Suggestions for an 8-Day Itinerary in the Veneto Region

While I support exploring the Veneto region I think staying in Venice is part of the real experience of Venice. Treviso is close enough to support visiting Venice - generally 35 to 45 minutes - I think experiencing Venice outside of the day tripper crowds is part of it. Day tripping into Venice makes you part of the crowds.

Treviso is well worth visiting - my friends who live in Venice called it beautiful which is high praise, but I would vote for staying in Venice, then going to Treviso and then moving onto Verona. I have posted extensively about Verona if you search the forum so I won't repeat it here. Vicenza, Padua, Mantua and Brescia are also good candidates reachable from Verona to visit depending on your interests.

Watch Easter dates as it swells crowds around big cities but especially in Venice.

My $.02, no bad choices in this region,
=Tod

Thank you! The main reason we chose Treviso is that hotels there are about half the price of those in Venice.

I like Treviso. However, though it's not a terribly long rail trip from Treviso to Venice, the highlights of Venice are mostly not right around the train station, and reaching the train station leaves you well short of Murano and (especially) Burano. I'd estimate the time from stepping off the train at Venice Central to reaching Burano at close to 90 minutes (without stopping to sightsee on Murano). Once you add the time for the Treviso-Venice train and the time required to get from your hotel to the Treviso train station at the beginning of the trip, you could be close to 2-1/2 hours each way. Some of the vaporetto lines in Venice run only every 20 minutes, so you can lose a good bit of time waiting for the next boat.

Thank you. Looks like we will have to reconsider:)

How many nights do you have IN Italy? 8? 9?

Your plan sounds pretty nice.
I do agree with above- if you want to experience Venice/Murano/Burano you really should stay in Venice.
I think it would be slog to try to day trip Venice/Murano/Burano from Treviso. Feels like 2 day trips.

If smaller towns in Veneto are priority you don’t have to go to Venice.
Not sure if Treviso makes a good base for anywhere other than Venice just due to location. Have not been there but it’s on the list.

Padua makes a nice base- we enjoyed 3 nights there with no day trips.
Loved our 3 nights in Verona
Vicenza is easy from either.
Look at Bassano del Grappa as a day trip instead of Venice.

If Venice is a must - see if you can budget for just 2 nights at end of trip (rather than waste a night at airport).

Arrive VCE what time does flight arrive?
travel onward to first base-
Verona/ Padua 3 nights each
Venice 2

All easily done by train

What time does flight depart? Do you really need to stay near airport? It is possible to get to VCE from Treviso.

If possible, try to make this a 10-day trip, especially if you happen to be flying over from North America.

I heartily agree with those who said to stay on the islands of Venice. (Don’t pick the Mestre portion of Venice, either.). Your time is short. Maximize the purpose of being there by being close to the sites you want to see & the wonderful atmosphere.

I would recommend Venice 3, Ferrara - 2 (possibly do a day trip to Ravenna for the mosaics), Verona -3 (with day trip to Mantova) OR instead of Verona, stay in Padova & do a day trip to Verona. I would rate Vicenza below Verona, Mantova & Padova, but it’s certainly your decision. Airport hotel vicinity for your last night.

Have a great time!

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions!