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June -12 day Italy itinerary

We are visiting our daughter who is studying in Florence this summer. Here is what we are thinking. Im interested in feedback on this itinerary and would like advice on day trips from some of these locations as well. We are thinking train between stops and hiring private tour guides for day trips.
June 20- arrive in Venice
June 21 sleep in Venice
June 22 - Sleep in Venice
June 23 travel to Barga (using Marriott points to stay at Renaissance) Sleep In Barga
June 24 - sleep in Barga
June 25 - Sleep in Barga
June 26 - travel to Florence sleep in Florence
June 27 - Sleep in Florence
June 28 - travel to Rome stay in Rome
June 29 -stay in Rome
June 30 -stay in Rome
July 1- travel back to Venice and sleep there
July 2 - fly home

Other places we would like to see but don't want to cram too much in (Pisa, Cinque Terre, Assisi, Siena)

Thanks for thoughts-

Posted by
637 posts

I strongly suggest avoiding back-tracking by flying into Venice and then flying home from Rome. That would give you a little more time for a day trip from Florence or Rome. Siena is a great day trip. I don't think there's enough time for Cinque Terre.

Posted by
11818 posts

Do you have Rick Steves’ Italy guide book? For first time visitors he does a great job of laying out itinerary ideas for places like Venice, Florence, and Rome based on how much time you have. He also gives day trip ideas and his rating system might help you zero in on what is important and appealing to you.

Personally, I like to decide what I want to see and do in a location and then decide how many nights to allot. You can go either way but if there is more in Rome that you want to see the in Venice, shift a night there.

Flying in and out of the same city has drawbacks and you kind of waste a night having to travel back. Can you fly home out of Rome? If not, and if your flight arrives Venice quite early, you might consider taking the train to Rome upon arrival and putting all your Rome nights at the front of your trip then end in Venice saving on one check-in/check-out experience.

Posted by
2580 posts

Is this your first time visiting Italy?

You’re visiting your daughter in Florence, but only spending two nights there. Which only give you one full day of sightseeing. I guess I’m confused on why so many nights in Barga and so few in Florence. You have no time for day trips from Florence. Are you intending to day trip from Barga? You really don’t have much time for day trips.

I would also strongly recommend flying out of Rome instead of backtracking to Venice. International flights out of Venice are often VERY early. This presents challenges with transportation to the airport. You may find yourself staying at a hotel near the airport for convenience, therefore wasting a full vacation day.