I'd suggest flying open jaw into Venice.
Three nights in Venice.
Train to Florence
Three nights in Florence (bus to Pisa, etc).
Train to Rome.
Three nights in Rome.
Fly out of Rome.
The Venice arrival is really stress free and magic, and there's more to Venice than gondolas.
We spent nine weeks in Venice over Christmas, and know that there's yet more to see. We barely scratched the surface.

Dawn~ Welcome to Fodor's forums. There is a separate forum specifically questions about Europe. If you repost there you will get a much greater readership. Not too many people check into the "Travel Tips" board. all the best, Suze

Thanks so much for this info...very helpful!!

Will do Venice - Florence - Rome. Sounds exciting.

What about any flea markets and wine tasting?

Thanks. D.

You won’t find too many fleas at the Rialto market in Venice – but it’s the fish market to die for. Go early in the morning – 6:00 AM – and watch it come to life.

Wine tasting – with good wine at about 5 Euro a bottle, you can taste heaps.

I did a kind of trip report about our time in Venice, along with the 3 night gig we did in Rome. You might find it interesting.

Will check it out, thanks. No fleas, only fish....bummer.Ha.

You will adore Venice! My most favourite place on earth. So beautiful and one big market at night near the railway station. Most nights the stalls are set up until late except Mondays as far as I remember.Lovely family atmosphere too and quite safe to stroll around- you will enjoy just walking these enchanting streets. If you are up to it, the 1/2 hour to 1 hour walk from St Marco to the Ferrovia Railway station is a must! Return by ferry if you can't walk back. The shops at the station are good too and seem to be cheaper than near St Marco. Try to go to Murano and Burano islands as well - magical places and a lovely boat ride to get there. Get the public transport ferries the locals get from St Marco Square. Full of lovely things to buy (and just look at),often very cheaply. You will want to return to Venice time and time again as me and my sister do.

And you will love Rome and Florence too!

It is a pity you cannot see Naples as well as it is also wonderful. One of the finest Archeological museums in the world is there and close to Pompei and Herculaneum. Sorrento is a fabulous day trip from Naples but you can't fit everything in. I guarantee you will want to return to Italy to revisit places and discover new ones!

Hi Dawn!

Wow so many questions, but I have a some hints for you.

I would fly directly into Rome as it is cheaper...but these days an open jaw trip is just as reasonable. Check it out

Definitly stay in Florence, I lived there for 6 months and couldn't get enough of the city. Visit Pisa, Siena and Assisi for sure. Beauitful cities and the trains rides are easy. But take some time in Florence...a full day at the most.

As far as a wine trip....you don't really need to take one. In every restaurant they have "table wine" which is incredible. It's inexpensive but great for dinners. You can stop by any wine shop and grab a bottle, there was a great wine and chocolate shop in Via Nationale near the train station with the greatest wine and chocolate selection. Hope he's still there, he was adorbale. Keep in mind if you take a wine trip, it won't be a complete tasting room experience. It's different in the states. The ones I went to didn't have the tasting rooms, you walked through the cellars tasting wine, the honor system. They do like you to buy at least a bottle and are best to be taken home and cellared for many years. If you want wine, buy at the shops, many of them even offer tastings.

Personally I wouldn't even go to Naples, I've been several times and didn't really enjoy it. Rather spend 2 or 3 nights in Sorrento, a beautiful costal town, spend the day in Pompeii and then the next day take the very to the island of Capri and one day in Sorrento. They have some of the best shops, boutique style, the most tasty lemonchello, and the most incredible restaurants. We, my Mom and I, came back from our day trips every night to enjoy the beautiful sunset and the incredible 2 hour dinners!

Venice is incredible, a must see, at least 2 days Such beautiful architecture, the waterways, and more. Great shopping here too. I was able to buy Morano glass and the shops shipped it home for me. Venice is a town that you won't get out of your mind!

Rome is a destination all in itself. I would spend at least 3 days there. I couldn't ramble on forever with the must sees. But let me know I loved Rome

10 days is a do-able trip. But you will be pooped if try to fit it all in. So I suggest, 2 days in venice, 3 days in Florence, 3 days in Sorrento and 2 days in Rome. But then again it would be great if you could spend longer in each!

Hope the info helps. I loved living in Italy.

Lvs2Trvl- Thank you so much. We have finalized some things and they follow almost your exact schedule. 2 days in Venice, 3 days in Florence, 1 day in Pisa(early am)/Lucca(afternoon to overnight)onto 3 days in Rome.

Question...best ways to get from Venice to Florence, Florence to Pisa, Pisa to Lucca, Lucca to Rome...how about tackling this? Ha.

D.

Hotel in Florence ...any recommendations, something cheap and clean. Hotel Abaco??? or where?

Do you already have a place reserved in Venice? I rented an apartment for three women last summer through cross-pollinate.com. We stayed in the Ca' Riccio (about 126 Euros per night--cheaper than hotels). The apartment was perfect! Spacious and clean. It was a 5 minute walk to the Rialto.

Your trip sounds good, although it's a bit of traveling trying to see so many places. Be sure to reserve tours (museums, etc.) so you don't waste time waiting in lines.

<best ways to get from...>

Actually that's an easy question to answer... you take the train.

(Oops I'm not sure about Lucca, someone else will have to confirm train or bus for that?)

Suze - you are right, the train is the best way to get around. SO easy! To Lucca, you can take the train and then a bus, you won't have a problem.

Ohh Hotel in Florence, there are soo many. Let me look at my books and get back to you. I have a few that were great. I'll let you know soon!

Lvs2Trvl - Thanks for the confirmation re: train and bus.

Can't wait to see suggestions re: hotel in Florence. It is the only place I have not booked yet.

D.

Let's see Venice, a magical city, or Naples, a dump? Let me think about it and get back to you.