We are planning a 16-day, 15 night trip the first of April (tentatively 4/6 - 4/21) next year and I have no idea where to start!. Italy is my dream vacation. We are getting married 12/30, so this will be our honeymoon. I know I can't see it all, no matter how much I want to. I'm just going to hope I get to come back. We were originally going to do Rome and south because Pompeii is an absolute must-see for me. But, we have discovered my fiancé's great-grandmother immigrated to America from Varese. His great-grandfather came from somewhere in that area too. So, now he would really like to go up there. He would give it up for me, but I don't want him to have to do that. We would also like to see the Dolomites. So, now it looks like we'll do Rome and north. I love history, ancient culture. He loves nature.
Here is what I was thinking:
Day 1 - Fly into Milan, head to Varese. Overnight Varese.
Day 2 - Varese and area. Overnight Varese.
Day 3 - Head to Val Gardena or Castelrotto.
Day 4 - Dolomites. (Overnight) the Dolomites are more of a drive around and look how pretty it is. Not hike or anything.
Day 5 - Head to Venice
Day 6 - Venice
Day 7 - Venice morning. Head to Florence.
Day 8 - 10 - Florence and day trips
Day 11 - Head to Rome.
Day 12 - 15 - Rome. Day trip to Pompeii.
Day 16 - Fly out of Rome.
Is this reasonable/a decent itinerary? A good time to travel? Any thoughts on the Dolomites? Any other places we should definitely see/sub in? He loves the ocean (he's a sport fishing captain), but my plan is to do the Amalfi Coast on a future visit (fingers crossed), so that's why I left off Cinque Terre.
I'm overwhelmed with information and need to get a basic itinerary planned out before I do a deep dive. Thank you!