Where in Italy?
Feb 10th, 2004, 05:30 AM
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Where in Italy?
I would like to take my family (husband and 2 kids aged 11 & 9) to Italy in October but where? I am aiming more towards Sicily because it should be warmer but is it suitable for families. I know it all depends on what you like doing etc but mainly I want to see a place, enjoy the food and relax at some point. Also what are the best times to go to the best places in Italy and why?
Feb 10th, 2004, 06:00 AM
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SO, YOU WANT TO SEE ITALY !
FIRST, GET A GOOD MAP ! Having planned more then ninety personalized itineraries to southern Europe and Italy, I have learned that the best trip plans start with a good map. It takes about six weeks to see most of Italy, and that does not include Sicily. So, any typical two week sojourn requires a geographic orientation and thoughtful
planning to optimize the total experience. The temptation is to try to see too much, and that is a big mistake. My advice is to limit yourself to FIVE DESTINATIONS OR LESS for any two week itinerary. Perceive Italy as geographic regions and plan accordingly. Here is a menu to help you to plan well. Let your total time in Italy, and a good map, determine your feasible choices !
THE BEST DESTINATIONS IN ITALY---BY CATEGORY---NORTH TO SOUTH
REGIONS OF NATURAL SPLENDOR:
1. The Lakes of Lombardy/Piedmonte [ Maggiore, Como, Lugano, Orta]
2. The Dolomites/Lake Garda [ Cortina, Ortisei, Merano, Riva del Garda]
3. The Ligurian Coast [ Portofino, Cinque Terre, Portovenere]
4. Tuscany/ Umbria [ quaint and historic hill towns]
5. The Amalfi Coast [ Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri]
THE HISTORICAL ART CITIES:
1. Venice & Veneto [ allow 3 days---more if you include Vicenza, Verona et al]
2. Florence [ it all happened here--plan for 2 days just in Florence]
3. Siena [ deserves a full day, perhaps as a day trip from Florence]
4. Rome [ the Eternal City demands 5 days---some would say two weeks]
ROMANTIC RESORT DESTINATIONS:
1. Bellagio [ the best of Lago Como]
2. Cortina [ the Vail of Italy--ski resort in heart of the Dolomites]
3. Portofino/ Santa Margherita [ splendid sea-side venue]
4. Positano [ the best location to explore the Amalfi coast]
5. Taormina [ fabulous sea-side location in Sicily]
6. Ravello [ la dolce vita above the Amalfi coast]
FIRST, GET A GOOD MAP ! Having planned more then ninety personalized itineraries to southern Europe and Italy, I have learned that the best trip plans start with a good map. It takes about six weeks to see most of Italy, and that does not include Sicily. So, any typical two week sojourn requires a geographic orientation and thoughtful
planning to optimize the total experience. The temptation is to try to see too much, and that is a big mistake. My advice is to limit yourself to FIVE DESTINATIONS OR LESS for any two week itinerary. Perceive Italy as geographic regions and plan accordingly. Here is a menu to help you to plan well. Let your total time in Italy, and a good map, determine your feasible choices !
THE BEST DESTINATIONS IN ITALY---BY CATEGORY---NORTH TO SOUTH
REGIONS OF NATURAL SPLENDOR:
1. The Lakes of Lombardy/Piedmonte [ Maggiore, Como, Lugano, Orta]
2. The Dolomites/Lake Garda [ Cortina, Ortisei, Merano, Riva del Garda]
3. The Ligurian Coast [ Portofino, Cinque Terre, Portovenere]
4. Tuscany/ Umbria [ quaint and historic hill towns]
5. The Amalfi Coast [ Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri]
THE HISTORICAL ART CITIES:
1. Venice & Veneto [ allow 3 days---more if you include Vicenza, Verona et al]
2. Florence [ it all happened here--plan for 2 days just in Florence]
3. Siena [ deserves a full day, perhaps as a day trip from Florence]
4. Rome [ the Eternal City demands 5 days---some would say two weeks]
ROMANTIC RESORT DESTINATIONS:
1. Bellagio [ the best of Lago Como]
2. Cortina [ the Vail of Italy--ski resort in heart of the Dolomites]
3. Portofino/ Santa Margherita [ splendid sea-side venue]
4. Positano [ the best location to explore the Amalfi coast]
5. Taormina [ fabulous sea-side location in Sicily]
6. Ravello [ la dolce vita above the Amalfi coast]
Feb 10th, 2004, 06:01 AM
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Italy (like France) is at least a dozen countries in one - - so the question is a little bit like where should I go in europe. What do you THINK Italy encompasses, and what do you se when you close your eyes and picture yourself reveling in its wonders?
You have given us the clue that warmer climate and possibly nearer seaside (as opposed to mountains) would scratch your itch.
I cannot personally comment on Sicily, so I will propose something I know something more about - - Rome and Campania. Campania - - at least here on this forum - - quite often means centering yourself on the Amalfi coast, but it doesn't have to. And Amalfi is both a bit expensive - - and maybe more suited to you and your husband alone, rediscovering romance.
