I love the small towns in the Abruzzo area. Abruzzo is what Tuscany was about 25 years ago. We're spending 2.5 weeks in Sulmona this spring. We're also going to spend 2.5 weeks in Spoleto (Umbria). I picked both because of their proximity to other towns we want to see, and because they're on the train lines.

That said, I loved Ferrara. We spent a few nights there about 2 years ago, and it wasn't long enough. We decided to stay in Bologna for a week this time since we've never been, but Ferrara will be a daytrip for us. If you're interested, we stay at the Albergo Annunziata. It's across from the Castello Estense.

Sorrento is a nice town on the Amalfi Coast.

Have you seen Lucca? The Cinque Terre?

Good luck!!

We did not see Lucca when we visited before, but I thought Ferrara or Bologna would be better stops between Venice and Rome. And we are reserving the Cinque Terre for another trip someday through northern Italy.

As for Sorrento, I'm not certain how destinations south of Rome would fit in our 12 night travel time and wonder whether it is practical?

You already have your tickets and you're landing in Venice. You've been to Venice twice before, and picked it again, so I'm assuming you love Venice. That makes me think you really like art and history and architecture. Tell me if I'm wrong.

So I'm thinking that your choices sound good, but that you might also consider some very nice small cities, all accessible by train, such as Verona, Arezzo and Perugia. Great art cities, loaded with history.

I think going south is impractical considering your air plans. There is an incredible wealth of stuff to see between Venice and Rome.

Ooops, sorry, you did mention Verona.

Yes, we love Venice and art and history and architecture. We'll probably spend our first 3 nights in Venice

We have not spent enough time discovering Rome and I look forward to 5 nights there, maybe with daytrips to Ostia and Frascati.

Between Venice and Rome, that leaves us 5 nights. Should we split the time between Bologna and Ferrara?

From Rome you might want to head south on the train to places like Sperlonga and Gaeta and Anzio and Terrazina...a whole different world (better with a car if you can go inland from them, but still worth the exploration by train).

We loved our brief stay in bologna last year so much we are heading back for 5 nights this July! We are doing day trips to Modena, Verona and Parma and can't wait. We stopped and spent a few hours in Ravenna last year to see the mosaics and it was definitely worth it!

You asked about heading south, to possibly Capri. Then you said the south is a no-go. So do you want recommendations for the south, or not? (Not being snide; just not sure what you're looking for.)

We decided to take tuscanlifeedit's recommendation that the south is impractical considering our air plans and an incredible wealth of stuff awaits us between Venice and Rome.

Venice: 3 nights
Bologna? Ferrara? Someplace else? 4 nights
Rome: 5 nights

I think 4 nights in one location between Venice and Rome, with easy rail links. Any recommendations?

I agree with jamikins -- Bologna is wonderful and 4 nights there would be great. From there you could do a day trip to Ravenna to see the fabulous mosaics. You can also do trips to Parma and/or Modena. Also have you visited Padua and the Scrovegni Chapel? If not, you might want to take a look. You can take a train there from Venice for the day.

We spent 5 nights in Bologna and loved it! Did daytrips to Ravenna, Maranello (for Ferrari factory - actually quite iteresting) and did a fabulous food tour to visit Proscuito, parmigianno reggiano, balsamico aceto and winery. Here is a link to my trip report with all the details and pictures:

http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/08/bologna-2010/

OK, we have narrowed our choices to Bologna and Ferrara. Should we spend 2 days in each? Or 4 nights in just one location? We heard bicycling is good in Ferrara? Is it like bicycling in Amsterdam or Munich? That might incline us to stay in Ferrara for a couple of nights.

"Or is there some other place to visit tbetween Venice and Rome hat we haven't seen before that anyone thinks would be a great choice?"

Piedmont, Val d'Aosta, Liguria?

Bologna and Ferrara area less than an hour from each other. Why not just visit one from the other?

This will likely sound off your beaten and unbeaten paths, but consider the 9 hour ferry ride from Bari for a quick visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia, #1 attraction in Croatia