16 NIGHT ITINERARY FOR ITALY AND PARIS- PLEASE HELP
 

My husband and I are taking our first trip to Europe for our 15th Anniversary. We want to see everything but know that this is impossible. I have already booked plane tickets to arrive in Rome and fly home from Paris. Here is what I was thinking but I am afraid it is too much:
1. Arrive in Rome 5 pm and stay 3 nights
2. Rent a car and head to Tuscany for 3 nights
3. 1 night in Florence, return rental car, train to CT
4. 2 nights in Cinque Terre
5. Take train to Venice for 2 nights
6. Take train to Lake Orta or Lake Como, or could rent another car, stay 2 nights
7. Fly to Paris (from Milan) for 3 nights before flying home

My husband really enjoys history, and we both love to hike and bike ride and see beautiful countryside. Art and shopping are NOT priorities.

Should we give up the Lakes or Venice and add days to the other places?

Let me suggest this:
Arrive FCO---3 nites[ day one is lost]
Train to Florence---2 nites
Get car---to Tuscany base---3 nites
Drive to La Spezia or Pisa--drop car--to CT--2 nites
Train to Venice--3 nites
Fly to Paris--last 3 nites[ see Easyjet]

Much smoother logistics.

Thank you. I guess it makes sense to go to Florence first and then get the car. I did decide though, last night, that we would go to the Lakes instead of Venice since they appear closer and we could go to Venice on our next big trip (hopefully) to the Greek Isles on a cruise. Do you think we should keep the car in La Spezia or Piza while we are in CT to then drive to the Lakes or should we take the train?

I would, but I love the convenience of a car and hate to schelp bags on trains. With a car at the CT I would stay in Monterosso, Levanto, or Portovenere. Picking your lakes location will also be key. Maggiore will be much closer to MXP.

Thanks again. I think we will keep the car. I like the convenience of the car also.