2 Weeks Itinerary in Italy

Regional Italian train schedules are not published online past June 14, so use a date before that, at the moment, to get a good idea of your choices. How to Look Up Train Schedules Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. It also includes the station at Roma Fiumincino.

You would save a little time by flying an "open-jaws" or multi-city itinerary, such as into Venice and out from Rome, rather than round-tripping from Rome airport.

Instead of Bologna, where the modern city can encroach on your experience of the old town center, I would recommend another, smaller-town stop close to your route, such as Siena, Orvieto, or Padova.

5 cities in 2 weeks is do-able, but a bit rushed. I'd probably switch the order of Florence and CT if it were me.

You aren't seeing the trains to/from Cinque Terre because only regionale trains go there, and they are only available to buy online one week ahead (best to wait until you get there to buy those). To find the schedules look at a date for next week.

You want to travel to Roma Termini (if you end up in Tiburtina just take the metro 2 stops to Termini). From Termini you take the Leonardo Express train directly to the airport.

5 cities in two weeks is a little ambitious, especially if two of your cities are Rome and Florence. If you are into the art, you are going to feel a little rushed I would bet. However, totally doable! The most obvious improvement to your plan is to fly open jaws and leave out of a different city than Rome. That will save you some time and (in my experience) money.

I agree that 5 cities in 2 weeks can be a bit rushed. However, I have to disagree with Laura about not visiting Bologna. We were there in 2011 and LOVED it! But that being said, we also loved Siena and Orvieto.

Angela's right about going to Florence first, then the CT, then Rome. Otherwise you end up backtracking on the train. I would plan just an overnight in Rome on arrival and then straight to Venice (assuming you can't get open-jaw flights into Venice and out of Rome), and end with several days in Rome.

I really enjoyed Bologna. It doesn't have any major tourist attractions, but the historic center has some worthwhile places to see and I loved just walking through the streets. There are many fewer tourists, lots of international students. Definitely good for 2 nights and one full day. And the best food in Italy, so it's said.

Yes, you are "skipping" some charming towns (including Verona - one of my very favorites), but you can't go everywhere.

I"d fly into Venice and out of Rome

I agree with previous posters, if you can fly open jaw, into Venice and out of Rome that would be ideal. Venice would be a great place to get over jet-lag and ease into Italy. My husband and I followed a similar itinerary 3 years ago, flying in and out of Rome. Starting in Rome was a little overwhelming for us. Also, we took the night train from Rome to Venice to try and save time, and that was not an experience that I would like to do again. Like I said, if you can fly into Venice and out of Rome that would be ideal.

Thank you for all your tips, unfortunately, I have already bought the air tickets to return from Rome, they were on a discount but I shall give it a try to convert it to open-jaw flights and if it is cheaper than a train ride back. And thanks for the suggestions on Siena, Orvieto, or Padova too!