My wife and I are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Italy next May. The initial plan is 3 days each in Rome and Venice with 7 days in Tuscany in between, including a day in Florence. I realize we won’t get to see a lot of Florence, and although we are interested in art and history, we don’t want to spend every day touring museums. We will rent a car when we leave Rome and drop it off in Florence, then catch the train to Venice unless the consensus is to keep it until we get to Venice.

Please suggest a good itinerary for this portion of the trip. We want to get out and see the countryside, small towns, a winery or two, beautiful scenery, etc. The idea of staying in small B&Bs or a farm sounds appealing. I would like to include Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Cinque Terre, but I’m afraid Cinque Terra may be too much and too far. I don’t want to spend the entire 7 days in one spot, but I also don’t want to race from place to place. We like to think of this portion of the trip as an adventure.

Any suggestions or guidance is greatly appreciated.

I would reverse the trip and start in Venice. Usually flights that depart from Venice are very early (most have to connect somewhere in Europe). Flights departing from Rome to the US are at more reasonable times.

Venice - 3 nights
Florence/Tuscany 6 nights
Rome - 4 nights

I agree--good plan.
Train to Florence for 2 nites and then 4 days in rural Tuscany.

You are planning essentially the same trip we are! (But we aren't including Florence.)

Our flight (USAir to Philadelphia) out of Venice doesn't leave until about 11:00 or so. Thus the early flight concern isn't a problem.
We are planning 3 nights in Rome at Relais Maddalena. Then onto the Politian Apartments in Montepulciano (4 nights). Then to Lucca (another apartment through VRBO but haven't heard back from them yet) for 4 nights with the thought that we'd go to Cinque Terre for a day of hiking when the weather is right. And finally to Venice (Al Teatro B&B) where we will drop off the rental car and spend our last 3 nights.

Have fun planning...I am!

carolsc

richbutnot,
This may give you some ideas http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm