We are picking up a car at the Milan airport and want to drive to Venice with and overnight stop along the way. Please offer a suggestion for a town or village to stay overnight in and also any advice for the driving route.
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
It's a straight shot on the A4, takes about 3 hours or so. If you want to stop along the way, I guess Soave would be a good choice. Or maybe Pescheira on the southern shore of Lago di Garda.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
Ditto on what Rik said. Very short trip!
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
Actually, I probably should ask which airport you're talking about, Linate or Malpensa. Malpensa is a little further away, about a half hour north of the city so it's not quite a straight shot until you get on the A4. When you leave the airport, you should see signs for the A4 direction Venezia.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34143 posts
For me the best place to stop along the way would be ... Venice. And I wouldn't have a car. If you must stop, the RS guidebook has lots of information about the three cities on the way, Verona, Vicenza and Padova.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Yep - one thing you DON'T want or need in Venice is a car. Why not pick up your rental car from Venice as you leave?
Posted by
Fort Mill, SC, USA
70 posts
Once you get to Venice, your car will be a liability. We just returned from a trip to Italy. We flew into Milan and took the bus directly to the train station. Then we took the fast train directly to Venice where we spent three nights. (Our pensione was a quick vaporetto ride from the train station to Mercato Rialto.) Depending on where you want to go after Venice, I'd rent the car when you leave...or stick with trains. We took the train to Florence and then another to Rome. After 6 nights in Rome, we rented a car to tour Tuscany. Due to parking, a car is problematic in most Italian towns....enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The main reasons to rent a car in Italy are: 1. if you have small kids with all the associated baggage and/or
2. if you want to be able to drive to the small towns that aren't well served by train. If you're just wanting to get from point A to point B efficiently, the trains are MUCH easier. You won't get lost on a train. It's more relaxing because you're not having to figure out the signage. And you may meet some interesting people. Some of my favorite interactions in Italy have been on the train. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
2 posts
THANKS EVERYONE! No further advice needed. We have a plan.