Hi,
I need some advice. My sister and I have 7 days to visit Italy and I wanted to know if this enough time. Here's my itineary.

Take overnight train from Paris to Venice, arriving in AM of 6/22

Spend only part of the day in Venice and take the train to Florence in the PM of 6/22

6/23-6/24 All day in Florence
6/25 Take train to Rome
6/26-6/27 All day in Rome
6/28 Leave Rome in evening

The reason I cut it short in Venice is because I wanted to make sure I have enough time to visit Florence and Rome which I think have much more to see than in Venice. Or should I forgo Venice all together?

Someone suggested I buy a 4-day Eurorail pass that lets me travel in France in Italy which includes the overnight trains. Is this a good idea? What other options do I have?

Please provide your input, recommendations, and suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

Do you live in Paris? or just other trip up to that point?

Better to fly volareweb.com Paris to Venice, 2 nights there, 1 Florence, 4 Rome, in my opinion.

No rail pass. Ordinary tickets.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi avca,

I suggest that you either spend at least one night in Venice or skip it this trip.

Rex,
My sister will be going to school in Paris after our trip to Italy. We also have family there so I will be spending several days visiting family in Paris.

I looked at airfare from Paris to Italy and it was over $700. That's why I decided to take the train instead but I'll try your website and see if I can get cheaper flights.

Thanks for the tip.
A V

DOn't even go to VEnice if you can't do an overnight. Head straight to florence. Personally I liked Venice better and would do 2 nights there and 1 in Florence. Just more food for thought!

My family of 4, flew Volare Air from Venice to Orly for 30 Euros each.
Great flight - great plane.

Bigdog,
I just saw how cheap the flights were on volareweb.com (from Rex's post). I'd definitely rather fly than take the train. Is it a reputable airline? How big are the planes?

Thanks,
A V

Ira and E_roz,
It looks like I'll be able to spend more time in Venice now that I just found out I can save time by flying to to and from Italy.

Thanks,
A V

Way to go AV

7 days--not enough for all 3 cities. Venice is a total waste for fewer than 2 nights--you'll just get caught up in the daytripper mess.

Skip one of the cities. I would say skip Florence or make it your 1 day stop--but I'm not especially into Renaissance art, and I just don't like the city at all--noisy, traffic congestion, air pollution, crowded, yech.

I might be different than others on this; I ADORE Florence and am there alot. Butyou have to love the Renaissance, art, etc. But I just love the region of Tuscany, the food, the people and the history. Venice is nice, but personally I would do that another time. But don't skip Rome!!

Hi tripgirl,

Just as a comment on how we all see the world differently,

I would skip Rome before Florence and skip Florence before Venice.

And, in case you are not totally confused by the above, I would skip Rome and go to Florence and Venice. So you see, it depends on what you want, not on what we want. But I agree with the advice to limit your time to two cities. Otherwise you will miss a lot.

Hi everyone,
You guys are funny. As if I'm not torn already, you're trying to confuse me more. No, not really. I have been to those 3 cities once before and I really liked Florence and wished I had more time there in my last visit. So this time, I want to have enough time to absorb more things in Florence and I also like Renaissance art. It looks like my final itinerary will be 1 night in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Rome.

I know some of you will still think it's not enough time to visit Venice but I think I'll be happy with this trip.

Thanks for all your input.

"I know some of you will still think it's not enough time to visit Venice but I think I'll be happy with this trip."

Congratulations. You've discovered the most important thing about travel. Weigh what others say, but make your final decision based on what you think will make YOU happy. I learned to take what others say with a giant grain of salt long ago and make few mistakes any more in figuring out what I will enjoy. Don't get me wrong, those other opinions and advice are good and welcome, but you've got to be able to interpret according to your own desires and interests.

Hi AV,

Our last trip we, also, did just one night in Venice - just to see it again.

We really liked Cantinone Storico for dinner. About 110E for the works.

Cantinone Storico 041.523.95.77 Go to the Accademia Bridge. Walk away from the canal toward the Accademia. Bear left. Make first left. Go over the bridge to San Vio. Restaurant is on the right, on the canal