5 days in Italy

Yes, Venice, IMO, will be too far. With only 5-6 days I would stay in Rome as there is plenty to occupy you for that amount of time. Not saying you can't do a short side trip, but don't spend a lot of time just getting from Place A to Place B and not being able to really enjoy either place. Just food for thought.

Pick on or the other and base there, then find some day trips.

Venice will most likely be colder early November than Rome. From Venice a nice day trip is to Ravenna and then to Bologna (maybe a food tour there?)

Rome can offer you plenty to see in 4-5 days, if you want to see museums and all the major Roman ruins. Consider a day trip to Ostia Antica from Rome and one to Orvieto (1 day each --well Ostia is more a 1/2 day affair)

You could even go to Florence for a full day from Rome, or base in Rome for 3-4 nights, then move to Florence for the others. From Florence you can easily go to Siena for day by bus. Pisa is also an easy day trip from Florence.

Venice is too far from Rome unless you want to spend 6 hours on a train and then spend a few nights there and fly out from there.

If you are flying into and out of Rome, you limit what you can do.... if you haven't booked flights yet, consider into Rome, then out of Florence..that way you don't back track. ( you could also do Florence first, then finish in Rome and fly out of Rome)

Since it's November, I'd tell you to stick to Rome. If it was right now and you have no plans to return to Italy, I'd tell you to spend 3 days in Rome and take a fast train to Venice for the remaining time.

For a first-timer in Italy, we recommend Padova as a daytrip from Venice, over Bologna; both have historic universities but Padova is closer and less gritty. Fast trains between Venice and Rome take under 4 hours and depart hourly.

Venezia is only four hours from Roma by train, but it depends on how many nights you actually have (5 or 6). You could fly into Venezia and out of Roma.

IMHO, one city such as Roma would be good for such a limited period of time. There are more than enough sites to visit in five days to keep you busy. Sometimes less is more. Italy will seduce you and you will want to return.

Go and have fun.

Buon viaggio,

Go to Rome. Stay there and spend your entire time there, with a possibility of maybe one day trip from there. Don't split your stay between two locations! You will lose valuable time if you do.

Regards.

Spend 3 nights in Rome and 2 nights in Florence.
Odds are you will be going back to Italy sometime to see Venice so you can take more time then.
If you are not particularly religious or interested in art then Italy 'requires' less time to enjoy.

wow, you could really get a taste of Rome instead of a rushed event, imagine the colosseum, the vatican and museum, Borghese Gallery, Capitoline museums, National Museum, and a RS walking tour. That is doable in 5-6 days with time for reflection, not on a train. Just saying...

This is what Rick says, and I tend to agree. Unless you are particularly religious or interested in art then two or three full days in Rome is sufficient for a first time visit.
Rome in a Day
Some people actually try to “do” Rome in a day. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it’s one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer. Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. Then explore the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your “Caesar Shuffle” with a visit to the Pantheon. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums (the lines usually die down mid-afternoon, or you can reserve a visit online in advance). See the Vatican Museums, then St. Peter’s Basilica (open until 19:00 April–Sept). Taxi back to Campo de’ Fiori for dinner.
Rome in Two Days
On the first day, do the “Caesar Shuffle” from the Colosseum to the Forum, then over Capitoline Hill to the Pantheon. After a siesta, join the locals strolling from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps. On the second day, see Vatican City (St. Peter’s, climb the dome, tour the Vatican Museums). Have dinner on the atmospheric Campo de’ Fiori, then walk to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.
Rome in Three Days
With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and the Capitoline Museums.

I'll vote with the others to just stay in Rome and take a day trip to Orvieto or Ostia Antica. We've spent a total of nearly two weeks in the city over several trips and haven't run out of things to do yet!

Unpacking and settling in for 5-6 days will give you time to get it know it, see more than just the Top 10, and enjoy those things at a slower pace. You'll also have more flexibility to work around weather and days when attractions are closed.

A day trip will provide both that additional perspective you're looking for - without having to pack up - plus some experience with how the trains work so you'll have that under your belt next time.

Thank you all for your input! We've decided to do Rome for three days, then Florence for a few days. I appreciate your help!

Fantastic. Have a wonderful time and may the weather 'gods' shine.