To all of you who were so helpful to me, and gave me suggestions for airfare, I just wanted to let you all know that I finally got a flight. It's not non-stop as I hoped for, but at least I'm not traveling for 15-18hrs.
Got it through cheaptickets.com after calling agents and finding out that I would have to pay a minimum of $1054 for a direct flight. It's with Air France and it was $649
rt. Not exactly a bargain fare but it gets me to Rome in 10&1/2 hrs. so I'm happy!!

I just did a check on Orbitz and they show a $613 Air France fare from JFK to Rome via Paris and (10 hr. 45 min.). Sounds like you might have paid a little more thru cheaptickets but it's still a good fare. Did you think to check with Air France directly to see what they were quoting?

When is your trip?

Hi
Yes! I did check Air France and it was $854 for the same flight I'm on. I had checked on Orbitz just before I got the tickets on cheaptickets and the cheapest flight they had was for $758. I'm not sure if that was Air France or not. I purchased the tickets on Feb. 3.
I guess a new rate might have been listed but how long could I take the chance of waiting? Even travel agents were having difficulty because so many of the flights were already booked.

I am leaving Apr. 1, and now I can't wait to go. All plans are in place to stay 1 night in Tivoli, 1 week in Tuscany and 1 week in Umbria in apts.

Hi Bettyk

I just checked Orbitz.com and the flight saw you for $613 has a different return time. My flight with the same return flight I'm on is $653 on Orbitz, I guess I didn't do to bad after all.
Thank you for letting me know about it anyway.
It's so nice to get input from other people, sometimes you get buggy after looking at so many websites.

just booked on expedia.com for 484.00 roundtrip ft lauderdale or Miami to Rome..