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10 days in Italy with 5 and 10 year olds in July :)

10 days in Italy with 5 and 10 year olds in July :)

Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:22 PM
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10 days in Italy with 5 and 10 year olds in July :)

Hi! We are taking our 10- and 5-year-old daughters to Italy at the end of July. We will be flying in and out of Rome with 10 full days to explore (didn't count the day we fly in/out). We want the girls to learn and appreciate the history and culture of this incredible country that we have had the privilege to visit twice pre-kids, yet enjoy a relaxing vacation at the same time.... and are looking for advice from you forum experts!

Our goals:
-- Brief(ish) tour of Rome/Vatican City (understanding we will take them back again when they are older)
-- Experience an Agriturismo somewhere (Tuscany, Liguria, Umbria?)
-- Coastal experience on the ocean somewhere to relax and play in the sand and chill

VERY tentative itinerary:

Fri, 7/21 - Arrive 5pm at FCO in Rome
Sat, 7/22 - Rome
Sun, 7/23 - Rome
Mon, 7/24 - Rome in AM (anything we missed), Travel to Tuscany Agriturismo somewhere
Tues, 7/25 - Tuscany
Wed, 7/26 - Tuscany
Thurs, 7/27 - Tuscany
Fri, 7/28 - Tuscany, travel to Coast.
Sat, 7/29 - Coast (Cinque Terra?)
Sun, 7/30 - Coast
Mon, 7/31 - Coast, travel back to Rome
Tues, 8/1 - Fly out of Rome @11am

We originally were going to take them up to Venice or down to the Amalfi Coast but it seems like we will be doing a lot of traveling and a lot less enjoying but are open to suggestions on our entire itinerary.

Do you have any suggestions? We want them to experience the "highlights" but instead of checking off boxes, we want them to get the travel bug and want to experience more international travel. (They are well-traveled in the US; this is their first trip abroad.)

Thanks, in advance!!!
Stephanie
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 06:24 PM
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Do you have to fly both into and out of Rome? You could make the most of your 10 days by flying into one city and out of another.

For a few reasons, with 10 days, I'd stay in two places and not three.

Your kids may need a day or two to adjust to the time difference, so the first day or two could be a blur to them. It's going to be hot and probably humid, and, depending on your family's tolerances, you may need/want to take a long break in the middle of most days. It's very definitely going to be crowded, esp. in the Cinque Terre. If beach time is a priority, I'd pick a different part of the coast or even a lake.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 06:42 PM
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Thank you for your reply, Jean! Unfortunately, we are stuck flying in and out of Rome. Do you have any recommendations for other water-related destinations? Thanks for your advice!
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 07:54 PM
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You might pick an agriturismo in Tuscany with a nice pool. You could spend a bit more time in Rome that way and then explore Tuscany leisurely with plenty of swim breaks. You could consider adding in Florence for a few days (with plenty of breaks for gelato!)
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 08:07 PM
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Since I live in a beach town in SoCal, I don't think of going to a seaside town in Italy, so my beach info is second- and third-hand.

I know there are some lovely beaches south of Rome, generally between Anzio and Gaeta, but you'd have to research the ones that appeal to you. The rows upon rows of rented chairs and umbrellas don't appeal to me, but you might think of those beaches as a very Italian experience. There are a few more isolated beaches, but you'd have to do some research...

If Tuscany stays in the mix, a coastal town north of Rome might make more sense. We have been to Monte Argentario and enjoyed hiking, biking, kayaking, exploring by car, etc. But we weren't there in high summer, so I don't know how crowded it would be.

There are a few lakes, large and small, between Rome and Tuscany. Bolsena, Vico, Bracciano, Martignano. Plus Trasimeno in Tuscany. There's a castle in Bracciano. I liked sightseeing in the towns around Bolsena and near Trasimeno.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 08:11 PM
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If it were me, assuming I got into Rome at a reasonable hour, I'd take the first train up to Venice on the day of arrival and wake up there on the first full day. It's a great place to get over jet lag, and it is different from anywhere else in a way that your kids will "get." Your younger child in particular will get very little out of the sights in Rome, as she's too young to understand or appreciate how huge/old/opulent things are there. Venice also has the Lido for beach time. I'd spend a few days there then an agriturismo somewhere in Tuscany or Umbria, and spend your last night in Rome, perhaps visiting a sight or two anyone can get a kick out of - the Pantheon for the "hole in the ceiling," Trevi Fountain for a coin to guarantee a return visit, and some gelato. save any significant visit time in Rome for a future trip when the kids are older.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 01:51 AM
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I like artsnletters' idea of going to Venice first. I completely agree that, if I were taking 5- and 10-year-olds to Italy, Venice would be the best choice.

I would spend 3 full days there (not including jet-lag day getting to Venice from the airport), being sure to take a lagoon day-trip to Burano and (and Maybe Murano & Torcello)and a day-trip to Lido.

Then I'd spend about four days working my way down to Rome...agritourism, etc., maybe a quick stop (not overnight) in Florence for lunch, one sight, and a walk around town, before finishing in Rome.

The last three days in Rome should be enough for young kids.

ssander
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 02:57 AM
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I suggest you go to Venice on arrival as described, spend three nights (the arrival night plus two more). I think the kids would enjoy just walking around Venice and taking the vapareeto to the islands (but I wouldn't bother with the Lido) but I think two full days would be enough. It will be VERY crowded.

Then rent a car upon leaving Venice and go to Lake Garda for a couple days. You could stop in Verona on the way. I suggest staying in Malcesine where you could not only do boat trips to the other towns near it, but there is a gondola that goes up the mountain where there are great views and easy hikes ( and things like cows and alpachas to look at). Malcesine also has a cute little castle and they could swim there. At the lower end of the lake is Sirmione with a bigger castle and there is also an amusement park in one of the towns at the lower end of the lake. I'd probably spend the next three nights at Lake Garda.

Then maybe go to either Siena or Orvieto for two nights and the last two nights (one full day) for Rome.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:11 AM
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I highly recommend that substitute Sperlonga for le Cinque Terre as a seaside experience and Lazio for Toscana for your agriturismo experiences. Keep your travel distances compact. You will not experience any loss of cultural attractions or beauty and you will be rewarded with minimal crowds, more Italians instead of foreign tourists, and thus a greater welcome & more direct contact with today's Italian culture, less filtered by long-practice with humouring tourists.

Do some internet research about rolling-hills scenic area of Lazio in the Sabine hills. Likewise, you can find a lot of good info on the internet about Sperlonga.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:12 AM
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Forgot to say that in July, I would take kids to Tivoli, probably on way out to or from an agriturismo in Lazio.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:22 AM
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https://www.learningescapes.net/ital...-in-sperlonga/

http://www.italymagazine.com/feature...an-countryside
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