just wanted to give you an update...was unable to use the award
(they had openings in but no award availablity the dates i needed back)

ended up paying $690 each into rome roundtrip...i contacted my friend (who is going as well), but by the time he tried to book (1.5 hours later),the fare almost doubled to around $1200 per person...

i am ending my trip in london and am using my ba miles to fly my family of four into rome (the day before we fly back home)...cost was bout $300 for the entire family...plus about 9000 ba points each...i was able to create an
"open jaw" type ticket this way...so am satisfied....

so fly into rome...stay 3 nights free at hilton (daughter singing at vatican)
go to venice for 2 free nights at hilton...

need to plan middle of the trip, but tuscany, italian or french riviera, possbly lourdes

end the trip with 4 free nights at the hilton in paris and
2 to 3 nights in london

thanks again for all the help....looks like i can make the trip without breaking the bank