Rome, Florence/Tuscany...skip Venice?

I've never been to any of the other locations but I've been to Venice. Needless to say I was able to see all of the local attractions in a day but didn't travel to some of the islands near by.
It was something I appreciated but would be fine with skipping over from here on out.

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We are debating on the whole whirlwind shuffle: 2 nights in Rome, 2-3 nights Florence, 2-3 nights in Venice.

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id do this

Id see as many areas as possibly. Id do 3 in Rome, 3 in Florence, 2 in Venice

I wouldn't rush Rome, there is a lot to see. I bet it's better in the offseason TBH and the Vatican is probably nice during Xmas. Not as hot and not as many people. Split up the popular stuff so you can really enjoy it

Not as many landmarks and such in Florence, but it's the kind of place you want to have a few days to soak in, just walk around and explore without a real itinerary, eat and drink etc. And it's a good locale to do a day trip (Siena is awesome, i enjoyed it more than Florence tbh)

Never been to Venice but even if you get 1 night there, it would be cool to see another city

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The sites would be better during off season if there is one

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December is definitely off season, although you get a little spike of people coming in for XMas.

Thanks for the info guys, the debate continues.

I've been kind of liking the idea of just doing Rome and Florence, because it would give us more time to wander, explore, and take day trips if we desired. And it is a good bit less expensive to skip Venice. However, I was bummed about skipping Venice a bit.

Still thinking.

There is a high speed train from Rome to both Venice and Florence. Cinque Terre is cool but I prefer Capri. Additionally, winter in Cinque Terre can be rough along that coastline and the weather can be quite chilly. In Rome I suggest a convenient spot. On one of my trips there I stayed at the Hotel Universo. It is three blocks from the train station (Roma Termini) and most of the sites are a nice downhill stroll from there (the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain...which connects to the Pantheon and later to the Piazza Navona via a pedestrian walk). Campo di Fiore is just across the street from the Piazza Navona. The Vatican is a cab ride from there though. By high speed train, Venice and Florence are day trips from Rome for me. Both can easily be seen in a day during the offseason in terms of the highlights. Use the internet or get the hotel to set up a private tour guide for each including meeting you and dropping you off at the train station (Florence has two, just FYI) in the city you are visiting. IIRC, it's just short over an hour and a half each way. Additionally, you can take a train south to Naples and do Capri/the Amalfi coast/ or Pompeii. Rome is an old dirty city but it is one of my favorites. Any way you slice it, have a safe trip and enjoy it.

9 days counting travel days is not enough time to visit 3 cities without running yourself ragged. If you have never been, Rome is a must. I would spend at least 5 days there. Venice is one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth and you can get a good feel for it in a couple of days. It is more about experiencing the ambiance rather than having dozens of things to do and see. I would save Florence, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre for next time.

I was thinking 3.5 days in Rome and 4.5 days in Florence with at least 1 side trip.

Bunchie, I just got back, spent a week total in the Tuscany region (Florence and Siena). Im in the food and wine biz so I enjoy that type of thing, did 4 different wine tours, ate a the Michelin starred places, did all the main attractions etc.

Did 3 days in Rome, but Ive been there before. Florence is great and I hate even having to pick a side, but I think you'd be better served doing more time in Rome. Dont sell yourself short there if you spending the money IMO. The history and the attractions there can keep you busy, excellent restaurants, all that jazz

It's going to be a knock out time regardless. Just throwing in my opinion.

Would love to get a rundown from you and some recs.

I was thinking of a day trip to Modena to go to Osteria Francescana but not sure if that will happen.

I've got a lot of things in mind restaurant wise in Rome, just started looking at Florence.

Really not sure we will be doing Michelin star everything like we have in France and England. Really looking for a more relaxed type of thing.

I haven't been to Italy.

If you are taking a spouse/girlfriend, I recommend visiting Venice too. Way more atmospheric and romantic than Florence. Walking back to hotel in Venice around 4 am after the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010 was unforgettable.