Venice Private Tour: Islands, Verona and the Dolomites
Venice itself has no cars, which is why the private car matters at both ends: arrival from the airport, and the day trips out to Verona, Padua and the Dolomites.
Charter or private tour
Charter: road vehicle plus water transfer where needed. Private tour: adds a guide for St Mark's and the Doge's Palace, where the queues and the history both need managing.
Drive times
- Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma: about 20 minutes by road, then water.
- Venice to Verona: about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Venice to Padua: about 45 minutes.
- Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomites): about 2 hours.
Three days that work
Venice, 1 day: St Mark's early, Doge's Palace, the Rialto market, a late vaporetto down the Grand Canal.
Islands, half day: Murano glass and Burano colour, by private boat.
Out of town, 1 day: Verona's arena and Juliet balcony, or the Dolomites if you want mountains.
Season
April to June and September to October. November brings acqua alta; July and August are hot and crowded. Carnival is February.
Practical notes
Cars stop at Piazzale Roma; everything after that is water or walking. We organise the water taxi so luggage does not get dragged over bridges.
FAQ
Can a car enter Venice? No. It stops at Piazzale Roma and you continue by water.
How do we handle luggage? Water taxi to the nearest landing stage; we arrange it.
Is Verona worth a day? Yes, especially with the arena and the old town.
Dolomites in one day? Cortina is 2 hours each way — a long but doable day.
Do we need a guide? At St Mark's and the Doge's Palace, yes.