1.) am I being silly to toss in a jaunt to Athens with such a limited amount of time?

Yes. Too far to travel for too little time. Save Athens for another trip when you can combine it with the Greek Isles.

Day 3 seems to have disappeared?

I would overnight in Venice at least one night (or 2) instead of going to Greece.

I've been to Rome multiple times (five days last trip) and still have a long list of things I haven't had time for yet.

I'm not sure why you are so set on Monday for the Vatican as it's typically one of the most crowded days. Perhaps in November it will be a bit less crowded.

I agree that skipping Athens would be a good idea. Also, an overnight in Venice if it is really imperative that you see Venice. Personally, I think you are not giving yourself enough time to see Rome or Venice even if you skip Athens. You will see "structures" but will not experience either city. Italy is best appreciated when you can slow down and enjoy it. Take time at a cafe, stroll narrow streets, have some gelato. Why not visit one city with the small amount of time you have. If Venice is a must, go to Venice. Save Rome and Athens for another time. If you must go to Rome, fly into Venice and fly home from Rome. See if you can cut down on your travel time/days.

Kybourbon is 100% right.

Using up a lot of time and money to go to Athens when that time could be spent seeing more great stuff in Italy is a mistake with such a short time.

Day tripping to Venice from Rome is a really, really bad idea. If you have not already booked tickets, get an "open jaw" ticket: flying into Venice and out of Rome.

If you have already booked tickets, go straight to Venice when you land in Rome and work your way back to Rome so you end the trip there and don't break up time in Rome into two different hotel stays.

If you feel you would be bored in Rome after only a few days, put a day or two in Florence in between Venice and Rome. From Florence you could day trip to Siena.

If you wanted more time in Venice, you could stop only for a few hours in Florence, or you could go on back to Rome and day trip to Florence. From Rome, you could also day trip to Orvieto.
You like castles. What about palaces? Plenty of those in Venice, Florence and Rome.

Unfortunately I have already booked my flight into and out of Rome (a little prematurely!) before I really started looking into things. Athens was an idea that now somehow has been stuck in the back of my head. Just one of those things where "what if I never get that close to it again" thoughts!

As far as Vatican goes, the Sunday I will be there is the last of the month which is free admission and quite a bit busier I would assume. I'm actually hoping that will take some pressure off of Monday! With Thursday of that week being a religious holiday I'm anticipating quite a few extra people!

I think I may just need some pumping up about what to see in Rome! For some reason I feel worried about it moreso than any previous trip. This is probably why I keep Athens in my thoughts!

I have a hotel booked in Rome for the entire length of my trip. I had found a hotel in Athens for $55 and was just going to not worry about the night in Rome. Is there something of an equivalent price in Venice? Is Verona worth a stop?

I do also like palaces (I'm actually a huge Anglophile which does not help the situation!). I had tossed around the idea of Castelle Odescalchi kind of near Rome?

Is hadrians villa worth a stop?

First let's list your days correctly with you current plan in place:

Sat, Oct 27 - Day 1: arrive Rome
Sun, Oct 28 - Day 2: Rome
Mon, Oct 29 - Day 3: Rome
Tue, Oct 30 - Day 4: daytrip by train to Venice; sleep Rome
Wed, Oct 31 - Day 5: fly to Athens; arrive at 2pm
Thu, Nov 1 - Day 6: Athens; 4:30 flight to Rome; sleep Rome
Fri, Nov 2 - Day 7: half day Ostia antica OR Hardians villa OR appian way
Sat, Nov 3 - Day 8: fly home

I agree with what the others have written. Athens is the outlier in this short amount of time. You will lose a lot of time getting to the airports in Rome and Athens, going through security and such, so that will take much more of your day than expected. If you really are afraid that rome won't hold your interest, then plan a daytrip from Rome to Orvieto, a beautiful hilltown, which is an hour away by train rather than flying to another country.

