Hi!
My wife and I are visiting Italy for the first time, but would have only seven days and six nights to do it. We are thinking of going to Rome, Florence and Venice in that order, spending two nights in each city.

I know that is not enough, but we'd like to see as much as we can. We appreciate all suggestions that you may have. Thanks!

You will be happier by picking only 2 in that time. I would pick Rome and Venice and fly open jaw.

I agree that, with only 7 days, you should choose only 2 cities. Read whatever you can about Venice, Florence and Rome and choose 2. I recommend Florence and Venice with such a short time - Rome is worthy of 6 or 7 days all by itself. Flying open jaw will give you more time to enjoy your stay.

Hi R,

You will go again. Visit fewer places and enjoy them more.

My choice would be Florence (with a daytrip to Siena) and Venice.

You can fly into Venice and out of FLR or PSA.

I would pick Venice and Florence.

Because Rome is the biggest city, and more busy and hectic, I believe ti would be the most challenging of the 3 for a first trip.

And I think trying to do all three in only six nights is just way too much to be enjoyable.

We were there for 7 days last month and did Rome with a day trip to Florence. We knew we would be going back in 2008 for Okotberfest and northern Italy so we concentrated in Rome.

Doing these three cities in just 7 days is a bit much.

This is a rough itinerary of what we did. A full version is on the works, day by day accounts, restaurant reviews etc.. should have up and running by the end of October.

Day 1 - showered and on the go by 1:00 PM. Coliseum, Forum, St Peter in Chains, Sta. Maria Maggiore. Dinner
Day 2 - Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona....ooooh this was the day that we found the best coffee and gelato ever. Coffee at Taza D'Oro and gelato at Gelateria della Palma.Day
3 - Ostia Antica in the AM, Trastevere, Circus Maximus, double decker bus ride.
Day 4 - Day trip to Florence. Took the 8:30 train and were in Florence by 10:00. After a quick cappuccino and corneto headed up to the duomo and the bell tower. Had 12:15 reservations for the Accademia. After that shopped for a bit, grabbed lunch and headed out to Ponte Vecchio. Grabbed 7:00 PM train back to Rome.
Day 5 - Vatican, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chappel. We were also fortunate enough to obtain tickets to the excavations underneath St. Peters. Did that on this day also.
Day 6 - Campo Fiori, walked to Piazza di Popolo, then went to the Catacombs of San Calisto in the afternoon.
Day 7 - Church of San Giovani, field trip to Coli Abi (i think it was). This is where you take the bus to go to the excavations. We were just wanting to visit a local neighborhood and get some pastries to take back home. This neighborhood was less commercialized and we wanted to go back. Then to meet a friend for lunch, walked back to Trevi Fountain to toss a coin and check out Il Gelato di San Crispino. A little shopping and went back to pack .

I would either do Rome and a day trip to Florence or Florence/Venice. I have seen many anti-Rome posts here and I can see why, Rome is busy and loud but there's so much to see that I am glad we didn't miss. In the back of my mind I also knew that we would do northern Italy in a few years so we made sure we focused in Rome this time around. Good luck making your decision.

I too vote for Venice and Florence, or else any TWO of the others.
I have long files on those cities; if you'd like to see any of them, email me at
[email protected]

I agree with ira--I know I'd be happier experiencing Venice and Florence with a daytrip to Siena than rushing and trying to do too much. Italy will still be there for you again next time.

It occurs to me to add:
If you choose two of the smaller cities, Florence and Venice that is, you could still daytrip from F into Rome for one day if, for example,
you want to fulfill a single dream of seeing the Vatican.

I would do 3 days Rome, 1 day Florence and 2 days Venice...I guess if you're really determined.