We are a family of five, kids ages 15, 18 and 20. Have never been to Italy. These two itineraries have been proposed. Flight into Rome and out of Paris cannot be changed, villa in Tuscany has been reserved. Itinerary A is recommended by a travel professional.
Guide referred to in Itinerary B is recommended by a friend who traveled with him last year.
Please critique, especially July 28 - Aug 1. Many thanks!

Itinerary A
July 25 : Arrive Rome, 5:30pm
July 26 – July 27: Rome
July 28 : Rome – Naples (by train) – transfer to hotel in Amalfi
July 29 : Day of sightseeing : Amalfi coast : Positano/Ravello , etc…
July 30 : Day of sightseeing : Pompeii/Capri/Sorrento
July 31 : Day at leisure (enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean and shopping )
August 1 : Transfer to Villa in Tuscany (San Gimignano) (by train or Van)
August 1 – 8: Villa (Day trips to be determined)
August 8 – Drive or train to Milan for flight to Paris.
August 8 – August 10: Paris

Itinerary B
July 25 Arrive Rome 5:30pm
July 26 – 28 Rome
July 29 Rome to Lucca (by train, change trains in Prato; 4.5 hrs), arrive Lucca 1:30pm, explore Lucca with guide and dinner in Lucca
July 30 AM: Biking in Lucca with guide; PM Lucca to Cinque Terre (Monterosso al Mare) (by van with guide, 1.5hr drive)
July 31 Cinque Terre: hiking and sightseeing with guide
Aug 1 Monterosso al Mare to Florence by van, rent car then drive to Villa in Tuscany (San Gimignano)
Aug 1 – 8 Villa (Day trips to be determined)
Aug 8 Tuscany to Milan (by car) to Paris (by air)
Aug 8 – 10 Paris

You are probably aware - it will be really hot in Italy in late July.

I am not sure hiking and biking would be the best activities.
One day in Rome ? Too bad!

Well - which one you take depedns on if you want to see the Amalfi coast or not. I love it - and would always choose to spend a few days there.

But - if a travel agent gave you itinerary A s/he has obviously never been there. there is no way yuo can see Pompeii (which is a huge town and takes quite a few hours) and Capri (which is an island requring at least a day - and has limited ferry service) in one day. Adding Sorrento goes beyond ridiculous.

What jumped out at me immediately was how ridiculous it is to expect to see Pompei, Capri and Sorrento on the same day in the first itinerary.

I think Plan A really needs a lots of work. First of all, you only have two days in Rome, which is not nearly enough.

And Plan B takes you from Lucca to the CT where you stay 2 nights??

I think you need to go back to the drawing board on both of these..

You need an Itinerary C...

well since your flights are as you say not changeable...you need to rework the body or middle of the trip as the last poster stated..you need an Itinerary C.
You are attempting to cover too much in too little time. ...and whats more, it might be doable but still a rush but that you were just a couple without the kids. Yet, since you have the kids, it is going to make it seem even more rushed trying to get them on the move and kept happy.
I would suggest ...lengthen your stay in Rome...1-2 days is hardly enough time to see rome's high points plus it is right after landing so you will all still be fatigued from the long flight even on day 2. Lengthen your trip to Rome to 3 or 4 days.... take the train to Florence/or your other Tuscany villa and use as a base to explore Tuscany for a few days...train to Milano for your flight to Paris....and thereby also lengthen your Paris stay by a day or more to really enjoy that vast venue. I think it is safe to say that attempting the Amalfi or Cinque Terre in this trip would be pushing it. You will have a much more relaxed and consequently enjoyable trip by not attempting so much ...especially on your first visit to Italy.

Well, if I had to vote then A wins, but it needs some help. You need to pin down transport on the coast. The city of Amalfi is a long way from Pompeii and that time of year you will need a driver. You could bus to Positano and then ferry to Capri, but that will be some hasssle with 5 of you.
And, you will want to get your van either in Sorrento or Salerno and drive to Tuscany. From Amalfi it may be easier in Salerno. You will want a van and it will be manual transmission---hope that works.
Bottom line---the AC will be tons more fun for the kids since you have a week in Tuscany later. Have fun !

You said flight into Rome and out of Paris can not be changed. What about the MIlan to Paris flight? Do you have to travel all the way to Milan from Tuscany to catch a plane? You might fly to Paris from Florence, Pisa, or Bologna . . . much closer.

As others have mentioned, your travel professional has apparently never been there. No way you can do Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri in one day!

You really need more time in Rome. You could at least leave Rome late in the day on the 28th to give you a little more time, but I would give up your day of leisure on the Amalfi Coast and stay in Rome an extra day.

How do your kids feel about a whole week in Tuscany? I would think they might get bored. (Just because you have a villa booked doesn't mean you couldn't change it...) Much more for them to do on the Amalfi Coast and in Rome. I sure hope the villa has a pool, or you may have a mutiny on your hands!

Also, why do you need a guide to hike in the CT?

Do you have a ink to the Tuscan villa? How did you decide upon that particular place--did the travel agent recommend?

Thanks for all the great advice! First, let me clarify that the day of sightseeing was a choice between Pompeii/Capri/Sorrento. I am going to consider adding a day to Rome. And Ellenem, thanks for the suggestion on flying from Florence to Paris--will investigate that. DH started these plans and made that reservation before I got involved. The villa we've rented was highly recommended by two families with children the same ages as mine. It's Il Borghetto near San Gim and gets consistently good reviews. They have several apts so there will be other families around, walking distance to San Gim, pool, ect...other kids loved it. http://www.ilborghettotuscanholidays...ish/index.html
I know there is so much to see and do in Rome, but I also know it will be crowded and hot. Thought two full days of sightseeing for this trip might be enough, then go to Amalfi for beach, ect. One kid wants to see Pompeii.
Our travel day to Tuscany is Sat Aug 1, and I've been warned that the traffic will be terrible that day due to Europeans on vacation. Would taking the train be advisable from Naples to Florence? Thanks again for all posts--I'm new to this and can't believe how much I've learned from you all.

<<Thought two full days of sightseeing for this trip might be enough, then go to Amalfi for beach, ect.>>

Do not underestimate how time consuming and exhausting it can be just to keep changing locations and taking daytrips. And Rome isn't necessarily all about sightseeing (museums and such). It's also about wandering a maze of streets, sitting in a cafe, absorbing a different culture.

<<Our travel day to Tuscany is Sat Aug 1, and I've been warned that the traffic will be terrible that day due to Europeans on vacation. Would taking the train be advisable from Naples to Florence?>>

Italians take trains, too. If you take the train, be sure to reserve the train tickets a few days ahead.

FYI, Pisa is a larger airport than Florence and may or may not offer better options to Paris. Pisa and Florence are about the same distance from San Gimignano.

Plan A and B really seem rushed, conflicting and not relaxing....and you are traveling with 3 teens in the heat. Your agents seem out of touch, Our trips to Italy have been fantastic and worry free as we chose to have Experience Italy of Sacramento, CA plan our trips. They have been everywhere, stayed in all places they recommend, and to boot, will get you just a train reservation or plan everything down to the last meal. They are so reasonable and so professional that we would never go to Italy without their help. We are not tour people and love to wander on our own..but like having our own tour guides at times. Just google them and you will get all the info you need. Have a magical time.

I would agree with russwuf.

Buon viaggio