Italy for New Year's
#1
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Italy for New Year's
Hello,
I am going with my husband and my children (ages: 9, 12, 17) to Italy for the last week of December on a church event. I have 3 extra days to explore, which are Jan 2-4. We would be heading home on the 5th.
I've been to Florence and Venice in March (which was cold too) and will have the opportunity to visit Rome for a second time a bit during the week of our event.
Any suggestions as to where I can visit during this time of year? I heard it's cold and a bit rainy. I am assuming many things will be closed those days? We love quaint towns, nature, but we also enjoy art. My younger boys have never been to europe.
Thank you!
I am going with my husband and my children (ages: 9, 12, 17) to Italy for the last week of December on a church event. I have 3 extra days to explore, which are Jan 2-4. We would be heading home on the 5th.
I've been to Florence and Venice in March (which was cold too) and will have the opportunity to visit Rome for a second time a bit during the week of our event.
Any suggestions as to where I can visit during this time of year? I heard it's cold and a bit rainy. I am assuming many things will be closed those days? We love quaint towns, nature, but we also enjoy art. My younger boys have never been to europe.
Thank you!
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Closings will be mostly late the 24th and the 25th as well as the 1st. Think most things will be open other days but you need to check the sites for the various places to see dates and times of openings. Jan will likely be colder than March and snow is possible even as far south as Rome - but not likely except in the mountains.
There are numerous other towns you could visit in Tuscany and Umbria but for that you wold probably need to drive - and not sure if you want to in winter with short days and possible bad weather. I would stick to cities where there is more to see and do no matter the weather.
I would definitely not even consider doing the coast or any of the lakes.
If it were me I would probably spend those few days in either Florence or Venice based on the desires of your whole family.
There are numerous other towns you could visit in Tuscany and Umbria but for that you wold probably need to drive - and not sure if you want to in winter with short days and possible bad weather. I would stick to cities where there is more to see and do no matter the weather.
I would definitely not even consider doing the coast or any of the lakes.
If it were me I would probably spend those few days in either Florence or Venice based on the desires of your whole family.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Having attended both, I can say that the New Year's celebration in Naples' Piazza Del Popolo rivals the same celebration in Times Square, New York. The Naples celebration is a blast, with many entertainers performing, which does not happen in NY.
#4
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Now that I think of it, we visited a little of the Tuscany side-Montepulciano, San Gimignano. I wanted to go to Assisi, and the tower of Pisa but didn't get the chance. Maybe that can be an option? I assume we should stay in Florence and take day trips from there?
#5
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Yes, you can definitely go to Florence and use the trains to visit Pisa and Assisi, although the latter will be a long day trip. You also might want to include Siena (by bus or train) and Bologna. Lucca too.
Even though you will be in a big city with lots of things to do and good train connections, you will still need to be flexible about weather, because it can snow in Florence during that time frame, and snow enough to stop train travel. Still, things will be open, the food is very hearty and warming, and if it is sunny and mild, it's lovely. But you will need to pack warm winter clothes.
As soon as practicable you should book your train tickets from Rome to Florence (and back again if you are flying out of Rome). It is an extremely busy time for train travel in Italy and one of the rare times in the year when seats can actually get sold out.
Even though you will be in a big city with lots of things to do and good train connections, you will still need to be flexible about weather, because it can snow in Florence during that time frame, and snow enough to stop train travel. Still, things will be open, the food is very hearty and warming, and if it is sunny and mild, it's lovely. But you will need to pack warm winter clothes.
As soon as practicable you should book your train tickets from Rome to Florence (and back again if you are flying out of Rome). It is an extremely busy time for train travel in Italy and one of the rare times in the year when seats can actually get sold out.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Sorry -- I want to clarify what I posted. I should have written that you include in your research or options or considerations towns other than Pisa or Assisi -- but with only 3 days, you obviously can't do more than 2 towns if you also want to see anything of Florence -- which could actually keep you fascinated for all 3 days without going anywhere.
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dizlz
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May 9th, 2013 02:01 AM