Take a direct train from Bologna Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova; the ride is usually about 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, but allow roughly 2.5–3 hours door to door for getting to the station, waiting, and reaching your accommodation. Aim for a morning departure and check the day’s timetable and fares with Trenitalia or Italo. From Verona Porta Nuova, it’s about a 20–25-minute walk to the historic center, or a short bus or taxi ride; leave your bags at your lodging or use station luggage storage if you can’t check in yet. Start at Piazza Bra, then visit Verona Arena—allow around 1.5 hours for both. Arena entry depends on opening hours and ticket availability, so check ahead; if you go inside, allow extra time for the ticket queue.
Head to Osteria Sottocosta, near Piazza delle Erbe, for a relaxed solo lunch of Veronese dishes; budget about €20–35. Afterward, spend around 45 minutes wandering Piazza delle Erbe and its colorful market stalls, if they’re operating that day. Continue on foot across the Adige to Ponte Pietra and the Teatro Romano area—allow about 1.5 hours for the riverside views and Roman-era sights. The old town is easy to explore on foot, and the riverbank makes a lovely, unhurried end to your first day; in mid-October, plan to enjoy the views before dusk.
Start at Castelvecchio Museum when it opens, usually 10 a.m. Tuesday–Sunday; allow 1½–2 hours for the fortress, paintings, and views over the river. Admission is roughly €9, but check the museum’s current schedule and ticket details before you go. Step straight out to Ponte Scaligero beside the castle: 20–30 minutes is plenty to cross, admire the brickwork, and take a few photos. From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk through the center to Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. Set aside an hour; church visiting times can pause around services, so confirm Friday’s hours before heading over. Admission is usually a few euros.
From San Zeno, walk back toward the center and continue east to Giardino Giusti—allow around 25–30 minutes on foot, or take a local bus if you’d rather save your legs. Give the gardens about an hour for the cypress-lined paths and the climb to the city overlook; October hours and admission (often around €12–15) can vary, so check before setting out. Finish at Antica Bottega del Vino, near Piazza delle Erbe: book ahead for Friday dinner, and budget roughly €35–60 per person with a glass of regional wine. It’s a lovely solo stop at the counter or bar if you don’t feel like taking a full table.
Take a morning direct train from Verona Porta Nuova to Venezia Santa Lucia; the ride is about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Allow roughly 3–4 hours door to door for getting to the station, the train, and reaching your lodging. Ask ahead whether you can drop your bags, then head to Rialto Market in San Polo. Saturday market activity can be limited, so arrive as early as you can; browse for about an hour, and treat it as a lively canal-side stroll rather than counting on every stall being open.
Walk over to Osteria al Portego in Castello for cicchetti and a relaxed solo lunch; budget around €15–30. It can get busy, so be prepared to wait or eat at the counter if seating is tight. From there, continue to Piazza San Marco and the Basilica di San Marco. Allow 1½–2 hours for the square and basilica area. Basilica entry may require an advance booking, and access arrangements can change; check the official visitor information before you go and leave time for security and queues.
There’s a mismatch in the plan: this day is titled as checking in to Venice, but the listed onward journey says Venice → Bologna. If Bologna is genuinely your next stop, allow about 2.5–3.5 hours door to door, including travel to Venezia Santa Lucia, the train, and your arrival transfer in Bologna; check schedules and book the train once your timing is clear. If you’re staying in Venice as the itinerary title suggests, don’t book that Bologna leg for today—confirm your lodging and onward destination first.
No packing list attached yet.