Itinerary help- 1st time in Italy

How are you planning to get from Positano to Venice? By train it is 12-14 hours. Have you bought open jaw and locked in to flying out of Venice? If so travel directly to Venice and spend the rest of your time there. You'll have just three days left after travel.

We were hoping to break up that long travel to Venice by stopping somewhere else for a night. Any suggestions?

Visiting both Vatican and Colosseum on same day will be excruciating
Each takes several hours
Split them up

I’d give Rome at least 1 more day

Looks like you are staying in Capri?
From there you’ll need to go back to Naples to catch fast train to Venice so that day is all travel
(or consider a cheap flight from Naples to Venice)

Just stay in Venice for all remaining nights

Make sure you know how to get to VCE for that early morning departure

We were hoping to break up that long travel to Venice by stopping somewhere else for a night. Any suggestions?

Well, you really don't have the time unless you're willing to give up another day somewhere else. You could sacrifice Tuesday, then stop in Orvieto. That's about halfway. It will take some train changes. The other option would be to fly from Naples to Venice. The flight is a little over an hour. I was going to suggest flying to Florence, but it would take longer and cost more.

Friday - Fly into Rome 7am free day in Rome

Be aware that even if you arrive at 7am, you'll chew up the morning going through customs and getting to your hotel. I suggest you keep going, walking outside. Grab some lunch and explore. Consider taking the Walks of Italy Evening Stroll as an introduction that evening. It starts at 5:00 or so at the Piazza Navarro. Grab a light dinner there before heading out.

Have a great time!

thank you very much!! we need all of the help we can get and hope to make the most out of what is a relatively short trip.