We are thinking of flying into Rome, spending 2 days, then to Assisa, spending 1 day, then to Florence, spending 1 day, and then to the Cinque Terra, spending 2 days, then to Venice, spending 2 days. We would like to finish by flying Venice to Paris and spending 2 days before flying back to the US. Any comments on this proposed itin. would be appreciated. Also any recommendations for making reservations to museums and places in Rome, i.e. the Vatican.

Everyone will tell you have crammed too much in. Moving takes up at least half a day no matter how clever you are.

Need to advise what time of year and what your collective interests are.

I think I'd cut it down to
Rome (Vatican is not my thing but hey)
Florence
Venice
Paris

spread your 10? days evenly between

You muct be kidding!
In that short time pick 3 and enjoy your time in Italy.
I would do Rome 4, Florence 3, and Venice 3. That is a full plate.

Agree - 10 days do 3 places MAX. Skip Paris for sure and enjoy Italy. You will lose at least 1/2 a day every time you change locations due to checking out, getting to transport, transport, getting to next hotel, checking in. It all takes much longer than in North America. If it were me I would pick 2 places and really enjoy those 2 places.

I don't think you have accounted for the time it takes to move from one place to another. You will have at least half a day less than you've stated in each of those locations.

I would drop Paris for starters. Do Rome, Florence (you can leave the city and enjoy a bit of Tuscan countryside), and Venice.

Or lengthen your stay by a week or so.

Ho wold are the kids.

If older - 10 and up - you can do 2 places - 3 max. More than that and you just have a tour of the train stations of europe - and will have time to see nothing.

If the kids are little I would get an apartment somewhere, stay there and just do a couple of day trips.

The itinerary you have put together gives you 1/2 of a day in some places and a whopping 1.5 days in others. No matter the age of the kids they would be cranky. I'm 54 and I would be cranky if you tried to do this to me.

Agree with everyone's suggestions here. On our first trip to Italy our kids were 9 and 12. We had 14 nights and spent it all in Rome, Venice and Florence. It was a fabulous trip and whet our appetite and have been back to Italy twice since then.
Here is a link to my trip report:http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-2-weeks.cfm.

To give you a rough idea of time involved:
Day 1: Arrive Rome, get luggage, get into city, check into hotel. Even if you arrive in the morning, it will be afternoon by then, so
1&1/2 days in Rome.
Day 3: Check out of hotel, travel to Assissi, check into hotel - most of the morning, if not all of it, so
1/2 day in Assisi
Day 4: travel to Florence, same as before, at least half the day of travel, etc.
1/2 day in Florence
Day 5: At least a half day in travel.
1&1/2 days CT
Day 7: At least 2/3 of day getting to Venice.
1 day plus few eveing hour in Venice

I agree. What time of year do you plan to travel? That may make a difference in the itinerary you choose but I would recommend 2 and at most 3 places. If your kids are old enought to carry their own luggage and keep up, you might manage 3. Depending on your interests, Rome, Florence and Venice are good destinations for a first trip.

Sorry, somehow posted before finishing and correcting (sorry about spelling).
Anyway, departing Venice, flying to Paris, getting into city, etc. will take up 2/3 of another day, leaving you with only one day in Paris - if that is not the day you are flying out. If so, that leaves you no days in Paris.
It looks as if you will be traveling at least a total time of four days out of your ten days, minimum, not a very good return of sightseeing experiences for the money spent.

Please don't be discouraged. Italy is a great place to take kids. There is so much to do and see in just Rome, that none of you will be bored, even if you visit only two or three major places/cities with a couple of day trips.

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A few other threads on this forum which you may find helpful --

Italy train travel with kids .....
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-with-kids.cfm

Italy w/ kids ... November or April?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rly-april-.cfm

Italy in July w/ kids .....
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...10-6-and-3.cfm

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http://www.ciaobambino.com/family-tr...stinations.asp

justice5 - I know we sound severe. Or like scolding grandmothers. But, you came here for advice from very seasoned travelers for a reason. And despite how it comes out, the advice is the same, and it exhibits our concern that you actually have a good time in Italy... and, actually <i>remember</i> what you've seen/done when you get home.

I am in total agreement with others above. If you have very young children (under 10-12) consider two cities. Maybe Rome/Florence. If the children are a bit older (pre-teen to teen), you could manage 3 at most. I would then add Venice.

On your first trip, I suggest 3 days Venice, 2 days Florence and the remainder in Rome. Train travel in Italy is very modern and downright speedy. You can get from Rome to Venice in under 4 hours via bullet train. It is 90 mts between Florence/Rome.

Please consider our advice with all the intentions of the group- wanting you to have a wonderful experience.

Buon viaggio!

justice, I'm also struggling with an itinerary in Italy. With kids. In fall, so I have to get my act together!

However, we are limiting ourselves only to Northern Italy - but there is so much to do !

I agree that every time you change cities, it takes about 1/2 a day. If it doesn't, it means you are traveling at 6am and you're beat then anyway!

I would save Paris for another trip -- there is so much to do there, that it would warrant a full week. Or combine it with London for 10 days. I've done both!

enjoy!