Help! I'm planning a surprise 7 day anniversary trip for my wife. Just the 2 of us. I know that I want to stay in Venice for 4 nights, then want to fly/train/drive somewhere else for 3 nights. We will be flying in from the US East Coast.

Right now, Paris, Sardinia, Provence, and Cinque Terre are being considered (in that order). Maybe Prague.

Any ideas out there?

During our Venice stay, can we scoot to Cinque Terre for a day?

Any comments on Sardinia?

We love urban and rural alike. We've been to Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Capri, and the Amalfi coast. Loved them.

I'd suggest the lake district (Italy), perhaps flying home from Milan

Sorry, I forgot to mention that we will be travelling in May 2004.

How about an open jaws airline ticket into Venice and out of Paris?

Then 4 days Venice, take an overnight train in reserved private sleeper (thru Milan) to Paris (pack a picnic dinner with wine for the journey), and 3 days Paris. Two incredibly romantic cities, without alot of hassle in logistics.

I haven't been to any of your other options to comment, but I have done the trip I outlined above (actually with Switzerland for 2 weeks at the start). It was smooth and easy.

Depends on how much time you want to invest in travel. The Cinque Terre is probably at least 6 hours by train from Venice, and there's not really a convenient airport. (I guess you'd fly into Florence or Genoa and head from there, but it will take some time). Of your choices, Paris or Prague would probably be easiest, although one your timeline I'd probably opt to spring for a flight. (Check easyjet.com, they may fly those routes for a song). Sardinia is lovely, but brutally expensive and not convenient. Provence is possible, if you could go into Avignon or Nice and rent a car. (Again, train would probably be most of a day). One other choice I'd throw out there is Dubrovnik, Croatia. I don't know the current flight or ferry situation, but it's not too far from Venice, and it's beautiful, romantic and pretty untouristed (relatively speaking) with beautiful clear water. Just a thought. Have a blast.

Oh yeah, and the earlier poster is right about the lake country. Pretty convenient from Venice, and you could fly out of Milan. It's nice, peaceful and relaxing, although in my humble opinion not at the level of the other choices you threw out there. But that's just me. Some people flip for Como et al.

I agree--the Lakes are your best choice in May. The Milan departure is ideal, but you can also get back to Venice if that is set. Venice and Lake Como--now that is romantic.

I might do one of two things:

1. Friuli Region north of Venice and then swing into Romantic Olde Trieste, but read Jan Morris' book to find out if you will like the city.

2. Go on into the Dolomites for scenery, hiking.

If I were your wife, I'd want you to show me as much glamour and romance as possible while sparing me from too much packing, travel stress and anxiety. You picked several high-rent areas so I'm going to assume the budget is not restricted and your wife is worth every Euro and more.

Frankly, in May, I'd do all 7 nights in Venice and, for fun, I'd start with 4 nights at Regina Europa or Hotel Bauer (the Gritti overlooks major construction with no end in sight) in a room on the Grande Canale and do the last 3 nights at Hotel Cipriani on the Giudecca. Venice is one of my favorite places and I know how to do it with style. Words cannot describe the romance of such a trip.

May is one of Venice's most glorious months of the year. Tourism is still under control and the Venetians are as happy as can be. Flowers are in full bloom and the weather is sublime, perfect for sunbathing at lunch and draping a sweater at night.

Seven nights affords you the time to explore each sestiere and visit Burano, a remarkable gem of a place.

You can take your wife to see a concert by the Accademia di San Rocco orchestra, performed in the hallowed halls of Venice's version of the Sistine Chapel.

You can wine and dine the woman who loves you at some of Venice's best restaurants:

"The Riviera" at San Basilio on the Zattere
"Da Fiore" in San Polo
"Agli Alboretti" in Dorsoduro
"Al Gatto Nero" in Burano, to name just a few of my haunts.

The grounds of Hotel Cipriani were designed for lovers and their pool is exquisite. Plus, a romantic kiss in their private launch to and from San Marco is a magical way to express one's love.

I can't imagine a more wonderful way to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Yes, Lake Como, Sardinia, Paris, Provence and even Cinque Terre are magnificent places. But you'd be cheating your wife by teasing her with only 3 nights in each. Each deserves its own special attention. I would say, plan a new visit each and every year. Good luck and congratulations.

Another vote for Lake Como. It is beautiful there.

Hi PB,

Great idea.

I support NYC. Stay in or near Venice.

Have you considered day trips to Bologna, Verona, Padua?

Also, try a text search for day trips from Venice. Some folks hae suggested boat trips from the city and back.

Talk about romance.

One company does gourmet trips in the Venice lagoos on an ancient sailing craft. Supposed to the "the" thing.

Other companies take you up the Brenta Canal from Venice to see the Palladian villas.

Siena in Tuscany is superb. You can base there and drive to Lucca, etc. You can get a good overview of all of Venice in 3 nights.

Why fly all that way and only stay 7 nights? If you made it 10, you'd be able to see lots more.