We're heading to Italy for about 1 1/2 weeks mid-late October this year. We've booked a house in Lavagna, Liguria (near Cinque Terre) for a week, and have to decide which city to fly in to, and how to spend the 4 days before we go to the house. We were originally thinking Florence and Tuscany before the week in Liguria, and are now wondering if 2 days in Rome then 2 days in Southern Tuscany would be crazy or do-able. Does anyone know if it's reasonable to plan a day trip or two to Florence or the area north of it from Lavagna? (which would mean we could do it during the week's rental) I've also heard that Rome can be missed but Florence can't--just personal preference, I guess, but does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Neither Rome nor Tuscany (including Florence)should be missed but if you have only 4 days, I suggest doing either Rome or Florence. Your house in Liguria will give you a taste of the countryside.

My vote: Florence.

My vote, Rome.

I second Rome !

Rome

Rome

Another vote for Rome.

Unless you're a serious shopper, Rome.

Weadles, I have done some pretty serious shopping in Rome, as my credit card will disclose

Florence, Florence, Florence

Rome.

My husband and I have stayed in Lavagna twice and really love that area. There's a restaurant in town facing the piazza that has excellent food. Can't remember the name but it is the only one with tables outside. The last time we were there, we ate dinner there every night (four times!) because of their service, selection, good food, and low prices.

Also, there's a pasta shop that sells the most wonderful pesto. We'd buy a pint along with a box of crackers and eat it for lunch.

It's an easy train ride to other towns. However, if you're going to CT, you'll need to change trains in Sestri Lavante - at least we did while we were there. Also took day trips by train to Genoa, Portofino, and other coastal towns north of there.

If you have a car, there's a restaurant at the very top of the hill/mountain behind Lavagna that is only open on weekends. You take the road to Cogorno and keep going all the way to the top. They serve the food family style for a set price. It was wonderful with amazing views of the coast line.

Along the way, check out the small houses in the woods that are built of stacked slate. This is where the slate mine workers used to live. Some of these houses have been covered with stucco and are lived in today but there are lots of others that are abandoned in the chestnut forest up the hill.

It's a beautiful area and the people are so nice. Can't wait to go back.

Rome Rome Rome!

Florence for the day if you can sneak away

Another vote for Rome!

4 days? Rome. By a nose. Don't try to do both.

If it'd been 2 or 3 days, I would have said Florence.

There was a thread here from last year titled "Did anyone else find Rome a horror" that I was reading recently. It might be useful to look through it, since in it people gave a lot of reasons for liking and disliking Rome. I don't think anyone can tell you specifically whether to go to Rome or Florence, because a lot depends on your own travel preferences.

If you are not really a city person, you probably should go to Florence, but if you like cities, Rome has a lot more variety. Anyway, search on FIND ROME HORROR and you will see that thread.

Rome

Thank you everyone for your replies! It looks like the vote's for Rome (but I will look at the horror site). We might try and squeeze in the Amalfi coast too.

I hate cities, but love Rome.