This is my first long awaited trip to Italy. My partner and I were going to get married in Ravello but the paperwork beat us. So, I am changing out itinerary. Here it is:

Venice: Locanda Orseolo 3 nights
travel by train to
Florence: Tourist House Ghiberti 2 nights
travel by train to
Rome: Marriott Grand Flora (Via Veneto) 7 nights

Here's the question:

Do we stay in Florence longer and do day trips?
Do we stay somewhere else altogether between Florence and Rome?
Do we book a hotel in Piazza Navona for half the Rome stay and see 2 neighborhoods? The last half of the Marriott Grand Flora is on points.
Can anyone recommend a wonderful hotel in Piazza Navona?

Thank you all.

If I were switching neighborhoods (and Via Veneto would not be my first choice, btu points are points) I would go a little farther away to the Ponte Sisto near Campo dei Fiori and Trastevere.

I meant to say the Hotel Ponte Sisto.

http://www.hotelpontesisto.it/web/

Check tripadvisor.com for reviews.

I would do Rome 6 nights and add one more in Florence, 2 nights seems to me too rushing when you have a full week in Rome, with a day less you almost won't notice and you will be able to do Florence more relaxing.

Amount of days in Florence depends on what it is that appeals to you in Florence, it happens to me one of my favorite cities b/c of the art, sculpture, etc. I would want another day there, b/c I am imagining the day you take the train from Venice you have that remaining day and night, and only one full day and night the next day and the following one you leave for Rome?

You could also do a trip from Florence to San Gimignano area for a long day or overnight if seeing 'outisde the city' interests you.

In Florence I love: The Bargello Santa Croce, Orsanmichele, Pitti palace, Boboli Gardens, Belvedere Fortreess, Duomo/Baptistery (and connection to Bargello), Piazza del Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, and I imagine you want to see David? So I would want at least one more day in Florence,.

but of course, you could keep busy in any of these cities for weeks and weeks.....7 days is never too much of Rome either. You'll love it, you'll be back, because you have to return now to go to Ravello, which has a special place in my heart

As far as switching rooms, that is not my thing - I can't stand to have to waste time repacking and moving instead of being out - for me, I feel I can visit other neighborhoods for the day/night and stay in one place.

Or, leave it just the way it is, - if you have wanted to go to Italy for a long time, and likely you will fall in love with it as most do, you will hopefully be able to return !

sorry - should be a comma between Bargello and Santa Croce, but you probably figured that out

I agree with kenderina to add one night to Florence and do 6 nights in Rome. There is plenty to see in Florence with the extra day, and I just think it is more relaxing to spend atleast 3 nights someplace.

I also wouldn't bother changing hotels just to see a different neighborhood. Rome is small enough to explore different areas from wherever you are.

By the way, we stayed at Locanda Orseolo and Tourist House Ghiberti on our trip last March. You will love, love, love Orseolo and Matteo, Barbara, Bruno and the whole gang. Tourist House Ghiberti has nice big rooms and bathrooms and a good location. You will enjoy it as well, although Claudio is no Matteo!!

Thank you all. I was able to get 1 extra night in Florence. The itinerary is complete. Yay! Now on to booking trains and museums...

Ciao!

If you find you have questions on rail travel, I have always been pleased with
budgeteuropetravel.com
they have some excellent free guides they will
send you and the people are extremely helpful if you need advice in your planning, there is a toll free number listed on their web page.

For some reason, I admit rail travel sometimes confuses me in europe still, and they always have the answers for me at their fingertips and return calls quickly.

I'm with the OPs who suggest staying put in one place, in Rome or anywhere else. Nowhere is going to be perfect, but staying put gives you the chance to get to know an area well, find your bar, your cafe, your pizza place - move and you have to start all over again. Good luck!