Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
Quote Originally Posted by ReiseReise
Some regions seem to be coded to be crusade targets, they are always on the list and the Pope is more likely to approve your request. Jerusalem, for obvious reasons, Antioch was important in the founding of Christianity by Paul and others, and Cordoba as part of the Reconquista. When a faction gets excommunicated the Pope likes to put the hurt on them.
I found a very effective strategy playing as Venice, I allied with the Pope and let Milan attack me. Since I was allied with the Pope, Milan lost about 4 pope-o-meter points immediately and was excommunicated the next time they attacked me, I then launched a Crusade to Milan, put most of my family members in it and they got all the good Crusader traits in about 3 turns. I almost instantly had 4 generals with 6-8 Chivalry and piety (GREAT governors), and 4-6 stars each, with none of that long voyage to the Holy Land stuff to worry about.


An excellent tactic I frequently use!