Then, your professional English-speaking driver can take you to visit Brescia Castle, located at the top of Cidneo Hill. This castle is one of Italy's largest and most well-preserved fortresses. After a tour of this castle, you absolutely need to walk around the caves of Catullus before stopping in Borghetto sul Mincio, a quaint medieval village with a lot of charm.

Each of these stops will get you even more excited about your travels in Venice, and we can’t blame you. Venice is a city that entices and captivates with its spectacular architecture, magical atmosphere, culinary delicacies, and romantic canals. Just don't forget to ask your door-to-door driver for travel tips about must-see places in the city!

With the city flourishing, beautifully ornate buildings were erected, and palaces, churches, and grand homes were constructed throughout the Renaissance period. Many of these gorgeous structures can still be seen today, and some of them can even be toured for a small fee if you have the time during your visit.

Most of the architecture in the city is characterized by its Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic, or Byzantine style. You might struggle to note the difference if you’re unfamiliar with the styles of these times, but joining a paid city tour where you walk through the streets with a tour guide will help you learn which buildings belong to which era of Venice.

If you’re lucky enough, your tour guide will take you past Doges Palace and the Basilica di San Marco, which are found in the city’s main square. You also shouldn’t be dissuaded from allowing yourself to get lost in the city, especially if you’re someone who values arts and culture.

No matter when you visit, there is always an event happening, and the local bars and restaurants are traveler-friendly. There are also operas to visit, bridges to traverse, and clock towers to see, so be sure to plan enough time!

Don’t drive a rental to Venice

As tempting as it may be, don’t drive a rental car to Venice if it can be helped. We understand that you want to drive and see the amazing sights along the way, like Verona and the Soave Castle, but it's not worth the parking fees.

As a car-free city, you won’t be able to take your rental into the city; instead, you can park it in a nearby designated parking lot, which can be expensive. Not to mention, these parking areas can be challenging to navigate and waste your time. So, if you want to drive, consider a door-to-door service like Daytrip instead.

Dress appropriately

There is no dress code in Venice or any places along the way if you’re driving from Varenna to Venice. However, you will need to dress appropriately. This means good, comfortable walking shoes to tackle cobblestone streets and clothing that covers the shoulders and knees when you want to visit a beautiful church.

If you book with Flixbus, a ticket will cost between $16 and $33 (€15-€30), while if you travel with MarinoBus, you should expect to pay between $22 and $44 (€20-€40).

In addition, both buses will take about six to eight hours to complete the trip, and there might be transfers and potential traffic delays. So, although it's affordable, it has disadvantages that might not suit every type of traveler.

From Varenna to Venice by train

Train travel is faster than bus travel if you want to get from Varenna to Venice. On average, train travel between the two places takes between three and a half and four and a half hours. Most people don’t find this too long of a trip, considering that seating is often comfortable and the route is scenic.

However, you will typically only be able to book with Trenitalia or Italo. If you book with the former, tickets cost between $33 and $65 (€30-€60), while the latter’s tickets cost between 20 and 50 euros. Both train lines offer multiple departures daily, and you can choose between direct trips and an easy transfer to Milan and then to Venice if you have the time.

Unfortunately, the biggest disadvantage is you cannot stop and sightsee along the way, and there could be delays. You will also have limited space for your luggage, and you’ll have to adhere to train schedules or be left behind.

From Varenna to Venice by private car transfer

A car transfer is one of the best ways to travel from Varenna to Venice, especially if you drive with Daytrip. Typically, the door-to-door service Daytrip will get you to Venice from Varenna in about three hours and 20 minutes, making it the fastest way to get between the two cities if you drive directly.

However, if you don’t want to drive directly and are keen to explore, Daytrip can accommodate your sightseeing dreams. If you're not sure where to explore, one of the company's professional English-speaking drivers can take you to several places along the route. If you know where to stop, you can let us know directly, and we’ll see if we can make it happen.

A trip between these Italian locations usually costs about $108 (€99) with Daytrip, but you can also expect reliable, customizable, and safe transportation in a comfortable luxury car.

If you visit Venice and can make a stop at this church, you won’t be disappointed in what you see. From breathtaking golden mosaics and soaring domes to gleaming wooden pews and beautiful stained glass, there’s a reason it's known as the ‘Golden Church’ among the locals.

Grand Canal

Venice is known for its canals. After all, it's a city that is built on water. But there is one canal that is leagues above the rest in terms of beauty and enjoyment, and that is the Grand Canal. This canal is a lively waterway you can cruise down in a boat or gondola. If you can choose, we recommend the gondola for an authentic experience.

When you cruise down the Grand Canal, you’ll get to see the central neighborhoods of Venice from the Santa Lucia train station, which goes all the way to St. Marks Square. While you sail down this canal, you’ll even pass beneath the legendary Rialto Bridge. Regardless of when you travel, the thoroughfare will delight the eyes, so don’t forget your camera and try not to get motion sickness!

St. Mark's Clock Tower

St Mark’s Clock Tower is an iconic fixture in Venice. It sits high above the square and can be seen from the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square. This clock is remarkable and is to Venice what Big Ben is to London.

For more than 500 years, it has served as the city’s timepiece and is recognized as a highlight of many people's trips to the city. So be sure to check it out and plan a tour of the historic tower to climb to the top for epic views of the city.