where to spend last four days of trip to Italy

You're planning Florence for 1 week including CT and Venice, but that seems rather crowded to me (and Venice particularly isn't close to Florence). I would want to spend 3 nights in each probably. Maybe extend that portion, add another day to Rome. That will be more leisurely and give you time to see more. You could do Rome for 4 (remember that your first day there, and the day you travel to Florence will be used up somewhat, so I would want another day at least), and then head to CT, then Florence and Tuscan hill towns (Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, etc), then head to Venice and back to Florence to fly out (or change your flight to Venice). I think you could stretch your trip to cover that. Or you could rearrange and do Rome, CT, Tuscany, Venice and end in Florence since you're flying out of there. Otherwise if you want to keep your schedule somewhat like it is, I would add Como or maybe Lucca.

I really like Devon's suggestions. Part of my problem is that this is a long awaited family trip with three adult children, two with spouses, all with different hopes on what to do/see in Italy. Following Rome, which everyone wants to see, we structured our trip with a week at an apartment in Florence as home base. Those that want to see CT and/or Venice will do overnights there. The others will remain in Florence. We then have an accommodation set for a week in Tuscany with two cars for seeing the hill towns, etc. (One couple will be leaving part way through this week.) The lodging requirement of weekly rental is what left us with the four "leftover" days. In looking at Devon's suggestions, I wonder if we should consider returning to Rome where we only allotted three nights at the beginning of the trip. Will it be hot in mid-July? Would we try to fly out of there instead of Florence? Or would Lake Como still be a good option? Thank you for any thoughts!!

I really like Devon's suggestions. Part of my problem is that this is a long awaited family trip with three adult children, two with spouses, all with different hopes on what to do/see in Italy. Following Rome, which everyone wants to see, we structured our trip with a week at an apartment in Florence as home base. Those that want to see CT and/or Venice will do overnights there. The others will remain in Florence. We then have an accommodation set for a week in Tuscany with two cars for seeing the hill towns, etc. (One couple will be leaving part way through this week.) The lodging requirement of weekly rental is what left us with the four "leftover" days. In looking at Devon's suggestions, I wonder if we should consider returning to Rome where we only allotted three nights at the beginning of the trip. Will it be hot in mid-July? Would we try to fly out of there instead of Florence? Or would Lake Como still be a good option? Thank you for any thoughts!!

Orivieto is great. It's right on the Rome Florence line and very accessible. Great size, ambience and value. My young adult children like it too.

Siena or Lucca...close to Florence by train or bus...plenty to do, smaller towns, relaxing pace, wonderful food.

This is an amazing way to get travel ideas. Thank you for sharing!! Hopefully, after our first time trip to Italy, I will be able to return the favor for someone else!

Carol, The CT/Venice part of Florence makes much more sense now that I know that not all of you will be going to either one. That does seem like a smart idea then to base somewhere in Tuscany, around Florence, and then members of your family can choose the other parts. It's hard to say whether you want to return to Rome at the end or not. If you can switch your flight out of Rome, then you may want to consider it (plus flights are usually cheaper out of Rome than Florence). Or add some time to Rome on at the beginning, do your first part of Florence, then Tuscany (since you already have it booked) and then return to Florence for a few days at the end. For example Rome 5, Florence/CT/Venice 5, Tuscany 1 week, (Florence or Como) 4. Don't know if that's an option or not but it would allow you more time in Rome without backtracking. Also: yes, Rome will be hot, but Florence will be too. I'm not sure how large of a difference you will feel because they will both be qutie warm. Como is a nice option, especially Varenna is recommended on this board. If you go with your original schedule, then it depends if you think you will want more time with the monuments, museums, etc of Rome, or if you would rather have some relaxing time at the lake. If you have been around Tuscany and CT for the last week+, you may desire the city more in which case I would recommend Rome.