14 days, first time in Italy - is this itinerary logical?

Karen, to start with your last question, I'd argue for staying in town, particularly with the age range of travelers. If your toddler needs a break, being able to easily get back to your room for a few hours and rejoin the others later could be a real blessing. And with the size/composition of your family, I'd suggest considering an apartment, particularly in Venice. It would save money on lodging and meals, and probably provide more space. The RS guide to Venice lists a number of hotels that also have apartments to rent. The CT and Venice in a week strikes me as a little aggressive, but it depends on your travel style. And I'm not sure what the weather in the CT would be like in April... might be a little cold; perhaps others can comment. Day trips to some of the islands surrounding Venice might provide a nice interlude for your children.

I agree with Sherry. Less is more for a trip like this. Great decision to stay a week in a villa in Tuscany! Rather than totally crossing the country from Venice to the CT, why not spend the 5 nights in Venice? We were there for 4 nights in October and really wish we'd had one more night. You can cruise the Brenta Canal, go to the Laguna islands on a vaporetto. Googel "Venice for kids" and you'll come up with plenty of non-museum ideas. We are returning in December, and I am looking for an apartment. Stayed at a B&B last time and while it was great, I think an apartment will serve us better. This site http://viewsonvenice.com looks promising. Although I haven't rented there yet, I am exploring. You may wish to as well. An apartment is a great idea especially for a family. Stay in Venice, by all means! Do not stay in Mestre. You might save money, but you'll pay for it in lack of convenience. With a little one, being able to go back for a rest is essential. (It is for me too!) Venice is endlessly fascinating, and as Sherry said, the CT may be a little difficult in April, and with a very small child. It's great to see, but really the only activities are hiking and hanging around the piazza.

Karen, One point regarding the rental car is that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year and easily obtained at any AAA office. A GPS along with a good Map is also highly advisable. I'm assuming everything is booked already? In the same situation, I'd probably use a combination of train (Milan - Venice - CT) and use the rental car just for the Tuscany portion, as that area is not as well served by trains. You could rent the Car in La Spezia when you're leaving the C.T. or wait until you get to Siena. This would be a more efficient method and would reduce your travel time and perhaps allow a bit more touring time. You might consider starting in Venice (the train ride from Milan is only about 2H:35M). From there to the C.T. (travel time as short as 4H:41M, depending on which train is used). After that to the Villa by car and then return to Milan / MXP by train for the flight home. This are a few suggestions on the way the trip could be structured.....

Another factor to consider is your 3-year-old. Maybe I'm a nervous parent (and my kids are now both the age of your oldest), but I would not find time in Venice with a 3yo enjoyable, as I would feel I'd need to be holding on to her the entire time out of concern that she's wander over the side into a canal. A stroller is probably not a great option for either the Cinque Terre or Venice. In Venice, all of the bridges involve steps up and down. You can carry the stroller over the bridge, of course, but you could be doing that every 20 feet or so, depending on where in Venice you are. In the Cinque Terre, you could have a stroller IN the very small towns, and on and off the trains, but for most of the hiking trails between the towns, a stroller wouldn't work. Just factors to keep in mind. And also, how does the 14yo feel about a week Chianti? Might be kind of quiet for her. Consider time in Florence. Our daughter (11yo at the time) loved everywhere we went in Italy, but would probably put Venice and Rome at the top of the list. But she also enjoyed Florence. Full of tourists, but easier to get a stroller around.

I would skip the Cinque Terre on this trip. It is out of the way and would not be easy with a child in a stroller. With a car, Venice is a problem. My suggestion would be to base yourself in Verona. Get an apartment that would accommodate all of you that has a place to park the car. You could take the train to Venice. If you didn't want to take the train (1 hour trip) the whole way, you could drive closer and take the train the rest of the way. Maybe there is a parking lot in Venice that I don't know about, since I didn't have a car there. You would also be able to explore Verona and there are other places nearby, like Lake Garda. I really enjoyed Verona and think there is plenty to amuse your 14 year old. It will be a challenge to find things that will make all age groups happy! You really only have 5 days if you are spending a week in Tuscany. The less you move around for lodging, the better off you will be. Have a great trip!!

" Is CT too much for a 3 year old, likely in a stroller? " Neither Venice or the CT area are suitable for a stroller.