7 days in Italy doing what?
 

Bit the bullet. Jumping in here. 7 days in Italy. Really want to see Venice but I don't know what else. Traveling with two teens. I don't have a lot of time to plan like I should (always do). So I sure hope that you don't mind advising me a bit here. Don't want to drive a lot, but will if I must. Great art lover. Daughter will be thrilled with pasta and son will eat pizza 24/7. But how to plan this. Leaving in a week.

Please help me. Where to stay. What to do. What to see.

You're leaving in a week? Where are you flying in and out of? With 7 days I would suggest doing two locations - perhaps Venice and Florence. You can do a search for Venice + hotel and also check the hotel information on this site. If you don't want do drive, you can take the train. I would also check the destinations information on this site to help you narrow down what you'd like to see.

With two teenagers along you don't have to do all the planning yourself. Why not have one research one city and the other figure out what highlights are "musts" in the other.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Thank you KT. How long in Venice and how long in Florence? Do I fly into Venice and out of Florence? That costs a lot more with my consolidator.

Hmmm. And what to see in Florence? I remember my parents saying there was some good art in both places. Now to dig that up.

I would echo Venice and Florence especially since you are an art lover....need I mention the Uffizi...the Pitti Palace Museums...and of course THE David at the Accademia...the Ponte Vecchio....the Duomo...
Catch a EuroStar from Venice to Florence ...this is your best bet to travel there...The teens may enjoy the Accademia museum which has a cache of various early musical instruments and has an interactive experience....
Hotel Casci is great hotel choice there ..family run ...and very customer service friendly

gosh, maria - in a WEEK?

To make this a success, please consult the kids over what they want to do. How old are they? what do they like?

Then you are going to be driven by the flights you can get, [and afford] but open jaw will give you more flexibility.

The Venice/Florence combo is a good one, or venice/Rome [once you're on the train, going that bit further won't make much difference]. With teens I would go for Rome rather than Florence, but that's because my kids, then 19 & 15, preferred it.

If you can only get a return flight to Venice, you could stay in Venice th ewhole time, of course, and do trips to the islands, or rent a car and spend a few days on lake garda-but it may be a bit early in teh season.

Or what about a few days skiing in the dolomites? they are only a couple of hours drive from Venice.

Good luck!

regards, ann

I'm a tad confused - at 2 am you post
advice for Italy and at 5 am advice
Spain for same week
WHERE are you going?

Heads up! maria is pulling our (collective) legs.

Thank you for the great responses. Love your ideas. And appreciate them so much.

(PS. Would never waste your time Tuck. I'm going both places.)

Yours
MC

I could easily spend 7 days just in Venice.

If you want a second city, Florence by train makes the most sense imo.

I'd probably split the difference between Venice and Florence giving the longer time to the one you first arrive in as you'll be jet lagged if you're flying in from the US. Rome is also a good suggestion, but I think Florence is a must for an art lover and a bit more manageable in a short amount of time. Grab a good guidebook to read on the plane and have a great trip!