Our 2-week itinerary is complete for September, but I have left a day and night free (very unlike me - I'm far too organized) between Venice and Lake Como. We would like to simply drive and find any quiet and quaint place along the way that anyone out there might have found interesting & beautiful on this route. Verona is not an option since I understand there is much construction going on this year...and Garda seems to be too "busy" for us. What would be rather halfway and worth a stop? Iseo? Any wine regions near Verona? I am clueless about this area and its accommodations - also the distances and roads!
My parents used to always just fly to Europe with no plans whatsoever and found the most beautiful, quaint places to stay at the last minute. Is this still possible? Thanks to you experts on this one!

[edited by chris to correct spelling of Bellagio]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris,

A place nearby Verona is Soave. I've never been there and I know nothing about wine - except that I've drunk wine from there!

It also sounds like there is an interesting castle there which you can visit (closed Monday.)

I don't think it would be about halfway though - you could probably drive to there from Venice in less than two hours.

As most on this forum know, i'm not a big fan of lake Garda (i regularly have memorable disputes with my cousin who lives in Salò on which lake is better..) but it wouldn't be honest not to reccomend Sirmione...

We have stayed with friends who live in the area and have made some great day trips- Lazise, on Lake Garda is one of my favorites, Mantova and Lake Iseo have all been really nice.