It has to be Italy, It has to be August
Jan 15th, 2018, 02:19 PM
#41
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I would consider Starrs' suggestion....especially if there are regularly scheduled shuttles! Her suggestion seems like a win/win to me.
In my two trips to Rome I stayed in apartments near Piazza Navona. We walked everywhere. I would normally recommend that. However, if a pool is important to your 3 teenage boys (yet you still want to see the famous sites), then don't skip Rome! Book the sites for the earliest times in the morning (you can do that online ahead of time). Go sightseeing as early as possible, have a big late lunch nearby then shuttle back to the hotel and let the boys swim (you too). Have dinner at the hotel or get room service. Maybe one night you go back out at night (cab or shuttle) This way you don't miss Rome, and everyone is happy.
Rome was hot during the last week of May and it was hot in October. Venice was super humid the first week of June.
Just my 2 cents (which is worth about 1 cent).
In my two trips to Rome I stayed in apartments near Piazza Navona. We walked everywhere. I would normally recommend that. However, if a pool is important to your 3 teenage boys (yet you still want to see the famous sites), then don't skip Rome! Book the sites for the earliest times in the morning (you can do that online ahead of time). Go sightseeing as early as possible, have a big late lunch nearby then shuttle back to the hotel and let the boys swim (you too). Have dinner at the hotel or get room service. Maybe one night you go back out at night (cab or shuttle) This way you don't miss Rome, and everyone is happy.
Rome was hot during the last week of May and it was hot in October. Venice was super humid the first week of June.
Just my 2 cents (which is worth about 1 cent).
Jan 15th, 2018, 09:14 PM
#43
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I wouldn’t skip Rome. I think I’d probably enjoy it more than Venice in the heat. Rome “swallows” crowds a lot better for one thing. It’s a great place to walk around at night, too, with the various ancient sites lit up.
I think it depends a lot on how your family handles the heat and humidity. When I was a teen, a pool is really the only thing that saved our trips to hot places during the summer. We travelled at the same time for the same reasons. We’d sightsee early, go back for a swim, and feel human again in time for dinner. My mother booked a hotel without a pool once and she never made that mistake again. And I agree, pick a modern hotel with great A/c. Usually I’d focus on historic and central lodging, but not that time of year.
I think the main thing is that you have to keep in mind you may not get as much done as you would if it was cooler. Don’t book stuff back to back, allow for longer times to walk from place to place. You may move a little slower, you may be forking out a lot more money for gelato
But it still would be a great trip.
if you could go at a different time, then I would. But if you have to go, don’t cut stuff you really want to see because it’s hot.
I think it depends a lot on how your family handles the heat and humidity. When I was a teen, a pool is really the only thing that saved our trips to hot places during the summer. We travelled at the same time for the same reasons. We’d sightsee early, go back for a swim, and feel human again in time for dinner. My mother booked a hotel without a pool once and she never made that mistake again. And I agree, pick a modern hotel with great A/c. Usually I’d focus on historic and central lodging, but not that time of year.
I think the main thing is that you have to keep in mind you may not get as much done as you would if it was cooler. Don’t book stuff back to back, allow for longer times to walk from place to place. You may move a little slower, you may be forking out a lot more money for gelato
But it still would be a great trip.if you could go at a different time, then I would. But if you have to go, don’t cut stuff you really want to see because it’s hot.
Last edited by marvelousmouse; Jan 15th, 2018 at 09:29 PM.
Jan 16th, 2018, 04:42 AM
#44
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I wouldn't skip Rome either. I've been there many times in July and the heat was bearable, I don't think August would be that much worse. You definitely need a hotel with AC but if your kids can't go a few days without a pool then perhaps a trip to Europe is not the best plan. Can you leave them with a grandparent or someone and go yourselves? If they really want to go, or you really want them to see Europe, then they should be able to do without a pool for a few days. But I would limit the Rome time to 3-4 days just to see the highlights.
For Venice I would usually advise against the Lido as a place to stay but maybe in your case that would be a good idea. The vaparetto ride is not that far and then they'd get some beach time. I would limit Venice to 3-4 days as well.
While the Amalfi Coast is one of my favorite places anywhere, that's one place I might not go in August due to crowds. I second the idea of Lake Garda. The northern half has very high mountains (do your lakes at home have that?). Besides the wind surfing mentioned above, if you stay in Malcesine there's a gondola to the top of the mountain right from the center of town. It's a pretty decent mountain with lots of hiking possibilities. It's also close to Venice.
