renbown

My husband and I are wanting to travel Rome, Sorrento and Aeolian Islands with our four children age 7,5,3 and 2. Yes, obviously we are crazy - but we are up to the adventure. I have spoken to a few friends who have just returned from Italy who tell me that it was much more expensive than they had anticipated. We plan on being there for most of July next year and I would like some advice as to how we can keep costs down travelling with a little tribe. We are keen to have a down-to-earth experience. Any tips?

beanweb24

One great way to keep costs down is to rent a flat/apartment instead of staying in hotels or resorts. With apartment rentals, you have the luxury of a kitchen which will help you keep food costs down. Some apartments also come equipped with washers/dryers, although in my past experience you should be prepared for clothes to take a LOT longer to dry.

I have used www.italyby.com several times to rent apartments (and hotels). You might also check out www.parkervillas.com.

Viajero2

You are a brave woman and the key to your success is tied to expectations. If you are looking for an Italian adventure in Rome, Sorrento and the Aeolian Islands, certainly dragging four little kids may very well fit the definition. Would it be fun for EVERYBODY in JULY? Not sure, but that's another thread. Pick a couple of home bases (villa/apartment), definitely near the ocean/a pool, A/C is a must, rent a car, bring some help (grandma, dear niece, close aunt, responsible nephew). Try vrbo.com for vacation rentals by owners.

In all honesty, I would go to Italy alone with hubby for 10-15 days. When the youngest one is at least five (5), then and only then would I even consider taking them all overseas for a month, specially to Southern Italy in July.

caroline_edinburgh

Agree totally with the last post except I'd say wait until your youngest is at least 10 or even 12. It will be *very* hot. Rome is all about walking round all day & even an adult used to walking will get sore feet. Not a fun holiday for children. The Aeolian islands are popular with the Italian jet set in summer & will be very expensive in July. Not even thinking about you trying to control 4 small children on a long haul flight !!

I agree, if you can leave your kids with someone, go to Italy without them - how about 2 weeks there for just the 2 of you and then 2 weeks at a beach resort somewhere nearer to home with the children ?

kleeblatt

In Rome, I would be afraid of losing the children in the crowds.

amarena

I traveled with my children to Italy this past summer -- they were 4 and 2. It was a much different experience from our trip there the year before, when we left them with the grandparents at home, BUT, we really enjoyed it! Just bear in mind, that you probably won't see even half of what you will plan to see... that is, you probably won't see it AND keep the entire family happy!

A rental will definitely help you keep the costs down. They are usually less expensive than hotels and you can also have most of your meals at the villa or apartment. Also, usually rentals have washing machines, which will be a must with 4 little ones! You can find lots of rental reviews on slowtrav.com.

However, rentals in Sorrento in July will be very, very expensive, especially if you want a pool. The Excelsior Vittorio, a luxury hotel, in Sorrento rents out 2 or 3 apartments on their property. They are substantially cheaper than their rooms, but with all the same amenities that the hotel guests enjoy (maybe not daily cleaning, though.) I haven't seen the hotel, but I believe they have a nice pool and some playground equipment... we had considered this hotel but ended up staying in Tuscany instead.

I don't know about the Aeolian Islands. Rome in August is a low or medium season, but I'm not sure about July... I think July might be a peak season in Rome, so costs might be higher there, too.

We quickly learned that our kids needed some downtime, even though they enjoyed all the activities. We would try to stay near the villa one day, swimming, going to the local playground... then do a daytrip or big activitiy the next day.

Other tips: daily gelato for the kids is a must. BRING BIBS for the them!! AND, piazza's are wonderful places to let the kids run around. Often we could sit at a cafe, sipping our cappucini or wine, while we watched them run around with the local kids, chasing pigeons and having fun.

ira

Hi R,

You are covering a lot of territory.

How long is this visit?

janisj

ira: The OP says "most of July" so it looks like 3 or 4 weeks.

renbown: Can you go any other time of the year? I ask because in July everything from airfares (and you'll need 6 seats) to hotels/villas/apartments will be just about at their highest.

July is very crowded/highs eason whereas if you could go in May/early June you will save a lot.

