4 days in Venice & 2 in Florence?

Cynthia,
It depends on what interests you. I love Venice and think 4 nights is a perfect first visit there. Venice is about a unique city, sort of a living museum. You will never see anyplace like it. But you have to get off the beaten path, out into Cannareggio, San Croce, Dorsoduro, and even the islands, not just San Marco. There are fabulous churches and museums, but also just the "scene," walking, wandering, getting "lost." To me, Florence is a bit of a tourist zoo, although a good base for seeing other hilltowns. Florence is all about the art. Do you like museums and Renaissance art? If so, you will be in heaven. (But you'll get tons of art in Venice and rome, too.) I like to determine what I want to see and experience, then figure out how many days to devote to a location. Some great references to helpo you plan your time on this very website: Florence http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/florence3.htm Venice http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/venice3.htm Good luck! I think planning is almost half the fun!

Laurel, my problem is I love both! I just consulted with my husband, and he thinks we should just skip going to Varenna and add that night to Venice keeping our stay there at four nights, then 3 in Florence. I have e-mailed the hotel in Venice to see if we can arrive one night earlier. if not, I guess I could try to find another hotel in Venice for the first night. I agree about the planning, I am happiest planning a trip!

I think your husband is wise. One night in Varenna (or anywhere!) is just too short. Go right to Venice. We landed in Milan last trip and went directly to Venice, arriving about 15:00, then spent 4 nights. I left wanting more, which make me want to go back. And we will, later this year!

I tend to concur with your husband - based on my preferences. I firmly believe that there is nowhere like Venice, and in order not to fall into the crowds which march lemming like from Rialto to S Marco and then complain that it is overcrowded and no fun, you have to get away from those crowds and into the other parts of the city, as said above. Nights there are magical, as are early mornings. In fact, I think the best time is an hour or two after dawn. Florence deserves sufficient time. It is very compact but highly intense. Good luck with your plans - its your vacation not ours so do those things you and your husband want to do and not what us crowd say.... we're just here for guidance.

Cynthia, without knowing your interests, I'd suggest splitting the time 3/3. But the decision should reflect both your interest in art, and the period of art that most appeals to you. In my experience, Florence offers the best opportunities for the art of the early Renaissance, and that classically beautiful and quiet/gentle art is certainly what most appeals to me. If you prefer the art of the later Venitian Renaissance, that would tilt the scale in the other direction. Both cities offer a wonderful opportunity to step back in time.

Cynthia, I so agree with Laurel's advice! Venice is magic. My first visit there we intended to stay 3-4 days and stayed for a week. I love Florence for its museums but the tourist scene wears me down faster there. In Venice it's much easier to escape the crowds. In Florence I arrive with a plan, savor my favorite museums, then move on to more peaceful surroundings.

Cynthia, I agree with Nigel. Venice requires a lot more time getting from place to place. Florence sites are quite close to one another. If you get advance ticket reservations to any museums you are interested in seeing in Florence, you will be able to skip the long lines. I did this for the Accademia, Uffizi, and Museum of San Marco.

I found 3 & 3 in both places adequate when I went last year. Having been there and given the chance to have 6 days to visit the 2 places again, I would totally would do 4 in Venice and 2 in Florence. But then I may skip Florence all together and spend all 6 days in Venice if I really had my way. Venice was magical for me. We were there at the beginning of December and it was vacant and lovely. If you have never been, both places are important to visit.