mmmooommm

Details: family of four, (two teen sons) flying into Milan then train to Venice shortly before Christmas, Christmas in Venice (4 nights) then train to Rome (9 nights). Fly out of Rome.

We don't like to move too much, obviously! I have found nice, centrally located apartments. My kids are most excited about Venice. Which I love. So, I have the thought of staying an additional night in Venice, then only 8 in Rome. Yes, I know that is a lot of time, considering all the other things to see in Italy. But, I would like this to be somewhat relaxing! Now that is no big change, but the thought of another destination seems obvious.

Florence. An obvious choice. But truthfully (easy please) I am not a fan. No need to explain.

Cinque Terra? Is this a good time of year?

I would appreciate any tips.

Questions.

Is five nights too many for us in Venice? At this time of year?? How miserable and cold might it be??

Should I give Florence another shot? but, to do 2-3 nights in Florence, am I going to be shortchanging Venice and Rome?

How much nicer could/should the weather be in Rome, than north (Florence, Venice) or any other spot you might imagine.

Naples? Last time I went it was Rome on steroids, and other than a day trip through to go to Pompeii (another kid vote), I don't think another city is needed.

I know working with this time of year presents new challenges to the picture, hopefully NOT dealing with heat and humidity...and SOME of the crowds, yes, I know we all have different opinions on the crowd factor in Dec/Jan...will have it's own advantages.

Any other ideas are appreciated. My inclination is 5 nights in Venice/8 in Rome with daytrips out. Hate to be too hectic and too rushed WHEREEVER I go!! Or, stare at beaches in the winter. Thanks all!!!

LuvToRoam

We were in Venice in the fall so cannot say how it would be in the winter. But so many nooks and crannies...I would think young people would enjoy the wandering. Trip out to Murano is a nice break.
Rome, oh my you needn't leave Rome. We did however several years ago day trip to Herculaneum which was Fabulous! This past year we day tripped to Orvieto, also Fabulous. The best day trip we took out of Rome was to Johnny Madge's http://www.johnnymadge.com/viewpage.php?page_id=1
for his tour-Spectacular and I suspect young people would like that as well. He is very entertaining. Once again since I am unfamiliar with the weather in winter there, you would need to research.

See our report
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-rome-2012.cfm

The Cinque Terre is also awesome and if the kids like the walking/hiking it is terrific. Again, don't know about winter, we were there several years ago in late September.

Lucky kids! Have a wonderful trip.

annhig

Hi, mmmoooommmm,

we did 3 separate week-long trips to Venice, Rome and Florence when our kids were older teens and i think that they would rank them in this order: Rome, Venice, Florence. However that is not to say that there aren't things to do in Florence that they wouldn't enjoy. The Campanile, the Duomo, Santa Croce and wandering around Oltrarno [as well as the Accademia] were places that we all enjoyed.

I don't think that winter is the time to be going to the CT and i don't think that you have time

if you are as unkeen to rush about as you say, then the 5/8 combo ought to suit you very well.

zoecat

<<But, I would like this to be somewhat relaxing!>>

<<My inclination is 5 nights in Venice/8 in Rome with daytrips out.>>

With your desire for relaxation and with the always unpredictable weather at that time of year (who knows what it will be?), I think your best plan is the 5/8 split between Venice and Rome. If the weather is nice and you want to explore out of the city for the day, you can. There are many day trip options from both cities. If the weather is not nice, you can stay in the city and relax or explore near your neighborhood.

I love Venice in the winter. It's the only time I will go. Just bundle up and you'll be fine.

The CT would not be a good idea (weather/temps) at that time of year. Save it for another time of year visit.

Peter_S_Aus

Moom, I’d add the extra do Venice.

