Florence, Rome, Venice, and ???

Posted by Larry (Toronto, Ontario) on 02/01/10 06:37 PM

We arrive by air in Florence Sunday morning, 2 May, and depart from Venice Friday afternoon, 14 May. We've seen and loved Florence and Venice, but missed Rome on our only other trip. Our grown kids (22 & 18) are accompanying us this time, and we'll be traveling by train in-country.

We definitely want to see Rome, and I think we have time for one or at most two other stops -- we don't like "drive-by" tourism. Any recommendations that are not too similar to our already-determined destinations, and that don't take us too far off-track? And in what order (the arrival and departure ports aren't ideal but what was available on frequent flyer)?

Thanks for help and insights!

Posted by Darcy

Lewiston, Idaho, USA

02/01/10 06:57 PM

2092 posts

What do you think of 2 nights in Florence to recuperate from jet lag and give your kids a chance to see one of my favorite cities, then 4 nights in Rome. May 8 to Siena for 3 nights, then to Venice for your last 3 nights?

Posted by George

Towson

02/03/10 10:04 AM

125 posts

You may want to consider adding Sorrento, perhaps after Rome and before Venice.

Last year I took my 24-year-old daughter for 12 nights from mid-May to early June. Initially I was going to do just Rome - Florence - Venice, but I couldn't live with taking her all the way there and leaving out Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

We squeezed in three nights in Sorrento (at Il Nido, recommended) and visited Positano\Amalfi\Ravello\Capri\Pompeii and I'm so happy we did. That was by a large measure her favorite part of the trip, the part she still talks about most. The down side was that it was a lot to pack into 12 nights. We were really tired the last couple of days or so but I'm so glad we did it that way.

In fact, I'm trying really hard to repeat this itinerary next year, with my girlfriend this time, and maybe going open jaw to eliminate one day of travel and checking in\checking out. :)

Good Luck!

Posted by Jim

Oklahoma City, OK, USA

02/03/10 11:06 AM

430 posts

What are your kids interests?

I like the suggestion that said 2 days Florence, 4 days Rome, to Sienna, to Venice.

If you/your kids are into history more so than ambience (Siena has ambience to spare)... consider cutting Sienna and spending more time in Rome -- use the time to side-trip to Pompeii / Herculaneum / Ostia Antica.

Posted by Sheron

Alta Loma, CA, USA

02/04/10 06:00 AM

1446 posts

I would stay in Rome for 5 days and take 1-2 day trips from Rome. Orvieto is a "must see" in my book. The underground tour there is interesting & the Duomo is beautiful, etc. I would also consider a day trip to Ostia Antica.

Posted by RB

Coraopolis, Pa, USA

02/04/10 08:22 AM

1018 posts

I would suggest spending a night or 2 in Florence to recover from the all night flight. I never sleep well on a plane and head to the hotel to sleep upon arrival. From Florence I would go to Sorrento or the Amalfi for 4 nights. Then to Roma for 5 days and finish in Venice for 1 night.

From Sorrento or the Amalfi you can see Pompeii, the coast. sail to capri, or just lounge on the beach.

In Roma there are all sorts of sights. A day trip to Orvieto, Valle Di Este in Tivoli, or CastelGandolfo would be easy.

Buon viaggio,

Posted by Marsle

Atlanta

02/04/10 11:40 AM

3262 posts

Hi Larry,

You've already gotten some excellent suggestions! I'll throw out a couple more you to consider--Bologna and Verona. Neither is quite a touristy as Rome, Florence or Venice and we've had some memorable meals in both cities. I also think that Siena is a great option.