Just returned and hope to get a trip report done before Christmas! Special thanks to loads of Forum members for SO MUCH great information over many months of planning. Also for very specific information and PM's that helped me tremendously: Roberto, Zoe, Ken, Sam, daisycan and Becky. 10 days in Padova with side trips to Venezia, Milano & Verona; 30 days in Firenze with side trips to Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Cortona, Arezzo, Bologna, Monterosso; 30 days in Roma with side trips to Orvieto, Assisi, Napoli, Pompeii, Positano. I did NOT want to come home!!
Also thanks to Rick Steves books and audio tours and Google Maps!