kritirakesh

Hello,

We are planning a trip to Italy in october for 10 days/ 11 nights. We have a 3 year old, very active son . We plan on renting a car.

We are flying into Milan, and leaving from Rome. We are interested in seeing lake Como, Venice, Tuscany and Amalfi coast. We are more interested in seeing Italian countryside, and enjoying local food and wine than museums and architecture. We realize the places we want to see might be too many.

I would really appreciate some recommendations based on our interest and the fact that we are traveling with a kid.

Thank you
Kriti

zeppole

The many, many, many steps of the Amalfi coast means your child will either need to be carried or be very cheerful about climbing them. I suggest you eliminate that.

Given how you describe your interests, it is a puzzle as to why you want to go to Venice, which has very little in the way of local food and wine but loads of architecture and museums.

Given the distances, and the need to accommodate the needs of a small child, I think Lago di Como, the Tuscan countryside and a bit of Rome is all you have time for. Were it me, I would do Lago di Como as a day trip from Milan, and only if you know the October weather will be nice. Then rent the car and head for an extended stay in Tuscany, in a farm rental where your child can enjoy being with farm animals and you have an apartment with a kitchen. In Rome, I also suggest you rent an apartment, and be realistic about how much sightseeing you can accomplish in a very busy place with almost no sidewalks and not much in the way of public transportation. I would make the focus of your trip Tuscany.

annhig

Hi kriti,

sorry to say this, but IMHO you are planning far too much moving around. we have found with our kids [now 23 & 20, but thy have been surprisingly consistent in this] that they and consequently we were much happier when we stayed put. in 10 days I would want to move around no more than twice, giving you a maximum of 3 places.

as you say you prefer countryside, the obvious starting point from milan is the Cinque Terre -walks and coast-line - then an agriturismo in the tuscan countryside, ending with a few days in Rome.

honestly, you don't have time to do more then this!

kritirakesh

I greatly appreciate your suggestions zeppole! The farm house is a great idea - I learned about it from Rick Steves show and definitely wanted to do that. Any recommendations on which one - ?

Thank you

bobthenavigator

Whatever you decide, pick a max of 3 destinations and drop the AC--just too far. I agree that the Tuscany scene may be best for you. I would do Como, Tuscany and a bit of Rome at the end. Here is Como in early Oct.:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442
Click on my name for my recent trip report from Tuscany.

zeppole

This agriturismo in Tuscany has everything I would want if I were traveling with a 3-year old: an apartment with a kitchen, an organic farm, farm animals, a special welcome for families, and a restaurant on site.

http://www.tuscanyfarmholiday.net/mo....php?storyid=4

This places has animals and makes cheese, but doesn't have a restaurant (it has apartments with kitchens)

http://www.agriturismoilpratone.it/i...ml/Default.htm

This place has everything, and is within striking distane of the Tuscan seacoast

http://www.tenutauccellina.it/node/38

zeppole

PS: I think le Cinque Terre would be very difficult with a toddler.