Originally Posted by Pizzaman
Thanks for all the comments about what we should try to tackle in 7 days. From a purely uninformed perspective, Venice seems to have more to do than Florence proper (the area around Florence seems very robust, though). It just feels a little wrong to go to Italy for the first time and not go to Venice. What if we just did Venice and Rome? Is this conceivable in 7 days without losing my gourd? I don't mind moving around when I travel.
I agree with your perception that it would just be wrong to go to Italy and not go to Venice!
That's not a bad idea. There's lots to see in/around VCE - including just sitting in the cafes absorbing the atmosphere while you nosh on biscotti or tiramisu (which is unbelievably good there!!). And obviously it's easy to kill 3 or four days in Rome alone. You might find this a more enjoyable way to spend your time without feeling harried rather than trying to cram everything in to one week.
Or, you could rent a car straight from FCO airport and drive yourself to Venice and enjoy the scenery on the way. By doing this you you'll be on your own time schedule and not have to worry about clearing customs and making the train on time etc. Also, there's a highway right there so it's pretty easy to find your way around (unlike figuring out city streets which sometimes look more like alleys). Either do a one-way drop off, or rent it for the week and leave it at/near the VCE train station. Then when you're ready to move on to Florence, you can go at your own pace if you keep the car or you'll be able to catch an easy train connection. Either way, it's all about making it convenient and therefore more relaxing and enjoyable.
If you choose to rent a car I absolutely do not recommend driving it in the big cities. Find a drop-off point in the suburbs and make your way into the city by other means.
DD