Passes to buy

[Tony]

What passes are recommended for 2 full days in Venice and 3 full days in Rome. Also, as I mentioned we have 3 full days in rome do I use one of those days to go to Pompeii (and back) or is that too much and we'd miss out on Rome?
Tony

 

[JMichael]

I guess it depends on where you are staying and your pace of sight-seeing. With just two days in Venice, I would not purchase the Venezia Unica card. Instead, I would get individual, timed tickets to the Basilica San Marco and the Doge's Palace (Secret Tour). If you want to visit Murano and or Burano (which will eat up most of one day) then a one day vaporetto pass would be worth buying. Myriad churches offer opportunities to see fantastic works of art for little or no entry fee. With 3 days in Rome, a visit to Pompeii sounds too far afield. You might consider nearby Ostia Antica if you want to see ancient, excavated ruins. Not as impressive as Pompeii, but wouldn't shoot a whole day.

 

[GailS]

More information on what you are interested in would be helpful, but JMichael is spot on with pre-booking times for sights that tend to have long wait times and/or require pre-booking like the Secret Itineraries Tour in Venice. For Venice, the "Best Fares" system will allow you to tap to pay and not pre-buy a day or 2 day pass ahead of time. While I love walking in Venice, taking the vaporetto can save time on a short stay. I'd also agree that a trip to Pompeii may not allow you to see much of Rome. If art or sculpture is of interest, pre-book tickets for the Galleria Borghese in Rome. With limited time, also consider making dinner reservations ahead of time so you don't wait and can eat where you want.