karussell

We will be in Italy for 12 days (not including travel time). Flying into Rome and out of Venice. We had originally thought we would do Rome for 6 days allow for a travel day via train to Venice and then have the remaining 5 in Venice. BUT, now I think we could shave a day off of each and hit Florence for 2 days. We tend to dislike feeling rushed so I'm not sure if this seems reasonable or not.

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

K

MFNYC

I think it's very reasonable and not overly rushed.

dfr4848

If you haven't been before and you're not sure whether you'll be back soon, I really think I'd try and squeeze in Florence. It's not out of your way and it's a rather amazing place - very different than either Rome or Venice. It's also very compact, easily walkable, and you could see a lot of the city in two full days. Sure, you could easily spend more than 6 days in Rome and 5 in Venice (and most people would probably recommend you do - including me), but Florence is certainly worth it.

sandi_travelnut

I think adding Florence they way you did, is not too rushed. Have a wonderful trip!

knickerbocker

4-4-4 Rome-Florence-Venice I'd say. That or 4-5-3. 2 days for Florence is hardly worth it IMHO.

annhig

hi, karussell,

I'm going to disagree with the OPs [it would be boring if we all agreed!] and suggest you stick to plan A ie Rome and venice only.

if you've not been to rome before, you wil resent leaving it after 4 days - it's just not enough really to enjoy it, but in 6 days, you can see so much, and take your time doing it. in 6 days last year, we managed to fit in two days trip, plus all the major sites, and some of the minor ones, and we still wanted more!

then Venice is such a more relaxing experience, with boat-trips, lovely buildings, beauitful art and churches - you'll love it all the more if you can take your time.

I would leave Florence for another time - you can do another whole trip based on Florence and tuscany, and not feel rushed at all.

regards, ann

tdyls

I'll dissent to the dissension.

A 2-day stay in Florence will give you a taste, a tease, of Florence. 3 cities in 12 days is reasonable, although it inherently will give one of The Big Three (Rome-Florence-Venice) the short shrift. In this case it's Florence. Since it's on the way between Rome and Venice, and the train has to stop there anyway, I think that doing 4.5 days in Rome, 2 in Florence, 3.5 in Venice, and a day total for travel isn't that bad of an itenerary.

With only 2 days you won't get to experience much of Florence, but it will give you a taste.

PradaModo

Make sure you in Florence either before or after monday's. As the Uffizi & Accademia are closed on Monday's.

Sassafrass

It must be hard for you - getting so many different opinions. Anyway, here is one more. Stop in Florence for the two days.

It is true you will not get a big Florence experience and will be giving up time in Rome and Venice. However, you can't see or experience everything anyway, no matter how long you have. It is worth stoping in Florence just to see the Duomo, the Baptistery doors, David in the Accademia, visit the Uffiz, another museum or church and look up from the bank of the Arno at the exterior of Ponte Vecchio. These things are all so close together, you won't feel rushed.

Whatever you decide, you will have a wonderful time, and you will go back.

tuscanlifeedit

And you can have delicious Tuscan food.

But really, since you were going by train anyway, the stop in Florence makes total sense to me.

I have spent a lot of time in Florence, but my first three trips there were all for very short stays like you are thinking of. I enjoyed each of those stays very much.

Graziella5b

I don;t like either to be rushed. However a stop in Florence is in the way and certainly worth it.
Do stop in Florence, you will not regret it but as PradaMOdo suggested be sure to avoid Mondays.

kfusto

I would choose 3 in Venice, 4 in Florence and 4 in Rome.

Yes, 2 days is too rushed unless you like fly bys.

NeoPatrick

I think two nights in Florence is fine unless you really get into delving at length into Renaissance art and visiting churches for hours on end. Don't forget, assuming you are taking trains, you can easily be in Florence by noon, have all afternoon and evening, the full next day, and then even stay throught the morning of the third day if you want before the ride to Venice. I vote for the two nights in Florence in the middle.

