Help needed in planning itinerary for 9 days in Italy

I hope you can swing more than three days in Rome, especially being history buffs.

We are flexible on time in Rome. Planned on 3 days there at start of trip then returning the last night of our trip for next day flight out. Can stay longer in Rome but wanted to be sure to see countryside and Pompeii. How long would you recommend for Rome?

As far as how long to spend in Rome, you could easily occupy all 9 days there. I suggest you get a guidebook, or explore on the Internet, to decide on your must-sees. That will then allow you to decide how much time in Rome. If you want to explore other areas…

As history buffs, you might consider 3 nights (2 full days) in the Pompeii/Naples area, which would give you time for the archaeological Museum, as well as Pompeii and Herculaneum. You can easily do it by train from Rome.

You might also consider a couple of nights in Orvieto, which is a lovely hill town about an hour from Rome by train.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I would suggest you read RoninRome.com to get an idea of what the city has to offer.

I agree that travelers cut their time short there. There are just about as much to see outside of Rome as within Rome city center.
You can get down to Naples and Pompeii quickly on a "fast train"--reservations required. It's about 150 miles or just over 2 hours. With 5 of you, maybe one of the fine Naples tour guide-private drivers can quickly and efficiently show you the area. There are dozens and dozens of tour guides available there. See Trip Adviser.com.

I would suggest head straight to Naples on arrival, so you can tick off Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Then maybe a night in Orvieto and Arezzo en route to Florence. Back to Rome before you fly out.

Day 1-2 Naples
Day 3 Orvieto
Day 4 Arezzo
Day 5-6 Florence
Day 7-8-9 Rome

One other point – if you're talking about September of this year, you need to make lodging reservations as soon as possible.

Agree totally with David from Australia! The most efficient way to do this trip is to go directly to Naples/Pompeii and end the trip in Rome. You will lose an entire day if you stay in Rome for a few days, go to Naples/Pompeii and back to Rome just to get on a flight. Wasted day is Wasted $$$! Also agree that you'd better get the lodgings nailed down NOW if you're going This September!

I wish you had more time, History Buffs! I'm your same age and have gone to Rome with girlfriends a half dozen times in the last 5 years! Loved it!

Totally agree with the open jaw travel. Fly into one place and home from another and you buy TIME!

Three days in Rome is not enough! NO WAY! Spend more time this trip and plan on returning in a few years! Perhaps just do Florence, Rome and the Amalfi coast on this visit. If you have already booked the flight, then you are stuck.

We were there in June/July. Some tours we LOVED were:
https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/colosseum-underground-tours -- They have reconstructed a system of ramps and elevators used to get the animals from the basement to the arena floor. This one fills fast, so book NOW. If you can't get it, book the Colosseum, Forem and Palatine Hill from the same company. Yeah, it's expensive, but when you walk past the lines, it is worth it!
https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour -- Do not even consider the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums without a tour guide. You will spend HOURS waiting in line just to get in and be exhausted and hungry before entering.
The other Rome one we did was, https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/rome-catacombs-tour Wonderful!

Much as it hurts, we have learned that spending the $ on tours is less expensive than standing in line for hours in the hot sun.

Restorante der Pallaro -- WONDERFUL -- Just off Campo de Flori (a must see) Largo del pallaro, 15 06.68801488 -- S Andrea della Valle. We eat here each trip (learned about it from Rick) and cannot recommend it highly enough. Price Fixed at 25 Euro/person. You eat what Mama (Paola Fazi) cooked. You sit down and they start bringing food and drinks. Bottles of water and jugs of wine come to the table. If you run out, they bring more. I served a close approximation of the antipasti course as DINNER last night -- lentil salad, tomato and FRESH mozzarella, brochette, and prosciutto . Mama follows it with a pasta course, a meat course, a salad and desert with an aperitif . Dinner takes a while. It is an event.

Florence is a must. Purchase a tour with an audio guide to cut the line and enter the Duomo. Visit the Academy just before closing and walk right in. We had Florence passes so cut the lines at the Uffizi and Academy.

Use public transportation. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD I CONSIDER DRIVING SOUTH OF FLORENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crossing the street in Rome can be terrifying as a pedestrian. I cannot imagine enjoying a vacation where I had to drive in that mess.

Have a WONDERFUL trip.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. We were able to book the tours - very excited! Looking forward to trying the restaurant you recommended.