What do you think of my Itinerary?

Brigette, I'm so glad you posted your question/itinerary to this forum. I know many people here will be able to help you. First, a suggestion for your rental car. I'm not sure if your plans are to drop the car off in the city or on the outskirts at the airport. If it's the city, a more convenient and easier drop off would be the town of Orvieto. If you are renting from AutoEurope, I believe they have an office at the train station. You can then take the train little over an hour into Rome. It'll be easier. By the way, Orvieto is a charming, small hilltown. You could stay there the night before going to Rome. Have a great trip.

Denise, Thanks!! Yep, I kinda messed up on the posting. The site was having connection problems and it didn't look like my post was posting. I have deleted all the extras. We are picking up and dropping off car at FCO airport. Will take a taxi after drop off to apartment rental in Rome. But thanks for the suggestion!

I also just cleaned up my reply to you. Seems like certain symbols are getting a bit messed up. Your itinerary looks good to me. You're spending enough time in each location. Adding Rome sightseeing at the end will be good in that you should be over your jet lag/time difference by then. You'll be rested enough to hit the streets of Rome. I've sent you a personal message.

Check out the little riviera just south of Ancona, if you are headed up that way. Sirolo, Portonovo, San Pietro al Conero.

Rudy, thanks, I'll check it out. Might be a good half way point to stay at.

I would do things slightly differently, can you fly into Venice and out of Rome instead? You don't need a car in Venice, Rome or the Amalfi Coast, but it will come in handy in Tuscany. I would fly into Venice, spend your time there, then either pick up a rental car in P. Roma when leaving Venice or train to your Tuscany area and pick up the rental car there. Then drop off the rental car and train down to Naples or Salerno and then bus/ferry to where you are staying on the Amalfi Coast and then bus/ferry/train back to Rome.

Nadine: I understand what you are saying. However, my air, car and lodging reservations are made already. I did think about not driving as much, but didn't care for the idea of trains/buses. My husband has no problem driving (We live close to San Francisco, and we've driven all over NYC). But of course in the bigger cities we will not drive (take bus to Florence for a day trip). I got the car for $527.00 for 17 days, so a great deal. I thought about the flight for Venice, but we wanted to get down to Almalfi Coast first while weather might still be mild enough. I do realize that the car will be pretty much parked while we are in Almalfi and Venice. But I do LOVE the idea of taking two days to drive up to Venice and seeing the countryside/Adriatic Coastline. Thank you though for your suggestions, very much appreciated. :)

Anyone else?? :)

As long as you are driving up the Adriatic coast, think about stopping in Ravenna to see the most amazing 5th-7th century mosaics in perfect condition. It's one wow after another - 8 world heritage sites!

That's a different story then and Ravenna or somewhere near Ancona might be a nice stop for the trip up to Venice. Puglia would take you a little further south but might also be worth checking out. As escaped Bay Area people we understand the driving, but have no intention of going anywhere near the larger Italian cities when we go back. Have a wonderful time!

Chani: That sounds great, might have to do that!! Nadine: Sounds good too. We are going to take a day trip to Puligia while we are in Tuscany. We are going to go to the chocolate festival!! Yum :)