Verona or Venice...
Discussion
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of Verona or Venice, and if so what would be the best choice for 5-7 days...would be my wife and I going.
I understand from Verona you can get the train to Venice, and also Lake Garda is accessible along with other nice places nearby.
But then I thought maybe stay in Venice and do a trip to Verona one of the days?
Not really sure but would be grateful to hear of anyones experience. I've heard Verona isn't very big?
Would probably look to go in May or September....
Thanks in advance !
I understand from Verona you can get the train to Venice, and also Lake Garda is accessible along with other nice places nearby.
But then I thought maybe stay in Venice and do a trip to Verona one of the days?
Not really sure but would be grateful to hear of anyones experience. I've heard Verona isn't very big?
Would probably look to go in May or September....
Thanks in advance !
Years ago we did 2 nights in Venice (well, the crappy bit on the mainland but went across to Venice each day) and then train to Verona and 2 nights there. That was enough in both places for me.
It is worth wandering around the back streets of Venice away from the touristy bits - it is really interesting once you are in the parts people actually live in.
It is worth wandering around the back streets of Venice away from the touristy bits - it is really interesting once you are in the parts people actually live in.
It's going back a few years now but we stayed in Sirmione on the southern end of Lake Garda and visited Verona as a day-trip (plus a second trip one night to see an opera at the antitheater). We then got the train over to Venice for a few nights and flew home from there.
From memory that worked well as from Sirmione we could catch ferries and explore further up the lake. i don't remember Verona being that big, so 1 or 2 days should be enough there.
From memory that worked well as from Sirmione we could catch ferries and explore further up the lake. i don't remember Verona being that big, so 1 or 2 days should be enough there.
We did Venice for a couple of nights, Verona for a night or two then Lake Garda for 4 or 5 nights (memory is a bit hazy on how many nights where).
Venice and Verona were much nicer in the evenings - Venice as the cruise ship passengers go back onto the ships to eat so it's much quieter, Verona was nicer at is was something like 36 degrees in the daytime so we couldn't do much sightseeing! Plus it has a really good, relaxed nightlife but I'm not sure it's worth staying there for just that if I'm honest. Lake Garda is beautiful and varied, well worth spending a few days there.
If I could redo the holiday I'd do Venice for a night or two, then Lake Garda for the rest with maybe a day trip to Verona. Verona is lovely, but 'all' there is to do is look at old Roman stuff, look at old Italian Churches and see Juliet's balcony. If you just want to look at 'some' old Roman stuff / old Italian churches and nothing specific to Verona there's plenty around Lake Garda to visit. Juliet's balcony isn't worth the trip.
Venice and Verona were much nicer in the evenings - Venice as the cruise ship passengers go back onto the ships to eat so it's much quieter, Verona was nicer at is was something like 36 degrees in the daytime so we couldn't do much sightseeing! Plus it has a really good, relaxed nightlife but I'm not sure it's worth staying there for just that if I'm honest. Lake Garda is beautiful and varied, well worth spending a few days there.
If I could redo the holiday I'd do Venice for a night or two, then Lake Garda for the rest with maybe a day trip to Verona. Verona is lovely, but 'all' there is to do is look at old Roman stuff, look at old Italian Churches and see Juliet's balcony. If you just want to look at 'some' old Roman stuff / old Italian churches and nothing specific to Verona there's plenty around Lake Garda to visit. Juliet's balcony isn't worth the trip.
I’d happily spend more than a few days in Verona, for the food if nothing else!
I’ve been back a couple of times, the last trip we flew to Bergamo, did a couple of nights in Verona, then a couple in Venice and a night in Milan. All travel by train, but car travel is easy too. When we next head out that way it’ll be for the lakes, but I’ll still do a night or day trip in Verona.
I’ve been back a couple of times, the last trip we flew to Bergamo, did a couple of nights in Verona, then a couple in Venice and a night in Milan. All travel by train, but car travel is easy too. When we next head out that way it’ll be for the lakes, but I’ll still do a night or day trip in Verona.
r1ch,
Apologies for a delayed response to your OP.
You ask Verona or Venice....? IMO impossible to answer!
