yorkshire

Because I was just there, and we're really just throwing darts here...I enjoyed the Maremma area of Tuscany, and driving was a breeze. There were many cute little towns but also interesting archaeological parks--so not intensive sightseeing but never boring. And the nature (including beaches) was superb. It could go with a Florence or Rome itinerary (if you are looking to do a combo of city and more low-key touring). It has the scenery without the "oh god not another hill town or winery" aspect of Tuscany.
I'd make the kids both plunk down with a guide book and make suggestions.

massimop

Sorry -- I missed the post where you said you didn't like Rome. Guess it's between Venice & Florence for the urban week. For the sake of the museum-averse daughter, I'd lean toward Venice. Take some gondola rowing lessons, do a lot of shopping, visit Verona.

I think thc Maremma is a good suggestion for all the reasons stated. You could put it last for peace & quiet before heading home from Rome airpo. Plus some beach time as it gets hotter through June.

However, with some creative thinking you could put together a week in Florence that was not museum & church focused, but doesn't have you on the train every day ticking another sightseeing box. Florence is still the home of a lot of artisan crafts & fashion & you can track down artisans to watch work or have bespoke perfumes or sandals made for you. Cooking class? Loads of shopping including int'l status brands. Arguably the food is more fun.

PalenQ

I'd prefer to rent a house if possible. if we can take a train, that is fine. we needed a car in france.>

In countryside or city? If country you'll need a car.

http://www.agriturismo.it/en/?gclid=...RoC4QYQAvD_BwE

How about a farmhouse?

massimop

These would be my suggestions

Venice>Le Marche>Maremma

Umbria>Florence>Maremma

For Umbria, I might stay around Spello, where it becomes possible to visit the Piano Grande if the flowers are in bloom + also visit Gubbio, Lago di Trasimeno, the waterfalls near Terni + myriad small towns with great art & Etruscan wells, or ride the escalators in Perugia.

I would also suggest renting a big apartment in an agriturismo/ farmhouse complex with an onsite restaurant.

massimop

correction: meant to type

Florence>Umbria>Maremma

PalenQ

swimming pools that most agriturismos have will be great in hot weather - for teens especially - great for meeting others staying on premises.

massimop

about Le Marche:

http://www.le-marche.com/

http://www.lovemarche.com/le-marche-italy.htm

Leely2

I think I would choose the city portion first and then decide the hinterlands/snall towns based on proximity to that.

massimop

If Amalfi & southern Italy are out of the mix, proximity within all the other possible combinations being considered actually isn't much of an issue. Getting between any of them is generally no more than 4 hours travel.

LuigiPiero

You already got a lot of suggestions, even if the most remaining in the same areas.
I believe you may like Puglia and Sicily too, where the tourism is diffused. You could combine with Marche having three regions with more authenticity and less mass tourism.
Everywhere is agriturismo (for example agriturismo.it) the best and most comfortable solution for slow tourism and good food.
For Puglia I could write you some more detailed information, but need more accurate experience or activity you may wish.
Further institutional websites:
www.viaggiareinpuglia.it
pti.regione.sicilia.it/portal/page/portal/SIT_PORTALE

Leely2

Had a great trip that included Umbria, Le Marche and a bit of Abruzzo last summer. I do like to buzz around and stay active though.

Good luck choosing! There are so many pleasant areas. Sicily, as mentioned in the post right above mine, is truly stunning, probably my favorite Italy trip ever. And yet I spent a week in Venice, a week in the Dolomites and then divided a week between Arezzo and Rome last month and loved that too.

Not sure you can go wrong.

plambers

what is agaroturismo? do you board in someone's house?

bilboburgler

agriturismi vary but normally in the countryside, often built around an old farm or developed properties in the countryside, they can be a large B&B to appartments. The idea is that you get closer to nature so you might be offered food from the farm, or get cheap access to the farm's horses or free access to fields, old bikes, swimming pools.

Some have restaurants on site, some you have to book etc.

plambers

have you done this? do you enjoy?

i was able to grab 4 ff tix to rome on july 1. cannot book return flights yet. they are on hold for 4 days so i need to figure this out. kids will do a few museums but not many. they enjoy visiting towns and then returning to the house to swim in the pool. i know this is peak tourist time so trying to figure out if we avoid florence and venice and enjoy the country.

i was thinking the first 6 days would be rome (with a day trip to pompei). then we have 2 weeks left. I'd prefer to rent a house in 2 different locations for a week each. i would rent a car and drive if this is possible. our drive from the dordogne to provence was 6 hours last year and very doable.

are there local markets like in france? we loved shopping in the mornings for the delicous cheeses, meats, fruits etc.

am considering a week in tuscany - the val d orcia region. siena, pines etc.

Le Marche sounds interesting too. far a drive would that be? i love the beach but my family prefers pools.

or maybe taormina in sicily?

thoughts?

bilboburgler

Yes there are local markets, like in France though often better
If Tuscany then booking is needed and your target area is good
Le Marche sounds good

I'd not hack off to Sicily, not because I don't like it but why travel all over when there are good choices on the peninsula.

massimop

Taormina would just be a zoo & you would need to fly there.

Are you planning to fly out of Rome? Do ou still want to be in a relaxig rural area just before ou fl home?

It's not impossible to drive to Le Marche from Rome, or take a train part way & pick up a car further along for a shorter drive.

There are village markets in Italy but (a) the usually are 1-fixed-day per week and (b) they are for local costumers, selling household necessities, cheaper farm veg, seasonal clothes, shoes. More like traveling 5&10s, plus produce, for villages to small to stock a lot of stuff. Most tourists are bewildered! If you want delicious meats & cheeses, etc go to the local stores or farms.

Agriturismi are a tax-supported way to help small farmers keep farming by using part of the land as lodgings ad/or restauraats. Some are quite luxurious now and some are still rustic. Most have pools. Some offer activities like horseback riding & cooking classes. Some are very active farming operations, others do a little bit of honey-making to get the designation.

massimop

sorry for all those typos Keyboard revolt

plambers

all we have so far is a july 1 flight to rome. i need to figure out rest of trip. first 6 days rome and then we have 2 weeks.

if not le marche, where else suggested? how far would drive be from tuscany? we may have to spend last night in rome if we fly out of rome.

bilboburgler

yes, put the rome part of the trip at the end

massimop

A google search will get you a map of Italy's regions, which will help you.

I wouldn't put Rome at the end if you would enjoy your 3rd week being in the val d'Orcia or the Maremma part of Tuscany. With kids, I can see a certain logic to starting with a big dose of Roman empire history , no matter where else you go next in the empire. Plus, putting Rome first means you won't have drive first thing upon arrival.

If you spend your last night in Rome you can spend time at Ostia Antica, near the airport.