jerri

and don't know which one to choose; the first is Rome, of course, but the second?<BR><BR>any suggestions? I am there for a week.

Alice Twain

Stay in Rome. Rome can easily fill one whole week of sightseeing, and you may suplement it with several interesting daytrips to les famous but wonderful areas, such as yraquinia, Cerveteri, the Bracciano lake, Tivoli, Montecassino, Anangni and nearby Arpino, and a tour across the castelli area.

Wendy

Depending on the time of year you are going I would vote Venice as your second!

Lesli

My vote would be for Florence. Only a short train ride, and one of my favorite cities in the world. Beautiful art and architecture, great food, and a quieter pace than Rome (if you get away from the immediate vicinity of the Duomo.)<BR><BR>But it depends on what you like and what your interests are. (I myself am a huge Renaissance art fan, so Florence is *it* for me.) Read your guidebooks and see what speaks to you! You won't go wrong anywhere in Italy.

Bill Fleites

I agree with Wendy that if I had only two cities that I could visit in Italy they would be Rome and Venice. Venice is just a magical place that I could go back to again and again. The only downside is that they're quite a ways apart and with only a week in Italy the only way it makes sense is to fly from Rome to Venice and then back to Rome consuming a lot of your precious time. If you want something a bit closer it all depends on what you like art, history, architecture, scenic nature, religion, etc.<BR>If art is your thing, then you should train to Florence. If beautiful scenery is your thing, then I would head to the Amalfi coast and stay in Sorrento or Positano. For history, religion, and architecture you're already there because Rome can't be beat for that.<BR>

Vita

I loved both Rome and Florence. Both are very urban. Some people don't like Florence but I thought it was a great city to just walk around in. I loved the duomo and of course there are some great galleries. If you wanted a country break, you could stay in Rome the whole time and do a day trip to Orvieto or Siena.<BR><BR>You also might consider the time of year. If going in the winter, you might not want to head north if the cold weather bothers you.

clairobscur

That's an easy question : Venice.

Carolyn

Venice.

xd

Since when do people not like Florence? The art, the history? It is fantastic. Venice is a tourist trap, as far as I'm concerned.

Susan

Add Venice or stay only in Rome. One week is a pretty short trip.

Kristin

Venice, unless you're an art lover.

me

Venice is the Big Mac of Italy.<BR><BR>Big Macs being disgusting, of course.

Dawn

My favorites are Florence and Venice.

Jen

It depends on your interests. I agree, Florence is a wonderful city if you are a huge art fan, and Venice is simply fantastic (and not as far away as that other person had said). <BR><BR>Another suggestion would be Naples. It is less than 3 hours away from Rome, and you can visit Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, Positano, and Capri from Naples. All of these areas are beautiful!

Carol

I'd skip Rome and see Florence and Venice if you have at least 2 weeks, or just Florence and surrounding area if you have less than two weeks.<BR><BR>

Roma

<BR>Stick with Rome and add Venice. Believe me, you won't regret it.

xxx

Why Rome "of course"? You don't HAVE to see Rome in a very short trip.

Karen

I vote for Florence!<BR><BR>When I went to Italy 2 years ago, I saw Venice, Florence, Bologna, Rom, Naples, Sorrento. Florence was my favorite, followed closely by Venice. Rome is beautiful and a must see, but much more hectic! I'd go back to Italy in a heartbeat - but my next trip this winter is England!

JBX

Of course, the first choice is Rome. And given the limitations of time, I'd either spend the entire week in Rome w/daytrip to Orvieto -- or if you must choose a second city, then make it Florence. <BR><BR>You need to consider travel time --- ideally the two cities to choose might be Rome & Venice, however you'll eat up a good portion of the day in travel getting from Rome to Venice. Train between these two cities takes 4 1/2 hrs --- flying time is shorter, however you do need to calculate the time it takes to get to/from airport, etc. When you add that all up the "fly time" package easily consumes 3 1/2 hrs. And if then need to get back to Rome, you use up another 1/2 day returning.<BR><BR>The Rome-Florence city combo is easier. It only takes 1 1/2 hrs on the train to get up to Florence from Rome.<BR>

Grandma

We've been to Rome-- briefly--- several times, but still managed to spend 6 days, 5 nites there two years ago. going back this fall... briefly. Second those who suggest a day trip to Orvieto...<BR>If you're interested in art and history you can spend forever in Florence.<BR>Venice deserves more time than an overnite. We're going back for our seventh visit (husband's ninth) in three weeks!