If Venice is is a must, then give it enough time to actually enjoy it rather spending 9-10 hours of the day traveling roundtrip.

Here's what others have suggested:
Sat, Oct 27 - Day 1: arrive Rome; train to Venice; sleep Venice
Sun, Oct 28 - Day 2: Venice
Mon, Oct 29 - Day 3: Venice
Tue, Oct 30 - Day 4: train to Rome; sleep Rome
Wed, Oct 31 - Day 5: Rome
Thu, Nov 1 - Day 6: half day Ostia antica OR Hardians villa OR appian way
Fri, Nov 2 - Day 7: Rome
Sat, Nov 3 - Day 8: fly home

I know it seems like Athens is so close and why not just hop over? I thought so too on my first trip to Italy - until I was on the ground and realized how much there was to see right there - and how long it would take to get between the two. Just think about how much time will be taken up within your 7-day trip to transit to Athens and back! City center to airport with time for security, then the same plus customs in Greece, and again returning to Italy...

My last trip to Rome was five days, and I left wishing I'd had just a few more (despite having 2 weeks total in Italy). I have a feeling that would be the case no matter how much time I have there!

For inspiration, you might want to go to a bookstore and browse the Rome guidebooks. (Or browse the Italy ones and see where else you might want to visit. If you stay within Italy, round-trip to/from Rome is perfectly do-able.) On my last trip, I actually found the chapters of the Fodors guide very helpful: in addition to listings by area, it provides mini-sections discussing various aspects of history and culture.

This may be stating the obvious, but Rome has so many layers of history all at once! For example, one night wandering back to our hotel, we happened upon some ancient ruins teeming with cats. Turns out it's the cat sanctuary! Then at that moment out of nowhere we were lapped by about eight high-performance racing cars circling the square.

// I like Sassafrass' suggestion of going straight to Venice on your first day and working your way back to Rome. However, I'd just hop a cheap flight (Easy Jet, Blu Express, etc.), then train your way back to Rome...

>am I being silly to toss in a jaunt to Athens with such a limited amount of time? <

Yes

Add the time to Venice.

Enjoy your visit.

I am 90% sure I have ruled out Athens. Greece semi worries me with the potential for riots and or strikes with the economic crisis and all of your opinions thus far have really helped! My biggest concern was being in Rome or traveling within Italy on All Saints Day (Nov 1st) and that was my way of alleviating any issues as its obviously not a holiday in Greece.

I'm still very much up in the air as to what/where else to go. Is there anything worth seeing close to Venice? I read somewhere that there is a castle near Verona? I don't have much interest in Florence but I also haven't looked that much into it.

I think you are wise to rule out Athens for this trip, but not for the reasons mentioned. There have been no riots (despite what you may have read), and strikes (what few there are) usually don't affect tourists. In the many times I have been to Athens, only once have I been affected by a strike. That day taxi drivers were striking, but buses and metro still running, so I got to my destination anyway.

Quite simply, there is no point in wasting all that time and money for a short visit to Athens when there is so much to see in Italy. I can't imagine All Saints Day will be a washout for you either. BTW, strikes are not unknown in Italy.

Figure out what you like. Nature or architecture. After 2-3 days in Rome you'll be fed up with paintings, sculptures, ruins, etc.
Drive thru Tuscany instead of going to Venice or take a night train to Venice so you don't waste a day. Remember that train travel is nice, but trains do run late and they go on strikes. Have you considered Cinque Terre?

I think once you are in Venice you will find enough to do for two days without taking any side trips. Yes, Verona is lovely, but if you want to do it add a day up north and subtract is from Rome.

Be sure to figure in travel time!!!

With only 7 nights, I would stick to Rome and Venice. You'll spend a significant amount of time just travelling to Venice and back. I think you will find more than enough to do in those cities, and possibly more than you have time to do, without adding in Athens or Verona. While I enjoyed visiting both Athens and Verona, I would much rather return to Rome (twice) and Venice (3 times) given the choice.

