Florence or Rome for Christmas?

Lori, Are you flying from CA? Will you be jetlagged and worn out when you arrive? Is that an entire week on the ground in Italy? Where are you arriving? Are you planning to fly open jaw, or do you need to return to your port of arrival for departure?

I recently returned from Italy, spent 3 days in Venice and more in Florence. I haven't been to Rome. The train from Venice to Florence takes less than 3 hours, you may need to allow an hour to get to the train in Venice, but probably less than 1/2 hour from the train in Florence to your hotel.

Venice was more to my liking, riding the vaporetto (water bus) and watching the city float by, very picturesque by day and romantic at night. The art in Florence is wonderful, so many museums, amazing collections. I felt I barely scratched the surface in 4 days.

I'm sure others will tell you not to miss Rome.

Even if you have 7 full days and lots of stamina, that's really only 2 days per city and one day of travel, Venice to Florence to Rome, with packing/unpacking and checking in/out. You will probably enjoy it more if you stick to 2 cities of the 3.

Lori, I also think you should only do 2 cities in this amount of time. What is your family interested in? Florence is fantastic for great Reniassance art, but perhaps this will not be a highlight for your teens. They might prefer seeing the Colisseum, Trevi fountain, Pantheon and other ancient historic sights in Rome. I know it's a longer train ride between Venice and Rome than going to Florence -- but I definitely would not skip Venice. Plus train travel is fun and a different experience than we have out here in California.

We are arriving by CNL into Bologna for nine days. I hope the overnight train will take care of the jet lag. We are flying out of Milan. The family wants to eat pizza in Italy and go light on the museums. I was told the Trevi Fountain is not to be missed so I thought to expand the trip to Rome.

I vote Rome. I think esp for teens, Rome. The Coliseum, the carnage, the Vatican - I think that will be better for teens than Renaissance art in Florence. Not to mention the Vatican is like a two for one deal with Rome. You can take them to the Cappucin Monks Crypt for that strange ick factor. I just think for adults and kids alike, Rome has more variety and more WOW. Not begruding anything of Florence, because Florence is amazing - but if I had to choose....

I'd with Amy and would vote Rome also...For teenagers it's great town with a lot of variety. In addition, at XMAS you have the Vatican influences, the XMAS markets, and special displays.... but I would probably drop Venice and do Florence instead.

I say that because Venice is not pretty when it's cold, rainy, and wet - all possibilities at XMAS. To me Venice is a great "outdoors" city and December is just not the time to see that city in it's best light... I say save it for another trip - and yes, we ALL seem to come back!!!! So do Venice in the spring or summer - and then you can enjoy the water, the trips between islands, etc... I've been to Venice in the cold, rainy weather and it just was not the same romantic, beautiful place we enjoyed on other trips... just my two cents!

But with only a week... certainly NO more than 2 cities!

BTW, we LOVED Bologna!!!!

Ciao,
Ron

From Rome to Milan, I think ALL the trains go through Florence and Bologna. So you might want to stop in Florence for one day/night without an extra burden on your travel time.

A few weeks ago, someone here suggested taking the 4 pm train from Florence to Milan, which continues on to Zurich, if I'm not mistaken. This train is supposed to be much more comfortable than the Italy-only trains.

My wife and I spent last Christmas in Italia, visiting Venice, then Florence (for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), then Siena and Rome. Full itinerary details can be found for your planning use at my Italian travel blog. Buona natale & buon anno!

All three in a week is definitely doable. Re: Rome, LOVED the sights and sites, HATED the city, as we later found out many people traveling around felt the same way. Two days is good here - Vatican, colosseum, Roman Forum (a must!). Venice was so much fun (BUrano is an hour a way and fascinating) and Florence is great - see the Uffizi and Michaelangelo's David. Your hotelier can reserve both for you. Have fun

Lori, I've done all three in 8 days. It's doable but I vote with Ron about saving Venice until later. There's plenty to see in Florence in addition to the art. Definitely take them to the Capuccin Crypt in Rome. Italy always seems to be the "once in a lifetime" trip that turns out to be a "first in a lifetime" trip. Throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain and rub Il Porcellino's nose in Florence and you'll be back.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It makes me brave and excited for all the possibilities. I will let you all know how it went. Thanks again. P.S. Gio went to your blog and loved the detail in the itinerary and the pics too.

I agree with Ron. I lived for several years in Chioggia, which is 30 miles south of Venice. Venice is definately an outdoor city and it will probably be cold and rainy at Christmas time. On the other hand, the weather in Rome should be a little milder and the sites there are not to be missed. The city itself is fantastic.

I also vote for Rome over Venice. Venice will be miserable at that time of year. And with Rome you'll never run out of things to do even if there's lousy weather.

Do not miss Rome!!!! Rome at Christmas is beautiful

Me, personally, I'd go with Venice and Florence, but then I'm not a great fan of Roma, even though I realize one has to visit the Eternal City at least once, and that there are sites there that can be found nowhere else in the world. As far as cities go, I find Venice and Florence do-able, magical, and so full of history and art and life...without the frustration. Rome seems like most other big cities, to me.

And thanks, Lori--glad you liked the blog! (:

I have always wanted to be in Florence for Christmas... I think it would be magical.

I'm with Ron too. Venice in the cold and winter is NO FUN. I live 40 miles from Venice, and even I don't go in the winter. Unlike Florence and Rome ther are no 'big' indoor sights to see.
What about: Blogona to Florence to Siennia to Rome?

Hey, Lori. Thanks! I say Firenze: just magical around the holidays, although certainly a bit quieter than Roma. As for Venezia, I know the weather isn't as good as further south, BUT we spent 12/23 and 12/24 in Venice, and it held a certain charm and excitement: beautiful lighting, excited crowds, locals shopping, wonderful services...and while hours were shorter at sights, there were also NO lines to speak of. I would visit Venice again at this time of year, no question, as would my wife. That being said, the weather is an unpredictable factor. We had about 35 to 40 degrees, with only a very light drizzle for a few hours. Since we're from Chicago, seemed like a heat wave, to us.

Right Gio, one thing I think you have to take into account about Venice, more than perhaps any other major European city, is the crowds that engulf the city during the main tourist season. (due to all the cruise ships that dock there) I plan to visit in mid November next year and am willing to trade a few days of rain perhaps, for an uncrowded city. I was there in late Oct a few years ago and we had some sprinkles and gray days, and few of lovely sunshine, and though the sunshine was wonderful, the other days were fine also. Others who have experience with the city at Xmas are more knowledgable about that month to be sure. But I enjoy living as a temporary citizen of all the cities I visit, so slogging through crowds of tourists on a lovely sunny day isn't that much fun to me -- though with kids it may be worth it, at least for the first time.