Kim

We are going to honeymoon in Italy the 2nd week of August.... I realise that a rental car would be a waste in Venice, but where could I pick one up outside of Venice and how long would the drive be to Florence? - Would I be better off taking the train or is there something special to see in between the two cities?

Paul

Kim - you can pick up a rental car in Piazzale Roma, which is the place in Venice the causeway from the mainland ends. I'd suggest driving down to Ravenna (2.5-3 hours) to see the mosaics, staying overnight, then driving to Florence (2 hours), where you can return the car.

Paulo

The nonstop fast driving time from Piazzale Roma in Venice to center Florence reads about 2:30 hrs. Cities worth visiting on the route are Padua (Scrovegni Chapel, Chiesa degli Ermitani, St. Francis Basilica, Cafe Pedrocchi, etc), Ferrara (very nice Romanesque-Gothic Lombard Duomo, Castello Estense, Palazzi Schifanoia and di Diamanti, etc), and/or Bologna's city centre (Piazze Maggiore, del Nettuno and di Porta Ravegnana, Palazzo Comunale, Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo del Podesta, Leaning Towers, etc). <BR>If you decide for Paul's suggestion, you may opt to drive to Ravenna via Ferrara, instead of driving south directly from Mestre. The driving time would be about the same (2:30 hours). Also, when driving from Ravenna to Florence you may take the route through Bologna (it's the fastest anyway) and stop there for a couple of hours. <BR>Finally, you may opt to make a detour to Verona, possibly to spend the night. From Venice to Verona it's a little over one hour on the autostrada. On route you may visit Padua and/or Palladian Vicenza. From Verona to Florence it's 2:15 hours nonstop (on Autostrada) and you may stop at Mantua (outstanding Palazzo Ducale), Modena (one of the most beautiful Romanesque Duomos in Italy) and/or Bologna. <BR>I just hope you won't have too much of a hard time deciding which way to go, and where to stop <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>