I don't know if you like churches, but Rome has many wonderful ones -- San Giovanni Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, San Luigi Francesi, Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria della Vittoria, San Pietro in Vincoli, San Clemente...

There are fantastic museums apart from the Vatican Museums: the Borghese Gallery, the Capitoline Museums, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj...

Castel Sant' Angelo is nice too. You can climb to the top and have a wonderful view of Rome and the Vatican.

Venice is amazing itself. There are more beautiful churches, more art and just wandering about. You can visit the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), go up the campaniles (San Marco and San Giorgio Maggiore). I suppose you could even take a day-tour out of Venice to see some of Palladio's Villas in the Veneto.

I agree...with only a week, limit yourself to Venice and Rome. Start with Venice. There is much to see and it is so unique. Finish up in Rome. Get the Roma Pass, use it and especially the free transportation. We loved using the bus in Rome, whenever we got tired or too hot and just needed to get home after walking,walking,walking ( and loving it!). Even if you don't go to the Borghese galleries, visit the gardens. Amazing people watching, and there is usually plenty of shade and often, music!

The forum and Colisseum can take up a lot of time and is terrificly worth it! There are themed exhibits set up throughout the forum that really get your imagination pumping. Tour the Vatican and see the Sistene Chaple. My favorite museum in Rome is The Capitoline. especially the giant atrium where all the big bronzes are displayed,

windowshop your way to the Spanish Steps. It is worth taking Rick Steve's book our of the library just to do the nighttime. Walking tour of all the lit up fountains.

Thank you all for all of the wonderful suggestions! I greatly appreciate it all! I believe I will nix Athens all together this trip and spent the majority of my time in and around Rome. Hopefully I'm worrying about All Saints Day being more of a problem than it really will be. I think the suggestions of spending the extra time in Venice rather than a whole different country is worth taking!

Finding a hotel for $55 in Venice is going to be next to impossible.

I think forgetting about Greece and sticking to Rome and Venice is *plenty* for only 7 days!

IMHO - way too much.

You can't actually do Venice as a day trip from Rome. I mean you can but you will spend the whole day on the train. Just a waste of time. I fyou go, spend at least one night (instead of Athens).

In Rome - -you can;t see Coloseo, Forum and Capitoline in one morning. that;s a full day worth of stuff.

And there are many, many other things in Rome that you are missing. I would do more exploring yourself and fewer tours - many of which are least common denominator. (Covering C, F and Capitoline in a morning is definitely lest common denominator - you are missing a lot. Including just exploring neighborhoods, sitting in a sidewalk cafe with a drink and watch Roe go by - especially in the piazza in front of the Pantheon.

You will be running so fast you will really see and absorb little.

I am trying to stay away from too many "tours". I thought about one for the Vatican but many of them don't spend the amount of time in the museums (or see specific things I'd like) and from my understanding once you exit the museum for the Basillica you cannot reenter? Besides, the prices for those tours are a bit hefty for something I can do on my own with a prepurchased ticket thru the Vatican museum site. I may be incorrect in this (and please correct me of I am) but I am under the impression that the only way you can see the underground and 3rd tier of the Colosseum is with a guide. This is the main reason I chose the option of a tour with "through eternity". It's a 5 hour tour and it at least sounded interesting. Same with their "love and death" tour. I could easily do that walk on my own but the commentary seems as though it may be an interesting addition. I could be wrong! In late October and early November is it really necessary (with the exception of the Vatican) to purchase "skip the line" tickets for anything in Rome or Venice? Everything I've looked at makes me feel like I'd waste tons of time by not doing so.

I also think it will be hard to find a hotel for $55.00 in Venice. Can you take the money you had planned to spend on airfare to Athens and up the amount you can spend for a hotel in Venice?

You certainly don't have to worry about an influx of tourists in Rome for November 1. There won't be extra crowds; it's not like Easter.