Mrs. L and I have been holidaying regularly in Italy since 2006, often 2-3 times a year. We usually go for a week, base ourselves in one town so as to immerse ourselves in the Italian way of life as best we can, and take day trips usually by train, maybe bus. So far, we have based ourselves in 19 different locations, and we have also visited over 30 other towns, cites etc. Sometimes we’ve gone for 10-15 days and have based ourselves in two separate towns and travelled between the two by train. The Italian train services are usually excellent, by the way.
We have been to Venice once and to Verona 3 times. We would probably choose Verona as our favourite place in Italy, if it’s possible to make that choice!! Verona is good because:
• Plenty of flights from UK
• Verona Airport is a short trip to the town centre
• There’s a good selection of acceptable 3-4* hotels near the city centre
• Lots of good cafes and restaurants. Every time you turn a corner there always seems to be another 2 or 3. Easy to move from one piazza to the next, have another Peroni etc.
• We reckon the food in Verona is second only to Bologna as far as Italy is concerned. And the local Veneto wine is always excellent. The wine festivals in Verona are really enjoyable.
• The Veronese are usually most friendly and welcoming
• Plenty to see and do in Verona if you like culture, eg art etc. Quite a lot of it is in churches.
• The Roman amphitheatre is world famous for the annual opera season. However, what is less known is that it has other productions as well, eg in the past Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Les Miserables have been there too.
• The main pedestrian area is great for a stroll and has high quality shops.
• And, a major plus, for a day out you can get the train to Venice, Padua, Vincenza, Mantua, all easily doable in a day..nice to stroll take in the ambience, have lunch etc. Also, Lake Garda for the day is an easy train ride too.
• Many fewer tourists than, say, Venice and Florence. Verona is especially good at night when it’s mostly the Veronese who are and about.
Earlier posts have suggested that Venice and Verona etc are one day towns. If that keeps tourists down, that’s good, but IMO they are missing out on so much.
If you'd like any more info, simply ask.
Mrs. L and I are planning our next visit to Italy for this year. It will likely be to Verona or to Ravello which overlooks the Amalfi Coast.
R.
Apologies for a delayed response to your OP.
You ask Verona or Venice....? IMO impossible to answer!
Mrs. L and I have been holidaying regularly in Italy since 2006, often 2-3 times a year. We usually go for a week, base ourselves in one town so as to immerse ourselves in the Italian way of life as best we can, and take day trips usually by train, maybe bus. So far, we have based ourselves in 19 different locations, and we have also visited over 30 other towns, cites etc. Sometimes we’ve gone for 10-15 days and have based ourselves in two separate towns and travelled between the two by train. The Italian train services are usually excellent, by the way.
We have been to Venice once and to Verona 3 times. We would probably choose Verona as our favourite place in Italy, if it’s possible to make that choice!! Verona is good because:
• Plenty of flights from UK
• Verona Airport is a short trip to the town centre
• There’s a good selection of acceptable 3-4* hotels near the city centre
• Lots of good cafes and restaurants. Every time you turn a corner there always seems to be another 2 or 3. Easy to move from one piazza to the next, have another Peroni etc.
• We reckon the food in Verona is second only to Bologna as far as Italy is concerned. And the local Veneto wine is always excellent. The wine festivals in Verona are really enjoyable.
• The Veronese are usually most friendly and welcoming
• Plenty to see and do in Verona if you like culture, eg art etc. Quite a lot of it is in churches.
• The Roman amphitheatre is world famous for the annual opera season. However, what is less known is that it has other productions as well, eg in the past Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Les Miserables have been there too.
• The main pedestrian area is great for a stroll and has high quality shops.
• And, a major plus, for a day out you can get the train to Venice, Padua, Vincenza, Mantua, all easily doable in a day..nice to stroll take in the ambience, have lunch etc. Also, Lake Garda for the day is an easy train ride too.
• Many fewer tourists than, say, Venice and Florence. Verona is especially good at night when it’s mostly the Veronese who are and about.
Earlier posts have suggested that Venice and Verona etc are one day towns. If that keeps tourists down, that’s good, but IMO they are missing out on so much.
