Italy Itinerary (10 days)

I would drop CT from your schedule. Considering that this is your first time in Italy, you need to spend more days in the cities you have planned for. Remember, 2 nights is equal to 1 full day so if you stick to your itinerary, you really only have 1 day each in Venice, Florence, CT and Rome. You can opt for a day trip to Siena from Florence.

I just returned from many of the places you and your husband will be traveling - only i went with three families and 5 young children - so I may not have the same perspective :) Even though I have been to Italy before and we did lots of research, I was still unprepared for the amount of time it takes (wastes) to travel between these places (perhaps the inefficiency of our route). I visited both the Cinque Terre, Sienna and Florence. Personally I wouldn't trade Sienna for Cinque Terre. I enjoyed the beach, the Mediterranean was beautiful and it was nice down time. Sienna and Florence are both cities and I enjoyed both - but still would do CT. Not on this trip, but on a previous trip, I visited Sorrento and LOVED it! Venice and Sorrento are probably my favorite places in Italy. Guess you could say I like the water. However, given that you're trip is mostly in the north - I wouldn't recommend Naples & Sorrento on this trip. Save it for another trip. 2 days in each of these cities is pretty sporty and you'd better take your energy drinks and energizer bunny!!! I went in the summer (went with two other educators - no option) and it was dreadfully hot, I imagine October will be much more agreeable, less hot, less people, less expensive? Have fun!

I think you are trying to fit too much in. Remember that 2 nights in a place is only one full day. Consider how much time it will take you to transfer locations. As much as I enjoyed the CT, I don't think you have time with such a short trip. Is there something special you want to do in Milan? If not, I would jump on a train for Venice and spend the night there. That way you would have 2 days there. Add the CT night to Rome.

You may have 10 days, but you only have 9 nights. Two nights in a place makes for a very rushed overview, and Italy is a place to savor. You will get more out of your trip if you scale back to fewer places. Oct 5 - Arrive Milan, transfer to Venice immediately. It's a very nice high speed train ride. Oct 6 - Venice Oct 7 - Venice Oct 8 - CT Oct 9 - CT Oct 10 - CT Oct 11 - Rome Oct 12 - Rome
Oct 13 - Rome Oct 14 - depart You need to skip one location with only 9 nights. The CT can be fabulous in October. (We'll be there that same week so it had better be!) We were there in October 2010 and it was gorgeous. If you are really drawn to the CT, then skip Florence. Rome is much more interesting with so much history as well as the art. She deserves some time to be appreciated. Only one full day in Rome is like a bad movie. Leave the CT as early as you can stand it on the 11th so you have a little more of that day in Rome.

FWIW- I would CT, add one day to Florence and Rome. We were in CT Oct 2010 and the weather was perfect. To us, one day was enough. It is pretty, but then again most of Italy is! Adding a day to Florence will give you a day to explore Tuscany, either by car or tour. Make sure to include San Gimignano and Montepulciano. Sienna is nothing like Florence. The small hilltop towns give one a distinct view of Italian life. Then you have an extra day in Rome. possibly to go to Naples. Just my 2c. Buon viaggio!
P.S. get up early or stay up late to wander around Venice with no crowds-it is the best

I also think you should cut out CT. You just don't have enough time to visit 4 different areas of Italy. You lose at least half a day when you switch cities so you're giving up about 2 days just for travel. I would stick with Venice, Florence and Rome- adding a day to Florence and Rome. Also, on the day you arrive I would take a late train to Venice to give you a little more time there. Donna

I would also cut out one location. I have been to all of the places and it's a tough choice which one. If you are going to make a second trip in the next couple of years try to figure out the map for that trip and it will help to plan this trip. But my favorites are Rome Florence and vencie so i would otherwise cut CT.

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. Based on the feedback we have gotten, we are planning on skipping Cinque Terre and adding an extra day to Florence (potentially a side trip) and another day to Rome. Would appreciate any suggestions for side trips (day trip) from Florence. Would Siena be a good option for a day trip from Florence? Thanks!

Siena would be a great daytrip from Florence. If you take the bus it takes you from city center to city center.

Isra, is renting a car an option? If so, then you have more choices in the cities/towns you can visit as a daytrip from Florence. San Gimignano is nice but it might be difficult to get to without a car. Montepulciano, Montalcino, Volterra would be more ideal if you have a car. Siena is the most convenient. Alternatively you could do Lucca as well

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the feedback. We are planning on visiting Siena from Florence for a day trip.