My husband and I are traveling to Italy in March, flying into Rome and leaving out of Venice. We are staying the first three nights in Rome and the last two nights in Venice. We have 5 nights in between. We definitely want to spend at least 2 full days in Florence and we would like to see both Cinque Terre and wine country. Would it be best to take day trips to both? Or can we stay in one or the other for a night or two without wasting too much time traveling between? Any travel tips or recommendations would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5656 posts
Honestly, I think you're trying to pack too much into just 10 nights, especially if this is your first time to Italy. And March is a bit too early for CT, IMO. It's also too far to do practically as a day trip from Florence. It's 2.5 -3.5 hrs each way. I'd wait and do thus on another trip.
Spend 4 nights in Rome, to really get to know it. Don't forget that your arrival day is likely to be a jet lag induced blur.
Spend 3 nights in Florence. If you want to see a bit of Tuscany, you could day trip to Pisa, Lucca, or Siena, or join a wine tasting tour on one of those days. If you really want to do a second day trip, steal a night from Rome.
Then spend your last 3 nights in Venice. 2 nights will make for a rushed visit, but Venice is better if you take the time to savour it. Hopefully you don't have an early flight out.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Would suggest this path.
4N Rome.
So much to see, 3 nites only gives you 2 full days, and if jet lag hits you your first day could be "foggy".
4N Florence
With a day trip into Chianti. This one will give you a good overview.
Many day trips by train, Pistoia( medieval) Bologna (foodie paradise), Montecatini (spas &fountains) and Lucca (bike rides on the ramparts)
3N Venice.
Very good free walking tours in Venice.
http://www.venicefreetours.com
Go to Saint Mark's Basilica at 11:30 to see the mosaics shimmer.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12052 posts
Suggest 4 nights Rome, and 3 each in Florence and Venice. If weather is really nice and you feel compelled to see CT, it is possible to do day trip to CT but it means a day with 6+ hours on trains. You probably can find plenty to see/do closer to Florence that would be a better use of time than going all the way to CT in March.
Posted by
12 posts
I agree with the others. 3 stops is max as you lose precious time changing locations. You can spend 4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence and 2-3 nights in Venice. You can always day trip from Rome or Florence and go on a wine tour etc. Venice takes time to appreciate.
Posted by
12 posts
I agree with the others. 3 stops is max as you lose precious time changing locations. You can spend 4 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence and 2-3 nights in Venice. You can always day trip from Rome or Florence and go on a wine tour etc. Venice takes time to appreciate.