Where to arrive & depart?
 

We want to visit Rome, Florence, Venice, and Como\Bellagio. Are we better off flying from the U.S. to Rome and depart from Venice or Milan? Or should we fly into Milan and out of Rome? I plan to rent a car, but do not want to drive in Rome traffic. Thanks for advice.

Choose whichever one benefits you the most - unless you have to be somewhere on a specific date.

I doubt however if there are many direct Venice to US flights

If it were me, personally, I would fly into Rome and depart Venice. There are flights from Venice via Paris back to the US and people do it all the time.

Rome is a really bustling city and Venice is very calm. In my personal experience, I prefer to get the trip going in a busy area and end it with a relaxing destination in order to wind down before returning home.

But, that's just my opinion, and it's worked well for me. :)

IMHO you are always better off flying into a city with a non-stop (or direct if you have to) flight since there is much less chance of flight delays and/or lost luggage.

On the way home - if you - or your bag is delayed it doesn;t matter nearly so much. You have plenty to wear at home and being a little late back to work won't be as frustrating as lost vacation time.

So I would do into Rome, pick up the car when you leave, drop it in Venice and fly back from there. (We usually do it through Frankfurt which seems the most efficient.)

Hi RR,

I would fly into Venice or Milan and out of Rome because Venice is calmer and gives you a chance to adapt.

((I))