Moon Venice & Beyond

DISCOVER VENICE & BEYOND

MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES

EXPLORE VENICE & BEYOND

LOCAL TIP: WAKE UP!

BEST OF VENICE

WHERE TO GO FROM VENICE

PADUA-VICENZA-VERONA

TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

LAKE GARDA

BEFORE YOU GO

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

DAILY REMINDERS

GETTING AROUND

BUDGETING

WHAT TO PACK

SIGHTSEEING PASSES

KEY RESERVATIONS

It’s hard not to feel the romance of Venice. Founded after the fall of the Roman Empire, this island city’s glorious past is still evident within the mosaic-encrusted Basilica di San Marco and inside Palazzo Ducale, where doges ruled over much of the Mediterranean. Geography forced the city to look outward and prosper by trading with the world. The result of all that commercial and cultural exchange is still evident in Venice’s art, architecture, and cuisine.

Today, the gondolas that glide up and down the Grand Canal infuse the city with otherworldly charm. Flavors and smells borrowed from the Orient enrich local kitchens. Venetians toast with prosecco and snack on delectable finger foods known as cicchetti, and there’s seafood on nearly every menu. Artisans keep the traditions of glassblowing and lace making alive, and the city’s vaporetti (ferries) put the lagoon islands of Murano and Burano enticingly within reach.

Beyond Venice are a string of magnificent cities founded by the Romans, each with its own unique flavor. The old university town of Padua offers dramatic frescoes and a lively happy-hour crowd. Vicenza is the adoptive city of one of Italy’s greatest architects, Andrea Palladio, whose distinctive style elevates this market town. Ancient Roman ruins fill Verona, as do Shakespeare fans who come to pay homage to the world’s most famous lovers.

Farther afield, Lake Garda provides an entirely different atmosphere with alpine views that grow increasingly dramatic the farther north you travel. Italy’s largest lake is surrounded by picturesque towns that are suited to outdoor pursuits and the enjoyment of nature. South of Venice, along the Adriatic coast, lies the mosaic capital of Ravenna, flanked by a cluster of golden-sand beaches.

Whichever direction you choose, your trip to Venice is sure to be filled with delicious food, inspiring artwork, and unforgettable experiences.

MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES

EXPLORE VENICE & BEYOND

To be fair, an entire lifetime isn’t enough to explore Venice, but three days is a good start, after which there’s plenty more to explore on dry land. From Venice, Padua, Vicenza, and Verona can all be easily reached in rapid succession (or individually) by train. Follow an overnight stay in any of these towns with an excursion around the southern part of Lake Garda, which is also accessible by rail or road. Ravenna is also well worth visiting but a separate mission. The journey to this ancient mosaic town south of Venice is longer but brings its own artistic rewards that more than compensate for the added distance.

BEST OF VENICE

Many visitors spend as little as one day in Venice, but it really shouldn’t be rushed. Each sestiere (neighborhood) has its own character, and exploring these is the most enjoyable activity of all. Three or four days will allow you to join the masses flocking to San Marco and the campanile, discover the secrets of the Doge’s Palace, and stroll through remote parts of the city where tour groups rarely tread. It will also provide sufficient time to explore the lagoon islands of Burano and Murano or the Lido and follow any path you choose without having to worry about time.

DAY 1

▪  From the train station, sail down the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco. Walk around the famous square, and visit Basilica di San Marco for a look at its glittering mosaics and the Doge’s Palace, where you’ll discover a darker side of Venice.

▪  Ride the number 2 vaporetto to Isola di San Giorgio, where you can climb the bell tower for stunning views.

▪  Explore Venetian Renaissance masterpieces in Galleria dell’Accademia.

▪  End your first day in Venice eating and drinking on the animated Campo Santo Stefano.

DAY 2

▪  Wake up early so you can see the city come to life before crowds start to gather. Pasticceria Rizzardini is a good option for coffee and pastries.

▪  After breakfast, head to the lively fish market, then cross the Rialto Bridge before it gets too crowded. Join the locals for lunch at a trattoria. Cantina do Mori is a good option.

▪  Take in Tintoretto canvases at Scuola Grande di San Rocco, then stroll Strada Nuova with a gelato in hand.

▪  Order cicchetti (Venetian finger food) along with a spritz or prosecco from one of the bars on Fondamenta della Misericordia.

DAY 3

▪  Stay in Venice to explore the city like a local or purchase a vaporetto day pass (€20) and take a day trip out to Venice’s lagoon and islands.

▪  Hop on the number 4.1 vaporetto from Fondamente Nove and ride one stop to Isola di San Michele. There you can explore the haunting cemetery Cimitero di San Michele, where thousands of Venetians are buried.

▪  Continue to Murano to view a glassmaking demonstration.

▪  Take the next vaporetto to Burano, where you can stroll the picturesque streets and enjoy a canal-side lunch.

▪  Your last island stop before heading back to Venice is Torcello, home to an ancient church with panoramic views and Locanda Cipriani trattoria, an old Hemingway haunt.

