Hi, I'll be in Florence for 6 nights in July. I'm thinking of adding a few days before and after. Thinking of flying into Rome and spending 3 days there.
Q1 - I've already seen the vatican and am interested in ancient architecture and art - so any suggestions on what to see in Rome?
Q2 - any advice on what to expect re crowds/heat etc.
Then after Florence considering adding Cinque Terra (2.5 days), car trip through north west and over Venice for 2 days.
Q3 - any suggestions for the trip from CT to Venice? I love photography, architecture and scenery...(ps. I'm thinking of avoiding Lake Como but perhaps one of the other Lakes for a night? I'd prefer to avoide crowds if possible....)
Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated!

It can be brutal in Florence in July--the city is subject to inversions or some such with its river valley location. Not as dry as most of Tuscany, so you usually get some humidity, too.

Of course you never know--you could get lucky and have a cooler than average week. But I would definitely try to get a hotel with A/C at that time of the year.

With most of its sights concentrated in a relatively small area, the crowds can be pretty overwhelming as well--try to hit the most popular sights early or late in the day.

Also dress appropriately for a tourist who will be tromping about out in the heat, not an office worker sitting in a thick-walled or air-conditioned office building.

Plan indoor activities like musuems (or a siesta in your A/C hotel room) during the hottest part of the day.

Mrs. Fly is a teacher so most of our vacations are in the hottest period of the year--so we just adapt and go with the flow.

Avoiding crowds in July will be pretty hard...

Anyway, you might consider a stop to lake Garda during your trip from Cinque Terre to Venice, instead of lake Como, because it requires less diversion from the straighest path. In fact, lake Garda is about 90 minutes from Venice.

Thanks RufusTFirefly - some good advice. I'm also stuck with the dates as the Florence bit of the trip is based on an organised event. As you say - I'll adapt and go with the flow!

Thanks Stefm, I guess i will have to grin and bear the crowds....I'll look into Lake Garda. Ta.

Sorry - I forgot to put specifics in the title.
I've reposted with some city name in the title....

If you want beautiful scenery and to avoid the crowds, you might consider going into southern Switzerland! Beautiful, cool, wonderful hiking, a perfect summer destination.

Thanks travelhorizons,
Interesting suggestion - I'll ask my travelling buddies to consider this!