Italy 7 nights - Venice, Florence and Rome?

I think it should be no problem. More time would be great, but if that is all you have, you're OK. RS does the same tour at 3-3-3. The cities are only a couple of hours apart on the train.

Hi redsquint!
I'll just bet you're excited (!) but oh gosh you're going to get all sorts of different answers, and none of them will be wrong! Those of us who've already been tend to have our favorites so there's no definite solution here.

My own humble opinion is that yes, you're biting off too much. Figuring that you will kill 1/2 day between each city, that leaves you with 1.5 days for Florence, 2.5 days for Rome, and maybe only one good day in Venice depending on when your flight gets in. Add some possible jetlag/disorientation to that first day and, well, you get the picture? That said I'd be more in favor of 3 nights in Florence and 4 in Rome so you have a chance to take a breath.

"Highlights of each location" also tends to differ on everyone's lists. Florence and Rome are favorites of mine because of the wealth of gorgeous art: in the museums; in the churches; on the streets… I also have a big interest in history and architecture which applies to all of the "Big 3" but I especially enjoyed in Florence and Rome. Romance? No problem finding that in any of them either. You may have a different set of priorities and interests? Is there anything you can tell us that might help us make a recommendation for you?

One could easily spend all 7 nights in any of the three cities. My suggestion would be to only do two of the cities at the most. Perhaps Venice & Florence since they are fairly close together. TC

The answer to how much time is necessary is unique to each individual. You might think about how you travel in the US. Are you satisfied with a quick loop through a tourism site, or a quick visit to see a few "famous" pieces in a major museum – or do you prefer to experience sites at your leisure? Do you have a specific must-sees in the cities, and if so how many? Or you would you be satisfied with seeing the top few listed in any guidebook?

I suggest you spend a little time with a photo-based guide book – National Geographic and Eye Witness guide books are good for this type of thing – to list your must-sees in each city. That will help you decide whether you can fit all three cities into the time available.

My first visit to each of those cities lasted more than a week, but I find it painful to be rushed through a major museum, church, etc.

I would most definitely pick just two cities!!

All good guidance so far Redsquint! It is hard to appreciate in advance how much time and energy it takes to move from one lodging and city to another, even if the train ride itself is only a couple of hours. Packing, checking out, getting to the train station, finding your track and waiting for the train, train ride, then everything in reverse at the other end, is tiring and usually at least a half a day. For this and other reasons I would encourage visiting Venice and Florence this time, and leaving Rome and further south for the next visit. Venice and Florence are both unique, very walkable, smaller and more manageable than Rome. And, wonderful cities filled with things to see and do. It would be best to fly "open jaws", like into Venice and out of Florence, if you can arrange that, saving you any time lost to back-tracking travel.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I know the "answer" can really vary. I do have some idea of what I want to see in each city, there's at least 3 major sites in each place. I have an art and architecture background, so going to the galleries is a must. I don't want to rush through the sites, but I'm also not one to inspect and linger on every detail I come upon. I just want to take the atmosphere all in! However, that being said, I know there will be some art pieces and areas that I will want to enjoy more leisurely, simply because they "speak" more to me than others.

In Florence want (must) to do:
Accademia, Duomo, and Uffizi gallerie

In Rome:
Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican

In Venice (if we can work it in):
Rialto bridge, Peggy Guggenheim collection, St Marks, and Accademia

It will definitely be a whirlwind, but when you talk about cutting out a city and mention Venice I think that would be such a loss. There is no other city like it, and if only for a day or two to just see it.... You can relax on the train as you will be doing a bit of traveling.. My only other concern is that you have 3 cities... nothing in the countryside. However, it sounds as though you prefer museums and architecture to the villages. I would try to take in at least one vineyard tour from Florence just to have some time to relax and enjoy Italian life.

Guggenheim and Accademia are a short walk from each other, and St Marks is a pleasant walk over the Accademia bridge. I think you can knock them off in a day. Sometimes, we just don't have the time or wherewithal to have the "ideal" trip. We just do what we can. Remember, you'll be back. Now is the time to whet the appetite.

