Hi,

I need suggestions on my trip to Italy this May. It is less than two months away! I am very excited, but still need a little help with what to do.
Here is the itenerary.
5/3 - Leave US
5/4 - Arrive Venice late afternoon
5/5 - Venice
5/6 - Venice
5/7 - Venice
leave via train at 1:20pm
arrive rome at 7:00pm
5/8 - Rome
5/9 - Rome
5/10 - Rome
5/11 - Rome
leave via train at 7:45am
arrive amalfi coast 10:15am
staying in Positano
5/12 - Positano
5/13 - Positano (this is my 30th birthday and a Sunday)
5/14 - Positano
leave via train at 6:42pm
arrive rome at 9:16
take cab to hotel in Fiumicino (near airport)
5/15 - Leave 12:00 =

I would like to make the best of my time in Venice, what to see, what not to see?
As for Rome, the Pope is out of town so we will miss him. But I still want to go to the Vatican, do I need to get tickets ahead of time. What else should we do. Wouldn't mind a half day wine tour out of Rome.
I would love to make the most out of my time in the Amalfi Coast. I have a feeling this is somewhere I could stay for a week and not get enough of. I would like to relax and see the area, half day trip to Capri, vesivious, Pompeii???
Please help with must sees and what not to see and restaurants. The flights/hotels/train are all booked. Also, I am interested in going to the Opera if anyone has info. on that.
Thanks so much!

You don't need tickets in advance just to get into the Vatican or it's museums. Now if you want a private tour, that's another story.

You won't be able to do Capri, Pompeii or Vesuvius as half-day trips from Positano. Each would take the better part of a day. If you had a car and driver, you could probably do Pompeii and Vesuvius in one long-day.

No opera performances in either Venice or Naples during your dates.

Venice: www.teatrolafenice.it
Naples: www.teatrosancarlo.it

I would get tickets for a group tour of the Vatican museum in advance. Reason, otherwise you'll be in a humongous line. Even though you'll have to pay for the tour, you'll be saving two hours that otherwise would have been wasted waiting in the hot sun. (The tours are also worthwhile for their own sake, btw).

The Venice card is a great value for transportation and access to Museums. The Doges' Palace and Basilica of St. Mark are incredible. Go up in the Campanile for fantastic views.

Santa Maria Della Salute is an incredible church. Also Il Redentore and San Giorgio Maggiore are two churches by architect Andrea Palladio on adjacent islands.

Get out early to avoid the day trippers and cruise ship crowds which fill Piazza San Marco and the Rialto. Evenings in Venice can be peaceful and romantic. Enjoy.

The best thing to do in Venice to take the vaporetto (water bus) the length of the Grand Canal. The next best thing is wandering around getting lost, preferably in neighborhoods away from the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto. Venice isn't that big; sooner or later you run into the water.

We enjoyed visiting -- by vaporetto -- Murano (the glass-blowing island) and Burano (the lace-making island, extra cute). Next time I go I want to take a trip along the Brenta Canal and visit Palladian villas.

This is too much. I only had three days in Florence, and I still didn't accomplish what you are attempting; never mind the fact that it was only me and my husband. Granted we spent 3 - 4 hours at St. Maria Duomo alone, then we ate a leisurely meal at one of the oldest restaurants in Florence called, Gilli; but not recommended with students on a tight budget. The restaurant is located in the Piazza of the Republic. From The restaurant we walked our way over to the Pont Vecchio, where the gleaming gold catches your eye and wallet if you allow it. Then found our way towards the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and to the Basilica. End with a quick walk over to the Basilica di San Lorenzo.

Most importantly just attept to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you everywhere.