PADUA-VICENZA-VERONA

The Veneto region beyond Venice was a vital frontier for the Romans, who founded the cities of Padua, Vicenza, and Verona, along with an extensive road network. Today, it’s easy to hop on the train for day trips from Venice, and you can link towns together for a fun multiday excursion. (Store your luggage in Venice’s train station if you want to pack light for your outing.) Venice influenced each of these towns, and seeing and tasting the unique ways that cultural inheritance took root in each one makes this journey particularly interesting.

Make reservations for Padua’s most famous sight, the Scrovegni Chapel, in advance. Also note that many of Padua’s and Vicenza’s museums are closed on Monday, though the Scrovegni Chapel is open daily.

DAY 1 (OPTIONAL): CRUISING THE BRENTA CANAL

▪  If your time is limited, skip this day by simply hopping a train in Venice to arrive in Padua in just an hour. But if you can, it’s worth cruising the Brenta Canal from Venice to Padua with Il Burchiello (www.ilburchiello.it). Cruises depart near Piazza San Marco on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8am, arriving in Padua at 7pm. Along the way, you’ll enjoy wonderful countryside views, plus guided tours of some of the Palladian villas lining the canal. You can stow luggage onboard for €20 per bag. When you arrive in Padua, check into your hotel room (you’ll stay here for a total of two nights).

DAY 2: PADUA

▪  If you’re arriving by train from Venice, plan to be in Padua by around 10am.

▪  Make a beeline for the Scrovegni Chapel (reservations required). You’ll get 15 minutes inside the chapel, where you can see how Giotto redefined Western art.

▪  Visit the market on Piazza delle Erbe, have lunch, and head over to Basilica Sant’Antonio, Padua’s most exotic church.

▪  Order a spritz and kick back on Piazza dei Signori, Padua’s liveliest square, before turning in for the night.

DAY 3: VICENZA

▪  Timing is important in Vicenza: You’ll want to be at the Basilica Palladiana just before noon, when the bells in the adjacent tower chime, and at Teatro Olimpico at 3pm for the sound and light show. Fortunately, Vicenza is a short (15-30 minutes) train ride from Padua, and trains depart every 20 minutes.

▪  When you arrive at the train station in Vicenza, stow your luggage for the day (it’s free!) at the tourist office in Piazza Matteotti.

▪  The Palladio Museum should be your first stop, as it’s a great place to learn about the architect who had such a strong influence on the town and region.

▪  Head south to Basilica Palladiana for views from the terrace. The bells in the adjacent tower chime at noon.

▪  Explore Teatro Olimpico, the first covered theater in the world, where a light and sound show takes place at 3pm.

▪  Discover two impressive villas, Villa Valmarana and Villa La Rotonda, south of town, before collecting your luggage at the tourist office and hopping a train to Verona. There are three or four departures per hour that can take 25-60 minutes, depending on the service. You’ll be there by dinnertime.

DAY 4: VERONA

Romance, Roman ruins, and Renaissance palaces fill this vibrant city, where eating well is a point of pride and artisans can be found at work on every street.

▪  Circle the Arena di Verona, the third largest amphitheater from antiquity.

▪  Head to Casa di Giulietta, where it’s said a real-life Juliet waited for her Romeo.

▪  Ride a funicular up to the San Pietro Panoramic Point for impressive views.

▪  Enjoy an aperitivo before boarding a train back to Venice or continuing on to Lake Garda. Trains leave several times an hour, and the last one departs at 10:20pm. The journey takes an hour and 10 minutes on the Frecciarossa service.

LAKE GARDA

Lake Garda offers visitors an opportunity to experience an entirely different part of Italy, with cultural and gastronomic traditions influenced by the Alps. Desenzano, on the southern shore of the lake, is on the rail line that runs between Venice and Milan, making it easy to reach from Venice, Verona, Vicenza, or Padua. From there, many charming lakeside towns can be reached by ferry, bus, or car.

DAY 1: DESENZANO AND SIRMIONE

▪  After breakfast at your hotel in Desenzano, hop a ferry to Sirmione to explore a castle and Roman ruins.

▪  Back in Desenzano, have lunch and take a stroll along the waterfront.

▪  Enjoy a top-notch dinner before dancing and drinks at Coco Beach.

DAY 2: MALCESINE

▪  Hop a fast ferry from Desenzano to this scenic town on the northern part of Lake Garda.

▪  Head to the center of town, where you can take a cable car to the peak of Monte Baldo. Spend the morning hiking or paragliding from the summit.

▪  Spend the afternoon at Lido Paina beach.

▪  Enjoy a dinner of local flavors at Ristorante Vecchia Malcesine.

BEFORE YOU GO

WHEN TO GO

Venice is among the most visited cities in the world. Deciding when to go will have a significant impact on your experience.

SUMMER

Summer sees a dramatic increase in arrivals, with July and August at the apex of the tourist season. Airlines and hotels take advantage of demand to raise their rates, and temperatures rise to sweltering. Avoid visiting in July and August if you can. If you can’t, book ahead and purchase