Venice vs Florence or both...in 2 days?

We spent the better part of 3 days in both. (Venice April 09, Florence Nov 09.) And still had a lot to see. And we were in the off season when the lines were almost nil.

You can sprint through either in one day. But will miss a lot.

Both are neat after the umbrella followers and day tripers leave.

Personally, I liked venice a little more than Florence. But not by much. And would love to return to both.

It's really a shame to spend a whole lot of money and see so little in so little time. Yes, you can this but between trying to catch trains and packing/unpacking you won't get to do more than one or two major sites in each city and then you're out of there. You could easily spend the two days in either city but it's your choice. It can be done.

I agree with the previous posters. you need more than twice as long in each city alone, the thought of spending one day in each actually gives me a headache. It's not how Italy is meant to be seen. you might get to see many of the "important sights" but you won't get to see anything else of either city at all - and in my opinion the cities themselves are the real star attractions. Pick whichever one sounds best to you - they are both wonderful for different reasons - and spend as long as you can. then when you get home, start saving and planning for the return trip when you will see the other one :)

Technically, yes you can. Technically, I could train to run a marathon. Ain't gonna happen, though.

What does the rest of your itinerary look like? Have you been to Europe before? How long is your trip? What are main interests for the two of you?

I first saw the Baptistry in Florence in 1998; I could STILL be there, barring those pesky guards...;-)

Good boy, James (patting head).

Now eat your pesto! (reference to another thread...)

We would never try to hit both of these cities in 2 days. Just pick one city and spend both days here.Yes Rick does have an itinerary for one day in both Venice and Florence but I think you would enjoy your trip more by just picking one city. We never (or very rarely) stay in a place for just one night. Too much time spent packing up, checking in and out. First visit to Venice 8 yrs ago was only for 2 nights and we just scratched the surface. We were anxious to return. Returned again in 2005 and spent 4 nights, 2006 3 nights and 2009 spent 6 nights in Venice before moving onto Florence for 5 nights. Had only been to Florence once before as a daytrip from San Gimignano and felt that we didn't see hardly anything. We, too, love to slow things down and really enjoy the places we visit and not just see how many places you can check off on the list. Buon Viaggio!

How was it staying in San Gimignano? We were only there maybe an hour or an hour and a half on a day trip out of Florence. And fell in love with it.

There were a few tables and someone selling wine up at the fort, overlooking Tuscany. I wanted to settle in there so bad...

Been to both Florance and Venice four times each. Both are so different. Would not suggest trying to see each for one day, to hard to do. I normally spend two nights and three days in each which includes travel time. Last time there was taking my family in July of 08.

Florance is my wife's favorite, lots of shopping in the open markets. Reasonable places to stay. My son loved it for the art and museums. Great food.

Venice, there is only one Venice. You can spend a whole day lost in the streets and never find your hotel. Much more expensive than Florance. It is just so cool to walk and walk and walk.
Dean

Definitely not both. Pick one or the other. I love Venice much more than Florence but Florence has the best sights/museums/things to do and see.

I would do one or the other, but not both in 2 days. You will see very little of either if you do this. Better to choose one and save the other for your next trip. Many people try to squeeze as many stops as they can into very few days and end up not see much of anything in the process.

if you enjoy packing and unpacking, riding trains, and the like then 1 day in each would be ideal. However for many people even 2 days isn't enough to really savor what these cities have to offer. "one busy day" is likely to turn into one exhausting day, with even less time than you expect once you factor in transportation time between cities. So if it was me I'd pick just one city.

Have you looked at the train schedules?

Take into account that though Venice is small, transportation is only by water and is slow. Unless you are going to spend many many euros on a water taxi, it can take you close to an hour just to get from train station to hotel.

Unless you just want a quick overview of either city and you never plan on going back to Italy, pick one or the other. Both places deserve more than a few hours. However, if you don't think you'll be back to Italy, then you can at least get a short feel of each city. Ultimately you have to decide what you want to see in each and if you have enough time to do what you want.

Thank you all for your responses and help in planning our trip! After reading all of your comments, we have decided to do two days in Venice, and we are very excited! Thanks again!
Kate

you probably are doing the wise thing with picking 1 day...Venice is my favorite city anywhere...

but just to throw out a differing view...if you started in Florence, spent the night there- eat dinner, food is better than in Venice...the next day hit the Uffizi, the Duomo and see the David sculpture...get on the train to Venice...get there 10pm maybe? Eat late- you're in Italy! This would be a problem...if you can knock out a little the previous day in Florence and then leave to go to Venice a little earlier...Venice- St Marks at night! Venice is pretty small and there is quite a lot that is close together in Florence. It all depends on what YOU want to see and do and your interests. Eat pizza for breakfast and gelato for lunch. It's your trip. Not running around is certainly more relaxing. I prefered the Accademia in Venice actually to the Uffizi. Maybe you will be lucky enough to return and visit Italy again. Have fun and do what you like doing.