When my wife and I are in Venice for a few days in later September, we may take a day-trip to one of the outlying towns--Padua, Vicenza, or Verona. What are your preferences for any of these towns, and why? Is there another day-trip other than any of these three towns that you would suggest?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Lots of discussions on this board, in the past, of those places
here are prior discussions of Padua/Padova
here are prior discussions of Verona
here are prior discussions of Vicenza
If there are too many discussions, you can refine the search by
going here & following the instructions for searching this board for prior discussions
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
Are you going to any other destinations in Italy?
Verona and Vicenza are on the train between Milan and Venice, and can be seen in a day en route without backtracking. Similarly, Padua is on the way to Florence. Verona and Padua both have left luggage facilities. I haven't been to Vicenza.
My preference would be Verona. It has Roman ruins, medieval buildings, a bell tower with beautiful views and generally very picturesque.
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Dwayne - There are no losers in that group;however, Verona would be my choice after spending several months per year in Italy for many years. Easy to get there - just go to the train station and, in no time at all, you'll be in the main Piazza of Verona sitting at one of the many cafes enjoying the sights and sounds.
Ciao, Greg
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
62 posts
Dwayne
I will be in Venice also, end of September, and after much deliberation and research, chose Verona for my day trip. The just recently I decided to also book a day tour of hillside towns in wine country on www.tours-italy.com. Lots of options, no bad choice here.
and, by the way, I grew up in IN and went to Purdue, go boilers!
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
Have been to Verona and Padova but not Vicenza so can't comment on that town. We stopped in Padova (to see the Scrovegni Chapel) on our way to Verona. Verona is lovely and has more to see.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi Dwayne,
For a completely unique experience, I would suggest renting a car, and heading up to Slovenia to see the caves. Postojna, Skocjan, and Predjama are beautiful, and reachable with a 2-3 hour drive (easy - almost all freeway).
The caves are on a mammoth scale that's hard to describe - let's just say in Postojna, you take a 10 minute train ride IN to the cave, before you start your cave tour.
http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/eng/caves.shtml
Predjama is also one of my favourite castes in all over Europe, and the story behind it really is the stuff of fair tales.
http://www.castles.nl/eur/sl/pj/pj.html (not the official site, but good one for Predjama!)
I love Slovenia, and am Prejudice, but I think it's worth it! :)
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2084 posts
We have visited all and I would suggest Verona if you do just one day trip. It has a lot to offer. I liked Padua a lot, but outside of the Scrovegni Chapel and some other sites I think Verona may offer more, on the whole, for a day of walking around and sightseeing. However, if you are a fan of Palladio, Vicenza could be your place. Padua, Verona, and Vicenza would all be easily reached from Venice I believe.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2186 posts
If you're only in Venice for a few days, I'd suggest spending your time in Venice! Get a 72-hour vaparetto pass and visit the little islands in the lagoon (Murano, Burano and Torcello). Or just cruise around Venice, getting off and on at random places, and exploring the various neighborhoods.
Our best experiences in Venice have been away from the crowds, wandering through the back streets. There are gorgeous little churches and scenic little piazzas everywhere. This is an amazing place ... take time to sit back with a glass of wine and just soak it in.