Many of you chimed in with some great suggestions - how does this sound now? Four nights each, Venice, Verona, Merano, Padova, late September, early October.
In Venice: explore the more obscure areas, e.g., Ghetto in Cannareggio, Giardini Publici. Get Chorus Pass, see the insides of many of the churches. Particularly want to pay respects to Monteverdi at the Basilica dei Frari, and ascend the bell tower at San Giorgio. Spend day visiting Torcello, Burano, Murano. Venice Photo Walk. Lesson with RowVenice. Accademia museum.
In Verona: lots of walking around. Giardini Giusti. San Zeno. Try to find early music to hear at the Conservatory. Day trips to Malcesine (or Sirmione) and Mantova.
In Merano: hiking the Waalweg. Taking train to Naturno, cable car up the mountain, mini-hike on the Hoehenweg. Gardens at Trauttmansdorff castle.
On the way back, stop in Bolzano to visit poor Oetzi the Iceman.
In Padova: much walking around, as ever. Will get Padova Pass. Scrovegni Chapel, Orto Botanico, University, St. Anthony's Basilica, Prato delle Valle,
Pedrocchi cafe, etc. Day trip to Ferrara.
Questions: any glaring omissions, based on perceived interests? Anything too rushed, or even impossible (particularly the leg from Merano to Padova - if stopping in Bolzano would be too much, could do as day trip instead). Good idea to work on rudimentary German for visiting Merano and Bolzano? Anyone particularly recommend day trip to Vicenza?
Thanks!
Posted by
NYC area
2902 posts
Hi,
If these are interesting to you, from Merano you could visit Schloss Tirol, Juval Castle or Castle Kastelbell. In the Vinschgau/Val Venosta (which runs west from Merano) there are many, many castles. Our favorite was Castle Churburg/Castel Coira, about 45 minutes from Merano/Meran. Knowing either some German or Italian would be helpful. I speak German pretty well and got by fine in the Vinschgau. The Ice Man was very interesting. We didn't wander around Bolzano much, just took a trip from our base in the Val Gardena to see the Ice Man exhibit.
Paul
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
I have sent you a PM. Only briefly began to investigate the Brenta Canal but realized we couldn't fit it in so can't share anything other than it looked like a fun and interesting excursion, but you have more time in the region than we did. Have a wonderful time.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Ravenna as a second day trip from Padova.
Posted by
Wisconsin
552 posts
Oetzi and the whole museum were quite interesting. I also spent a day with a rental bike along the river and through the apple orchards south of Bolzano. Loved the area.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Mantua, Vicenza and Ravenna are wonderful and well worth including ...
Days 1-4 Venice (4)
Days 5-8 Merano (4)
Day 9 To Verona (3)
Day 10 Verona
Day 11 Mantua day trip
Day 12 To Padua (3)
Day 13 Padua
Day 14 Vicenza day trip
Day 15 To Bologna (2) via Ferrara
Day 16 Ravenna day trip
Posted by
94 posts
verona and padua are small, don't really require 4 days each. You can do Padua as a daytrip. You might want to spend one night there if you do the trip from Venice in the Brera canal and spend one night.
Verona is a good two days but that's about it.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2445 posts
Thanks for all the replies so far! Tirolo appears to be within walking distance of
Merano, so I think that'll be my castle visit. I'm leaving a lot of day trip options open for Verona and Padova, so am not concerned about spending excessive time in either. Very tempted by Ravenna, if train schedules are reasonable... Hm.