Hi all: I have had to change up my itinerary due to frequent flier availability... so now the end of my trip is up in the air - and actually will be until I can see what return flight I can get! Anyway, new plan is fly in for a few days in Munich, catch 7 night cruise round trip from Barcelona, then head to Rome for 3 days, then hopefully on to Venice. Current plan is train to Venice on Wednesday 6/18, would like to stay 3 nights so we can get 2 full days. Leave Venice on Saturday 6/21 -we were originally trying to fly out Sunday, but we lost a couple day on the front end, and we may still try and fly out Sunday, but we may stay until Tuesday or so.... My question is:
If we fly out Sunday from Venice, should I spend an extra day in Venice, or should I try and make a quick stop somewhere on the way up from Rome - if so, where? Or, if we can stay another few days, where should we go that we can get to from Venice semi-easily? We are flying on United frequent flier miles, so we will likely have the best luck flying from Munich or Frankfurt... so we may actually have to get back over there somehow... Suggestions? Oh we are traveling with the boys, ages 9 and 11, and they really aren't so into museums and art, but they are interested in castles and running around. :) It will all be up in the air depending on what ticket we can get home, I just want some options of dates and places so I can check when tickets come available. Thanks! Kim
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
572 posts
Here are my thoughts...
1. All trains from Rome to Venice go through Florence so that would be a logical stop. You don't have to go to the museums but walking around is really nice and the boys would probably like looking at that city. 2. A quick day trip from Venice is Verona. 3. One day in Venice should cover all the bases, but if you stay the second day, take a water boat/taxi ride to Murona (I think) which is where they make the glass and have the above ground cemetary. The boys might like that. I hope that helps. Good luck!!
Posted by
Gulfport, FL
188 posts
A couple of suggestions for Venice... 1. Take a trip to Burano and Torcello islands in the Venetian Lagoon. They are the least visited and the most interesting to me. Torcello is the originally settled island in the lagoon with evidence going back to the 900s. Murano is interesting for the glass factories but is also busy with tourists. Burano is an old fishing village with fewer tourists and interesting vistas, locals, and good food too. 2. Take a side trip to Padua (easy 20 minute train ride) and see the Scrovigni Chapel (reservations required but you can get them on line) to see the Giotti frescoes...amazingly modern! While there, you can also visit the Cathedral and shrine to St Anthony...very interesting interiors. 3. Try to attend a Gregorian chant mass at San Giorgio Maggiore...very haunting. The brothers are most welcoming and one doesn't have to be Catholic to attend. I wish I was going to Venice :) Have fun!
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Kim, I would suggest that you check the flight departure times and connections out of Venice, Rome and Florence for comparison. For us, I make sure we don't have to leave out of Venice since most flights are so early and getting to the airport can be a challenge. Two years ago I left out of Florence which was an easy departure.
I don't see any Rome to Venice trains that go through Florence; they all are direct. I think it would be worth it to spend time in Rome, Venice and then even just a few hours in Florence the night before you depart. Just something else to consider!
Posted by
Kennesaw, GA, United States
74 posts
You're traveling with 3 men. Consider this one: Rome to Bologna and go to the Lamborghini factory for a tour and then continue on to Venice. Difference in train time was an additional 30 minutes. Difference in price saved you 20E off of the direct fancy train from Rome to Venice. The tour does have to be booked in advance on their website.
Posted by
Edmonton, Alberta
797 posts
I have been to Venice three times now, on my last stay I filled three full days easily. There are still sights that I have not seen. Take Rick's advice and go off the beaten track onto the neighbourhoods, it is so beautiful. Each small bridge and tiny canal can be the most beautiful place in the world. The outer islands, Burano and Murano are also gorgeous, each very different from Venice proper. For me, just taking the waterbus to the outer islands was fun. That being said, Padua (Padova) is a short train ride away. The RS Village Italy tour started in Padua, many beautiful sights, including one of the first medical schools. This is where they first studied the human body by doing autopsies, which was illegal, so they could dump the body into a ? Stream underground to do away with the evidence is the authorities came investigating. I thought that was cool. We toured the anatomy theatre. Have a great trip.