Hi all.
Anyone have experience adding an independent trip to Venice at the conclusion of the Heart of Italy tour? I feel it’s the one place I can’t go home without seeing on my first trip to Italy. I’ve pondered doing the 10-day Venice/Florence/Rome, but I absolutely don’t want to miss out on Cinque Terre.
I thought it might be worth taking the train and staying a couple of nights in Venice at the end.
Thoughts?
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3106 posts
We went to Venice after 2019 South of Italy tour and after an overnight drive to Calabria. Took the train from Naples to Venice.
Loved it so much that I’m going back this fall after the South of France tour. Taking the train to Milan from Nice for an overnight then on to Venice.
Venice is definitely worth a visit.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1892 posts
Looks like that tour ends in Rome. It’s an easy high speed train ride to Venice. Do remember to check both train companies to find the best fares and schedule that meets your needs.
The advantage to doing it at the end is you will have all the knowledge gained on your tour. Downside might be that leaving from Venice often involves an early morning flight.
Have a great trip!
Edit. Oops. Begins in Rome and ends in Florence. A shorter train ride.
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
Venice is so special - you’ll be really glad you went. If you stay at least three nights, you’ll also have time to visit islands in the lagoon: Burano, Torcello…
Posted by
11647 posts
Stay three nights in Venice at a minimum. Four would be even better. Cinque Terre is charming, but used to be much better before tourist mobs found it. When are you traveling? The Cinque Terre doesn't hold a candle to Venice; there's no other place in the world like it. Enjoy it all!
Posted by
585 posts
I went to Venice before I took the Villages tour and have been back three times since! For me if it was a choice between CT and Venice, Venice would win!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA
82 posts
We did exactly what you describe, but you really need to spend at least 3 nights in Venice.
After Heart of Italy tour we took high speed train to Venice and spent 4 nights.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Yes, Heart of Italy tour ends in Florence. Easy 2 1/4 hour train trip from Florence. A train every hour, not counting Italo. Do it.
Posted by
OP
Canada
19 posts
Thank you so much, everyone. It sounds like it’s an easy decision… Venice it is!
Waiting for the 2023 itineraries to open, and we’ll book in June of next year. Hoping things have settled down before we travel.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8953 posts
Lori, I just wanted to mention that, at least for this summer, making reservations far in advance made a huge difference in price and availability. I made my Venice reservation in 6/21 for 8/22, right after I signed up for my tour. I didn't need to pay a deposit and it was fully refundable. If I tried to make the same 3 night reservation now at the same hotel, I would be paying twice as much.