spice, i love Rome too. but I'd been going to Italy for 30 years off and on before I got there and whilst i wouldn't advise the OP wait quite that long, it won't hurt to delay Rome until she, or perhaps more importantly her partner. have got the hang of Italy.

NA - i like the idea of the "ancient empires" trip. where else would you go? and your instincts to take it slowly are VERY sound. "Abroad" can be very overwhelming the first time.

All good points!

Congratulations on NOT trying to pack everything into one trip (if there were just more travelers like you!!). And I, too, love the idea of the Ancient Empires trip; the third destination is obvious: Istanbul, i.e. ancient Byzantium, and for art-and-architecture lovers, the second-greatest city in the world after Rome.

Indeed, franco...Instanbul would be the third option for the "Ancient Empires" trip...time permitting.

I do love to go somewhere and see the typical sites, but also like to just stroll, get lost even, and see what "secrets" are around any given corner. Which is why I tend to spend longer than "normal" in any given location.

> Possibility of shortening FLR by one night and going to Cinque Terre for 3 nights instead of 2 nights.
> he is an artist, so kind of wanted to focus on those areas that are more well known for the art.

If I'm counting correctly, you have 4 full days (plus some bits) in Florence and 1 full day (and some parts of others) in the Cinque Terre. That's very close to the times I had in these places. I'm not an artist, but I am a lover of art, and that division of time worked well for me. I could have spent more time in Florence - it is such a rich destination for art and architecture! - but 4.5 days gave me the chance to see the things that were my highest priorities there. I would also have enjoyed more time in the Cinque Terre, but more because of the weather than anything else: I was there in October, and a rain storm forced closure of one of the trails. So I had an evening, a full day, and another half day there, and I saw all 5 villages and walked all but one of the trails. (And I would have had time to walk the other one had it been open.)

So, although we all travel differently and at different paces, I like your plan!

Hope that helps.

Plane tickets are obtained. Italy is no longer a wish, but an upcoming reality.

Since acquiring plane tickets yesterday, I have two of the three hotels confirmed. I must say, I am duly impressed with the Italian's speed in responding to emails thus far.

The final itinerary is as follows:

May 11-27, 2012

Day 1 - Depart U.S. - AirFrance ORD-CDG-FLR
Day 2 - Arrive Florence(scheduled noon arrival) O/N FLR
Day 3 - Florence - O/N FLR
Day 4 - Florence - Day trip to Pisa/Lucca - O/N FLR
Day 5 - Florence - Day trip to San Gim/Siena - O/N FLR
Day 6 - Florence - O/N FLR
Day 7 - Florence - Day tour of wine country, etc with Lucca O/N FLR
Day 8 - Florence - O/N FLR
Day 9 - Florence to Cinque Terre - O/N Vernazza
Day 10 - Cinque Terre - O/N Vernazza
Day 11 - Cinque Terre - O/N Vernazza
Day 12 - Cinque Terre to Venice - O/N VCE
Day 13 - VCE - O/N VCE
Day 14 - VCE - Day trip to Padova - O/N VCE
Day 15 - VCE - O/N VCE
Day 16 - VCE - O/N VCE
Day 17 - Depart for U.S. - Airfrance VCE-CDG-ORD

Accomodations - Florence - Hilton Garden Inn - Not exactly "quaint", I know, but it's free with points.
Vernazza - Franca Maria
Venice - Al Teatro B&B - awaiting final email confirmation for room with terrace overlooking canal.

Now to get DP's passport, and count the days away.

I was going to disagree with daytripping from Florence(ZTL, no parking) until you said you were staying at the HGI. HGI should be outside the ZTL.
http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic...ions_italy.htm

>>>Now to get DP's passport<<<

You will also need IDP's if you are renting a car, but not until next year closer to departure.

kybourbon, we will not be renting any cars. Will be taking train for day trips, or using a driver service.

Yes, the HGI is a bit outside of city center, approximately 3km from Duomo area.

Now that the general itinerary is in tact, I have a question/suggestion inquiry.

I know that there are a number of folks who are sort of "anti" San Gimignano, but we really want to see it. From what I've seen and read, there are no trains from FLR to San Gim.

I had initially thought about doing a "bus tour" to Siena that would first stop at San Gim. But now I am wondering if it would be a better idea to include San Gim as part of the day that we anticipate doing with a driver service, such as Hill and Roads, in conjunction with a "Wine Tour"

Thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks all

San G, you can visit in an hour or two. Walk through the main drag, climb the tower look around and then continue on your way to Siena.

Viator had a trip that ran to San G. and then to Siena and back. But there is also a SITA bus ticket package from Florence to Siena which includes an audio guide for like 15 Euro. Probably doesn't stop in San G. though.

If you visit the Uffizi and the Pitti palace, you may not have as much time for day trips outside of Florence, though Pisa and Lucca are also worthwhile.

NA - you can get a bus to San Gim from the same bus station in florence that the Siena buses go from. it's to the left of the main SMN train station as you look at it - you need to look carefully as it's hidden in a corner!

<San G, you can visit in an hour or two. Walk through the main drag, climb the tower look around and then continue on your way to Siena.>

Not really - this way, you'd miss the most valid reason to go to S. Gimignano, Gozzoli's frescoes in the church of S. Agostino!!!

How long does it take to look at frescoes, unless you're an art student?

So sorry if it chagrins you, but there are actually people who need one hour of your "one hour or two" just for some of the most important Renaissance frescoes all over the world. Plus there are also very nice late Gothic frescoes at the Collegiata, so both churches summed up will easily take the better part of two hours, and you haven't spent one second on the famous townscape that far. (Art students will need one entire day for S. Gimignano. Though your obvious condescendence for art students is belittling not so much them as yourself.)

"Condescendence for art students"? You're reading something that I didn't mean to convey.

I merely suggested that the OP could take in both San G. and Siena if he wanted.

In May, sun doesn't set in Firenze until 8:20 to 8:50 PM, depending on the time of the month. So one could easily spend 4 hours even in San G. and then see Siena the rest of the day, including possibly after sunset, though the SITA buses may not run that late.