Family Trip to Italy mid July

First of all: Congratulations on being so smart on the air travel going into Venice and out of Rome! That will save you lots of time!

You've got way too much planned for only 14 days......No offense. My first trip I did something like this and spent all my time sitting on trains/buses and looking out of the window! Not much time to actually see anything or, as you say, "spend time just seeing the culture!"

My advice: 3 nights Venice
4 nights Florence (do a day trip to Siena) And there are other day-trips you can do from here.
4 Nights Sorrento (beautiful) and close enough to do a day trip or two to Pompei, Capri, etc.
3 nights Rome.

You really, don't have enough time for Cinque Terre, but will be able to see the beautiful Med from Sorrento!
Trying to do both, would be almost redundant for a first trip IMHO.

Get those reservations made, as Italians are on vacation at this time of year too!

The reason I've chosen these cities is because they are ALL major transportation hubs, and you really don't need a car.

I can only add that I agree 100% with Donna's reply. And I can only emphasize that she wants you to cut down your trip, not because the places you want to see aren't all worthwhile, but because for a first trip to Italy (and it's never the only trip - just the first), you can't do it all, or even a fraction of a fraction. So, don't try, and you'll have a much better trip.

Donna's advice is spot on! There is so much more in Sorrento/Amalfi coast than in Cinque Terre, and there is no reason to do both in one trip.

I agree with Donna: No more than 4 locations and at that you are moving about plenty. The Cinque Terre will be chock-a-block full by now and hard to get reservations anyway.From Florence you can take a day trip to Siena easily. Skip Pisa, it is not worth a precious day.

3 nights in Rome is pretty slim. You might steal a night from Florence for Rome once you set your priorities for sightseeing. Rick Steves' Guide has recommended itineraries for various lengths of stay in Rome, but they are, IMHO, overly ambitious, especially during the heat of summer.

More than a few travelers have under-estimated the sultry muggy heat of Italy in July and the effect it can have on an ambitious itinerary.
Edit: Unlike the US, an air conditioned room is not automatic in Italy, it can be an expensive add-on but, as Meg says, helps you sleep.

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I agree with those that said skip CT (and this is coming from someone who loves CT) as it will be too much movement in 14 days. I would vote to skip Pisa. Also, book rooms with AC. We were in Italy in late June two years ago and I could not believe how hot Rome felt compared to hot weather back home. Needless to say, we didn't get a whole lot of sleep in Rome since we didn't have air conditioning. Lesson learned!

I'm going to disagee about Pisa. If your teens want to see it, you can do a half-day trip from Florence. If it's not that important to them, skip it. Get their input on some parts of the trip and they will feel more engaged in the process. Their photos/journals/memories will be great keepsakes for the whole family.

A big thanks to everyone! This is why I asked. Thanks Donna, we will skip CT. I will check with girls about Pisa, I was doing it for them. Will definitely book rooms with a/c. We are from South Florida so we know heat and love our a/c. I have Venice hotel booked and will now work on the rest of the trip...thanks again.

Don't go to the Cinque Terre after Venice. It's too long a trip. Go to the CT after Tuscany, then from the CT go down to Rome via the coastal route. If you want to do also the Amalfi Coast, go all the way from the CT to Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Then return to Rome (which should be your last stop) before your flight home.
Therefore your itinerary should be:
VENICE
FLORENCE
TUSCANY
CINQUE TERRE
(NAPLES/AMALFI COAST)
ROME.

I've put Naples/Amalfi Coast in parenthesis since you are not certain if you want to go there or not.

In terms of nights to be spent in each locality I recommend the following minimums (remember that 2 nights equal 1 full day at that location):

Venice 2 or 3 nights
Florence 2 or 3 nights (more if you use it also as a base for Tuscany)
Tuscany (if not done from Florence): 3 nights.
Cinque Terre: 2 nights
Amalfi Coast area: 3 or 4 nights (if you include Sorrento, Amalfi coast, Capri, Pompeii etc)
Rome: 3 or 4 nights.

This is so helpful as my husband and our teenage daughter are considering travelling to Italy late July early August. I was initially hesitant to travel in summer as heat can be too much for me sometimes. Air conditioning is a great tip! My husband has been once to Italy - Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre. He loved CT but perhaps we will pass this trip as we are in Italy for 12 days. Given the heat, I do want to be near water, either ocean or pool or lake. Thanks everyone ! How easy is it to visit Capri?

I agree with Donna and all those people who agreed with her! Definitely get AC, but don't expect it to be as efficient as the AC here. It will help you sleep though. Unfortunately it will be hot and muggy outside while you are sightseeing. And just a warning, you won't find drinks filled with ice to cool you off.

The reason I recommended 4 nights in Florence was to give the option for day-trips to Tuscany, which was on the "wish list". Optioins. There's more than enough to see just in Florence for 4 days, I've spent weeks there and have NEVER been bored!

I'd love if they could add a day to Rome, but I was sticking with the number of days set, because they've apparently got airline tickets purchased.

Extra time alotted to Sorrento because they also have the option of day trips -- or not -- depending on how much they're enjoying themselves in Sorrento!

This will be a great first trip! Like I said earlier, I learned the hard way, spending WAY too much time traveling and not enough time enjoying!

You may also want to bring the following: Those Neutrogena (or other brand) disposable face cleaning cloths, wipe on insect repellant. Most European hotels don't have "wash cloths" and these disposable cloths are wonderful when traveling.

LOVED the advice re A/C totally forgot! I also make sure of elevators, but I've gotten a little older.