one week itinerary for first-timers to Italy prior to cruise from Venice

Assuming you have six nights in Italy prior to your cruise, you should spend at least two nights (or 3) in Venice. You should be in violation of several international treaties and agreements if you only see Venice from the deck of a cruise ship or rushing to and from a cruise ship.

I'd suggest flying into Marco Polo and renting a car there. Then spend your entire 3 or 4 nights in the Veneto. Lots of things to see and do, ranging from Palladian villas to the Dolomites. You could base yourself in one spot (maybe Asolo) or stay in a couple of places.

Let us know what appeals to you.

I like the previous suggestion of renting a car and taking a tour of veneto. If you or you travel pal are brave/calm drivers you will be just fine driving. I would try and see the Pilladio Villas in Vicenza, Asiago for the mountains, Bassano del Grappa, Verona, soave for wine and a castle. Take the car for 5 days, drop it off in venice and spend the last couple days in Venice.
Frommers has a book something like 'Best loved driving tours: Northern Italy" That may give you a good slow paced itinerary.

Thanks for your reply. Very helpful. I was heading to the travel store in town just now and will pick up the book.
Ciao!

I agree with Ron. Take a train off the Island, pick up a rental car on the mainland and drive a circular route through Vicenza, Verona and back to Venice through the Dolomites.

With a rental car you can travel at your own pace.

Be sure to spend a couple of nights in Venice.

Cheryl: With an entire week before the cruise, you can actually do quite a bit, but specifically what you do depends on what you're looking for. Please tell us more about what you're looking for, then our replies will be more tailored to your preferences.All I can say right now, knowing only a little about your preferences from your original post, is:As already suggested, make sure you spend at least 2 full days exploring Venice, either at the beginning or the end of your cruise (if returning to Venice)Your original post says "first timers wanting to travel at a slower pace." First timers and slower pace suggests to me that you may have a better experience if you consider going with trains instead of jumping right onto the Italian roads (many first timers to Italy find that driving there is different from the easy experience it is here to rent a car).Please get back to us: with a week you have many choices by train, including as far away as Bologna and Florence--but it depends on what you want to do, not what we want to do.Use this site to see train schedules and travel times between Venice and points south and west: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en