Venice worth it? 2 or 3 nights?
Aug 10th, 2015, 04:43 PM
#1
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Venice worth it? 2 or 3 nights?
So I'll be in Italy from late September to early-mid October and we're planning on doing our trip like this:
Sorrento (Pompei, Naples, Almafi Coast/Capri) - 4 nights
Florence/Tuscany - 4 nights
Venice - 3 nights
Rome - 4 nights
I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Venice and my wife thinks it may be worth spending less time in Venice and spending more time either in Sorrento or Florence.
What do you guys think? We'll lose probably 4-5 hours when we travel from Florence to Venice, so I'm trying to just see if 2 nights is best or 3 nights is best in Venice. If you guys think 2 nights is better, where should I add the extra day, Florence or Sorrento area?
We like museums to some degree, outdoorsy stuff, good food and just site seeing in general.
Sorrento (Pompei, Naples, Almafi Coast/Capri) - 4 nights
Florence/Tuscany - 4 nights
Venice - 3 nights
Rome - 4 nights
I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Venice and my wife thinks it may be worth spending less time in Venice and spending more time either in Sorrento or Florence.
What do you guys think? We'll lose probably 4-5 hours when we travel from Florence to Venice, so I'm trying to just see if 2 nights is best or 3 nights is best in Venice. If you guys think 2 nights is better, where should I add the extra day, Florence or Sorrento area?
We like museums to some degree, outdoorsy stuff, good food and just site seeing in general.
Aug 10th, 2015, 04:54 PM
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It really depends on your preferences, but FWIW, I think you might want to consider skipping Venice on this trip and adding the time to your other destinations, and I say that even though I adored Venice!
I recommend that you consult a good guidebook or two (always a worthy investment, IME, but you can also check your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then add in your transportation, some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.), and see how things fit together.
I recommend that you consult a good guidebook or two (always a worthy investment, IME, but you can also check your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then add in your transportation, some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.), and see how things fit together.
Aug 10th, 2015, 04:57 PM
#3
As far as I'm concerned it's the most atmospheric place on your list. I always wonder at a question like this, worth it for who? Me, yes. You & wife, ???
I must ask, is there a reason for the order of the cities? Why not north to south or south to north, fly into one end and out the other.
I must ask, is there a reason for the order of the cities? Why not north to south or south to north, fly into one end and out the other.
Aug 10th, 2015, 04:58 PM
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Where are you flying into/out of? Is Venice an arrival or departure, or is it a detour? If a detour, I'd consider skipping it. But if you can fly into Venice to start, might be worth doing for you. Flying OUT of Venice can be more tricky as some flights leave early in the morning and getting to the airport can be tricky that early.
I have been to Venice three times (once as a day trip, twice with three nights each visit). It is an amazingly beautiful city and completely unique...but it is also extremely touristy, sometimes to an obnoxious degree, and that seems to put a lot of people. You will find mobs and mobs of tourists especially during the days, making for an unpleasant "Disneyland" type of experience. Things are much better at night and in the mornings, though, when Venice can seem magical.
I prefer to do day trips from Venice proper during the day and enjoy it in the morning and at night when less crowded. There are some good day trip options from Venice like the islands of Murano and Burano (water bus), to Verona (train), etc. And it's important to stay ON Venice and NOT on the mainland (Mestre). You will lose a big part of the Venice experience if you can't freely explore in the morning and at night without needing to bus/train back to your hotel.
I have been to Venice three times (once as a day trip, twice with three nights each visit). It is an amazingly beautiful city and completely unique...but it is also extremely touristy, sometimes to an obnoxious degree, and that seems to put a lot of people. You will find mobs and mobs of tourists especially during the days, making for an unpleasant "Disneyland" type of experience. Things are much better at night and in the mornings, though, when Venice can seem magical.
I prefer to do day trips from Venice proper during the day and enjoy it in the morning and at night when less crowded. There are some good day trip options from Venice like the islands of Murano and Burano (water bus), to Verona (train), etc. And it's important to stay ON Venice and NOT on the mainland (Mestre). You will lose a big part of the Venice experience if you can't freely explore in the morning and at night without needing to bus/train back to your hotel.
Aug 10th, 2015, 05:59 PM
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I am in pro-Venice camp as I have been there three times and am excited for a return trip this fall. However, I do know some people don't care for it. I would opt for a three night stay as you'll lose much of your first day in travel time leaving only two full days in Venice if you stay three nights.
Aug 10th, 2015, 06:56 PM
#8
I'm afraid with 15 nights in 4 locations they won't see much of anywhere. But that's a style choice, isn't it? Stopping to really see places or moving one to another. It's why I love walking so much, moving, but very slowly.
Aug 10th, 2015, 11:46 PM
#12
Not sure you are going to be excited by the food in
Sorrento
Florence
Venice
Rome -
though the clams in Naples are very good. Tuscany food will be good but in Florence it is a bit harder to find.
Each of the places you have selected are interesting, but Venice is UNIQUE. Get out on the boats and visit all over the lagoon, go down little alleys or just sit in Peggy's Museum on the canal and watch the world go by. 3 nights is perfect
Sorrento
Florence
Venice
Rome -
though the clams in Naples are very good. Tuscany food will be good but in Florence it is a bit harder to find.
Each of the places you have selected are interesting, but Venice is UNIQUE. Get out on the boats and visit all over the lagoon, go down little alleys or just sit in Peggy's Museum on the canal and watch the world go by. 3 nights is perfect
Aug 10th, 2015, 11:56 PM
#13
I have been to Italy five times and am headed there again later this year, and have yet to go to Florence, but have been to Venice for several nights twice. So it entirely depends on your interests. I love Venice, and have little difficulty avoiding the crowds.
Aug 11th, 2015, 03:54 AM
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Worth it?
I've been to Venice, Rome, Tuscany, and the Veneto, three or four times each but never south of Rome. But then I don't like red sauce
It is likely to be very hot in late September, somewhat better later in your trip. I would start in the north and wind up in the south if that bothers you.
I've been to Venice, Rome, Tuscany, and the Veneto, three or four times each but never south of Rome. But then I don't like red sauce
It is likely to be very hot in late September, somewhat better later in your trip. I would start in the north and wind up in the south if that bothers you.
Aug 11th, 2015, 05:01 AM
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I have only been to Venice once, but it is a place in Italy I would go back to. In spit of the fact my husband did get Pickpocketed there. So be always aware of people around you. We were lucky enough to get the wallet and all in it back.
Aug 11th, 2015, 06:05 AM
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Stay in Venice proper, not in mainland Mestre or the Lido (both of which have cars). It's amazing to stay in a city (especially an Italian one) without roads, without car and truck traffic, but just waterbuses, water taxis, gondolas, delivery boats instead of trucks, etc.
And avoid the area around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto. Both of these are crammed with tourists during the day.
If you spend your time on the outskirts and do daytrips during the day, when Venice is crowded with daytrippers of its own, you'll have a much better experience.
And avoid the area around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto. Both of these are crammed with tourists during the day.
If you spend your time on the outskirts and do daytrips during the day, when Venice is crowded with daytrippers of its own, you'll have a much better experience.
