First trip to Italy. We are heading to Rome for 7 days during the first week of August. Do you have recommendations for how to spend the week prior? We strongly want to include Venice and what else?

Most posters will want a bit more information about your interests etc. However, I'm willing to give it a shot.

Fly into Venice, spend a few days, train to Florence, spend a few days,from Florence you can also take a day trip to Siena if you want. Train to Rome.

However, it does depend on what you would like to see. You will get more replies if you put some effort in first and post a possible itinerary.

Hope you enjoy Italy. It's beautiful.

venice, florence or tuscany (motalcino, sienna, etc).

Do you like heat and humidity?

I'll echo Jean's question.

In August, Venice and Tuscany (which includes Florence) are saunas and frying pans.

If you are very keen on seeing Venice, try to combine it with a trip up into the nearby mountains of the Dolomiti, which are likely to offer you some respite from the heat. Be sure to book way in advance.

Hi

My wife and I went to Florence and Rome in July and we enjoyed the heat...but then again we don't get much of that here in Norway ;-) But with only 7 days I would stick to just Rome and Florence. You need a few days to explore the cities. Here is my Florence trip report with pictures and links http://gardkarlsen.com/florence_italy_travelogue.htm and my Rome trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . I hope that you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

I would also be concerned about the heat in late July/August. Rome at the end of the trip will be very hot. I think the idea of some time in Venice and some in the Dolomites before Rome makes sense