Suggestions for 2 Days Between Venice and San Gimignano

Asiago and Asolo are great for beautiful scenery, only problem is that there isn't a lot to do there. I might recommend combining Bassano and Marostica with Asolo (close together, easily done by car) for a couple days. Or, take the drive north of Bassano on the road that runs alongside the Brenta River, some really nice scenery up there. Another option might be Bologna if you've never been. Bologna has the best food (and gelato) in Italy and quite a bit to offer in the sightseeing department. I've never been to Ferrara but it's very close to Bologna, you could probably do a day in each.

Thanks, Rik! We've been to Bologna and loved it. I think I'm 3 pounds heavier today as a result of that trip ;-) Your other suggestions sound intriguing though. Thanks!

with two days I'd take a slightly longer route and see Verona and Lake Garda. With a week in San Gimignano I presume you'll be taking lots of day trips by car to the rest of Tuscany, including Florence and Siena, because after a couple of hours you'll be done with San Gimignano. The parking lot of an average Walmart or Home Depot in America is probably bigger than the whole historical center of San Gimignano.

I love Ferrara; have you been to Padova, less than an hour by train from Venice? Or Parma, near Bologna and shares the great food traditions of the area.

I'm sorry but, a week in San Gimignano? I visited for an afternoon and that was enough for me. Far too staged and full of tourists. What did I miss? Are you staying in the town or renting somewhere nearby? I was so disappointed but maybe with better insight I'd go again.
Thanks.

Thanks for the replies. Dawn, the first time we went to San Gimignano, I agreed with you. We were with a group and spent a half day in the city, and that felt like enough. I'm not sure what possessed us to go back, but next time we went, we stayed at an agriturismo (Agriturismo Niccolai), just outside the city, for a week and had a wonderful time. Our agriturismo was a 10 minute walk from the city center, and we loved Trattoria Chiribiri, just inside the gates and up a side street. We also went on day trips to Siena, Volterra, and the Chianti region. But in general, it was a beautiful setting to just sit, drink a glass (or two) of wine and watch the world go by, something it's hard to remember to do when you're trying to cram a lot of excitement into a trip. So we're heading back to the same agriturismo this time, and hope to see some similar things and relax as well. Rik, we've been to Lago di Garda already a couple times. Loved it, but not all that eager to go back. Maybe a couple nights in Verona would be nice though. Thanks for the ideas!

Zoe, I LOVE Parma! The Duomo there was one of the prettiest churches I've seen. We're just looking for something different for a few days ;-) I'll look into Padova as well. Thanks!

How about Ravenna?

Meridith, That sounds more doable - stay outside the town and visit lots of other towns. Volterra is on my list to see the Etruscan history.
Thanks. Have a great trip!