I am in my early 20's and planning my next trip to Europe for this June. Let me start off by saying that I know it's high season and I know that I am squeezing alot of stuff in, but I'm young and resilient. The beginning of my trip will be starting in London, Paris, and Barcelona. We have also set aside about 6 days for Italy. Orginally we thought we woudl do about two days in each of Rome, Florence, and Venice. However, now I am thinking that I woudl perfer to just stick to two cities. We are definitely doing Florence since we have a friend living there right now, but shoudl our other city be Venice or Rome. That is the big question. Also, about how much will train rides cost between cities, either rome and florence or florence and venice?

If you can do late May even better - June gets hot!

Now as far as Rome/Venice - you shouldn't miss either! I know this doesn't help but you can get away with doing Venice for one whole day/evening - and then leave 2 days in Rome...

We went via train from Rome to Venice(overnight train so we saved on hotel room) and then from Venice to FL(4 hours by train)...prices I don't remember but not too expensive ...

Venice is a wonderful city, and it would be sad to miss it. The trains between all three cities are not too expensive and pretty quick.

There is more to see in Rome vs Venice, because Rome is a bigger city, but you can't beat the ambiance of Venice, in my opinion.

Given 6 days and all that prior travel, I'd go with Venice (in addition to Florence). You'll need a slower pace after all the site seeing in the other places. Rome deserves much more than 2 days, there's just way too much to absorb. Save Rome for your next trip! All in all, sounds like a great time.

Here is another vote for Venice. Not only because it's so magical, but with only two days, it's more compact.

If Florence is a definite, I'd also vote for Venice, since 2-3 days in Rome would be a lot of rushing around in what is already a hectic and demanding place. Venice would be a nice way to end the trip.
I don't know current train fares, but
www.fs-on-line should help.
Rome to Florence is about 90 minutes I believe, Florence to Venice about 2.5-3 hours?

The key to all this is that you are young and will be going back to Europe. So it's easier to justify doing Venice with Florence than it is Rome. Save Rome for the trip when you also do the Amalfi Coast, and maybe Sicily.

Hi Tasha,

You're nuts, but you are young yet and you will get over the exhaustion.

I also go with Venice. I would give both Florence and Venice 3 days.

You might find the Florence part of my trip report helpful
Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044