Hi! My family (6 of us) are planning to visit Florence and Venice in November but only have 5 days in total. Can anyone please tell me whether 2 days in Venice and 3 days in Florence is enough? Thanks.

Afraid I can't answer your question directly, but Access Guides has a joint Florence/Venice guide. Think it's called Access Florence and Venice. These are great guides - great maps by neighborhood and very easy to use. Plus, you get 2 for the price of one with this guide.

I've been travelling to Venice for 40 years now and still haven't had enough <BR> <BR>For a first time visit, 5 days between both cities (discounting the travel time to, from and between) should give the 6 of you a pretty good picture of both cities ... and you'll return for sure. <BR> <BR>If there are kids in your family and depending from where your travelling to both cities and where you're going thereafter I would spend 3 nights in Venice and only 2 in Florence, trying to get 2 full days in each. Kids enjoy Venice much better than Florence. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Thank you Brian in Atlanta and Paulo! I think we will take Paulo's advise and stay 3 nights in Venice and 2 in Florence. We'd love to get a copy of the Access Guide but unfortunately we live in S.E.Asia and such a book is not available here. One last question, is it really true that everything in Italy still closes down between 1 and 3 p.m. because of the siesta?

Amy, you should be able to order the Access Guide from amazon.com on the Web. I agree, they're great. <BR> <BR>In Venice they certainly do have siesta from about 1 to 3 pm, and most things really do close down. I was a bit surprised since I'd thought it might be more of a southern Italy phenomenon, but it takes place in Venice too. We came to like it--gives you a built-in reason to take a break!

Amy: <BR> <BR>Be sure to download Fodor's destination guides for both cities from this site. They're really excellent and quite extensive. Also check out the www.scalareale.com site. Although they're Rome-based, they have some great links for both cities. <BR> <BR>

As Gina pointed out, Amy, most shops shut in the early afternoon but, on the other hand, most of the main tourist attractions stay open. <BR>In Venice, the Basilica, Dodge's Palace, Accademia, Museo Correr and the most important churches should remain open. When I was there last, two years ago, with the exception of the Basilica, I Frari, San Zanipolo and a couple other, most of the churches also closed down. I've heard that this has changed since last year and there's info on the net that appears to confirm it. See <BR> http://www.chorus-ve.org/ <BR> <BR>The same site informs on Lit 3,000 church single visit tickets and Lit 15,000 pass good for visiting any 6 churches during a 3-day span. The only church I remember having paid to visit was the Frari (and maybe Madonna dell'Orto). All other were free ... Anybody can confirm in this is really in effect? <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Paulo, There is a group of churches- maybe 10 or more - that since last year charge about 3000 L for admission. This is used for upkeep.Not all the churches charge, alot you can still just walk in- including San Marco.Of course, they don't charge during church services.