OK, the crunching sound you hear is me eating my words. There ARE guided tours of the Galleria Borghese, but the tours in English are only offered at 9:10 and 11:10 am. Go to www.galleriaborghese.it. Click on the Union Jack for English and follow the menu for tickets/reservations. I don't think you need a tour, but you seem to like tours.

I don't know whether you can get a reservation for "5-ish." The museum closes at 7:00 pm, so I wouldn't be surprised if the last reservation is at 4:30 pm (or earlier). If you can get a 5 pm reservation, you should arrive by 4:45 at the latest to buy the tickets and check all bags, coats and umbrellas.

I assume the "Medici Skywalk" is the Vasari Corridor in Florence. Forget it. Even if you can get a reservation (I've been trying for almost 10 years), your time can be better spent looking at other treasures.

You say the Baptistry in Florence is included in your walking tour, but I suspect the tour will only cover the exterior and bronze doors. The interior is a jewel box.

The Santa Croce church is definitely worth a visit.

You've put "climb the Duomo" after a tour that ends at 4:00 pm. You might try to find out the last entry time for the climb to insure this is possible.

As you decided to keep the rental car in your plans, you could stop in Siena (or Orvieto) on the way from Rome to Florence. I still think I'd turn in the car in Florence and take the train to Venice. You won't want to make any stops on the way (you don't have time), and the train will take you all the way to the Grand Canal. (Just make sure you get off at the Santa Lucia station and not Mestre.)

Thanks Jean for the help. I am making adjustments and checking everything out so there are not too many surprizes along the way.

Operations Management always suggests, flexibility and agility as necessary to a successful venture. Are the 22, 21 and 19 year olds really 'kids'? I suggest you and your entourage actually agree to your schedule. Consider what you will do if one of your group; sleeps late, gets lost or gets sick! Please keep a journal of your visit and match its results with your original plans. I wish you, Happy Travels!

This is just a suggestion. Would it be possible to change just one night? I would consider leaving Florence right after the Uffizi tour and heading on to Venice, so you could wake up in Venice and have a whole day there. You will already have had a couple of nights in Florence and probably wouldn't be going to bed until 10:00 or so anyway. You are going to spend the time traveling one way or the other. Why not spend it at night and have those precious hours of daytime in Venice?

About climbing the dome: the website says it is open until 7 weekdays, with last entry 40 minutes prior to closing.
http://www.operaduomo.firenze.it/eng...pera/orari.asp Planning late afternoon/evening sightseeing at this time of year is harder because of early sunset. If you go right from the Uffizi to the Duomo you might have great timing for the end of the day.If the weather is bad or it seems too dark, you can reassess the plan.

Probably the most famous place to watch the sunset (another day) is the Piazzale Michelangelo across the Arno. The church of San Miniato al Monte above it is also beautiful

If you have not yet made reservations for the Borghese, I would suggest doing it now. The website is:

http://www.galleriaborghese.it/info-en.htm

Even in the off season, it can be difficult to get last minutes reservations.

Hi...thanks again for all the great info.

Working on booking the Borghese for 5:00 (last entrance of the day). I will purchase the Roma Passes at the airport and we'll use those for one of our free museums??? Is there any reason not to do this.

Sassafras...We are locked into the apartment in Florence for Friday night. My thinking when planning was that the kids might want to find some Friday night - night life in Florence. We'll just get up super early and head to Venice.
It's not that we're huge tour people...but with 4 kids who have very different levels of interest in history etc...I think good tour guides will keep everyone's attention and give info that we won't get from just going through on our own.

GSteed...I promise we'll be flexible with schedules and agility is my middle name. As far as someone getting sick...not even an option - I've warned them all!!! LOL. I have little sprial notebooks packed for all. It will be quite interesting to see how the actual trip compares to what is on paper now. Thank you for your well wishes!

Vttraveler...Thanks for the Duomo info. We'll plan on heading there after the Ufizi and see if the timing is right for Sunset. Also...thank you for the scoop on the other great sunset locations. I've put them in notes. I've also noted your 16 year old son's walking circut.

Loving all the feedback.

I've have stayed at the Cavalieri 4 times for a week each time. A very nive hotel and a great lounge,but it will also slow you down because of its location.
Since your post says "Italy Itinerary Feedback PLEASE! "
,ny response is like others: 4 nights is hardly enough to scratch the surface in Rome. You are making a huge mistake on not just staying put.
You Saturday is fine. How do you plan on getting to the Vatican?
Sunday is okay.
Monday is also fine.
Tuesday:Drving from the Cavalieri can be "fun". You might get lucky and get out okay,you also may not.
Wednesday is fine.
Friday is fine.
Driving to Venice-where are byou picking up the car?When do you plan to leave and give your car back in Venice, check in and get to a 2pm tour?
This basiucally gives you a few hours in Venice before your flight home.

First,let me say that I'm sure that your trip will be a great memory, no matter your schedule. But, maybe this might be a lesson for others you want to ask for "help" with their itineraries; please do this before "changing the itinerary isn't possible".
There are a lot of seasoned travelers here that are more than glad to help, but those that make the request should be open to the recommendations.
While there will always be differences here (Rome VS Venice,etc.), the OP should really pay attention to a clear agreement by most.
It's clear that you've packed too much in and also that you asked too late. I hope the best for your trip, but hopefully the lurkers that read this thread now and the future will post their questions much before a week away from their trip.

