Our schedule just changed and we're tacking an extra 4 days on our trip.<BR><BR>We're already spending 5 days in Venice and would like some suggestions on places to go for 3 additional days.<BR><BR>I was thinking possibly Florence. I haven't been to Italy yet. Venice will be my first visit.<BR><BR>Is the train ride doable or is flying best?<BR><BR>Thanks.

Florence is a wonderful choice. The art and the architecture and the food are fabulous. Don't forget to see David! Venice to Florence is an easy train ride - less than 2 hours.

Florence is appr.3 hours by train from Venice and is very doable.I recommend the first class Eurostar experience which $43E one way.. I just got back from a trip in Nov. You can easily spend another 3 nice full days in Florence. 5 days in Venice in bad weather could be tricky. Take some side trips to Padova by train or Burano by boat.

Excellent choice to go to Florence for those additional 3 days. As above poster suggested, take the Eurostar train. You can check train schedules at www.trenitalia.com (or if that server is acting up, can access thru www.trenitalia.it). Flying between these two cities is a much bigger hassle; travel on the rails is your best choice.<BR>

I am a frequent advocate of flying intra-Europe, and for Venice-Florence, I too vote train.<BR><BR>Other good (and close to Venice) destinations include Verona, Trento, Sirmione and Basano del Grappa.<BR><BR>All rank behind Florence.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping for lynn<BR><BR>

Post-Venice destinations?<BR><BR>I dunno. After all the Great Art and Mass of Humanity that is Venice, I would opt for a change of pace --<BR><BR>-- like maybe Lugano. (Search for a &quot;Lugano&quot; post where a couple bypassed Venice and were not disappointed....)

Another vote for Florence. <BR><BR>You can also take a short 30 minute train ride from Florence to Pisa. That's a nice half day/day trip! You can buy some good Chianti there as well. Just bring cash because some shops didn't take Credit Cards.