VolGreg

Next October we are planning a trip back to Italy, hoping to squeeze a trip back to Rome if the schedule is favorable
Fly into Venice - 3 days
Then train to Florence - 5-6 days hoping side trips to Sienia, Cinque Terras, or ????

This would give us 4 to 5 days in Rome
Is this a good plan?
If not, what time does Florence and Venice deserve?

Greg

Eloise

I'm usually an avid defender of Rome, but since you have already been there, I might tweak your schedule just a bit:

Venice 4 days (bearing in mind that you'll probably be jet-lagged the first and maybe even the second day)

Florence 5-6 days (including side trips to Siena, San Gimignano or some other Tuscan hill town, but not Cinque Terre, which are too far away)

Rome 3 to 4 days

monicapileggi

I was going to make the same suggestion as Eloise, so DITTO!

Monica

VolGreg

Thanks Monica & Eloise;
This forum has helped me in planning before. It is because of learned travelers such as yourselves.

Greg

BTW Eloise, Rome needs no defence in my book. It is absolutely wonderful!

ira

Hi Vol,

I suggest that you stop in Orvieto on your way to Rome, even if only for the day.

monicapileggi

If interested, you can view my web site which I keep my journals, photos, restaurants that I?ve been to, etc.

http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html My favorite place is Venice and I hope to get back there someday soon!

Monica

WillTravel

I'm thinking of 12, possibly 13, nights to split between Venice, Florence, and Rome.

I am currently thinking:

3 nights Venice
4 nights Florence
5 nights Rome

This would be for the nights from Dec. 27-Jan. 8.

How does that sound?

If I do manage 13, which city should get the extra night?

ira

Hi Will,

I would do 5 Florence (with a daytrip) and 4 Rome (with a daytrip to Orvieto).

If you add another night - stay in Venice.

WillTravel

Thanks Ira. I have read your trip report which is very helpful. For a December/January trip, which daytrip from Florence would you recommend? Siena, perhaps?

Also, is it reasonable to fit Assisi in there somewhere at that time of year?

RufusTFirefly

I would only stay 4 or 5 days in Florence if you are really, really, really into Renaissance art and architecture.

Neither of us particular cares for Florence as a city, but Mrs. Fly loves the Renaissance period--I find it not so interesting (the history is interesting, but the art leaves me cold), so we always have a bit of a disagreement in Italy.

Last time she spent 3 days in Florence; I spent 1-1/2 and then headed to Rome on an advance scouting mission.

Definitely add the extra night to Venice.

WillTravel

Thanks Rufus. I am pretty interested in the Renaissance period, so I suspect I would easily spend 4 nights in Florence, particularly if there is a day trip. I am leery of cutting days from Rome, though.

I am getting ahead of myself a bit - I have to buy the plane ticket first!

Jean

Willtravel: Go with your interests. If you're into Renaissance art, then Florence is the place. Make a trip (day or overnight) to Siena for an interesting contrast of Medieval v. Renaissance. If possible, take a guided walking tour of Siena for some historical perspective.

ira

Hi will,

I also suggest a day in Siena, at that time of year.

VolGreg

Monica; I saw your webpage - very mpressive.
Thanks

Ira; could you link your trip Italian report?

Thanks to all for the advice!
Greg

monicapileggi

Thanks VolGreg!!!

Monica

ira

Hi Greg:

Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

WillTravel

OK, I am proceeding!
My planned itinerary right now is 4 nights Venice, 4 nights Florence, 5 nights Rome. I'll see about the daytrips.