Rome and ?

For a short trip, I’d do Rome and Florence. Naples is a very interesting city, but quite intense, and many people don’t enjoy. Florence has so many great sites and is very walkable.

My choice would be Florence. Easy to reach by train and very walkable with loads of architecture and history.

Orvieto. Spoleto. Anywhere in Umbria.

Florence is only about 2 hours away by fast train (look on trenitalia.com). For history and architecture (and art!): Florence! If you are flying in and out of Rome, I suggest going on to Florence as soon as you land in Rome. That way, on your jet-lagged first day, you go ahead and get to your "farthest away" destination. That would also save you one hotel change - and the time that that takes - during your very short week. Flying into or out of Florence may well include one more flight change, if you are flying from the US. Also, the later in the "end of summer or early fall" that you go, the better the weather will be and there will be a few fewer other tourists. August can be brutal in both Florence and Rome.

Thanks for the suggestions so quickly.
- Oooh, I checked some pics of Orvieto and Spoleto and they are beautiful.
- I like the idea of going straight to Florence on the first day if we stick with visiting there.

Our first trip was 10 days, and we planned to see Rome, Florence, and Venice. We dropped Florence and spent a week in Rome without making much of a dent and the rest in Venice. I'm glad we went to Venice, but my husband would've enjoyed that time more in Rome. There's so much to see and do there, and our interests are much the same as yours. Our two extras beyond Ostia, Forum, Palatine Hill, Coliseum, usual sightseeing etc were a fun cooking class and an evening food tour we had to ourselves. We did an evening tour of the Vatican Museum and saw only a small part but enjoyed most the Sistine Chapel with only a small number of people which was perfect. In early August 2020 at the end of a cruise we're going back for several days with friends who have never been. It's impossible to do it justice in one trip!

Another vote for Florence and Rome only. As noted, Naples is interesting, but it is gritty and intense. Florence has amazing historical and architectural sites.

Dellinda (a fellow Texan!),
We know that we can't see anywhere near everything but would like to venture beyond Rome for one other city. I agree that you could spend a month there and still come away with a list of things missed. Good reason to return! :-)
thanks

How many nights do you have? 7 days is really short. Make sure on the day you traveling back to the US the night before you are in that city. I agree I would do Florence. Three nights there and then four in Rome. I have been suggesting people look at the 2018 Rick Steves tour scrapbooks. They can give you lots of ideas for Rome & Florence on what to see & where to eat. Enjoy

SA, we have 6-7 nights. I know that it is way too short, but that is what we have. I agree that being in the city that we fly out of on the last night is the right plan. An earlier post suggested going straight to Florence when we arrive and then coming back to Rome to finish our trip.

Just to stir things up a bit
Rome to Podgorica
10:10 AM – 11:30 AM
Montenegro Airlines/Alitalia (code shares with Delta)
$138

Then a quick taxi ride: http://montenegrotaxi.com/taxi-podgorica-airport-budva

And wala!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhHJsb9A0w

of course then you might want to see the rest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLnfdDQGu-E

James, those are amazing videos of Podgorica and Montenegro! That church built into the side of the cliff was stunning. Thanks for sharing!