Ok, here goes, pls feel free to tweak anything that looks off. Trying to avoid the CT 5/01.

4/25 arrive VCE a.m.
4/26 VCE
4/27 VCE
4/28 VCE->FLR a.m.
4/29 FLR
4/30 FLR
5/01 FLR->LUCCA a.m.
5/02 LUCCA->CT day trip
5/03 LUCCA->FLR
5/04 Depart FLR

I would put all your time in Florence together to avoid 2 hotel stays in Florence. So go from Venice to Lucca, then Florence.

You may want to read our trip report if you click on my name...we were in Lucca this July. It includes our photos.

Have fun!

Ok, thank you for the suggestion! I will take a peek at your TR.

Agree. Go to Lucca straight from Venice.

Ok, so revised:

4/25 arr. VCE
4/26 VCE
4/27 VCE
4/28 VCE->LUCCA p.m.
4/29 LUCCA
4/30 CT day trip
5/01 LUCCA->FLR a.m.
5/02 FLR
5/03 FLR
5/04 depart FLR

Or another possibility...so short on time!

4/25 arr. VCE
4/26 VCE
4/27 VCE
4/28 VCE->LUCCA a.m.
4/29 CT day trip
4/30 LUCCA->FLR
5/01 FLR
5/02 FLR
5/03 FLR
5/04 depart FLR

If you are going to spend your one day in Lucca in the cinque terre why not just stay in cinque Terre instead of Lucca?

Jamikins, I was thinking the same thing! Revised again...looks like total train travel time is around 8 hrs, which seems doable for 9 days....

4/25 VCE
4/26 VCE
4/27 VCE
4/28 VCE->La Spezia (CT)
4/29 CT
4/30 CT->FLR
5/01 FLR
5/02 FLR
5/03 FLR
5/04 depart

Ha! We were able to add one more day!! Now what to do with it?

I think it would allow for a stay @ CT. Does this sound good? It looks to be about 8hrs of train time.

4/25-4/28 VCE (3 night/3 1/2 days)

4/28-4/30 CT (2 nights/1 1/2 days)

4/30-5/01 LUCCA (1 night/almost 2 days)

5/01-5/04 FLR (4 nights/almost 4 days)

5/05 Depart

I think you're being a little optimistic in calculating your time 'in' each place.

4/25 Arrive Venice
4/26 Venice
4/27 Venice
4/28 Train to, say, Vernazza or Manarola (6 hours minimum)
4/29 Cinque Terre
4/30 Train to Lucca (2-3 hours, depending on the trains)
5/1 Train to Florence (1.5-2 hours, depending on the trains)
5/2 Florence
5/3 Florence
5/4 Florence
5/5 Depart

Also, each time you take a train, you need to consider the time needed to get to the train station (presumably arriving several minutes before the train departure) and the time needed at the other end to get to your hotel by foot, taxi or public trans.

All of which is not to say this plan isn't doable... but you need to be realistic about how much time you'll have in each place to see/do what you're going there for.

Have you searched the train timetables?

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

You should also check what museums/sights are open in Florence on the days you'll be there. Sundays and Mondays are tricky. Not everything is open every Sunday and/or Monday, so you'll have to plan your time very carefully.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/ [an official website]

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/lan...i_firenze.html
[a helpful, but commercial, website; so try to verify all info]

Thank you Jean, I agree with your advice, and I think we have decided to limit ourselves to 3 spots.

4/25-4/28 Venice
4/28 Travel to Manarola or Vernazza
4/29 CT
4/30 Travel to Florence
4/30-5/4 Florence and day trips
5/5 depart

Think this works?