Itinerary Help - Italy

My first inclination would be to stay in Rome.

Thank you, we have already been to Rome on a different trip and wanted to go somewhere else. We were thinking perhaps Bologna or Ravenna or tool around Umbria or Tuscany...just uncertain on where to go.

Go to Orvieto and Assissi in Umbria.
Siena and Florence are to me touristy also.

Orvieto, though I would only spend 2 nights there and add one more to Rome. You can visit civita by bus from Orvieto. The duomo is a must see, especially the exterior when the sun is going down, turns to gold (hopefully the scaffolding is gone now).

Do not rent a car in Florence.
Venice is not touristy rather filled with tourists in certain areas, but not all of them. Think about it.
Since you already have RT flights in and out Rome you could do this itinerary:
Rome
Siena-rent car for Siena
Drive to Umbria
Stay in Spello, Bevagna, Momtrfalco
Drive to Florence, drop off car.
Visit Florence, take train to Rome.
Spend night in Rome before flight home.
Or go to Venice from Florence, fly to Rome FCO from Venice.

Typo..Montefalco

When are you going? What time do you arrive Rome? Have you booked any lodging?

Try this path.

1. Arrive Rome. Train immediately to Florence.

2. Florence.

3. Florence.

4. Florence-Siena by bus.
   Bus drops you in the center of town, train, up hill walk or taxi.

5. Siena.

6. Siena.

7. Rent car (autoeurope) and stay in an agriturismo in either Tuscany or Umbria.
   We love this one which is equidistant between the two.

http://www.borgorapale.it

1. Tuscany.

2. Tuscany.

3. Tuscany- Orvieto. Drop car.
   Hertz is only one to drop in Orvieto. Evening train to Rome.

4. Rome.

5. Rome.

Or if not a hertz rental, you could drop the car in Chiusi or Rome ( Tibertina station)

Edit. Second Sukis' advice...
Do not drive in Florence.
If you have not driven in Italy, read this.
https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones

A few notes regarding rental cars in Italy.

It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Failure to pay the fines when requested may result in the rental car being impounded, and further charges for towing and storage. Have a look at https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ for more information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy.

You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities especially Florence, which is almost saturated with automated ZTL cameras. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home! This website provides more information - http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_cameras_speeding.htm

There's also the issue of parking tickets, high fuel costs, tolls and automated speed cameras including the devious Traffic Tutor system which measures not only instantaneous speed but also average between two points. Violate either or both parameter and expensive tickets will follow.

A GPS and/or a good map are also advisable.

I agree with the comment above about Venice having tourists, but not being touristy. For being such a relatively small city, it is surprisingly easy to ditch the crowds. Simply turn off a main thoroughfare and you're in a completely different city. I wouldn't discount Venice. The crowds descend during the day, and you could plan to see the big sights early or late, then just get lost in this amazing city the rest of the day. My husband and I are both ones to avoid the massive tourist crowds, and we have found Venice to be one of our favorite cities to visit. There's no other place like it!

If days 9-11 are entire (are almost entire) days then Venice is workable. If part of day 9 and part of day 11 will be consumed by getting Venice and then to Rome, I would say skip Venice. Venice it a truly unique city that we love but spending only one day or a day and a half there just doesn't do it justice.

On the question of Venice being touristy or having tourists... the restaurant scene is very tourist friendly with a large number of touristy places. The deeper Venice though is both untouristy and empty of tourists.

I haven't done this, but how about an agriturismo in Tuscany or Umbria? Day trips to hill towns, wineries, food, ??

Thank you all for your suggestions! I truly appreciate the great ideas. We are leaning towards the idea of going to the agriturismo.

"Venice too touristy" ?? Walk the back canals away from the crowds, do a chichetti wine crawl, see what the differents areas have, take a boat to the lido, burano, get "lost" in the maze of alleyways. Like mentioned, early morning or early evening it won't be as crowded to see the rialto bridge and st marks square. Will be my 3rd trip to venice in september and i love the atmosphere.
Lots of tourists in florence was my view: did a tour of parts of tuscany and siena was so full of tourists. Everyone has their own opinions of places to see and not too, but we are all tourists enjoying our time we can adventure out and see italy.
Happy Travels
Aloha Princess Pupule