Italy 2016
 

My husband and one of our sons (11 years old) are headed to Italy soon. Our agenda is as follows:

Pompeii- 3 nights
Umbria- 3 nights
Rome- 6 nights

I would appreciate any suggestions for "unusual" things to do which might appeal to an 11 year old boy. We will visit churches, museums, etc., but I would like to include a few activities that will especially appeal to him. He is a well behaved child who likes history, science and adventure. We enjoy physical activities as well eg biking, hiking, etc..

Also if you could recommend some good restaurants that would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

Just some comments on your Pompeii segment.

Don't stay in Pompeii. There is nothing to do there except see the archaeological site - it's a very nondescript outer suburb of Naples. With an 11 year old, I would stay in Naples - there are stacks of 'unusual' things to occupy him - like these - two different tours that take you underneath Naples to explore ancient tunnels and aqueducts

http://www.lanapolisotterranea.it/home_ing.htm

http://www.napolisotterranea.org/en/naples-underground/

Or there are also Naples' castles.

http://www.napoliunplugged.com/locat...wers-and-gates

The Fontanelle cemetery is an ossuary where the remains of victims of the Black Plague and other epidemics (such as cholera) are stored. I find it very holy and beautiful. Your son may like it if he is fascinated by all things 'ghostly'.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attra..._Campania.html

There is also Naples food. Pizza and gelato reign supreme in Naples.

It is also much cheaper to stay there than Sorrento - and Pompeii is a short train trip away.

The alternative to staying in Naples is to stay in Sorrento with an 11 year old. Pompeii is a short train ride away on the Circumvesuviana line, get off at Pompeii Scavi and your stay at the site will probably take 4/5 hours maximum.

If you choose a hotel with a pool it will offer a good alternative to staying in a city centre hotel and you could use the couple of days you'll have to explore the Amalfi Coast.

Yes, it is right that you do not stay in Pompeii but either in Naples (if you prefer a big city) or in Sorrento.

Other activities in the area include
- Herculaneum: the other Roman town that had been covered with volcanic ash
- Mount Vesuvius: you can drive up and walk the last few hundred metres to peep into the crater
- The Archeological Museum in Naples: with the findings from Pompeii and Herculaneaum
- The Emerald Grotto: on the spectacularly scenic coastal road between Positano and Amalfi
- Amalfi: one of Italy's ancient Sea Republics (like Venice and Genova) with a magnificent cathedral and a beautiful market full of local lemons and lemon products - like lemon chocolate)

Some of these activities would require a rental car.

The cable car up the 1000m Monte Faito (Funivia del Monte Faito) reopened a couple of months ago. Catch the Circumvesuviana Sorrento-Naples train to Castellammare Di Stabia. The entrance to the cable car is on the platform but you have to buy tickets in the ticket hall http://www.eavsrl.it/web/it/content/orario-funivia At that point we didn't have Artecards so I don't know if you can use them on the cable car or to get a discount.

It's about a 10 minute trip with spectacular views. There's a hotel you can eat at down a long flight of steps and a snack bar. It's quite a bit cooler up there so maybe take a jumper.

Thank you for your feedback. We have already made arrangements to stay at a lovely B & B in Pompeii and plan to keep them. We will spend a day in Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and perhaps Herculaneum if we have the time and will tour the Amalfi coast on the second day. If we have more time, we will definitely explore some of the options proposed above in Naples. He would enjoy exploring the aqueducts there I am sure.

Do you have anything specific to recommend on the Amalfi Coast? We do have a rental car. And restaurant recommendations in Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast?

And recommendations for Umbria and Rome?

Thanks so much!