If you are willing to take that many legs, you'll have no problem returning.
You may,however, have to be flexible with your return dates.
You may find that you have an extra day or two in Italy. Not the worse thing that could happen.
You may need to leave Tues-Thurs.

BarbaraS
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary - how impressive! We just returned from Rome in May celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We stayed 6 days at Hotel Santa Maria - a wonderful and relaxing place in the midst of Trastevere. Excellent choice of hotel after finishing up such full travels through Italy. We walked everywhere during the day returning to Trastevere each evening for dinner. The hotel offers a Rick Steves discount in 2007 - you may want to ask.
Gohedwig

gohedwig - Congratulations to you as well. It's amazing how fast 30 years can fly by. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Hotel Santa Maria. How do you get the Rick Steves discount? Just ask? Did you have any favorite restaurants in Trastevere?

Thanks!

Dayle - Thanks for the support! I didn't know about the noon closing on Saturday, so I'll definitely plan around that. I'm an early riser these days, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks!

We loved Il Villino. The couple, Sergio and Elizabetta, who run it are wonderful, kind, and can't do enough to make your stay a good one. Enjoy their hospitality and tell them Peggy and John send greetings. Thanks

Thanks Peggy - it's always good to hear positive feedback.

Locanda Orseolo hasn't responded to my emails (sent a week apart) about pricing for May, 2008. Do you think it's too far out to be booking hotels?

Thanks!

Peggy
Don't worry about getting no response for requests about future accomodations. It's not unusual for owners to have a "casual" Italian attitude about something that far off.
They may not even have there 2008 prices yet.
Send an email a week. You'll eventually get an answer.

I have been watching this thread as I too am going to Italy next year, end of April into May. I was able to get Delta ff Business Class non stop to Venice by calling 331 days out at the stroke of midnite. I got the Super Saver Fare. I still do not have tickets for my return from Rome but am waitlisted. My plan is 3 nites in Venice (thinking of Londra Palace), 3 nites in Florence (thinking of JK Place) and 4 nites in Rome at Albergo del Senato. I am also looking at Grand Hotel de la Minerve in Rome which shares the same great location as Albergo del Senato. Any opinions on one vs. the other? I am finding most hotels are not posting rates for next April/May and I have not had much luck getting e-mail responses. I am struggling mostly with decisions for Venice Hotels and am not settled on Londra Palace. Any thoughts?

Jeangail
I'd not depend on a waitlist. At least get a route back and then waitlist for something better.

Barbara S
In terms of discount, we told them that we read about it in Rick Steve's book and asked - Hotel Santa Maria confirmed rate by e-mail. Hotel Santa Maria also offers a pay by cash discount.

Trattoria da Lucia and da Augusta were my 2 favorites - informal, fun, in the back steets of Trastevere. We simply went with recommendations from people we met at the Hotel or went out walking the streets of Trastevere each night. Didnt' eat on the Piazza - too crowded for us.
Gohedwig

Jean the Minerva is a block south of the Senato. The Minerva will not offer the head-on Pantheon views that some of the Senato rooms offer, but it gets excellent reviews. I would have no hesitation about staying at either one of these ideally located hotels.

In Florence I like the luxury B&B, Piazza della Signoria. It is much less expensive than the JK Place and has a much better location in my opinion.

Hello BarbaraS, and Happy Anniversary to you!

Your trip sounds wonderful! ((w))

My only comment is another RAVE about the Il Villino. We stayed there for 5 nights a couple years ago. We had a wonderful room with a small balcony overlooking their courtyard.

Sergio is an absolute delight, and such a gentleman! Before we arrived, he made museum reservations, and while there he was very helpful with restaurant recommendations and bus/train info. One night I was feeling a little under the weather, and after we'd been in our room awhile, there was a knock at the door. There he was, with a tray of hot tea and cookies!

Happy travels!

Jumping into this thread late. Hope Barbara is open to more advice.

If you're arriving in Venice after a long overnight flight, you will be jetlagged for most or all of your time in Venice. Venice is a great place to be jet-lagged in, but just keep this in mind.

Regarding the Cinque Terre, you can stay in another town on the Italian Riviera and visit the CT by train or boat. There's another thread active here on Fodor's about the best place to stay on the Italian Riviera.

Happy Anniversary - I think your itinerary looks good. Visited Florence, Cinque Terre, San Gimignano in September and you are in for a treat. Cinque Terre is awesome - however, unless you are avid hikers, two nights would probably be enough to see everything, and I personally would add the extra day to Rome. We've spent hundreds of days in Rome over the past many years, and still can't get enough of it. Although not familiar with Hotel Santa Maria, if it is in Trastevere, the location should be great for exploring the city.

gohedwig - thanks for the restaurant recommendations - I've put them on my list.

jabez - thanks I'll try to be patient. I really want to stay at Locanda Orseolo after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor and seeing the crepes they serve for breakfast.

kopp - thanks for the kind words, hopefully I won't have a problem getting a reservation.

Mimar - my last trip to Europe I didn't have too much trouble with jet lag, so hopefully I'll do as well this time. But I'm glad I decided to take everyone's advice and fly into Venice and out of Rome. It's so tempting to want to go to Rome first. I've been keeping an eye on the other CT posts and you're right some of the other areas do look very tempting.

Travelinguy - we're not avid hikers, so two days probably are better in CT.
Santa Maria is in Trastevere http://www.htlsantamaria.com/english/index.htm. From everything I've read Trastevere sounds great. Can't wait!

Things seem to be falling into place. I was able to get a 3 leg ff flight home, and am waitlisted for a better flight going. I heard back from Locanda Orseolo, so I'm all confirmed for there. I can't wait for their crepes.

I do have a question about the waitlist for a ff ticket. Does that mean that they will contact me if a ff ticket is available, or should I continue to check to see if it becomes available.

I think I've decided to stay at the Hotel Pasquale in Monterosso.

Thanks again for all your help.

Hi Barbara,

I'd keep calling and calling. Last time I went, I was FF waitlisted for a better flight and never heard a word in months. I finally got things rearranged through persistence!

Ciao, bella

hi, Barbara,

here's a spoke in your wheel - why stay in florence at all? as you're only gonig to be thee a short time, why not treat it as a day trip from your tuscan base?

An I know this is ananthema to OPs [and me usually,] but why not return your car on the monday - I know that only gives you 3 nights in Rome, but if you get there early in the day, it's 3 days as well.

Congrats on your 30 years together,

regards, ann