mclaurie

Do you realize Delta flies non stop to Venice from JFK?

While I was not in Venice in high season, I found it a very relaxing city. The pace is slow, no cars, just ambling and boating. However if you're only going to go for a few days I wouldn't go over a weekend when it seems to fill up. If a stop in Venice going or coming improves your itinerary on this trip, fine. Otherwise save it for another time.

AlanM1

I agree with Rufus, you cannot expect to see Venice in just 2 days. It is also not a typical city as all transportation is by foot or boat. I find it very relaxing to wander the quiet streets and canals for days on end with the city slowly revealing its wonders. I am not fond of seafood, but when I am in Venice I actually enjoy it as it is so delicious. As for the beaches, the water at the Lido is not great, but neither is the water on the Amalfi Coast.

MFNYC

I agree that with a 10 day trip there's enough time for Venice (3 days worth).

HowardR

A 10-day vacation in Italy split with 5 days in Positano and 5 in Capri is really a relaxing vacation, especially the part in Capri. It would be the type of vacation I would take if I planned regular trips to Italy (i.e., that I'd have many opportunities to see the rest of this glorious country). And, my wife and I would love it, knowing that we would be going back.
Is this one of several planned trips to Italy? I would think the answer to that question would influence your final decision.

capo

Grazie, wanderer. I kind of sensed that -- about your husband not liking cities much (or as much as you) -- based what you wrote were his impressions of Venice.

I'm like you in that I find cities exciting and energizing, but unlike you in that I can spend more time in them (like a wonderful ten days in Rome on my first visit there.)

You said "I get a headache after 3 days in NYC." and you might have a somewhat similar experience in an intense city like Rome. But I really don't think you'd feel the same way in Venice. Although Venice has a lot of tourists (nobody pretends otherwise), and that can get on your nerves, one of the things that makes Venice so relaxing (to me anyway) is the fact that there are no cars hurtling around. We spent seven days in Venice two years ago and felt very relaxed. In fact, my then-girlfriend, who had never been anywhere in Europe before, was blown away once we got to Rome, because it's so vastly different in feel than Venice.

Anyway, it sounds to me like your <i>total</i> &quot;utils&quot; (a concept I remember from economics class in college, a &quot;util&quot; being a hypothetical unit measure of a person's &quot;utility&quot;, or pleasure/satisfaction, in some activity) would be greater if you guys did what your husband preferred, rather than go to Venice.

chicgeek

It would kill me to be so close to Venice and not see it. Of course, when we travel to Europe we want to see and do as much as possible. When we want to just veg out, we go to Hawaii. It seems to me that you would have enough time to see Venice (maybe 2 nights?), and still have enough time for the AC. I feel that everyone who has a chance to see Venice, should. There is nowhere else like it.

trashtalk

Just got back from 10 days in Venice w/ daytrip Murano, Padua, Ferrara, Treviso and Vicenza. Did 10 days in Positano last year w/ daytrips to Naples, Herculanium, Pompei, Positano, Amalfi and Capri. Both great trips, but I wouldn't try to do both areas on the same trip. Can't go wrong with either one though.

travelslone

you don't have to just fly delta, you can use a partner airline as well, air france flies paris to naples. the over the water portion can also be on a partner airline not just delta

lindaann

My husband and I were on a European Cruise last spring and spent two glorious days in Venice. It was magical, romantic and fantastic. All we did was walk and walk, take the vaparetto just to sightsee and do a little shopping. We sat in a few cafes and watched the world go by.We did go on an evening gondola ride and it was lovely. Unless you have the opportunity to travel a lot and can ensure that you will be back you really should go to Venice. My husband really enjoyed it as well. Capri is only worth a day. Don't miss Venice.
Linda

mimipam

Hi wanderer,
Well, I almost did not post as you have so many opinions already. I personally do not think 10 days is too much for the AC with Capri included. I just returned from 10 days there myself. I also spent a very short time in Naples to see a few sites. My husband and I really loved Capri and spent three nights and two full days there. We only &quot;highlighted&quot; Positano and other towns along the way to Ravello where we spent four nights. Having said all of this I have to say we both loved Venice (another trip). I have since been back for a very brief time on a tour without my husband. I think we would both return to Venice again. I do not agree that Venice is a city. It is a tight space but very magical and romantic. I do think you can do both the AC and Venice if you pick and choose what you want. We flew in and out of Naples but had to connect in Paris. Delta partners with Air France and that is what we flew. Whatever you decide I think you will have a wonderful trip. Happy travels!

wanderer

Thanks again everyone. So many options, so little time....

We had a great vacation to Paris about 5 years ago. 5 Days of whirlwind sightseeing, because we did not know when we'd be back. We both LOVED Paris.

Although I am the &quot;city&quot; person in the family, I think my husband wouldn't mind Venice another time, I think it is more the travel time and sense of rushing. Would be different if we had more time to spend.

I will let you all know what we decide and post trip report on our return.

mauld

To add but one more opinion.... I know Delta flies non stop from JFK into VCE, could you arrrange that, rather than into Milan?? I would suggest if that can be done, and you'll be arrriving mid morning, why not spend that day/night in Venice. You can then travel on to Naples/Amalfi Coast etc for a week-with a return to Venice for say, 2 days before your flight back. I've been to both areas and will admit I loved them equally. They are both very different, but in no way would I consider Venice a big impersonal city. It it truly lovely and I think if you don't spend some time there, you'll regret it. This way you'd have at least a couple of days to see the major sights, ride on the vaparattos through the canals etc and still get to the beautiful Amalfi coast. As others have suggested airfares can be very reasonable between VCE and NAP. The weather in May in both areas should be just fine (I was in the Naples/Sorrento/Capri area just this past Memorial Day). And while there will be some crowds, it shouldn't be as bad as mid summer-- also the heat will be much less. Another suggestion, you may want to split your stays on the Amalfi coast between Sorrento and Positano-- I wouldn't stay in Capri, just do a day trip via the ferry. Also I found public transporation in the Amalfi coast to be very easy to use, be it the train from Naples to Sorrento, ferries to Capri &amp; Positano or the bus from Sorrento to Amalfi and Salerno.