lemsd

OK... so I think this is my final itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Rome and transfer to Florence
Day 2: Florence (day trip to Pisa)
Day 3: Florence (maybe a day trip to Sienna)
Day 4: Train to Venice
Day 5: Venice
Day 6: Venice
Day 7: Early train to Rome
Day 8: Rome
Day 9: Rome
Day 10: Day trip to Pompeii
Day 11: fly out of Rome

I think this way gives us less time in Rome since Venice is further from Rome... but we will just have to accept that we can't see everything and we will have to leave something for us to see on another trip!

lemsd

Or... here is another tweak:
Day 1: Arrive in Rome and transfer to Florence
Day 2: Florence (day trip to Pisa)
Day 3: Florence / train to Venice
Day 4: Venice
Day 5: Venice
Day 6: Venice / train to Rome
Day 7: Rome
Day 8: Rome
Day 9: Rome
Day 10: Day trip to Pompeii
Day 11: fly out of Rome

annhig

We could drop Sienna, but I have seen posts that it is a pretty bus ride and beautiful city>>

honestly, you don't have time to go to Siena as well as Pisa, plus the bus trip, [IMHO] is really not pretty at all!

I suggest climbing the campanile and/or the dome of the Cathedral, seeing the David in the Accademia, visiting a market and showing your kids the wonderful foods there [and tasting them afterwards for lunch] exploring the little streets of Oltrarno, going to the Palazzo Vecchio, etc. etc.

if you decide to go to Pisa, book your time for climbing the tower at www.opapisa.it.

lemsd

@annhig, thanks for your input... I am pretty sure I am going to drop Siena. I know climbing Pisa will be memorable for my kids so that I think I will have to keep in my itinerary. I have convinced myself to go back to my Rome-Venice, Florence, Rome... itinerary since I realize that the sun does not set in Venice until 9:00... I prefer to start my trip at the furthest point. I wish there was a way to cut out Florence, but still keep in Pisa... and head to the AC... but I think the AC will have to wait for another trip.

So, my itinerary is now:
Day 1: fly into Rome around 12:30 and take train to Venice
Day 2: Venice
Day 3: Venice
Day 4: Train to Florence
Day 5: Florence w/ day trip to Pisa (really a 1/2 day in Pisa)
Day 6: Florence
Day 7: Train to Rome
Day 8: Rome
Day 9: Day trip to Pompeii
Day 10: Rome
Day 11: Airport

The only thing I might do is slice a day off of Venice to give another day to Rome...

thursdaysd

If Pisa is what's really important rather than Florence (and I do think Florence is a bit redundant if you're doing Venice and Rome) why don't you just do Pisa on the way from Venice to Rome? You should be able to leave your luggage at the station.

annhig

I know climbing Pisa will be memorable for my kids so that I think I will have to keep in my itinerary.>>

they have to be 8 or over to be allowed to climb the leaning tower. here's the official website:

http://boxoffice.opapisa.it/Turisti/

annhig

oops, pressed too soon.

thursdays has a good point.

IMO florence holds the least interest for kids out of Rome, venice and florence. I would consider Venice 3 nights, Pisa 1 night [it is truly magical at night all lit up with the tourists and touts gone home] and Rome. find a hotel near Pisa Centrale, leave you luggage there, enjoy a night and a morning in Pisa, then onto Rome for the grand finale.

perfect!

lemsd

This is a good idea... I will have to discuss...
Thanks,

Leslie