for trip in Dec/Jan - Rome then go South or North?
Dec 14th, 2013, 03:03 PM
#1
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for trip in Dec/Jan - Rome then go South or North?
Yes, it's me again, planning ahead - way ahead.
As part of a 2 week trip, we will be staying in Rome for a week next December with our two kids. One of whom is very interested in archeology, both Roman and Greek. So here's the quandary ---- We are planning on renting an apartment in Rome for a week but then we are not sure if we should go up to Florence/Siena/Tuscany or whether we should go South to Paestum/Amalfi.
My husband and I have been to Italy for a few trips and my kids saw Parma a few years ago. I really am undecided - Florence would be amazing to show the kids, but the south would be interesting too.
opinions??
As part of a 2 week trip, we will be staying in Rome for a week next December with our two kids. One of whom is very interested in archeology, both Roman and Greek. So here's the quandary ---- We are planning on renting an apartment in Rome for a week but then we are not sure if we should go up to Florence/Siena/Tuscany or whether we should go South to Paestum/Amalfi.
My husband and I have been to Italy for a few trips and my kids saw Parma a few years ago. I really am undecided - Florence would be amazing to show the kids, but the south would be interesting too.
opinions??
Dec 14th, 2013, 03:45 PM
#2
Other than a drive-by, I wouldn't bother with the Amalfi Coast at that time, but I was surprised you didn't mention Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Naples archeology museum. Or perhaps Sicily.
Florence and Siena off season could be very nice, but I'm not so sure about Tuscany. Sure, the towns are interesting, but the scenery in between will be rather dull and those hill towns can be bitterly cold in winter. If the weather is really rough, Florence and Siena have lots of indoor options.
Florence and Siena off season could be very nice, but I'm not so sure about Tuscany. Sure, the towns are interesting, but the scenery in between will be rather dull and those hill towns can be bitterly cold in winter. If the weather is really rough, Florence and Siena have lots of indoor options.
Dec 14th, 2013, 04:09 PM
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Sorry Jean,
I should have mentioned that part of the plan regardless of North or South is that we will take a day trip (at least) to Pompeii and/or Herculaneum. I have also heard that the Naples museum is truly remarkable.
your second comment is why I am having such a hard time with this - I agree that Florence and Siena would be beautiful and I love Siena. But a friend suggested that we think of the South and Sicily - but I do wonder how much getting to Sicily would increase the cost for our family of 4...and I simply haven't been to Sicily, so I don't know how it would be for our family compared to Florence.
Just not sure.
I should have mentioned that part of the plan regardless of North or South is that we will take a day trip (at least) to Pompeii and/or Herculaneum. I have also heard that the Naples museum is truly remarkable.
your second comment is why I am having such a hard time with this - I agree that Florence and Siena would be beautiful and I love Siena. But a friend suggested that we think of the South and Sicily - but I do wonder how much getting to Sicily would increase the cost for our family of 4...and I simply haven't been to Sicily, so I don't know how it would be for our family compared to Florence.
Just not sure.
Dec 14th, 2013, 06:42 PM
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I too was wondering about Pompeii et al, but then read your last reply so all good.
Sicily would be amazing for both archaeological/historical sights and the weather at that time of year is still quite mild. However I would recommend 10 days minimum for Sicily rather than just a week (or less with travel time). The reason is that there is so much to see and experience and whilst you could do some in a week, you will have to narrow down the sights, bringing you back to your current dilemma.
If you want to consider a few sights in Sicily and see if you can narrow them down, then look at Piazza Amerina's Villa Romana del Casale , Valley of Temples at Agrigento, Siracusa (esp the Ortygia island part of town, Ear of Dionysius, the Necropolis of Pantalica, Temple of Apollo and the amphitheatre)and Taormina's Greek/Roman Amphitheatre.
In terms of getting to Sicily, there are a few options:
1. Fly from Rome to Catania or Palermo. Flights are regular (many per day) and if you book a fair way out (6 months) you'll get good prices (eg around US$75-90pp).
