Having trouble deciding! We will be traveling from Rome to Venice to board our cruise in Sept. 08. DH has never been to Italy...our options...go straight to Venice the day before or stop in Florence the day before arriving in Venice hours before the cruise. Only have the one day so it will be a rush visit to either...we will have already spent 5 days in Rome...

If you only have one night, Venice.

I agree - Venice

And try to book the Locanda Orseolo!

Definitely Venice. What if there's a transport strike the day you need to get there from Florence?

Venice (no contest in this scenario).

Take two days from Rome and spend one and a half each in Florence and Venice.

I like Isabel's idea.

Hi L,

Much as I like Florence, it ain't Venice.

Wow! I feel bad for Florence...no votes! I was there on a high school tour a few years ago (OK it was over 30!)and based on my limited memory, I would've thought Florence would've gotten some votes! DH doesn't care so it may be Venice...checked into Locanda Orseolo, they have a room, but for $400! Is there anywhere to stay in Venice that is under $300?

Not sure I want to take from Rome for quick visits to the other 2...we'll see...

One reason Florence didn't get any votes is because it's too risky to depend on the train to get you to Venice the morning of your cruise.

Venice,of course.Absolutely magical.

A great place for finding hotels is tripadvisor.All the reviews are right there and in many cases you can book thru the provided links.

we were planning to take the train Rome-Venice...is there a problem? Do they strike often?

Look up Franco's post about Venice, for lodging recommendations. There are lots of nice little one-star hotels in Venice.

We stayed at the Hotel Riva, and liked it a lot. The Casa Rezzonico is also a less expensive, but very nice, option.
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Hello lvillinois, there are times that a majority of the trains go on strike for a matter of hours in Italy. Under Italian law they are suppose to give two weeks notice. But, I have experienced the train from Rome, going through Florence and onto Venice can run late by over two hours or so. Personally I would want to spend the short amount of time in Venice so I wouldn't lose time standing around the Florence train station waiting for the train if it runs behind schedule. Have a lovely trip and cruise!

Another reason not to stay in Florence is that it is one more day of packing and unpacking. I say this although I love Florence.

What you can do is take an early train from Rome, stop in Florence and check your bags at the station, walk around the central historic area (it is quite small) and stop in one or two museums. Have lunch there, and then in the afternoon go on to Venice and stay there 2 nights. You would have enough time to do that.

Oops, I got it wrong. You only have one night. Still, I would not stay over in Florence.

Leaning towards getting off the train in Florence for a few hours and then continuing on to Venice. But stealing a day from Rome may also work..Will definitely check out the hotels in Venice as many people have said not to miss Venice in the evening.

Thanks for all the ideas!