Intinerary help! Rome or Venice?
 

My husband and I are renting a Villa in Nice France for a week with friends next March/April and have decided to add another week and go to Italy(our first time)the week before. We definitley want to do Tuscany, Florence and then the Italian Riviera. We may not stay with our friends the entire time we're in Italy. He has business to do in Florence and doesn't want to do Rome or Venice. (He's been before....) So we thought we'd take a few days on our own and join up with them on about day 3 or 4 in Florence. We will then stay there a couple of nights and then move on to the Italian Riveria and then France. Here's my question......Right now, we are scheduled to fly into Rome. Since we have only 2-3 days max, I'm debating if we should fly into Milan instead and take the train to Venice and spend 2 nights there.
Or...visit Rome for a day or two and then drive up through Tuscany to meet our friends in Florence. I know that 2 days is definitley not enough time to see everything in Rome or Venice. My husband and I are very intrigued with Venice....we love venitian glass art etc... I'm torn...Does anyone have a recommendation?

I love both Venice and Rome, so it's pretty much six of one, half a dozen of the other for me.

To save time, you can fly into Venice, but it will probably take a change of plane at some point. I have heard that Delta has introduced direct flights to Venice.

If you decide on Rome and then meet your friends in Florence, you can take the train (1.5 hours) -- unless you will be using two cars for the rest of your trip.

Wow, that's tough. They are both incredible cities in their own way.
I'd say that since you are already flying into Rome, go for it! You will have a fabulous time whichever you choose, but maybe the fates ahve already decided for you...
Rome is so much fun and fast paced. Whereas, it sounds like the rest of your trip will be at wonderful leisure. You might as well have the best of both worlds.

I absolutely adore Rome, but gotta tell you, Venice is....sorry, no words to describe this incredible city!
What a nice dilemma to be faced with! You cannot go wrong either way.

The other day there was a post here that said the train ride from Milan to Venice is really long - so you might chew up a lot of time travelling.

Thank you everyone for your input. I think we will stick with our plan to do Rome this trip and save Venice for next time when we can stay longer.
I know Rome will be fabulous!

Hi diane,

The night train departs Nice Ville at 21:07 and arrives Venice San Lucia at 07:36 - 220E for two in a private compartment.

You can buy your tickets on line at www.trenitalia.com. Click "International".

((I))

Rome is beautiful...a great city!
BUT I'd still give my vote to Venezia!!
Yes delta does direct flights to Venice from JFK.

I love Venice. It is a small city so easy to get the hang of. I feel it is one of the few places I've been that a few days is enough (or years not long enough!). I've visited twice.

Rome is intimidating to me. I feel like you need a plan of attack and some good organization for the logistics.

Venice you can just wander around. I have yet to even read a guidebook about the city, but that didn't hinder me in the least. Even maps I found only vaguely useful!

I vote for Rome. Like one other person said a lot of your trip will be slow paced and Rome will add that faster pace. Rome is electrifying. You will love it but don't forget to wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking. Save Venice for your northern Italy trip.

Relax and enjoy!