2. From Naples or Civitavecchia (closest port to Rome), take the overnight ferry.
As you are going to Pompeii/Herculaneum, perhaps you could head north and do the art side of Italy and give the kids a different perspective. In Florence, apart from the Uffizi and Accademia, you could also visit the Bargello (museum/palace) which will no doubt have many things to keep the kids, and the adults, entranced.
Sicily would be amazing for both archaeological/historical sights and the weather at that time of year is still quite mild. However I would recommend 10 days minimum for Sicily rather than just a week (or less with travel time). The reason is that there is so much to see and experience and whilst you could do some in a week, you will have to narrow down the sights, bringing you back to your current dilemma.
If you want to consider a few sights in Sicily and see if you can narrow them down, then look at Piazza Amerina's Villa Romana del Casale , Valley of Temples at Agrigento, Siracusa (esp the Ortygia island part of town, Ear of Dionysius, the Necropolis of Pantalica, Temple of Apollo and the amphitheatre)and Taormina's Greek/Roman Amphitheatre.
In terms of getting to Sicily, there are a few options:
1. Fly from Rome to Catania or Palermo. Flights are regular (many per day) and if you book a fair way out (6 months) you'll get good prices (eg around US$75-90pp).
2. From Naples or Civitavecchia (closest port to Rome), take the overnight ferry.
As you are going to Pompeii/Herculaneum, perhaps you could head north and do the art side of Italy and give the kids a different perspective. In Florence, apart from the Uffizi and Accademia, you could also visit the Bargello (museum/palace) which will no doubt have many things to keep the kids, and the adults, entranced.
Dec 15th, 2013, 06:15 AM
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Would it be a good compromise to go down to Naples, see Pompeii and Herculeneum and the Naples museum, give it a couple days rather than a quick trip - then go to the art scene of Florence - and while in Florence search out Etruscan history?
Then what we miss is the Greeks...tragic.
Then what we miss is the Greeks...tragic.
Dec 15th, 2013, 02:47 PM
#6
If you want to try to include Florence, head to either Naples or Florence immediately upon arrival, then go to the other before ending with your week in Rome. If budget is an issue, you might want to investigate train fares before deciding. You should also consider that unless you land very early in the morning you'll likely lose your entire arrival day to traveling and another half day traveling between Florence and Naples. The Naples-Rome train ride takes less time than Florence-Rome.
In Florence, you'll find Etruscan ruins and artifacts in the town of Fiesole (a short bus ride away) and at the Florence archeology museum
From Naples, you can visit the Cumae Archeological Park near Pozzuoli where you'll find both Greek and Roman ruins. We were driven there, but I believe there are both buses and trains from Naples.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/naples...ean_fields.htm
In Florence, you'll find Etruscan ruins and artifacts in the town of Fiesole (a short bus ride away) and at the Florence archeology museum
From Naples, you can visit the Cumae Archeological Park near Pozzuoli where you'll find both Greek and Roman ruins. We were driven there, but I believe there are both buses and trains from Naples.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/naples...ean_fields.htm
Dec 15th, 2013, 03:59 PM
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Great information Jean - thank you. The Cumae park sounds fascinating.
So today, in a moment of clarity, I actually asked my kids what they would like to do - in particular the one who is graduating and is the cause for the trip! We took out our map of Italy and discussed the various benefits of each.
She soundly said "South" - she is just fascinated by the idea of seeing Greek temple ruins. Let's face it, the reason we go with our kids is to experience it with them as they see it. While I would love to show them the miracles of the Uffizi, if they really are "into" other things, then I want to support that passion. My daughter said that since she intends to live in Europe after university, she'll have plenty of time to see the David, but what she really wants to see NOW is Greek temples - since I haven't seen them before, I figured "why not"? I need to let go of my insistence on Florence.
So here's another angle for this trip that I thought might satisfy my 'wish list' on this trip - Siena is my idea of heaven on earth. I just love it. I can't imagine being in Italy and not going there (selfish, I admit) And I really wanted to take the kids to Assisi. So Maybe we fly into Milan, take a couple days to make our way down to Rome, (we feel very comfortable driving in Italy) - drop off the car and spend the week in Rome, then finish out the trip on Sicily. This plan gives us about 5 days in Sicily - I know, not nearly enough, but better than nothing? We would take the ferry from Naples after seeing Pompeii, then after touring Sicily a bit, fly back to Rome for our flight home....the other option would be to fly into and out of Rome - just immediately upon arrival rent a car and leave Rome for Siena for a couple days....flight costs would likely make that decision for us.
what do you think? Do-able?
