I'll be spending about 5 days between Venice & Florence. I plan to split them up this way:<BR>2 days/ 1 night in Venice. Travel on day 2 pm to Florence.<BR>day 3 Florence museums.<BR>day 4 trips to Siena & Pisa. I know Pisa's a one attraction town but I'm a civil engineer and really thrilled at the thought of seeing this place. Is there another hill town that may be a better stop than Siena?<BR>day 5 travel to Cinque Terre and spend night there. Then on day 6 it's on to Rome for the last 3 days of our trip. Cinque Terre's looking to be a bit rushed and depending on how much we like Venice, we may make that our float day. We fly out from Rome and want to enjoy our last couple of days there.<BR><BR>I'd appreciate any feedback and comments. Thank you for your help.

I think 5 days is not enough time to do what you are planning. First, I LOVE Venice and 2 days is just not enough. Also, if you want to see the best of Florence (ie, Uffizi, Academia, Santa Croce, Duomo, Medice Chapels) you will need at least 2 (very busy) days. Third, you will have to decide between Pisa and Siena. Siena is south of Florence and Pisa is west, so doing both in one day is probably not feasible. Finally, Cinque Terre is seriously rushed. If you are taking a train there from Florence, you will probably not have any time to hike after your arrival, and you then have to rush onto a train to Rome. My advise is to do Venice and Florence, with a day trip to Siena on the way to Rome.

If you like engineering things, stop in Vinci on your way from Florence to Pisa.<BR><BR>This is the hometown of Leonardo, and they have constructed many of the inventions in his notebooks (the flying machine, the diving bell, various working screws and water winches, etc etc) and put them in a nice little museum. It is all modern-made, so you are allowed to handle things. It makes a great half-day for technology types. <BR><BR>A lovely small town with great views and nice walks. I think Siena is too far out of your way to be worth the trouble.

<BR>Also, read the book Brunelleschi's Dome,<BR>about the construction of the Duomo in Florence. (Not spelled right, though.) <BR><BR>

I just returned from Italy, five days may not be enough for Venice and Florence. We spent almost three days in Venice and I would say that two days is a bare minimum. The train takes about three hours, you can buy the tickets in AmEx office (close to St.Marco) - it will save you at least two hours. In Florence you'll need half a day for Uffizi - make a reservation on the internet, otherwise you'll waste another two hours. That leaves you another day for the rest of Florence museums. You may want to spend some leisure time there as well...<BR>One day for Siena and Pisa may be enough, we did it in one day, but one way only. Find an early bus (rapid bus takes only 1.25 h) to Siena, spend 5 hours there, then take a train to Pisa - 2 hours. In Pisa you'll have probably 2 hours (2x10 minutes for a bus from the train station to the Field of Miracles and back and another hour and half for the tower and Duomo). The return train to Florence takes just 1 hour. The point is - all this is doable, but you'll have to sacrifice. <BR>Drop me a line if you have specific questions.<BR>Yuriy

I totally agree with Fast Freddy! We spent two nites and two days in Venice last year and were kicking ourselves for not allowing more time!<BR><BR>Siena is preferable to Pisa - much more to see and bang for the buck, altho I must admit that seeing the LeaningTower was awesome.<BR><BR>I would skip CT on this trip, since you'll need more time in Florence. And please rethink only one nite in Venice!!

Thank you for your replies. Axed CT from this trip, and it was painful Also will be spending at least two nights in Venice, allotting the CT time between Venice & Florence. From all the posts recently questioning reservations for Uffizzi & Accademmia, we'll probably call these in from Venice. Thank you again for your help.

You didn't ask for restaurant suggestions in Florence, but I would highly reccomend Cibreo or , Cibreo Cafe and you might want to try the restuarant owned by the former "Mrs. Cibreo", Zibibba. Also, do not miss the farmers market and be sure to eat plenty of gelato. Have fun!<BR>Barbara

I'd drop the CT from the itinerary and stay an extra night in Venice, or even in Florence. Don't get me wrong, the Cinque Terre is lovely, however on a tight schedule like yours, it's not a high priority. <BR>

If you really want to see Pisa, it combines beautifully with Lucca a few train minutes away. Lucca is my favorite Tuscan town, surrounded by a wide wall with a fantastic walking path that gives you vistas of the rooftops. I would lengthen Venice as well.

If you would like some good and cheap accomodation in Venice, please send me an email. Have a nice day !