Having second thoughts...

[BosoxI]

I have spent a lot of time in Venice and environs, as I still have family there. Love it but not so much in August when it can be beastly hot and not well air conditioned. Be prepared. Also, it I wanted to go from Venice to the south of Italy, I would be on a train, not a plane.

 

I empathize with the OP, as in my case I am finding it increasingly difficult to convince myself to leave home at all. I really wasn't looking forward to the recently completed Eclipse TA, but once on board, everything changed and I really enjoyed myself. Ya never know!

Edited May 14, 2014 by BosoxI

[CathyCruises]

We just did a transatlantic to Rome. Rented a car in Civitavecchia, spent one night in Florence, two in Bolzano in the Italian Alps, one in Salzburg, and two visiting a cruise friend in lovely Klagenfurt, Austria. Then spent the last two days and nights in Venice. A fantastic trip and if I had it to do over again would hardly change a thing.

 

BUT! Land travel in Europe is very expensive, even with me, the big bargain traveler. I'm sure we spent more on our 8 days land travel than we did on our 15 day Cruise, just for hotels and meals. So that's a critical factor to keep in mind.

 

The other thing is, I would really think twice about August. We were hot and sweating in Venice in May, can't even imagine the heat and crowds in the middle of summer. If you have any travel flexibility, I would go later!