I am in the beginning stages of researching a trip to Italy. The trip will be October 2010.
My DH & I would like to visit Florence and Cinque Terre. We are debating on which other destination to choose...so would you pick Rome OR Venice? We will be at the city we pick for 4 days. Also any hotel suggestions for either would be appreciated.

Thanks!

They are such utterly and totally and completely different places, the only possible way to choose is based on your own temperments and interests. Venezia has no cars, is not really a Renaissance city or a city of antiquity, its cuisine (what little of it is served in Venice) is classically tomato-free, meat-free and generally pasta free and cheese free. It is overwhelmingly dominated by affluent foreign tourists, but for many people, the overwhelming absence of modernity in Venezia, its well-preserved architecture, its stillness, its uniqueness as a lagoon town, make it their favorite city.

By contrast, Roma is the world and thensome -- old and modern, noisy and deeply atmospheric in its ancient alleyways, a cuisine that's a intersection of everything, including animal feotal intestines plus all your own childhood faves when it comes to pasta, cheese and sauce, astonishing triumphs of the Renaissance, mosaics, baroque, pilgrims, tourists, Berlusconi and still thriving and even powerful Jewish quarter, motorini, racing taxi rides -- the list goes on forever.

What are you in the mood for?

I would visit Rome, Venice & Cinque Terre & skip Florence.

Zeppole has put it perfectly - read through those two descriptions and whichever appeals to you more is the city you should choose.

For me, Venice didn't do it. At all. In the many trips and over 20 countries I've visited, it's the only place we've ever left before we were supposed to, since we pre-plan how many days in each city in advance and book hotels. After a night there we were done.

Rome, on the other hand, was my definition of the perfect city. We're going back for a second time this fall and I can't wait to have my senses assaulted again by the Eternal City.

But there are many out there who would argue for Venice and against Rome, so it's really up to you. There is no wrong choice - it's Italy!

Amanda

And if it turns out when you get there you actually aren't having a great time, both cities are very well positioned for day trips elsewhere that offer a very different feeling. Orvieto is only an hour from Roma by train, but a fantastic hilltown surrounded by green. Verona, a little over an hour from Venezia, has a Roman colloseum that's in better shape than the one in Rome plus one of Italy's best feudal castles, with moat, drawbridge, tower, etc with a pretty museum in side.

And there are more bolt holes.

Rome for me, hands down. So much to see, so much history. Venice is great, but for me (just me!) it's a relax-for-a-couple-of-days place.

Yep, zeppole is spot on. We have been to both cities more than once and love them both, but for entirely different reasons. It really does depend on what interests you, and what mood you're in. Despite all of its "tourist" trappings, I don't consider Venice to be as rushed or hectic as Rome. It seems to have a smoother, more romatic face. So if our trip has concentrated on larger cities, Venice appeals to us as a respite. But for sheer history, exuberience, and food Rome is the choice.

But you can't go wrong with either.

Venice is my kind of place.

Unlike Amanda23, I would leave another place just to get TO Venice.

Its unlike anywhere else. The sure serenity of it appeals to me. No cars. No redlights. Kids running after balls.
Dogs and cats walking around.

I find that I can really relax here.
Early morning is the best time to get out and walk.
I like to see how many different kinds of boats there are.

I love Rome too.
But if I had to choose, hands down, it would be VENEZIA.

I agree with Jent103- Rome Rome Rome. There is so much to see and do. The weather in Cinque Terre in October is unpredictable. You may get lovely warm sunshine; you could equally get a few days of windy, showery weather.

Amanda23,
your post has sparked my interest...
what was your Venice experience that made you want to leave after 1 night?

Thanks

Regarding weather in Cinque Terre:

The weather is always unpredictable on this coastline. Learning how to build strong ships to withstand sudden storms is what made the region rich during the Crusades, and what made Ferdinand and Isabella hire a Ligurian to sail across the world to find another world rather than a local.

That said, there is a reason why Genova's (and Montecarlo's) most important yacht show (worth bazillions to the region) is held in the first weeks of October: It's the time of year most likely to be stable weather wise.

No guarantees, but October is a good bet, and if you like to hike, it's a whole lot more pleasant in october than earlier in the summer (and November carries risks of real downpours.)

Another vote for Venice! It's my favorite city. However, like zeppole said, Venice and Rome are two different cities. You'll have to choose based on your travel desires.

Monica

You know, I'm not sure exactly what it was that made us not like it - the massive amounts of tourists at the time we went, I guess (it was a weekend in late May a few years ago). When the daytrippers left and it quieted down a bit, we enjoyed it much more. But then the next morning there they all were again! Rome felt more chaotic and was ultimately busier but somehow the crowds didn't annoy me in the same way. However, it was at the end of a 3 week trip, we were both getting a bit tired, and so perhaps it was more about us than Venice in the end. We really enjoyed a trip over to Murano however.

