Italy for New Year's

Old Sep 1st, 2015, 08:26 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
marcast is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 08:54 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 08:56 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Waldo is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 11:04 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
marcast is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 11:19 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 11:21 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 05:27 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all so much for your responses! I will do more research and finalize the trip. I'm glad you mentioned about the trains being busy. Wouldn't have thought of that actually.
marcast is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kdj3206
Europe
19
Jan 12th, 2016 12:35 PM
anfritz15
Europe
14
Feb 11th, 2015 11:29 AM
Angat
Europe
5
Sep 4th, 2013 04:27 AM
Noah_Ward
Europe
7
Nov 14th, 2011 05:03 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -