If you had to give up one day of activity ...

It would depend entirely on the rest of the itinerary and which was the most out of the way. I would most likely give up the day on Capri if it didn't make any difference to the rest of the trip, or Verona if it is the most out of the way location.

I'd give up Capri.

Hi David, I am not actually qualified to answer your question, as I have not gone on my trip to Italy yet, but just an opinion . . . the reason why I want very much to go to Capri is because of Anacapri, which is the higher part of the island. Weather permitting, I am really looking forward to the chairlift ride up to Mt. Solero and a boat ride around the island, which I heard is absolutely beautiful. I heard, however, that Capri itself is mostly noted for upscale overpriced shopping, plus it is quite crowded in the busy season. So, if you are into the sites of Rome and opera (Verona), I would give up Capri. I wouldn't mind seeing an opera, but that is not high on my personal list of things to do and see. Some people really love opera, or want to experience it in Italy. Best wishes making a decision, and Buon viaggio! Ruth

David framed the question as "which would you choose" not "which should I choose", so no need to try to second-guess what he would want.

How can we possibly know which of these is more important to you? You have thrown out three completely disparate activities hundreds of miles apart. Really, David, how can you expect a sensible resolution from us for that question? Which one do you want to throw out?

You have asked a fair question, Birmingham. In answer, I offer an analogy to asking a waiter for a recommendation on a manu. He or she cannot know my personal likes and dislikes, but can advise me as to whether something is over-hyped or tarnished because it is too touristy(Capri?), a hidden treasure (a short food shopping tour on Rome?), nice but not worth the detour (opera in verona?), or something I had not thought of at all.

David, as your waitperson, I would suggest keeping the day in Rome. If you haven't considered this yet, your food-and-leisure ramble could include a visit to the Jewish Ghetto in Rome (Rome has the oldest documented Jewish community in Europe). You can enjoy a King David (Re David) pizza while you're there. Rome has so many things to do. Trastevere contains some beautiful early Christian churches, for example, and the views from the Janiculum (Gianicolo) hill are wonderful. If you like opera, keep Verona. Capri is beautiful, but depending on when you are there, Anacapri can be fogged in, and that seems to be a focus for your visit.

I was leaning to vote Capri off the island anyway and then I read Zoe's post. If you hit a day with bad weather there you will be sorry you missed out on the day in Rome or Verona, especially since your question indicates you don't have much preference for any of the choices. I love Verona and encourage you to spend as much of your day there as possible, there is a lot to see (skip Juliet's house).

I wouldn't walk across the street to go to the opera, but that's just me...................

As your waiter, Capri is not worth the time effort in YOUR schedule.

This is really helpful. It looks like Capri is being voted "off the island." If this was another game show, I wonder if Capri would like to phone a friend. Does not seem that anyone wants to speak up for her. Also, I am not a particular fan of opera, I was listening to a podcast Travels in Italy in which the fellow doing the podcast raved about the opera in verona to the point it was #4 in his top 10 things to do in the whole country. I looked at google images, heard people enjoyed Verona and became interested.

Verona is very cool whether you go to the opera or not. But seeing one, especially a spectacle like Aida, in that Roman arena, and being part of the crowd scene, is pretty amazing. We sat in the cheap seats and did not stay for the whole thing (it went on too late for us) but we had a great time. People treated it like a rock concert, lighting candles and lighters at the start. I will never forget that sight.

I too would nix Capri. Even though I am not at all a fan of opera, I would take the opportunity to see it in Italy and especially in Verona.

So David, by asking others which they recommend least you have discovered which you really would like to do. Go to Capri.

Mille grazie to everyone who has replied. I haven't used a forum like this before and have really enjoyed the experience. At this point, I do not feel at all bad about skipping Capri and am encouraged about seeing the opera in Verona. Nigel I appreciate your psychological approach to my question. If you want to learn more about decision-making, you might try to get "How We Decide" by Jonah Lehrer or "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman. Kahneman's version on this question would be to flip a coin, then see how you feel about the now forced choice. This taps into your emotions. If you feel bad about the choice, it suggests that you wanted it but were unaware. Since the choices amounted to 6 of one and half a dozen of the other, this would not have helped. Hearing what other travellers have experienced, on the other hand, has helped me. Anyway, this

Not totally qualified to answer, as have never been to Capri and my visit to Rome is still two weeks away, but I have been to Verona and did see the opera Aida while there. It was one of the most amazing evenings of my trip and although I am not a huge opera fan in my hometown, seeing Aida in Italy under a starry August night sky was magical. The Italians love their opera and show their appreciation by calling out "Bravo", "Bravissimo", when appropriate, settling down to a hush when the action begins again in anticipation of what's to come. Just to be in such a place of history, with a people of such passion was worth every Euro I paid for my marble stepped seat. (24 Euro) At the conclusion of the evening, the house spilled out into the piazza and into the coffee shops, wine bars, and gelato shops, milling about. There I was at 1 AM in Verona, gelato in hand, and aglow with the buzz of Aida in my head, in a Veronese piazza . . . the stuff dreams are made of. My vote = Verona :)