Cut out Venice to extend time in Florence/Rome?

Depends who you ask. If you can get a good flight or train from Venice to Munich, personally I'd keep Venice. But some insist you need a minimum amount of time in places like Rome and Florence. It comes down to personal preference.

I think Venice is amazing, but it's also super touristy and crowded especially during the day when day trippers are in town. Then again, so are Florence and Rome, but Rome can absorb the tourists a bit better, I think, being so big.

You used the words "first time"...so I assume you plan on returning for future trips to Italy? I'm a fine one to talk since our family trips were always zoom--zoom--zoom but it seems a shame to be in such a hurry to leave Rome and Florence. Personally I'd be happy with only a few days in Florence but there is soooo much in Rome to see. Are you flying into Rome? Or since your ultimate destination is Munich, maybe you could skip Rome this time, concentrate on Florence and Venice, and plan a future solid week in Rome?

I can't speak to whether Venice is a "don't miss" as I've never been there. I hope to go someday though!

It's really down to your tastes, but if you want time in the countryside outside of Florence, then save Venice for another time. And, as a previous comment says, there is so much to see in Rome. As the saying goes, a lifetime isn't enough.

If, OTOH, your idea is to scope out the high points of Italy -- either as reconnaissance for a future trip or just to be able to say you've been there -- then Venice is pretty special.

Did you mention what time of year you'll be there? That might make a difference in terms of tourist crowds and oppressive heat if summer, or short days and rainy weather if winter.

Hi epltd, we will be there in late October, so hoping the tourist crowds won't be a problem (though I could be wrong!). I read somewhere that the weather can be kind of questionable that time of year and already lead us to eliminate Cinque Terre from our itinerary.

As long as you have at least 2 nights in Venice, 2 in Florence, and 2-3 in Rome, you can do it. Rushed, but doable. Don't do one nighters. Those are time wasters. Stay at least 2 nights in any place you go.

Votes will be all over the place depending on our various interests but I think you're really cutting Rome short so I'd save Venice for a future trip. On your current itinerary, your first day in Rome may be a jet-lagged haze of just getting your bearings, and you've allowed only one full day for sightseeing. That one day is a Sunday, and do note that the Vatican museums will either be closed on that day or be an end-of-month "free Sunday" when you definitely do NOT want to attempt that one. In short, you've realistically only Monday to try and fit that one in.

You've only allowed 2 full days for Florence but mentioned trying to do a wineries day trip AND the Cinque Terre? That leaves you only one partial day for Florence itself. No, I'd definitely save Venice for another time, and skip the wineries or the CT. If I was to suggest an itinerary for the amount of time you have, it might look something like this:

Saturday (partial day): arrive Rome, drop luggage at hotel and do outdoor sightseeing to stay awake
Sunday: Rome
Monday: Rome
Tuesday: Rome: late-day train to Florence
Wednesday: Florence
Thursday: Florence: day trip
Friday: Florence
Saturday: fly to Munich. Try to do it on this day versus Friday afternoon/evening to stretch your time.

Not a fan of Venice-love Florence, but I really like Renaissance art. Also I love walking around in Florence because its compact. I've been to Europe 11 times. We went to Venice the first time we went to Europe and were on a tour. We have been back to Rome and Florence 2 more times but have never been back to Venice and have no desire to do so. Honestly, if you like canals you can go to Amsterdam sometime.

To rephrase Cala, I'm not a fan of Florence-love Venice. So I'd drop Florence, and spend that time in Venice which is also very compact and walkable. It really just depends on what interest you the most. Since you've never been to either, it's difficult for you to know which you will enjoy the most. Consider doing a lot of google research to get a feel for which would be best for you. You can do them both, but it will really be rushed.

Venice is one of our favorites, but for your amount of time, I would just do Rome and Florence with a day trip to either Siena or a winery so you're seeing more than just the large cities.

Keep Venice. You have to see Florence, no question. But you also have to see Venice. Then on your return trip in the future you can make more rational decisions. I would bet on that future trip you revisit Venice and have questions about how much, if any, time you spend in Florence after you have been there for a couple of days. Florence is a beautiful city as is Venice, but Venice brings you back to it.

You have 7 nights in total if you fly to MUC on Sat.

So it's perfect for 3 nights in Rome and 2 nights each in Florence and Venice.

They are so close and two nights each is sufficient for getting your feet wet. Most organized tours don't stay that long in any of those cities.

