jodi_goldberg_5

In May, we will be on a Celebrity cruise that begins in Rome and ends in Venice. We will have a day in Rome before we leave on the ship and 3 extra nights at the end of the cruise. The cruise arrives in Venice at 1pm on a Thursday and we'll have to disembark on Friday morning. Our flight leaves Rome on Monday at 6pm.

So we are trying to determine how to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Italy. One option is to stay in Venice and head back to Rome on Sunday.
Another option is to take the train to Florence either later on Friday (so we can see more of Venice) or Sat. early am and make Florence a home base for Sat. and Sunday. If we do that, we'd like to take a day tour to tuscany/siena and winery and another day tour to pisa.
Or, we can rent a car from Venice and drive to Tuscany and stay in the countryside.

Since our time is limited, I am not sure which would make the most sense for us. The idea of the tuscan villages really appeals to me but perhaps as a day trip out of Florence, that may be easiest. Then I've read how Venice is so amazing and I am thinking we don't have enough time there.

mamcalice

It is really hard for someone else to tell you what to do. Venice, Florence, the Tuscan countryside and Rome are all great options. I wouldn't try to see all of them in 3+ days but would concentrate on one. It is a lovely time of year for the Tuscan countryside. Do a little research and think what it is you want to do. Then, perhaps we can help with specifics.

neckervd

You need at least 3-4 days for a somewhat decent vsit of Rome and 2 FULL days for Venice.
The only decision you have to made is whether you will leave Venice Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon.

Jean

I agree with mamcalice. Your interests rule over our opinions.

Coming off a cruise, how much luggage will you have? Getting on/off trains with more than 2 medium-sized pieces per person will be a challenge. Renting a car to hold more than 2 medium and 2 small pieces of luggage could get expensive.

If you decide to drive, you need to become acquainted with the limited traffic zones existing in most Italian cities and towns. Google "zona a traffico limitato" for any town you plan to visit to get an idea of the boundaries and hours of the town's ZTL, where you would park outside the zone, etc. If you choose a hotel inside the town's ZTL, have the hotel advise the precise route you should drive into the town to reach the property. A property with either designated or public parking nearby is a plus. You'll need to get International Driver Permits which are available through AAA.

Reading54

Florence and Pisa is connected by frequent trains. You can visit Pisa from Florence by train for half a day.

As for touring Tuscany/Siena and a winery, there are many organized day-tours departing from Florence which includes Siena and a wine tasting. CAF tours http://www.caftours.com/ was sometimes given as an example in this forum, although I have not taken such a tour myself.