Is 7 days enough for Rome, Florence & Venice?

Randy, Kent is right on target. It is suggested that you have 2 full days in both Florence and Venice in addition to travel time. With this type of schedule, you can see the best of many sites before having to store your luggage and head for the train. You will miss some good sites. One hint is that you can travel in the early evening. Both Rome and Florence train stations have staffed luggage storage and the journey from Rome to Florence is 1hr 40min. Florence to Venice is 2hrs 40min. Make sure to notify your hotel about a late arrival.

Note that the train to Paris from Venice takes 11.0hrs-12.5hrs depending on the run. This could chew into your 6 days in Paris. There is a night train from Venice to Paris that leaves at 8:07pm and arrives at 8:47am the next morning. If you can sleep on a train couchette, it could work.

Or, you can fly. Both EasyJet and Vueling are inexensive airlines that fly from Venice-Marco Polo (VCE) to Paris-CDG.

We can answer your question only one way: NO

I agree with the above posters. You are trying to pack way too much into far too short a time, especially if you factor in travel time. Although 6 days Paris sounds fine. I think you will come away feeling that you have short changed yourself and won't get a feel for any of the places you visit in Italy and that would be a real shame. You may consider cutting out Venice and spending 4 days in Rome and 3 in Florence but IMO I still think that's way too short a time in each.

Be sure to give yourself a rest day after every six days of travel, especially if you're over 30! Have a wonderful trip!

Randy-

It almost sounds like you're trying to condense Rick's "Best of Europe" 22 day trip into 15. Rick's planners time everything- and have all the transportation connections "spot on". We loved Paris... but if you drop Paris, you'd have 4 days in Rome, 4 days in Firenze, 4 days in Venice, fly to Amsterdam, 3 days there- and a little time to breathe!
Or... do 6 days Rome, 6 days Paris, and 3 days Amsterdam.... you'll feel like you got more out of each stop- we've (in 6 trips) spent 18 days in Rome, and still have things to see, 8 days in Paris (ditto). Savor the time.

I appreciate what you're all saying, but we do plan to return and also want a nice primer on the major cities. I am certainly well aware that we won't see or do everything, but that's okay.

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In Rome, we're planning on doing Rick's "Rome in Two to Three Days" Itinerary, but without the Borghese Gallery or the National Museum, instead taking a day to relax and enjoy just walking around.
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In Florence, we're planning on visiting the Uffizi one day, and Accademia the next, and taking the rest of the time to again relax, enjoy the city, meander, etc.
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Venice shouldn't be a problem with 2 days from what I've read...
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That give us 5-6 days in Paris, and we're planning on doing an abbreviated version of Rick's 3-day Paris tour, leaving ourselves time to walk around, hang out, etc.
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I totally understand that we're going to miss things. But I have found that vacations are better when you focus on what you will see, instead of what you'll miss.
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Comments?

Randy people have already commented on your itinerary. You're trying to do too much. It's your vacation and if it's what you want to do than go for it. You know your limits better than us.

Hi Randy: I wonder if it might put it in a better perspective if you 'talked' nights versus days. Two days could mean one night; deduct travel/check-in stuff, & it doesn't leave a lot of time for touristy endeavours. In about 6wks we're doing Amsterdam/Holland-4nts, Paris-4nts, Venice-2nts, Rome-4nts, and will not feel rushed yet see a lot. I know the terrain reasonably well, which helps, but if you're shooting for April/May travel, you want to start booking lodging/etc asap. Clarify days vs nites, though, and the well travelled folks on this site will give you a no-fail itinerary; take advantage of the Personal Message feature of the site and reap the rewards. My thoughts on your itinerary; maybe knock 1 or 2 days off Paris, fly Venice to Paris (have never done that route but assume it exists), and you're off. I, for one, think your itinerary is doable (with adjustments) but you gotta get the whip out.

Good idea.

DAY 1: We arrive Rome 8AM. All day in Rome, sleep in Rome.

DAY 2: All day in Rome, sleep in Rome.

DAY 3: All day in Rome, sleep in Rome.

DAY 4: Spend day in Rome, take evening train to Florence, sleep in Florence.

DAY 5: All day in Florence, sleep in Florence.

DAY 6: Spend day in Florence, sleep in Florence.

DAY 7: Early morning train to Venice, all day in Venice, sleep in Venice.

DAY 8: All day in Venice, sleep on overnight train to Paris.

DAY 9-13: Paris

DAY 14 + 15: Amsterdam

Randy -

While I think this is a "doable" plan, it is still an awful lot for such a short time. I'm of the opinion that so long as you don't try to see everything, and make an effort to simply enjoy the cities, it would work. If you try to see every major sight in this time frame you won't really "see" anything. You'll just be running from one museum or piazza to the next without experiencing the cities.

Thanks - we'll take that advice to heart. I think we're considering this trip a 'first taste' of Europe. We don't plan on running ourselves ragged or trying to see everything the first time out.

Randy,

Its been said already - you've got a lot here; it is quite doable though. With your updated itinerary, you might drop one day out of Paris and add one in Venice. This at least gives you one day there where youre not traveling. Also, as someone else posted, many do Venice 3 nights/2 days. Much depends on your personal endurance level, but Venice is much more enjoyable if youre not rushed. It would take several week trips to see all there is of Paris, so dropping a day on your "first taste" isnt a big deal. Just means there is more to see when you return.

Enjoy your trip!

Hi Randy,
In my opinion your trip is fast-paced but totally doable. Make sure to look into the travel time (plane or train time, etc.) so you are aware of how much time you'll actually have to sightsee. Then make your decision. Would you prefer to be on the go and see more places or stay awhile in one place and take your time? This is a personal decision as everybody has their preference. Taking a plane or a night train from Venice to Paris would definitely help a lot. I am taking a trip this summer and, though we'll be spending more time elsewhere, our time in Italy will be less that yours.
Best of luck and have fun!
Kristy

Randy, by the sounds of it, you already have your open jaw flight. I will add my humble recommendations. See the Borghese gallery over the National Museum. Make your res ahead of time (they allow you 2 hours only). Then spend the rest of the day exploring Rome. In Florence, you can hit the Accademia in the morning (have your hotel make reservation) and then explore Florence, grab lunch and then head for Uffizi (have your hotel make these reservations). Then take the rest of the time to again relax, enjoy the city, meander, etc. Take an early train to Venice which should not be discounted or missed. Best of luck in your planning!

Hey Randy,
I'm planning my first trip to Italy in June. We have 10 days and are doing this:
Flight from Greece into Genoa/3 nights Cinque Terre; 3 nights Florence; 1 night Orvieto; 3 nights Rome. This is, I've been told, doable but very "full." You're doing three major cities in three less days? I might rethink this. Skip one city and assume you'll be back someday. Also, having visited both Paris and Amsterdam a few times, I can tell you that two days in Amsterdam is not nearly enough..for me anyway. Loved the city. Make sure you visit the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijks, Anne Frank's House, Rembrandt's House. Try to catch the comedy show "Boom Chicago." Hystarical and so worth the money. Also - make sure you go to an Indonesian restaurant. Lion de Tyger is one of the best. As for Paris, you can easily spend 5 days in just Paris. Forget about the "surrounding area" on this trip. Paris is amazing! You've picked some of the best places in Europe - I'm sure you'll have a great time. :)