In reply to jezzah:
There are absolutely loads of Via Ferrata's closer than the two mentioned. The whole of the Bellunese Dolomites are less than 2 hours drive from Venice. Arco is a slog from venice, probably 3-4 hours drive. By comparison you could be by Agordo ready to do the Stella Alpina, one of the toughest routes in the Dolomites in 1.30 hours from Marco Polo. Our valley, there is the West Ridge of Marmolada, the VF Eterna to Punta Serauta (with cable car back down in the season and a 45 minute walk in) and the VF delle Trincee, access by cable car from Malga Ciapela (monte Padon and then path to Porto Vescovo). There's also routes on Moiazza (Castiglioni) from Passo Duran, the Tissi and Allegesi on Civetta and many many more - the Dolomites do not stop once you get south of Cortina or Corvara!