Hello All, We'll be in Italy from Aug 5 - Aug 14. I'm looking for the right split between Rome/Venice. Here's the plan I'd come up with until I heard from a few friends. A couple of people told me that there's much more to do in Rome, and that I could consider taking one day from our Venice plan and adding that to Rome. Aug 5 - Arrive in Rome at 9:10 AM, flying in from US, will be jet-lagged Aug 6, 7, 8, 9 - Rome (4 full days) Aug 10 - Travel day (take train from Rome -> Venice, evening in Venice)
Aug 11, 12, 13 - Venice (3 full days) Aug 14 - Depart for Paris around noon, flight booked I suppose there are no right answers here, but I'd be interested in other opinions. Thank you! Adarsh
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
It depends on your interests, but your plan looks good to me. I think Venice is the most enjoyable city in Italy for just wandering (on foot and by vaparetto)... it's amazingly beautiful, and it's nice to have time for enjoying that beauty. You could easily spend 2 or 3 days visiting major sights. I also enjoyed a couple of days there just exploring some of the smaller islands... which are quite different from Venice, and each has a unique character. And if you found yourself wanting something different, Padua is a short train ride away, with its amazing art.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
There's more "to do" in Rome, if by that one means designated activities (museums, ruins, etc). But what draws people to Venice is not just the designated sights - it's the atmosphere, the pleasure of just wandering around or taking boat rides to see the palazzi. And, if you're "bored" by Venice proper, you can take a boat to see Murano, Burano, Torcello, or the cemetery on San Michele Island. You can also take a train to Padova (wonderful), or further afield to Verona. So, your plan is fine. But, if you want to spend one more day in Rome and one day less in Venice, that's fine too (particularly since you will be jet lagged on arrival in Rome, but more alert for Venice). I'd leave it as it, because you don't know until you go how you will feel about each city. Some love Rome, others hate it. And some love Venice, and others hate it. I'd say most love both (or at least like them a lot) - which puts you back where you started, allotting almost equal time to each. So, this was a long way of saying - stay with your original plan!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11359 posts
Our first trip to Italy we did exactly this split (with other places in between) and it was just right. Nice that your departure from Venice is not early AM. Three full days in Venice gives you sufficient time to get away from the main tourist areas a bit. In each city you will no doubt make note of things to see and do "next time."
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Looks good. Go for it.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2129 posts
I agree ... stick with your current plan. Be sure to buy a 72-hour vaparetto pass in Venice so you can hop on & off at will, and visit less-touristy parts of the island (as well as the islands in the lagoon).
Posted by
Atlanta
4894 posts
Adarsh, do not short change yourself by taking a day from Venice. You really need at least three full days for Venice. In fact, since you will have most of Aug 5 in Rome (even if jet lagged), You might consider four full days in Venice. TC
Posted by
OP
SAN JOSE, CA, United States
7 posts
Hello Everyone, Many thanks for your replies; you're unanimous in your advice. I will indeed stick with my original plan then. Thanks!!
Adarsh