If you'd like any more info, simply ask.
Mrs. L and I are planning our next visit to Italy for this year. It will likely be to Verona or to Ravello which overlooks the Amalfi Coast.
R.
Thank you TheLeaper for such an informative post, you've completely sold me on Verona. Sounds right up our street to be honest. How fortunate you are to have enjoyed so many different locations in Italy. We've been just once to Rome and that was really an excellent break and we were already planning a trip back to Italy but then covid happened.
Thanks Marco I haven't seen any suggestions of how long to stop in Venice for so that gives us a steer on that. Leaning towards end of May rather than September.
Thanks Marco I haven't seen any suggestions of how long to stop in Venice for so that gives us a steer on that. Leaning towards end of May rather than September.
r1ch said:
Thank you TheLeaper for such an informative post, you've completely sold me on Verona. Sounds right up our street to be honest. How fortunate you are to have enjoyed so many different locations in Italy. We've been just once to Rome and that was really an excellent break and we were already planning a trip back to Italy but then covid happened.
Just ask if you feel the need for more information about Verona (or other locations in Italy for that matter).By the way, I hope I did not over-sell Verona by my earlier post! Verona certainly suits the two of us very well, though.
R.
I visited Italy in 2018 travelling all over the country by train. We stayed in Venice for two nights but unfortunately we didn't go to Verona so I cannot offer a direct comparison. Venice lived up to everything I thought it would be in a good way, I would have liked to stay for at least one more day to do some more exploring. It really is beautiful.
The tourist locations (St Marks square, Rialto bridge etc) were busy during the day and this was in June. The most fun I had was getting accidentally lost on my way back to St Marks square to meet a relative. I took a wrong turn and some of the side alleys were nearly deserted but I discovered hidden away restaurants and cafes and it was quite peaceful.
Another location I really enjoyed was Turin but it may be a bit out of your way, I much preferred it to Milan and would happily visit there again. Also they have the old Lingotto Fiat factory which is now a shopping centre. You can still walk around the roof/test track by getting a lift up to an art gallery.
The tourist locations (St Marks square, Rialto bridge etc) were busy during the day and this was in June. The most fun I had was getting accidentally lost on my way back to St Marks square to meet a relative. I took a wrong turn and some of the side alleys were nearly deserted but I discovered hidden away restaurants and cafes and it was quite peaceful.
Another location I really enjoyed was Turin but it may be a bit out of your way, I much preferred it to Milan and would happily visit there again. Also they have the old Lingotto Fiat factory which is now a shopping centre. You can still walk around the roof/test track by getting a lift up to an art gallery.
They're both great places, for different reasons. I think the best way to decide is to simply go with your gut feeling... do you prefer the look of Verona, the historic churches, restaurants etc, or does the mystical allure of the Venetian canals call out to you... If you are open minded about any trip in Italy, you will enjoy both cities. Go with what you feel.... On a practical level, Venice is more expensive and busier depending when you go. I do not think this is necessarily a deal breaker though. A nice central hotel that overlooks the grand canal without breaking the bank is the Hotel Marconi - there are plenty though. Try and get one with typical Venetian decoration etc, it adds to the charm, it's such a beautiful and historic city. Some of the really high end hotels in Venice, nice as they are, have stepped away from Venetian tradition which is a real shame. Some of the grander hotels that have kept their traditional Venetian Palazzo styles are the Hotel Danieli and Hotel Metropole.
Venice is great, we stayed one night at the end of a cruise and loved it so much decided to extend an extra couple of days.I think 3 days minimum if you like exploring, there are plenty of places off the beaten track as mentioned where people actually live and its like going back in time a bit.
It can be hideously expensive to eat but we just watched the locals to see where they stopped for their lunch! We followed the postman to a fantastic pizza slice outfit, and a cosy bar. Incidentally Venice has the worst, most filthy McDonalds I have ever encountered, downstairs toilets swimming ankle deep in piss like they gave up on the hordes of tourists taking advantage.
Accommodation wise we were on a budget and stayed on the mainland, then found out a friend had stayed 2 streets away from St Marks Square for less. Just shop around.
