BumbleB6

My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to Italy for the last two weeks of October.
I've actually planned, so far, for 16 days total.
(That does NOT include the day we leave our home in the US. I basically count the days by number of nights, and figure for so many nights, we have one less number of full days to see that place...)

So this is what I am currently thinking -
Fly into Venice, fly out of Rome.

3 nights Venice
4 nights Florence (one day tour to Chianti area wineries, maybe)
2 nights Orvieto
7 nights Rome (I'd like to do 2-3 day trips - Ostia Antica, maybe Tivoli, maybe Castel Gandolfo - it just looks pretty, and I've never yet seen a volcanic lake)

We will NOT be renting a car, but traveling by train.
For day trips, we plan to either take trains/buses, or book a bus tour.

I've been to Florence before, a few years ago, we stayed there for a week and took day trips to Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena.
I loved Florence and could stay there another several weeks, but... We want to see other places in Italy.

I've never been to Rome or Venice (or Orvieto).

I know Rome is a big city and with just a week, it seems like we will only brush the surface...

I don't know much about Venice, just that St Mark's Square is there, and it's all canals... and I understand it floods that time of year (looking into packable rainboots.) And that it's famous for glassblowing and lace. For some reason, it's just never been on my bucket list, but I added it because friends and acquaintances were shocked that I hadn't.
And they were shocked I'm only planning for three nights (two full days).
Twice, people have told me I should go there for a week.
When I asked my husband, he said "Of course, we should see Venice!"

Here's the thing - my husband really does not want to take more than 2 weeks off from work.
I'm thinking, due to the potential for rain and flooding in Venice, 2-3 nights this time should be fine.
I'm okay with the possibility of wet weather and wading through some water... for a few days.
But I don't now if I'm okay doing that for a full week, if the weather turns out that way.

In short, I think the weather might be better in Rome in late October, and thinking it might be best to base a week there, instead.

Or- should I cut out days in Rome and add them to Venice?

Any suggestions and advice for the itinerary are welcome and appreciated.

Here's what we like to do and see:
We like to people-watch and wander.
I like touring chapels and cathedrals, and I love ruins.
My husband photographs and always brings along a small travel watercolor kit with him. So anything scenic will usually do.
He is the one who prefers museums (I tolerate them for a couple hours or so, although I love art - I just prefer viewing public art.)

Thanks!

kybourbon

I think your three nights in Venice is fine since you don't seem to have a list of must sees there (although your husband might enjoy taking pictures there if you can get away from the crowds). Rome can easily occupy a week (or two).

If I took a day away from Rome, I would probably add it to Orvieto (great people watching early evening). Do the Underground tour, visit the Etruscan cemetery and maybe a day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio.

Andrew

I've been to Venice twice for three nights each visit (plus a separate day trip stop). I loved it - but three nights was really about the right amount of time for me at one shot. Venice is amazing but also extremely touristy, especially in the daytime. It's best at night and in the morning in my opinion. My favorite thing to do there might have been my morning walks, before the tourists arrived.

So no - you are not crazy at all not to be doing a week in Venice. But like me, you might want to go back again someday.

On the train between Venice and Florence, consider stopping for a few hours in Bologna (your train will stop anyway), if anything just to have a meal.

tuscanlifeedit

Just a note on churches, chapels and cathedrals: Venice is stuffed with them. Incredible churches of every shape, size and description. I've been to Venice several times and feel like I've not seen half the churches I would like to visit.

BumbleB6

Thanks for the insights!
So far, I may be keeping the three nights then.

RubyTwins

Just got back from Venice and the amount of tourists flooding the streets each morning from the cruise ships was disheartening. It is an incredibly beautiful city but you do wonder is it a stage set? Unlike Rome which is beautiful AND feels like a living city. There is a lot to do there but depends on your tolerance for crowds of people with selfie sticks

thursdaysd

It is very easy to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Get off the main drag.

annhig

personally, I would lose a night from Rome, say, and add it to Venice. Your first day may be effected by jet lag and the overall affects of the travel, and there is so much to see outside the touristy areas which are concentrated mainly on St Mark's and the drag the thursdaysd refers to between there and the station.

one tip - look up at the corners of the buildings and you will see signs pointing you in the direction of the most famous places - St Marco, Ferrovia [the station] Academia, etc.

dorkforcemom

Sounds like a great plan to me.

I completely understand your concerns about Venice's flooding. We spent three nights in Venice. Yes, every afternoon the floods moved into the city - water thigh high (and it smelled bad). The hotel loaned out knee high rain boots. It created a daily challenge (stuck in hotel til water receded). I guess you could say it put a damper on our overall time in Venice. My husband did take some amazing photographs while we were there. Yes - visit St. Mark's, Doge Palace, visit Murano and Burano.

Orvieto - loved it! The Duomo outside and in are spectacular.

Rome - my favorite city in the world. I think 7 nights is a good plan.

Hope this helps. Happy travels!

rellie2

Hi BumbleB

Hubby and I were in Rome and Venice just over a year ago and spent 3 nights in Venice and 5 nights in Rome. I think the time you have allocated is fine.

Venice was probably half way through our 6 week trip so we enjoyed just chilling out and I didn't plan anything to do prior to getting there, so it's probably a good place to start to recover from jet lag. We enjoyed strolling the canals and visiting Doge's Palace. It's the perfect place to have a drink and sit on the canal people watching (we were lucky enough to be there for the Clooney wedding so that was pretty surreal watching all the "famous" people cruising up the canal). I would recommend staying in the Dursoduro district of Venice, which is a little way out of the centre.

People always say there is lots to do in Rome but time is sometimes limited. We spent 3 days exploring Rome and 1 day trip to Pompeii and were happy with what we saw in that time.

Happy travels.

nytraveler

You should do a little research on the aqua alta in Venice - it does not happen all of the time - is typically only a couple of days each month (based on highest tides) so it's very likely you will be there when it's perfectly dry. (In any case no need to bring boots - your hotel will have them)

I would add a day if possible -esp if you want to see the outer islands: Murano (glass blowing), Burano (charming fisherman's island with great restaurants) and Torcello (the outer island on which the Venetians hid when the barbarians came over the Alps, has a fantastic ancient church with original Byzantine mosaics).

Whathello

I second the visit of the islands. We also went to the lido but didn't like it.

thursdaysd

Agree, loved Burano, disappointed with the Lido. Do not take a tour to the islands or you'll be stuck with a glass blowing shopping op. Buy a transport pass and go on your own.

BumbleB6

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions!

Hmm, I'd never considered visiting the neighboring islands.
I definitely need to read a few guidebooks and websites for Venice...
I'm learning a lot from your comments here, though, thank you, everyone!

I think if I were to add a day to Venice, I might take a day from Rome, and give up going to Castel Gandolfo.

Ackislander

We've been to Venice in late October (maybe twice) and in November. We had no cruise ships and no acqua alta. Both are predictable. Early October can still be hot and full of day trippers, but like most of Italy, it is a different place after 5 PM.

The best part of your plan is flying into Venice and out of Rome. Venice is a lousy place from which to connect to the US. Otherwise, Venice and the Veneto are pretty terrific.

dina4

I love Venice and have been twice but I wouldn't ever recommend a week there. I think if you're trying to cut days, I would stay in Venice for two nights. Rome is my favorite place too, but if you need to cut nights cut a night there and scratch a side trip.
Sounds like a great trip!
Buon viaggio!