Really, this is not a dumb question. I am planning to take a two week honeymoon in Italy, beginning of July, and expect to be arriving and departing in Rome. That will leave 10 nights in Venice. I am a bit concerned that we will go stir crazy in Venice which seems like a smallish area, and don't know if it is possible to do day trips from there. Should we plan to stop over somewhere in between? Probably will take a train but have no reservation about driving a car. Whatever makes for a more enjoyable trip. Neither of us has ever been to Italy before. Any thoughts on that? Jim

Ten nights in Venice would be fine for me, but you have to weigh that against all the other things there are to see in the region. If it were my trip, I'd spend half in Venice and the other half wandering the Veneto. Settle down in Vicenza or Padua and make daytrips by car from there. There are a million things to see in the area.

"Stir crazy"

I'd advise spending at least four nights in Rome, it seems the logical thing to do, whilst Venice is popular I detest the place, smelly, crowded, expensive and hideously overrated. That said, if it's your first visit five nights will be enough, and most probably leave you wanting more.

Hi boxer,

2 weeks is perfect for Rome, Florence and Venice.

How about this?

Arrive FCO train to Rome TE. Train directly to Venice (4 1/2 hrs). Spend 3 nights.

Train to Florence (2 3/4 hr) spend 6 nights. Daytrip to Siena and daytrip to Lucca.

Train to Rome (1 1/2 hr) spend 4 nights.
Daytrip to Orvieto and, maybe, daytrip to Ostia Antica or Pompeii.

See these links

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

Gee m_k,

How could so many of us be so wrong?

I might add that we have found a room with a view and balcony overlooking the Grand Canal, which I am told is a rare find. WE will be spending much of our time in our room. : ) I am not inclined to give it up for a night in the country for views that resemble anything in the States. I am not familiar with the areas of which you speak. I have, however, seen some nice views oceanside. For instance, in Ravello on the Amalfi coast. How far is that out of the way (real world travel time, that is)?

"WE will be spending much of our time in our room. : ) "

Can we get any more vulgar? Let's not disguise what you mean here. Either you will be having cups of tea, or as an American would say "making love". Then, my dear really it doesn't matter where you will be does it?

Ira,

I guess I would like to hear your reasons for splitting the trip up, and going to the hassle of packing. Is there something special and spectacular to experience in Florence that Venice doesn't have? (Please be kind, I haven't been there...) : )

M-K, maybe its a matter of the heart! I have been places that others find romantic, say Paris, and been underwhelmed. I tend to not be so impressed by landmarks (like Disney...lol). Fortunately, my sniffer isn't the best, but I have to say my fiancee has a rather sensitive one. Would you say it smells like musty wine or sewage water? I suppose folks could differ on the first, but not the latter. Hmmm. I value the opinions.

When I think of Rome I think of traffic and smog, but Iwe would brave it (not miss it) to drive by the various ancient relics, which I figure we can do in a day or two. Wrong??

Another scenario:

3 Nights Rome
Rent Car and drive
3 Nights in Tuscany/Umbria (set up a base in a hill town villa or hotel where you can enjoy many of the other hill towns by driving to them or relax in the area where you are staying (perhaps Pienza, Montalcino, Siena...there are plenty to choose from, and there is plenty of info on this board about most all of them)
Drive to Florence and ditch the car.
2 or 3 Nights Florence
Train To Venice
3 or 4 Nights Venice
Train to Rome
Arrivederci Roma

Just a thought. Have a great time. Drink lots of wine.

M_K...vulgar? (I think I mentioned it will be our honeymoon.) Not to be another rude American, but maybe the reason you dislike Venice has something to do with your taste (and smell) for romance?

My dear I detest Disney, what on Earth gave you the idea I'd even allow its mention in my prescence? Romance isn't a place, romance isn't a thing, romance is a feeling that only two people in love can inspire between them. That's as naff as I get.

Other people have made excellent recommendations and you shun them. Who has been there, who hasn't? Please remind me, perhaps I'm a little confused.

Venice is far more touristy even, than Rome. Florence is picturesque, Venice is terribly overrated even if you will be spending most of your time in your room making out, after all you brought this up, not me, let's not be ashamed. So maybe you shouldn't bother with the hassle of packing at all and stay at home if you are going to dismiss other traveller's (i.e. not myself) opinions and endeavours to help you.

OK, thanks everyone, please elaborate on the thoughts/need to see Florence or Tuscany areas. I should mention that I grew up in wine country and I am looking for uniquely Italian and hopelessly romantic destination.

