Where to go instead of Cinque Terre?

My only suggestion would be, instead of two days in Florence just do one since you won't be doing museums and add a tour or train to Sienna. You are mighty brave going with two small ones!

The hill towns around Florence are very nice (check a guide book or travel blog). I'm very fond of Sienna. That said with the little ones I suspect you'll have a nicer trip if you stay in one place a couple of days in each place and plan on some serious nap times (and the trains will certainly provide that nice motion that lulls all to sleep:) Good B&B's would be a real plus (except probably Venice) and they're more likely to arrange a baby sitter for you of an evening so you can have a nice romantic dinner out. Children are very welcome in family run restaurants and you'll always see at least one large extended family having a good, well behaved, time.

If you are skipping museums, you might want to reconsider Florence or at the very least take a night from there and add to Venice. For a smaller town experience you could think about Orvieto. It is easily reachable by train from Rome.

I second Orvieto. You will be going right through it. you could rent a car there and spend a day in Civita di Banareggio. It is a wionderful place. Florence is almost a waaste withoout the museums, and siena is another good choice. There are allot of nice hilltowns that are easily accesible by car if you are adventurous. Good luck, and enjoy. Some of my best friends are Italians we have met on our trips, so immerse yourself headfirst, and enjoy!
Jeff

Here's another vote for Orvieto between Rome and Florence. We stayed there this past May for 2 nights and I really wish we had done 3. Here are some pictures of Orvieto from that trip to see a little of what I'm talking about. Happy travels.

Why are you going to Florence for 2 days when you don't want to go to museums,, are you going to rent a car and go in the countryside? With two strollers Venice will be interesting,, lots of stairs to carry the strollers up and down. All those cute little bridges are actually staired,, not ramped like you would think by looking at photos.. But, Venice does have some quiet little squares where the kids could run about,, and if you are going in the spring or summer there is a beach you could visit,, in the winter is will likely be rainy and cooler so beach no good.

Thanks everyone! I was totally thinking we were spending to much time in Florence since we aren't doing museums. The car rental idea is out because we aren't bringing carseats so we just wanted to stay with trains. I am looking up Orvieto and Siena. They both sounds great! Anyone know of a good castle to see? Is there there one in italy? My 4 year old would like to see one. Also is Pisa worth a 2 hour stop. My husband wants to see the tower. Also Traveling November 4th -13. Do you think we need to make reservations in advance. Its EID here in the muslim countries so not sure if that means more travelers in Europe.

Quote: "Also Traveling November 4th -13. Do you think we need to make reservations in advance. Its EID here in the muslim countries so not sure if that means more travelers in Europe." Are you talking in two days? And accommodations? If so, yes! With two little ones, I would. We are in Venice right now, and there are lots of tourists these last few days, the weekend being the worst. There are also a lot of strollers in Venice. It can be a hassle especially on the bridges but parents do it all the time. Have fun.