KatieL

I vote for two days in Florence in the middle. We were ready to leave Rome after 5 days. We enjoyed Rome, but after we left, we REALLY enjoyed Italy. There was plenty to do and see in Rome, but it wasn't that charming. Florence was beautiful, cleaner, and the people were much more pleasant and friendly. Two days are fine for a Florence experience, just don't try to visit Pisa or the Tuscan countryside. Stay in the city and enjoy a little art, the churches, and just being there. It will be a nice change of pace after Rome. Make Ufizi and Academia reservations to avoid long lines, and you will be fine.

Venice, Rome and Florence are so different. It is a perfect combination to see differing aspects of Italy.
I don't think you will feel rushed with your suggested plan.

Pennywise3

I personally liked Rome better than Florence, more to do, more to see. If you really want to see David and see the city itself (and want to shop), two days is plenty.

kfusto

"I think two nights in Florence is fine unless you really get into delving at length into Renaissance art and visiting churches for hours on end."

Wow, I don't do either but rarely go for less than a week.

Florence has far more to offer than art and churches.

misscarol

We did this trip in reverse-starting in Venice,train Florence and onto Rome. I think the 2 day "taste of Florence" is well worth the stop. All three are beautiful and different cities with a different feel to each. Also, if you are a foodie, the food is different in the 3 different areas.

NeoPatrick

kfusto, I didn't mean that you can see all Florence has to offer in a couple of days, it's just that frankly I far prefer the general "atmosphere" and "ambiance" of Rome or Venice to that of the town of Florence. I've been there several times, but it is by far my least favorite of the three cities. I've returned to Rome for a week several times and also to Venice for s week several times, but I have no desire at all to return to Florence at all -- certainly not for a week when I can go to either of the other two or any of dozens of other Italian cities.
I know some people love Florence, I'm just one of those who doesn't.

Julie_Hurst

I'm with NeoPatrick! So, after reading all of the responses, if it was my question, I would be thinking - most people like Rome & Venice. But several either do not care for Florence or suggest only spending 2 days. Therefore, I would decide to skip Florence or give it 1-2 nites.

But then, karussell, that is basing your trip on what others like to do on their trips. So, possibly making your decision may be easier for you if:

(1) you make a list of everything you (& those traveling w/you) would like to see & do in each of the 3 cities. Pick your sites/activities from this site/board, other sites, and/or go thru an Italy travel book. Then do a mock schedule & see which you are willing to eliminate.

(2) Really discuss what you like to do & see when you travel & what your goals are for traveling in Italy. Do you want to see all the amazing history that you have read & heard about & seen in movies, such as, the Ancient City in Rome, the Vatican, ancient ruins, etc. And/or such as, the unique city of Venice - no vehicles, the canals, St. Marks, the wonder of it all. And/or such as, the statue of David & other grand art in Florence, the scenery of Tuscany, visit a vineyard(s), rest & relax, etc.

IMO, once you do the above, you will be more satisfied with your trip.

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTE - Please schedule a day for the short 25 minute train ride to Ostia Antica from Rome & spend the day there. It is an absolutely amazing site. You can click my name for a thorough review, if you are interested. You can also click my name for a review of Venice & Rome.

Be sure to let us know what you decide. Whatever you decide, I have no doubt that you will love Italy & return.

Happy travels, Julie

knickerbocker

Having just returned from Italy, our time was 3-8-3 Venice-Florence-Rome. Rome deserved more time but one thing that nobody much mentions is that Venice is a small city and when there's a cruise ship in town (and there was a different ship each of the 3 days we were there in early June), it really is hard to appreciate all that potentially makes Venice worthwhile. You can pretty much write-off anything in any kind of proximity to the Rialto Bridge (even more so than usual) and any it does begin to become uncomfortably similar to the 'Venice' experience you'd get in Vegas.

Florence (and vicinity) has options. Rome has options. IMHO, I think karussell's allotting too much time to Venice and missing out on the jewel of Italy.

YMMV
K