Thanks, all, for the warm welcome. ChatKat,
Won't be taking a cruise there. Will do all by land. Probably Venice, Florence and Rome, with a day trip to Siena. Will take trains between the cities. Have already planned this trip twice in the past but we were unable to go for various reasons. I always do lots of internet research and read all the guidebooks. Will use travel agent for the hotels and maybe for flights, and do the trains and private tours myself.