Ok, we finally settled on our dates and plane tickets. We're flying from Orlando April 27, arriving in Rome the morning of April 28. We fly out of Venice at noon on May 11. We want to see the big 3 as well as some of Tuscany. I will be 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time. Any suggestions of an itinerary would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your knowledge!
~Allison

Congrats! You will love it!
I'd do 4 nights in Rome, Rent a car and say near Siena and explore Tuscany for 4-5 nights. Turn in car in Florence for a night or 2 then train to Venice!

How does this sound?
day 1 arrive in Rome
day 2 Rome
day 3 Rome
day 4 Rome
day 5 rent car, Pompeii, overnight in area
day 6 drive back up to Siena/Tuscany
day 7 Tuscany
day 8 Tuscany
day 9 drive to Florence
day 10 Florence
day 11 Florence/Pisa train to Venice (from Pisa or Florence?)
day 12 Venice
day 13 Venice
day 14 Leave Venice for home

Not 100% on the Pompeii thing. Husband really seems to want to go, even though it's out of the way. I may be able to convince him otherwise. If he sticks to his guns, transportation is the next argument. He wants to drive everywhere and I'd rather train and bus it. Would that be too much hassle being pregnant? He'd have to lug a majority of the luggage around.

Oh, we have about a $3000 budget for everything but airline. Is that reasonable or should we start saving our pennies?

Thanks again!
Allison

Pompei while fascinating will be a lot of car time. It's probably 2.5 hours without traffic so just back and forth to Rome will be 5 hours. My wife and I went there on our way from Rome to Sorrento. If you're planning on the entire rest of your trip being north of Rome why beat yourself up in your condition.

Hi Allison,

I recommend against Pompeii, too. It will still be there on your next trip to Italy. Add the day to Florence.

If you are going to do the Tuscan hill towns, you should have a car. I would drop the car in Florence. Remember, you will be the navigator if he insists on driving.

Pisa is a half-day trip out of Florence.
You might wish to consider Lucca instead.

See if these threads help you

Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

Trenitalia Tickets Online
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34465647

Allison...If it's your first time there, I would consider contacting Bob the Navigator. He does a pretty good job of creating an itinerary to suit your needs, and handling the details. There's a reasonable fee involved, but it could increase your enjoyment factor significantly.

Plus...you have more important things to plan for right now!

(Full disclosure: Bob is my dad. But I've seen him sweat the details for his clients.)

Dear Mr Go,

Did you check with Dad before inserting the advert?

We all respect his knowledge and helpfulness, but advertising is a NONO.