While the city of Venice offers a charm that is seemingly unsurpassed, you will be so close to some of Italy's finest undiscovered gems that you are sure to be inspired to explore all Italy has to offer. A world of splendors awaits you in the lakes region, while the Italian alps invite you to explore their snowy peaks. Driving itineraries are the best way to take advantage of your car rental in Italy and explore all that this Italian eden has to offer. Setting out on the open road offers a marvelous opportunity to experience the Italian country at its most charming and car rental from Venice is exceptionally easy. Located on the mainland, Piazza le Roma is host to all major car rental vendors, and is convenient to the A4 on the Italian Autostada, you are perfectly positioned to hit the open road and explore true Italian living at its finest.
For the most comprehensive car rental driving itineraries Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown's Guide to Italy. The following sample itinerary suggests lake and mountain areas to explore from Venice.
For the traveler who wants to combine the magic of seeing some of the world's most splendid mountains with the joy of visiting Italy's scenic northern lakes, this itinerary is ideal. Contrasts heighten the impact of visual delights as you meander through dramatic mountains and then on to some of the most romantic lakes in the world. Along the way are giant mountains piercing the sky with their jagged granite peaks and lush meadows splashed with wildflowers. Continuing on, you arrive at lazy blue lakes whose steep shorelines are decorated with villages wrapped in misty cloaks of siennas and ochres. This itinerary can absolutely standalone but it is also perfect for the traveler arriving in or departing from neighboring countries. All too often the tourists thinks they are finished with Italy after Venice, but before rushing north to Austria or Switzerland do take some time to enjoy the beautiful lakes region of northern Italy. It is a very picturesque region. Linger to enjoy the mountains and lakes that truly are some of Italy's greatest natural treasures.
Recommended Pacing: To appreciate this itinerary fully we recommend a period of three weeks. It would be possible but certainly a challenge to enjoy the region in less time than that. Remember that three nights really means only two full days-allowing for travel before and after. Plan for at least three nights in Venice-more would be preferable, especially if you want to explore some of the small islands such as Murano (famous for its hand-blown glass) and Burano (well-known for its colorful cottages and handmade lace). Your next stop, Asolo, needs two nights. Not only is the town delightful, but also you will want to visit some of the Palladian mansions in the area. Your next suggested stop, the Dolomites, needs another three nights. The scenery is spectacular and you will want time to explore some of the exquisite mountain back roads and take hikes. From the Dolomites your next destination is spectacular Lake Garda where, again, you need three nights. You must have time to take advantage of the romantic boat trips around the lake and also a side trip to nearby Verona. Your next stop is another exquisite highlight, Lake Como. Here you need three nights to enjoy the boat excursions around the lake. From Lake Como, it is on the Lake Maggiore, another lovely destination, which merits three nights to enjoy both boat trips around the lake and visits to the romantic islands in the lake. After Lake Maggiore it is on to Lake Orta, a much smaller lake with great personality. Because it is not so large, two nights should suffice here. Leaving the Lake District, you are in the splendid Valle d'Aosta in the Alps, which trace the border with France and Switzerland. Here you need another two nights in order to have sufficient time to take walks and enjoy the awesome parks. You might not have the luxury of time to spend three weeks on this complete itinerary, so tailor it to your own schedule. Perhaps visit just one of the lakes instead of all four, or save the lakes for another trip and enjoy just Venice and the Dolomites at your leisure. Whatever your choice, you are in for a special treat in this incredibly beautiful region of Italy.
This itinerary begins in Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Venice's many narrow waterways are criss-crossed by storybook bridges and shadowed by majestic palaces whose soft hues reflect warmly in the shimmering water. Black gondolas quietly glide through the narrow canals as the gondolier in his red-and-white-striped shirt softly serenades his passengers with an operatic selection.
Venice is not a traditional city with streets and automobile traffic, but rather an archipelago of 117 islands glued together by 400 bridges. There is a wealth of things to do and see in Venice. See Karen Brown's Highlights of Italy itinerary for specific sightseeing recommendations in Venice.
