What I am forgetting?

If you are considering any of these sights within Italy then pre purchasing tickets is near to essential.

Milan - Last Supper
Padova - Scrovegni Chapel
Venice - Doges Palace
Florence - Uffizi
Florence - Academy
Pisa - Leaning Tower
Rome - Vatican Museums
Rome - Colosseum
Rome - Borghese
Rome - Papal Audience

One of the marvels of travel is that you will inevitably encounter places, people, and sights that you never anticipated and which will be some of the most memorable. Your planning will be rewarded, but so will your free time. Remember you're going to the land of 'dolce far niente'.

Hah! I've spent over 3 months in Italy and have only done half the things on David's list. I spend a lot of time visiting churches for aesthetic reasons, but I think for non-religious visitors, things like a Papal audience and The Last Supper are not remotely must-do's. For that matter, that's far too many art galleries for visitors who don't like art museums.

Which just goes to show why it's so important for each visitor to read a guide book (as well as consulting experienced travelers) and decide for himself.

Mike, seems like you are on track. You don't really need advance tickets for the places you didn't reserve ahead.

Have a great time!

Everybody's list is different, which is what makes forums like this so great! I can read what many people call a must see and why, and that helps when I make it to a destination myself.

I think the OP's plans look amazing! And as another poster said, it's wonderful to have some free time to discover those places that you didn't see coming despite all your planning.

I'm with the OP on being uneasy about ATM's, though. I confess that I always get a few Euro's locally before I travel to Italy. That way I'm covered if I can't find one immediately and need some cash at a place that doesn't accept credit cards.

I think what David meant is that the listed places are the ones to get advance tickets for IF one is going to do them.

Mike, you've done a good job covered all the bases and will do just fine.

Try to use an ATM connected to a bank to get your euros, and remember that there's a limit to the amount some of them will dispense at one time? If you try to withdraw, say, 500 euro and the transaction is rejected, try a smaller amount. Repeat until it works or it's clear the machine won't take your card.

We may have talked about this in an earlier thread but if you don't know, check with your own bank to see what your daily withdrawal limit is? Mine is purposely set pretty low but I have them raise it temporarily for the time I'll be on the road. At that same time, you can tell them where and when you'll be traveling so they know not to lock your account if they see "suspicious" transactions in Italy. :O)

Yes clumsy words. I'll blame my post surgery meds.

Ow. Feel better soon, David!!! :O(

I should have figured that out! Apologies to David for thinking he was misguided.

Perhaps, you are already doing this. Get a blank calendar and write what you want to do each day on it. Also, have plan B options. I suggest not booking more than one major thing in morning and one in afternoon. Then, you can fill in your time with smaller things near the major things. Italy is a great place to explore. Just stroll and enjoy piazzas and fountains. You want time to relax and allow time for enjoying your planned attractions. Many places don't have tickets or you can purchase at the door. You only need to prebook the biggies like Borghese or Vatican museum. It's great to research Italy, because Italy offers so much.

As usual all the advice given is great - I will add one suggestion - even if you are not committed to going to a particular gallery, museum, site etc - check ahead and keep a list of opening and closing times/days - nothing is worse then arriving somewhere to find it closed - even for 2 or 3 hours in the afternoon! The calendar suggestion works well for keeping track of these times/days.

Me! You're forgetting me!

Yes, David, feel better soon! I had surgery a month ago, take it easy.

Exactly what Mike from Boston noted - this is the land of Dolce far Niente !

Go to Florence to watch the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo, and then walk down to the Arno for an evening stroll.
Enjoy a lunch (buy bread and meat from a grocery store) in the Boboli Gardens.

Mike,

In my humble opinion, one cannot "over plan." Of course, I find the planning almost as fun as the travel...

You said " I have not eliminated doubt about whether I will find an automatic teller machine or whether the machine will work for me." Don't worry, just be a little cautious. In Italy, automatic teller machines are called and labeled Bankomats.

The wise advise is to use one associated with a bank - not a currency exchange company such as Travelex, as the exchange rates will be better. It is preferable to use one that is INSIDE the lobby or vestibule of a bank for security reasons. While the very touristy squares are full of currency exchange ATMs, you might need to walk a half block or so to find a true bank-owned Bankomat. Always look over the machine for any signs of tampering (google ATM tampering if you're unfamiliar). If the machine (or a vender at a point of sale transaction) asks if you would like your withdrawal (or sale) debited as euros or US dollars, always choose euros. Read this for more information. Finally, be aware of people lurking around you when using an ATM - especially one that is out in the open. Shoulder-surfing and/or bump & grab are not unheard of. Don't let this scare you - I've spent a lot of time overseas (cumulative months) and never been victimized (accept by an unlicensed taxi driver).

As for Pisa... The crowds were the all-time worst tourists I have ever encountered. I must have been whacked by 50 selfie-sticks and physically pushed to make way for that perfect picture a dozen times. I would recommend getting there as early as possible and leaving as soon as possible. If you are staying in Florence, Pisa is particularly easy to do on your own. Take the train to the Pisa San Rossore station. Once you have seen the Piazza del Duomo, I would suggest taking the train to Lucca where things are much more relaxed and quaint.

I agree with Work2Travel.....I enjoy planning a trip almost as much as the actual trip. Also, I second what they said about Pisa. Get in and get out. I would recommend staying in Lucca and doing Pisa as a day trip. I love Lucca. Enjoy your trip.

Buying tickets ahead online is essential! Don't plan on going to more than 2 museums in a day. You can get really tired of seeing paintings of the Madonna and child and cherubim. We did the Academia, Bargello and Uffizi one day in Florence and it was exhausting. On another trip to Rome, my big mistake was trying to do the Colosseum, Pantheon and forum in the morning, then going to the Vatican and St. Peters in the afternoon (even with taking the Metro). And I was used to walking 6-8 miles/day. I had no difficulty with bankomats (ATM) taking a debit card with PIN in Venice, Florence, Rome or Sicily; just follow the guidance by others to use the ATM inside or slightly off the street and call your banks and credit card companies before you leave to find out your daily withdrawal limit and let them know where you'll be using the cards. I did have difficulty buying a train or vaporetto pass with a non-chip credit card a few years ago, but by now your cards all should have chips--just make sure you also have PIN for them.

Awww. Thanks all. It was just a 24 hour stay for key hole gallbladder removal - a word of warning people, to avoid prosciutto, jamon, salami, saucisson. So I've been enjoying the benefits of Australia's universal healthcare system, with not a cent to be paid. I even have a yet to be revealed new belly button - no more half in, half out.

LOL. Good to see that you've only lost an inferior bellybutton and not your sense of humor.

You gotta laugh though Kathy, don't you, the world outside is just a little worrying.
Laugh ... and travel too.