Thanks to some good advice gleaned from this site, I'm naroowing down my planss to visit Italy later this year.

Because of time and money concerns I've narrowed my itinerary down to visiting Rome and Venice.

Is there an advantage to flying to Rome and taking a train to Venice, or should it be done the other way around? How long is the trip between the cities and any idea as to what it costs?

(I do not subscribe to the theory that "getting there is half the fun." I love the expeerience of being in another country and generally find myself feeling quite at home in a day or two, but I find little joy in the mudane complexities of getting from point A to point B)

As I am a first-timer to Italy your advice CANNOT be too simple.

If I can find truly budget accomodations I might be able to stay for as long as 10 days. How would you split your time? Is there enough time to add a 3rd city without making it a major production?

I will refrain from asking what you think I might spend daily as I have taken that advice from friends about England, France, etc. and find that I can get by comfortably for half of what the most frugal quoted me.

I am a male and I will be traveling alone. I'm a history buff and a commercial artist/photographer by trade. I'm sure that I will enjoy Italy whatever I do, but would appreciate input from you, the experts.

Thanks.

Hi Di

For ten days you could probably do 2-3 nights Venice, 3-4 nights Florence, 5-3 nights Rome and be comfortable.

I think whether you go Venice/Rome or Rome/Venice will depend on how convenient the flights in/out are.

I agree that this is one case where I'd add a city -- Florence. I am not a fan of Florence and would be content with just one or two nights there, but to be going past it and not stopping to see the highlights somehow seems a shame. And with 10 nights you can easily do it. Rome to Venice by train, incidentally is roughly 4 and a half hours by train. You can easily break it up with the stop in Florence. As to your original question, I'd start in Rome and end in Venice -- that's the magican and relaxing part of the trip.
Starting in Rome, I'd actually do five nights there, two in Florence, and three in Venice. (Incidentally, it's only a couple hours from Florence to Venice so you'd get there before noon giving you two and a half full days plus the three nights.)

If I remember correctly, the train from Rome to Venice takes about 5 hours. And I think it was about 2-3 hours from Rome to Florence and about 2 hours from Florence to Venice.

I think you could squeeze in another city - maybe add on Florence as Ira suggested on your way from Rome to Venice (or vice versa). Having been to all 3 cities, I would suggest allowing the most time in Rome. Maybe 4-5 nights Rome, 2-3 nights Florence, 2-3 nights Venice.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Now, any suggestions for CHEAP sleeps? I care nada for frills, I simply need a place to stash my bags, to shower, and to sleep 5 or 6 hours a night, then I'm outta there. Ambiance is not an issue when I'm sleeping.

Ah, cheap sleeps, photography, and history. Did I hear someone calling my name? I have a passion for two of the above and a need for the other. The place I used in Rome wasn't too cheap, but I can recommend Albergo Doni in Venice, which should run well under 100 euros and is on a small canal near Piazza San Marco. You can find recent posts by searching on the hotel name. If you decide to stop in Florence, consider Hotel Elite, between the train station and Santa Maria Novella. It was a real deal at about $65 two years ago (bath in hall, shower in room, very clean, friendly staff). You will find relatively little on this very small hotel - just trust me, I guess (look in Rick Steves and Frommers as well).

If you also like to do photography when you travel, you may be able to get a few tips from my Web site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com regarding Italy. I would also be happy to answer any other questions I can about this subject.

I am also in the camp of those who think you can do all three locations. We went for just slightly longer than 10 days. I agree about ending up in Venice if possible because of what Patrick said - you will need the rest after Rome. We did it in the opposite direction due to weather concerns.

Hi Di

For Florence, I can highly recommend the B&B Peterson. It is good and inexpensive.

www.bedinflorence.it.

See my trip report and these other two threads for more info on Italy.

Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

Trenitalia Tickets Online
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34465647


See

In Venice and out of Rome.

Venice is a great place to start your trip. It is said that Italy gets more exciting the further south you travel.

Buon viaggio!!