If going back to Venice I would love to spend a few days taking water taxis to some of the islands in the Lido, like the Isle of the Dead where all the tombs are, and Murano for the glassworks.
Verona was a long time ago on a spare day before a flight home. I just thought it "OK" but perhaps was tired and not in the mood. Depends if you are a Shakespeare buff!
It can be hideously expensive to eat but we just watched the locals to see where they stopped for their lunch! We followed the postman to a fantastic pizza slice outfit, and a cosy bar. Incidentally Venice has the worst, most filthy McDonalds I have ever encountered, downstairs toilets swimming ankle deep in piss like they gave up on the hordes of tourists taking advantage.
Accommodation wise we were on a budget and stayed on the mainland, then found out a friend had stayed 2 streets away from St Marks Square for less. Just shop around.
If going back to Venice I would love to spend a few days taking water taxis to some of the islands in the Lido, like the Isle of the Dead where all the tombs are, and Murano for the glassworks.
Verona was a long time ago on a spare day before a flight home. I just thought it "OK" but perhaps was tired and not in the mood. Depends if you are a Shakespeare buff!
Loose_Cannon said:
Verona was a long time ago on a spare day before a flight home. I just thought it "OK" but perhaps was tired and not in the mood. Depends if you are a Shakespeare buff!
I'd not recommend Verona simply on the basis of being a Shakespeare buff. If that's the reason to go there, 10 minutes and you're done.As for me and the wife, we'd recommend several days in Verona and also using it as a base to go by train to explore nearby cities. I think we're about to book a trip to Verona for later this year.
R.
We are booked to go Italy in September.
Flying into Bologna (live in Portugal and few direct flights to Italy) stay two nights, then get train to Padova from where we can visit Venice, Verona and lake Garda. Return back to Bologna on last day to catch flight home.
Those with experience of Venice: did you find the dreaded mosquitoes a problem? They enjoy munching on me..or is it just a case of being sensible in long clothing and plenty of anti spray?
Flying into Bologna (live in Portugal and few direct flights to Italy) stay two nights, then get train to Padova from where we can visit Venice, Verona and lake Garda. Return back to Bologna on last day to catch flight home.
Those with experience of Venice: did you find the dreaded mosquitoes a problem? They enjoy munching on me..or is it just a case of being sensible in long clothing and plenty of anti spray?
languagetimothy said:
We are booked to go Italy in September.
Flying into Bologna (live in Portugal and few direct flights to Italy) stay two nights, then get train to Padova from where we can visit Venice, Verona and lake Garda. Return back to Bologna on last day to catch flight home.
Those with experience of Venice: did you find the dreaded mosquitoes a problem? They enjoy munching on me..or is it just a case of being sensible in long clothing and plenty of anti spray?
Have a good trip (how can you not do so an where in Italy!)Flying into Bologna (live in Portugal and few direct flights to Italy) stay two nights, then get train to Padova from where we can visit Venice, Verona and lake Garda. Return back to Bologna on last day to catch flight home.
Those with experience of Venice: did you find the dreaded mosquitoes a problem? They enjoy munching on me..or is it just a case of being sensible in long clothing and plenty of anti spray?
Re Padova, the stand out attraction, at least for my wife and I, was a visit to the Scrogveni Chapel. It's an essential visit for art lovers like us and had been on my bucket list for years, so I was very pleased to get there. It is quite near the train station and a short tram ride from there. Absolutely essential to book ahead and get a timed ticket as you will not be let in without this. And if and when you do visit you are allowed in for only 15 minutes, maybe 20 persons at a time. Fab!
Other memorable things in Padua as I can best recall are Prato della Valle, the largest piazza in Italy, and an excellent street market which was at Piazza della Erbe...good for cafes etc at lunch time there too.
If you need any other info on the places that you will be visiting, just ask.
We are off to Verona for a week soon, and I have organised a day trip for us to Florence to visit the Ufizzi once again (all pre booked from the UK), have lunch at a restaurant at the Piazza Signoria, etc. A long day trip but it will be well worth it.
R.
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