taitai

We are in the very early stages of planning an Italy trip for next summer. Due to our family's schedule, the only time we can go is August which is less than ideal (HOT and CROWDED) but what we have. Our plan is to do a one week bike trip in Tuscany starting and ending in Florence. We will have another week to spend and I am not sure where to go. We are traveling with our three sons (14,13,13) and want to keep them interested. They are active guys who can certainly enjoy a museum and church but perhaps not more than one a day. One thought is to go to Venice and then on to Dubrovnik for a couple days. I haven't been there in 20 years and the boys have never been. Another thought is to go down to Rome and then end with several days on the Amalfi Coast. Maybe leave Italy altogether and end with a week in Greece on a beach there. I am definitely thinking that ending with some time at the beach makes a good deal of sense for this group.

I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions for anyone familiar with this region or who has done a similar trip.

Thank you

bilboburgler

Wow, I've ridden through Tuscany in August and it will be hot. Florence is ok to start in but you might also look at Siena. You need hotels booked ahead (package or doing it yourself) and you need a pool for every night stop.

Where else? It depends on how much you like heat, certainly the Greek Isles are nice, but so are the Dalmatian Islands (off shore) from Dubrovnik and a bit further north. You could do an island hopping yacht cruise (I don't know costs) or just a bit of island hopping of local ferries.

Rome will be steaming (avoid), Venice will be aargh. I'd look up to the Dolimites say where the air is cooler, the mountain meadows are open to all and lots of space to run off energy. (Also prices tend to drop in the summer from the high winter). Also you could do a walk by in Venice just to let th kids see it (but why spoil such a lovely place for them).

Somewhere like Le Marche might be good for instance if you must go further south.

RonZ

How about Rhodes? Fly Aegean out of FCO, about 6.5 hours with a change in Athens.

vincenzo32951

If staying in Italy and all things considered, the Amalfi Coast is probably your best bet. It will be crowded, but you knew that already. The kids might be interested in a day trip to Pompeii.

bvlenci

I'm not sure I'd want to do a week-long bike tour in Tuscany in August. There are lots of hills in most of the region.

For a second week in Italy, there are plenty of places that are not likely to be too hot. The secret is to go to one of the many mountainous areas. The Sibillines, the Dolomites, many other places in the Apennines or Italian Alps. We spend most of August in the foothills of the Sibillines. Sometimes it's hot there at midday, but we usually need a sweater in the evening and a blanket at night.

Would you rent a car for this second week?

kalnalcl

Another suggestion is the Lake Como area. Tons of hiking, caves, and water activities. It's also an easy day trip to the Swiss mountains or Milan. I found it offered a good mix of history/sightseeing (Villas, gardens) and more active things. To my surprise the kids liked the gardens almost as much as the caves!

bvlenci

Florence, which is in a natural bowl with few breezes, is normally hotter than Rome, which is on the coast. Have a look at historical high and low temperature averages.

Le Marche is north of Rome, about the same distance as Tuscany. In the winter, it tends to be colder here than on the western side of the Apennines, but I don't think the summer difference is as great.