Italy - Rome trip but want to fit in some Florence - what would you do?

We have flights from LHR that land in Rome on a Friday at 2:25pm and then leave on the following Monday at 3:15pm.
I'm thinking it would be great to fit in a trip to Florence while in Rome so I was thinking of one of these options:

1) Do Friday and Saturday in Rome, then take an early train to Florence on the Sunday, returning back to Rome on a late train at night the same day.

2) Friday and Saturday in Rome, early train to Florence on the Sunday, stay overnight in Florence then train back to Rome Monday morning, followed by train back to FCO for the flight.

Which would you do? I'm tempted to just do a day-trip to Florence rather than staying overnight as it would be less stressful than waking up Monday morning in Florence with a flight leaving from Rome that afternoon...
Would a late night (10/11pm) train from Florence to Rome be fairly safe?

Sucks that Florence is kind of dead on Sundays. I´d sleep in Florence because I love it. Check the train schedules on trenitalia make sure they have a few options for morning departures.

I heard it is dangerous that late but it depends if you are traveling alone and your sex. I would do it as an adventurous 22 yr old male.... pshh.

Def. hit up Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo for the sunset. I doubt these restaurants open Sunday and specially now in August everyone goes on vacation. Try Il Pizzaiolo (best pizza I had in Italy over 2 months) or Da Il Latini for fiorentine steak.

Ah, this is for a trip in December if that makes any difference to it being dead / things not open in August?

Not sure I like the idea of the late night train if it's dangerous though... I would be with my fiance and wouldn't want to put her in a risky situation.

I was looking on italiarail.com and although they don't have their schedule for December yet, on a Monday in November they have trains we could catch that would be early enough with time to spare to make it back for the return flight.

...I heard it is dangerous that late but it depends if you are traveling alone and your sex...

..Not sure I like the idea of the late night train if it's dangerous though... I would be with my fiance and wouldn't want to put her in a risky situation...

Dangerous? :confused: Taking the eurostar between Florence and Rome? I've never "heard" anything regarding it being dangerous. What "dangers" are you referring to? If YOU were a single, young, untraveled female, perhaps any mode of transport in any city could be theoretically "dangerous" for you. But you're a couple traveling together, what is the "danger" you're concerned with?

I'd personally choose to listen to our Italian FTers regarding this, not someone in Florida (no offense intended, I'm just using common sense) - hopefully the terrific Italians who post in this forum will add their opinions as to the "danger" of taking a train at night. And you are aware there are now 2 train companies to look at, right?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy/1290707-high-speed-trains-ntv-new-operator.html

and of course

Trenitalia (http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080 a3e90aRCRD)

Regarding the question of spending a night in Florence, or just making a day trip out of it - it's very subjective. For me, I'd make a day trip out of it and avoid having to check-in/check out, pack/unpack a couple more times than if I just slept in Rome all 3 nights. I'm not very familiar with Florence (it's Rome I travel to often), but if Florence is indeed "dead" on Sundays, why not go on Saturday as a day trip? It's super easy since both train stations are within the cities' centers and the ride is only an hour and half.

if you leave your luggage at the end of the car, there is a possibility of it being taken. i would feel perfectly safe at that hour, and so would my wife.

why the driving urge to see florence. you familiar with what they have? would you drive cross town to see an early renaissance collection of art? stay in rome. there is a lot more to see in rome than out of a train window.

if you leave your luggage at the end of the car, there is a possibility of it being taken.

The ES doesn't stop between Rome and Florence so the hop on/hop off theft problem for luggage stored in the end of car area isn't really an issue for the OP.

W/that said - to the OP: unless you have been to Rome many times and never been to Florence, I wouldn't try to fit in a trip to Florence. Also, even in Winter time, 10/11 pm isn't considered late in Rome.