lramos30

I am currently planning a June Honeymoon to Italy. I have some good ideas regarding, practically all from reading this forum; however, I am debating something, and hopefully you can all help out.

I had planned flying into Venice for about 3 nights, and then traveling to the area of Tuscany for about 2-3 nights, and then end up in Rome for an additional 3-4 nights.

I have a limited budget and time, and I would like to know everyones opinion between keeping my current plans or leaving Venice for a possible second trip and adding time to Florence.

I am thinking about flying into Florence and taking day trips into Sienna and other places, instead of going to Venice.

Please let me know if anyone agrees or disagrees.

PalQ

Leave your original plans. Siena, etc. are fine but Venice is unparalleled in Europe IMO for its surrealistic beauty.

suze

Definitely KEEP Venice as part of your honeymoon! Heck I'd drop everything else and just stay there for a week, quite honestly.

LJ

I agree with sticking with Venice, but, as it is a honeymoon, surely there is someone you should be asking besides us?

amyb

While I much prefer Florence over Venice myself, when I was in Venice in May, I couldn't help but admit that Venice is a city to share with a loved one, which I think would make it an ideal honeymoon location. My vote is keep Venice.

lramos30

amyb - believe me, I technically try to get as much information possible and I think about many different plans; however, at the end of the day the one who finally gives the okay is my fiance.

I can't plan a great honeymoon, unless she likes the idea first.

I appreciate all the info.

lramos30

Sorry that reply was meant for LJ.

italy06

I would keep Venice and Rome. Venice is magical and romantic, Rome is amazing and Tuscany takes more than a few days to really get the feel -- save it for your next trip. We were there in June and felt rushed and we had 5 days -- you don't want to rush Florence- it is so incredible and I felt like I didn't see nearly enough of it or the surrounding towns. Congratualtions to you - have a great time.

Travel_Bug_Cin

My husband and I just returned from 4 nights each in Venice, Tuscany countryside, Sorrento, and Rome. Although, we did not make it to Florence and I was a little disappointed, there is no way I would have missed Venice. It is like no other place. Enjoy quiet walks in out of the way places (Jewish Ghetto area) and the night life of orchastras playing in Piazzo San Marco.

clevelandbrown

I count nine days, and in my opinion, that is too little time for three major destinations, but that is based on my preferences, and I know a lot of people like to move around a lot.

Of the three destinations, I would consider Venice the most romantic; even though it is crowded during the days with cruise ship passengers, the evenings are magic, so I would not omit that.

Both Florence and Rome seem to me more hectic, possibly because there is more there than just tourism. If I didn't love some of the art to be found in Florence, I might skip it, although it is a good central point to see some of Tuscany; if Tuscany, rather than the art, is what attracts you, perhaps a smaller town would be more appropriate. Rome, to me, deserves more than a few days.

By staying in fewer places, you could save a bit on transportation, and perhaps get a better room rate, but its your trip, so suit yourselves.

I like to fly into Venice, but I don't like to fly out of Venice, as it seems all the flights I need leave abnormally early in the morning, and a lot of people worry about getting to the airport on time.

lramos30

Well, considering everyones opinion, I think I might keep Venice and Rome. If I keep my current set of plans, I should be able to add an extra day to both Venice and Rome, at least 4 nights in Venice, and at least 4 nights in Rome.
What would you recommend as a good romantic hotel to stay at, around E150 a night.

ucsun

Venice for a honeymoon would be perfect. your plans seem good...i would almost say go from venice to rome direct and then swing down to the amalfi coast instead of florence. nice breathtaking views...just a thought.

wombat7

One other piece of advice - I spent 12 days visiting, in this order Venice, Florence and then Rome - wish I had left Venice until last. It was so quiet, even during the day if you go away from the main drag which is easy to do - which meant the traffic of Florence was a bit of an assault on the senses. Wish I had be able to change the order but, because of other travel commitments we would have lost an extra day.

PalQ

<Both Florence and Rome seem to me more hectic, possibly because there is more there than just tourism>

exactly why i would stay several days in either Florence or Rome and but a few days in Venice. But to see Venice - ah Italy without cars and mopeds! And seemingly without pickockets or Gypsy ladies and kids rifling your stuff.

lramos30

wombat7 - My only concern with flying into Rome and not Venice, is the probable Jet Lag. I would normally consider myself very laid back; however, I have notice that I get a great deal of energy when I travel; however, my better half does not seem to have that ability. My fiance usually tires much easier than me, and I feel that we would be able to relax more in Venice. Let me know what you think.

italy06

We did Venice, then Tuscany , then Rome and I didn't mind the hustle bustle of Rome at the end - it was energizing. Obviously if you wanted a really laid back honeymoon, you would have picked a resort. Either way, you'll be fine!

wombat7

Good point if you want some quiet time to get back the energy from jet lag. I don't suffer too badly from jet-lag. I spent out 6 night in Venice and so had really mellowed out by the time we hit Florence and the traffic noise did get to me (and I don't mean at night, our hotel was on a quiet street). Still even that way round we had a wonderful trip.

It was my third trip to Florence and I was probably making too much of a comparison to my first visit there (and no I am not going to say how many decades ago that was!)

eroz

oh gosh, I hate that you may skip Tuscany. We honeymooned 3 years ago and did more N/Central Italy but Tuscany was our favorite.
How about 3 nights Venice, Train to S Tuscany and rent a car-drive and explore for 3 nights and stay near Siena or Montepulciano and then turn in the car b4 your last 3-4 nights. Tuscany was so lovely and relaxing. and will be a great differentiator to the 2 cities. COngrats!

LoveItaly

Hi Iramos, are you going to take your honeymoon immediately after the wedding? If so most newlyweds I have known are already a bit tired from all the activities from the wedding.

But in any case I would personally fly into Venice and enjoy more than 3 nights in Venice as that would only give you 2 days in Venice without arriving or departing. I would than take the train to Rome and spend the balance of the time in Rome and fly home from Rome.

I would save Florence and the countryside and other small cities and towns in Tuscany for the next visit. And I am sure you will have more than one trip to Italy!!

Best wishes to the two of you as you plan your future together!

TarheelsInNj

My husband and I had a Tuscan honeymoon last June, and so while I'm clearly biased, I do think that the Tuscan countryside is one of the most romantic places there is. We decided to save Venice for another trip, so I can't speak to that. However, if you can find a way to work in a few days in Tuscany, believe me, you won't regret it!

I might almost suggest splitting your time between Tuscany and Venice, and leave Rome for another visit. Tuscany is heaven on earth, and it's a place where you can go to unwind- believe me, you'll need it after the wedding!

One option could be to stay outside of Florence in a little town called Fiesole (a 20-minute bus ride away). We took a daytrip here, and loved it! It's close enough to Florence that you can go in and see the major sights, but you can still experience the small-town relaxed charm of a Tuscan hilltown. Plus, the view from Fiesole can't be beat!