You can fly standby into Aviano Air Force Base about 60 miles from the old Yugoslavian border. Aviano has a Page: Aviano AFB. Best bet: Fly out of Dover AFB. There are flights directly into Aviano (sometimes via the Azores) or you can go through Ramstein AFB, Germany. Quarters on base are limited, but hotels nearby are reasonable. Make Aviano your base. From there catch a train (if you haven't ridden a European train, it's a treat) to Venice and play tourist in and around Saint Marco Square. Train ride is about 2 hours or so.

The train station is within the city and there is easy motor boat taxis

right to San Marco, or really play tourist and let a gondola take you.