Add Ferrara between Venice and Florence

I think that would depend-- what are you interested in seeing in each place? Is this your first time in Italy? I don't know much about Ferrara, what is drawing you there? However, I do think you have a decent amount of time in Venice and Florence and would definitely recommend a smaller stop between the two if that's what you want.

Each time you move to a new city, you lose between half a day and a full day of vacation time. Unless there’s something very special in Ferrara, I would add the time to Venice. There is so much to see in La Serenissima that 3 nights isn’t enough. Also you could take a day trip to Padua, just a short train ride away.

I think you will enjoy Ferrara. It’s a beautiful city. One day is more than adequate to see it, so if you get there early enough on the first day, you might even try to squeeze Ravenna as a day trip the next day if you feel up to it (1h15min by frequent train)

I like Ferrara (will be there again in a few weeks), and I second Roberto’s recommendation to take the direct train from Ferrara to see the mosaics in Ravenna, if you haven’t been there. There’s a combo ticket to see several churches, etc. with outstanding mosaics.

In Ferrara, I enjoyed the archeological museum of the artifacts uncovered from the city of Spina. Also, the castle in the center of the city is worth seeing. …and excellent food in the city, too!

Venezia S. Lucia to Ferrara is a 1-hr direct train.

Thank you for all your replies. We will keep Ferrara I think. I like that it's off the beaten (tourist) track - but still on the trainline between Venice and Florence.
Molto grazie.

I agree. Keep Ferrara. You will have three very different experiences with Venice, Florence and Ferrara. The castle in the center of Ferrara often has festivals and celebrations with people in period costumes, dancing and music. See if any are scheduled during your visit.

Ferrara will be much quieter with far fewer tourists than Venice or Flornce so it will give you an opportunity to relax too.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/12/ferrara-trip-report.html

Ferrara (from my trip report):

Palazzo Schifanoia frescoes cover the walls in a huge room and were fantastic in every sense of the word: https://smarthistory.org/sala-dei-mesi-at-palazzo-schifanoia/ And nobody was there — we had the room all to ourselves and could walk around pointing and exclaiming at the details. I think that even a person with no interest in art would like to see these frescoes.

Casa Romei had some beautiful frescoes in a 14th century merchant's house. If you have to pick one, though, see Schifanoia.

The Museo della Cattedrale had cool sculptures of the months and the activities done in each month.

https://notaboutthemiles.com/things-to-do-in-ferrara/

Monastero di Sant’Antonio. Three 14th century chapels covered in school-of-Giotto frescoes with the kind of uncommon details I like to see (such as a D.I.Y. Jesus climbing a ladder up to his cross). My husband has had his fill of medieval and Renaissance art, but this monastery visit turned out to be one of his favorite experiences in Italy. You ring the monastery bell and ask to visit the frescoes. A little nun who is allowed to have contact with the public whispers her patter throughout the tour, which includes the dripping tomb of a nun (the holy water is collected in bottles and used for I-don’t-know-what). No photos. At the end, donate or buy some postcards. See: Monastero di Sant'Antonio in Polesine — Ferrara Terra e Acqua
https://iviaggidiraffaella.blogspot.com/2017/08/ferrara-gli-affreschi-del-monastero-di.html

We enjoyed eating at I Tri Scalin (recommended by my husband’s cooking class buddies for traditional food) and Trattoria da Noemi.

We are doing a day trip there and found there is a pass that includes the castle and some museums for.. I think 20 euros it was... just the castle is.. 10 or 12.. so you may want to check that out and see if you want to see the things it covers because it may be worth it.

Thank you - and particularly Nancy8 for your detailed trip report. We're looking forward to our Ferrara stopover now.
Thank you all again. T

Ferrara is very flat and the most bike friendly city in Italy. It is in fact known as the “City of bicycles” as everybody seems to have one (you will see thousands of them all over the place). So you might even consider renting one for the day.