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Italian Romance: 5 Nights in Venice & Florence on Points!

Dreaming of gondola rides and Renaissance art? You can absolutely experience the romance of Venice and Florence without breaking the bank! I recently planned a 5-night Italian escape for myself and my partner, focusing on maximizing points and miles for flights and hotels. Here's...

Italian Romance: 5 Nights in Venice & Florence on Points!

Dreaming of gondola rides and Renaissance art? You can absolutely experience the romance of Venice and Florence without breaking the bank! I recently planned a 5-night Italian escape for myself and my partner, focusing on maximizing points and miles for flights and hotels. Here's a quick look at how we pulled it off, and how you can too!

The Game Plan: Flights & Stays

The key to this trip was booking flights and hotels strategically. We snagged roundtrip economy tickets from New York (JFK) to Venice (VCE) on Delta for just 30,000 SkyMiles per person plus about $50 in taxes and fees. This was a sweet spot redemption, especially considering cash prices often hover around $800-$1000 this time of year.

For accommodations, we split our time: 3 nights in Venice and 2 nights in Florence. In Venice, we stayed at the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, redeeming 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. This was a fantastic value, as cash rates were easily $300+. In Florence, we opted for the Hilton Florence Metropole using 50,000 Hilton Honors points for two nights, a solid redemption considering its convenient location and amenities. Remember, booking award nights in advance is crucial!

Your 5-Night Italian Adventure

Day 1-3: Venice - City of Canals

  • Morning: Arrive at VCE, take a water taxi (a splurge, but worth it for the experience!) or the Alilaguna ferry to your hotel. Settle in and immediately get lost in the charming streets.
  • Afternoon: Explore St. Mark's Square, visit St. Mark's Basilica, and climb the Campanile for panoramic views. Don't miss the Doge's Palace!
  • Evening: Enjoy a classic gondola ride (negotiate the price beforehand!) followed by cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and wine at a bacaro in the Cannaregio district.
  • Tip: Wear comfortable shoes! You'll be doing a lot of walking and navigating bridges.

Day 4-5: Florence - Cradle of the Renaissance

  • Morning: Take a high-speed train from Venice Santa Lucia to Florence Santa Maria Novella (book Trenitalia tickets in advance for better prices, around €30-€50). Head straight to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David.
  • Afternoon: Climb to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome at the Duomo for breathtaking city views. Wander across the Ponte Vecchio, browsing the jewelry shops.
  • Evening: Indulge in a Florentine steak dinner (Bistecca alla Fiorentina) and explore the Oltrarno district for artisan workshops.
  • Tip: Purchase museum tickets online in advance to avoid long queues, especially for the Uffizi Gallery (which we skipped on this short trip to save time).

Getting Around

Venice is all about walking and Vaporetto (water bus) passes. In Florence, the historic center is very walkable. The high-speed train between cities is efficient and comfortable.

Budget Snapshot (Points & Miles Focused)

  • Flights: ~60,000 SkyMiles + $100 taxes/fees
  • Hotels: ~100,000 Hyatt points + 2 nights Hilton points
  • Trains: ~$100
  • Food & Activities: ~$700 (this is where you'll spend cash, but can be managed by eating like a local and taking advantage of free walking tours!)

This itinerary is designed for those who want a taste of two iconic Italian cities without overspending. Happy travels!