Thanks to all fodorites who helped with their comments and expertise, I am grateful.

heres the final plan and a few highlights
1. Paris-tommorow- 4 nights (oct 14-18)
-am hoping weather will be ok so i can rollerblade on sunday.
-trip to versailles...cant wait
Hotel-Familia. Rue des Ecoles

2. Bolzano/Castelrotto- (oct 19-22)flying into Verona and taking the train up to Bolzano and castelrotto. Im probably more excited about this stop than almost any of the others (except Paris)
Hotel-Cavellino

3. Venice (oct 23) Hotel La Calcina
weather report seems to indicate that heavy thunderstorms on the one day ill be in venice,,no worries, its venice and ill have a nice cup of coffee in St Marks square even if there is a tsunami.

4. Florence (3 nights) Tourist House Ghiberti. art lovers paradise,,,,the uffizi or bust!

5. Rome (4 nights-Hotel Locarno) maybe a side trip to pompeii if time allows and then fly home in time for Haloween and the election.

thanks so much to all of you. Pray for good weather, some news that will make the dollar strengthen God bless

Wildfire, have a great trip.
And thunderstorms in Venice are fantastic! Honest. Something you will never forget. The lightening, the noise. Very intense and theatrical (like Italy).

by the way, does anyone know a karaoke bar in Rome?

Have a great trip! Sounds like fun.

I agree with LoveItaly, btw, about thunderstorms in Venice. We were up in the campanile there a few years ago when a thunderstorm came through, and it was surreal to watch it from that perspective (but I'm not sure how safe....)

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...36456342vvlYLP

Wow Ms.Go, you sure are good. Hmmm, you must have been in the Campanile.

Great pic, msgo. Looks like a Rembrandt.

Have a great trip, wildfire.

We just got back from Venice 4 days ago- the weather was perfect- no rain. I hope your weather is good as well. I agree- have a drink on St marks sq. and listen to the dueling orchestras!

Val, have a fantastic trip! I hope you have a wonderful time and cooperative weather. Can't wait to read your report.

ms go, great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Wildfire, have a great trip.

Whahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I want to go too!!!!!!! Have a fabulous trip....hopefully next year it will be MY turn. Report, report, upon your safe return.