What to do... a week in Italy after Tuscany/Umbria week

[Pauline]

I forgot it was 2 nights in Venice. You may have a hard time finding a vacation rental for 2 nights. If it were me, I would combine Verona and Venice and have 5 nights in Venice. Easier to find an apartment and fun to be with your friends there.

 

[Heidi]

I would combine Verona and Venice and have 5 nights in Venice.

Great advise Fmax! Two nights in Venice is really only a day and a half ~ with travel time, getting to your apartment, settling-in, etc. Venice is the perfect place to be for 50th birthday celebrations.

I also wouldn't worry too much about the cruise ship crowds ~ not only is it fairly easy to ditch them by avoiding the highly touristed sites but they don't spend the night! The mornings and the evenings are comparatively calm and enjoyable. I'm certain if you posed a question about the quiet, secret corners of Venice, our experts here could give you some advice.

 

[Heidi]

Fmax, I just looked through the rental agencies listed for Venice on our Slow Europe site and can recommend the Views on Venice agency, as I very happily used them a few years back to rent an apartment when I took my niece to Venice, for the second time, mind you ~ spoiled little girl... The agency was easy to work with and our apartment, which is no longer shown, was wonderful!

 

[Fmax]

Just an update on how plans are going. Finally managed to shortlist some apts that thought would work and sent to friends. Requirements were 2 bedroom + sofa bed or 3 bedrooms so not necessarily the easiest to find.
So decision is made for 3 nights in Verona we'll be staying at palazzo maffei on Piazza dell Erbe. For Venice we're looking at Ca' Banderuola in the San Marco area. Now just to decide where to spend two nights between the Villa in Umbria and meeting friends in Verona.

 

[Fmax]

So most of accomodation is now booked and close to coming to decision on first two nights. Was looking at modena initially especially after reading about some of the restaurants but now I'm leaning towards lake Como. Have a few places shortlisted but not entirely sure which area to stay in.

 

[Pauline]

The town of Como at the bottom of Lake Como is nice, but most people love one of the three towns in the middle - Mennagio, Bellagio, Varenna. We spent a week in Mennagio and loved the area. Bellagio is more beautiful. We did not get to Varenna, but I read glowing things about it too.

Maybe one of those will work for you?

 

[Fmax]

I was looking at Varenna as had read good things about it but most of the hotels are sold out for my dates.

I'm looking at La Darsena in Tremezzo, a couple in
Cernobbio and the Bella Vista in Mennagio. Just came across the Belved

 

[Fmax]

Not sure what happened with my last posting!

Thought I had found a good deal but switching between different sites, lost track and assumed it was showing total for 2 nights, not 1.

Also came across the Hotel Orso Bruno which is in Carate Urio 8 km from Como station, which might be possibility as it has a bus and boat stop at its door.

These couple of days will be the most relaxing of my 3 weeks, so requirement is a room with a lake view, some really good food, and convenient for spending a day on the lake visiting other small towns.

 

[Pauline]

They all sound like good possibilities. All the towns along Lake Como are lovely in my recollection. It is a very popular area, so it is understandable that things are booked up. Let us know what you find.

 

[Fmax]

So I decided to go with Hotel Orso Bruno in Carate Urio.
all accommodation now booked