Splitting hairs between Rome and Venice - Need advice!

Has everyone been to Rome before?

If not, I think you are trying to cram too much in. I would skip Venice altogether. Spending 1/2 a day traveling from Rome to Venice (including time to get to the train station in Rome, the actual train, plus getting from the train station to your hotel in Venice) seems like a waste of time to me, particularly on Option B where you are just staying there one night.

I would spend the 3 nights you have before your Tuscan Villa experience in Rome. Or if you haven't bought your tickets yet, fly in to Venice and spend the 3 nights there.

Hi Pam--

My mom, my sister and I have all been to Rome and Venice, although not since childhood for my sister and me. Unfortunately, we are not frequent travelers, and I don't know that we will be back to Italy for a very long time, if ever, which is why I'm trying to do so much.

Either Rome or Venice, but not both.

I think you are wildly optimistic thinking you can arrive in Rome Wednesday morning and do anything but get to accommodations and get settled. You'll probably find your party ready to go early evening. You may have a good flight, but you may find that no one got much sleep and you're ragged when you arrive.

My suggestion is that you arrive FCO, get a private car to accommodations in Rome and consider Wednesday as a down day. Wander around in the afternoon if you have time, then have an early dinner. Use Thursday and Friday to see Rome. Take a private car either back to FCO or one of the rental companies on the outskirts of town and drive to you Tuscan villa.

You've got 8 people in your party. Are you renting a van? Have you looked into the details? I'd also compare the cost of renting 2 cars. It may not be much more expensive and would provide some flexibility.

Keep in mind that by "trying to do so much", you will actually succeed in doing less, because of the time wasted on the train and getting yourself to and from the train stations.

Thank you, everyone. I need to go back to the peanut gallery to talk about our plans.

No, we are not renting a van. We are renting two SUVs--my sister is responsible for one and I for the other.

Oh my, this is no way to see either of those cities. YOu need to pick one, and then it's still not enough time.

Option 1: Arrive Rome Wednesday morning, take train into town and then on to Venice. on Saturday morning, train back down to Florence, pick up rental car and go to Villa.

Option 2 (more sane): Arrive Rome Wednesday morning, take train into town, stay in Rome until Saturday morning when you pick up car and go to Villa.

Keep in mind that either of these options only gives you Thursday and Friday in the "target" city, plus a little bit of time on Wednesday (when you've arrived and are jet-lagged) and then the time to pick up the rental car on Saturday morning. With eight people, you are going to move relatively slowly!!

Obviously it will take you much longer to get to and from Venice, so you'd have more time and less stress if you choose Rome only.

I think it would be almost criminal to go and spend one (!!!!) night in Rome on arrival (when you'll be too jet lagged to even appreciate anything) and two nights in Venice.

Thanks, everyone. We're going to stick with Rome. We think that will be more enjoyable for the kids. So, we will arrive mid-morning on Wednesday, and pick up our car mid-morning Saturday to drive up to Sinalunga.

Just wanted to add - with your group of 8 you are not going to be as nimble as if there were just 2 or 3 of you. Just getting everyone organized and out the door in the AM or to a bathroom or lunch stop will take more time than you think it will.

editing to add: We were cross posting but I'm so glad you changed your itinerary! I think you'll be very happy with that.

That's true, Pam. I definitely know that--this same group did Disney two years ago and the logistics were definitely a challenge!

Stacey, I'm so glad you've made this adjustment. I know it's tough to think about being so close (relatively) to Venice and not getting to go, but I really think you all will be much happier in the moment with this new plan and get to enjoy a little bit of Rome.

What time of year is your trip?

Hi Pam--

Because my sister won't take her kids out of school to go, we need to wait until school is out, so we are going the last week in June and first in July. I know it's a busier season, but my consolation is that I read that it's peak season for Tuscan sunflower fields! :)

Stacey