one day in Pompeii and one day in Florence or 2 days in Florence?

Assuming you'll also be going to Rome. (That might be a big assumption. They're in opposite directions. That's a bit of back tracking. It may be your only trip. Let's hope not. Where do you draw the line on all those fantastic things you want to see? Do you rush around to see a quick glimpse of different things. And the inside of lots of trains. Or one area a little more and savor it a little more. My undergraduate degree was in anthropology/archaeology so I was attracted to Pompeii. But we opted for Florence. Followed in the footsteps of the Renesance. There's lots of archaeology in Rome. And not just the coloseum and forum. It's almost everywhere you turn. But, either direction could be very interesting. BTW we were afraid our 1st trip might be our only one. We're heading out on our 3rd soon. 1st was Paris, Bruges, Venice. Then Rome/Florence, Next Germany and back to Paris. And we're already talking about #4, hopefully next year. Either the UK or back to France (Loire, Dordogne, etc) It gets addictive. Have fun.

Hi Gaby! - Some may say this is like comparing apples to oranges as there is really no comparing the two and it really boils down to your interests. Having said that, if I knew I would never ever return to Italy, the last thing I would want to do is spend the day looking at the remains of people who died horribly. I have never been, so I really shouldn't down Pompeii based on what I THINK is there, because I'm sure it's interesting and historic in its own way. I have personal friends that went and raved about it. And I'm sure I just caused a riot among RS readers who love it also. Having been to Florence, and LOVING IT (and therefore being a little biased), I think you can find more history and culture and passion there than Pompeii, and in a much better setting. You could hit the main sites in your 1 day (if you choose to go to Pompeii, and if you make the needed reservations) but it will feel rushed and you will still miss alot. Although you still might not see everything you should, a 2-day schedule let's you take it all in at a more leisurely pace. The mistake I made when I first went to Italy is that I assumed I had to see everything while I was there (because I thought I'd never return) and while I enjoyed it thoroughly, I wish I had put time in my schedule to just soak everything in. As it is, I'm returning. Who knew? Anyway, if it were me, Florence would win hand down (unless of course after Pompeii you were going to Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, but that's a whole other post...)

Tough call if I knew I was never going back, we keep going back to Italy and have a long list of things we want to do on future trips. What do you like to see more, ruins or museums? Where would you be coming from and where is your next stop?

i saw on another post you made, that you are going to be in rome as well. From rome, pompei is a great day trip. The biggest thing i learnt is that it is no fun changing locales every day or two. Try and plan your itinerary around staying in one place for 2 or more nights, and taking day trips from there if necessary. For example, from florence, its an easy day trip to pisa, lucca, siena, or many other small tuscan hill town by bus or train.