Best places to see in Italy

Emily, you have eight nights and seven full days, by my count. In that short time, and especially because you'll be there in April when the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast will be in low season, I'd suggest Rome, Florence and Siena (as heartbreaking as it would be to miss Venice).

I don't think you need to see both Florence and Siena in lieu of Venice, particularly if you don't have a big interest in art and interiors (?) I think you should go to Venice, though I know it's a trek up there from Rome. I don't know your mom, but I'll bet she will love it. A train ride up will be enjoyable. You will see a lot of the Italian countryside. I would spend 2 days maximum in Rome (the hop on hop off bus gives a good tour of the city -- get off at the Colisseum/Palantine Hill stop). Only if you have the time and energy, perhaps an overnight stop in Sienna or Orvieto, then on to Venice for as long as possible. If you want grand views and ambience, Venice is unsurpassable. But if you are not interested in interior design or art, you are going to miss out on a lot of major sights over there.

Hi Emily,
Everyone is going to have a different opinion of the best itinerary for Italy. Here's a link to a discussion about itinerary planning that will help you in determining travel times between each of the cities that you want to see. Itinerary Planning

If you have Rick Steves Guide to Italy (or other guidebook) it will also help with planning for sites to see, weather, hotels, etc.

For example, with the time you have (8 nights), you could consider taking the train to Orvieto the day you arrive (2 nights), Siena (with a day trip to Florence or vice versa) (3 nights), Rome (3 nights).

Another option for visiting Venice is taking a budget airline (RyanAir) from Rome to Venice the day you arrive and then work your way back to Rome. One caution on this option is to check the airport location because sometimes the budget airlines fly to airports some distance from a major city. I'd plan for at least 3 days in Rome--or it would be easy to spend the whole time in Rome with some planned day trips!

You and your Mom will have a great time--I went to Italy with my Mom about 15 years ago and we both have great memories from that trip!

Do the trains. Do not miss Venice; even one night would be OK. You will have good memories and it is not overwhelming. Florence can be done in one night sray and it is close to Venice by train. Cinque Terre was interesting and rough and captivating; do the research and choose that OR Amalfi. I just did Florence, Venice and Cinque Terre in four nights; a little fast but can be done. Saw a lot and I probabaly older that your Mom. Of course do the Ufizi and check out David in Florence. You could add siena on the to/from Rome, and still have a few days there, too. To do it all would be fun, fast and furious.

Hey, Emily: first, definitely buy Rick Steves' Italy 2009, and read it. That's the place to begin, really. But in terms of itinerary, I agree with the idea that 8 nights isn't much. Would be easier if you were flyig in to Venice, and then out of Rome, but since that ship's already sailed, you might consider this: land in Rome; train Rome to Florence immediately; 2 nights Florence; train Florence to Venice; 2 nights Venice; train Venice to Florence, then 1 hr bus to Siena; Siena 1 night; bus from Siena to Rome; 3 nights Rome; fly home from Rome. A lot of movement, but as a survey trip, could be fun, still. You could simply take Siena out on this trip and add a third night to either Florence, Venice or Rome (I say either Venice or Florence), to cut down on hotels, but then you'd be taking the train from Venice to Rome through Florence...a long day. Good luck!