I'm planning a 3-week trip with 4 days in Northern Italy. I had planned to divide that time between Venice and Cinque Terre (2 days each), but have read so many raves about Florence, which is "on our way" between the two destinations. My question: how would you divide 4 days between venice, florence, cinque terre? We are one adult and two kids (14 and 11) traveling by train. Any advice is appreciated.

It depends on what type of activities you and your family enjoy doing. CT consists of small, quaint villages. You can take hikes between them (some more challenging, and some pretty easy if all of you are healthy). The villages are lower key...the atmosphere is relaxing and the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! You can also take boats between the villages. This seems more leisure than Florence in my opinion.

Florence has such great art and shopping and such, we were busy the whole time. The museums and art are spectacular. The shopping was excellent. We ran ourselves into the ground just trying to see everything we could during our 3 day stay. The city itself was more charming than Rome in my opinion. Florence also tended to be more expensive (dining and such) although I suppose we could have been more selective to stay on a decent budget if we really paid attention.

Venice was more charming than Florence in my opinion. There are not as many sites of the magnitude that Florence has. Venice is so different from the other cities because of the canals.

I would look at what else you are doing before and after these four days and determine if you want something "faster paced" or low key. You can make any city "low key" if you don't plan too much, however when you only have 2 days in Florence with such amazing sites, it is so hard to choose what to omit.

Tip - if you do go to Florence and are only there two days and plan so see the museums, get tickets in advance over the internet or through your hotel. You will avoid wasting time waiting in line.

Also - if you go to CT and take the train, make sure to "validate" your train tickets in the little machines in the train station BEFORE YOU GET ON THE TRAIN....otherwise they fine you. We learned the hard way because no one told us.

I hope I have helped a bit. Have a wonderful trip!!!

Unless you are a Renaissance freak (which many people are), 1 or 2 days are plenty in Florence. If you are a Renaissance freak, then 3 days would be plenty.

Thank you. That does help. In planning this trip, I've tried to create a balance between natural and man-made wonders (Venice vs. Cinque Terre) and have favored architecture (art that is bound to its place of origin) over art in museums. Our arrival in Venice will mark week 3 of a 3-week trip. This leg will follows 5 days in Switzerland and precede 3 days in Paris (yes, we'll visit the Louvre) and a day trip to Bayeux (to see the tapestry and the beaches). Would it be worthwhile to arrive in Florence around noon and leave around 4 or 5pm? That would still give us two nights in both Venice and Cinque Terre and would have the added advantage of breaking up a rather long traveling day. (I've been trying to make all stays a minimum of 2 nights and all travel days a max of 3 hours.) And, (if so) what would be the best way to spend an afternoon (with two kids) in Florence?

Hi mberry,

I suggest that you not bother with an afternoon in Florence. You have to get off the train, check your luggage,dash about, get your luggage, get back on the train. I would save it for another trip.

Actually, I would go to Florence rather than the CT, but I am not you.

Enjoy your trip.