Spain and Italy help!

Chelsea, you did not mention where you were flying in/out but this itinerary is doable (my wife and I have done it). Fly into Barcelona - plan on at least 2 days. Fly to Rome (around $75 one way) - I'd spend 4 days. Train to Florence 1 1/2 hrs. $65 for 2d class; spend 5 days Train to Venice; 2 hrs., $62; spend 4 days Train to Monterossa (Cinque Terre) 5 1/2 hrs; $77; Spend at least 3 days there Train to Milan 3 hr.; $32; spend 2 days A good website for train schedules and fares in Italy is:
http://www.raileurope.com/index.html As with all travel, you would be well advised to do extensive research on the web and, by all means, BUY STEVE'S BOOKS. My wife and I have been traveling to Europe at least once a year since 1995 (we were married in Venice) and we ALWAYS buy his books. We are off to Provence and Barcelona this Spring and we have purchased Rick's books to plan the trip.

Sounds wonderful already! Sounds like you've focused on central Italy and that's good. We did 3 days in Florence, 3 days in Rome and felt a little rushed to cover the highlights, but we did it with kids too. Just two adults wouldn't be so crazy, then you'd have the balance for Venice and Cinque Terre. Rick's hints were invaluable. DO buy all art entry tickets early and then plan the rest of your days. Not sure if you plan to see Spain beyond Barcelona? We just spent a week in southern Spain, seeing Sevilla, Tarifa/Morocco, Granada and Cordoba. We spent 3 more days in Madrid. In a big country like Spain I would suggest choosing a region. We did almost the whole country on our honeymoon 20 years ago in 15 days and we barely remember details. This last trip, with kids, was much slower but more memorable. You could also focus on Madrid/Toledo/Avila/Segovia. All relatively close together, and with Barcelona too you'd have a great focus.

We only got to spend one night in Florence and would have liked to stay longer. While in Florence, for something really fun and different check out Fiat 500 Tours - here's a link http://www.500touringclub.com/
It is a total Blast! We spent 4 nights in Cinque Terra, you will fall in love with this place, very relaxing (except for the hike -takes all day). Rent an umbrella on the beach and just enjoy relaxing. We spent 3 nights in Rome and that was plenty. Like the other person said, buy Rick's books, Best of Europe is probably good for the places you are going.

What time of year will you be there? That will make a difference, particularly if it would be worth going to the Cinque Terre and how much time you might spend there. Also, so you intend to hike there or just relax? Presuming you will be making this trip during the warmer weather I would probably do something like this with 3 weeks - Fly into Barcelona (4 nights) Fly from Barcelona to Rome (5 nights) - one day trip to Orvieto Train to Florence (5 nights) - one day trip to Siena or ? Train to Cinque Terre (3 nights) Train to Venice (4 nights)
Fly home from Venice I put Cinque Terre in the middle to give yourselves time to relax in the middle of your trip. Besides there you are rather "city" heavy, so I suggested a couple of day trips to some smaller locations. Staying longer in each location will keep you from having to move too often. Congrats and enjoy your honeymoon!

We were in Rome last July before a cruise. It was unbearably hot and crowded.It took us over a hour just to get through the Vatican security checkpoint. Be prepared to do everything you want before noon because it's too hot to do anything again until dinner time. We spent a couple of nights in Orvieto which was more pleasant and not so many tourists.
We've also been to Spain in summer, and although it's hot it still wasn't the madhouse that Rome was.

I suggest you review all the areas people have suggested. They area all great. My personal likes are Sienna, Florence and Cinque Terre. Rome I could have stayed only two days and been perfectly happy. While in Rome we did Rick Steve's self guided walking tour. Ate and drank what he suggested, it was awesome.
In Florence, we took a wine tour with "the Accidental Tourist" company and it was awesome, also in Florence the best food, and all the food was good everywhere we went, but Trattoria 13 was outstanding! In fact, we went to dinner there twice. Check on the dinner times, I don't believe they open until 6 or 7 in the evening. Enjoy your travels. I am happy to share the locations we stayed if you want simply accommodatioins. I obtained them mostly through RS's books.

The Cinque Terre is a must! Anytime of year and the hike can be shortened to your liking. Stop in the villages along the way for a snack (& wine) or lunch. Vernazza was our home base and we were pleased with our choice. Marco met us at TS to bring us to his rental property. Reccommended by Rosa Vitali (RS) as she had no vacancies. We loved it. Short walkto center but, stopped at bakery, Il Piratta, every morning. Food good and, the owners, twin brothers werehugely entertaing and helpful. Would go back tomorrow! Near Orvietto, Bagnoreggio, Romantica Pucci is a MUST. Pucci is friendly (speaks @ least 3 languages), and full of information. Eat there! Husband, Lamberto, is a fabulous cook and the meal was huge, homecooked and inexpensive (including wine and lemoncello, also homemade). It is an easy trip to Civita and many other hilltop towns. Could have spent the rest of our trip right there! Rome, we walked the Appian Way. An ancient road used by Romans filled with Roman and Etruscan ruins and burial caves. Very un-touristy.
Have a wonderful trip no matter where you go. peg

Agree with comments of other posters except for the 2 suggestions to spend 4 days in Venice. Venice is a real WOW but we found 2 days quite enough and besides accommodation can be really expensive (especially for what you get - wee rooms at a higher price than what you pay in other settings). Depending on your planned mode of travel, if you were to consider a car rental for part of your Italy time - staying and driving around Tuscany would be a must-see/do for me. Siena is great as are all the hill towns around that area. Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre (with a side stop in Pisa) are other must sees. But a car in Rome, Florence, Venice or Cinque Terre would be a waste. Train travel into and between these locations is great. Consider renting a car in Florence and spending time in Tuscany countryside could be good as a break from the big cities and use of public transportation.
Happy travels.

Chelsea
I second Bev's remarks. While Venice is wonderful, two days are ample and there are soooo many fine places to visit in the region. For what it's worth, a few years ago my wife and I stayed in a great hotel practically across the street from the train station in Bologna. We chose Bologna because Venice, Verona, Florence, Pisa and Siena are all relatively short train tripseasy to get to, visit and return from in a day and evening. While Bologna isn't on everyone's itinerary we found it a great place to stay. When we were there, the lodging cost was lower than in Venice (and probably Florence) and it is a hub for train transportation. Bologna isn't bad itselfthe Piazza Maggiore is a wonderful space and the Basilica of San Petronio is the fifth largest church in the world. The Towers of Bologna are remarkable; the Garisenda Tower is mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy. And then there are the markets and the food...to die for.