Cheaper to do 2/3 enter hol or 2/3 mini breaks?

[medianewbie]

I've not travelled for a long time.

Before next summer I'd like to see Venice, Rome & Malta with my teens.
Our budget is 'shoestring' (at best!)
Is it cheaper to do 3 sep long weekends or try to do all in 14 days?
I have 14 days avail mid Jan 24', also avail late June / early July 24 (but might be too hot/busy then?)

Sorry, should be: '2 or 3 center' not 'enter' !

Flights have gone up considerably over the past couple of years so will be your biggest expense, although if you are able to be flexible and near an airport for cheap flights from Ryanair etc you should be able to get some good deals going hand luggage only for a few days.

If you were looking for a longer trip in January, it should be quieter in Venice and Rome and therefore cheaper for accommodation etc although may be a bit chilly in Venice especially. Have a look at flight options and see what works best price wise.

If on a budget you can get trains to mainland Italy.

Travelling from Edinburgh area.
Happy to take trains between stops.
Happy to only take hand luggage too.

Have seen a cheap week in Malta (£1k all in for 3 adults!) so wondered if could go via Venice / Rome on way there, but would only have another 1k available, so prob not ! ?

You can easily do Venice and Rome together. Cheap flights to one city, spend 2 nights, then train to the other city, spend 2-3 nights. Flight home. I would do
1 week Italy and 1 week Malta. if you combine it, it saves you one flight fare.

rome and Venice are busy and crowded (and HOT) in the summer!! Could you do March or April? January Venice is often flooded (but adds to the charme and Hotels are cheaper).

1k for 3 people for two cities is ambitious. You have to find very cheap flights and accommodation. Maybe even private room in a Hostel.

I've been to all 3 places, & I'd opt for most of the time in Italy. Perhaps check the possibilty of flights to & from Venice & Rome, & a train between. Might be able to do outbound to one & inbound from the other.
We spent a 2-week holiday in Malta, & was frankly bored before the end of week 1 !