Venice 6 Nights or Frolic and Detour First?

Cost would be a factor for me, though perhaps not for you. That aside, it all looks manageable from Venice with the possible exception of a boat trip on the Brenta Canal if that's what you're planning; I don't know where they depart.

I used Padua as a base for visiting Vicenza in 2015 and felt that worked well. Padua is nicely positioned for trips to Verona and Ferrara, too. I spent quite a lot of time actually sightseeing in Padua and think it would be nice not to have to head back to Venice in the evening. It's such a short trip from Venice that I don't think it would be too difficult on your husband's arrival day.

I assume you'll be traveling by train.

I can't answer your question about the day trips. But I have been to Venice a few times for short periods and would love to spend 6 nights there and wander around, walk the streets, go to the churches, relax and see Venice and the small islands you can visit. There are some islands to see where you take a boat ride and see the lace making and walk around. I would get the RS Venice guide book and read up on what interests you so you can see if you want to spend 6 nights in Venice. There are some wonderful churches and see some operas.

Six nights really means five full days and part of the arrival day -- the departure day is just lost. My suggestion is to stay in Venice all six nights and take two or three day trips. The reason for that is that it almost always takes more time relocating from place to place than one anticipates -- and you don't have enough time to lose any of it relocating.

Paduva is an option as are Vicenza and Verona and the latter two can both be done in a day by getting and early start and returning late. Another option for a day trip is Murano and Burano. Getting an apartment or staying in a hotel is just a matter of preference and we'd opt for a hotel -- but that's just us. We've been to Venice a number of time so let us know if you need specific info.

With six nights in Venezia I would definitely go to Torcello, near Burano.

I would not attempt Verona snd Vicenza on the same day unless you just want to check them off a list. A day in each is warranted, as is a day in Padova.

On second thought, trying to do both Verona and Vicenza in the same day is probably pushing it. Yes, you could see a few high points in each, but each city really deserves more than a just over lightly. Sorry for the not so good suggestion.

How lucky you are to have the choice.

I am strongly biased as I return to the Veneto and Venice nearly every year and can never get enough.

Venice is so compact and so well situated that having the best part of a week there will allow you to see it early and late, and see parts that those who only do the Rialto - S Marco deathmarch never see - I am sure that you will find lots of special places that will mean lots to the two of you.

Have either of you visited Venice previously?

Getting from Venice by train to Padova, Bologna, Ferrara, Vicenza, Verona is so easy, and you don't have to make up your mind until after breakfast and you can decide to discover another hidden treasure in Venice or take a short train trip. Be spontaneous.

I think a nice place in Venice with the canal water making lapping sounds through the open window, the ballet of boats mesmerising, the particular Venetian evening customs can all contribute to a great way to recover from jetlag.

I'd vote Venice.

Thank you all for the good advice. We tend to like to stay atmospheric places longer than most, so we'll stay all six nights in Venice and day trip, or not, as we feel like it.

In answer to Nigel's question, my husband was in Venice for a couple of nights some thirty years ago. I have never been there. We are excited.

So another question to Venice lovers, where to stay? Most of the reasonably priced apartments I'm finding are in the Cannaregio west of the Ghetto. It looks more residential and less touristy which is what we want. ---We loved the Jordan in Amsterdam and off St. Martin's Cannel in Paris--- Is The Cannaregio a good place for us? I'm also seeing places on Giudecca. How expensive and time consuming is going to and from Giudecca?

Individual vaporetto rides are exorbitant, currently 7 euros each except for a few short rides that don't do much more than take you across a canal. There's some useful general information here. And this page shows the prices of the Tourist Travel Cards, which will save money on days when you need to take a lot of vaporetto trips.

Canareggio is fine, though it sounds like you'll have a bit of a walk to the vaporetto. On the bright side, you're walking distance to the train station for day trips. I think you're also close to the vaporetti to the islands. Giudecca means having to use the vaporetto to get everywhere. So you are likely to spend a lot of time waiting for a boat and it will be time-consuming to "pop back" in the afternoon for a rest or a change of clothing and/or gear before going out for the evening.

Is there anything close to your budget in the Dorsoduro?

For 5-6 days in Venice, I'd get the 7-day vaporetto pass no matter where I stayed. Sometimes you just want to take it one stop to get across the Grand Canal. Sometimes you want to ride it for the joy of watching the city slip by you in the early morning mists or late at night when the darkness hides its flaws.

Giudecca is predominantly a relatively new working class area. Most buildings are old modern rectilinear concrete and stucco apartment buildings rather than the traditional Venetian architecture. It is isolated from the rest of Venice by the very wide Giudecca Canal, and the only way in or out is by boat. A number of the vaporetto routes serving Giudecca shut down early.

Avoid Giudecca just because it's not on Venice Island and it's just a pain in the rear to constantly have to travel back and forth to Venice Island to see the sights and wander around.

I visit Venice regularly and never get tired of it. There's no other place in the world like Venice and spending your entire time there doing whatever you want whenever you want is a perfect way to see it.