We are first timers to Italy. We have 2 weeks. We fly into Venice, out of Rome and want to see Florence. We will use car/train. With 2 beautiful young daughters accompanying us, do you recommend more time in Rome or trying to get to Cinque Terra? Lastly, has anyone seen the Tarot Sculpture garden in Capalbio (Niki deSaint Phalle)?

I think Rome should be done in about a week, as a first time visitor, in order to see and experience all the wonderfull sites.
You can do Florence and Venice at most 3 night each.

I'd do four nights in Venice, four in Florence, and six in Rome. Save CT for later and consider using trains instead of a car.

Hi neure,

I also suggest no need for a car.

I would do 3 nights in Venice, 5 in Florence (with side trip to Siena), and 5 nights in Rome (with side trip to Ostia Antica and another to Orvieto).

Enjoy.

Based on my own 16 day trip to Italy in December, I recommend the following for your 14 days:

4 Venice
4 Florence-side trip to Pisa
2 Naples/Pompeii
4 Rome
You will not need a car for this. You are going to love Italy!

I concur with stragic. And you must must must include Pompeii in your itinerary. It was my absolute favorite thing in Italy.

Maybe bobthenavigator will chime in here, but I'm thinking you could do Amalfi, Capri, OR the Lakes, if you want a little watery scenery during your trip (besides Venice that is).
You don't say when you are going; during the summer all of these places will be crowded with tourists (including Italian tourists) so as long as you keep that in mind, you'll be fine.

Here's one random suggestion:
Arrive Venice, spend that day plus two more. Train to Florence, spend 4 days, including at least one daytrip into Siena,, or rent a car and drive to Siena and a winery town, so that would be two days Florence, two days Tuscany, or 3 plus one.

Drive to Capri or Amalfi area, spend
two days. End in Rome, dropping off your car before you get there.
Vary the above plus or minus one day each, as interests dictate.

Besides being my PR agent, Elaine and I often agree on many things Italian.

I agree that time of year may be a factor. I hate to see any 2 week trip that concentrates on ONLY the big 3 art cities and then throws in another smaller art city like Siena or Pisa.
Italy is also about spectacular natural beauty and small villages--I prefer a mix of 50% of each.

You have 4 OTHER good options to enjoy the best of Italy. They are my favorite destinations:
1. The Lakes--not after 15 Oct.
2. The Amalfi coast--not in August
3. The Cinque Terre
4. The Tuscany hill towns

I would definately include at least one of these in your itinerary. Which may depend on logistics and timing.
With 13 nites in Italy you can do 4 destinations. Holler if you need more input.

Definitely think about Amalfi or Tuscany, Siena-Both reasonaby close to Rome and not the big towns.

OK--this one is the perfect example of a person looking for help, and getting several good replies, with no acknowledgment of any kind that it has even been seen by the poster. That really turns me off !

These are all excellent suggestions. I especially like Elaine's advice as always. I agree with 3 or 4 nights in Venice, 4 or 5 nights in Rome. I would probably recommend using the rest of your time in Florence/Tuscany or just seeing Florence for a few days and spending 2 or 3 nights in Amalfi/Pompei. Would only recommend a car if you were going to explore the Tuscan towns other than Siena. The time of year of your travel would influence my advice as the winter and summer would push me away from the Amalfi. If you were going to Italy in the fall or spring, and could find just a day or two extra for your vacation ( leave friday and come back monday?) you could easily fit these four destinations into a nice itinerary.

Hey, Bob, hope this makes you feel better, because I am reading all of of everyone's great advice! My family is planning to take a similar trip to Italy next June, so I am very interested in this thread. Thanks for the great info! Laurie

Yes, but where is the original poster?