JCSydney - we preferred Sorrento, mainly because we really wanted to see Pompeii. Plus we went there first and the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful it was hard to be as impressed with CT.

I believe trains will be on their regular schedule on the Friday before Easter, though perhaps more crowded with weekend travelers. I wouldn't assume there would be closings that day either, though Easter Monday may be different.

If ellenem if right about the trains, then I would agree with her suggestion to head straight to Florence and follow her itinerary. Your brains will be a bit mushy from the flight and jetlag but it's an easy train trip.

As I mentioned we were in Rome for Good Friday and right though Easter about four years ago and Friday was a normal functioning day - indeed we were sold tickets to the Opera!
And yes - things were quieter on Easter day - the Sunday - and a little quiet on the Monday - but otherwise we really enjoyed this time and loved the fact that there was less traffic around for a couple of days.
Do check the train timetables - and if they are OK - then I suggest that ellenem has an excellent plan. I am sure that with the age of your children you will all manage what is a very simple rail trip to Florence.

To love_travel_Aus thanks! some very good points made there and to the others too, highlighting that Easter Friday should be as any other day for services. I confess, I would have thought all closed. (my mistake!)

Ellenem, a very good suggested itinerary and I will do some further investigation on the La Spezia to Sorrento train schedules for that Easter Friday.

Nothing like getting advice from seasoned campaigners like the fodors members....! :)

Not a 'proper' mistake - just what we are used to here in Aust.

We have just experienced a lot of confusion over Christmas and New Year trading hours here in SA - and I am still not sure how the holiday days were decided or communicated!
I too am used to the very quiet, all the shutters down Good Friday here so it was something of a surprise to us.

Good luck with the train checking and planning