We're going to Italy for about 12 days. Conference in Prato, near florence, then additional time. We plan to go to Viareggio, and venture north to hike in Cinque Terre area. Should we take a day and go by train from Florence to spend the day in Venice, or is that too short a trip to be worth it?

Too short a trip to be worth it. You'll spend most of the day traveling to and from Venice. I'd spend the extra day in Florence. Another alternative would be to take the train from Prato to Lucca which is a great place to spend a day. If you'd like a spa experience (and I mean experience), Montecatini Terme is about 15 minutes by train from Prato. This is where the Madam Borgese products originated and the spa town of beautiful European people! The spa is the Excelsior Centrale. If you want info on the spa let me know and I'll post more.PS-The spa is not necessarily a woman only possibility; they also offer man-friendly options.

Hi skm,

I agree that a daytrip to Venice is not worth the effort.

You will be crammed in with other daytrippers and won't really get to see the beauty of the city.

If you can't stay overnight, save Venice for another trip.

attending conference in May 2005 in Prato and plan to tour Riviera and Cinque Terre. Venice is a long way and whilst a nice place to visit unless you plan to see other areas probably not worth going. Better to see Florence which is closer, try to visit and stay around San Gimigiano if you can.Just beautiful

Hi,

12 days is a very nice amount of time to explore some nice areas of Tuscany, without venturing up to Venice.

From Prato you can easily go to Florence, Lucca, Pistoia, Pisa and even Siena.
You have a lot to see!

Gloria
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