But Campania can be plenty more than Amalfi. Pompeii and Caserta for starters (I have never been to Caserta, and I am not a star wars, but it was the filming location for SW I, I think). I do not know Naples per se, nor Sorrento like others here do, but there must be good reasons to enjoy either or both with families.
And Rome - - well of course, Rome is the city for ALL ages, not just the city "of all ages"...
More than anything, you need books, books and more books. This earliest dream-weaving, tentative planning stage is the one time that the internet doesn't hold a candle to books. Get thee hence to yon public library or bookstore or both - - the larger the better.
Get the kids looking at the books and feeling like part of the decision making process as well.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
You have given us the clue that warmer climate and possibly nearer seaside (as opposed to mountains) would scratch your itch.
I cannot personally comment on Sicily, so I will propose something I know something more about - - Rome and Campania. Campania - - at least here on this forum - - quite often means centering yourself on the Amalfi coast, but it doesn't have to. And Amalfi is both a bit expensive - - and maybe more suited to you and your husband alone, rediscovering romance.
But Campania can be plenty more than Amalfi. Pompeii and Caserta for starters (I have never been to Caserta, and I am not a star wars, but it was the filming location for SW I, I think). I do not know Naples per se, nor Sorrento like others here do, but there must be good reasons to enjoy either or both with families.
And Rome - - well of course, Rome is the city for ALL ages, not just the city "of all ages"...
More than anything, you need books, books and more books. This earliest dream-weaving, tentative planning stage is the one time that the internet doesn't hold a candle to books. Get thee hence to yon public library or bookstore or both - - the larger the better.
Get the kids looking at the books and feeling like part of the decision making process as well.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Feb 10th, 2004, 06:30 AM
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You didn't say how long you the trip is, maybe you can do a some Sicily and something else. I think almost all of Italy is family friendly. My kids just loved it. We spent most of our time in Rome and Venice, with a couple of overnights in between (our kids were about that age). There are many posts here regarding Itlay and kids. Lots of good suggestions and ideas. Try doing a text search on 'italy AND kids' or 'italy AND family'
Feb 10th, 2004, 06:36 AM
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I think Sicily is the most interesting part of Italy, of the parts that I've visited so far. Sicily would be fine for families, and it is definitely very easy to relax in Sicily, in both the cities and the country and in the medium sized towns. You will probably find most Sicilians friendly and hospitable and warm toward children. Your children are old enough to that the history and the fascinating mixture of cultures will make an impression on them and have an effect on their future learning. There's great variation in the geography, cultural roots, and even climate in different parts of Sicily. I've been there in August (hot), May, and November. A cousin of mine told me September is his favorite month in Sicily. I was there in November and thought that was a lovely time. So I'd guess October, between those two months, would be perfect.
It would help if you know some Italian, if you are going to venture beyond the most popular destinations, like Palermo, Siracusa, Taormina (and even in those places). But if you'rehave some time to start learning a little.
It would help if you know some Italian, if you are going to venture beyond the most popular destinations, like Palermo, Siracusa, Taormina (and even in those places). But if you'rehave some time to start learning a little.
Feb 11th, 2004, 07:34 AM
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I can't help you with Sicily never been there.
But I can strongly recommend Umbria (a region next to Tuscany). Compared to Tuscany there are not many tourist and it is medieval instead of renaissance something I think your kids will like. Assisi is a beautiful city with an old castle you could ?explore?. And Perugia is a lovely city with a nice international and young atmosphere (two universities). Umbria is cheaper than Tuscany and the northern part of Italy, but properly not as cheap as Sicily.
No matter where in Italy you want to go I can recommend to rent a car and stay at the places called ?agriturismo?. It is a kind of a farm holiday where you could stay on a vineyard or oliveyard. It should be easy to choose one with a swimming pool which kids usually love. You could stay one place for a week and then change place. Or you could stay one place for a week and then travel around or stay in Rome for another week. But if you want to relax don?t try to see both Rome, Florence and Venice in one trip ? you will need another vacation then.
But I can strongly recommend Umbria (a region next to Tuscany). Compared to Tuscany there are not many tourist and it is medieval instead of renaissance something I think your kids will like. Assisi is a beautiful city with an old castle you could ?explore?. And Perugia is a lovely city with a nice international and young atmosphere (two universities). Umbria is cheaper than Tuscany and the northern part of Italy, but properly not as cheap as Sicily.
No matter where in Italy you want to go I can recommend to rent a car and stay at the places called ?agriturismo?. It is a kind of a farm holiday where you could stay on a vineyard or oliveyard. It should be easy to choose one with a swimming pool which kids usually love. You could stay one place for a week and then change place. Or you could stay one place for a week and then travel around or stay in Rome for another week. But if you want to relax don?t try to see both Rome, Florence and Venice in one trip ? you will need another vacation then.
