fly2europe

Hi

We just booked our trip 3 days ago to Rome- reaching there on April 12 at 9 am and leaving on April 21 at. 10 am.

Except the flight, absolutely have no itinerary and would like advice about how to split our days.
My husband and I are in late 30s, 2 kids 4 and 6 yr old. We usually live the ambience of the place more than sight seeing. We have already been to Venice before and want to split these days in southern: central Italy

Please advise how to divide keeping in mind the pre- Easter activities. We haven't booked any hotel, I know it will be difficult but somehow our vacations happen to match only last minute... So the delay.

So far we are thinking of spending 3 days in Rome, go to Naples and maybe Amalfi for 2 days and then from there to florence on 18 the and spend 19,20th in florence. I have heard that the Easter festival with fireworks in Florence is very famous.

We are not Catholics so the religious part is not too important, just like to absorb different cultures and love to be in a place when it is celebrating something.

Please help us with itinerary and any hotel recommendations. We will be absolutely fine with keepin our itinerary to Rome and Naples and Amalfi also if adding Florence will be a lot

Thanks for any tips in advance..

DebitNM

I would suggest that you stay in Sorrento rather than Naples with 2 kids. We were just in Naples and for ourselves, it was ok I don't think I would want to stay with kids, the city is gritty...a bit tough in some areas, especially if you are going to doing the Amalfi coast. We did a private driver tour and it was excellent. Please tell him I sent you!
http://www.francescomarrapese.com

mama_mia

Nine days is not very long, when you factor in getting between these locations with young ones. Perhaps just choose two?

As for Florence and the Scoppio del Carro (if that is what you are thinking of)--I am not sure how enjoyable that would be for the little ones. Would they be able to see above the crowds? Will the loud noise of the fireworks be upsetting? You might look at the videos on youtube to help you decide.

I think Rome plus a more relaxing location (maybe Amalfi coast) would be my suggestion.

sandralist

Napoli with small kids is tough because the traffic is intense and chaotic. I agree with the suggestion of Sorrento if you are determined to go south, but if your main joy in going to Italy is "live the ambience" then Sorrento is 100 percent about tourism, as is the rest of the Amalfi coast.

What is your departure airport?

Would you be interested in car-free towns like Lucca with your kids and trains to Pisa and Florence?

fly2europe

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your help.
Our departure airport is Rome too. I even think of just renting an apartment on vrbo for a week in Rome only if weather is good and just do a couple of day trips
If anyone can suggest an apartment to rent in Rome and and the best area, plz advise.

jsg42

Positano is a must! Stay at Bucca de Bacco

mama_mia

I think a week in Rome would be lovely. You might look at apartments in Piazza di Spagna area since that would put you close to the Villa Borghese gardens. Would be a nice place to wander with the children and enjoy the park activities.

sandralist

Could you deal with this terrace with your 4 year old?

http://www.romeloft.com/15304-trevi-...ble-apartment/

I've had good experiences with the rental agency but I know absolutely NOTHING about this particular apartment. So you'd need to check it out thoroughly. Given your time constraints I suggest you actually call them.

sandralist

PS: reading the description of that apartment I see that the second bedroom (with trundle beds for kids) has access to a balcony that isn't pictured. No indication of what the access is and whether it can be locked in a way kids can't open. So I felt a need to raise that flag. Something I would want to discuss over the phone if I wasn't willing to put the kids the master bedroom.

kja

I agree with mama_mia: I think you would do well to consider visiting just 2 of these locations.

nytraveler

Agree - with only 8 real days and 2 little kids I would just stay in Rome - and do one or two days trips based on the weather and how tired/interested everyone is.

Otherwise you will be spending a LOT of time in transit and not allowing the little ones much time to just be kids and run around.

fly2europe

Thanks. I do like the apartment, will call them tomorrow.

I am actually thinking of reserving first 2 nights in Rome and then decide there whether to go south to Amalfi coast or stay back. Are there any kid friendly resorts around Amalfi coast, maybe for a couple nights...

Also in Rome, something for about $250/nt. it seems as if nothing is less than $500 available due to Easter..

fly2europe

Anyone who can advise on where better to stay in for Easter Day celebration and fun for kids parades etc- Rome or Florence or elsewhere in Italy?

Kid friendly resort on Amalfi coast?
Thanks.

nytraveler

Easter is really too early for pool or beach on the Amalfi coast. We have been there late May and they are just opening the pool then - so not sure how much there would be to do.. And while there are some resorts they are typically quite upscale. Also the beaches are not sand - but pebbles or even rocks - and not sure how much kids would enjoy this - versus a park in a city

fly2europe

Thanks nytraveler, we are from New York and hope that the weather is a bit more predictable there than we had this year.

Looks like it will be between 65-70 in Rome Florence and Naples.
I had just presumed Amalfi coast would be warmer..checked now and looks it will be a little cooler actually. Really appreciate your advice, will just keep to Rome Florence Naples then.
Do u have suggestions on any good accommodations in Florence for 2 days and Rome may be 4 days and Naples 2 days...

Thanks

mama_mia

Are you flying home from Rome or Naples? If from Rome, then you would have to end your trip in the Rome area. You can't make a 10 AM flight out of Rome from Naples.

WWK

I would skip Naples this time of year. It won't be hot enough, and that's a long way to go with kids in tow for two days. Why not do Rome-Florence, with side trips to Pisa, Lucca, Siena? Plenty to do for eight days, and w/kids much less hassle.

mama_mia

Oh, sorry. Noticed you are flying out of Rome. Then you have to end your trip there. I don't know if it is a good idea to land in Rome and then get on a train immediately to Naples, but that may work for your itinerary (60 min to Naples).

It is a 2.5-3 hr train ride from Naples to Florence. But you have to factor in time to get to and from stations, check-in and check out, etc. So at least half of that day is lost in transit. From Florence to Rome, it is 90 min on a fast train.

So, your itinerary would be:

Arr 4/12 - head to Naples
4/13
4/14
4/15 - head to Florence
4/16
4/17 - head to Rome
4/18
4/19
4/20
4/21 - head home

You could make Naples 2 nights and Florence 3. Either way, that is a lot of moving in a short time with two small children.

Have you looked at booking.com? I saw some hotels with good ratings for Rome at about $300/night.

sandralist

Since you are flying transatlantic with children I don't recommend landing and assuming you will all be okay to keep traveling to another destination by train the same day. (And what if your flight is delayed?) You have to negotiate busy train stations and Naples is an especially difficult place to acclimatize after a transatlantic flight. Better to taxi into Rome, stay for 4 days or so, then take 4 nights someplace else.

If you dislike the idea of Rome the entire time then consider a small town, and decide if you want a flat one or if you all will be okay with a steep hilly one with lots of staircases. Renting a car would expand your choices.

With children that small you are simply going to find Florence to be a touristy crush with few ways to escape the crowds and little to do other than go to museums and shop. The Easter week processions of Italy are not about hats and eggs and bunnies but things like the Stations of the Cross. The only "celebration" day is Easter, and by then you will need to be back in Rome anyway.

Loads of other people head into Tuscany for the Easter break period, and you are fast running out of the window for inexpensive train tickets (if you care). You will have plenty of tourist company in places like Pisa and Lucca or the famous hilltowns -- and you originally indicated you weren't looking to check off sights anyway but to be inside Italian culture. You would do better staying in a small, untouristy town for that. Flat or hilltown. With or without a car.

mama_mia

I agree with what you are saying, Sandra. I only made those suggestions because the OP seems to be returning to Florence, Naples and Rome despite other suggestions.