg sometime in October. Depending on the year it might get cold in early October, usually somewhere mid-October, which would add the need for cold weather gear.

My first thought was Bologna, San Marino and Assisi - essentially staying on the east side of Italy and working your way south from Venice. Florence and Sienna, plus a Tuscan hill town or two, might be another choice. There is too much to see in Rome to include it as part of a 5-6 day trip.

Verona is a lot closer to Venice, which could be good so you don't get worn out before the cruise. There are some parks and a lake not too far outside the city.

Ljubljana is a great choice for what you described in the OP. Slovenians are very hospitable, in my experience.

While I think Slovenia is a terrific destination with children the
distance betw sights are quite long. Also driving a. Car rental is
generally not recommended. Theft etc are common apparently. If u are
up for a guided bus tour then that could be gd choice.

Where on Earth did you get that impression? Slovenia is a very safe country and renting a car is an easy and practical way to explore it, as attested by members of this very forum. The country is also one of the smallest in Europe, so the distances between sights are not long at all. Overall, it's a good place to explore on your own and joining a guided tour is not a necessity at all.

Taking GoOpti from the Venice airport (Marco Polo) to Ljubljana can be very easily arranged on-line. Their website is easy to use. I just took a GoOpti from my Ljubljana hotel to Venice in June and it was a comfortable 3-hour ride, including one 15-minute bathroom/stretch break. I believe that my transfer was 26 euros. There might be a group rate...

We are scheduled to take GoOpti share ride from Venice to Ljubljana in a couple months. Leaving mid morning. The fee is €26 each. This includes the minimal luggage charge.

If you head south, the city of Urbino is one of my favorite spots in Europe. However, I visited over 20 years ago and i fear that it isn't the same medieval town now.

I vote for Slovenia. We just spent 4 nights in Ljubljana, prior to Venice. Rent a car in Venice. We rented from Europecar in Germany and had no problem taking the car to Slovenia. The roads are excellent. We did a day trip to Lake Bled, another day trip to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. Spent another day exploring beautiful Ljubljana and the castle. Really loved the city. Would have loved to spend a night near Kobarid. We drove through the area and up to the WWI museum on the way to Venice. Maybe spend one or two nights in Kobarid on the way back to Venice so you can explore the Soca River.

hey jake
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aloha

Have you made a decision, Jake. October is not too late, in general, for the Dolomites. PM me if you want specific ideas.

Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for your ideas.

We decided on Rome. Since my wife has only seen London and Paris, it felt like a logical destination. Plus, the logistics are very easy from Venice (and easy once in Rome).

Salzburg would have required too much transit time, based on our schedule. And while Slovenia was my first choice, especially with kids, the trip is not just about our kids. I definitely want to visit Slovenia (and the Dolomites) at some point, but we'll worry about that later!

hey jake
happy you decided on rome. you'll find fun things to do. lots of walking and sights to see. as you mentioned no overdueing, don't know what part you are staying but if someone gets tired a taxi is close by, not that much and comfort for your feet. stop at a market, near termini train station, so much there to buy your picnic food, don't forget silverware, small paper plates and napkins for ease. campo di fiori has lots of everything to walk around and the kids would like i think, had entertainment to watch, stop in antica norcineria viola (hole in the wall butcher, cheese shop) the kids can go WOW.
check withlocals.com there is a pizza making class, (kid friendly and kids free) also kids & rome picnic, games and a boat ride. maybe take a train to santa marinella, less than an hour from rome to the beach, mom and dad can enjoy the kids will be happy, have lunch, back to rome, great day trip.
where is your greek cruise going? we did on on Norweign few years ago from venice. it was fun and had a good time. (split, mykonos, corfu, crete, santorini).
aloha

It is 5 and a half hours to Innsbruck Austria and cost 29 euros.