Venice

Places to Stay

As to location, some people like to be near the train station and car park for transport convenience, but at the cost of being a longer walk or vaporetto ride from the main sights (but if you’re are flying, there's no advantage to being near the train station). Others like to be in the middle of the action near Piazza San Marco, at the cost of crowds and noise and being a bit further from transport centers. Others prefer to be near, but not right at, P. San Marco.


 
Things to Do

Venice is definitely worth it. It's just fabulous. Do spend at least three days there. Sit in the Piazza San Marco and the various campos and take in that you're in such a special place. 

5 days in Venice seems to be the exact right amount of time.  The Ryanair "Venice" airport is actually in Treviso, it takes about 45 minutes by bus.

Too many visitors? Yes. The most popular areas have too many cheap souvenir shops and poor restaurants? Yes. It's more expensive than other cities? Yes.

But it is also a unique world treasure. There is simply no other city in the world like it.

Take advantage of your feet, and once you have seen the fabulous sights everyone knows about, walk away from the crowded, expensive areas and find your own Venice.
 
It's possible to get completely away from the crowds and wander amid the quiet - yes, quiet - of Venice. The lack of motorized traffic creates a unique city atmosphere.
 
It's fun and all you have to do is remember that you are on an small island really. You'll find your way out eventually. Just follow the per Rialto, per San Marco and per ferovia signs to major places. And enjoy the umbrella dance when it rains. (Small alleyways + 2 people with umbrellas= much amusement.) If you can sneak in Florence do that too.
 
Day Trips
 
Starting in Venice is your best idea. You could stop in Piran (a beautiful town on the Slovenian coast) and almost anywhere in Croatia. Especially Rovinj, Trogir, and who doesn't like Dubrovnik? There's a ton of nice islands to explore too. There are plenty of tourists, but they are not a problem in this region because it's not the sightseeing they are after, it's the sun and beaches which are amazing.