Surprise trip to Italy

You have very few days. If you have 7 nights on the ground. I would go to Florence first directly from FCO (by train, change in Roma Termini). 4 nights in Florence with day trips to Siena via Chianti road and other Tuscan towns. Then back to Rome for 3 nights. You can't fit the 5 Terre in a week only, with Tuscany and Rome in the schedule. The only way would be 2 nights in Florence, 2 Cinque Terre, 3 in Rome. No matter what it's a major hectic rush.

First, you really only have eight nights and at least one screwed up because of jet lag. You don't have time for more than two places and nothing you have mentioned is off the beaten path. You might find a less worn path if you were to rent a car in Florence and drive some of the small hill towns. We are just back from nine nights in Tuscany where we stayed in the country side and drove to the towns. But you need a car and a good GPS. Save off the beaten path for another trip. I would do four or five nights in Rome with a day trip to out of the city to break it up. And then three nights in Florence. You might go four and slip in a day trip from Florence. It will be a tough first day but should probably go to Florence and work you way back to Rome so that it is convenient for your return departure.

I emphasize the importance of going to the farthest point first (Florence in your case) directly upon arrival at Rome FCO airport (I assume you fly from BOS to FCO). The flight will probably arrive in the morning. Because of jet lag and tiredness from the trip, the day of arrival is a screwed up day anyhow, so you might as well use it to travel the couple of hours to Florence. From the moment you land, plan about one hour for deplaning, immigration, baggage wait (long in Rome, therefore I suggest carry on only), customs, freshen up, ATM money, getting oriented. There are trains from inside the FCO airport to Roma Termini (the main station) every 30 min. Travel time is 32 min. Once at Roma Termini you can take a high speed Freccia train to Florence (90 min travel), there are 2 or 3 every hour going to Florence. You can buy tickets at the FCO airport station. Allow at least 20 min. to change trains at Roma Termini. You should be in Florence within 4 to 5 hours from the moment the airplane landing gear hits the tarmac. Once in Florence, go to your hotel, check in, unpack, and take it easy the rest of the afternoon and evening. No museums the first day. To stay awake you need to constantly be in the sunshine, which regulates the secretion of melatonin. If you sit down or lie down in a not so sunny place (like your hotel room or a church), you will fall asleep. Walk in the outdoors the first afternoon, enjoy the outside monuments, Boboli Gardens, vistas (top of the dome or Piazzale Michelangelo), outdoor Market of San Lorenzo, Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio etc. Next morning, after resting all night, hit the museums.

I would take a train from Rome airport directly to Florence, spend 2 nights in Florence (the first day being only traveling and getting settled, maybe walking around the city if you want to) and the second day exploring the city. Then head to Cinque Terre for 3 nights and days of relaxation, hiking, swimming, etc. (for "off the beaten path" CT may be your favorite spot). Then return to Rome for 2 nights (offering 1 full day of sightseeing in Rome). It's a lot to fit into only 1 week, and you'll be tired, but I think that would be the best way to do it. If you'd like more time in Rome, you could cut time off CT but I love having more time in the town rather than the crowded cities.

Roberto is spot on. Listen to him. You don't have time for three cities.

Totally agree with Donna... listen to Roberto and Frank. You have 7 nights, which is only 6 days. You only have time for 2 places at most.

If you really mean what you say, then going to Rome, Florence and CT is not off the beaten path but the most touristy destinations in Italy (except Venice)I really do like off the beaten path, so if it were my trip I would land in Rome and stay there the first day. While you might be tired I always have so much adrenalin the first day I don't look at it as a waste...I do a ton the first day. Maybe take the HOHO bus and get overview of Rome... spend the next day and night in Rome, then take the train to Florence, rent a car and spend the rest of the time exploring Tuscany and the villages. You could do a day trip to Florence to see a few of the main attractions, or not. When I long for Italy, it is definitely not the hot, overcrowded, city that has captured my heart. I would not be happy with 8 days and a bunch of cities...you could also skip some of Tuscany and go to CT. I have been there 5 or 6 times and would really regret never having seen it (even though it will be packed with tourists in the day) Make your way back to Rome to fly out. There are some amazing drives, as well as the vineyards and villages and lots of places for picnics. All depends on what kind of vacation you want.

I totally agree with Terry kathryn. You can see alot on the first day; everything is so exciting and energizing. Get a great taste of Rome at the beginning and end of your trip. We spent a long first day in Rome and took an evening train to Orvieto; I highly recommend it. We spent 3 nights there without a car and we could have stayed longer. With good rail connections, it is also a great base for a car to explore into Tuscany. A day trip to Florence will give you a dose of that incredible great cultural center. Then head back to Rome for another night or two.

If you are flying from Boston, hopefully the time diff won't affect you too much. We always fly overnight (only option direct to UK from Halifax) arriving early morning, with fitful sleep on the plane...perhaps I am a diff animal but as long as I get out and get going, I haven't had an issue with jet lag. (not speaking for the time I totally passed out on the Eurostar from London to Paris after an early morning arrival - no recollection at all of that train ride! But we were sitting - had we been up and going, would have been no prob.) You have an amazing husband for giving you such a wonderful gift. Now, I have been known to pack way to much into my trips (yes, we did 6 countries in 23 days in 2010, you can thank my husband)...but we are learning the benefits of slowing down. Our first trip over in 2008, we had 5 nights in Rome (squeezing in a day trip to Naples)...so with about 3.5 days in Rome, we still felt very rushed and like we sped thru everything. I would go with the other suggestions and do just 2 places.

I did Rome, Florence, and Venice in nine nights. It was rushed, and while I enjoyed it, I can't recommend it. Plus, I hurt my ankle less than halfway through, so the rushing around was less advised. The short time we had in Florence was kind of okay, but I'd have liked longer, and to make a side trip into Yuscany. The shirt times in Venice and especially Rome were not enough. So you can either do what I did and treat the trip as a sampler platter before later trips, or just follow the advice above and pick two places. The idea of going to Florence first is a good one, as it will be much less overwhelming than Rome. In your shoes, I'd stick to that and Rome plus side trips. If you add any more destinations, you will find the trip to be less relaxing. It's all a trade off.

I am in the camp of fewer places makes a better trip. But I would be more radical and say pick one place and stay put. Do day trips around the area, go back to the same cafe or restaurant a few times, get to know the shopkeepers nearby. That's a trip you will really remember. Since you have kids, you're probably on the run all year like I am - homework, soccer, work, meal prep - and could use a break. Pick a farm stay (agriturismo)with a pool and home cooked meals. Drive or train out to different towns, wineries, museums. Or rent an apartment in Rome, go hard all day, then relax with wine on your balcony. We are leaving next week for 2.5 weeks in Switzerland (one place) then 2.5 weeks in Italy (one villa with pool). So I practice what I preach! My two cents...