mama_mia

We have stayed at the following apartment in Rome. It has the room configuration you would need, as well as two bathrooms, a washer and a great location (stone's throw from Campo de' Fiori). The owner speaks excellent English and is very easy to communicate with.

http://www.vrbo.com/305032

Jean

Whether bicycle helmets are required or not, please wear them. Over the past few years, my husband's group of cycling friends has had 3 incidents of traumatic brain injury. None of these were from being hit by cars, etc., just a millisecond of attention on the part of the rider. In each case, the cyclist was wearing a helmet which couldn't completely prevent injury but did prevent death.

Cycling on an unfamiliar bike (with unknown maintenance), in an unfamiliar area and likely on uneven surfaces (cobblestones, etc.) increases the risk of an accident.

Sassafrass

Day trip to Pompeii from Rome is doable, but like many things that are doable, is not a good idea.
Better idea, IME, would be to spend at least two nights on the AC, going down from Rome to the AC (or Naples) on the day you land in Rome. Tour some place on the AC the next day. On day three, tour Pompeii on the way back to Rome.

This would work really well if you could fly into Naples rather than Rome on the 14th. Then you have a short trip to Sorrento where it is easy to visit Pompeii, Capri or Positano and Amalfi. That would give you a bit of a coastal area instead of the CT.

Another option: fly into Naples (or go directly from Rome) for 1 night. See Pompeii the next day and go to Rome. If you do not mind giving up a coastal area, which might be iffy weather wise in Mid-April, but still want to see Pompeii, this could work well and gives another day for Rome or Florence.

You do not have to decide on any day trips ahead of time. Find out how to do them, but make the decision once you are there.

Once you are in Rome, see if you really feel like leaving so many great things unseen and spend so much time traveling. Consider instead seeing Orvieto, either from Rome as a shorter day trip, or on the way between Rome and Florence.

Seeing Pisa on the way between Rome and Florence is not practical - better to see Pisa from Florence. Again, make that decision once you are there.

The islands (especially Burano and Torcello) depending on the weather, and Vicenza are wonderful day trips from Venice.

This is pretty rushed, but no 1 nighters, and you are coming so far, I know you want to see specific things, but not travel more than sight see.

Your trip could look something like this:
April 14, fly into Naples (or Rome if there is no choice), transfer to Sorrento - 2 nts
15, tour AC (Positano/Amalfi) or Capri
16, tour Pompii, continue on to Rome - 3 nts
17 & 18, Rome
19, early train to Florence - 3/4 day to tour - 2 nts
20, day trip to Sienna or to Pisa and Luca
22, train to Venice, 3 nts
23 & 24, Venice
25, home

You could take a nt from Venice and add it to Florence or allowing for a stop in Orvieto on the way from Rome.

You could skip the day on the AC and add it to Rome or Florence.

Keep in mind, mid-April - possibly rainy and cool everywhere, especially Venice & AC.

lschw

Thank you to everyone for your respones you are all fantastic for taking the time to help. I will check the accomm suggestion and the latest suggested itinerary along with the others.
I will certainly add a new question regarding volleyball tickets closer to leaving Australia.
Thank you.

Cinart

I vote for skipping the Amalfi Coast altogether. Ostia Antica in Rome, or the Catacombs are both good day trip ideas. All three cities require tons of walking and there is so much to see and do. Remember, you want to leave some time to relax--even if it's just to enjoy people watching at on outdoor cafe. I recently did this itinerary in reverse with (Venice, Tuscany and Rome) and we were were constantly on the go. We only stopped in Florence to grab a rental car (we had been there several times bf), but you could easily do a day trip to Tuscany (Sienna or Lucca comes to mind) from Florence if you want a taste of the countryside. For Venice--I think you will avoid cruise ship season --which will allow you to also avoid the mega crowds. Make sure to book the Doges Secret Tour with your kids while in Venice.

cmstraf

I strong agree with everyone about spending more time in fewer places. I'd add to Venice. Have you checked when Easter and Palm Sunday are next year? The church of Santa Maria di Trastevere in Rome has beautiful mosaics and a lovely evensong on Palm Sunday. Catedrale di San Marco is also best seen in a mass, less like a disneyland. I am not religious, but love to see beautiful churches doing the job they were made for--with the only price being respect, silence and a few euros into the offering.

25 aprile (my birthday is a national holiday in Italy and a special holiday in Venice. In Italy, it celebrates the country's freedom from fascism and the fall of Mussolini. It is also the birthday of San Marco, the patron saint of Venice. There is a custom there of giving a rose to the one you love. The city will be mobbed but in a lovely way. I hope your flight is not too early.

I liked the Cinque Terre very much, but unless you are hikers, would trade it for more time.

And you probably won't do this--nobody does--I didn't--but I wouldn't go to all 3 great cities on one short trip, I'd divide the time between two of them (including Venice as one because it is a city that I love). I am also assuming it is too late for you to fly into Venice, but taking a water taxi from the Venice airport to the city is a magnificent, if expensive, experience, a moment your kids will never forget.

jamikins

Easter in 2015 is the first weekend in April.

nochblad

cmstraf

April 25 does not strictly celebrate Italy's freedom from fascism and the fall of Mussolini but the end of the second world war and the liberation of the country from nazism. Fascism, which is Italian in origin, was already finished although Mussolini was not executed until April 28 at Dongo on Lake Como.

cmstraf

Good point, thanks for correction.