A 5 hour tour, unless it includes the Forum, sounds too long to me. Do you have a link to the tour?

You can do the Vatican Museums on your own. You are correct the prebooking your tickets will be adequate.

So prebook the Vatican Museums, use a guide/tour for ancient Rome and the parts of the Colosseum you want to see, and maybe book a time for the Galleria Borghese.

You won't need to really book any other tours. I've only seen really long lines for the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican Museums, and you've already figured out how to deal with those. The "skip the line" tickets would be the Roma Pass, I guess, and they would be worth it for saving money, but the plan you already have will take care of time.

I would only see two places in Italy in one week.

If you decide on Venice, a daytrip to Verona would be OK, but right there in the Venetian Lagoon, you have Murano, Burano, and Torcello. I think visiting the islands is fun. It's easy and interesting.

I suggest not overplanning. I don't think you'll be bored at all.

I too am a great lover of Britain, and I love Italy just as much. I keep returning to both places.

With everything else, I hadn't even considered the idea that I'd have the money from saved airfare to put toward the Venice overnight! Thanks for pointing that out!

The link for the tour I intend to do is: http://www.througheternity.com/semiprivaterome/semiprivaterome002b.htm

Obviously there are others tours and companies which also include the same things but after reading this one I felt excited unlike with some of the others. Perhaps it's their marketing but it certainly sold me! Haha!

I'm trying very hard not to overplan but I find it hard to just "go with it". My goal is to have a general idea and perhaps one thing/place per day that's a must and just let the other pieces fall into place.

jerzgirl, that tour you linked will be perfect. It will cover all you'll need to see of the ancient center of Rome and take care of lines for you. I think it sounds great.

You know, we are going to Rome near the end of October. I have lost count of our trips to Rome; we are somewhere around 10 perhaps. We love Rome and always have an adventure there. It's impossible to find boring. You're going to have a great time'

I sure hope so! I haven't found a European destination I haven't liked yet so I'm not entirely sure why I'm so concerned over this one! I'll just chalk it up to new destination jitters!

I have spent a month in Rome spread over two different vacations and still haven't seen everything. I would not do more than one other city.

It's true in Italy things can slow down on a holiday, but I'm not sure everything shuts down on All Saints. Worst comes to worst, many cafes and such will still be open. Go to Piazza Navona and have a coffee or gelato and walk around the historic old city. Just walk the neighborhood, go from piazza to piazza with a guidebook. It's just so beautiful.

As to cheap lodgings: Nuns typically rent convent rooms out for quite cheap to travelers. Here's a website that could help for Rome: http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

I have taken a day trip out to Odelsachi Castle in Bracciano and it was quite enjoyable. It was most of a day between the train and then the tour is at either 10 am or 3 pm as I recall (please doublecheck me). Ostia Antica would also take most of a day and is excellent.

We are going to Rome for the first time in September. we will be there 10 days and won't have enough time to see everything we want to see!! For what it's worth, we are planning day/half day trips to Tivoli (Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este), Orvieto and Ostia Antica.

jerzgirl,

Your basic plan of having one "must see" in Rome per day is one I have used and it worked very well for me.

I booked or reserved the tours/sites that were priorities in advance, then checked for other things I wanted to see that were in the general area. It was easy to pop in to a church or two and see special works (Michaelangelo)before or after my main objective.

Do your research on what is open and when, carry it with you, and you will be able to do as much as you choose.

Have a wonderful time. Rome is an incredible city. I can't wait to go back for my third visit!

Buon viaggio!

Looks like your trip is shaping up nicely! I agree with all of what Dayle said in her most recent comment. If there are particular churches you'd like to go into - and I'm sure there will be, as they are scattered with Michaelangelos, Caravaggios and more - make sure to note on the map where they are in relation to the big sight you'll see on any given day. And make sure to note their hours, as they aren't always open to the public!

The Borghese Gallery is an amazing testament to one man's wealth and love of art. If you're interested, book a reservation in advance (at that time of year, you should be able to do so even once you're there).

