Expert: Carla Polastro - 7/10/2009

Question
Hi Carla. We are a party of nine arriving in Paris 16 March 2010. We plant to spend a week in Paris (departing 23/3)and then most of us will be going our own way. My wife and I (first time travellers) will be departing Rome 9 April 2010. We are contemplating spending some time (maybe a week) in the Avignon area & then travel to Venice (possibly 5 nights.
What is the best and / or quickest way to travel to Venice?  
We would like to see more of Italy but feel that we may be running out of time. We are not keen on just spending one night here and there.
Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

Answer
Hello David!

The quickest way to get from southern France to Venice is flying from Nice or Marseille.

With five nights at your disposal, you could tour Venice for three days and then take a couple of out-of-town day-trips (by train), to Padua and Verona, for example, or Treviso and Vicenza.

From Venice, I also recommend a short boat-trip to the tiny, lovely island of Torcello, http://www.tours-italy.com/venice/torcello_island.htm

Have a great time in France and Italy,

Carla

P.S.: My husband and I went to Australia (and Singapore) on our honeymoon. What a gorgeous Country!