Family trip to Europe-Venice in a day?

Spend at least 1 night in Venice. Evenings and nights are the only time you can really experience a peaceful Venice. The daytime is chocked full of daytrippers and cruise ship tour groups. Your girls won't know what Venice is really like if you only let them seem throngs of tourists pushing and shoving through the alleys and on the vaporetto.

How much have you looked into the night train? It's my understanding from other posters that those tend to be a pretty dreadful experience, not the romantic one you might expect from old movies. Good luck.

That's exactly what I've heard, too.

Yes to Florence 2 nights, Venice 1 night. Venice was a highlight for my kids when they were similar age. Wandering "lost" at night looking for the restaurant is still a favorite memory.

Venice is a must at night, spend one there. The music on the square is wonderful, although other tourists will be there, it won't be jammed as in the daytime.

Another thing to keep in mind about Venice is that it's one of the safest cities in Europe. You won't have to worry about your kids wandering around in the late evening, when Venice is indeed at its most magical. Do whatever you can to spend at least one night there. Good luck.

Thank you all for your feedback. I agree that getting "lost" in Venice can be quite fun and magical. I found a fantastic little shoe store that way on my first Venetian visit! Bliss!!
-I figured with the night train leaving so late we could at least be in Venice until approx. 9:30pm, however I am reconsidering the night train in favor of sleep and thinking of travelling by train during the day or else flying to Munich. I also thought that if we did stay overnight, it would be easier to stay on the mainland vs. hauling luggage off/on boats-or would that be missing the whole point of staying overnight IN Venice?

Hi Linda! I don't know if your girls are too old for this, but Amazon has a great "treasure hunt" book for both Venice and Florence. I got one for my 12 year old son when we went to Venice and he really had a blast finding everything and filling out the pages! http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Go-Europe-Treasure-Venice/dp/0977269906 Have a great time!

Linda It seems to me that you have answered your own question. Only you can know how important the overnight experience is to you and the girls.

I'd give up a night in Rome or Florence for a night in Venice. Just a day in Venice sounds stressful to me.
My kids slept both ways on a City Night Line train- we had a T4 couchette, and the younger one talked his way into a shower in an unused deluxe cabin. ( no showers for second class folks?) We adults didnt sleep much. Did not have great climate control in either direction Amsterdam to Prague, but not bad except for waking up when the train stopped in the larger cities to take on/drop off more cars or passengers.

I would spend the night right in Venice, if possible. Stayed out on the mainland once, and had to plan our time to get back to our hotel, and when we went to get the taxi, there was an impromptu taxi strike... finally found an independent to take us. Stayed in Venice many times since and it is magical. You can get up early and catch the sunrise near St. Marks.

I'd cut a day from Rome and definitely spend the night in Venice. The whole reason for staying over night is to experience Venice without the daytime crowds and you can't do that unless you stay on the island. It's more expensive but you'll make up for it on the night train. If you enjoyed summer camp, then the night train can be a similar adventure. We took 2 night trains in Eastern Europe --not the best night of sleep but the tradeoff was that we were able to spend 2 nights on the island of Korcula, which was as they say in the commercial 'Priceless".

I haven't travelled on a night train since I was between 12 and 15 years old, (40 now), but it was an adventure every time my family did it. It really made the trip seem exciting. I slept great, I don't know about my parents, but from the experience of a teenager, don't drop the night train. It is a unique experience.

I agree that the night train is an adventure for teens. They seem to love it (at least that's been my experience).

I agree with the folks suggesting a night in Venice and flying to Munich, as it isn't that difficult getting to Venice airport.