Planning a trip next May/June to Rome, Florence and Tuscany region. We are first time travelers and want to spend a good bit of time touring Catholic sites in Rome. Need advice on best sequence of travel, modes of transport, etc for a 10-12 day trip.

See Rome, rent a car for Tuscany, drop off the car for your stay in Florence and train to your departure point (Rome or Milan)

I agree with Michael, but you can also fly out of Florence or Pisa.

fergie,

i know that 10-12 days seems like a long time, but you'd need a life-time to explore all the religious sites [and sights] in Rome.

if that's your focus I suggest that you base yourselves there in an apartment, and perhaps do and overnight trip to Florence.

alternatively, fly into Pisa [or florence] spend 2-3 days there, then get the train to Rome, and rent an apartment for a slightly shorter time.

there is a fodorite who is photographing and detailing all the churches in Rome - i will try to find the website link. Also you may be interested in visiting the excavations below St. Peter's where it is possible to see what are believed by some to be his bones. [the Scavi tour].

If you are unfamilar with the Scavi Tour there is some info and links here;
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-fiction.cfm

You would want to book it months in advance if interested, I *believe* one recent poster get a confirmation 6 months prior to their visit?

Another site of interest for esp a Catholic would be 'St. Paul's Outside The Walls' which is possibly where his body was later placed by Emperor Constantine when he built that church.

It's a decent possibly as Paul was a Roman Citizen and received an honorable death (beheading) and would be entitled to a proper burial.
If true, this location would be well known by early Christians and passed on to each generation.
Regards, Walter

Thanks to all for the info. Very helpful.
Here's an update for my itinerary....

We want to fly out of Paris after Italy trip. Can we train from Florence?? How long, how much? I am clueless on what is best to do.