one week: rome/florence or rome/venice?
 

Hello all! First time poster here with a question about my first trip to Italia!

I'm planning a trip in mid October with my mother, who has also never been to Italy. I will be there for 12-13 days, long enough (I think) to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice, and maybe fit in a day trip or two. My mother can only be away from work for a week, and I wanted to get opinions on whether we should split our time between Rome and Florence, or Rome and Venice (three days in each). She loves museums, architecture, good food, shopping--all the good things in life that one goes to Italy to enjoy. I would appreciate any suggestions from those who have travelled to all three cities about how best to spend our time together.

Thanks so much in advance for all your help!

My mom liked Rome and Venice best; she's always hassling me to go back with her. ;) Seriously, she liked Florence too, but was far more impressed with Rome and Venice.

if your mom loves museums and architecture, than I'd say rome/florence but I doubt she'd be disappointed with either combo.

I agree that she'll probably love either location, but considering you mentioned that she likes museums and good shopping, I would go with Florence, as both of those things are in abundance there...

I would do Venice/Florence. Those are the two most memorable to me.

I'm with cab5s, my choice would be Florence and Venice, especially for what she's looking for. Rome is by far my third choice preference-wise, and I think it'd be harder to tackle as part of just one week for your mother.

Hi W,

Another vote for a Venice/Florence split.

You could both fly into Venice and train to Florence.

Mom could leave from Florence FLR or Pisa PSA, and you could go on to Rome.

12 days for the Big 3 is a good schedule.

Have a nice visit.

((I))

wander,

i did all these cities within 10 days two years ago and just reposted my trip report last week. search Italy Trip Report or under my screen name and you can see my detailed report for doing all these within a week and two weekends.

Rome and Florence are "similar", so go to Rome (you shouldn't miss the Forum, Vatican, etc, )and Venice which is unlike any other city in the world. Whatever you do, try to get guides for major sites (Vatican, etc). You will enjoy the trip twice as much. Check out Context Rome.

We spent a week in Rome (Pompeii/Naples sidetrip), a short 1 1/2 days in Florence (with a good guide to help us around) and 3 days in Venice.

I think that's the first time someone has said "Rome and Florence are similar." In what way?

Hmmm....I hardly think Rome and Florence are similar at all. I think for the time allotted, Florence is much more manageable and comfortable for a first visit. Rome can be overwhelming even to repeat travelers and I'm afraid they'd not enjoy it properly trying to fit it into 3 days.

From what you said interests your mother, I agree with the Florence/Venice split. I would do Florence first and Venice second...open jaw ticket, of course.

My vote would be Venice/Siena and then you could fit in a day trip to Florence

Or Venice/Cinque Terre - way nicer than Rome or Florence

another vote for Venice/Florence.
I remember my first time visiting
these 2 heavens on earth. AHHHHHH

With the time she has (one week) I would have her connect with you for the Florence & Venice portion of your journey.

But truly it all depends on your interests.

One think to consider, and one of the reasons I fell in love with both cities is that they are very walkable. Rome is huge and very spread out, if that is a factor for you.

If she only has seven days, which may be 5 days with two travel days, I would either have her join you for Florence & Venice, or if Rome is a city that suits her more, I would stay in Rome the entire time.

As I just said in another thread, I wish I was there right now...
Pining away, Tiff :)

wanderluster,

Agree with everyone here. Have your mom choose EITHER a week in Rome or a week that combines Florence and Venice.

Rome as part of a combination trip only makes sense if you have about two weeks (like you).

hi everyone! thank you SO much for all this help and advice. it seems that the consensus is florence/rome, which i hadn't expected...

i forgot to mention something: my mother said that she is open to anything in italy but has to do one thing: see michelangelo's pieta--i know it's behind glass, and some might say it's only a statue, but it's what she wants!

question: would it be completely absurd to make a quick trip from florence to visit the pieta, or should i just plan on planning for us to be in rome for a few days, then venice (and go to florence on my own)?

Don't make a day trip from Florence to Rome just to see the Pieta. That's one precious day lost to travelling back and forth. And if your mother is really into Michelangelo, then you must take her to his home town, Florence, and see his David.

It seems that your trip should either start in Rome or Venice. Your mother shoulde have the option of Rome-Florence or Venice-Florence. You should have a different city to return from.
My preference is always Rome, but you could leave this up to your mother.
I really think that Rome needs at least 4 days, better if more. Venice can be enjoyed in a shorter period of time.
Since it's mid-October, I think that you might have less risky weather in Rome.

Well, if you begin in Venice, then go to Florence to cover your Mother's week, you both could then train to Rome for your final destination, let your Mother make a mad dash to St. Peter's for the Pieta, and fly home from Rome, leaving you there for your remaining days. OK, it isn't spending all the days the most efficient way to optimize sightseeing, but would allow your Mother to "do" Venice & Florence and then dash to the Pieta in Rome more or less on her way to the airport. If she wants that extra bit of travel involved....Best to let her decide on that one!

I've only been to Rome and I adored it. I'm going to Venice/Florence in October and am looking very forward to falling in love with those cities as well. When in Oct. will you be there?

just stay in rome the whole time...there is more than enough to suit her tastes. venice and florence are great...but rome is rome...i say day trip to florence if she isn't coming back to italy.

if it has to be two cities i would go w/ rome and florence...less time wasted for her traveling.

