I am planning a trip to Italy.... 2 nights in Venice then taking rail for 2 nights in Florence. Departing Florence we wanted to rent a car and drive to Cinque Terre and stay 2 nights. Departing Cique Terre we would drive to Genoa drop our rental car and take a 9:45am flight to Naples where we would rent a car and finish our trip 4 nights at Amalfi Coast head to Rome by rail for 3 nights then fly home. Any thoughts on this itinerary? Biggest concern is driving from Florence to CT then Genoa.

Many thanks!

Brad

You are trying to do too much in very little time. I think you need more time in Venice, Florence and Rome. Cut out either Venice or Florence or the CT.

What would you be using the car(s) for, besides transferring Florence to CT, CT to Genoa and Naples Airport to wherever on the AC? If the car is just for the transfers, forget the car and take train(s) and/or other transportation.

Unless you've previously been to Venice and Florence, I agree with mjs regarding how much you're trying to do. As it stands, your itinerary looks like this:

Day 1. Arrive Venice (jetlagged?).
Day 2. See Venice (tough to see very much in a single day).
Day 3. Train to Florence (2+ hours plus time to reach the Venice station and then Florence hotel). Sightsee Florence in the afternoon.
Day 4. See Florence. (Hope this isn't a Sunday or Monday when many of the main sights could be closed; even on any day this isn't much time.)
Day 5. Train to CT (about 3 hours, and driving would not be faster). Sightsee CT in the afternoon.
Day 6. Sightsee CT.
Day 7. Train to Genoa, departing at 6:00a if you need to catch a 9:45a flight. Rather than spending money on a car rental at Naples Airport plus parking, book a driver to take you to your AC hotel. (You would likely only be able to return the car in Sorrento, Salerno or back in Naples, and few people have the courage to attempt Naples.)
Day 11. Transfer to Rome. You'd probably arrive by lunch time.

Ditto to what Jean says - cars useless in CT and a hassle getting to remote parking lots - if just driving between those places and nada more take trains - cheaper and more convenient - cities like Genoa are a hassle too. Book long-distance trains as early as possible on Acquista il biglietto con le nostre offerte - Trenitalia or www.italotreno.com - two competing rail systems using same tracks and stations and similar trains www.seat61.com has loads of helpful tips on booking own trains online - general train info like first v 2nd class check www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts -do not buy any tickets from any U.S. agent but book directly as much cheaper usually. And no to any railpass - unless you want perhaps first-class walk-up fares and total flexibility.

Yes Amalfi and cars don't mix - jammed roads and better to take boats between towns or buses for short trips. Better yet scuttle CT and take train Florence to Naples and then either train to Sorrento and ferries or private driver service.

>>Any thoughts on this itinerary?<<

Not very good IMO The whole first half of your itinerary need reworking.

>>Biggest concern is driving from Florence to CT then Genoa.<<.

You should have bigger concerns than that.

2 nights in Venice = 1 day and jet lag so you'll see something but not much at all.

2 nights in Florence = 1 day plus a few hours.

Then the very crowded CT - not sure what you'll do with a car there.

Only 1 day (2 nights) in Venice? Only 1 day (2 nights) in Florence? And why, why, WHY would you want a car in the Cinque Terre where parking will be a nightmare and having a car utterly useless? 3 days is very little for the Amalfi Coast, where again, a car will not necessarily be an advantage. And only 2 nights in Rome?

It depends on what YOU want to see and experience, but I would find this trip unpleasantly rushed and full of unnecessary aggravations.

Good luck!

Yes, drop CT and add a day to each of Florence and Rome.

Why do you want to fly from Genova to Napoli?
Take either the overnight train (with sleeping cars) Chiavari dp 23.52 - Salerno ar 9.12
or the early morning train
La Spezia dp 6.18 - Napoli ar 11.50