Wow, this forum is really enlightening. Thank you! When I visited the Cinque Terre I thought there must be something very wrong with me - because although I found it pretty and the weather was sunny, I was less than awed with the whole Cinque Terre experience. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks it is lesser experience then many others in Italy.

Thank you CaliNurse! That is a great idea and a good looking itinerary. I am a little averse to driving in the bigger Italian cities (I've heard it is a nightmare). I never thought about staying in a city/village in Tuscany with day trips to other sites. Did you do that?

As you stated, I also know several people who have used Rick Steves and they loved their trips.

To answer your question, we are planning to fly into Venice and out of the closest airport to the end of our stay (i.e. Rome, Naples, etc.). I don't want to waste time backtracking.

Again, thank you for your input! Did you visit both Sorrento and Positano? If so, would you recommend one over the other for a base (with a possible day visit to the one not chosen)?

Ellenem, you are absolutely correct. We are traveling from Arizona and the total flight time will be approximately 17 hours (*ugh*). We will get there in the morning of "Day 1" and I thought the exact same thing - I traveled to Russia in the past and I felt disgusting for the first day.

Based on everyone's opinions, it sounds like we need to cut out CT and at least add a day to Venice at the beginning.

Wes, I will write in more detail later... needing to escape addictive Italy memories for a bit, and run errands!

VERY smart--makes planning much easier, and saves time--for you to fly into one place, out of another. Luckily for a weary traveler, if Venice is your entry point, it is not an overwhelming kind of airport (compared to Paris CDG, for ex) is pretty easy and inexpensive to reach Venice from the main airport via frequent bus just outside the exit door.

We took train from Venice to Florence, picked up (automatic transmission) car there, and stayed at an agriturismo about 45 min easy drive away. (altho driving IN Florence was nightmarish) We drove 15 minutes to a nearby small town the next day, parked at the station, took the 30 minute train ride into Florence and stayed the whole day before returning that evening, arriving back in time for dinner and a magnificent sunset.

You are lucky in that you are going at a quieter time than did we (early June) so you are likely to encounter fewer tourists (like us!!!) in the towns. Advantage? Easier parking at a town like Siena or San Gimignano or other Tuscan hill towns you will read about as you peruse Fodors, and quieter streets.

Whatever plan you make, you and ours will love beautiful Italia!!

First of all, don't be afraid of being in Italy around Easter. I've been in Florence and seen the spectacle at the Duomo on Easter Sunday and also spent an entire Holy Week in Rome a few years ago. It wasn't particularly chaotic or over crowded. I loved it.

Have you considered adding a few days to Rome and renting an apartment for a week for you and your in-laws to share? Two bedroom apartments are great for two couples and can be a money-saver. You can use the extra time to see more in Rome or do some day trips from there after your in-laws fly home. I've spent 2 full weeks in Rome in the last 3 years and am returning next month for another 3 days. There is no shortage of things to see and do there.

The Amalfi Coast is spectacular (been 3x, including my honeymoon) so if you can add a few days there it might be worth it.

I like CaliNurse's suggestion of including the Tuscan countryside. 25+ trips to Italy and it is my favorite place to visit.

Spring is a wonderful time to experience being out of the cities and exploring the countryside- it is beautiful! A minumum of 5 days is what I recommend. Rent the car when you leave Venice and return it in Orvieto or Chiusi and take the train into Rome (avoiding city driving- driving in the countryside is a breeze).

I like the southern Tuscany area near Pienza and I prefer staying in an agriturismo (farmhouse apartment). I think the countryside will create a nice balance to the city visits. In fact, I would skip visiting Florence this time.

I think you need more time in Venice. At least one more day.

You might want to look at some other guidebooks to get more ideas and details. For Tuscany, I like the Insight Guide Tuscany and the Rough Guide Tuscany/Umbria to point me in the right direction.

