jojuice, be sure to let us know what you decide & why. I bet that no matter your decision, you will simply get an addictive taste for these cities, and "God willing & the creeks don't rise" (old midwestern saying!) return to your favorite cities to try & get you fill!

Happy planning & travels, Julie

first suggestion, drive yourself or take the train
the car gives you so much freedom and you can really feel the atmosphere

Venice - 4 days
Florence - 4 days
SKIP Orvieto unless it is a personal family connection
SUBSTITUTE - Assissi, 1 day & overnight
ROME - 5 days and then go back forever

Good advice, Cufflnx. I forgot about Assissi; really liked the walled city a lot.

Another favorite of ours is Ostia Antica; a day trip by train (about 30 minutes) from Rome. We always spend one day there each time we return to Rome. Since there is open access to all of the ruins (we explore all over & under them), & we have never encountered more than about 20 other visitors, we much prefer it to Pompei.

Julie