Florence or Venice
 

I need some advice for a 7 day trip to Italy. We`re considering doing a Globus tour (the laid back one) to Rome and Florence or Venice. We are 2 Moms aound 40 with a slight case of AADD (adult attention deficit disorder- lol ). If you had to pick - what`s better ? We enjoy Art - Wine - and things to do. What would give us more in a short time? Any input would be appreciated.

"See Venice and die"

Few truer wrods have ever been spoken.

when i went on my contiki trip last summer I found that florence was a lot of shopping.. there is some great architecture but I think for the overall package you are going to want to go to venice. There is food, shopping , architecture, museums and gondola rides :)

Have been to Florence and Venice, 2x to Venice. We enjoyed Florence but love Venice and would choose Venice! What month are you planning to take your trip? There can be flooding in Venice at times. We have only been there in the months of June and July and it was beautiful weather.

Why not get some books from the library about each city, preferably with lots of pictures, and see if you have an intuitive attraction to the visuals and/or history of one over the other? Find out what your gut tells you.

We returned a year ago from Florence & Venice, have a little read and see which one tickles your fancy!
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34758287

Florence is beautiful. But go to Venice. It's one of those unique places on earth.

Both great, but Florence will be much more interesting if you have AADD. Venice is unique and great to see, but restaurants are fair and you can pretty much see the sights in a day or so. Florence by contrast is much more happening. Great museums, sights, restaurants and piazzas....and if you get board, there are easy day trips out by train/bus (i.e. siena, san gimignano, lucca).

Again, think they're both amazing, but given you self description, I don't think there's a question as to which you would prefer.

I love them both but if I could pick only one, I would pick Venice.

I agree Venice is absolutely wonderful. I wonder though, if you have a significant other if you might want to go with them to Venice. Venice is very romantic.

Florence is the place if you AADD. There is lots to see there. The Uffizi, Academia, waking the Ponte Vecchio. My friends and I had an adventurous public bus trip up to Palazzo Michelangelo above the city to go to the church where the monks chant. The Santa Maria Pharmacia. The big central market place. The Duomo. The gelato....

Whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed and with only 7 days, you will not be bored

Enjoy

I'm going to be a dissenting vote and say Florence. So much to do and see, it really keeps you stimulated.

Venice is great, too, but a nice romantic place to just be and relax. If you are "doers", I'd do Florence.

Interesting. We found a lot more to do in Venice than in Florence. We thought Florence a bit of a "one trick pony"--Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance. A lot more variety in Venice (including some Renaissance).

I truly love Renaissance art and history, and can still remember the moment I saw my first Giotto <i>in real life, it's actually there, a Giotto</i> when I walked into the Uffizzi. I got misty-eyed. And I'm pretty hardnosed.

I still like Venice better. :)

Rome and Venice will provide a greater contrast and a wonderful trip. We did Rome first, and by the time we got to Florence, we felt like, okay, more art, and also unfortunately more crowded and smoggy...when we got to Venice last our mouths dropped open, it is awesome, your first site of Venice especially.

In my opinion you cannot feel the soul of Venice without staying for 2 or 3 nights and getting the vaporetto pass...go wandering about...do some museums...have pizza by the water...float down a canal just before sunset...wow...

Wow- this is going to be a tough one I see. We are going in May. We also both plan to go back again with our husbands and families. We`ve heard such mixed reviews on Venice. It seems alot of people either &quot;love it&quot; or don`t. Same here with all that responded. It`funny isn`t it?

I have been to Venice five times, Florence 15. I do not like Venice, do not find it magical, charming or romantic. I have been there five times only because I often have a friend with me who is a first timer and wants to visit, not because it is a favorite spot.

Florence is my favorite city anywhere. I love the art, architecture, fashion, the ability to day trip into the Tuscan countryside, standing on the Ponte Vecchio at daybreak, wandering the streets of the Oltrarno.

I have made many friend there and enjoy the Florentine people as well.

I am very type A and am over Venice in a very short period. The last to trips I cut short and simply got out of town. My type C brother loves it so perhaps that is a comparison that might help :)

I will be in Italy this fall with 7 people who have never been. Venice is on the agenda but only for two days and only because the majority want to visit. Then off to Florence for 6 and Rome for 4.

Hey Florence lovers. We're going there in June with our teenage boys for 2 nights. Any suggestions for great family hotels or restaurants? (Although I still prefer Venice for u Tori)

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Not one of these responses has anything butpraise for Venice and it &quot;wins&quot; by a large margin the voting for which one you should consider so how do you say that the responses here confirm that people either love or hate it?
Okay, one response does but it was posted after your post I am referring to.


Is that what you are hearing? I would be confused about where to go if I didn't get clear messages being sent, too.

And whats up with two people stating that Florence is the place to go if you have AADD? That's just a ridiculous comment.

Aramis, the OP asked specifically about ADD so IMO it is not ridiculous at all.

I am one who bores easily and Venice bores me quickly. I find it artificial.

I never tire of Florence and could happily live there.

That was the point being made.

Hey kfusto, any suggestions for me about your favorite city? Thanks.