If you want one more destination (I would limit yourself to four total) I'd either go with a small town in Tuscany/Umbria (where you'd more likely get a pool) or stick to the Veneto area where there are numerous interesting cities such as Verona, Padua, Mantua, Ferrara, Vicenza. Or Bologna might work which has a huge university and a kind of youthful vibe.
Here's my photos of all those places (and the rest of Italy) - Zenfolio Isabel's_View Italy
For Venice I would usually advise against the Lido as a place to stay but maybe in your case that would be a good idea. The vaparetto ride is not that far and then they'd get some beach time. I would limit Venice to 3-4 days as well.
While the Amalfi Coast is one of my favorite places anywhere, that's one place I might not go in August due to crowds. I second the idea of Lake Garda. The northern half has very high mountains (do your lakes at home have that?). Besides the wind surfing mentioned above, if you stay in Malcesine there's a gondola to the top of the mountain right from the center of town. It's a pretty decent mountain with lots of hiking possibilities. It's also close to Venice.
If you want one more destination (I would limit yourself to four total) I'd either go with a small town in Tuscany/Umbria (where you'd more likely get a pool) or stick to the Veneto area where there are numerous interesting cities such as Verona, Padua, Mantua, Ferrara, Vicenza. Or Bologna might work which has a huge university and a kind of youthful vibe.
Here's my photos of all those places (and the rest of Italy) - Zenfolio Isabel's_View Italy
Jan 16th, 2018, 07:51 AM
#45
I agree with Isabel. If it were me, I'd go Rome- Umbria or Le Marche (stay someplace with a pool) w/car - Venice. Or Rome - Dolomites - Venice. Or flip, arriving north and leaving from the south.
I was on the AC in early July a two years ago, and it felt pretty crowded. I also would probably avoid it in August because the towns are small and it could be more difficult to get away from the intense crowds.
I was on the AC in early July a two years ago, and it felt pretty crowded. I also would probably avoid it in August because the towns are small and it could be more difficult to get away from the intense crowds.
Jan 16th, 2018, 11:56 AM
#46
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2 weeks - I'd see the big three Venice, Florence and Rome - nice to think about a beach for a few days but as others have said all of hopelessly mobbed during the month Italian flock there. For kids' edifications do the big three - say 5 days in Rome; 3 in Florence and 3 in Venice. Leaves three days for say one of the famous lakes (like Lake Garda enroute to Venice) or seaside areas, Anyway for cities trains are great and cars a liability as they cannot be driven into most city centres. For lots on trains and booking discounted tickets check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts. Booking trains early can result in nifty discounted fares.
Jan 16th, 2018, 12:31 PM
#47
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I was in Italy in the second half of July 2015 and it was apparently one of the hottest summers on record. I found Venice to be the only unbearable place we visited. We actually stayed in Padua - a beautiful university town with gorgeous squares and historical gardens, along with the most spectacular basilica, St Anthony's. We did a day trip to Venice and it was the only day I couldn't keep up with my friend during six weeks of travelling - I am usually the one walking further and faster. It was repressive in St Mark's Square, but I am still glad I saw it. I am just glad I didn't stay too long.
We then went to the Dolomites to escape the heat and I couldn't recommend that any more than saying it was one of the best things I have ever done. We stayed in Ortisei, a village that may not feel Italian - they don't want to be Italian and have embraced their own Ladin culture. In fact some people speak Ladin and German and English better than Italian. But it was wonderful and the day walks you can do are gorgeous/
We then went to Florence and Rome and I didn't find it too repressive - certainly hot but given I don't like intensely hot days, I found it good. I would probably suggest you do Rome, Venice - or Padua to stay and maybe just for a couple of nights - and then Dolomites.
We then went to the Dolomites to escape the heat and I couldn't recommend that any more than saying it was one of the best things I have ever done. We stayed in Ortisei, a village that may not feel Italian - they don't want to be Italian and have embraced their own Ladin culture. In fact some people speak Ladin and German and English better than Italian. But it was wonderful and the day walks you can do are gorgeous/
We then went to Florence and Rome and I didn't find it too repressive - certainly hot but given I don't like intensely hot days, I found it good. I would probably suggest you do Rome, Venice - or Padua to stay and maybe just for a couple of nights - and then Dolomites.
Mar 19th, 2018, 08:17 AM
#48
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Thought I would circle back and provide an update. After a tremendous amount of family discussion and debate, we decided to do a bike tour of Tuscany. We will be in Florence for a bit prior to the trip and then take the train to Venice for a couple of days afterwards. No Rome this trip and no Amalfi Coast either. Simply not enough time to do everything with our limited window due to the never-ending baseball season and the start of Fall sports and school. Thank you again for all your help and advice!
