I have read as many of the Italy posts as possible before posting this one - I would appreciate any further advice! We will be spending 4 days in Venice, 4 days in Florence, 1 day and night in Siena and our last night in Pisa as we are flying out early in the am. It is simply too short of time on our first trip and I am concerned we are trying to cover too much. Should I spend more time in Venice and delay our visit to Siena for another trip? Or less time in Florence? We will be visiting in February, if that makes a difference. Any advice/observation is appreciated!

There are many posters here that will disagree, but I believe that four days in Venice is two too many.<BR><BR>I would cut back Venice and add time to Florence, a great city, and add side trips from Florence.<BR><BR>Just my humble opinion although I have been to Venice once and Florence three times, so I am somewhat prejudiced.<BR><BR>US

It doesn't look like you're overdoing it. I haven't been to Venice, but from what I've read on this forum, you really don't need more than four nights and I think spending one night in Siena is a nice idea. I'm not sure what it would like in the winter though. <BR><BR>I absolutely loved Florence so if you take a day off of Venice, I'd say add it to Florence. It's all really subjective though. Just think about what you want to get out of your stay in each city, what sites you want to see, and what you want to do. I generally budget about one or two sites per day and the rest is spent aimlessly wandering.

I would spend 5 days in Venice and 5 in Florence. Pisa and Siena are so close to Florence (close to an hour by train), it’s not worth the hassle of packing an unpacking. In Venice you can spend a whole month, and you wouldn’t even scratch the surface. Venice is a unique and great city, a living museum with one of the best renaissance art and arquitecture in all Italy. You will also enjoy great the stores and open markets. And don’t get it wrong, Venice is no small city. In addition, you can visit other great cities from Venice, like Murano, Burano (30 minutes by the Vaporeto, $3), Verona (The City of Romeo & Juliet, 1 ½ hours $10 by train), Vicenza, (Palladios great arquitecure, 1 ½ hour by train $15), Padova (1 hour), and even, beautiful Simeone at lake Garda (2 hours $20). Have a nice trip.

Only you can make that decision...and here's how. <BR><BR>Make a list of the "must sees" and then you will know how much time you will need in Venice and Florence. We did that for Rome and realized that if we didn't add on another day, we would have to leave out something of major importance to us...and we didn't want to do that. So we added a day to Rome and took it off somewhere else.<BR><BR>Actually, we felt relief after leaving the noise of Florence for Tuscany...and that was in March when the crowds are smaller.<BR><BR>At some point when planning, you realized that you can't see it all. So if you get to your "must sees" then you won't be disappointed.<BR><BR>Have fun planning.<BR>

I assume you're flying out from the airport in Pisa. If not, then I'd definitely suggest skipping the overnight in Pisa.<BR><BR>It sounds like a good plan. while you don't HAVE to stay overnight in Siena since it's so close to Florence, I love seeing a town early in the morning and also in the evening and at night, so I do think it can be worth staying overnight to get more of the flavor of Siena.<BR><BR>If you could possibly add some additional time to Florence, that would be good. For a first visit, 4 days might be a little too brief.<BR><BR>I think you will really enjoy this trip. You are not trying to squeeze in too much, and you are spending enough time in each place to enjoy the character of each city.

I tend to agree with some of the other posters. <BR><BR>You do not need to spend 1 night in Siena as it is only about 45 minutes from Florence. I would rather save the extra packing/unpacking and spend the additional night in Florence with day trip to Siena.<BR><BR>I think your time allocated Venice and Florence is good as it gives you time to really enjoy both cities and see most of the great things. We have been to both areas 3 times but still need to get back to Florence and stay there longer as there is more to see. Plus, if you get bored in Florence just get a car and drive into the countryside. Fantastic small towns within easy distance. <BR><BR>One small book I highly recommend reading before you go to Florence is BRUNELLESCHI'S DOME by Ross King. I ran into this novel in a book store a few weeks ago and now want to return to Florence. It tells the story of the building of the dome, how difficult it was actually engineering it and all the political intrigue that went along with the whole project. Now on my next visit I will really appreciate the building instead of saying "ain't this pretty!". Book is only about 165 pages and reads fast.<BR><BR>Pisa? Also not that far from Florence but if you are using that airport should be okay. The Leaning Tower repair is finished now and they are allowing people back in the tower. We did that in 1971 and I can still remember how much the thing actually tilts! Definitely do this. On our last two visits they still had the repair in progress, entrance closed and tower supported by straps and weights. If you go to see the Leaning Tower you must go inside.<BR><BR>Enjoy the trip!

You will get many varied opinions on how to allocate 10 nites. I would do 3-3-3-1--the last 3 being somewhere near Siena and plan 3 days of trips to the Tuscan hill towns. One day is Siena and Monteriggioni. Another is south of Siena to Montalcino, Pienza et al. The third is enroute to Pisa and includes Volterra and San Gimignano. That means a car for 3 days, but that is the only good way to see Tuscany. Good luck !

Hi Stella,<BR><BR>I've been to your chosen destinations & agree with Bob's advice. 3 days in both Venice & Florence, plus 3 days in Tuscan countryside is a very nice balance. Pisa is good for a 1/2 day.<BR><BR>You will be able to see quite a bit in 3 days & my personal preference is to balance cities with country. You'll love it all!<BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

Thank you so much for all of the extremely helpful suggestions!

Stella for a first time traveller to Italy you should spend some time in Rome, even if it's just a full day.<BR><BR>Rome is my favourite city in Italy, so maybe I'm biased. I think 6 days in Tuscany is a bit much as the hill towns are all quite similar (I'll probably get a slam for this comment) and Rome really should be seen esp. if you're an art fanatic (sistine chapel) or a history buff.<BR><BR>I'm going back to Rome for the 4th time and am spending 6 days there. Just to give you an idea of how much there is to see.<BR><BR>Have a great trip whatever you finally decide!

I think your allocation is fine. I wish I lived in Venice so that time amount is fine - do arrange day trips and do the same in Florence. Spend a night or two in Sienna for sure - otherwise you just get to visit during "toursit time." I found Florence doable in a couple days myself and loved my time in Sienna. I'm jealous.

FYI First time travellers usually do the 3/3/3.<BR><BR>3 days Rome, 3 days Venice, 3 days Florence.