Venice without a doubt.

kfusto;

The point I was trying to make is that
a personal preference for one place
over another is hardly grounds for
making a statement that the disorder
means that Florence should be the choice.

Lauracelli made that statement, not you..

Have been to both several times and although I adore Venice I have found it to be a much better trip with a husband or lover than with a friend (or tagged onto a business trip with an associate).

Florence has a much wider variety of things to do/see - and all of Tuscany to tour out into.

Wow -- we too are going to Italy in May and the choice between these two cities is a struggle for me. This post pretty much is hands down for Venice which is interesting -- many people I have asked seemed to have liked one or the other. I have heard that Venice can have an unpleasant smell ... does anyone have any comments regarding that?

&gt;I am one who bores easily and Venice bores me quickly. I find it artificial.&lt;

I can make no comment on the first part, but what is artificial about Venice (except that the bell tower was rebuilt in 1912)?

((I))

Ira, I think artificial is the slightly zoo like atmosphere in Venice unless one really veers off of the tourist routes.

Still, been to both Florence and Venice, I would still pick Venice and specially so with Rome. Much better contrast with Rome when compared to Florence. Nothing like it.

It's very simple. If you are big on art museums, then it is a close choice. If you are not, then Venice wins by a mile. Florence is actually fairly dull.

In response to twokats2 asking whether Venice can have unpleasant smells--we have been there 2x in June and July and have not experienced any unpleasant odors. I too have heard people say it can be smelly but I believe that is related to the aqua alta (high tide) which occurs in November and in the spring time.

On our first visit to Venice in '02 we stayed 2 nights and it was not enough. On our 2nd visit in '05 we stayed 4 nights and it was perfect. With more time we were able to visit the islands--Murano, Burano, etc. We loved Burano! Another of our favorite things is to just wander around and &quot;get lost.&quot;

Our second visit to Venice was at the end of a 3-week trip that started in Croatia and Slovenia thus making Venice feel extremely crowded to us. We still found it enchanting! The best time in Venice is after the daytrippers leave.

We have visited many destinations in Europe, but to this day our entire family agrees that our first ride down the Grand Canal was truly jaw dropping!

Ira, I can only say that Venice does not have the appeal to me that it has to so many others. I find it Disneyesque and terribly crowded at most times of the year. While it is indeed unique and sometimes striking in its beauty, the overall appeal is simply lost on me.

For my money and time, I much prefer other cities and towns in Italy. It is far easier to sleep well and dine well for less in Florence IME than in Venice.

I know that Venice &quot;speaks&quot; to many and there are those what can wander the canals and streets in bliss. I am more taken by the art, food, ambiance and architecture of other areas in Italy and simply do not enjoy Venice.

I have been to Venice twice, and would return in a heart-beat! I have not been to Florence and have no plans to. Venice is totally unique. Like no place else on earth. And it is an easy city to get around because of its relatively small size and since there's no car traffic to contend with.

twokats2- Well there are canals and it is on the sea, but no Venice does not smell bad in my experience.

As usual ,I'm with Ira here- Florence is fine, but Venice is finer.

From the perspective of someone who gets bored very easily [ideal time for seeing the uffizi is about 1 hour] Florence is art, and more art, unless you get out of town and in the time you've got, you won't be doing much of that.

Venice on the other hand has loads to do within a very small area - as well as San Marco [you must pay the extra E3 to see the Golden Screen and go up to the roof] there are the boats, the islands, the shops, the churches, the restaurants and bars, the markets, the tiny streets. I defy you to become bored!

Torihollow, please see that this choice is a very individual thing and can't be about which one is &quot;better.&quot; Both cities are amazing in different ways.

The first thing on your list of enjoyments was art and the second was wine. All but the most fanatical Venice fans will agree that Florence has more art to see, and not just from the Renaissance. All but the most fanatical Venice fans will agree that the opportunities to drink fantastic regional wines are probably greater in Florence. You can order great wine at restaurants in either city, but your opportunities to sample the outstanding wines of Tuscany will be greater in Tuscany. You could even go to a tasting at a vineyard in nearby Chianti.

If you go to Venice, you'll have a wonderful time. If you go to Florence, you'll have a wonderful time. Only you can choose which experience will be more wonderful.

Perhaps you should consider a rail ticket and if you get bored with one, go to the other. Italy is a beautiful country...in 7 days you will have thrills regardless of where you go. You are eating just an appetizer in 7 days...fill yourself up.

Why don't you add on three days at the end and go to the last city by yourselves - post tour?

I'm really suprised at the responses FOR Florence,,,,and I am in agreement. )I just, for some reason, thought that most people would say Venice. Yes, Venice would be the most contrast with Rome, and it is indeed beautiful (but almost in an &quot;amusement park way&quot;. Now, now folks, don't take offense to that statment. I loved Venice.
Anyway...I would still say Florence to you and your friend....better food, side trips to Tuscany, plenty of art, shopping, wine, and 'more things to do&quot;.
(doesn't Globus keep you on the run every minute?~~~~~~~and most of these postings, including mine, make it sound like you will have plenty of time on your own????)