We have 2 couples traveling to Italy in August. We arrive in Rome on a Sunday. Initial thoughts are to take train to Florence, spend 7 nights in Tuscany, then train to Venice for 3 nights and end in Rome for 5 nights. Does this make sense? Plan to rent car in Florence and stay in Tuscany. If there is a better order to do these in, let me know!
Posted by
Tinton Falls, NJ
792 posts
If you haven't purchased air tickets yet, why not fly open jaw into Venice and then out of Rome. Do Venice, then Florence, then Rome?
Posted by
OP
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
4 posts
We did purchase our air already, in and out of Rome. Love to ride the train, so that's not a problem. Also, want to make this as relaxing as possible! I have been to Italy before, but none of my fellow travelers have been. I want to ensure they see as much as possible!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
Personally I'd do 4 nights in Venice, 6 in Tuscany. Venice deserves three full days. Where are you staying in Tuscany? (Presumably not in Florence if you have a car.) If you need to commit to 7 nights for an apartment or villa or agriturismo, that would drive the decision. 5 nights in Rome is excellent! We like the trains, too, so don't mind flying in-and-out of Rome or Milan. In or out of Venice usually means a stop in another European city, and that's not necessarily as efficient as flying into Rome and taking the train to Venice or Florence.
Posted by
OP
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
4 posts
We are looking for a villa in Tuscany, so will probably have to commit to 7 nights there. Trying to figure out a good central location, so that we can do Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Cortona etc. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
I have friends who swear by Cortona as a base. I have not been there, having focused more toward Montalcino and Southern Tuscany and having skipped Florence last trip. I'm sure others on the Helpline can offer specifics.