Pre-cruise stays

My fiancé and I are planning our main honeymoon for fall 2026, likely September/October.

We are thinking about hopping on a cruise out of Ravenna, Italy. We are interested in exploring some of Italy prior to the cruise.

We have never stayed in Europe, so we don’t really know what to expect! Likely going to stay around the Venice area so we can get round trip flights and easy access to the cruise port.

We are just starting our research! Where do you recommend we stay in Venice? Hoping to stay within a $300 a night budget or less. What kind of activities should we do while we are there? Are there any other short drive trips from Venice that are worthwhile? (I’m seeing the Dolomites, Murano/Burano). What is the best way to get around the city/to various towns out of the city?

Open to any and all suggestions!