A friend just told me Rome - Hands Down.. I'm waiting for why? Never been to Italy - Like out of the way places and getting to know the real country. Not especially attracted to cities but no issues navigating them for interesting trips. Museums / Buildings are nice but will not linger in them..
THANKS....
So don't pick Rome.
Wow it's hard to say, I love it all. If I had to pick one place to stay for the whole week it would be Sorrento and from there do day trips.
You say you have 1 weekend? I would not go to Rome, I love the small towns and countryside But Venice is wonderful (don't know how much you could see in a weekend.) I love just wandering around and for small towns I love Padua, Assisi , Verona, Orvieto, Siena.
and Think a weekend in Lucca would be wonderful. Let us know what you decide.
Hands down Venice. Wander off the main drags and you are in village Italy. Great food, wonderful visuals and one of the best places in the world to get really lost. And I mean lost. Finally you're just looking for a canal any canal to get back to your hotel. Love it. Rome can also be enjoyable and the historic center is doable over a weekend. But, naaaa, I'd be heading to Venice.
For a weekend? First time in Italy? I'd go to Venice too, for all the reasons Marie mentioned and more.
It seeps with history, it's ancient with narrow lanes and quintessential medieval charm. And it is a pedestrian town- no cars!! Get off the beaten path, wander til you're lost (you WILL find your way- t's an island after all- or a friendly Venician will stop to offer help; they just know when we need it!) It's half the fun of Venezia. It's not an out of the way place- it's a very popular destination, and for good reason. But in October the crowds will be manageable. Roma is great in a whole different way- big city, lots of cars, amazing art and food, ancient sites, Roman passion. But for a first (and short) visit in Italia, go small.
A weekend is not enough time for Rome. I would vote for Venice.
Instead of Florence, I'd choose Siena or Verona.