I am also one of those crazy people who wasn't wowed by Paris so it just goes to show, to each their own I guess

Amanda

That last post of mine was directed to jetsetj...

amanda,
It sounds like you may want to try venice again if you get the chance. We go in the fall and the crowded were managable.

Funny but my first time to Rome seemed so rushed and not near as fun as my 2nd and 3rd time there.

Im going to Paris for the 2nd time this fall and hope to warm up to it a bit more also. I had been to Italy 4 times before coming to France and I found it all a bit cold comparitively.

The thing with Venice is NOT to stay around Piazza San Marco and to avoid the throngs between the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge. We prefer Venice to Florence for the magic of no automobiles and Vespas, the reflections in water and small bridges, how wonderful it is to get lost. We have never been there in summer but have enjoyed the city in autumn (we were married in Santa Marguerita Ligure in October and then went on to Venice for our honeymoon), winter and spring. We have always found it easy to avoid crowds and think Venice is underrated both for its art (which we think is very close to if not at the quality of art in Florence and Rome) and for its food. For some reason we eat even better there than we do in Florence. Take a day trip to Burano and Torcello. Splurge on a lunch at the Locanda Cipriani (outside in nice weather) or Da Fiore in San Polo. Climb the tower in San Giorgio di Maggiore and look at all of Venice including the Giotto tower more frequently climbed by tourists.


We also very much like Rome (going there next week despite our preference for avoding travel in the summer. It is vibrant, full of history of all ages and the Bella Vita. It is also much more difficult and assaulting on the senses.

Buon viaggio.

Venice
www.lacalcina.com
Pensione La Calcina

Wow, it's like asking to choose a favourite child! I looooove Venice and I looooove Rome.
They are both so different and so magical.

Florence didn't capture me as much as Venice & Rome. Perhaps you might like to leave out Florence.

We stayed in Vernazza on the CT and loved it. The CT is absolutely beautiful.

I'd do Rome, Venice and the Cinque Terre.

Cinque terre, my recommendation would be to stay in Vernazza, the sunsets there are glorious. I'm not sure of your budget but at the high end there is La Mala, gorgeous with sea-views, quite pricey. Or Albergo Barbara which has views over the water, Gianni Franzi's rooms, Maria Cappelini's rooms all get good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Stay away from accommodation near the station as the noise from the train is dreadful. Stay as close to the water as you can. Make sure you try anything with Pesto, Liguria is the home of Pesto (Pesto Pizza - yummo!!!)

Venice is small so it probably doesnt matter too much where you stay. However, each time I stay there I stay in the St Marks area as I like to be in the square early before people arrive and visit late when the crowds have left for the day!

The Hotel Ai Do Mori is a few steps from St Marks Square, it is a no frills hotel with a private bathroom, comfortable accommodation. I am staying there in MArch for 50 euros per night.

www.hotelaidomori.it

I have also stayed at the Al Teatro B&B in San Marco, more expensive but lovely, ask for the Amber room it has a balcony and a beautiful deep bath! The breakfast is spectacular.

It is lovely to hear the gondoliers singing to their customers as the gondolas float under the balcony.

www.bedandbreakfastalteatro.it

In Rome, I love the B&B Baldassini a fantastic little B&B right near the Pantheon on Via delle Coppelle. It is within easy walking distance to all the major attractions.

www.baldassinibeb.it

Here you can read all the wonderful review:
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/H...ome_Lazio.html

I have a discount code (BBB777) that you are all welcome to use to get a small discount off your accomm. Past guests are given a discount code and you are allowed to pass it on to others.

If you book, you will receive your own discount code so then you have 2 codes to receive 2 discounts - both discounts can be used at the same time!

Here is some more info I compiled on the Pantheon, Piazza Navona areas of Rome, I hope you find it helpful:

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/S...ome_Lazio.html

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/S...ome_Lazio.html


Have a wonderful holiday whatever you decide.

Melissa

For me, Rome over Venice, and Florence over Rome. But you won't know what you like or don't like until you get there.

One thing I've noticed over the past 10-12 years is that October has become one of the more popular months to visit Italy. (The owner of a hotel in Rome where we've stayed several times told us October is now her most requested month.) Our last trip to Venice (Oct. 2008) confirmed to us how much busier it is. The vaporetti and "streets" were just packed, and we didn't enjoy ourselves as much because of it.

The Baldassini B and B looks great--location comparable to Due Torri, where we usually stay, and less expensive. I'd suggest November rather than December--global warming increases the probability of nice weather but this seems to be as yet unknown to the world of tourism (except in Japan).