We (me, husband, 13 and 10 year old)are going to Italy the last week in April into the beginning of May (total 13 days including two days travel).

Here are my questions:
1) What type of weather should I expect?

2) We are going to Rome, Venice and Amalifi Coast. I was going to rent a villa in Positano for a week, but I have been told that my kids will be bored.

How many days should we spend in each location?

What day trips can we take from Rome? Can we do Sienna? If so, how long of a train ride is it or by car?

I was thinking of going to Rome for 2-3 days then rent a car and head north towards Venice, but stop in Sienna, Florence and maybe somewhere in the Tuscany area then drop off the car outside of Venice. Spend a couple of days in Venice then fly to the Amalfi Coast area.

I would appreciate as much feedback as possible. Thank YOu!

When I was your kid's ages my parents rented houses at the beach for our vacations, I was never bored. If they would have rented in Positano, well, my life would have been much more exotic and I would have had much more knowledge of the world.

It will be cool on the average and cooler at night, but look at weather.com for true averages. One year I nearly froze in Florence at the end of April and it didn't warm up until well into May. The further south you go the warmer it will be of course.

For 11 days you don't have that much time so I would stick to Rome and one or two other cities. Or I would spend 7 days on Amalfi Coast and the rest in Rome.

There are so many day trips to take out of Rome and out of Positano, I doubt if they will get bored, maybe it will teach them to be creative.

I agree with SeaUrchin that you should limit yourself to 2 or 3 places, but I would reverse the timeframe.

I'd divide your 11 days: 4 on/near the Amalfi Coast and 7 in Rome. And I'd suggest Sorrento over Positano so that you can easily see Pompeii, Capri, Naples and the coast towns.

Save the longer stay in Positano for a trip alone with your husband.

Wow. You were told your kids would be bored in a villa? A villa in Italy? In Positano? With Italian TV and Italian furniture and Italian beds and blankets and Italian vistas? Who told you this, and what were their reasons?

I'm often amazed how people think kids will be bored when they are treating them to travel experiences that are beyond what probably 80 percent or a lot more of the world will ever experience. If the kids will be bored at this fabulous, unique experience, something's not right.

But I digress...the others are wise in suggesting you limit your stay to two or three places.

That was what I was trying to say too, how could they possibly get bored in a villa on the Amalfi coast? They can't be that blase' I am sure, I was satisified with Huntington Beach or Laguna, Ca. for my summers.

I have been reading so many posts about kids getting bored on European trips, I don't know what could me more exciting myself....sitting at Dairy Queen, Anywhere, USA?

Hi mnatella,
I would base everything on your interests, and limit your travel to a couple of places, perhaps Rome and then some beach time on the Amalfi coast. When I traveled with my girls in Europe (then nine and almost 16)I found they liked castles (not too many of those in the US), local festivals, shopping, and doing ordinary things like shopping for a picnic at a local supermarket to see how the locals did things. Venice is gorgeous, but very expensive, and may be good for another trip. You can also sign up for excursions at your hotel once you get there. The kids will probably love Pompeii, Colesseum, the Forum, etc. If you're Christian (or even not)you should see at least some of the Vatican; they won't believe the Sistine Chapel. Get a good guidebook and read up on the things to do around Positano. Find out what the kids are interested in doing, and accomodate their interests into the trip. Got sports fans? Italians are crazy for soccer. Why not check with the tourist office and find out when you can take in a game, wherever you land. If you like to shop, Florence and the surrounding area are great. On Siena, it's closer to Florence, another great (and to me, don't miss place) than Rome. These are just my observations and experiences with my kids.

I taught school for over 30 years. Trust me, your kids will NOT be bored. Kids manage to have fun wherever they are. Your kids will talk to their friends for years about such a trip.

We dragged our kids (1/3 very unwilling) on a 10,624 mile around-the-US camping trip and 25 years later they still talk about it to anyone who will listen . . . and quite a few who would prefer not to listen!

Kids love new experiences and they love anything that gives them bragging rights. Contrary to popular opinion, they do not need to be amused 24 hours a day.

Take them and have a ball.

unless your children are like that unfortunately growing group that plop themselves in front of the TV all day and play video games, they can't miss having a ball. actually, they can have the video games to boot. there are arcades all over.

just prior to your trip go out and rent "gladiator", then take them to the colloseo. they'll freak out if they're boys. "the agony and the ecstacy" might be a nice intro to the vatican and other michaelangelos.

at 13 and 10, again vis a vis their level of independence, you may not need to shepherd them constantly. while i'm not suggesting they ride the metro, they may find the area immediate to the hotel interesting to do on their own.

at any rate, i guarantee they'll not be bored.

it may be too late, but i recommend the hotel belvedere, in conci di marini. this small town is in between amalfi and positano, on the commuter bus line between all the towns on the amalfi coast. it is breathtaking with a beautiful pool, a great jumping off spot into the sea and of course a fabulous restaurant. the gentlemen in the pool area were wonderful to us, including my 10 and 15 year old children. positano is crowded, but fun for visits. hotel belvedere will make you feel like you are on vacation. see web site: www.belvederehotel.it