you're having a laugh!

I wouldn't skip Naples. Use the kids as human shields.

I would probably skip Naples for this trip, not because it is dangerous but because you do not have the time. If you have an extra day or two, add it to Rome. And a day trip to Venice from Tuscany is really pushing it. Do you have about 10 days? Spend a week in Tuscany with a day trip to Florence and the rest of the time in Rome. Fly into Rome and out of either Rome or Florence.

You are, IMHO, skipping the most major sights to spend alot of time in the countryside. If you really want to do that fine.

Bur for a first visit I would do 4 days Rome, 3/4 i Florence - with 1 or 2 days to hill towns, and 3 or 4 in Venice and fly back from there.

A day trip from Tuscany (depending wher eyou are and how you are traveling - car or train - will leave you with not much time in Venice to see/do much.

If doing an open jaw between Rome and Venice, I believe that the recommendation is to arrive in Venice and leave from Rome because of inconvenient flight schedules out of Venice. I would give Venice more than a day trip from Tuscany.

Well, annhig, I guess you and I took it differently. I think it was the "day trip to Venice."

lilim26, apologies if you were being serious. May I suggest you fly into Venice and spend two nights. Pick up the car as you're leaving and head to Tuscany. Day trip to Florence. Drive to Orvieto or Chiusi, drop the car and train to Rome for the remainder of your nights. Milan (and Naples and the Amalfi Coast) make no sense with the limited time you have.

Well, annhig, I guess you and I took it differently. I think it was the "day trip to Venice.">>

Jean - i think you are confusing me with another poster - IMO we both read it the same - and for me it was the 'day trip to venice" combined with the fears about going to dangerous Naples with their kids. [loved your human shields quip, BTW]

i note that the OP has not yet returned, What next - a half day trip to Pompeii from milan?

oops - posted before I corrected that last sentence.

anyway, for those who think that Jean and I are being a little harsh, this is the OP's only post ever on fodors.

QED.

Well, it may be a first post, but you have to start somewhere!

I sense that you are already committed to this rental in Tuscany. If so, you can use that time to enjoy day trips to Florence (park on the outskirts), Siena (ditto), San Gimignano (ditto), and Pienza. Depending on what part of Tuscany, you can also go to places like Greve in Chianti and Rada in Chianta or explore the Val d'Orcia if you are in the south.

I would divide the rest of the trip between Rome (3 days for the high spots if you never enter a museum) and Venice. That's enough for a first trip.

If I were doing it, I would join those who would fly into Venice and out of Rome. I would not pick up a car until I got to Tuscany. Driving in the more congested parts of northern Italy is a lot like driving around Elizabeth, NJ. I would dump the car before I went on to Rome. Look at how a loop beginning and ending in Orvieto would fit into your Tuscany plans.

Why would I go to Venice first? So I would not have to deal with traffic (car traffic at least) until I got over jetlag and oriented myself to the Italian way of doing things. It is easy to get from the airport to Venice, it is easy to get a train from Venice anywhere, including all sorts of day trips to places like Padua, Vicenza, and Verona, and Venice is amazing it its own right.

The OP has only 10 or 11 days in Italy and is apparently flying out of Milan. The villa rental is a week. That leaves only 3 days - not enough time for Rome and Venice with day trips.

<< anyway, for those who think that Jean and I are being a little harsh >>

ann - I've never seen you be harsh. I think the post is a troll, particularly with the smiley face at the end. I also liked the "human shield" comment.

BTW - I've read the OP's post several times and cannot see where the trip duration is mentioned. Since the airfare hasn't been booked yet who knows how long they have.

I got to 11 nights - 2 nights, then a week then 2 more nights.

but I don't think it really matters - trolls can go anywhere, anytime.

I, too, thought this was a joke. But you never know.

There's some lovely parts of Sicily just south of Noto.

Technically, it is possible to see them on a day trip from Pisa. Meridiana fly int Catania it is a 3 hour drive to the beach a Vendicari. Easily enough time for a quick swim and then back to Catania for the evening flight home.

Sorry the dog licked my iPad keyboard last night, its very mucky and half the keys aren't working.

HomeBargains have run out of baby wipes!

No it wasnt a joke, it is my first post because it is my first time to europe in general, thus I joined to get information. As much as i did online research I prefer to ask questions and have gotten a bunch of different answers from those I know. Since were New Yorkers were certainly not afraid of going to Naples lol, just stating "what I heard". Thought I could get some good advice thats all. We are staying for 10 nights, but 7 are committed to the villa in tuscanny. I booked my airfare coming and returning through Rome, guess we'll have to do milan and amalfi another time. Thanks for all the answers.

lilim - you have my abject apologies. we do sometimes get people who post 'joke' itineraries and your references to a day trip to Venice and being frightened for your children in Naples had some of the characteristics of those posts.

anyway, to be serious for a moment, how does your week in the villa fall in respect to your flights? if you want a different city experience, you could break your journey at Orvieto, [which is recognised as a very good place to pick up a car, or to drop it on the way back] and take the funicular and bus to the top of the hill where there is the most wonderful Duomo, and town to explore. Great for a couple of hours or an overnight.

as for seeing Florence, there is a controlled traffic zone there which means that if you stray into it, you'll be heavily fined. Better to get the train or bus if you want to go there for a day trip.

<< Also heard how wonderful the Amalfi Coast is, but not sure how to work this into the trip since its located south of Naples I believe>>

THIS is what made me think it was a joke post. If you haven't actually looked at a map and know where one thing is in relation to another, you're not ready to travel or organize a trip.

lilim, (if you come back) I consider almost anyplace in Italy to be safe. There are probably neighborhoods in Naples or other big cities that are unsavory, but no more so than in the US. In fact, I would never be afraid to walk around at night in the tourist areas of Italy, and I would not be afraid for children.

Because you are committed to fly in and out of Rome, you have more of a problem with where you visit. I am not sure where in Tuscany (note: only 1 n in Tuscany) you are staying. Unless it is in the eastern part, near Florence, you will find it far too time-consuming to do Venice as a day trip. You certainly don't want to drive to the outskirts and park, as that will take too long. A train trip from Florence would be about the best option.

DO get a map!! You need to know where you will be in relation to others places!!