I know I mentioned the Fodor's Rome guide before. Not to shill too much for them(!), but if you have an iPhone, their mobile app looks like it has all the good stuff from the book:
http://www.fodors.com/mobile-apps/rome/

Thank you all for the excellent insight. I already feel 1000 times better about my trip now than I did prior to this posting! Other than Venice, I am going to concentrate my time in and around Rome. I've been looking into the sights along the Appian Way and am extremely intrigued by the Aquaduct Park. Does anyone know if the Archebus (?) stops there or would I need to walk from a specific location along the way? As much as I'd love to be able to go to Pompeii I feel as though, while obviously different, Ostia Antica would be an adequate substitute so that will be a highlight of one of my days. If I can find out more info about Odescalchi, like exactly how to get there using public transport, that is another side trip I'd really like to take as it is close to Rome. I'm up in the air over Hadrians Villa. Is it worth giving up some time in Rome to see this?

jerzygirl,

With only a week to see Rome and Venice, you don't have time for 2 day trips out of Rome. Save Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este for another trip.

In fact I'll be surprised if once in Rome, and you realize all there is just right in the city, you won't even make it to Ostia Antica.

You will return! Buon viaggio

Hi J,

>Is there anything worth seeing close to Venice? .... I don't have much interest in Florence but I also haven't looked that much into it.<

I suggest that it would be greatly to your advantage to do a little research into two of the most glorious cities in the Western World.

You could start at "Destinations".

If you truly only have "7 days" per the title of this thead, then 4 days Rome, 2 days Venice (and the 2 half-days going back and forth between them). You don't have time for extra stops, day trips, adding another city, etc.

If you feel you have "extra time" then add it to Venice. I've spent 5 days there each, two different times and certainly didn't run out of things to see or do.

Besides that, it sounds like your trip is shaping up nicely!

Hi ira,

The OP has made great strides in her itinerary. See her post on Jun 3, 12 at 12:44am for an indication of the research she's been doing.

Jerzgirl,
If you're still checking these posts, it is easy to get to the Castel Odescalchi, but this outing will take much of a day, with transit included. It is a good day-trip, really. If you get an early start, you could do a tour in the morning and then you are not hostage during the mid-day siesta. Also you likely will enjoy going down to the lakefront more in October than when we were there in December. You do need to reserve a spot on the English Language tour you want. There is no prepaying needed.

One could contend that Bracciano/Odescalchi is not a first-tier destination. Or say that if you want the perfect medieval town you will go to a little place in Tuscany likely overrun with tourists. But that would take days you do not have. If you have not visited Europe before, Bracciano is a perfectly nice town with a great castle, and will be a great contrast to Rome and Venice for your trip.

It has been six years (wow, already?) since my trip, so you will need to re-check the train schedules. But basically, when we went, there was a sort of suburban faster metro line, and you take this route from either Piramide or the St. Peter's station to get to Bracciano. You can check my Bracciano entry from my trip report, the date of which is:
5alive on Sep 17, 06 at 12:22am

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/trip-report-rome-at-christmas-with-kids.cfm

Thanks for the info 5Alive. I'm still keeping that an option!

I just looked at your tour link. It says you will tour Domus Aurea. As far as I know, it's still closed.

Ostia Antica will take a full day from your Rome stay and so will Hadrian's Villa. So that's two days of your precious week, and two less days to see Rome itself. I would keep those two excusions as options and see what you have time for after you get there. There is so much to see in Rome!

You can check out Baja Bikes, they offer inexpensive bike and walking tours in Rome (and other Italian cities). Especially when you don't have much time it's an excellent way to see some beautiful spots.

