We are spending 4 days in Rome this summer. Is it feasible & worthwhile to go on a day trip to Florence? Thanks!<BR>

Feasible yes, if you want to get a taste of Florence, such as perhaps visiting the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. In which case reserve your tickets in advance.<BR><BR>"Worthwhile" is up to you. Rome is fascinating, large, filled with treasures, and demanding; in 4 days you will barely scratch the surface. If you want to take a day away from that, that's really up to you.<BR><BR>If you will be returning to Italy in the future, save Florence for another time, it is certainly worth a longer visit on its own.

Don't know if we'll get to come back. This is our first trip to Europe. I'm tending to think it would be best to stay in Rome; we'd lose 4 hours just traveling to and from Florence. Thanks for the reply!

R: I do agree with elaine and Rome is my favorite city. With 3 days in Rome you can see alot but far from all. Giving up 1 day for Florence if you might not get back too me would be worth it. It's only 1:35min away (Eurostar) and basically everything is within a 1sq/mi-1.6km/sq area with the train station in one corner, so everything is within walking distance. But it all really depends on what your (and the other half of "We" interests are? Regards, Walter

On my first visit to Italy I spent 6 days in Florence and took a day trip to Rome. Florence is one my favorite cities but the train ride and the quick trip to Rome was one of the high points. The second visit, I spent several days in Rome and took a day trip to Florence for lunch, a visit to the Ufizzi (make reservations beforehand), and visits to a couple churches. Again, the train ride (which I think is wonderful) and the visit was a high point of the trip.

Thanks for all of the replies! I wish I had started reading this board before we cast most of this trip in stone. Joe, if you get back to this message, I'd be curious about what you did on your day trips to Rome and Florence. I feel like this whole trip is a series of daytrips since we're only in each place for a few days. Thanks!

R, When you get back you will laugh at your post that says "Don't know if we'll get to come back. This is our first trip to Europe." I thought the same thing about our trip last year, (becasue of our finances, but everything they say about the "travel bug" is so true it's uncanny. I haven't been able to save ten cents my entire life and in four months I have now saved $1600, the very real longing to return to Italy is so strong! Spend your time in Rome. You'll be back to give Florence the time it deserves (at least four days!). PLEASE do yourself the favor you won't regret: Scribble notes at the end of your day (every day) about what you did, ate, saw, your impressions and excitement. You won't believe how much you will forget. My messy notes are a treasure because they take me back to the minute I experienced them. Have a wonderful trip!

Carin, you're probably right! Thanks for the good wishes & advice. I hope you have a great trip too.