Hi all. Almost finished planning a 3-week trip to Italy starting August 8. I am traveling with my husband and 3 kids under 9.

We start in Rome, go to Panzano in Tuscany, and then to Ravello on the Amalfi coast. Finally, we do one last night in Rome before leaving for the US.

I now have to make decisions on we get from place to place. It is a 6 hour drive from Rome to Panzano and that seems doable as long as the drive is scenic. But I'm stuck from there. Drive from Panzano to Ravello is 9 hours - so will not be doing that! Travel agent says you have to drive to Florence, take a plane to Rome and then another plane to the coast. Ugh? Don't want two planes. And on the way back -- should we drive back to Rome?

Any other options?

And lastly, can anyone recommend a Tuscan guide and company you have used and
loved? I would like to visit all neighboring villages and towns outside Panzano, while also seeing great architecture, visiting wineries, strolling around and eating well. I love a guide who talks to you as you are driving along and not just while touring sites, and who has great tid bits of info between major sites as well. I would love your recommendations.

Thanks all. I really appreciate your help and insight!

I am one of many on this board who have used and highly recommended Luca Garrapa of www.hillsandroads.com

He is a very intelligent, well-informed and interesting young man who is also an excellent driver and a truly fun person to spend a day (or two) with. He loves his country and will "infect" you with his zeal and energies. He has various options for tours and guides, and if you check the web site you will see them. He can tailor-make a special tour for you depending on your likes, interests and abilities.

I would not personally be taking plane trips within Italy and rather check on train options or driving, with stops along the way. Have a great trip.

I find it very hard to believe that the drive from Rome to Panzano is 6 hours. Especially when the drive from Rome to Florence is only 3hrs. Where are you getting the 6 hours from?

And the drive to Ravello will only take around 5hr 45mins non-stop so allow around 6hr30 for that one.

As Flame123 has noted, trains (and busses) are your friends in Italy, not planes.

Panzano is about 15 km from the A1 motorway.

Get on it, drive south for 420 kms, then turn off at the Vietri exit of the A3. Turn right, then head west back along the coast for 20 km.

Five hours, depending on traffic

And fire your travel agent. Never heard so much imbecilic advice in my life.

You're not paying, or allowing commission to be paid, to this pig-ignorant fraud, I hope

We drove from Rome to Panzano last fall and the drive was less than 3 hours. Granted, we drove on the Autostada most of the way and it wasn't especially scenic until we got to Chianti where we left the Autostrada. With 3 kids under 9, I suggest taking the Autostrada rather than a 6-hour scenic route and using the extra 3 hours to settle in once you get to Panzano.

Have you played with Google maps for your Italian destinations? They really are pretty decent and can give you ideas of when to use the Autostrada and options for when you want a scenic break, and can estimate the time it takes to get places. I've found their estimates to be pretty good. I totally agree with other posters that after the long flight to Rome, you will want to take the A1 to Panzano so that you can settle in. The kids will be ready to "not be traveling," and a three hour drive will be hard enough.

You need help with this itinerary and your TA does not have a clue. Are you sure you want Ravello? A bit isolated.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to plan wine tours/tastings with three kids under 9.

I agree your travel agent is clueless. I would not start in Rome at all. I would probably head south to the Amalfi coast since it's so hot in August. I certainly wouldn't want to be in Rome in that heat. Spend some time in the coastal area and let everyone relax somewhere with pool access. Or head to Tuscany first, then the coast. I would leave Rome until the end of the trip when it should start cooling off a bit towards the end of August.

Train from Florence to Naples is only 3 hours. Can't imagine your travel agent telling you to fly as it would take longer when you add in airport check in, changing planes, etc. The train is more comfortable also. I doubt I would pick Ravello unless you don't want to do any sightseeing. It's just too remote and difficult to get in and out especially with summer traffic.

The OP is not just planning—Lola has already booked. See this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ny-portion.cfm

Thank you for all your replies. Yep, we are booked. My travel agent is not an expert on Italy for sure though we are working with two people who are. Figure that! Not going to fire him as we've been together or 15 years and he has planned African safaris for me in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Botswana. Wonderful adventures in the West African nations of Ghana and Senegal, many trips to Europe including one to France ithis past April, Italy 3 years ago, and about 8 other European countries, numerous ski vacations, trips to the Carribbean, and much more. And all with kids! So, not firing him after all these years! We have seen the world together!

With that said, I am SO appreciative for your feedback, most especially traveling to Tuscany from Rome and on to Ravello. If I would have posted sooner, I would have used more of your great feedback. Except for not going wine tasting with my kids. Of course, this is for me and my husband to enjoy while the kids will be happily in the pool at the villa with my babysitter who is traveling with us.

Thank you Flame123 for the Hills and Roads suggestion. I will contact him right away. Sounds lovely and exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you Mamacalice and uhoh_busted for Autostrada and train advice. I cannot tell you how helpful it is. It is appreciated.

Just so you know, in terms of Ravello -- three things -- wanted a luxury property on the Amalfi Coast and most were sold out for August. We chose the Palazzo Sasso in Ravello because we wanted a beach and they have a new beach club, my husband wants to totally chill out and has no desire to tour around after our first two weeks in Italy, and we want to avoid crowds. I thought Ravello and the Palazzo Sasso, which has great reviews, fit the bill.

It's a moot point now because the hotel in Rome is booked, as is the villa in Panzano and the hotel in Ravello. I hope our family has an enjoyable time even though it seems by most on the thread that we have an awful itinerary.

Thanks and enjoy the summer.

Luca of Hills and Roads was recommended to me on this board, and we spent a delightful day with him in May. A trip highlight. So I join others in highly recommending him. Just be sure to tell him the ages of your children and what you have in mind, and he will customize your day appropriately.

Palazzo Sasso is wonderful, but it must be :20 from the water.
I assume they have a shuttle.

bookmarking for the Luca reference

Yep, they have a shuttle to Sasso on the sea. Will let you know how all works out. Thanks again.