I wouldn't cut any out, you can do all. If you cut any out, you will regret later in life. Lots of people here are comfortable retired people who can afford and do have time to travel to Europe multiple times a year.. But You don't know what life is reserving for you in the future, you may not have a chance to visit again for a long time or maybe ever. Carpe Diem. Visit all 3 now, then in a future trip devote more time to the places you like to see for longer.

I agree with Roberto. I wouldn't cut Venice. You will have a great time if you do 3 Rome, 2 Florence and 2 Venice! That is what we did on our trip through Italy and I felt it was perfect.

Personally, I'd vote for Venice; but then she has stolen my heart. Love Florence art; but hated the crowds (in October)
Nowhere in the world like Venice!

I agree with Kathy's itinerary and everything she says. Also, you do not have time for 3 cities, if you want to see anything in them, to feel them, to enjoy them. I love Florence. Rome has much to see, although it is one of my least favorite large cities. I've been to Rome and Florence multiple times, but only went to Venice once and will need to work way down on my bucket list to return.

Another in the camp of keeping your itenarary. At first I thought to skip Venice, because your trip to Rome is so fast! But then I totally agree with Roberto that you never know when or if you'll get back. I've said I'm going back to so many places and then never do! Venice is incredibly unique and romantic. It would be a shame to not experience that city! Do it!

One word of advice that I took to heart and it worked. When you check into your hotel in Venice, turn away from the crowds and walk towards the outside of the island. In 2 minutes, you will be in another Venice that is quiet and easy to walk in, with small cafes and people really living there. It really works. The day trippers don't have time to do this, so they congregate in the middle. In the evenings after about 5, then venture out to St. Marks Square, etc. Get yourself up early one morning at 7, then go to St. Mark Square. We stopped at 3 little cafes for coffee and pastries on the way and got there by 8. Breathtakingly quiet, and beautiful.

This is easy if you know you'll return to Italy - skip Venice. To see the top major sights, Rome really needs three full days and a good plan. Florence needs at least two full days, more if you want to see other parts of Tuscany (like, ehem, Siena!)

If you may not go back to Italy, on the other hand, you need to see Venice. You can see major sights with one full day, but as soon as that's done, get outta dodge and get in the boat taxi. As a walking-weary couple, you will probably really enjoy maneuvering for seats at the end of the boat and just cruising the Grand Canal and around the islands for a while - maybe close to sunset! If you want to get off, consider buying some market food and getting off at the Giardini or St. Elena stop to stroll the park and take in the view of Venice from a bit farther away.

How does one ever 'know' if you'll return, for a second, third, etc. time to Italy?

Go where you want, damn the torpedoes. For your initial trip, I'd abide by Kathy's itinerary but with the caveat that if in your mind Venice has to be seen, do it now. But I will say that we've traveled to Italy thrice, all in the last seven years, and haven't been to Venice yet. Maybe next time, maybe not. So much to see, but conversely I'm increasingly attuned to the 'slow Italy' approach, ranking chill time at an outdoor cafe at least on a par with a major attraction du jour or even an extra city to be seen. And both Florence and especially Rome are set up perfectly for the lazy afternoon watching the world go by. Some attraction-driven travelers would call that wasted time--not me.

I like the OP's travel timing of late October. Should be temperate throughout, never cold, but you most likely will run into some rain, although who knows if the recent drought continues. However, you won't melt, and the other side of the coin is that high season for tourists will be over, leaving you to enjoy your spoils in an unfettered manner.

To address Roberto's statement that lots of travelers on here are retired and are capable of multiple trips a year, I don't know about that. Most of the frequent posters here (that I gravitate to anyway) appear to be working stiffs like me, certainly not independently wealthy, always trying to find logistically-sane itineraries with a decent bang for the buck and good value. The back-and-forth helping each other tweak our plans ad nauseum is fun, entertaining and somewhat insane because in many instances there is no wrong answer!

If you're going in October, I'd absolutely keep it! We were there in May two years ago, and loved it. Went back for just one night in July, and not so much. It was way too crowded and hot. But, October should be perfect - and it has to be seen to be believed!! Just so beautiful.

Just returned from Venice in June. No other place like it in the world. Just stay away from St Marks during mid day is my opinion. Go early in the morning like around 6. So special.

One word of advice that I took to heart and it worked. When you check into your hotel in Venice, turn away from the crowds and walk towards the outside of the island. In 2 minutes, you will be in another Venice that is quiet and easy to walk in, with small cafes and people really living there. It really works. The day trippers don't have time to do this, so they congregate in the middle. In the evenings after about 5, then venture out to St. Marks Square, etc. Get yourself up early one morning at 7, then go to St. Mark Square. We stopped at 3 little cafes for coffee and pastries on the way and got there by 8. Breathtakingly quiet, and beautiful.

