Pre- and post-tour accommodation

Send them an email and tell them you are staying there on a Rick Steve’s tour. Ask them for rates for 1 extra night prior to he tour. The Rick Steve’s hotels are accustomed to these requests and we have never had any problems. They will probably be willing to accommodate just one night prior to your tour start. The hotels may likely have special rates for Rick Steve’s participants, so that may be an added bonus. You can also request to stay in the same room if possible to avoid having to change rooms. Our hotels have always been accommodating to us. Go through email and not their website. Have a great trip!

The RS Village Italy trip begins in Padua. It’s a quick train ride from Venice. It’s worth 2 or 3 nights to see the sites. Just to be safe, Get tickets for the Scrovengi Chapel for the day after your arrive.

Note. This is probably worth it only if you can spend 2 or more nights.

ETA. Since the OP mentioned the tour hotel in Venice I am guessing the tour is either RS Venice, Florence and Rome.or My way italy.

Get tickets for the Scrovengi Chapel for the day after your arrive.

No need to do that it’s on the tour. And yes, quite certain the hotel will allow you to book one night. We did when we took this tour. We really enjoyed Padua wish we had an extra night there.

I had a difficult time trying to get a pre tour room for September 2022. I was told to reserve on line for the dates I needed but the website would not allow my dates even though the hotel said the dates were open. After 12 emails back and forth, I decided to call, twice. My calls went through and the recording told me to wait for the next available personnel. My first call ended with a strange repeating sound ( not a ring) and the second one just dropped.
They finally said they would call me and within 10 minutes I got the call and our room is reserved.

Alan, the tour doesn't spend enough time there. The visits are timed, and are short. We deliberately bought tickets for the Scrovegni before our tour, knowing once would not be enough.

Get tickets for the Scrovengi Chapel for the day after your arrive.
No need to do that it’s on the tour.

I agree that not enough time is spent in the Chapel. My hubby and I arrived in Padua 2 days prior to the Village Italy tour and enjoyed the chapel without the group the first time. It is worth 2 visits!

3 years ago the Scrovegni Chapel offered "Giotto Under the Stars" which allowed you 40 consecutive minutes with only one period of acclimatization. We were able to visit for 2 consecutive 20 minute periods. We did not have to exit with those who scheduled online for the normal 20 minute evening visit. The available time periods were from 7 PM through 9:20 PM. We did that several nights during our stay in Padua before continuing on to Venice. I should of course mention that I I'm actually an artist/art historian as well as a retired Ford IT tech specialist/Sr. Engineer. My better half and I discovered that we liked Padua as well as any other place we have visited.

Thanks, Silas. I will plan to visit Padua ( and maybe Genoa) as well. (I was an Art History major way back when…)