Sorrento or Positano at the end of your trip would be nice. Sorrento is a good base for visiting other places nearby. Positano is beautiful. Also consider staying in the village just south of Positano called Praiano, or in the town of Amalfi.

wes2531 -

I've been in Italy during April, however it did not fall during Easter week. According to ellenem's revisions to your itinerary (a very good plan IMO), you'll be in Venice on Good Friday, and in Florence on Easter. Don't know whether certain museums or sites will be affected ..... certainly easy enough to check. Or perhaps you'll get more feedback from others who have traveled in Italy during Holy Week. Or another frequent poster, Zeppole, resides in Italia, and may have comments on that issue.

Regarding add'l 3-4 days after Rome, you can't go wrong with either a quick jaunt to AC or to explore smaller towns in Tuscany. After everybody packs their bags in Rome, you can put the folks into a cab to airport, bid them adieu and head to train station. Take the train to Orvieto (actually in Umbria region), spend a few hours there, pick up rent car and explore towns in Southern part of Tuscany.

I like the itinerary that ellenem gave above.

I have been to the CT, and meh is what I have to say. I've done better hiking in Italy.

And please let me say that I do not have big funds nor do we have much vacation time. However, we go to Europe at least once every year.

If you were to see us count pennies and manipulate our very limited vacation days, you might believe me. I'm not the only such person on this forum. Poor and overworked does not mean untraveled. It's all a matter of where you spend your time and money.

Wes, first of all, these replies from us all are JUST opinions, not gospel truth.So you were NOT o " out of line" to think of adding on 3-4 days on the Amalfi Coast.

I would LOVE two weeks in the AC/Naples area, the kind of itineraru Bardo describes...but until i have the time for that, i took the chance to spend 4 nights/5 days in the area. Someone else on FF said that is too MUCH for an area they consider boring. So...follow your gut and heart, and don't let any of us talk you out of what grabs YOU.

I didnt swim on single beach on the Amalfi Coat--so for us(me and adult dtr) it was not about the beaches or swimming, but about the gorgeous views along the sea, the villages built up the mountainsides, the most amazing public bus trip, flowers,flowers, and more flowers, citrus trees lining the streets, the sun . I hope it is sunny in April, but with that beauty around you, a grey day won't hurt. and Pompeii might be BETTER under clouds

We stayed inS orrento took trips from there to Pompeii, (half a day) and along the Amalfi coast to Amalfi town and Positano. Sorrento center is compact and it is easy to get to bus/train transport.

Would i love more time in BOTH these areas? Will i somehow get back to italy? --heck YEAH!!!

NY Traveler makes the great point--what are all YOUR interests? Do you lobr museums? Great scenery? Big cities or small villages or in between? HIstory buff, or just chill with a wine or cappucino and overlook a fantastic view of ocean or vineyards? These answers wlll help people help you to focus on the amount of time.

Personally, if you have to choose, i'd add the day to Venice (total 3) and take one away from Rome (total ) But...that is JUST me. I've been to Italy three times and am no expert --there are so many folks here who have beenfar more times and for longer, or who live there. I am hoping they will see this post (Zeppole, where are you??)

You asked-- we based in agriturismo nr Reggelo, Only 4 nights,but they were incredbily wonderful and relaxing in a most fantastic part of the world (It was a relief and revelation after --gonna step on toes here-- Provence) You might decide, as Zoecat mentioned, to skip Florence (which, if you are not an "art lover," is not as anathematic as it sounds). I recall a thread on FF somewhere with another question: Florence or Venice??

You have a lot to think about, but try not to get overwhelmed (an occupational hazard of planning trips). Keep asking great questions.

Some great and varied advice. Personally I love Cinque Terra and it is too me one of the best places in Italy. If I were you and you like small towns and a mix of a little walking (light hiking) and picturesque scenery then definitely leave Cinque Terra on the itinerary.

It is true though it is a little stuffed as is. You need to cut a day somewhere. Either eliminate a day in Florence or the Siena trip. Or one at the end in Rome. But I think if you cut Cinque Terra you are missing out on a non city experience which adds a different dimension to your trip.