My Italian Itin...critique please
 

Arrive on Friday, June 13th in the a.m. to Rome. Spent Friday through Friday in Rome (13th check out of hotel on 20th). During one of those days, hop an early, early train and go to Florence for a day trip.<BR><BR>Friday night, catch a train to Venice. Stay in Venice Saturday and Sunday the 21st and 22nd. Return to Rome and stay there on the 23rd, fly out of Rome on the 24th.<BR><BR>I don't have the specifics of what we'll do and see, but I'd appreciate some honest opinions.<BR><BR>Am I spending too much time in Rome (I know it's not possible, but is it?)?<BR><BR>Am I spending too much time in Venice and too little in Florence?<BR><BR>If I spend a full day (get there at 08:30 and leave at 10:00) in Florence is that going to give me time to get the highlights?

I think you are spending too much time in Rome at the expense of Florence.<BR>Rome is a fantastic place, but would take three or four days off of Rome and give two or three to Florence and another day to Venice.<BR>I stayed in Florence 3 full days to see the city properly, plus another day for side trips to Siena and Pisa, and still didn't get to see all that I wanted to. <BR>Venice is worth 2-3 days, maybe more if you'd like to check out the Accademia and the architecture.

I have been to Rome a couple of times and the last trip we stayed 9 days. <BR><BR>However, having said that, I would cut down on the Rome portion to allow for two days each in Venice and Florence. I disliked Venice but loved Florence. It is a matter of tatse, however each deserves two days,IMHO.<BR><BR>US

So 5 days in Rome would be enough, 2 days in Florence and 2 in Venice? 9 days total plus travel time to/from the US?

It's not that you're spending too much time in Rome, but too little time in Florence and Venice. I would just split the time up more equally between all three cities, and just try not to see everything. Think of it as an intro. or &quot;Taste of Italy.&quot; Making the haul up to Venice for 2 nights is like only being there one full day if you consider you check in the middle of the afternoon and check out by noon. With 4 days in Rome you can get the highlights, and 4 days each in Florence and Venice you will have enough time to savour their distinctive atmospheres and take them at a less frantic pace.

I agree with the others. Don't do Florence as a day trip (too much time lost to commute). Stay in Florence a few days, 2 days in Venice is plenty and then return to Rome. Have a great trip!

Since you did ask, here is my plan:<BR>Arr Rome train to Florence--3 nites to include day trip to Siena<BR>Train to Venice--3 nites<BR>Train to Rome--spend last 5 nites<BR><BR>You seem to have 11 nites in Italy. This is the best allocation of that time

I definitely agree with what everyone else has posted...split your time more evenly between the 3 major cities, they all have much to offer. We got to Florence and didn't ever want to leave, even after 3 full days. <BR>Also factor in the travel time and possible delays. On our trip, a late train from Rome caused us to miss a connection, which put us in Siena almost 4 hours later than we had planned for our day there.