Hi,

So my boyfriend and I have planned a trip to Venice on 20th. At some point, either on 21st evening or 22nd morning we plan to take a car and travel from Venice to Rome, where we will stay until 24th. On the way to Venice the plan is to pass through Florence and check out some places there and potentially Pisa if we have time. Knowing this is the route we plan to take, does anyone have any idea of hidden gems along our route whether they are cultural stops, food stops or otherwise. Keen to hear suggestions.

Many Thanks!

Welcome to Fodors. See the 'change forum' pull down menu up top? Click that and re-post your questions on the Europe Forum tagged for Italy.

But just an initial comment - a car is useless in Venice, Florence and Rome. Now, for touring around Tuscany - sure. But traveling Venice-Florence-Rome traine are easier and faster and you don't have to mess with the car in three cities that are not car friendly to say the least.

Your trip is not clear.
Going to Venice on the 20th?
Do you mean this week, May 20?

On 21st or 22nd, travel to Rome. Stay until 24th

Then, you say, on the way to Venice, you will pass through Florence.
Did you mean on the way to Rome from Venice? That seems most logical, but perhaps you did mean before you go to Venice, or after Rome, will you return to Venice and see Florence on the way?

Where are you coming from? Are you flying into Venice or arriving by train? Flying out of Rome?

Taking a train between Venice, Florence and Rome is the way to go. You can't drive into the center of Florence or Rome and the train takes you right from city center to city center.

I don't think you have time for any stops, but you could possibly stop in Bologna for dinner or lunch. The train from Venice to Florence goes through Bologna. You could take the train from Florence to Pisa. You could also stop in Orvieto for lunch on the way from Florence to Rome.

sassafrass is right, your itinerary isn't quite clear at this point, but it does seem like everything is a bit rushed...you'll also be really tired if you spend half the time driving, why not consider a train?

could you provide some more details or let us know the thread to where you moved your question?

We did this trip.....There are two airports that serve Venice, Marco Polo is serviced by the water taxi but Treviso is around 40 miles away, if you fly there then book a shuttle transfer asap. If you are staying in Venice then a car will be useless... have your stay in Venice then get a train to Florence...very easy as you can get the water taxi directly to the station and the train delivers you to the centre of Florence. A car will again be useless as many of the roads in the centre are closed to traffic unless you have a permit from the hotel, you will get a fine if you drive these roads but Florence is meant for walking and most of the sites are central. Again, train to Rome and you will definitely not need to or want to drive in Rome!!!!

I loved the city of Siena (just outside Florence). A wonderful stop - one of the most beautiful cathedrals that I've ever been in. Very different and having the busts look down at you - you just have to see to beleive! And there's a little hole in the wall restaurant that's fabulous very close by - Trattoria La Torre

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...a_Tuscany.html


I've been to Venice 3 times and love it - my best advice there is to get lost! Wander around - pick a street and see how far you can go. Farther away from St. Mark's the less touristy it is. Great food is harder to find here than the rest of Italy. Some of my favorites:


Ae Sconte

http://www.osteriaaesconte.it/

Rosa Rossa

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ce_Veneto.html

We also took a great food tour during our last tour that I would highly recommend: http://www.monicacesarato.com/blog/c...our-of-venice/

The OP likely isn't seeing any of this . . . registered and never returned to Fodors . . .