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Advice on hotel in Venice vs Bologna

Posted by on

Hello!
My husband and I will be visiting Italy on August 16th. We will be in Rome from the 16th to the 22nd. Because of an amazing airfare deal, we will be flying out of Bologna on the 25th.

My husband desperately wants to see Venice so our plan is to spend the nights of the 22nd and 23rd at Hotel Ca' Dogaressa in Venice. We will then take a train and spend the night of the 24th in Bologna so that we are close to the airport.

I have considered changing plans and staying in Bologna the 22nd-25th and just taking a day trip to Venice. I have 3 reasons for this: 1). We can save some money this way. 2). We don't have to schlep our luggage through Venice. 3). I hear so many horror stories about Venice being overwhelming in August.

Was just wondering if anyone had any insight or advice. Thanks so much.

Posted by
11613 posts

Spend the nights in Venezia, but make sure your hotel has a/c. As hot as it is in August, it's worse when you can't duck into your hotel room for a break from the heat. Plus, by staying in Venezia, you will see a different side of it in the early morning and evening.

And, the hubs wants to go.

Posted by
971 posts

Stay in Venice. If you only visit as a day trip you will end up with the throngs of other day trippers rushing to see the main sights. By staying in Venice you get to see it in the evenings when the day trippers have left and you will have more time to explore the lesser beaten tracks.

Posted by
37 posts

I would stay one night in Venice as there is a fair bit to see. We just returned and I would recommend Ca San Trovaso B&B. We stayed there for one night...A/C controlled in your own room amd breakfast brought to your room WHEN and HOW you want it. Very reasonable too...

Enjoy!

Posted by
17 posts

Evenings in Venice are magical and you can see a lot more once all the day trippers evacuate. Stay in Venice.

Posted by
473 posts

Definitely stay in Venice. Get up early and go out later to avoid the crowds.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all. You have made it an easy decision to stay in Venice. I'm getting excited!

Posted by
4051 posts

Hate to spoil the unanimous vote but I'd take any time spent in Venice from the Rome segment. Also include two half-days for getting to and from Venice, putting a serious squeeze on your already short vacation. Bologna is more relaxed than Venice, just as interesting (although only tiny waterway), and offers better and cheaper restaurants.

Posted by
27194 posts

I'm a Bologna fan, but as interesting as Venice? No way!

Posted by
15212 posts

Stay in Venice. Stay in Bologna only the night before your flight. That is more than enough. Bologna is hotter than a furnace in August too.

Posted by
5697 posts

Wonder if you could talk the Bologna hotel into holding your luggage while you go to Venice. We did this in Munich -- checked in for one night, next night in Fussen while our main bags stayed in Munich, returned for night #3. This would let you carry just a day bag on the train and vaporettos, but experience after-the-daytippers Venice.

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