janisj

ssander: >>Tue night - Venice
Wed morning - fly home

annhig

No.

Stay in Rome.

ssander

Yup...stay in Rome.
ssander

michaelsmithtravels

Thanks for the replies.

Decided to stay in Rome for a couple of days and do 1 day tours to Florence and Venice and then the last day in Rome again.

I'm flying out of Rome back to the US.

michaelsmithtravels

Both day trips are by Carrani tours.

Florence is 13 hours (high speed train.)

Venice is 15 hour (high speed train.)

Does anyone have any experience with their day tours?

thursdaysd

Are you planning to take the night train to/from Venice? Otherwise it is 3:45 one way.

sassy27

I think doing all 3 places is just too much but this is only my opinion. When I first went to Florence it was a 5 day trip. Everyone I knew at that time said go to Venice as a day trip. While I don't regret it since it was during carnival it was just too much for me and I was in my mid 20s. We only got to spend a few hours before we had to go back. I just would not recommend it for anyone and not from Rome unless for some reason this will be your once and only trip to Italy. I wish I could help you with Carrani tours but have no experience with them.

scdreamer

Please come back and make a trip report after your tours.

janisj

A day trip to Venice is ridiculous. 8 hours on the train for 6 hours on-the-ground (yes I know that doesn't add up to 15 hours, but getting fro/to the train station in Venice will eat up nearly an hour of your day leaving 6 hours.

You have 5 days (actually 4.5 days) - you simply can't see half of Italy.

Seamus

If you or a member of you traveling party have been reliably diagnosed condition likely to result in death in the near future thus removing the possibility of future trips your itinerary could circle the edge of sanity. Under any other circumstances, stay in Rome with (possibly) a day trip to Florence and see Venice on a future trip.

janisj

I don't now which is worse - trying to see Rome/Florence/Venice in 4.5 days - or the poster that wants to visit 22 countries in 11 weeks and wants Fodorites to plan his trip . . .

Sassafrass

If you are determined to carry on with plans for all three, forget tours from Rome, take local tours instead, put all time in Rome at the end. Either fly (if it works out), or train to Venice right off. This is rushed, but a lot better than two very long day trips back to back, plus no rush to return the night before departure. If you are doing this, then get the most out of it that you can. Do the transportation yourself, but hire good local guides. I believe you can actually get something out of this itinerary.

Friday:
Arrive Rome early AM. Fly or train straight to Venice, arrive noon to mid-afternoon. If you can, get a nap on the train. Get a hotel as close to the train station as possible (for early departure on Sunday). Walk around. Sleep in Venice.

Saturday: Whole day in Venice. Take a comprehensive guided walking tour. Sleep in Venice.

Sunday:
Catch the 7:35 AM train from Venice to Florence. Perhaps an extra hour of sleep on the train. This is a direct train with no transfers (about 30 euro). Arrive at 9:30. Stash luggage at station. Book a guide to meet you at the station. Buy tickets to museums ahead of time. Have dinner in Florence. Retrieve luggage. Train to Rome.

Monday: whole day, Rome
Tuesday: whole day Rome
Wednesday: Fly home

annhig

If you are determined to see all three, Sassafrass has the best plan. IMO 2 day trips is almost the worst of all worlds as you will be spending so much time travelling and covering the same ground, and both Venice and Florence, but particularly Venice, are best enjoyed in the evenings and early mornings after and before the trippers arrive - if you are only there in the day you get the worst of the crush while your guide fights with other guides to take you to all the same things.