repost - Italy help please!!

I am totally lost on what to do about our last night in Italy! We had planned to stay at a villa outside of Florence for our last week, but I am unsure if we will make it to the airport in time for a 1:30pm flight out of Rome. Does anyone know if this is enough time? How long it will take to get from Florence to the airport? If it is better to stay another night in Rome and leave a day later? TIA for your help!

also replied on BHB.... avoid the trains. If you MUST use the trains, definitely arrive in rome the day before. We had massive train trouble, and arrived much later than planned in rome. It would ruin your honeymoon if the trains didn't run, or were late on the morning of your flight, and as a result, you end up missing the plane!

we won't even delve deep into the other train issues I've experienced there (extreme rudeness, people stealing our seats and refusing to get up, and the conductor shrugging it off - likely becuase he disliked tourists). That trip, FH and I ended up sitting in seperate cars on top of our luggage or on the floor for hours.

Frankly, the 'train stress' really damaged our vacation there... I'd avoid it....

If I were you I would spend the last night in Rome. Florence isn't very close to Rome and the Italian train system is less than reliable. The transit workers go on strike every other day and you don't want to be stuck.

There is plenty to do in Rome at night and you can relax knowing you don't have to stress about getting to the airport the next morning.

Thanks girls!

Is it better to stay in the city of Rome again or closer to the airport? How are the hotels near the airport?

The trains and buses aren't that bad. I'm sorry sweetie I didn't mean to scare you. If you are not pressed for time the trains and buses are fine. I recommend that you work with your hotel(s) or your travel agent on arranging day tours/sightseeing excursions with a local guide/tour operator. If you can pay for it in advance in American dollars bc you will save money rather than paying for it in Euro's.

DO NOT rent a car, especially in the cities (Rome/Florence/Palermo/ect). Driving in Italy is a nightmare. Very different from what we are used to. For example, they don't have to stop at red lights. Changing lanes, trying to get over is impossible. That is an added stress you don't need.

I'd book a connecting flight from florence to rome (leaving a couple hours connection time between arrival and departure).

Frankly, though, if it were my trip, I'd plan to go to rome 3 days earlier, book a nice hotel close to the spanish steps (within walking distance of most sites), and make it a second mini-stop!

We are staying in Rome for the first part of our trip. All the hotels we have booked, including the villa, have offered to help with booking tours for us. We will probably look into this since we didn't book through a travel agent.

I think just to save trouble, we will book another night in Rome and leave a day later!

Thanks again girls!