Planning a trip to Italy for the fall. We are just going to Rome, Florence and Venice on this trip. We were wondering how much time we should plan on spending in each city? We would like to spend enough time in each city to comfortably see all the major sites at a relaxed pace and also enjoy the ambience of each. How much time would you recommend?

This question has been asked a number of times and has gathered a number of different opinions, but here is mine.<BR><BR>1. I did not care for Venice, but loved Rome and Florence.<BR><BR>2. Having said that, I'd spend no more than two days in Venice, three to four days in Florence and about 5 to 7 days in Rome.<BR><BR>Just an opinion.<BR><BR>US

Loved Venice and could easily spend 5 nights there. Florence 4 night, and Rome 7 nights. Total 16 nights would make for a relaxed pace and allow you to enjoy the ambience. Under no circumstances should you spend less than 3 night in Venice or Florence or less than 6 nights in Rome. JMO. Enjoy.

If your time is somewhat limited, I would eliminate Venice and focus on Rome and Florence. <BR><BR>I have been to Venice twice. In late summer, it was just awful, too crowded to really enjoy. I also went in the winter, the week before Carnivale, and it was terrific; no tourists, shop keepers busy getting ready for Carnivale, lots of locals getting in the spirit. Of course, it was cold and rainy, but a much better time to really enjoy Venice, IMHO.

Thanks for the replies so far. I guess I should have said our time was not limited to any particular number of days. We can spend as much time touring as needed. Also, we are planning to start our tour sometime during the first two weeks in October if that makes a difference. I'm curious as to the different reactions to Venice. Is this primarily attributable to the time of year people visited?

Virgil---I would say that the reactions to Venice are at least partially based on time of year. Others simply don't like a lot of tourists at any time. If we remember that Venice is one of those "once in a lifetime" cities, we might begin to understand why everyone in the whole world wants to go there. It's an incredible place, and it's totally unique; but you have to like it for what it is, not what the tourists are doing to it.<BR><BR>Starting in October, you should try to visit Venice first, then go on to Florence and finally Rome. If your itinerary is not constrained, you should fly into Venice and out of Rome for the most efficient trip. Assuming you will travel by train, you could also have the opportunity to visit other places along the way if you wish.<BR><BR>Everyone's opinion of "enough" time in each city will be a bit different, as you have already discovered. My vote is as follows:<BR>-Venice: 4 to 6 nights<BR>-Florence: 3 to 6 nights<BR>-Rome: 5 to 8 nights<BR><BR>The reason for the variability is simply that I think after you have read and learned a bit about the cities, you will probably want to select your stays somewhere within the bands I've given.<BR><BR>I never quite get to go on a trip in which there are no constraints on my time, so I envy you this opportunity. Enjoy your trip.

I would definitely go to Venice - it is like no other place in the world - so unique and October should be a wonderful time. I envy you for having unlimited time. I've been to Florence 5 times - it's one of my favorites and still haven't seen everything I want to see. I just got back from the Italian Riveria 4 days ago and I already miss Italy. Have a great time.

Virgil, Wayne, as usual, has some excellent advice above. I too would start in Venice--we will be there for a week starting 3 Oct---and allot these days as minimum: Venice 3, Florence 3[or 4 if you plan to include Siena], and Rome 5. Good luck !

Hi Virgil,<BR><BR> Truman Capote once remarked that "Venice is like a bix of bon bons". <BR><BR> You can spend your life in Venice and still be surprised by something new.<BR><BR> I would suggest that, since you are going in the Fall, you start in Venice, since it is the most northern city.<BR><BR> If you give it a week, you will find yourself comparing Bellini to Canneleto to Carrivagio....etc, etc.<BR><BR> Not to mention the food.<BR><BR> Try Alla Maddona. The second time you will be treated like family.

