My husband and I are (hopefully) going to Italy in April. I say hopefully because there's a possible issue concerning jury duty. Anyway, we are mostly using hotel points, and have booked five nights in Rome and five in Venice. We have one night free between the two destinations.

Is it worth it to stop in Florence for one night on the way to Venice? If we did so, we would stay near the train station. I know it isn't much time, but we thought it might be nice to get a small taste and see if we want to return. Otherwise, we will add another night to Rome.

Any thoughts?

Yes, I think so. But you could take and early train and be there by 0900 and spend all day in Florence and still catch a 1600 train to Venice. Store the bags at the station. Beats a change of hotels to me.

I think so. It will break up the trip between Venice and Rome and even one night will be be cool. The train station area isn't that attractive. Can you get another hotel, not near the station? Taxis are not expensive in Florence.

Thanks for the info on the area around the train station! All in all, I think bobthenavigator's idea might be the best solution.

Hello MareW, in that Florence is a very walkable city regarding the historical section and in that the train station is right there Bob's suggestion is a good one and it would save you time checking into and checking out of a hotel in Florence. When you get off the train in Florence you will find the luggage storage office when you walk down left from the train tracks when you get off of the train. Do note the operating hours of the luggage storage office so that you are sure to pick up your luggage before they close. Wishing you a wonderful time in Italy.

Just a note on the jury duty issue. if you already have plane tickets, you should be able to use these to postpone your jury service. in Los Angeles County, where I live, you can get your service postponed once for no reason, and more times for cause (i.e. booked plane tickets). it's worth a call to the Court.

Yes!

1 night is better than none, and it will give you a taste of this amazing city!

If you make reservations to see DAVID and the Uffizi, you won't waste any time standing in line.

Our first time in Florence we arrived mid-day and had to leave mid-day the next day. We still saw a lot, and of course it made us want to go back. (we're making our third visit this summer -- i can hardly wait.)

have a great trip!

I know you asked about Florence.... But I would think about a smaller town for a different Italian vibe, especially as you only have one day/night. How about Spello or Assisi and instead of rushing through the Uffizi, David and a (very) few other treasures, take your time to wander a small hill town and see the amazing basilica in Assisi? Just a thought....

Thanks for all the helpful information and suggestions. I'm especially grateful for the specific info on the left luggage location. The posters here can be just amazing sometimes!

The idea of stopping at a smaller town instead hadn't occurred to me, so I'll look into that as well.

I posted my jury duty saga on another thread a while ago. I've mailed them a copy of my plane tickets, but it's Federal jury duty (three weeks long) and they aren't giving me an answer so far.

One day is better than none. florence is a great city and easily walkable(we did it last December just for the day with our kids-early 20's and covered a lot). Definitely see David-you will never forget it. In three visits, we have not yet been inside the Uffizi as never had a full day to dedicate to it...the old section, even from the train station is an easy walk-even in the COLD...Another fascinating place is San Gimignano, just south of Florence-that is a wonderful day trip also if you want to avoid the whole city thing.

Hi M,

>five nights in Rome and five in Venice.

I would do 2 nights in Florence and 4 in Venice.

However, "Yes" one night in Florence is a good idea.

I agree with Ira. If you can do it, I would consider taking a night from Venice and adding it to Florence. Understand that I am biased and, on six trips to Italy, we have always included a stop in Florence regardless of where else we were going. It is a lovely city, very walkable and with so much to see and do.

While I adore Venice, 4 days is plenty.

"we have always included a stop in Florence regardless of where else we were going."

Yes! So do we! Once we only stayed one night because we did not have more time, but we still managed to pay homage to the city. In May we will stay only two nights before going on to Lucca to an apartment.

As for the area around the train station, it's not all that bad. Just a block or two away towards the Duomo and you are already in the middle of things. The Centro Storico (historic center) is very small -- half an hour walking across.

We once stopped in Florence for a day by taking the earliest Eurostar from Venice and taking a personal guided tour of Venice. left to Rome at about 1900 if I recall correctly. One year later none of us remembered much about Florence. I would do at 5 nights in Rome, two nights in Florence and 3 nights in Venice.

Hi Mare,

Another suggestion here to mix up your trip just a bit with an overnight in one of the small hilltowns. A lovely change from the cities.

Maybe save Florence for a future Tuscany trip???

Buon viaggio!

Florence is beautiful and if you want a nice hotel close to the train station,I can recommend the Hotel Alba. We stayed their earlier this month and we really liked the staff and the location.