If you only had 5 days, where would you go ? Florence, Tuscany or Venice ? or perhaps Rome ?

What a tough question! I think it depends on several things: have you ever been to Italy before, what kind of vacation are you picturing (relaxing, sightseeing, city vs country, etc.), interests (art, history, food & wine, etc). We just got back from all of these places, and I guess my favorite was Venice. But Tuscany was great, too, since you can see many small towns there, as well as visiting wineries. Where are you traveling from, and what are you interested in?

I agree with Cathy, Gretchen. <BR><BR>If you plan on going back to Italy, you would be happy with any of the places you've mentioned. <BR><BR>My wife's favorite place has been Rome but they are all beautiful. I personally loved Rome, then Venice. But, like I said, you can't go wrong with the others either.<BR><BR>Have fun in your planning.<BR><BR>Bob

If you have never been to Rome, then I think Rome should be at the top of your list. <BR><BR>If you have only 5 days, I suggest spending 2.5 in Rome and 2 in Venice. You will need a half-day to travel from Rome to Venice, but seeing Venice is well worth the trip.

Venice. Absolutely.

I agree with Joyce. Go with Venice and Rome. It would be great to squeeze in Florence, but it would make your schedule too tight. If you had the extra day, go for Florence.

I'll be the voice of dissent--go to Florence. 5 days is perfect for Florence-you can see everything at a leisurely pace and maybe even take a day trip. You won't lose siteseeing time by shopping or vice versa and everything is so much more compact than Rome that you will avoid some of the tiredness. <BR> For me, 5 days in Rome wasn't near enough and I just felt exhausted and frustrated trying to fit everything in. I would wait to do Rome either as part of a longer trip where you can relax after the Rome leg, or by staying for 10 or so days just in Rome with a day trip.

Missing Venice would be tragic.

2 days in Venice and 3 days in Florence or 3 days in Florence with two spent in San Gmignano so you can see at least a bit of Tuscany. <BR>I love Tuscany but Venice is my favorite spot in Italy with Rome being my least favorite. I know some people would settle in for five days in Florence but I like to move around and see as much as I can. The train between Venice and Florence is enjoyable and if you can fly into Venice and out of Florence you can save yourself the return train trip.<BR><BR>You will love it!

I agree with Deb completely and she gives good advice. Venice is not like anything you have ever seen or imagined. I personally like to break Italy into two parts, Rome and Naples/Amalfi, and Venice and Florence/Tuscany.

Hi Gretchen,<BR>I would go with Tuscany (making day trips into each of the towns listed below), and make another day trip into Florence by bus (air-conditioned, fast, no trouble finding parking). Having done various permutations and combinations of these locales, the best trip we made was last year. We stayed about an hour outide Florence, in the middle of a triangle between Siena, San Gimignano (sp?), and Volterra---all were within a 45-minute drive (rental car essential). Hotel Gemini (overlooking the stunning hillsides of Tuscany) was superb, with a diningroom that surpassed all our hopes and expectations. (My husband, in the course of his career, has owned 5 restaurants, so is a tough customer to please. We had not planned on eating at our hotel at all; instead, were there 90% of the evenings!) Being in the countryside away from the dirt, hustle, noise, and congestion of the cities was a real plus. Rooms, pool, hotel were all very clean; very affordable (even for we Canadians, who are currently paying $1.61 Cdn for every $1.00 US charged on a VISA card!).<BR>Their website is www.gemini-lapergola.it; emal [email protected]. Enjoy! Carla and Frank

FLORENCE is a must if you have only a few days. While everyone in their lifetime should see Venice, I would not spend 5 days there. Tuscany is a wonderful area, great to drive and drive. For 5 days though: florence is a must. The art, the food....it is wonderful. Have fun!

Loved both Venice and Rome, but especially Venice. Florence was fine, but it was definitely a distant third for me.