Also - it will be very hot so a/c is a must and places w/ a/c tend to cost more too.

wliwl

I seriously don't think you could ensure the safety of four kids at once in Rome. The traffic is too scary - REALLY narrow streets with cars and motocycles zipping by you with inches to spare. Not to mention some very crowded places. I can't believe it is a city kids would even enjoy!

Your best plan? Either drop them at the grandparents, or take them someplace kids would have fun.

GSteed

Mission Impossible! You already know that taking care of four children is difficult. Do you have a 'live-in' or nanny? Is your budget unlimited? Try a 'test run'to a local hotel for a weekend. Maybe an Amtrak or a Greyhound journey somewhere and back.

Pausanias

With kids that age, during July . . . my advice would be to come to the US (I'm guessing you're British because of your use of the word "keen&quot and rent a beach house on Cape Cod.

Kids, cities and summertime make a bad mix, in my experience.

wliwl

I didn't even notice it was in the summer! It could easily be over 100 degrees in Rome those days. (It was when we were there in JUNE!) Talk about miserable kids!

(Could this person be a troll?)

lobo_mau

children aged 7,5,3 and 2? It reminds me the pre-television era...

travelbunny

agree with all comments about age- I would souggest the trip should be postponed until the youngest is 5 UNLESS you have the mindset that this vacation should be looked at and planned as though it was one taken an hr from your home except in Italy. Stay in 1 place for a week (for a minimun) make sure it is at least an apt(as opposed to hotel rooms) and make sure there are plenty of kid friendly activities. If you must do it next year at the height of the expensive tourist season (Sorrento in August is big bucks), try to organize a home exchange to cut costs if money is an issue.

lcthecat

Go for it! We only have 2 kids, but we've travelled abroad with them since they were 2 and 4. Rent an apartment, shop at the local markets, just pretend you're Italian while you're there, instead of a tourist, and have a blast. We rarely do anything touristy, we just want to absorb everything!

caroline_edinburgh

Do Americans not use the word "keen" ?

dutyfree

I am going to play devil's advocate here so bear with me. July is a HORRIBLE month to be traveling in southern Italy-most hotels and apartments do not have a/c and it makes life unbearable. You are selecting 3 areas which require "planes,trains and boats" which is hard enough with just a few adults not to mention with 4 VERY small children.I think that the trip will be very expensive(especially at that time of the year). As someone who goes to Rome every week for work, I agree about how hard it would be to "move" everyone around safely. The plane ride alone (if from the states especially) would be difficult.Have you done any vacation trips closer to your home before? Can you manage all the equipment that will be involved with children that age-ie.carseats,diapers,strollers,etc.? Are the kids still doing naps? Do they like eating different things? Do they get along well with each other? Would they really be interested in all that history in Rome?I personally would be so drained as a mother trying to coordinate everything that the vacation would be ruined for me along with not even having a moment to relax and enjoy the experience.Seriously, rethink another spot that might be more "kid friendly" for everyone?

SusanP

dutyfree has FAR more experience in Rome than I have, but I agree with everything she said. I was in Rome at the end of Sept, and it was in the mid to high 70's. I couldn't imagine being there in July, and with four hot very young children! You're going to spend a lot of money, and it's not as if the kids will remember anything later. And although having an apartment would indeed help save money on food, do you really want to be spending your vacation cooking all your own meals? The whole thing sounds exhausting and no fun at all.

capxxx

You remind me of a colleague who travelled with his wife and four young children to the Italian Alps. Everywhere they went, there were exclamations of ``Quattro Bambini!'', handshakes, invitations to eat, and general celebration of their family.

Maybe not in Rome, but I bet you'll enjoy the Italian reaction to travel with a large young family.

I think you'd enjoy the small towns, coastal areas, and slow travel more than cities and dashing about. Pick a couple spots with pool or beach, and settle in, taking day trips.

You'll save all kinds of money because you'll be spending time in parks and playing in fountains rather than paying admission to museums and theaters.

An apartment will let you fix snacks, breakfast, drinks, and meals, and you can shut the bedroom door at naptime. You'll have a kitchen table to draw pictures at. Definitely recommended over a hotel room.

Pausanias

"Do Americans not use the word "keen" ?"

Not often in that sense. It might be used to describe something sharp, like a blade edge, but not usually to connote eagerness.

To date myself, it once meant "cool."