florence, pisa or venice
 

we have an extra nicht, will be deposited in florence. We will have been there 1 full day already. Would you stay in Florence or go to Pisa or Venice. This is a once in a life time trip. Please help!

By all means stay in Florence. You'll lose 1/2 day traveling. Florence is a wonderful city.

This is such a personal decision and you can't know what you'll like until you're there. There are those who love Florence and those who hate it and those who love Venice and those who hate it. Most seem to agree that Pisa is a waste unless you're really just dying to see that leaning tower.

We hated Florence and loved Venice so if it were me, I'd leave Florence after a day (see the Uffiza and Michelangelo's David at the Academia- make sure to have reservations) and go to lovely Venice (3 hour train from Florence.) There's no place on earth like that fantasy water world and who knows if it'll still be here later.

dont agree that pisa is a waste - there is some magnificent sculpture there, in the baptistery and the cathedral - but I do agree that youd be best off staying put in Florence. Can barely scratch the surface there in one day.

Pisa is quite close to Florence by frequent trains. You could stay in Florence and make a half-day visit to Pisa, giving slightly more time in Florence, a taste of Pisa, and no need to change hotels for one night.

If you will only have the one night in Venice, I'd need to know the rest of your plans to see if it was worth the 3-hour trip in between your other destinations.

stay in florence

Florence.

One day in Florence is not enough - neither is 2, but you will be able to see some of the main sites in that time.

Don't fuss trying to get out of the city, etc., you will lose too much time travelling when there is so much to see in Florence.

I've spent a month in Florence (2 separate trips) and still haven't seen all there is to see!

I'd stay in Florence, although I agree with plafield Venice is lovely. But 1 day just isn't enough. It would be torture to leave after so short a time.

I wouldn't worry about seeing all the 'must sees' in Florence, even if it's a once in a lifetime trip. Wander, eat, drink, people-watch, shop, wander some more. You'll like the place a whole lot more if you're not inside a museum with only 2 days. Become Italian when you are in Florence and you'll enjoy it - surrender yourself to the crowds, breathe in the smells of pasta sauce and old buildings, sleep during the afternoon and spend your nights wandering along the river and through the squares. Be naughty and have a drink or gelato whenever you feel like it. Trust me, Florence will get under your skin.

Well I can tell you what I am going to do! I have a trip booked for Florence for one night and two days. I am going to Florence and Pisa, Pisa isn't that far away so you could take a train and go around then come back to Florence.

Venice!

I'm not that keen on Florence and love Venice, but I'd say stay in Florence - Venice will take too long to travel to for 1 night.

But where will you be going after this extra night ?

looks like we should stay in Florence. We are going back to Rome for that last night and early morning flight home. Thanks for all the help! Any ideas on hotels. Looking to stay around $300 per night

I think you are making the right decision to stay in Florence. If you run out of things you want to do there (hard for me to imagine) I agree a side trip to Pisa would be relatively easy. Or, even closer, you could explore Fiesole which is basically a suburb of Florence and reachable by bus.

Well I would make a day trip to Venice myself. Because I think it is a magical place and something everyone should see at least once.

I would stay in Florence. Don't waste time on train travel, I know it's tempting to see other places when you are there and everything seems to be so close but one day is not enough for Venice, you just won't do justice to that city. You'll come to an overcrowded St. Mark's square, walk around it bumping into bus tourists and time is up. You have to spend at least 3 days in Venice to really enjoy it. An extra day Florence, on the other hand, will give you a chance to see more great stuff and relax -- go to 3-4 places you haven't seen before. We loved Museo Nazionale del Bargello -- great sculpture! Capella di Medici is a great choice and in the afternoon you can enjoy the glorious sunsets over Ponte Vecchio or from Piazzale Michelangelo.

My vote is spend all your time in Florence. Venice deserves more than one day and if you split the time between Florence and Venice you would end up feeling frustrated both places. You just have to go back!!
I'd skip Pisa altogether - not worth a special trip in my book.