rebekkah

Trying to plan our Honeymoon. We will be in Italy (landing 10:30am in Venice) 9/21 and have flexibility in leaving to meet friends in Munich either 9/27 or 9/28 (via overnight train) We Know we are doing Venice for sure, and definetly want to do Rome, but we initially thought we would do a Venice, Florence, Rome vacation, but the more and more we look into it, the harder it seems it may be to actually see things and experience a bit of the culture if we try to jam in 3 cities in 7-8 days. Now we are thinking we may just do Venice and Rome. We'd both still really like to see Tuscany and found this tour https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-to...rips-from-rome that looks like we could get a good taste of Tuscany, but eat up a day of Rome. We want to be able to see the sights in Venice (doge's St. Marks, Rialto market, and also explore a bit). In Rome we want to see the ancient Rome sights (Colluseum, Pantheon...), Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City. As well as enjoy night life.

We aren't HUGE art people, we would definetly enjoy the rennessaince (sp?) history and want to check out the Duomo in Florence, but we aren't too sure how much more there is to do.....

So I guess I'm asking thoughts on this decision, or maybe even bring to light the awesome things Florence has to offer. Thanks!

dwdvagamundo

rebekkah--we spent a week in Florence years ago (including one day trip to Siena) and still didn't see everything--but we're art lovers.

If I were younger, I'd try to do all three, with the intention of just getting a taste and coming back in the future. You don't really have time to get more than a taste anyway, so why not try all three.

You could see the best of Rome in three days and the best of Venice in two. That leaves the rest of the time to see the best of Florence and a little bit of Tuscany. Florence has many beautiful churches and palaces, squares and museums. It's a fairly compact city that is enjoyable to walk around in, and no cars are allowed in the center.

Don't know how you handle jet lag, but presuming you're average, you might want to fly or train to Rome immediately upon landing in Venice, then work your way back north, as the train from Venice to Munich would be much shorter than from Rome to Munich.

Other commenters here will no doubt tell you that you can't see more than two or even just Rome. But, IMO, that's because they've been there quite a few times already. It would be rushed to see everything in the time you've got, but it wouldn't be impossible.

No matter what you do, you'll love Italy. Buon viaggio.

rebekkah

Thanks!dwdvagamundo. That was a very well thought out response

DRJ

I've been to all three several times. With your schedule, I think Florence is worth a day trip, no more.

Myer

A short stay in Florence is definitely better than none.

You don't have to see everything. Just get a taste.

You can make the best of whatever time you have available.

For instance, you can plan on 1 or 2 nights with only one day in the middle and see a lot.

You can call and book a ticket to the Accademia (David). That is your big time-saver. You could then see David, the Domo, Piazza Della Signoria, wander around that area, cross the Ponte Vecchio and either take a bus or taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a great view of the town.

That advance ticket will make it all possible.

This will give you enough to whet your appetite for Florence.

ekc

I would stick to Venice and Rome. Your first day in Venice is really only a half-day, once you de-plane, retrieve luggage, get through immigration, get from airport to hotel, check in, take shower, then lunch. And if jetlag is an issue, the rest of the day will be a blur.

You will be getting from Rome to Munich on the 28th, so now you are really talking about 6 days: 9/22 - 9/27. So if you spend 4 days in Rome (a good start), that leaves you with only 2 more days, which IMO should really be spent in Venice.

Also keep in mind that the trip from Venice to Rome will take half a day (pack, check out of hotel, get to train station, find train, 4-hour ride, get from train station to hotel, check in, drop bags, now it's time for lunch). So if you originally planned 4 days in Rome, now you really only have 3.5 days.

So now you truly have 2.5 days in Venice and 3.5 days in Rome. What are you going to sacrifice to see Florence?

Italy is amazing and you will love it. Leave Florence for another trip, because you will be back!

kybourbon

You could have a driver pick you up in Florence and drive you through Tuscany (perhaps with a stop or two) to Rome. There are quite a few tour guides/companies that do that.

flpab

Florence for the day at least, I liked it much more than Rome. I get flogged for saying that but it is the truth. I went to a very small mass at the Duomo early in the morning. No charge and before all the tourist. I will never forget that. Mostly nuns and in Italian but very meaningful.

sandralist

Given the way you describe yourselves -- in particular your worry you are cramming in too much and that will result in just cramming, not a great experience -- plus also your emphasizing you are not HUGE art people, I recommend SKIP FLORENCE ENTIRELY THIS TRIP. (Wanted to make sure you see that).

