We are inexperienced international travelers who would like to celebrate our 65 birthday in Italy (Venice, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and possibly Greece.) Should we do an escorted tour of Italy? Is there a good one? Can we manage on our own? Should we add a cruise of Greek Isles? Is this too much? We can take two and half weeks and have a limited budget.

I think you need to pick one of Italy or Greece. Two and a half weeks makes a nice introduction to Italy. You can do it on your own with help from Fodorites or you can take a tour.

Tell us what your priorities are: scenery? art museums? historic ruins? That would help us answer your question. And have you looked at Rick Steves' tours? (I assume you're an American.) Everybody I know who has taken an Rick Steves' tour was happy with it. And they're smaller groups.

I conur--do not try to mix--pick one. I would save Greece for when I had more experience in Europe travel.

You don't say when your birthday is, which matters most when you talk about going to Greece, where the weather is more extreme and affects transport and enjoyment.

For the destinations you have mentioned, you can manage on your own -- and no doubt save money as opposed to the costs of a tour -- if you can carry your own luggage through train stations.

2.5 weeks is not really enough time to do both.

What time of year are you going - it will make a significant difference in both weather and budget. Italy is easily doable by yourselves - and the places you want to see will easily fill the time you have - esp if you don;t want to race around at warp speed.