Almost completed itinerary. Thoughts please :)

Wow are you gonna be busy! And have tired feet. Looks like a wonderful trip you are planning. You'll see a lot of amazing places and learn that Italian food is different from region to region. And the differences really taste good!
First thing I noticed - the amount of time in Venice. I spend a week there every year, it really is that special to me. Definitely: the vaporetto trip around at sunset is so romantic, in the best interpretation of that word. Have you considered getting a 7 day pass? You'll probably save a lot of money since individual tickets have gone up so much. Even if you aren't there a full 7 days it may be cost effective. Opera at La Fenice? So special. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet their website lets you see lots of possibilities. The boxes are just plain fun but make sure you select the front seats. The stage is such that you don't need to be at the far end of the theater for a good view, I usually get a box fairly close to the stage but I'm on opera singer and like watching the conductor.
Sorrento is one of my favorites. The bus ride is fun. The boat ride from Sorrento to Positano and on to Amalfi is my recommendation. It won't be as crowded. Take the bus back. Go to the Marina Grande for dinner - great seafood but also a heck of a lot of fun.
Rome: have you considered an apartment rental (I use vrbo.com)? Especially one with a washing machine? So much better than a hotel! I recommend the Piazza Navona area. It's an easy walk to just about any place. Or hop a bus or cab (from a taxi stand - do not hail one from the street). Dinner and drinks in Trastevere has become (after 14 years of doing this) one of my favorite things about Rome!
Siena is beautiful and you're staying in a very nice and central area. If you take the bus from Florence you'll want to catch a cab to your hotel - it's a very long walk. If you take the train, double that suggestion! Have a drink on the Campo but get away from there for dinner. Find crowded, loud and anything but intimate.
Finally, a hint about wine. Order the house wine!!!! Except in a touristy place this is the wine the family chooses. It's real, it's cheap, it's good. In 14 years (2 months each year), I've only complained once but I made the mistake of going into a tourist restaurant. I've learned, avoid places that display menus in multiple languages!
Have a wonderful trip and thanks for sharing your itinerary! Now I'm going to work on my own, inspired by you!

Have you been to Venice before If not, you are missing St. Mark's Cathedral and the Doges Palace. You don't need two days in Siena. We did the city in one day.

@Robert. I'm only doing airbnb throughout my entire trip except for Naples.
I love renting apartments and as you mentioned , having a washer is motto importante.
Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions.
WITH that in mind what do you think Of my apartment choices in Rome ?

I heard that staying in Sienna more than one night is advisable. If anything I'll use it as a time to slow down and relax
I'm being pretty advetmntoerous with the amount I want to see, but I'm reality , traveki g with my 85 year old mother will mean an even slower pace. It's ok. We relax and have 2 hour lunches and a nice siesta hahaha.
Question does Italy eat supper late like in Spain ? I love that schedule hahahaha. Breakfast at a bar, long lunch , a lovely siesta followed by a slow lovely passeo and a beer then a late dinner would be heaven to me :) also is lunch typically 12-3? Or what should I look out for ?
Thanks also for the house wine suggestion. Is it called vino de la casa? Or what is it in italiano? Lpl

Hi Angelina,
I'm just responding to the Venice portion of your itinerary as I noticed that you are planning to visit Basilica San Marco first thing. We waited until 11:30 am when the lights are turned on in the ceiling so that you can enjoy the beautiful glass frescos. I'm sure that someone else will confirm this but we read about it in Rick's Italy guidebook. There is also a tip to shorten your wait by checking your day bag at another location. If you don't already have one I strongly recommend that you get borrow one from the library or buy the latest version to check out details for best times/tricks to visit the various popular sites. Have a wonderful trip to Italy. Sherry

@sherry. Aloha. Thank you so much for that. I have Rick's latest 2018 book which I'll read thoroughly. Sorry for asking without reading it completely I thought I read somewhere in his book that it's best to get to these sights before the tourists do (even though I am one) as it can get crazy busy.

Thanks so much again.

I ditto using vrbo for the stays. We stayed at a wonderful apartment in Rome just around the corner from the Pantheon. Perfect location, walkable to everywhere. We walked to the Vatican, to the Colosseum, everywhere.

