I have 6 nights to split between the 2 cities. We are 1 Adult and 2 children (10 & 13) traveling free and easy, and using the trains between cities. We are traveling in Dec.

I had initially planned 4N in Florence, and 2N in Venice, but then changed it to 3/3, mainly to fit in a day trip out to Murano/Burano.

Now, after doing more research, I think there's more to see in Florence (museums, day trip to Pisa) than Venice, but from what i hear, VEnice is usually a hit with the kids, and we need to spend time getting lost in the streets.

Should I change my itinerary to 4N in Florence, and 2 in Venice? We will be arriving in Florence via train from Rome at about 12 noon (trenitalia tickets booked).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I imagine that Venice would be a hit with the children because it is so different. However, in December the weather could be very cold and windy, and that could dampen their enthusiasm. I'd opt for 4 nights in Florence and 2 in Florence.

The weather in Florence can be bitter cold in December, whereas Venice can have more moderate temps (and vice versa depending on what day it is) so I wouldn't pick on the basis of weather. However many nights you choose for Venice, be sure to book a hotel away from the San Marco area, more in the direction of the train station (but not right on top of it) because it is the lower lying areas of Venice near San Marco that experience the worst of the December high tides when it comes to tidal flooding.

Were I traveling with kids, I would split the days evenly. If the kids are in tears at the thought of leaving Florence because they haven't seen enough art, then change your train tickets to arrive later in Venice. That will make for a somewhat pricey treat, but if the kids are that interested in what Florence offers, would be worth it.

By the way, I don't know what you are reading, but there is actually a great deal to do in Venice besides getting lost. There are palaces to explore and beautiful "scuolae" (schools) with fantastically decorated ceilings (they give you mirrors so you can look at them without getting an aching neck). There are a couple of eye-pop churches that would impress kids, in particular the interior of San Marco and Santa Maria Glorioso die Frari. There are bell towers for sky high views. As you already know, there is glass blowing and the fun of boat rides and the winding streets built on water. If you get a rainy day, there is a boat museum in Venice, showing what a powerful force Venice was for centuries, dominating the trade routes from the orient which has wows for kids. I actually think the Accademia museum in Venice is much more enjoyable than the Uffizi in Florence if you are taking kids through museums.

Thanks everyone.

I arrive in Florence around noon, and I could spend the afternoon perhaps taking it easy, maybe seeing the Ponte Vecchio, walking along the arno river, and finding a nice place for dinner.

The next day - we'll do the museums - it's a Friday, and I read that Uffizi and Gallery Academia are open till 9 pm - so perhaps we can do these later in the afternoon and spend the morning at the Duomo?

The last day - day trip to Pisa, and see what we can fit in that afternoon (if possible). Or maybe hit the stores…

If I had an extra day in Florence, I'd probably go to the Boboli Gardens, and visit some lesser known museums like Palazzo Vechio, maybe Pizzale Michelangelo.

I haven't booked my tickets to Venice, but if I had 2 nights in Venice, the first night (the day we arrive) i'd spend wandering around, and the 2nd day / night - at Doge Palace to do the secret itinerary tour, and take a boat ride or two.

If i had an extra day - i'd spend it on a day trip to Murano/Burano, or maybe explore VEnice city itself…

haha i'm no closer to making a decision!!

In December, some of your plans for purely outdoor activities -- like climbing the steep hillsides on the other side of the Arno might not be doable anyway.

I once visited the Uffizi in the evening in December and they didn't turn on the lights in many of the galleries that have skylights and windows once it got dark outside (because they wanted to save money on electricity). It is questionable whether your kids will enjoy the Uffizi unless they already have a lot of interest in paintings and enjoy museum going at home.

You will might need to make quite a few on the spot adjustments for weather during your trip. Even it if doesn't rain, it might be very cold and you might want to alternate outdoor and indoor activities, just to warm up, plus allow time for hot chocolate pit stops. Soup is great in Florence, so that helps!

Your kids might like the science museum in Florence.

http://www.museogalileo.it/en/visit.html

I don't know which days of December are the travel days, but you can see from this chart that the sun will set in Florence sometime between 4.30pm and 5pm every day of the month. On overcast days, darkness will set in pretty much immediately with sunset.

So if you are arriving at noon, checking into your hotel, heading to lunch around 1.30 ... even if you eat only a quick lunch, you are looking at 2 hours or 90 minutes for outdoor sightseeing if the weather permits.

Museums and churches, however, will stay open after the sunsets, so you might want to plan for morning outdoor sightseeing and indoor attractions later in the afternoon. Again, ultimately depends on the unknowable of the weather.

http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/italy...h=12&year=2014

(and in Venice, the sun sets a few minutes earlier and it is generally overcast in winter)

http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/italy...h=12&year=2014

Verona sounds like a great idea!!

thanks for the tip!

