Can you find more historic architecture than the Colosseum? Forum?

You don't have to stand in line for entry to most things these days as you can book tickets in advance online that lets you bypass the ticket lines.

I always think of Rome as like NYC except with cool things 1000+ years old.

It seems Tuscany or countryside is more of interest to you, but you really need a car for that. You might prefer Siena over Florence with day trips to hill towns or vineyards.

Yes I'd love to see more historic architecture by way of walking around. For example, I've traveled to Oxford and loved it a million times more than London and similarly with Bahia versus Rio de Janeiro.
I"m fine with booking tickets online for things but I think most of what I want to see isn't sectioned off into a museum or closed off, ticket requiring site. So some of that is fine but I certainly don't want it to be everyday of my whole trip.

I was trying to figure out how to make 4 days or so of the trip be the Tuscan region and the smaller hill towns as you mentioned. I have a list of places I've read about and would like to see but at this point I'd just love to hear from people who've been as to whether its doable.

8 days / 9 nights is a very short amount of time. You were wise to booke open jaw flights. Having done that, I must say do not skip Rome. I would also omit car rental and use trains unless you are dead set on driving some of the hilltowns of Tuscany. I just don't think you will have the time. Recommend you spend 3 full nights (2 full days) in Venice and end with 4 full nights, 3.5 days in Rome. In between you could train to either Florence or perhaps Siena for 2 nights. Given your lack of interest in museums and no mention of art, you could skip Florence. Rome, however, has amazing historic architecture, food and culture. I'll bet that the Colosseum turns out to be something you were very glad you saw, even if you don't take a tour of the inside. I happen to love Rome and the layers of history so evident. It may be bustling, but at least Rome has space. We were in Venice on Easter weekend once and could hardly move due to the crowdes. Rome should be better, but you'll find crowds everywhere since you are going during holy week.

I appreciate the response. I planned on doing trains most of the time other than maybe a one day attempt to explore or just drive around hill towns.

I guess the unfortunate (and perhaps incorrect) assumption that I have made about Rome is that being there would be everything I dislike about living in New York (i.e. massive crowds, difficulty navigating streets, and a TON of tourist traps that distract from the authentic). If you can recommend a way to see Rome that isn't the above I'd be much more interested.

"If you can recommend a way to see Rome that isn't the above I'd be much more interested."

Walk it.
I found Rome a delight, you keep finding history in unexpected places. A ruin here, a fountain there, a triumphal column, an ancient temple. The integrated public transport ticket is excellent value. Heading down a "boring" street? Jump on the next bus until you see something interesting.

One of the biggest differences in Rome/Florence/Venice, over other cities you may have visited, are the historic centers are pedestrian only (or at least big areas will be).

Of course, this leads to problems if you want to drive. Hill towns also have pedestrian only centers and you aren't allowed to drive into them or you will get a ticket (as does Rome/Florence). Google ZTL to see read about this.

>>>I have a list of places I've read about and would like to see but at this point I'd just love to hear from people who've been as to whether its doable.<<<

What's on the list? We can't tell if something is doable unless you say what you want to see.

A one day rental can cost as much as a 3 day rental. You also will need an IDP (get at AAA in the states before leaving) to drive in Italy and the majority of cars are manual, not automatic. If you need an automatic, you will probably need to rent at an airport location (still no guarantee you will get one). You also need to learn some of the Italian road signs. They have cameras everywhere and tickets get mailed to you later.

I have the IDP application but good to know about automatic cars because I certainly cannot drive stick. Below are some places I've read about on other forums and done some looking into. I certainly don't expect to visit all of them...just some places I've looked into for after I head out of Venice.

Cinque Terre, Montepulciano, Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano, Volterra, Arezzo, Grosseto

I am probably being overzealous but I really wanted to see Amalfi or Positano. At this point the only things I am locked into are starting in Venice and ending in Rome for my flights.

You have 8 days. If you visit Venice and Rome for 3 days each that leaves 2 days. You are not being overzealous, you are setting an impossible task for yourself.

Why not choose two from your list - you can visit Siena and San Gimignano by bus from Florence. Although none of the places you have listed is as inviting as Florence.

Oh my; I honestly think that to not stand in line and see historic churches and ruins and museums, you have probably booked air to the wrong places at the wrong time.

However, you can totally make the best of it with some work and research.

Forget the Cinque Terre; you don't have time.

Arezzo is a great small city/larger town with good rail access, but it is most attractive to me because of the art. But there is a great mix of architectural styles from Roman to Renaissance and an authentic and stylish passeggiata that is excellent in nice weather.

Oh, here's an idea: fly from Venice to Naples, visit the Amalfi coast, then train to Rome for your flight home.

What are your exact dates? It's possible you will encounter some issues if it's during Easter.

kyb, the 8th day of the OP's trip is on/about Easter weekend.

Agree with willit you can just walk around Rome and get the feel of the place and be mesmerized without ever having to go into a single museum. There is enough walking for a full 8 days!
I would just do 4 days Venice and 4 days Rome. Train in between. You don't really have time to do much else on public transport. Unless you want to stick in Florence for 2 days.....That's a couple of hours by train.

I land in Venice on Sunday, March 24th. I fly out of Rome on Tuesday, April 2nd.

I'm liking the idea of walking Rome and perhaps may start a new post about low key restaurants and hang out spots. I'm quite certain that I didn't book the wrong trip, to each their own. I have a travel style and I prefer to take in what is around me through food, music, and people watching. I imagine (and hope) to spend most of my time eating copious amounts of gelato and sitting in cafes.

Easter Sunday [not the Greek orthodox type but the sort celebrated in Rome and Venice] is on Sunday 31st March 2013.

so your trip will fall over Easter Weekend.

i think that you will find a surprising number of places open.

Yes, I'm sure it is just right for you. I was responding to what I thought were your questions and didn't mean to offend you.

4 and 4 is a nice idea.

Venice in particular is heavy on indoor sites but to each their own.

Rome will be packed and Easter Monday is a major holiday with everyone off work.

Rome will be packed and Easter Monday is a major holiday with everyone off work.>>

some places like the Colosseum probably still open though - we were there on an Easter Monday and it was surprising what was open. [do check in advance]. and many of the churches are still open for business as it were.