Is it worth it to spend a day or two in Venice?
 

My husband and I are in our early 30s and will be traveling to Rome and Paris with our (hip) parents, sister, BIL and their two toddler daughters.

My husband and I went to Florence and Rome last year and LOVED Rome. We weren't crazy about Florence but just loved Rome. I've been to Paris before, but my husband hasn't and is really excited. We're also interested in Venice.

Since we are traveling with so many, we will be staying in an apartment in Rome for 7 nights. This leaves us with an additional 5 nights. Do you think it's worth it for us to spend a night in Venice and then head to Paris or should we just go straight to Paris? We'd love to see Venice but I'm wondering if that leaves enough time for both.

We can't change the total nights spent in Rome, so we really do have 5 nights for the rest of the trip. The additional 5 nights are "free", so we can go wherever we want but need to be in Paris for a few of them.

Thanks!

Venice IMo even for a few minutes is worth the detour - to me the most visually fine city in the world

and at night a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal is my number one thing to do in Europe

You don't say when it is you're going to be there. I've been to Venice in March, early June and April. It was glorious. However I have known people to go in July and August and the hot, humid weather coupled with hordes of tourists very much tainted their opinion of Venice. I hate to hear people speak of their disappointment in Venice because it is truly magical.

Our week in England is the last week of May. We are completely flexible as to travel dates. We can tour Italy either before or after.

Wrong thread! Sorry!

Can we delete our own posts?

Haha! Fieldtrip, I was so confused for a second!

We'll arrive in Rome on October 20th and leave Paris November 1st.

dahlie,

That's a very tough question!

Venice is very special and I think would be very lovely in October. OTOH, 3 days in Paris is really not nearly enough. I see you love Rome (not personally my favorite) and are already committed to a full week there, so that makes this really hard.

I vote for Rome and Venice and another trip to Paris for a full week next year...

If I had to choose Venice over Paris I would choose Paris... But you must see Venice at least once.

g.

Oh, and yes, 2 days in Venice is enough to get the flavor but you will just be getting the overview...

I would go directly to Paris, if I was traveling with so many people as you are.

You will have plenty to do in Paris for 5 nights, especially since your husband is so excited to see it.

I think Venice would be a lot of extra travel and trouble, and might be hard to please your entire crowd. Save it for another time IMHO.

Thanks all! The first half of the trip will be spent all together, then we are all going our own way (parents to Morroco, sis and family to see BIL's grandparents in other parts of France). So the trip to Venice would be just my husband and myself. I'm sorry, I should have explained that better.

After a few days on our own, everyone will meet up in Paris. We fly into Rome and out of Paris, so those are a done deal...we just need to figure out if it's worth heading to Venice in between for a short stay.

Is there any reason why you and your husband cannot leave Rome a day early and go to Venice?

Venice is certainly worth a visit, and while two days is not near enough for devotees it is, IMO, enough to give you a taste of the place. Agree that it can be stultifying in the hot and muggy season but around the time of your visit that would not be an issue. In fact, of the three or four times I have been to Venice an October visit was the best.
Given your schedule it would work out nicely.The train from Rome to Venice S, Lucia (not Mestre, which is outside Venice) is about 4.5 hours so unless you have a train phobia it is easier than flying and having to deal with airport transfers at both ends.

From Venice to Paris you could take the overnight train (about 12 hours, leave ~8 PM, arrive ~8 AM) or fly.

I personally would knock 2 nights off of Rome and add another 2 nights for a nice trip to Venice, before heading to Paris. If you are that close to Venice, you must see it. That time of year will be wonderful weather wise and tourist wise. Don't see the need for 7 nights in Rome.

I have been to both Paris & Venice (and Rome and Florence), and I can tell you that Venice is one of my absolute favorite cities in all of Europe! I would definitely be sure to spend a day or two in Venice if you can...You can take a shuttle flight from Rome or take a train. I went to Venice in late September/early October a few years ago and it was a beautiful time to visit. I started in Venice and took the train to Florence, then headed down to Rome. I thought the train was very easy and convenient, though I can't remember how long the ride would be if you are going directly from Rome to Venice.

If you can swing 2 days in Venice, I think that would be perfect and still leave you enough time to feel like it was worth it to travel to both Venice & Paris...

Just my 2 cents, but I absolutely loved Venice and I would highly recommend it...

Especially since it will be just the two of you, go to Venice. It will be very romantic. Take the train: easier than air transfers and puts you right into Venice. If at all possible, take an extra day from Rome and/or Paris so you have a bit more time to just wander and perhaps go to Burano. I also love Rome, but Venice is my favorite place.

Yes, yes and yes!!!
I love Venice and there is lots to do and see.

My husband and I were in Rome for a week last year. We took one day and made the trip to Venice, leaving on the first train out of Rome, and the last one back in from Venice.
It was a fairly short visit of course, but we found it well worth it.

Wonderful! Thanks all! I think the whole family is going to spend 5 nights in Rome now, 2 nights "wherever" and 5 nights in Paris.

So, now we've been thinking about where we want to go for those 2 "wherever" nights. Still thinking Venice, but maybe Amsterdam, London, or Vienna. The flights/trains are so cheap and fast that we figure we can squeeze in another city for sure.

If you knocked off two days from Rome why not take the train to Venice for those days and then go on to Paris for the rest of you time in Europe Save Amsterdam, Vienna or London on another trip.

Since you have time for an extra city it just makes more sense to me to stay in Italy and see one of the most beautiful cities in the world on this trip instead of waiting for another.

Whatever you decide, have a great time, sounds like a fun group.

Venice is magical!!!! Go Go Go