Venice is amazing!! I can't imagine not including that city in a first trip to Italy. Also because it is smaller, and more compact, it is much easier dealing with than a huge city like Rome imo. It is incredible yet relaxing.

People talk about Rome being overwhelming,but if you don't try to see the entire city in one shot,it's very manageable.You will NEVER see everything Rome has to offer,but if you're even remotely interested in Western history,art/culture,you MUST see it at least once.

It depends on your Mother's energy level and interests. We are in our early 60's and took our first trip out of the country last year. We spent a week in Rome and a week in Florence with a day trip to Sienna and San Gim.
Is your Mother religious and interested in history? Then she might very much want to see the Vatican. The fountains in Italy are beautiful as well as the Borghese museum (get reservations before leaving the U.S.) Florence is wonderful for art, architecture, and shopping. If I were to do anything different, it would be to take a day from Rome and a day from Florence and stay a night or two in Sienna or some other hill town in Tuscany. Most everyone who has been to Venice loves it but I am not interested. Perhaps seeing the canals of Venice is what interests your Mother. In Rome, we sometimes would take the taxi in the morning and walk home. We found a reasonable, charming hotel near the Spanish Steps if you want more info.

Sebina

I'm a little confused. You say you're going to be in Italy for 12-13 days but your mom can only spend a week. So are you now also spending a week or staying after she leaves?

If you have only a week and insist on going to 2 of the 3 cities, I would urge you to do Venice and Rome via an open jaw ticket which lets you fly into one city and out another. Cost isn't that much, if any, more than roundtrip. I'm presuming you leave on a Sat (which means you arrive there on Sun) and return the following Sat, which gives you 6 nights. Venice is unlike any other city and is beautiful. Yet it's essence (which is all you have time for) can easily be captured in 2 days. Fly in there and arrive as early as possible. Walk around, have dinner, and hit the hay at a normal Venetian time to reset your internal clocks. Spend Day 2 walking around some more as that is THE thing to do in Venice. On Day 3, take an early train to Rome and spend the rest of your time there. That will give you about 3.5 days in Rome which will be enough to see and do many of the A list things. You fly out of there. Rome has it all, great museums, great food, great history, and great sights. Have fun!!

Hi,

I would suggest Rome and Florence, IMO. I've done a lot of research on Florence v. Venice for my own upcoming trip and Florence seems to win hands-down. From what I've heard, Venice is a great day-trip but once you've hung out at Saint Mark's and done a gondola ride, you're ready to go home. (Mind you, I'm sure many people will disagree -- this is just what I've heard from friends who've been to both). The one city that everyone gets a hypnotic :) expression when you bring it up is Florence. Friends who've been say it's their favorite city in Europe, so that's something. Venice to me just strikes me as a touristy spot, and not a place you'd want to spend 3 days in. Just my humble opinion...

<From what I've heard, Venice is a great day-trip but once you've hung out at Saint Mark's and done a gondola ride, you're ready to go home.>

quick someone get me the smelling salts Im fixin' to faint...

Jando, believe it or not I have friends who were born and raised in Italy who eventually ended up in the US. They took a trip back to Italy and spent one day (not even an overnight) in Venice. They to this day gripe about how terrible Venice was, it was their first time there. How do you explain to them that they really didn't "see" Venice, lol.

Like I said, just my humble opinion. Some will disagree. That is a quote from a friend of mine who actually spent 5 days in Venice and obviously didn't enjoy it much. He could be wrong but that's what he said. :) In contrast, I've never heard that about Florence so I would say Florence is the better bet... A survey in Conde Nast Traveller rated Florence the top city in Europe (via a traveler survey).

LoveItaly
WOW !!! That is truly amazing.
On the other hand there are people here in Seattle that has never been up on the Space Needle,took a ferry ride, or been to Mt. Rainier.

Alexsmith-There are lots lots lots of people who prefer Venice to Florence,including me.

JandaO...LOL. There is certainly more to Venice than St. Mark's Square and a gondola ride....and Rome and Florence are nothing alike.

Having said that...Venice is like no other place on the planet. I think everyone should see it once as it is so unique.

It would then for me be a choice between Renaissance Florence...or Ancient Rome. Rome, "The Eternal City" is a place of ancient ruins at every turn, squares, fountains, world class museums and countless churches.
Rome would get my vote but I have to confess that my opinion is based on personal preference so it really should come down to which one really strikes your Mom's fancy.

All roads lead to Rome......I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Rome, but I know others who feel that way about Venice. I say, don't miss the Eternal City!

Rome/Venice unless you are a big art lover.

and you could spend a couple of lifetimes looking at art in Rome and Venice if you ARE an art lover.

May I just ask, what is the point of posting opinions here if others are not going to respect them? I have a friend hwo spent 5 days in Venice and did not think Venice was much to write home about. I stated it was someone's opinion. There is no need to jump on my post. People on this site should really learn to respect other's opinions -- otherwise, how are people supposed to feel comfortable about posting their thoughts? I personally don't see how one can compare seeing Bernini's doors to a few water canals. Overall, I would say if you want to see something "pretty" you will probably prefer Venice -- but if you want to have an intellectual, artistic experience, you will prefer Florence.

How'd this post get resurrected from May?

alexsmith...opinions are great when they are your own...based on real experience. Opinions, based on what someone has said are dangerous because they are not even your own thoughts. Reducing a wonderful city to two trival points of interest based on what someone told you = critical reprisal.

and Venice contains more than just a little art...