Good advice, Sam! You're right!....this is just the 1st trip. There will be more! And I'd love to visit the countryside, that will be for next time! :)

-Sonja

Haha! See? I knew they all be different! Actually, there is some good sense in doing Florence and Venice together because of their location.

It's probably the wrong time to throw this in but if you love art, you've left out THE gallery to see in Rome: Galleria Borghese. Honestly, we preferred that one to the mighty Vatican for it's excellent collection, crowd control, and wonderful setting in the park. The building itself is a piece of work!

O dear. Are you sure you can't squeeze out another couple of days? :O)

Just my personal opinion but I wouldn't drop Venice. My only visit to Venice was for a day and a half and I'm so glad I didn't skip it, sincerely hope I get back to spend more time in the future but who knows. As mentioned above you can see a lot of the 'main' sights in Venice in 1 or 1-1/2 days. I also personally enjoyed Florence more than Rome so I'm kind of with those who say do Venice and Florence and save Rome for when you have more time. 2 days in Florence wasn't enough for me so I went back for another 2 days on another trip. And if you spend more time in Florence you can take a day trip to one or more of the Tuscany villages as someone else suggested.

We did a whirlwind trip, 3 nights Rome, 2 nights Florence, 2 nights Venice, and then onto 2 nights CT and 2 nights Tuscany. We were careful about which days for which museums/sights and made sure we checked on closures. We did all train between Rome, Florence and Venice, no problem. I say go for it! Staying in Venice and being there at night was amazing, so much better than just a day trip.

I agree with Terry Kathryn and others, keep Venice, even for one or two nights. It is absolutely beautiful in the early morning and at sunset/evening. Get the vaporetto pass and relax on the boat. I use the pass just to "cruise" the Grand Canal at different times of day/night, just for the light. It's less than 2 hours to Florence by fast train from Venice, so worth at least 24 hours in Venice.

In Florence (2 or 3 nights), the highlights for me would be the Uffizi, Accademia, San Marco, Bargello, Piazzale Michelangelo for an overpriced drink and priceless views of the city, especially at sunset; you can take the bus up and walk back.

In Rome, my highlights are the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine (can be combined); Galleria Borghese and the park (you can stroll the park to Il Pincio, well-signed directions; have a look from the terrace over the beautiful Piazza del Popolo and then take the footpath down to the Piazza); the view from the roof of the Vittoriano (monument); the Vatican/St. Peter's; the Jewish Ghetto; Trastevere; the Pantheon; and a night walk through the centro storico to see the monuments lighted. Walk in to any church that's open (dress appropriately) and see magnificent artwork (favorites are San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Prassede, San Clemente, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva). You will probably have to narrow this list.

Whatever you decide, enjoy Italy and start planning the next trip on the plane home (I do).

Thanks for the suggestions, Zoe! Will definitely consider these. My husband and I talked it through last night and we decided to drop our day/night in London, and fly straight into Venice instead. It'll be a longer flight, but well worth it. This will give us 8 nights in Italy, so we can do the 1-1/2 days in Venice and then devote 3 nights to Florence and 3 to Rome.

Thanks everyone for your very helpful advice.

So excited!!.....did I already say that?! :)

Sounds like a plan!!!!
If you are interested in the Borghese, don't forget that you need to get a reservation for a 2-hour time slot. That's how they keep the masses to a minimum! Let us know if you need the booking website for that one?

I may not be the best advisor here since we didn't even make it to Rome until our 4th trip -- but this is way too much.

I would pick two and probably fly round trip to Rome and immediately go by train to the second stop -- either Florence (my choice) or Venice; I would spend 3 nights there which is only two full days and then train back to Rome and spend 4 nights there which would give you 3 full days and you would be in the city of your exit flight.

We spent 5 nights in Venice on our first Italy trip and it really wasn't enough but it was a good start. With only a week you would do well to just pick one -- but if you want to cover more ground than a 4/3 split of two locations gives you a bit of coverage and enough time in a place to get to know it a little. These are very rich destinations -- you can barely scratch them in two days -- one day is ludicrous -- it doesn't pay the travel cost and hassle IMHO.

Sure, Kathy, would love the info on the Borghese reservation!

Regarding the Borghese, if you use the Roma Pass, probably best to call them to make the reservation and let them know you will use the Pass if you want the Borghese to be one of your free sights.

