Am not much of a traveler, but I am contemplating a trip to Rome as the one place I would most like to visit. So, I'm set on the idea of Rome, but am wondering if I should limit the trip to Rome only (say about a week)...or would I be missing a great opportunity (being in Italy) if I didn't expand the itinerary to include a few other stops...thinking primarily Florence and/or Venice?

Thanks.

more details - how long is your Italian sojourn?

I would spend the week in Rome and do a day trip to a smaller town by train - maybe Orvieto.

We arrived in Rome on a Friday and stayed until Tuesday morning then took the train to Venice until Saturday - from there we took the train to Florence then continued on to Tuscany. You could stay in Florence until Sunday evening then take the train back to Rome. Depends what you want to see but we found this schedule not rushed.

Rome is great- but Cinque Terra and Florence are definitely worth the trip if you are going to be that close. If you want picturesque Italian towns and you like the outdoors you cannot miss Cinque Terra on the coast.

sorry even though i reread three times i missed the week

Florence just 1.5 hrs by train - i'd at least do a day trip there.

You can easily spend a week in Rome with maybe a day trip or 2. Beside Orvieto, or Florence, you can also do a trip to Pompeii, Ostia Antica, or the catacombs. Venice is a bit far.

Does the week include travel time, because that is a day in itself, and arrival day is usually not very productive because of the jet lag.

Thanks for all comments. As to total travel time, I am thinking of 6-8 days in Italy...not including arrival day or departure day.

We took our first trip to Rome in December staying 6 nights before heading south. It was our intention to take a day trip during that time but so fell in love with Rome that we didn't leave.

I would stay the entire time in Rome to really get to know the city. Instead of running around to many places. That has always been my travel style. Through the years I have spent many full weeks in the city. I would change this only if you think it will be your last chance to visit Italy.

wdclawson, please tell us why you say, "Am not much of a traveler". IMO, you as a traveler makes a big difference regarding whether you would enjoy staying in Rome, or going further.

Also, please tell us when you plan to go to Italy? If going during the (IMO) horrible tourist season, you may want to stay in Rome the entire time because it will take longer to see sites. However, if you are going from mid Oct. to mid Nov (my favorite time), the crowds & the gypsies will be gone!

Additionally, are you employed & want a restful vacation or do you like to be entertained with siteseeing, rather than sitting, resting, & looking at beautiful scenery?

If you don't take to traveling because of the arrangement details &/or getting around new cities, you may want to consider a totally guided tour or an independent tour (arrangements made for you, but you can sitesee on your own, if you choose, or take optional tours).

If you go on your own & do not like non-stop long siteseeing days, you may enjoy staying in Rome & taking time to rest between sites. We like that, but then we go to Italy about once a year, so we don't have to rush.

However, if you do not think you will ever return to Italy, & the thought appeals to you, I would do the 8 days, with 1 day on train to Venice (enjoyable about 4 hrs nonstop) & 2 full days in Venice. A trip back to Rome could be avoided by taking an open jaw flight - fly to Rome & out of Venice or vice-versa - US Airways flies nonstop to Venice from Philly. On 2 of our trips, the open jaw ticket did not cost any more than the in/out of one city did.

If you decide to go somewhere besides Rome, I suggest that you decide what you like to see - scenery, vineyards, quaint small towns, or history. My DH & I love the history with the Italian ambiance, so we prefer Venice & Rome. Don't know where you live, but we are in the U.S. & feel there is not any scenery we do not have at home - deserts, mountains, water, vineyards, natural wonders, etc. However, we do not have the history! So, if we are going to take that very long flight, we are going to see something we cannot see at home or closer to home, rather than a restful week in a Tuscan villa.

But, luckily we are all different. I'm sure you will love Italy & probably go back!

Julie

Another vote for staying the whole time in Rome. I would plan on one day trip at most and would probably pick Florence. You probably don't have to decide until you get there and could adjust plans if you find you don't want to leave Rome.
On a recent trip to Rome with 7 full days in the city, our only day trip was to Ostia Antica. I had also wanted to see Tarquinia (Etruscan necropolis and museum) but there was just too much to see in Rome.

Wow, Ostia Antica - how we loved it. We called it a playground for Indiana Jones wannabees! & it was so easy to go to - easy, quick about 25 minute train ride & cheap (use same E1 ticket as one for buses).

Julie