Trip with Teens the end of July
Jan 6th, 2005, 11:01 PM
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Trip with Teens the end of July
We are 2 families with 4 teenagers (3 boys, 1 girl) between us planning on traveling to Italy in late July or possibly the first week of August. We are just starting to plan our trip and will be spending 12-14 nights there. We are thinking of going to Rome, Florence, Tuscany (not sure where) and Venice, but are open to suggestions. I'm concerned with the heat and the crowds, but this is when we can all go. Any ideas or suggestions for hotels with pools or beach town near Venice or other areas with both plenty to do, but cooler? Thanks
Jan 7th, 2005, 04:07 AM
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Seeing Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice over 14 days is perfect.
Any hotels that have a pool will likely be in a modern area outside of the city centers and not in a good location for sightseeing at all. I would give up on the pool thing. Most buildings built prior to 1600 (or 1800 for that matter) were not designed to accomodate swimming pools.
Don't worry too much about the heat: Make sure your lodgings have a/c. Consider apartments as well - especially appropriate for large groups). Plan on walks in the early morning and in the evenings (and always walk on the shady side of the street). In the afternoons, plan to do something indoors. Take taxis if you think it's too hot to walk - if you're centrally located taxis will be less than $10. You ARE on vacation after all. Eating gelato cools you down as well.
Any hotels that have a pool will likely be in a modern area outside of the city centers and not in a good location for sightseeing at all. I would give up on the pool thing. Most buildings built prior to 1600 (or 1800 for that matter) were not designed to accomodate swimming pools.
Don't worry too much about the heat: Make sure your lodgings have a/c. Consider apartments as well - especially appropriate for large groups). Plan on walks in the early morning and in the evenings (and always walk on the shady side of the street). In the afternoons, plan to do something indoors. Take taxis if you think it's too hot to walk - if you're centrally located taxis will be less than $10. You ARE on vacation after all. Eating gelato cools you down as well.
Jan 7th, 2005, 04:41 AM
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Sounds like a very nice trip. If you can, go in July as the Italians, and many from northern Europe, vacation during the month of Italy making things a bit crowded. And you often find restaurants, etc. closed for their vacations. It is not quite as bad in the cities as the beach resorts but July would be better in any case.
Jan 7th, 2005, 08:03 AM
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Something to consider, if you want to make the time for it, is to go to the Croatian coast, around Opatija. It's a lovely area, and though the coast is generally rocky, the water is cool and wonderful for swimming. There are lots of hotels in the area. From Venice, the train can get you there in about 2 to 3 hours. An overnight stay in a coastal hotel would be even better. Good luck.
Jan 7th, 2005, 11:46 AM
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Just to add emphasis: do NOT book any hotel that isn't air conditioned, period, no exceptions, and regardless of what anyone else tells you about how "we didn't need it" and "the Italinas don't have it" or "it isn't THAT hot" etc., etc.
Jan 7th, 2005, 01:35 PM
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Although I normally recommend staying in old Venice proper, but with all those teenagers and summer heat, consider staying on the Lido of Venice (NOT Jesolo). Just a few minutes from P. San Marco by vaporetto, and a beach for the kids.
But most definitely a hotel with air conditioning anywhere in Italy during August, and most of Europe for that matter. Some good advice above on how to cope with the heat--outdoor things in the early morning and evening. Indoor things or a siesta in the heat of the afternoon. Broad-brimmed hats and loose, cool clothing.
Don't worry about a lack of restaurants in August in the areas you will be visiting.
But most definitely a hotel with air conditioning anywhere in Italy during August, and most of Europe for that matter. Some good advice above on how to cope with the heat--outdoor things in the early morning and evening. Indoor things or a siesta in the heat of the afternoon. Broad-brimmed hats and loose, cool clothing.
Don't worry about a lack of restaurants in August in the areas you will be visiting.