Question: is it easy to navigate Venice's streets in the dark, e.g. if my train arrives at the Santa Lucia station at 335 pm?

we are staying at Locanda Ca La Vele : http://www.locandalevele.com/it/

and what's the rule of thumb - how early do we need to be at a train station before boarding? We will probably have 2 suitcases and backpacks/sling bags with us.

Thanks!

I would not add another destination (Verona) to your itinerary. And it is many years since I visited Pisa but with the short time you have I'm not sure I would bother with that journey either unless the kids have a passion for going.

I'd probably do 3 nights in each of Florence and Venice, leaving your train booking between the two as open as possible so you can adjust your plans.

With my kids, I wouldn't attempt two museums/art galleries in a day but yours might be more into those things than mine. You could climb the campanile next to the Florence Duomo - although it will be cold at the top, it's always fun to climb towers. Walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo will give you great views over the city - perhaps do this towards the end so the kids can identify the places they've visited. My 9 year old daughter loved shopping for glass beads in Venice and enjoyed Venice generally (including Burano and Murano). Any day trips, I'd just wing it and see how you feel at the time. As you really only have a few days in each place, you won't run out of things to do and see without venturing further afield.

For catching your train, you just need to ensure you have enough time to find the right platform and, if you have reserved seating, the right carriage. I'd try to be there at least 15min prior to departure. If you don't have tickets, then get there earlier. The automated ticket kiosks are easy to use or you can go to the staffed ticket window. For the faster trains, tickets purchased in advance will be cheaper. Check www.trenitalia.com - timetables for regionale trains may not yet be available online. We've found an arrangement where each person carries their own luggage works best, including the kids. Obviously, avoid large, heavy bags.

Hi,
I would definitely vote for splitting your time evenly; 3 nights and 3 nights. Revisit sandralist's posting at 6:53 am. The scuolae are fabulous and there are more museums in Venice than you seem to think. Wandering around Venice "and getting lost" is great. You might make one goal the Bovolo staircase which also gets me lost and it's fabulous when I find it. I also think the weather is milder than Florence.
I do also love Florence but the museums there may surpass your children's attention spans as they do mine. I do love DamiaasItinerary's 1st day Florence itinerary. You may want to check with your Florence hotel if they will pre-book museum entrances for you so you don't have to deal with standing in lines (though that may not be a problem in December).
In both cities, stop into churches you go by. They often look uninteresting rom the outside but are often rich in art on the inside and will give you a warm up break as well.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

i've decided - 3/3 it is, and day trips, we will play by ear since it will be weather dependent, and also , I thnk there's no need to book those trains too far in advance!

I've never heard of scuolae before today, so wil check it out, ditto the Bovol staircase.

It is easy to get lost in daylight in Venice, let alone nighttime! But the map provided on the hotel's website is actually very good and you can print it out and take it with you. If you arrive at 3.35pm and need to buy passes to the Vaporetto, that can be time consuming. If you don't mind spending the money, you could get a water taxi from the train station and get dropped off right at your hotel.

I think if you arrive at 4pm or so in Venice you might want to do something that afternoon before dinner. Check out indoor places that will be open so you can have a Plan B in case it is raining or too cold to be outside all the time on boats or getting lost in the streets.

If your travel dates are Christmastime holidays, be prepared for train stations that are super-busy and trains that are filled to capacity. If you need a taxi to the Florence station, be sure to arrange it that morning with your hotel. I agree with the advice that everybody carries their own luggage and try to pack a lightly as possible. In December you need warmer clothes but far fewer changes of clothes than you would in summer. The most important items are comfortable waterproof shoes with good traction and warm socks. You will want hats, scarves and gloves.

Banoffi, have your children read up a bit in the uffizi. The art may not hold the interest of children, some of it is pretty intense, as Renaissance art is expected to be.

Hi, i have prepared some reading material on the sights we plan to see - but honestly, the Uffizi seems a bit much, even for me!

We might skip it, and just spend time at Palazza Vecchio or Boboli Gardens or take a trip to Piazza Michelangelo to enjoy the views (hoping for good weather!).

Sandralist, thanks for the suggestions - fro what i can see, most places close around 5 or 6 in winter, so not sure if we have time to fit a visit to anywhere if we arrive at 4 pm.

You could catch a bus or taxi to San miniato church. Its a lovely church and if I remember correctly the grave of the man who wrote pinnochio is in the little cemetery there. Walk back down into Florence and enjoy the spectacular views. Boboli gardens would be good to visit on the same day as you'll be on the same side of the river.