Ann (annhig) visited Venice a few years ago, and wrote a trip report. It’s fun.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-we-saw.cfm

I wrote a treasure hunt for kids, and it would work for teenagers. A few things have changed – the bookshop in Sal. San Moise is now a L. Vuitton shop, the Macdonalds near San Marco has closed, and nobody needs an internet café to check facebook. But otherwise, it might be fun.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-teenagers.cfm

PRLCH

I think 5 Venice and 8 in Rome in winter would be fine. We too are a family that like to stay somewhere a while, rather than move around a lot. We did a week in Rome and 3 nights in Venice (in January) a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. Would have enjoyed another night or two in Venice.

See http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-venice.cfm

We went down to Sorrento from Rome for a couple of days so that we could see Pompeii and Herculaneum. I know some people do it as a day trip, but I think that would be a little rushed.

From Venice we went out to some of the little charming islands - very doable, even in winter.

Re Florence, my first experience there many years ago (also in winter) was really "underwhelming". Then about 4 years ago I spent 2 weeks in winter in Florence with my daughters (we went to an Italian language school), and my view of Florence change 100%. We LOVED it!! (I personally far preferred it to Rome, but our family is split 50/50 on that opinion). I now am trying to persuade my husband that he and I should visit again ..... and I am trying to convince him it really is worth another look. However, in your case, perhaps there is not really enough time to add another destination.
Good luck with your decisions - would love to hear what you finally decide.

nytraveler

Christmas in Venice you may be lucky and get warmish -but rain and 40's is more likely. Also not sure when aqua alta is - I would check.

Rome might be a little warmer or not.

(Weather has been really weird everywhere the last couple of years. Both northern and mid Italy have had snow several times in the last couple of years.)

tuscanlifeedit

If the 5/8 split is your inclination, I think you ought to go for it. I feel that moving a family is a pain, and settling in can be relaxing and help your kids build confidence in where they are and what they're doing.

mmmooommm

tuscan, yes, go with your gut. and good point on the kids. done.

nyt, the full moon is the 17th, and that is the most info I have been able to find on the aqua alta. we are on the north side of sm, so that should help, too. I can see snow being very pretty. but i'll take a warm front any day!

PRLCH, yes, I am sure I should give Florence another try,, just don't think this is the trip. I will enjoy your trip report, I am sure. Thanks for including the link. As to spending a night in Sorrento...definitely an idea. In the back of my mind. A 'double rent for one night' deal, which I have done to Capri from Rome (on much cheaper rent than this trip)...IDK if DH will go for that, but yes, it is cooking in my mind, especially with the limited daylight. Gotta 'work' it.

Peter, seems unanimous, the extra night in Venice. And thanks for the links. Sounds like a very similar trip Ann had, and the treasure hunt could be fun!! Glad to hear the McD closed. THAT is an embarrassment for USA...how tacky, right next to SM? Hope no one went!!!

zoecat. Yes, if we can go skiing and be comfortable in town, surely Venice holds no surprises. True, a wet/cold is bitter. And day trips can be flexible depending on the weather. 5/8 sounds fine....

annhig, it is fun traveling with teens, isn't it? unique challenges, but precious time. Glad to see your kids rankings...Florence is more of an art/museum/adult city, I think...another time, (and those building in the center of town struck me as quite ugly.)

loveto, thanks for the links, i love reading others reports, and the Orvieto trip is one I haven't done. Will read your trip with keen interest!!! I don't think one can get bored in either locale...just know Rome generally wears me out!!!! Recall spending time in NYC after a trip to Rome and it seems SOOO relaxing!!! (and DH is a beach person, so gotta remember my audience!!!)

Thanks all for your kind thoughtful notes, and links!!!!

I have changed it to 5/8 and still have til mid September if another thought strikes me. And now I feel we can more comfortable do the other islands or the beach area if a nice day or two strikes us in Venice. And just more casual exploring. And, not traveling on the 26th as originally planned may be a plus. Then 8 in Rome, and surely a day trip or two. As mentioned, a 'double rent' night out to Pompeii is a thought....I hate lugging stuff, and don't know that going straight from Venice to Pompeii area (with stuff) then into ROme sounds too relaxing. I'd opt for a backpack full and overnight it. Can decide later.

