Rome , Tuscany, cinque terre and Florence

kay, Before offering any suggestions, it would help to have a bit of further information. I assume you mean that you can stay 2-3 nights in EACH location? What type of sights are you most interested in? In planning an Itinerary, it's extremely important to allow adequate travel times between locations, so be sure to include that in your planning. Travel by car is generally slower than by train, but if you're planning to visit some of the hill towns in Tuscany a car would be an advantage. Using open-jaw flights would be a good idea, perhaps inbound Rome and outbound Milan. Note that for driving in Italy, EACH driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Opting for the full coverage CDW is also a good idea, although it can be expensive. Finally, a GPS along with a good Map would be prudent. You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid ZTL (limited traffic) areas, as large fines will occur with each violation. In planning your trip, the Italy 2012 Guidebook would be an excellent resource. Note that many of the books are now available in E-book format. Good luck with your planning!

Is there a reason you're putting the CT between Tuscany and Florence? I ask because Florence is in Tuscany and it seems to me it would make more sense to put CT at the end of your vacation, then fly out of Milan. Good luck.

Ken and Michael, thanks for replying. I am thinking about 10-14days for this trip and hope to visit Rome and Tuscany including CT and Florence. I am planning this trip with my 2 sons to have good quality time and build lots of memories. 2 years ago, we visited Venice and had Mediterranean cruise together and had wonderful time together. We are not too much in arts but still we would like to see some highlights and try different food, visit the local market and would like to stay where local people live. For example, I enjoy staying B&B than a hotel in busy area. One of my son is a big hiker(he is an Appalachian trail thru hiker)so I picked the CT and planning to hike a little bit due to the time limit. I can skip Rome if the time is an issue but since my 2nd son has not visited Rome so I would like to give him a chance to see it. Of course we will all revisit these places in depth in the future. Thanks for the tip about driving in Italy. Would you know where to rent a car after visiting Rome? Some people recommends take train to Chiusi or Orvietto and rent a car from there. Where should we stay in Southern Tuscany , there are so many choices, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena?? Ken and Michael, you both saying flying out of Milan and how far is Milan from CT or Florence ? I thought it might save some time if we fly out of Florence.
Now I will look into flying out of Milan and put CT at the end of my vacation.

kay,
This may help with southern Tuscany http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm Also look at flying out of Pisa.

how about fly into Rome, spend 3 nights. Pickup car for Tuscany region, spend 3-4 nights Tuscan village of your choice, head to Florence and get rid of the car. Spend 3 nights in Florence. Take train to CT and spend 3 nights (hopefully hiking trails are restored) and take train to Milan, spend one night Milan, fly out of Milan.
If you can get a decent flight out of Pisa that would be a decent option also with minimal backtracking.

Toni plan sound good to me. CT to Milan, three hours. CT to Pisa (PSA) one hour. But if you plan to stay in Santa Magherita, Milan will be closer.

Thank you Henry, Toni and Rick. There are lots of information on slowtrav.com and I have a lot of options and I am trying to find out the best itinerary. I would like to rent a car while in Tuscany but I am not sure where. I am thinking about staying in the Chianti or Siena area and visit south and north Tuscany. Should I get there by train and rent a car there or should I rent a car leaving Rome? Is it possible to visit Florence, Pisa, while staying in Chianti region? Where should I return the car before CT? How about Rome-Chianti region-Santa Margherita-Milan?
Thanks again for your reply.

Kay Fly in Rome. Take the train to Siena. Rent a car. Visit Florence, one hour by car. Visit Pisa, one hours and thirty minutes (estimate) and other hill towns. ( most with in one hour drive). Return car. Take train to Santa Magherita. Visit CT, one hour by train. Visit Portofino, 15 minute by bus. Take train to Milan, two hours.
You may consider stop by Pisa on your way to Santa Magherita. The tower is the only attraction in town. It will take you two to three hours. Have a good trip!

Thank you so much Rick.

I would ditch the car at or before Florence. You really don't want a car in Florence, it would be more trouble than it's worth. I would also spend more time in Florence than a day trip. Use the car for Tuscan countryside and hill towns and then get rid of it.
Check with AutoEurope for rentals, lots of locations.

I agree with Toni. Last time I was in Florence there was a permit required just to bring the car into the city, and the traffic/parking is hellish! If you miss the "permit" you will get a large fine on your way out. I LOVE Florence, and like Sienna. I would rather spend lots of time in Florence, arriving by train, and do a one-day trip to Sienna......or stay in the countryside, and bus into Sienna/Florence, and use the car for the countryside. Also, if there are four adults with luggage, keep in mind the size of the cars are really, really small.