My SO and I took a lengthy trip to Italy in 2015, and I think we have turned ourselves into one of those couples who will always be planning their next trip to Italy. Here's my question for the next trip. If you were going to spend a week touring cities and towns in the Veneto and northern Emilia-Romagna, and wanted to base yourself in one town (other than Venice), where would you stay and why? We enjoy visiting churches, museums and other interesting buildings, and eating good food. We prefer to travel by train, but would be open to renting a car for a day or two. We are edging toward senior citizen status, but are very active and comfortable walking a lot. I'm thinking Verona might be our best bet, but would love to have suggestions. I'm not interested in suggestions about moving from city to city. We learned on our last trip that a single base for a week works best for us. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Verona is good for days out to Padova, Vicenza, Mantova.
Bologna is good for days out to Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna.
I would suggest time in each, but won't as you prefer to stay in just one location.
Forced to choose, I would say Bologna, as it offers more possibilities and with easier travel logistics.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I would say choose among Padova, Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), or Verona. All have good transportation links to other places. Bologna is the largest of the three.
The day trips suggested are great. I would add Este.
Posted by
OP
Oregon
121 posts
Thanks for the input. I should have mentioned that we stayed in Bologna for a week in 2015. Loved it, and would willingly go back but most of the towns we want to visit are in the Veneto.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Verona then would be more suitable, especially if you are wanting to get to Lake Garda and the Dolomites.
Mantova is not Veneto (but Lombardy), however it's well worth a visit.
Are you planning to include villas along the Brenta Canal ?
Posted by
OP
Oregon
121 posts
David, I'm not sure whether we will include the Brenta Canal villas. We are city people - we'd like to visit Padua, Verona, Vicenza, Ferrara, Mantova and Venice. That will likely eat up all our time. That being said, should we tour the villas?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Haha. Exact same places (ex Venice) I visited in 2012. You'll have a wonderful week.
Mine were all one night stays Ferrara > Padova > Vicenza > Verona > Mantova > Milan
Take the walk out of town in Vicenza to visit Villa Rotunda and Villa Valmarana ai Nani.