Hi,
This is my 1st time here, I hope someone can help me out! My parents are taking me and my 3 sisters and 2 son-in-laws (a total of 8) to Italy for 2 weeks in October. Since my father believes this will be the only time he'll be in Italy (he is 75) he wants to take it all in! Which is resulting in (I think) a very hectic pace. This is a very preliminary schedule:
Rome: 3 days
Florence area: 3 days
Naples area : 2 days
Southern Italy/Sicily: ? days
End at Rome
He is looking at renting a 9 passenger van/minibus after leaving Rome. He's looked at taking the rail-but is rather independant and wants to go on his own to sight-see! But maybe the rail ( even part of the time) would save much time & headache? I should also mention your answer could also settle a family (friendly) disagreement, since my mother wants to "take it all in" at a leisurely pace! Please help!! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Hi gwen,

Will Dad be driving?

It's a bit more hectic than I would like, but it is doable.

Three weeks would be even better.

Any reason for skipping Venice?

Hi gwenjo-

Welcome to fodors.
Is there any reason why your father does not want to visit Venice?

You have not told us how many total days you will have. Is 2 weeks really 12 nites in Italy--or perhaps 15. Do you know your takeoff time from Rome at departure? It sound to me like 4 destinations will be best but we would need to know more to answer well.
Sicily is too far. I would think in terms of Amalfi Coast, Florence, rural Tuscany, and Rome--probably ending in Rome for 4 nites. The 9 passenger van will be manual--is that a problem?

I suppose you haven't bought your plane tickets yet. Looks like right now you are planning on flying into & out of Rome. But if you want to include Venice, don't forget that you can buy open-jaw tickets.