So here is a quick update to my travel plans. I have changed my flight and added a few more days to my Italian adventure. Needless to say I am quite excited! Rather than flying into Rome I am now flying into Venice! The return will still be from Rome. I plan on staying my first two nights in Venice (was considering a hotel near the train station in Mestre, any opinions). I hear it can be a real pain (and more expensive) to haul luggage within Venice itself hence the Mestre idea. Is it difficult to go from Mestre into Venice if I plan on going in early and leaving rather late? As far as Rome goes, I now have 7 full days there. I have a few tours booked and am planning to do Ostia and the Appian Way. If (and this is a big if) I decide I have had enough of Rome is it complicated to just jump on a train for a day (possible overnight) trip to some place else such as Naples? Thanks for all the comments thus far! They have already helped a ton!

The Mestre idea is not good. If you want to avoid hauling luggage then choose a hotel close to a vaporetto stop in Venice proper. Hauling luggage is a minor problem compared to the experience of staying in Venice that you will miss in Mestre. Tell us your budget and we can help you find lodging in Venice.

jerzgirl, that's great to hear! Especially that you're now "quite excited".

IMO, it's very straightforward to take the train to Naples and back. If you decide to overnight there, you might even squeeze in a quick jaunt along the Amalfi Coast - though that late in the year, it might not be worthwhile. Better would be the easy trip from Naples to Pompeii or Herculaneum - and there's plenty to do in Naples itself.

I enjoyed reading the Naples part of this trip report, and often recommend it to others! This link brings you right to the Naples bit:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bruce-and-marija-go-to-naples-alba-neive-turin-florence-and-paris.cfm#comment-6749994

There are a lot of posts on this board about getting from Rome to Naples for a day trip. The member GAC has loads of useful stuff about Italian trains, including this one:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/rome-to-sorrentopositanopraianoamalfiravellosalerno-travel-options.cfm

And I often recommend this post for the links to photos of the Naples train station (updated at the end):
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/through-naples-to-sorrento-or-pompei.cfm

some tips and photos of our trip to Rome if that helps

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/rome-with-kids-blog-photos.cfm

Defintiely dont stay in Mestre!!! The magic of Venice is being in Venice!!! Evenings are lovely and I would not give up staying in Venice - just stay at a convenient vapretto stop!

I agree with Jamikins. Stay in Venice proper. I'm so glad you were able to change your flights, I think you'll have a great trip now.

Wow, you did book your airfare quite in advance! My husband and I have used Through Eternity 2 years ago for the 5 hour Vatican tour. It was the best tour ever, mainly because of the guide who made sure we were the first handful of people to enter the Sistine chapel, and he was super knowledgable. his name was Gabriel, an American PhD student studying in Italy. He moved us quickly between the sights in the Vatican so that we can pack it in. The pace might have been too fast for some, but it was great for us. He didn't rush us through the sites, just quick with transitioning between them! There were only 6 people in the tour group.

Personally, I'd spend the entire 7 days in Rome. I've been there twice for a total of two weeks, and I still feel as if I haven't seen everything I want to see.

Don't stay in Mestre! Stay somewhere in Venice proper. While Venice is crowded during the day, it is relatively empty early morning and in the evening. The wonderful part is being able to be in Venice during those times. If you stay in Mestre, you will have to be getting to the train station or bus station and then traveling into Venice and will lose that time. When I was last in Venice, late last summer, we stayed out fairly late after dinner (in the cafes in Piazza San Marco listening to the orchestras, at the floating lounge at the Gritti Palace listening to the pianist/singer, etc.) It was so nice just to be able to walk back 10 minutes to our hotel and go to bed rather than deal with public transportation to the mainland. Like Ellenem said, choose a hotel near a vaporetto stop.

I had considered the idea of Pompeii (if time and interests allow) but am a bit wary of the local train from Naples to there based on many different reviewers making it sound so horrible for crime, etc.

Can anyone recommend hotels in Venice Proper near the stops? I'd prefer to keep in at around $200USD a night if possible but I am a little flexible as I have increased my budget for the increase in time.

I booked my flights quite early, May actually. It's kind of a good thing I did as my return flight is actually completely booked!