Hi...

Thanks Jabez for the feedback. I realize we will be slowed down by the location of the Hilton...I am hoping it won't be too bad. It's free and nice...doesn't that count for something???!!! I am sure we'll cab it to the Vatican Saturday morning since we will a bit jetlagged. What do you think?
We have a GPS which I hope will help little w/ the FUN drive out of Rome. I did give up Assisi...so we'll just go straight from Rome to Florence.
We are keeping the car while in Florence so we can take the day trip to Sienna. Our apt has a parking space for us. Won't have to pick the car up again before going to Venice. We'll just get up early Saturday morning (out before 8:00 am) and drive to Venice. Once again the car is free and we'll have the ability to come and go when we want to/need to.
I have not booked the walking tour in Venice yet. Still trying to figure it out.
Dropping the car at Piazzale Roma which is where we were told would be the most oonvenient?
I feel like I have done so much homework over the past 8 months. I did do a lot of homework and got feedback that 4 nights in Rome and 4 in Florence would be ok. I know it seems silly to hit Venice for part of a day...be we really want to get the flavor. We're from California...we're used to driving a lot!

Are you getting two cars? Six adults will not fit in one car and six adults with luggage will probably not fit in a European mini-van either.

Hi Kybourbon

We've rented a 7 passenger Ford Galaxy Van. With 6 of us...the seventh seat that folds down and the rear storage we should be fine. We're all bringing one 22" - 24" suitcase and one carryon. I drove a van for years...we're used to squeezing in with all of our stuff on road trips. Used to have to take our German Shepard too!

I would drop Sienna and add more to Venice.
You need to do less and enjoy more.

Also IMO the kids will have great fun on the train.

You DONT NEED A CAR AT ALL.

Look at the description of your van on the Hertz website under Vehicle Guide - it says it will hold 1 large and 2 small suitcases. They really mean it. There's hardly any room behind the third seat in a European van, which is a lot smaller than a full-sized American van. Even putting suitcases on the 7th seat will not be enough for 6 22-24" cases plus a carry-on each and seating for 6 adults.

Hi...At this point we are renting the car...it's free. If it is too crowded we'll turn it in in Florence and take the train. The train will add around 800 euro to our bill. The website says it fits 7 adults, 1 large and two small suitcases. I believe I can get 6 people and 6 small suitcases. These are not long rides...3-4 hours max. Our day in Siena will be w/ no luggage.

I do appreciate the input though.

Chan,

I think you are in for some major revelations on this trip!

Buona fortuna!

Cabbing to Vatican is quick and relatively inexpensive.
You have a day devoted to visiting Siena. Any partiular reason?
If you do, you will drive in 3 of the cities that I hate to drive in (though I drove through Siena this year with no problem);Rome,Florence and Siena.
GPS won't get you out of heavy traffic. So be careful to the times you plan to be driving in & out. Also, Florence has some tight rules (and cameras) concerning where you can drive.
I'd rethink Siena. I think the town is okay, but IMHO has not much more to offer after time in Rome and Florence.If the weatgher is nice (I returned from Italy last week and the weather vwas wonderful),you might consider driving to smaller hill towns.I'd choose Lucca over Siena,especially for a family bike ride on top of the wall.
Possibly a drive in Chianti that leads you to a great Ceramics studio/shop.
Times short and soon you leave.
Have a great trip!!

Thanks Jabez...I'll keep the Siena day trip tentative. We'll see how we are feeling and go from there.
I don't mind cabbing from the Hilton if it's more convenient than the shuttle since we're not spending anything for the hotel.

If you can get to the Vatican an hour or more before your tour, you can go into St. Peters. My favorite time to go there is about 8 am. There are very few tourists. To me it is actually when it feels like a church and not a museum. You may also enjoy St. Angelo's Castle. It is about a 2 block walk from the Vatican. They have a little snack shop and the best view of St. Peters.

As a practical tip, if you can find a local grocery, stock up on bottled water, or soda. When at the attractions it is very expensive (ever paid 7.50 for a can of diet coke?) You may also want to pick up a few snacks for those days when lunch is delayed or skipped. Low blood sugar has caused more than one travel todo.

Since you are driving, you might enjoy stopping at the Auto Grill. It is the European equvilant of Stucky's (if you remember those). There is an amazing collection of things to buy, and picnic goodies as well. Plus they have clean toliets!

You may also want to check on tolls along the way. Either keep small bills and coins on hand or make sure your credit card works.

Make sure you have enough film in Venice. The cart vendors see you coming in St. Marks Square. :)

Have a wonderful time.

Last thoughts (before you leave) on rental car v. train.

Taking the train from Rome to Florence and then from Florence to Venice will not cost you $800 unless you think you "must" travel in first class.

I calculate $460 for six adults in second class on Eurostar trains using a currency rate of $1.50 per euro. (27.50 euros pp for Rome-Florence, and 23.50 euros pp for Florence-Venice.) I did not figure in any potential discounts.

I still recommend dropping the car in Florence and taking the train to Venice.