I love airbnb. Fou nd a few cool places in Rome but they are not in the center. More like in and around Vatican or by Appia. Good?

As a person who travels about that same time each year, be aware the May 1 (the day you arrive) is a holiday in Italy, May Day and it's possible that some places may be closed that day.

@Dan yes I saw that. Hopefully restsura ts will be.
Been on trip advisor and thoroughly irritates with the whole to carry or not to carry passport while touring daily. I never carry it only a photo copy. It just freaks me out to carry my passport

Day 4: rialto bridge

If you go early be sure to visit the fish market and try a Traghetto. There is one just next to the fish market - and when you land on the other side, some days there is a street market on "Strada Nova" (I don't remember which days, but you can't miss it)

If you go late (after 09:00) be prepared to fight your way through a compact mass of day tourists. If you tire of the tourists go north to Fondamente Nove and take ferry to Burano.

I agree with geovagriffith. You don't need to spend 2 days in Siena, only one. Use the spare day to visit somewhere else. That's what I did when I went last year.

The k you for that bit of Rialto information.
As far as Sienna goes , I really only have a day and a half if you include my travel from Florence sonthats half a day left in the city as I can check into the apartment till 2. So the next day will be my full day and the following day we leave for some. But thabknyou

Angelina - you've received a lot of responses to your initial questions. You must have gotten to people's imaginations and memories! That's a great thing!!!
I like vrbo. I've found that airbnb isn't always as dependable or even honest (sorry, but that's what others have told me). Others say they are fine. HomeAway and vrbo are basically the same.

OK, you have your mother with you. For a Rome apartment I suggest the Piazza Navona area. Taxis are easily available when you don't want to walk. For the evenings, Piazza Navona is a wonderful place to end the day, have a gelato, and just enjoy being together in an amazing city, a glorious country, and a very beautiful space with tremendous fountains! The Pantheon is a a fairly easy walk. Trevi may be a bit far, as well as the Vatican and Forum. But those places are easily reached by taxi - and again, taxis are really reasonable in Rome unlike other cities in Italy. If you want to look at the apartment I rent in Rome, send me a personal message and I'll get you the info. I've stayed there for the past 3 years (when my previous apartment of 6 years was sold - and I'm still missing it!). I'll stay there again this July or August, as my schedule dictates.
The wonderful thing about Italy is schedule. Taking a break for a coffee, gelato, pastry - it's all part of being in Rome. Lunch? It includes a nice nap! The riposo is proof that life is supposed to be enjoyed! Dress for the evening and you almost have two days in one! Vino della casa is a compliment to the house. Really want a great meal: Felice mi fai! (make me happy) And them give a price. Ignore the prices on the menu, the kitchen is going to make you very happy (just let them know of food allergies or extreme dislikes). 40 euro per person can produce a banquet, including wine. Remember that dinner is late and the table is yours until you decide to leave. Food is social, eating is a community event, you're sitting at the tables all around you! It's almost an instant party with a whole bunch of new friends. I like Trastevere for dinners. My rule: loud, crowded, no multi-language menus, happy people waiting for a table. I remember many years ago saying 'felice mi fai' and every table in the place started ordering for me. The owner brought a series of sample plates. The table that ordered it would stand and toast me with a glass of the wine they also recommended. I left happy, full and a little tipsy. I can't imagine anything more fun!
Angelina, I am a director of an international music festival in Assisi. A few years ago we had two singers from Honolulu join us. Thanks for reminding me of them. And thanks also for reminding me of the many times I've visited the islands. Hmm, maybe it's time to travel west again?
Enjoy the trip - but also enjoy the planning!

@Robert
Aloha my dear. What a delicacy information. We're the singer's who came tonyoir concert was one of the names Ho"o? I remember her in Italy but I think it was for The beautification of sister Maryanne Cooke. Hawaii has amazing singer's
I would love to know where you stayed. I'm also looking into the piazza Novona area just need to make sure my mother is not walking up many fkihjts of stairs:)
Btw how would you go about saying make me happy for 50 € without sounding offensive ?
And how in the world do you pronounce that line?