Going Through Customs

Yes...immigration (passport control) and customs in Rome. The Rome to Florence flight is domestic so you won't face either in Florence.

Oh, you'll probably have people tell you that it's better to take the train....but....in this case....it's not.

so I do need to get my bags once we land in Rome? and then recheck them through to Florence?

We are flying Alitalia, which is why i was hoping someone would tell me that i had to physically get my bags in Rome and then recheck them through. I kind of feel like a little kid holding a toy, saying "NO! MINE!" I REALLY don't want a hassle on this trip.

Steve, sorry, you looked this one up wrong.

Linda, you will get your bags in Rome. You are entering Italy in Rome thus go through customs at your first port of entry into a country. (Steve, check your geography, Florence is also in Italy.)

A flight between Rome and Florence is a domestic flight.

Once you get through customs in Rome, there should be a counter that will allow you to recheck your bags onto your next flight. You will have to go through security again.

When you check in at ORD, Alitalia should give you your boarding pass for the Rome to Florence flight assuming you're flying Alitalia for that leg.

Hello
Just a quick tip, which I'm sure everyone is aware of. On your return, don't pack any favorite liquids like wine or liqours in you carry on bags. Pretty obvious, but sometimes overlooked if you are not checking any bags. We knew all about the liquid/gel rules but stupidly packed a nice bottle of melon liqour in our carry on. At the screening in Rome they didn't seem to have a problem with it so we thought all was well, until we changed planes in Amsterdam. Then our bottle was confiscated along with many many others from other travelers. One of the downsides of not checking bags. Totally our fault and something we should have thought about before, but just forgot about.

Steve, thanks for correcting the spelling on your post above.