Timing of Greece/Italy portion of our itinerary

I would do the places with warmer temperatures first.

I don't think there is an appreciable difference in crowds between April and May in Italy or Greece. If you have any interest in swimming in Greece, I would put that last.
If it were this year, I could definitely not visit Egypt or Israel before Italy because of covid restrictions, but hopefully in 2022 that will not be a factor.

Considering the heat here is what I recommend:
I would do Egypt first and give it more time. Add Abu Simbel at a minimum.
Then Israel, Or Israel , then Egypt. Any interest in Jordan?
5-6 days on Santorini is way too much. It would be fine for Naxos or Paros. Athens minimum of two days which equals three nights. Four would be better.
Tuscany next. One location? Or Florence plus a smaller town? We prefer the Chianti region.
Rome last as you will probably fly out of there to US?

Thanks, everyone. At this point, we’re more likely to cut days or destinations than to add them. It’s already a long trip. Israel and Egypt weren’t even under consideration until we realized how short and inexpensive the flights are from Greece, so we figured, “Why not?” We’re treating them as add-ons and places we otherwise would be unlikely to visit, especially since I’ve been to Israel (and my wife doesn’t have great interest in going there; still, I think she’d enjoy Jerusalem) and neither of us have much desire to take an extended trip to Egypt. We would, however, like to see the pyramids.

I misspoke. We wouldn’t spend 5 or 6 days in Santorini. More likely three then Naxos or Paros. Or maybe just a full day in Santorini then Naxos or Paros (or the other way around).

We’d either start with Tuscany/Rome/Greece or finish with Greece/Rome/Tuscany. From Miami, it’s just as easy to fly to Pisa as it is to fly to Rome. Also, Athens or Santorini to Rome are easy, very inexpensive flights.

We'd likely start or finish in Tuscany: Two locations, probably Chianti and Montepulciano/Val d’Orcia. Very countryside-based. We are neither art nor museum lovers, but we do love food, wine (and opera) and gorgeous countryside. The idea is to immerse ourselves in these things in Tuscany; take in the area at a slow, relaxed pace.

We do come from South Florida so the heat in won’t bother us. Also, beaches would not be our main reason for visiting the Cyclades, but then again, we don’t want to be there when it’s too cool, either.

Hello Dave,
I would go to Italy First. April 17 is not in the winter season in Italy. Israel is totally different from the United States of America. Therefore travelers from the U.S.A. may feel more comfortable being at Israel after experiencing travel in other countries.
At Greece, I recommend being at the island Naxos. Naxos has more variety than at Santorini. In one of your days on Naxos, rent a car at Naxos town, drive it to the north side of the island Naxos. Go through the middle of the island. On your way back to Naxos town, drive the car along the Sea coast at the north side of the island. I would want to be at Naxos, five days. Traveling to islands of Greece uses time. At Athens, I recommend being there 2 whole days and 3 nights. At Rome, I think being there 3 whole days is sufficient, for most people. For me, being at Rome 2 whole days would be sufficient. I guess you will not walk through the art museum in the Vatican. If you decide to eliminate some days from your trip, I guess you would decide to not go to Egypt.

Hi Dave -
First thought was flip the countries - and do South to North, as you thought... Then I saw you are from Miami - so heat/humidity are probably not an issue. We found crowds in Italy and Greece manageable during our May visit. But manageable is a relative term.

While Tuscany is great - I might suggest deleting a couple nights there and adding at least one each to Athens and Cairo. There are so many sights to see and they are varied. Or drop a night (?or 2) from Israel - if you are really just taking your wife 'cause you want her to experience the country.

Sounds like a great cross section of countries and cultures. Have a great trip.

My preference would be to do Israel/Egypt at the front end of the trip, then Greece and finish in Rome to make getting to your return flight as logistically simple as possible

For the 5-6 days you mention for the Islands, I would try to do no more than 2 islands.

Have fun!

Egypt is best done in the Winter, so schedule it first. It will still be hot in April. Still, it will be wonderful. Take good hats and clothing to protect your skin from the sun.

Then head to
Israel, you should focus on Jerusalem with a short trip to Bethlehem and perhaps Massada.

Then,
Greece,
Santorini is wonderful, but it is a small island with no real beach and you can see the entire island in one day.
Athens deserved more than one or two days. Plan on a day just to see the Acropolis and nearby new Acropolis Museum. Also, plan on visiting the Archaeological Museum, and a day trip to Delphi and another to Sounion.

Then,
Italy, are you going to Venice, DO NOT miss it. While in Tuscany, spend at least 3-4 days in Florence. Also, visit Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and if possible venture into nearby Perugia and Assisi.

Rome is amazing plan on at least 5 days.

Delphi was on our radar. So was Nafplio, but that would be at the expense of Santorini or Naxos.

Quilter17 and Suki: What would you suggest for a second day in Cairo? See the city? Abu Simbel looks like it’s way too far away for a day trip. Luxor looks like it can be done as a day trip by plane but I’m not sure it can be done in a way that would be enjoyed (early flight in, late flight out).

Regarding the Greek Islands: I’m thinking of those days as very relaxing. I could see us getting a place for a few nights in Santorini and just enjoying the views from a hotel on the caldera.

@geovagriffith: We’ve been to Venice and a good portion of Northern Italy (Milan, Bellagio, Cinque Terre, Piedmont). We managed to spend four full days in Venice and go to one church and one museum. The rest of the time we wandered. In Piedmont, the only big city we spent any time in was Asti. The rest of the time we drove and walked around the beautiful countryside (and went on a truffle hunt and to a winery or two). So that should give you an idea of our travel style. That being said, we found the Duomo and the Last Supper in Milan to be well worth our time (we were in Milan for the opera).

Thanks,
Dave

drmiamiice,
Forget going to Luxor for a day trip, you would waste too much time on travel. The flight is over an hour, but you would spend 2-3 hours going to the airport and checking in for your flight (that is on both ends).

There is a lot to see in Cairo. Going to the Pyramids alone will take up several hours. Also, the Egyptian Museum on the east bank of the Nile is a must see. If you have time go to see the Step Pyramids (earliest pyramids).