Lulu, great advice! We didn't figure that out until halfway through our last day there, but decided that the next time we go to Venice, that's what we're doing.

Jay, you might be a working stiff as I am, and I'm not saying that any of us here are millionaires, but many here are undoubtedly retired, addicted to European travel, and financially comfortable enough to be able to have travelled across the ocean to Europe multiple times in the past 10 years, sometimes every year or more than once in the same year. I'm one of them and I'm nowhere rich.
But the point is that we do not represent the majority of the American people. Most Americans, even those who do get to travel internationally sometimes, for one reason or another (lack of time, or money, or family commitments) get to see Italy only once in their lifetime. Even I, who travel more than the average person, have said many times that I will go back to one place or another, but never had a chance to do it again. I would never suggest to anybody to skip any of those 3 Italian pearls, especially Venice, the first trip, even if it's a quick week. Then, if they have a chance to go back, they can concentrate more in some locations.

I hear you, Roberto.

My point is, however, is that one gets a distinct, very important impression of Italy on the maiden trip, and it's almost totally dependent on how that itinerary is structured, in this instance time spent in one of the 'jewels' as you say. On our first trip in 2010, because a buddy of mine here in Chicago had just finished teaching art for four months in Florence and was extolling her virtues, we did 5 nights there & only two in Rome. Impressions from that? Florence was phenomenal. Rome was meh.

Until...we spent a week at a tiny apartment in Rome this last March overlooking a fruit & vegetable market, at Campo de' Fiori. Unbelievable how in tune with the vibe of Rome we became. Loved the buses, the Metro, the walking around, even getting lost with the knowledge that with the bus schematic I could find my way back. Totally changed my opinion of the Eternal City.

And that's my main concern with the OP's itinerary. A fly-by (and that's what I call 2-3 nights) seeing mainly the attractions might sour her on Italy altogether. I don't think that's going to happen, however, because in late October the things that tee me off about Italy--mainly the tourists--won't be there. So even if she does the three cities, done right she will get a nice Cliff's Notes version of each, and hopefully will decide where to focus on the next trip.

I would not skip out on Venice! Our first trip to Europe was the 21 day tour and we had 2 days in Rome, 2 in Florence and 2 in Venice. In my opinion, as a newby at the time, you will get a taste for Italy. In fact, we're planning on taking Village Italy next spring. Of those 3 cities Venice was the one where it rained both days and yet we still enjoyed our time there. It'll be hectic but I would not skip Venice!

What tees me off about Italy is the hordes of tourists.... and the sweltering heat.
October is definitely a better choice.

I definitely would not skip Venice. It is unique.

Have you considered the overnight train Venice to Munich ? Night train is an "experience" -- you could leave after dinner in Venice and be at the Munich Hauptbahnhof in time for breakfast. (Just in case, carry on something for breakfast.)

It's delayed, but I wanted to thank everyone for their input. We ultimately decided on 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence and 2 in Venice then fly from Venice to Munich for another 3 nights. We figured we're young and should do this while we're able. We are so looking forward to the trip (it's basically all I can think about) and appreciate all the advice everyone gave. We're hoping that this will be the first of many trips to Italy!!

I hope you'll let us know how it turns out, I think you've made a very good itinerary.

I agree with you. the amount of time in each city seems just right. Yes, you could definitely spend more time in Rome, but this way you get to see all 3 cities without feeling too rushed.

Always have the attitude that you can go back someday!

Just a piece of advice for Venice. Spend the three or four euro on a paper map. Navigating Venice is like exploring a rabbit warren, and you WILL get lost. But not too lost, because you are on an island.

It really is part of the charm of Venice.

There is risk of Acqua Alta in Venice in late October, so it's not the ideal time of year to do a first-time visit. If a flood occurs, it can seriously disrupt tightly-scheduled travel plans.

http://en.turismovenezia.it/Venezia/High-Water-Information-Centre-7442.html

I never had an interest in Venice but a friend told me I must go and it was amazing. It really stays with you, we were fortunate to have 3 nights there and then 3 nights in Rome which has remarkable sites but not the feel of Venice. On that trip we didn't make time for Florence and Tuscany figuring we would make it back someday. That someday is this October, thankfully, but it has taken us 13 years!! I do prefer 3 nights in any larger city but I hate to be rushed along and can get lost in a museum for hours. As far as October, almost all of our European travels have been in October and the weather has always been great. IMHO Amsterdam is a great city but the canals and feel of Venice is just something very special.

Never!

Venice is my all time fave!