Okay so we are doing 10 days in Italy in late September, first time for both of us. Current plan is Rome (4 nights), Florence (3 nights), and either Venice or more time in Tuscany/Cinque Terre.
Here is my dilemma. We did Bruges two summers ago and honestly loved it but I kind of feel like I already got the “canals + pretty old town” experience? My husband says skipping Venice on a first Italy trip is “blasphemy” and I’ll regret it. I say Venice sinks under day trippers and I’d rather chase pasta in Bologna or hike Cinque Terre.
For those who have done both Bruges and Venice, am I crazy for thinking they scratch the same itch? Or is Venice a totally different animal that I shouldn’t skip just because I’ve seen another canal city?
Also open to Bologna as a replacement if anyone loves it. Just don’t want to cram a 4th base city in and burn out.
Venice is Venice, but it’s also crowded and costly; but does get quieter at night.
I wouldn’t compare Venice to Bruges in any way at all but if your way of thinking is ‘I’ve done canals and old towns’ you’re going in with completely the wrong mindset.
If landscape and discovering wine villages is ‘your thing’, spend more time in Tuscany.
Late September is grape-picking season.
Bologna is worth a visit, as is Modena, Parma and Turin; but then they’re all Italian cities with piazzas and old churches.
I’m sure you can see what I’m getting at. They may have a similar itch, but they can’t be scratched the same way.
Your husband is right :-), and if you have such a romantic husband you are lucky. Sailing up the grand canal into Venice at sunset or anytime is a memory that will never leave you. There is something about Venice. You only need one day and night if you are just there to ‘see it’ for the atmosphere which would allow you to still go to Bologna or even Cinque Terre from Florence. I would start at Venice from Rome and work back to Florence if going by train.
Honestly, Venice and Bruges didn’t feel similar to me at all. Venice is chaotic and touristy, yes — but also completely unique. Getting lost in those tiny streets early in the morning or late at night feels magical in a way that’s hard to compare to anywhere else.
For me, Tuscany is always number one — especially in September. The food, the wine, the scenery, the romance… it’s the perfect time for everything
I would say you can do somewhere like Verona and do Venice as a day trip. I loved hiking around Italy like you mentioned. A couple spots were closed the year I went so I was limited but still worth it.
