Rome for two days

I'd do Rome for 5 and Venice for 2.

Is that 2 full days or are you arriving or leaving on one of them? The top of my list would be the Colloseum (amazing!) and right next to that is the Forum and the Palatine Hill - you can use the Rick Steves podcast as a guide. Another must is the Pantheon - you can't go to Rome and not make time for one of the oldest buildings still relatively intact. You're already going to the Sistine Chapel so make sure you spend some time in St. Peter's Basilica as well. Then if you have any time left (not likely) you could try and fit in the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. Those are just the highlights - if you had more time I would also highly recommend the Appian Way and the San Sebastiano catacombs. And there's still more . . .

Camille, i suggest you book Ron in Rome for the day, you will cover a lot of the must see sites, and you will have a good time. I think Venice for 5 days is too much, i would spend a few nights in Tuscany instead or had to Rome.

Colosseum, Roman Forum (which are right next to each other). That is 1 day right there, you could squeeze in Trevi Fountain at night after dinner. Sistine chapel and St Peter's is another day. Ride a bus around to look at the rest of the city (and rest your feet). Assume you will come back.

It will be a busy two days, but worth it if you're up to fast moving! Although I completely agree that 5 days in Venice is TOO much, if you can add a day to Rome, great...if not, here's what we did...
Our first day we spent at the Coliseum (consider getting a Roma Pass to avoid ticket lines, go to the Coliseum early). Do the Forum and Palatine Hill after the Coliseum, spend the evening walking around the Pantheon (going inside really only takes 15 or 20 mintues)...then walk by the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Long day, but worht it! Day two...not sure what tickets you booked for the Sistine Chapel, but depending on what time that starts and how fast you want to move through things, we did the Sistine, Vatican Museums and St. Peter's in one day no problem. I think those are the most important sites (IMO) and it's a do-able schedule, consider locations and time frame.

I agree with the other posters. Venice is not that big of a place and you can see a lot very quickly on foot. To me, Venice is like a big Disneyland facade. The buildings are pretty to look at, but no one really lives there full-time anymore. Once the day tourists are gone, they roll up the sidewalks, shutter the businesses, and leave. Daily life, dealing with the flooding is difficult. The windows in the upper stories are by and large dark at night. A lot of the residences are secondary vacation homes of the wealthy. I asked.

Rome is far more spectacular in my book. There is so much more history to see and experience, and there is a vibrant nightlife after dark. If you can, split it 50/50, you won't regret it. It will make you want to come back for more. If you are only spending 2 days, then I suggest what others have said and hire a professional guide to take you around to see the highlights. Ron In Rome is a very good choice. Whatever the fee he charges will be worth it to you as you will get the absolute best experience with the time that you have. Otherwise, being in a strange city, you will tend to wander about aimlessly, trying to find the things that you wish to see and being at the mercy of public transit, or worse, taxi drivers.

Venice 5 days is defintely an overkill. Dont get me wrong- Venice is a very beautiful city- 1.5 days is more than sufficient to cover it all. Give 3 days to Rome- fascinating city with lots to do- Colloseum, Roman Forum, Palatine hill, Pantheon, Trevi- founatin, Spanish steps, Vatican & Vatican museum.
Spend 2 days in Cinque Terra or Florence (Uffizi & Pisa).

Hello everyone. Thank you for your feedback. This is our second trip to Italy. Have already been to Tuscany. We are returning to Venice specifically for the Festa Maria Della Salute and the Venice Biennal. Fell in love with Venice the first time we visited and felt the need to return and really get to know it. My hope is to someday return to Rome as well.