Here you go, Redsquint:

http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/einfo.htm

Choose the "Pick-up at the Venue Box Office" option: they'll email you reservation vouchers that you bring along and present/pay for at the check-in desk before your time slot.

You have to choose a 2-hour slot, and be there 30 minutes or so prior to your entry time to check bags (mandatory) and whatnot. They only allow about 350 in people in for each time slot, and clear the museum at the end of that time. And contrary to what the site says, photography is now allowed in the gallery (no flash). The four Berninis are fantastic ("David" is my favorite over Michelangelo's or Donatello's in Florence) and take note of the fascinating, intricate trompe-l'œil details in most of the rooms. Villa Borghese - the park in which the museum is located - is a nice place for a stroll, and a welcome respite from the sightseeing crowds!

Yes, if you are using the Roma Pass, you have make your reservations by phone. Here's the info for that:

"Booking required, calling the number +39 06 32810 (open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm – Saturdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)"

Although I am definitely a 'less is more guy', as long as you're flying into Venice, spend 2 nights there. Then it's 2 hours via train to Florence. Here I will interject personal preference--you can't really do justice to either Florence or Rome with three days each, so I would stay 4 days in Florence, then a less than 2-hour train to Rome, stay there 2 nights and fly home from there.

We will be in Italy earlier in March for 10 nights on the last leg of a 17-day tour starting in Paris & Lucerne, and have based 5 nights in Florence & 5 nights in Salerno. That should give us ample time to lay back, take day trips or...maybe not. You're going to need that downtime despite your best intentions. I know, Rome is getting a little short shrift here, but what we did last trip for 2 nights was we stayed near Campo de' Fiori, grooved on the floral & vegetable market each morning, walked to Trastevere for pizza & the Jewish Ghetto--this was neighborhood Rome. Just fantastic. And then we took the Hop On Hop Off bus to the Colosseum and the Vatican.

And Florence? Hah, you won't want to leave after four days, trust me...

Thanks everyone! And thanks so much, Kathy, for the link and all your wonderful info. I knew this was THE place to get some advice on my Italy trip!

-Sonja

Number #1 piece of advice: Buy tickets ahead of time for ALL the galleries, museums etc....I would spend more time in Rome- it's a wonderful city with so much to see & Florence needs more than 2 days- maybe Venice will have to wait for another trip

You're very welcome, Sonja!

I agree with others, you can spend 7 days in each city. I also think you need to go to one or two cities. I know you want to see all three, but unless you took the 10 day Italy tour Rick offers, it really is not worth your time and money and time is limited. What people don't know when they have never been to Italy in general is that the best part of seeing Italy is not just the great cities, or the great museums but lingering in the Piazza's or having lunch or dinner sitting outside and having a long time having your meal and enjoying the people watching. It is not all about rushing from site to site and checking it off your list. You can stay the whole day at the Vatican, as there is the Vatican museum, St Peters ( which is huge and takes time to walk around and see) and the Sistine Chapel. You can go to several museums while in Rome, you can go to Borghese gallery ( need reservations) and go into many major churches that you will stay 10 minutes or 30 minutes. There is also the Forum, Colosseum which both take time to see and digest. Taking the time to go to the Spanish Steps, walking up the steps, going into the Church at the top. Going to the Pantheon, walking around into some of the shops and sitting outside and having a glass of wine while you look at the Pantheon as it is in a nice piazza. This goes for each city, Venice, Florence and Rome. Taking the time to see each city is the real experience. Rushing through it will be disappointing and frustrating. And of course the jet lag, the time to get to each city and each hotel and checking in and out and getting to the train stations. Sure 7 days you can but you won't see the cities. You could go to Rome and Florence ( easy to take the train between each city). Make sure you buy the Italy book or the city books for the cities you go go to. It will help you plan out your day. Make sure you book reservations if required at the museums you want to see. The David is necessary in Florence and that museum requires a reservation as does the Uffizi Gallery. I see that you understand you won't see everything, but understand you will spend time at each place even if you don't think you will, it is so amazing that you can't help but stay and see the churches, piazza's and just hang out! Have a great time!!!! Ann