So today, in a moment of clarity, I actually asked my kids what they would like to do - in particular the one who is graduating and is the cause for the trip! We took out our map of Italy and discussed the various benefits of each.
She soundly said "South" - she is just fascinated by the idea of seeing Greek temple ruins. Let's face it, the reason we go with our kids is to experience it with them as they see it. While I would love to show them the miracles of the Uffizi, if they really are "into" other things, then I want to support that passion. My daughter said that since she intends to live in Europe after university, she'll have plenty of time to see the David, but what she really wants to see NOW is Greek temples - since I haven't seen them before, I figured "why not"? I need to let go of my insistence on Florence.
So here's another angle for this trip that I thought might satisfy my 'wish list' on this trip - Siena is my idea of heaven on earth. I just love it. I can't imagine being in Italy and not going there (selfish, I admit) And I really wanted to take the kids to Assisi. So Maybe we fly into Milan, take a couple days to make our way down to Rome, (we feel very comfortable driving in Italy) - drop off the car and spend the week in Rome, then finish out the trip on Sicily. This plan gives us about 5 days in Sicily - I know, not nearly enough, but better than nothing? We would take the ferry from Naples after seeing Pompeii, then after touring Sicily a bit, fly back to Rome for our flight home....the other option would be to fly into and out of Rome - just immediately upon arrival rent a car and leave Rome for Siena for a couple days....flight costs would likely make that decision for us.
what do you think? Do-able?
Dec 15th, 2013, 04:46 PM
#8
Why Milan? The Rome airport is closer to Florence, Siena and Assisi.
I think the latest 'angle' doesn't give you enough time anywhere, and I can't see the scenario that gives you 5 days on Sicily unless you're adding a day or two to the original 2-week timeframe. And are you skipping the Naples archeology museum? This is where all of the artifacts from Pompeii are housed.
I would concentrate on Rome and Sicily. You can make a day trip from Rome by train to Florence or by bus to Siena. Or stick to the Florence-Naples-Rome itinerary. Siena is an easy day-trip from Florence.
I think the latest 'angle' doesn't give you enough time anywhere, and I can't see the scenario that gives you 5 days on Sicily unless you're adding a day or two to the original 2-week timeframe. And are you skipping the Naples archeology museum? This is where all of the artifacts from Pompeii are housed.
I would concentrate on Rome and Sicily. You can make a day trip from Rome by train to Florence or by bus to Siena. Or stick to the Florence-Naples-Rome itinerary. Siena is an easy day-trip from Florence.
Dec 15th, 2013, 05:11 PM
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While in Rome, the one who is interested in archeology must go to Ostia! See http://www.ostia-antica.org/dict/top...xcavations.htm
I vote for Rome, Naples (Pompeii and museum), and a few days in Sicily - should cost no more than going to Florence etc. Read up on the marvels that the Greeks left behind in Sicily - it's almost like you've gotten a freebie trip to Greece if you visit the Valley of the Temples for example - see www.valleyofthetemples.com
Fly into Rome and home from Catania. Look for lodgings on www.housetrips.com
I vote for Rome, Naples (Pompeii and museum), and a few days in Sicily - should cost no more than going to Florence etc. Read up on the marvels that the Greeks left behind in Sicily - it's almost like you've gotten a freebie trip to Greece if you visit the Valley of the Temples for example - see www.valleyofthetemples.com
Fly into Rome and home from Catania. Look for lodgings on www.housetrips.com
Dec 15th, 2013, 06:41 PM
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Thanks. Funny, one of our criteria for travel is to search out UNESCO sites as much as possible.
also thanks for the tip about housetrips - we've been using vrbo, rental in rome and others to try to find places - this new site looks great!
also thanks for the tip about housetrips - we've been using vrbo, rental in rome and others to try to find places - this new site looks great!
