After speaking with a travel agent this is our revised itinerary:
ARRIVE ROME ONE NIGHT
TRAIN ROME TO VENICE 2 NITES
VENICE
TRAIN VENICE TO FLORENCE
FLORENCE
TRAIN FLORENCE NAPLES SORRENTO
SORRENTO (day trip to Capri)
SORRENTO (day trip to Pompei)
TRAIN SORRENTO NAPLES ROME
ROME
ROME
ROME for trip home
She thinks it is doable. We are a family of four (two teenagers). We aren't into art other than seeing the major sights and love to see and do new things. On our vacations we are constantly on the move. To give you an example when we went to Australia for 2 1/2 weeks we saw Sydney, Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser Island, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas (if you know Australia you know that is a fair distance). We were on the move, busy and happy we saw a little bit of everything. That's what we are looking for in this trip -a taste of Italy.
Does this look too ambitious? We are down to the wire - want to book hotels. Note - our flight is booked so can't fly into one city and out another.
THANKS for the help!

since you're going back to Rome anyway, on the first day I wouldn't spend it in Rome
I'd push on to Naples, by train and then settle in, very tired, once you are there


Your travel agent ought to be able to suggest a flight that send you into Rome (or change and go on to Naples) and then return home from Venice, or vice versa
Much less backtracking and wasted time

Others may disagree but I'm with you. When my time is limited I like to accomplish a lot and you are. You don't mention overnight or number of night's in Florence. I'm assuming you're there for at least one night?

Since you have a travel agent, however, I'm really surprised he/she couldn't get you an open jaw flight going into Venice to avoid that extra beginning night and initial train ride to Venice. Or better yet, flying into Venice, and departing from Naples, to avoid more backtracking there. Or do it all the other way around. It seems a shame with such a limited time that you have to do so much back and forth travel.

Hi TT,

I would also suggest an open-jaw flight plan.

Fly into Naples. Take a limo from the airport to Sorrento and then back to Naples train station.

You will have to get into the city in order to take the train anyway, so the cost of the limo will not be much more than taking the train and will be a lot more pleasant.

If you are on a tight budget, take the bus from Naples airport to Sorrento. See http://www.ilnido.it/from_capodichin...rt_in_napl.htm for shedule

Train to Rome and visit.

Train to Florence and visit.

Train to Venice and fly out.

This will give you one more day.

Pompei is just south of Naples on the way to Sorrento. We visited Pompei while driving between Naples and Sorrento and it was a great way to do it. You could free up a day so you could take in more of the Amalfi coast towns which are stunning. The best thing to do when you get to Pompei is get a private guide to tour you around. I think we found a great guide for around 40 euros.

Thanks for the info. I mentioned our flight is already booked (we are flying on points and prior to arriving in Italy are spending four days in Paris) therefore there is no flexiblity re the arrival and departure cities (it's Rome!)

We are spending two nights in Florence.

Patrick - thanks for the encouragement. Everyone seems to like to spend a long time in one spot but not us - maybe we're ADHD!

So this will work?

If you aren't into art, I would say skip Florence. 1/2 the reason to go there is for the art. If you aren't going to see the art there then 1 night suffices. Add that night to Rome.

I would add an extra night in Venice and wouldn't even stay in Florence - especially with kids. My 12 year old loved Venice the most - so much to do there. Boat trips out to Murano/Burano, etc. I also recommend the Giorgione Hotel. It's got a pool table and free internet access. Also a hit for the kids! Best breakfast that we had in Italy, too. Great location - off the beaten path and away from the crowds, but a short, fun walk to San Marco. Have a great trip!!

Hi TT,

Sorry to have missed your statement that your flight is booked.

I suggest that you not spend the first night in Rome but take the shuttle train from the airport and go directly to Florence for your first night.

I think that Rome is too busy for a family that is disoriented and jet lagged.

You can purchase your tickets to Florence at the train station at the airport.

Spend two nights and a day in Florence. You will decompress, get to see some fabulous art and architecture (you might even like it) and acclimate yourself to Italy. Then go on to Venice.

I would add one more night to Venice or Sorrento, but others would suggest an additional night in Rome.

I still recommend a private limo between Naples and Sorrento.