Obviously, as stated, I have never been to Italy. I'm keeping my options open while in Rome "just in case" I feel I have had enough and need a change for a day or two. I'm asking about other places such as Naples so that it is an option, not necessarily a do. I am much more into statues than general art. While churches offer wonderful statues/art/architect and so on, there are only so many that I care to see in one trip (partially why Rome worries me). I'm sure as some of you have suggested, it's entirely possible I will arrive in Rome and be so enamoured I will never see all I would want. On the off chance thats not the case I just want to have a contingency plan in place!

I'm beyond excited about Venice! Looking forward to some hotel suggestions and any other tidbits anyone would like to offer me about what to do, where to eat, where to wander, etc.

Thanks so much everyone! I wouldn't have gotten this far without all of your input!

HarlotsGhost, that is the OP's latest plan - see her comment from last night (timestamp Jul 11, 12 at 11:41pm).

Oops jerzgirl, posted at the same time!

I wouldn't worry about the Circumvesuviana so much that it makes you avoid going to Pompeii. (And that's coming from someone who was worried on our luggage-laden return to Naples from Sorrento!)

You'll be on the train during regular hours without lots of bags or whatever. And thanks to the heads-up you've received, you'll be aware of your surroundings and won't let yourself get distracted by possible scams - just in case. (FWIW, on that one train ride out of many ,the reason I was concerned was that there was an indigent family at the end of the car near the luggage racks where our bags were. My radar was up - but they were just riding the train like we were!)

// With an interest in sculpture, look into booking a reservation for the Galleria Borghese in Rome. I wasn't much into Baroque art, before visiting it, but this former mansion has some incredible stuff: the best of the best of its time.

As for ancient sculpture, IMO nothing beats those at the national archeological museum in Naples! And mosaics, and wall paintings, and household items... All items taken from Pompeii and elsewhere. So you'd go to Pompeii for the architectural remains, and for the immersive feeling of being at the site - but go to the museum for the incredible objects those people surrounded themselves with every day!

For Venice I have done a little looking and decided I will stay within Venice itself. On that note if I'm gonna pay decent money to stay I'd like there to be a canal view. It doesnt have to be the grand canal. This is mostly for my moms benefit as it is a trip to celebrate her 60th birthday. Id love, love, love not to spend more than 600€ total for the 2 nights. Obviously lower is better and a little over is ok. Any suggestions?

ggreen:
Thank you so much for all the little tidbits and links! Greatly appreciated and beyond helpful!

Go to www.venere.com and put in your dates and your budget. Avoid any hotel in Mestre or on the Lido. There are several well-rated possibilities. Check them out at www.tripadvisor.com and/or www.booking.com.

But now that you've extended your trip, you still have only 2 nights in Venice? Remember if you're arriving after a long overnight flight, you will be jet-lagged and sleepy, not in peak touristing condition. Allow a couple days to recover. Fortunately, wandering in a jet-lagged daze is appropriate sight-seeing in Venice.

Try www.hotelgalleria.it in Venice

It strikes me that this pdf booklet that is free from the internet from one of the more popular B&Bs in Rome may be of use to you and others. It's a 32 page mini-guidebook about sights and eating places, bars, and some customs to do with gelato and coffee bars.
It's from The Beehive, near the Termini station in Rome:
http://www.the-beehive.com/assets/pdf/rome-travel-guide.pdf
They've been handing it out for years

hi jerzgirl

I just came back from a trip to Rome/Florence for 6 days. We spent 4 days in rome and 2 days in Florence. I am still beating up myself for not staying longer in Rome. there is so much to see and just getting lost in the streets and soaking up on people and culture is a treat by itself. I would really not do this and instead, spend as much time as i can in Rome. try to explore the residential areas such as Monteverde to get a taste of true Roman Areas. I hope you wont make the same mistake as I did by cutting our trip short. but that was beyond our control as we have to attend to business.