15 nights in Italy with kids

Yes, it is too much, especially if day 1 of the 15 is your arrival day and day 15 is departure. That gives you 13 full days.
I would approach it by thinking of what specifically in each place you want to experience, and then prioritize places based on that. What drew you to put that place on the list. Once you have an idea of why you wanted to go, this should elevate some over others. Geographically, you are stretching yourselves thin. Lake Como is an obvious outlier, and maybe Venice too, unless you dropped things to the south. For major cities like Rome, you will want at least 3 nights and 3 full days there. I found 2 ½ -3 satisfying for Florence (arriving midday and then having 2 ½ days there). But I also had the specific things I wanted to experience in mind when I calculated how much time I would want, to enjoy it, feel immersed and not rushed, but not feel like I stayed too long at the fair.

I am glad you realize flying into one city and out of another is usually the best plan. Most people opt to fly into Venice, as it is a nice easy place to get over jet lag. Also, flights out of Venice tend to be very early in the morning, meaning you may be starting out at 4 AM.

Rome is a good place to end your trip and usually has the most flights out. Keep Florence/Tuscany in the middle.

As far as where to go, enlist your kids help in deciding. Watch videos, read guide books, let them choose a place that interest them, too. It will make your life easier.

When choosing where to stay, don't stay for one night, try not to stay for two nights often, either. You can waste a lot of time packing up, checking in and out of hotels, and train travel. Make use of your day trips instead.

While I am not the Italy expert (you will find many on this forum), I will say you are trying to do too much in that amount of time. Narrow it down. My children and I visited Italy last year and in that amount of time we were in Salerno (Pompeii, Paestum, and Amalfi Coast) for 4 nights, Rome for 5 nights, Venice for 3 nights (we should have done at least 4), and Milan for 2 nights. You could replace Milan with Florence adding a night from Rome, but I think you would be very hard pressed to add in an additional location.

As other members of the forum will tell you. Start by prioritizing what you really want to see. We had to drop Florence from our itinerary when we did this. Do not spend less than 3 nights in any city. You will regret it. It is exhausting to move from one city to another. Don't forget to factor that in.

Also, don't forget to read Rick's Italy book. You will find many fabulous bits of information and suggestions there.

Happy planning!

Are you the great parents! You don't say how old the kids are which certainly should be part of the decision process. Sorrento is a wonderful place to use as a base. There are areas for swimming. The Amalfi Coast is a bus ride, or (even better) boat ride away. Capri, also by boat (go early and leave before the last boats just in case there's no room). Pompeii is an easy day trip.

You could fly into Rome and train to Sorrento or, if possible, fly into Naples for an easier commute.
Rome is a place unto itself, as is Florence and Venice. There's so much in Rome to see and do! If you get tired of one century just turn the corner and you have several others to chose from!

Florence in the summer is very hot and humid but is a great home base for side trips to Siena, Lucca, Cinque Terre. Florence is museums and churches so the kids may get a bit tired.

Venice is no day trip. But it might be a great place to spend a few days and then fly home from there. Venice is SO different it might be interesting to the whole family. Night time at San Marco, with the orchestras, is great fun - just don't sit down (really expensive drinks). Go from orchestra to orchestra and sing and dance along with everybody else.

Whatever your schedule, Italy is a great family vacation! Enjoy this special time together!!!!

Not knowing the ages of your kids, or your interests, it's kind of a shot in the dark but here is what I've done several times.

1. Travel.

2. Arrive Venice. Jet lagged day.

3. Venice.

4. Venice.

5. Venice-Tuscany. Rent car and drive to agriturismo. There are things you would need to be aware of if driving in Italy.

6. Tuscany.

7. Tuscany.

8. Tuscany-Florence. Drop car.

9. Florence.

10. Train Florence-Naples.
    Train or private transfer to Sorrento.

11. Sorrento.

12. Sorrento.

13. Sorrento.

14. Train Sorrento-Naples-Rome.

15. Rome.

16. Rome.

17. Travel home.

An option would be Florence-Rome, then Rome-Naples and fly out of Naples. I think however you'll get better priced air out of Rome.

lindyschuch, I don't know where you live but even if you live in hot parts of the US, Italy is very hot in summer. Heat is oppressive in all of your destinations with the exception of Lake Como, so be prepared for a lot of breaks and beach time. AC in public buildings, stores etc. is not that efficient as in the US. In summer I would certainly prefer Lake Como to Tuscany. I go to Italy in late September, October or May and sometimes even then it's unpleasantly hot. Sorrento is a nice base for Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi coast (where is Positano), Naples. Then Rome, then Venice, then Lake Como, fly out of Milan. For Sorrento the best is to fly to Naples , the second best - Rome.

Thanks for all the input. So here is a little more information. Our kids are 9 and 13, both girls and great travelers. We are going May 31st so While I know it will be warm I am hoping to beat the big heat.

This is just a suggestion. We did Italy with our young daughter. Fly into Venice. Train to Florence. Consider adding one or two of the following - Siena, Assisi, Orvieto, end in Rome. If you want to do the coast - I hear Capri and Positano are gorgeous - I can't help you.

Exactly how many nights will you have on the ground in Europe--not counting the night on the plane?

We have 15 nights in Italy.

Also my husband and I are doing a trip to Florence Cinque Terre and Siena in the fall so we plan to explore that area more on our own

You need more than three days in Rome. I have been there twice and spend a total of 12 days there, and I didn't see it all.
I don't know how old your children are.

I lived overseas and traveled with my kids for several years. Once kids are 11 and older they basically can take in adult places like museums pretty well. However, I remember when my son was 7 and 30 minutes in a museum was too much for him.

My kids loved the gondola ride in Venice and going up the tower at St. Mark's square. They loved the Coliseum in Rome and were in awe of the Sistine Chapel (even my 7 year old son).

Capri, we did the boat ride to the Blue Grotto. They were fascinated by the plaster forms of people in Pompeii.

Don't overextend yourself, I suggest eliminating Lake Como.