When you get to this hopelessly romantic destination, what would you like to do (besides stay in the room)? Sit and enjoy the view? Look at art? Tour ancient ruins? Eat well? Shop? A little insight into your interests could help us help you.

Why are you going to Venice? Is it because other people go there? Romantic destinations don't exist, I'm sure there are some people who find a nuclear power station hopelessly romantic.

Boxer12 is sadly a bland person who enjoys the basal functions of life, little evolved from those of cavemen and women. I don't think she'd like art, maybe Disney would suit you afterall?

Hi boxer,

The reason for breaking up your trip is that 10 days in Venice is great for when you are more interested in art and architecture than romance. By visiting other places, you add more venues for Romance.

Since you seem to share my aversion to Rome, how about:

You could fly into Rome, immediately train to Venice, fly or train to Naples or Salerno and visit the Amalfi Coast before returning to Rome for a night before going home.

You could fly into Rome, immediately train to Venice for a 5 nights, then go to Florence for 6 nights, train to Orvieto for 2 nights, before taking the train to Rome and the airport.

I assure you, Italy isn't Kansas.

PS: Sorry to hear you were underwhelmed by Paris. You were given a bum steer.

This thread certainly has taken on a contentious air, in a very short time!

I'll start with your title question - - yes, I think it IS too much time in Venice, especially now that you tell us that

<<I should mention that I grew up in wine country and I am looking for uniquely Italian and hopelessly romantic destination>>

Venice is romantic, but I think that both Rome and Venice are bad places for your first 24 hours in Italy. I recommend an "easy" city like Verona or Florence. Verona has the advantage that it is so close to Venice you can arrive in Venice well before noon, and this get (a) relatively full day(s) in before spending the night in Venice. For some, especially if budget is a constraint, then you might get by with as little as two days and one night in Venice - - or three days and two nights.

It IS really special, and since the first 24 hours are either fatigue-ridden, disorienting, grumpy or in a daze, I say why waste that expensive loding of Venice on the time you are not at your best to enjoy iy. I am opposed to Rome, but almost for a polar opposite reason. Rome is SO, SO intense that it is jarring to fatigued frayed nerves - - and it can set a first-time visitor to hate Rome. I think it makes for a nice ending, or if you are headed south of Rome, it works fine in the middle, too.

But you asked for hopelessly romantic... well, that has to be either Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast, I would think - - and since you have two weeks, I would give a full four days to one or the other.

So, how to string all this together? Well, I don't believe that there is one perfect way. Let's assume that you are willing/able to fly into Verona - - two nights there, two nights Venice, four nights Bellagio (Lake Como), two nights Florence, four nights Rome. It does involve a certain amount of seemingly circular travel, but that's how I would plan it for you.

Or start in Florence - - more or less same thing, except that you are left with the long haul from Bellagio to Rome, since you will have already visited Florence at the beginning; with a Florence start, you might spend three nights there (one day trip? to Siena? Lucca? the Chianti?), and then one night Verona, instead of two.

I would think that having a car fom the time you leave Venice until you arrive in Florence or Rome would be a great idea.

Whatever your decisions, congratulations on your new life in marriage, and...

Best wishes,

Rex

p.s. Se my later postings on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34478615 about a wedding plan that will make you WEEP with envy!

OK, our interests, thats a good point. We love to go out for elegant dinner, brouse and buy artwork, antiquities, and enjoy a sunset stroll. I have lived in mountains and wine country, so that is commonplace to me. I have been to many world class beach resorts, so that is again, fairly common. We were thinking that Venice is UNCOMMON, ie., UNIQUE, and ROMANTIC. Don't confuse "uncommon" with "unpopular." I am well aware of the 'tourist' factor. To put unique in perspective, I mean for me, vineyards are beautiful but not unique (to me).

Hi boxer,

Have you considered the Villa San Michele in Florence?

http://www.villasanmichele.com/web/o...a1a_splash.jsp

What's "Brouse"? Lots of bridges, lots of people, I hate it, do Capri, Amalfi, Positano so much more relaxing. Mind you I do those places, my dear stay with the crowds in Venice, and spend your time in your room hopelessly in love with each other.

"But you asked for hopelessly romantic... well, that has to be either Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast, I would think - - and since you have two weeks, I would give a full four days to one or the other." Rex, can you elaborate? Slower pace, I presume? Fresh air? Scenic vistas?

Ira, I am still a little vague on the benefits of Florence. I have a general notion that is a visually appealing place. Why do you recommend that particular location and hotel?

As far as finances, which someone mentioned, I don't think $260E a night in Venice is expensive. I have seen a 5 star on Amalfi coast that was $900E a night and think that is a bit much.