Rome/Cinque Terre/Tuscany/Venice: Itinerary thoughts to begin with ... more questions to come!!

Most first time travelers to Italy would spend 4 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence and 2 days in Venice--at a minimum. These are all great cities that have been very important in history--and worthy of as much time as can be divided.
And they would take a fast train from city to city (with reservations).

Save the Cinque Terre for the next trip because you will be back. It's on the opposite coast from Venice and it's just too time consuming to get over there and back to Venice.

adventuresawait, it's not exactly clear how much time you actually have in Italy so I'll just guess that your described itinerary looks something like this?

Day 1: Dubrovnik to Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Rome
Day 4: Rome to CT
Day 5: CT or somewhere in Tuscany?
Day 6: Somewhere in Tuscany
Day 7: To Venice
Day 8: Flight home

The train travel seems to take a lot more time than taking a car

I would disagree with that as trains can travel so much faster than cars, do not incur any traffic issues, and wheels are of no use for the Cinque Terre or Florence. I am also concerned that you're leaving in 3 weeks without reservations for an accommodation in the CT. It's high season and a VERY busy time there. Is the CT a MUST?

I guess I'd put it this way? You want to "see as much as possible" but you could end up seeing too little - and spending too much of the time you have moving around - on this itinerary. With 7 nights, I wouldn't recommend more than 2 locations.

You really should limit yourself to 3 destinations, and spend at least 2 nights, wherever they are.

CT is the most out of the way spot, so that logically is the one for first consideration on the chopping block.

"simply staying somewhere breathtaking and doing not much but drinking good wine and taking in the views before we rush off again."..... with the schedule you outline, its more like "eat and run"

Stay long enough to "see" it, not just "look" at it as you whiz by

Drop the Cinque Terre. You do not have reservations and they are mighty hard to come by even a few months in advance. You will be frustrated by not being able to find lodging and may waste a lot of precious time doing so.

4 nights Rome, 3 nights Venice, call it done and ENJOY the time. You will be back!

Thank you for every one of your replies ^ ... taking it all into consideration and making final plans asap!!

4 nights Rome, 3 nights Venice, call it done and ENJOY the time

I'd vote for Laurel's suggestion. While I dearly love Florence, it makes sense to give Rome another night - much to see there - and spend the balance in Venice as you're flying home from there plus it deserves much more than a partial day. Save Tuscany and the CT for another trip when you don't have to rush them.

You can sit back and drink wine in some darned interesting spots in Venice and Rome. :O)

We are first time travelers to Europe - it can be a bit overwhelming since we don't have the luxury of much time this trip

I understand the urge to want to see it all in a short time. I also understand the fear this will be your only shot. Our last two trips to Europe couldn't have been more different. We spent 10 days in Tuscany, staying in one accommodation the entire time. We then spent 10 days on a Viking River Cruise down the Rhine, including with a two day extension in Amsterdam.

On the VRC, we were never in one spot more than a day. I felt we "skimmed" every place we visited. There were several places where I wanted to visit in depth, but there was a boat to catch. On the Tuscany trip, we had the luxury of adapting our schedule. More than once we decided to remain in an area instead of moving on to the next item on the list. Yes, we had to give up some things that we planned to do, but that's OK, we'll catch them the next time.

I'm with Laurel and Kathy. Contact your accommodations in Rome and see if you can extend a day. Then spend the rest of the time in Venice. Remember you've got a travel day from Rome to Venice. Don't count on doing much more than checking out, getting to the train station, taking the train, getting from the train station to your accommodations in Venice and checking in. That will give you just the late afternoon/evening for Venice that day. If you add the day in Rome, you could schedule in a visit to the countryside near Rome. There are some places that are no more than and hour or an hour and a half that will be a good substitute for Tuscany. With a more relaxed schedule in Rome and Venice, you can be more spontaneous and soak up the wonderful ambience of those two wonderful cities.

Day
1. Arrive Rome (3N)
2. Colosseum, Forum, etc
3. St Peter's & Vatican
4. Train to Florence (2N)
Afternoon to Pisa
5. Duomo, Academy, etc
6. Train to Venice (2N)
Afternoon vaporetto on Grand Canal
7. San Marco & Doges Palace
8. Depart Venice

I agree with Laurel, but if you can't extend your stay in Rome, take the train to Orvieto, spend the night, then continue to Venice the next day.

Here's a thought. I dropped the CT off our itinerary because of the distance, and added in Lake Garda, since it was easier to access from Tuscany on our way to Venice. It's gorgeous and relaxing and looks magnificent. And while it's popular, there are plenty of lodging options still available for July. I know because I just looked yesterday. I already have lodging booked, but I'm always looking to see if there's something better to swap with!