Reading all your reports, and it sounds like alot of you do the guides...man, that gets expensive!!! May opt for one for the Vatican, pre-arranged. Getting in early is a big plus. But til that lotto ticket comes in, we may do some 'mom' lead tours. This 'little' trip is getting quite expensive....errrggghhh! So lightening the load with at least a few market picked meals may be quite appealing!! Not to 'cheap out', but I dread hearing the sighs when the bills arrive!! Oh well, when in ROme!!

Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

annhig

mmmooommm - hope you find/found the TR useful. [thanks for the plug, Peter!] there's also one on Rome if you've the patience, though our son was 20ish on that trip. I agree that travelling with teens brings new challenges but also a lot of fun. DS's first reaction to Rome is one that I'll always treasure, he loved it so much. on our first trip when he was about 15, one of his favourite activities was going out in the mornings and buying our pastries. after the first morning when I went with him, he would go to the bakery opposite our apartment quite alone, buy the cornetti and come back, all with barely a word of italian. no way his 18 year old sister would do that so he felt very grown up and independent! I'm sure that you'll find some equally fun ways for your kids to enjoy these wonderful cities.

BTW, I've never used a guide in any of these places, just guide books and the info provided "in house". The only place I feel that this may have been a mistake is the forum in Rome - after 3 visits, it's still just a pile of stones. I think that you can pre-book tickets for the Vatican which don't include a guide so you don't need that extra expense just to get in early. but if it's sunny, do splash out on going up the dome of St. Peter's - not only is the climb up the sort of thing that your kids will love, but the view from the top is brilliant. PLUS you get to see the mosaics round the inside the dome up close [which from the floor are very indistinct] and the roofs of the basilica, which are fascinating. AND there's a cafe up there too, and loos. well worth the €8 or so that they charge to go up, IMO.
_________________________________________
<<Then about 4 years ago I spent 2 weeks in winter in Florence with my daughters (we went to an Italian language school), and my view of Florence change 100%.>>

PRLCH - I hope that mmmooommm will forgive me for subverting her thread a bit to ask you which language school you went to in Florence? would you recommend it? there is a chance that our italian evening class could be going there next year with the plan that we attend a language school in the mornings and sight-see in the afternoon. [we did that in Rome last year and it was a terrific trip].

PRLCH

annhig,
Here is a link to our trip
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ool-review.cfm
Don't be put off by my "frankness" - ABC could be a great option for what you are proposing.

annhig

Hi PRLCH,

I remember reading your thread before i went to Orbetello, and how helpful it was, so thanks again. one of the problems is that there are so many language schools in the cities, but in Florence in particular - there aren't even that many in Rome by comparison. I think the one we went to in Rome was too small - there weren't enough classes to accommodate all the levels we were at. That isn't a problem for beginners of course, but it is a problem for people with some italian - it needs to be pitched at the right level for it to be really rewarding.

Certainly I will bring it to the attention of our teacher if Florence is decided upon as our destination.

PRLCH

mmmooommm; I know what you mean when you say guides are expensive - especially with 4 of you. When we were in Rome we downloaded some Rick Steves guides onto our ipods. We found them fairly good as I recall. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/trave..._downloads.htm

surfmom

We were there over Thanksgiving a few years ago and honestly, CT was one of the highlights. We lucked out with an amazing weather day (60's and sunny) and it felt great to shed sweatshirts and walk in the sun in jeans and tees.

onoh, Venice was damp and cold. We were thankful we had packed gloves and winter coats because there are parts that don't get sunshine. (I'm a believer in "there is no bad weather, only when you aren't dressed for the weather" theory). Having said that, we loved Venice, but we weren't there 5 nights either.

I would throw in silk long underwear for all - it is so lightweight, but may be the difference between someone being miserable and only mildly cold.

I can understand why you don't love Florence - not all cities hit with all people. Would you consider a few days in a smaller town in-between instead? We loved Lucca - wandering the town, biking the walls. As kitschy as it is, it is still fun to climb the Tower of Pisa.