Virgil, here's my Venice experiences:<BR><BR>First visit was at the end of January. My husband was on a business trip to Milan and we took the train to Venice for a three-day visit. See my previous comments.<BR><BR>The second time was in mid-October at the end of a cruise. It was terribly crowded, flooded and a miserable experience. We were extremely glad that this was not our first impression of Venice; our cruise companions thought it was awful. We encouraged them to return at a different time of the year.<BR><BR>The differences were amazing. Our first time we felt like Venice was small, intimate, gorgeous, we were pretty much invisible to the locals

I've never been to Rome but I have visited both Venice and Florence. I loved Venice but it gets really hot in the summer (when I was there in June it was 114!!!) I say three days there. Florence, it depends on your taste-if your a history nut then 3 days and add an extra day and go see Pisa. If you like shopping for leather then I say two days because after that you'll be broke!

I just spent three days in Venice and it wasn't enough. Don't do less because it rained heavily 2 of the 3 days we were there and we didn't get to see a lot of things we wanted to. I usually try to stay a minimum of 4 nights in each location and was sorry I didn't have an extra day in Venice because the day we left the sun came out! I spent 5 nights in Florence in '00 and that was just right. I keep going back to Rome and can never see everything I want to see. I agree with the others, that you need more time there, 5-8 nights if possible. Have a great trip! Kay

We loved Venice and Rome, so incredible! After seeing the splendour of Rome, Florence was so-so, it was nice but we wished we'd spent more time in Rome. In Summer in Venice and Florence, there were much more tourists than Italians. Especially Florence. If we had to do it again, we would spend:<BR>Venice: 4 nights (so that you can just relax and go to each island(the best ones) on different days)<BR>Florence: 3 nights (including Fiesole, Siena and San Gimignarno).<BR>Rome: 8 nights

Your question is like asking how much time should one spend in Paris or New York--the answer depends on your affinities. If you are art lovers, just expand everyone's estimates by another week! If not, then you can really give Florence short shrift--just a couple of days will suffice. I'd plan to spend at least 10 days in Rome under any circumstances, and at least 5 for wandering around in Venice.

I agree a lot will depend on your likes, but here goes another opinion to add to your list:<BR><BR>Venice - 2 days minimum - main sights and quite a few minor ones; 3 days - you can add in half a day for an island trip; ideal - 4 to 5 days allows for more strolling and seeing some of the less than top tier sights and more island time<BR><BR>Florence - again 2 days minimum, but this is rushed; 3-4 days in the city itself should allow you to see most of it and enjoy the atmosphere<BR><BR>Rome - a minimum of 3 - one for ancient, one for the Vatican, one for Campo dei Fiori to the Spanish Steps; best 5-6 days - gives you time for sights on the periphery of the main area (eg., Baths of Caracalla, Trastevere, and major churches between the Baths of Caracalla and Termini); 6-7 should allow you to make daytrips in the area without feeling like you shortchanged Rome.

Have a similar question. I have been to Italy before, but just the "big three." This trip I am going to Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. Looking for the same kind of recommendations as to how much time is required to get a reasonably good flavor of each area at a relaxed pace.

Since your time is not limited, how about 1 week each of the 3 cities plus a day for leisurely travel time in between each?<BR><BR>I have been to Venice twice (never Rome or Florence), both trips in August, for 4-5 days each time. I LOVE that city and have never experienced or seen any other place like it. It is truly magical!!<BR><BR>p.s. Yes, there are a lot of pigeons and tourists. No, the canals do not smell bad.

To Jack regarding your planned trip: I suggest you post a new entry with a question about what to see/do in your selected cities.

We went to Italy in late November. From my experience we only needed this many nights to get the highlights:<BR><BR>Florence: 3 nights (day trip to Pisa)<BR>Venice: 3-4 nights <BR>Rome: 4 nights (full day at the Vatican Museum)<BR><BR>May want to check out when the wine festivals are in Florence area. That may add some time in that city. I think the festivals are Sept. or Oct.

Similar reply to others...Do not miss Venice. It is a storybook town. I would spend atleast three to four full days there. I'd do Florence for three days. If time is not an issue then visit some other cities that have a lot to offer, too...like Ravenna or Padova, not too far from Venice...or Siena, Orvieto, or Assisi...after visiting Florence before heading to Rome...or do Assisi by train from Rome. Well, now Rome...you can stay there for an entire week. You can break up the week with a day trip-Assisi, or Naples and Capri, or Pompeii. IF time really isn't an issue why not end the vacation with a few days on the Amalfi coast? Three weeks is my dream vacation in Italy.