With helpful suggestions from a previous post, my husband and I are taking my mom to Venice, Orvieto, and Rome for ten days this spring. With three days in Venice, two in Orvieto, and four in Rome (including side trip to Ostia-Antica), I have an extra day. My thoughts are: extra day in Venice, side trip to Padua OR day in Bologna (but not sure I want the hassle of a one-night room there) OR extra day in Orvieto (doing what? My mom probably can't do Civitia) OR extra day in Rome (doing?). I'm partial to spending the day in the region between Venice and Rome, but not trying to get crazy dragging my mom over creation. Thanks!
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I agree with posters above, spend extra night in Venice or Rome (I love Venice so would choose it), don't take your mom to > 3 cities in 10 days.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
We did 2 nights in Orvieto and found it was a push to see everything we wanted to see. I felt having 3 days would have been perfect.
At the same time, Rome is so big and full of sights that I've spent 10 days there (2 separate trips) and still haven't seen everything I wanted to.
I haven't been to Venice yet, so can't comment there, but a side trip to Padua sounds reasonable. I wouldn't try to shift locations to Bologna or anywhere else for only one night though.
I think in the end it boils down to whether you want to use this last day to be a tourist or relax. If you want to see and do something, I'd pick Rome (or the Padua side trip). If you want to kick back and relax, stay in Orvieto and enjoy la dolce fare niente.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Rome.
You've done an over-kill in Venice already (a tad of prejudice here -- I really don't like the place), Padua is a stop-and-look-if-you're-passing-through type of place, Bologna would tick you off because you could only be there for a day.
With a day trip excursion scheduled from Rome, you haven't done the city justice. Spend another day there.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
422 posts
Hi Joy, I second the motion for Rome. We were in Rome for 4 days and Venice for 3 this past summer. While I found the Venice timing just right (for us), I could easily have spent a couple of more days in Rome and still not see everything I wanted to. I guess that just means we'll have to go back!
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
I vote for Rome. We spent 5 days there in Sept & didn't see everything we wanted. I would go back there in a heartbeat. If you add the extra day to Rome & you find that you've seen everything on your list after 3 days (which I doubt), then take another day trip outside of Rome to Tivoli (Hadrian's Villa or Villa d'Este).
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
Another vote for an extra day in Rome, there is just so much to see there!
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, Ohio
62 posts
Thanks, everyone--Rome it is!