littlejane

Where blew me away? In Italy: Pompeii, Venice, and Florence in that order (not Rome, but that was way back when I was a 17 year old, so that will all have changed, but having said that I think with young kids in tow the smaller cities would be more manageable than Rome).

In Spain, the tapas in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada, not Madrid or many other places, but I haven't been to Barcelona - again with a young child in tow maybe Barcelona would be too big a city?

As has been said previously, Venice offers a lot of variety for nice day trips to quieter places where kids can run around a bit, visit the glass blowing factories, take a boat ride or even go to the beach. It might be the most manageable. Pompeii also dovetails well with places where you can visit buffalo mozarella makers, visit caves / take sea trips so works for kids. The first time I went there I was only around 11 and found it truly amazing.

I second the recommendation to rent an apartment rather than staying in hotels if possible. Many have 3 night minimum stays, but a 2-bed apartment will often sleep 6 and give you a lovely base to return to.

socaltraveler

If you are considering apartments, given that many will require a 3 night minimum stay, think about structuring your 2 city trip to a 4night/3night scenario. But do get moving on choosing these cities, because accomodations for a family your size are booking quickly for a trip less than 3 months from now. If it is Italy, then either Rome/Venice or Rome/ Florence will be a wonderful family vacation. Decide soon.

sarge56

schaz- I digress. Rome/Venice is good and you will all really enjoy yourselves!

Schaz

God, I really hope so sarge56!
And thanks that really did help, I'm working on all of this like right now!

bardo1

I agree that both Rome/Florence or Rome/Venice will be a perfect vacation. Neither is "more perfect"!than the other. That said, I think if you are leaning Rome/Venice which is, again, perfect.

You should by airfares that are "open-jaw", that is, fly into Rome and fly home from Venice (or the reverse) with just one one-way train ride in the middle.

And for goodness sake, get those plane tickets and lodging reservations NOW! Or in the next few days at worst. Many people traveling to Europe this summer have done so months ago.

janisj

That's what I suggested they need to nail down accommodations before anything else. They are a family of 6 - finding a place may take a LOT of searching.

Lady1

While Rome/Florence would be my personal preference because of the art, I agree that with younger children, Rome/Venice would be a better choice for all the above reasons, the boats, bridges, the mask shops and the orchestras play all afternoon and evening in the piazza where they can run off energy.

Sandralist, it's not just kids that get bored with the art. My DH does to, but that's mostly because his mind is focused on the food

socaltraveler

I wish this family the best. We are those people who start planning months ahead, mostly because we are using our FF miles. Book flights, then look for lodging. With this short amount of time, and with a party of 6, I think she should be looking in both Florence and Venice, as space availability may determine where to go. We have seen several of these trips proposed here lately, and sometimes it works out because the OP has such a large budget, plus the resources of TA's, that things in their price range are available. I would be furiously searching right now, but then again, I never would have been doing planning on this scale at 17. Any destination will make a wonderful trip, but time is really important.

sandralist

If it is only going to be 2 nights in Venice, I would recommend a hotel over an apartment.

I don't know the Schaz's exact travel dates in mid June but I just did a search for one of the last 2 weekends in Venice for accommodations for 4 adults and 2 children on booking.com to see what was there. Booking.com lists 158 properties has having availability, and they are in all price categories, with a healthy number of them getting good marks in terms of reviews. And that is just one hotel search.

I did a similar search for mid June for 4 nights in Rome for 6 people and found 7 apartments, only 1 of which I wouldn't book.

http://www.romeloft.com/

(And I didn't even bother to look at the many other apartment websites, or residence hotels or conventional hotels.)

Obviously Schaz is not lollygagging on making decisions and making arrangements, and I think it is quite a false picture of Italy to think that they might be so booked out of Venice they need to go to Florence!

Yes, some people would be "furiously" searching and prepared to overpay in a panic or start ripping up their itinerary in fear. But the reality is otherwise. Schaz needs to keep moving forward with making getting things decided and booked, but Schaz already is doing that. I think it is more important to make intelligent decisions than immediate ones.

Schaz

Thankyou!
I think for Venice/Florence we might just be booking a Hotel because of the small amount of days there. An apartment might just be the right choice for Rome though.
Thanks again!

tower

It may be too late, but possibly rethink, Schaz' In my own mind I just wondered "why not London and vicinity". Something for everyone, no language barrier, perhaps a little cooler than Italy.

I hate to throw this ringer into the mix, but it may be the alternative that works....for you, your parents and your sisters, there will be countless opoortunities to see the world in the years ahead(for that matter).

tower

Last gasp for London and vicinity...and then I'll exit!

You want Roman ruins...Bath is only a quick train ride from London. Castles, everywhere you look. Kids would enjoy changing of the guard (Windsor and Buckingham)and the horse guards down the street (my favorite). Oxford, The Cotswolds, take in a beautiful walk in the countryside, Shakespeare's Stratford, London Tower, Big Ben, Stonehenge. A week flies right by...you'd have to choose carefully from this flimsy list.

Schaz, whatever you end up doing, it will work out well. You're to be saluted for your valiant efforts. Family is lucky to have you at the helm, taking on this responsibiilty.

margotheangel

Schaz, I went to Italy for the first time at 17, and the one thing that blew me away was Venice. I know many people love Florence, and it does have great art and sculpture, but you'll get lots of great art and sculpture in Rome - there is no other city in the WORLD like Venice. Please do Rome/Venice!

Tabernash2

I agree with Rome/Venice for your group. I liked Florence a lot, but I think most people dream of Venice.

Fly open-jaw, for sure.

In Rome, look at the Domus Julia. It's a cross between an apartment and a hotel, because you have the Hotel Julia next door, which provides a very nice breakfast buffet. And you have a front desk at the Hotel, to answer questions.

OReilly

I am with tower on this one - I think London is the perfect first trip to Europe, but then I live here and love it. So much to see and something for everyone, as tower said.

After that, working on ease of travel, I'd pick Barcelona. I wouldn't do Istanbul as a first visit to Europe (although absolutely stunning), as it not really 'European' in flavour -more eastern exotic.

suze

Italy, one week.

Venice/Rome, Florence/Rome, OR Venice/Florence

muskoka

If it's just me, then I'll make my apology and leave, but the OP sounds like the troll who was on here last month, the one with the torrid Parisian encounter at the nightclub. Just a thought.

tower

Other Celebi....your city looks like it could blow at any time. Do you still think it's safe for tourists? Many people would like to know your take on this.

otherchelebi

tower, I am surprised that you have not been following my thread :
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-this-time.cfm

which has been running for almost a whole year now, with frequent updates on everything significant for visitors.

suze

<with the torrid Parisian encounter at the nightclub>

darn, missed that one!