Art is my primary interest professionally and for my honeymoon to Italy, I took it out because I didn't want a rushed and truncated experience of it.

Right now, at the pace you are going, including Florence to get a taste and hit the highlights pretty much guarantees the expereince you will have of Italy is TOTALLY TOURIST. You will only have enough time to book this tour, book that tour, run from one famous building to another to check it off the list.

If you want to savor some amazing stuff in Italy, put some air and breathing room into your visit. Otherwise you will be the prisoner of MUST SEES and FIXED TRAIN TICKETS and pre-arranged schedules.

Just pointing that out.

nytraveler

While I love Florence I think you just don;t have time for all 3 cities - unless you want to rae around at warp speed and miss many major (not minor) sites in all places.

Since this is your honeymoon assume you will start out tired - and try not to make the rest of the trip an exhausting process with no time at all to just sit and relax and enjoy the slower Italian lifestyle.

cmstraf

It is your honeymoon. You will be really tired. Be strong and skip Florence. Have long lunches, long dinners, long walks, long naps. Venice is magical. If you are flying in, try to take the water taxi ($$but life making view) into the city. Make sure you see Venice outside the magnificent Piazza San Marco and see the piazza itself in the early morning or the evening. Take a gondola.

Walk through the Dorsoduro on small streets. Have the incredible arugula pizza at Taverna San Trovaso. Walk the promenade on the Zattere--where Venetians take their passeggiatta. Look back on Venice from San Giorgio di Maggiore or the wonderful weird new Museo della Dogana.
Check out the Campo Santa Margherita in case there is a celebration of the Laurea.

FHurdle

Assuming you don't have enough time for all three cities, what is the harm of taking the train to Florence, getting off and storing your bags, and just walking around for five hours getting a feel for the city before continuing the train trip to Venice.

In two hours you can see the duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, plus get a feel for the city. Why would this be unenjoyable? Then just be on your way to Venice, secure in the knowledge that you can come back to Florence if you liked it.

flpab

I would give up a day in Rome for Florence.

Myer

We are not really art people. But when we were in Florence a few years ago we bought advance tickets to the Academia museum and REALLY enjoyed it.

You've gotten advice from people who have strong opinions both ways.

I think the main question you should ask yourself is "when do you think you'll be back for a longer visit to Italy?"

I think the answer to that should determine whether or not you include Florence.

sandralist

I think the main question you should ask yourself is "What memories do I want to have of my honeymoon?" That is your once in a lifetime for you and your new spouse.

Gretchen

I would give up a day in Rome for Florence.

EXACTLY. Me too.

Rome is a huge spread out city with people who walk straight through you!!. Florence is compact and interesting from many points of view. I am not very enamored of Rome--full disclosure. ;o) I think many other places in Italy are more fun.
But you have your desires.

Bitter

My 2 cents. I am a pretty big fan of keeping moving (within reason), but that requires reasonable logistical skills and advance planning. You can't spend a day looking for a hotel, and may need to know when the trains actually run to where you are headed. But If you aren't up for that on your honeymoon, don't push it too far.

Rome deserves at least 3 days IMHO, particularly if you hit the Vatican (which will take a good part of the day; get there early for the museum!). I can't speak to Venice. One day in Florence would give you a good taste -- tourists do it all the time from boats or buses. But there is more to it (IMHO), and mornings and evenings add another layer.

margotheangel

I am not a huge fan of Florence, and I purposefully tried to not rush around on my honeymoon. With the amount of time you have and the fact that you aren't at lovers, of recommend not staying the night in Florence.

Since I assume you're taking the high-speed train from Venice to Rome anyway, I'd recommend trying to leave early from Venice, doing in Florence for some sightseeing and lunch, and then heading to Rome. Anther option would be a car and driver as someone else suggested - it just depends on how much money you want to spend.

lancer11

I would give up Rome for another trip and spend this trip on Venice and Florence with day trips from both. I am not an art lover either,but there are so many beautiful churches in Florence which the likes you have never seen. The Santa Croce and the Santa Maria Novella to mention a couple. One can easily spend 3/4 days in each city. What ever you plan enjoy and congrats.