Lake Como or Venice?
 

Finalizing trip plans for August and debating on weather going from Paris to Venice or Paris to Lake Como/Tuscany area.

Would it be better to do:
Paris: 5 nights
Venice: 3 nights
Florence: 3 nights
Rome: 4 nights

-or to break up the cities a bit-

Paris: 4 nights
Lake Como: 2 nights
Tuscany: 2 nights
Florence: 3 nights
Rome: 4 nights

We are concerned in having too much city time. Another concern is that friends have been telling me the canals in Venice may smell with the August heat. This is our honeymoon so we are not sure which would work best.....suggestions.

THANKS ((L))

ammendments are doable and we appreciate all suggestions...

another possibility would seem to be
Paris: 5 nights
Tuscany Region: 3 nights
Florence: 3 nights
Rome: 4 nights

not sure on specifics of Tuscany area - suggestions on towns? How to get around? :-D

If you need a vacation, you might give a priority to the efficiency of not swinging so far east, and instead heading straight for Tuscany for 6 nights after Paris, provided you don't need a water view. I would reduce Firenze to 2 nights and then rent a car.

I don't know how your domestic debates are going, but here on Fodor's people are going to tell you to go to Venice -- even people who've never been to Como or Tuscany. It's a huge tourist destination and rightly so. It's not a "city" like Rome or Paris. There are no cars and there is very little modern life. Apart from the crush of foreign tourists (who mainly disappear at nights), it's not a stressful place.

I've been to Venice several times over the past 40+ years at various times of the year, including August. I never noticed any unusual odors from the canals--just normal sea smells. The only exception might be if you are right next to a section of canal that has been drained for cleaning/maintenance.

I'd skip Florence before skipping Venice. But it's a matter of personal taste--a crowded tourist destination that has a lot of Renaissance art and architecture, or a crowded tourist destination that has a lot of art and architecture from various schools and periods and is a unique world treasure.

If you're a Renaissance groupie, then Florence is a must. If not, then Venice.

How about:
Paris 4 nights
Venice 3 nights
Tuscany 4 nights with a day trip to Florence
Rome 4 nights

Also keep in mind that Florence will likely be hotter than Venice--Florence averages about 13 days over 90 F in the month while Venice averages 2. But if you like heat, then it's not a problem.

I think Rufus is giving you really good advice. It would be hard for me to forego Lake Como so another option would be Paris 4, Como 2, Venice 3, Tuscany 2 and skip Florence altogether, Rome 3, but the one Rufus offers probably makes the most sense.

Is MONEY an issue? Venice has been characterized as one of the most expensive cities in Italy. Of course, it depends on where you stay.

You also do not say what your interests are and/or the overall objective of the trip besides travel..might help to know those things.

Are you talking about THIS August? If so, you might check to see what accomodations are available in Lake Como area and Venice before deciding. It's possible most of the good, economical places are taken, and only the higher priced venues remain. Just a thought.