Where to go after Rome?

Great question. Well, you should certainly get a peek at Pompeii as a day trip, perhaps part of your Roman stay? From Rome, my favorites include Siena (worth staying overnight 1 night, and an easy bus connection direct from Rome of about 3 hours). After Siena, I would recommend Florence for at least 2-3 nights, and perhaps then Cinque Terra for a few nights (include a day trip to Pisa on the way?), and perhaps a day or 1 night in Milan (The Last Supper, if you enjoy art, the Duomo, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle). Milan to Venice is just under 3 hours via direct train. You could also skip the day trips and toss in a few nights at Lake Como after Cinque Terra, before preceeding to Milan. Just some ideas: 1 night Siena; 3 nights Florence; day visit to Pisa en route to Cinque Terra for 2 nights; 1 night in Milan; early train to Venice.

We have a similar trip planned, and this is what we're doing:

• Rome: 4 nights

• Pick up car, driving day to Sorrento: stop at Vesuvius and Pompeii

• Sorrento: 3 nights

• Driving day to Florence: Siena, explore towns along La Via Chiantigiana (Chianti Road: S222)

• Florence: 3 nights

• Driving day to Cinque Terre - stop in Pisa

• Cinque Terre (Vernazza): 2 nights

• Driving day to Venice: explore along the way

• Return rental car in Venice

• Venice: 3 nights

Thank you!! Your suggestions have been very helpful!

Michelle, don't discount Verona!!! A pretty Roman town with a large arena which is still used for concerts and opera,and a theatre, as well as the usual Romeo and Juliet places (to best ignore). It is only an hour or so by bus to Lake Garda from where you can catch a ferry to somewhere pleasant for lunch. Having down time in the country is a calming experience after and before the visual overload of the art cities.
Having a few days in Florence allows for day trips by train to Pisa or Lucca as well as enjoying that city.

michelle said, "...Florence, Hill towns, Cinque Terre, Tuscany??"

Just say Tuscany and you've said all the above. Florence and hill towns are there, Cinque Terre is 2 hours from Florence.

You didn't say if you will have car or train. Car gives more flexibility but you can do most highlights by train.

Assuming train transport, Day 1 I'd take the train from Rome to the great hill town Orvieto for an afternoon, spend a night there, at Hotel Duomo which is right by the cathedral. Orvieto is quite close to Rome.

Day 2 & 3 I'd spend in/around Siena. Maybe add a side trip to another nearby hill town.

Day 4 I'd go to La Spezia, catch a train to Riomaggiore, the first town in Cinque Terre. Stay the night there. It's a 45 min. walk to the next Cinque Terre town, Manarola. Walking there would give you an easy, scenic walk to at least get a sample of Cinque Terre.

Day 5 go to Lucca. Bicycle or walk the town walls. Spend the night there, inside the walls.

Days 6 & 7 in Florence

Hello, we are starting in Rome and ending in Venice as well. OUr itinerary is as follows:
Rome 3 nights, train to CT for 2 nights, train to Florence, rent car, Montalcino 3 nights, Florence 1 night, train to Venice 2 nights.