kbern

There is no firm right answer here I'm sure, but I am very interested in the wisdom of the crowd regarding preferences.

Our family, including 2 kids (11 and 13), are planning a trip to Italy and our original plan was ....

Rome ... Amalfi Coast/Capri ... Venice ... Florence ... then back to Rome for the flight out (no rental car) (15 full days total)

Due to what I'm reading about the crowds and environment around Amalfi, we have opened up consideration options. Thus we are thinking of replacing the Amalfi Coast/Capri portion with 4-5 days in Tuscany (not including Florence). The towns of Tuscany look amazing. I'm thinking we'd rent a car for the Tuscany portion of the trip. We (adults) have been to Florence before and it might be our favorite place on earth, so we are looking forward to introducing our kids to it. But we have not been to the surrounding area. 8-9 days total between Tuscany and Florence is a fair bit ... wondering if sharing some of the time with Amalfi makes better sense.

So, the main question: What is your recommendation? Amalfi or Tuscany? (Feel free to share other ideas too).

Thank you for your opinions and thoughts!

isabel

When are you going?

Even if it's mid summer I think the 'crowds' on the Amalfi Coast are not as bad as some make it out. I've been to the region twice in July in recent years and certainly would never consider not going just because of crowds. The main town on Capri during the middle of the day, and the bus along the Amalfi Coast drive are really the only two places that get super crowded. I've taken the bus a number of times (in July) and gotten seats. We made sure to get to the bus stop in Sorrento (where we were staying) for the 8:30 bus and it left there only half full. Later in the day between Positano and Amalfi - even mid day - there were seats. I did find the main square in Capri town to be so crowded as to be unenjoyable but just a few steps away was fine. I had read about hour long waits for the funicular but we waited only about 10 minutes.

So you can certainly work around the crowds. Take the boats around the coast instead of the bus if you are worried about crowds. More fun for kids anyway. We took an excursion that our hotel (Ulisse Delux) was running to Capri (from Sorrento) which included a boat ride around the island, the Blue Grotto and about five hours free time on the island (we did both Anacapri and Capri towns and walked down from the Villa). Cost was just about the same as a round trip ferry and was so much better. Kids would love that. Or do a day trip to Iscia instead of Capri, no crowds and there is a very cool castle complex that kids would also love. The island/views are not as spectacular as Capri but I think kids might enjoy it more.

I've done two trip reports (2010 and 2014) if you want more details.

I would not rent a car.

On the other hand - with only 15 days total I might consider only three destinations - Rome, Florence, Venice - that's only 5 nights each. Or do only 3 in Venice and add them to Florence and do day trips to some smaller Tuscan towns. I would not rent a car for that either.

nytraveler

Flying ina dn out of Rome will cost you a days vacation. Either fly into Venice and out of Rome or vice versa. This won;t cost any more and will be much more convenient. Check prices and convenience of flights each way.

I think you need to choose between Tuscany and AC - and only you can decide which you would really enjoy more. If you do Tusany for several days I would definitely rent a car for that portion of the trip so you are not tied to buses that many be very infrequent.

msteacher

Assuming this is summer, and since you'll have kids with you, I'd get a villa or agriturismo in Tuscany with a pool. Much less travel involved, and more relaxed in general.

luluma

We stayed in Sorrento after Rome last year with our kids (9 and 12) in mid-July last year and we all had a great time. The kids enjoyed the chairlift in Anacapri, swimming off the beach (although rocky) in Positano and visiting Pompeii although it got very hot. We didn't find crowds to be a problem. A hotel with a pool is nice to come back to.

We picked up a car upon leaving Sorrento and drove to Tuscany. It was also lovely, but we really can't compare since we met up with family there and stayed mostly at the villa.

WWK

Only you know what your kids interests/tastes are, but mine were bored out of their minds in Tuscany. They much preferred the Amalfi Coast- swimming off the sides of boats or in small coves, trips to Capri, Amalfi, Ravello, and on the way back to Rome, Pompeii.

Keep in mind, too, that Florence and Rome are broiling hot in the summer months. I'd definitely limit city time, and if you must, rent a villa in Tuscany with a pool, or head straight to the Amalfi Coast from Rome ( fast train to Naples takes a hour, private driver to AC hotel is another 1.5 hours).

sandralist

I've also heard reports from teens and pre-teens that Tuscan wine country bored them and they much preferred the seaside. Lots of hiking or stair climbing was not their favorite thing to do in the summer sun, however. They liked boat rides and being in the water best. I would not want to stick kids on bus rides on the Amalfi coast in summer.

There are seaside options other than the Amalfi coast. Check out Sperlonga, near Rome, or some place like Lerici, which is close to Pisa and le Cinque Terre, but a world away when it comes to crowds. You might consider islands other than crowded Capri (like Giglio, Ponza, Elba or Ischia or Procida depending on what fits with your itinerary). I have heard people say they really enjoyed the area around Paestum, which includes sandy beaches and a robust local culture that is more than just shop-till-you-drop.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014...54350501827274

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...familyholidays

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/tr...anted=all&_r=0

http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome....way-from-rome/

https://luludoria.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/magic-ponza/

kbern

Thank you all! Good info. Funny how often the idea of a pool came up in the posts above. Kids are similar, the idea of a pool really excites them.

We are planning on going in early July. Glad to hear the crowds aren't as bad as I fear. We'll review the info above, including all the links. Really appreciate it!

WWK

Whatever you do, decide soon. You're going in peak season, and many properties will already be booked.