Italy for 2.5 weeks
 

Hi all,

I was hoping for some guidance. My husband and I are travelling to Italy for 2.5 weeks late June with our 14 month old daughter.

We have both been to Italy before and was hoping to do this trip a little differently.. Slower, off the beaten track, relaxing. We would like 3 or 4 days relaxing in the Tuscan countryside somewhere.

We can fly in to any city as we are spending the previous 2.5 weeks in Spain but we fly out of Rome at the end of our holiday. We do not want to spend time in Rome (as we have prev been there) other then transiting.

We are open to suggestions, but we do want to spend some time in Tuscany.

I have done research but getting very confused now as there is so much choice.

We will hire a car to ensure we can see and explore the countryside, especially in Tuscany.

We have collectively been to Venice, Florence, Amalfi, cinque terra, Rome before and so would not want to spend a huge amount of time in those areas.

Any suggestions would be great - we love food, wine, culture, architecture, art (but not over the top)..

Thanking you in adance,
Anna

Just to be clear, you're spending 2.5 weeks in Spain and then you want to spend 2.5 weeks in Italy. Correct?

I can understand being overwhelmed with options, but, other than the 3-4 days in Tuscany, you need to give us some idea of what other places appeal to you based on your research.

Do you want to return to any of the places you've already visited for any amount of time at all? Or skip them entirely?

OK, late June, three of you, and willing to drive. That is a good start to a potentially great adventure.

I would fly into Milan and get a car and drive to one of the Italy lakes---either Maggiore or Como. After 17 trips to Italy the lakes are still my favorite destination.

I would then drive to the Dolomites and stay in either Ortisei or Castelrotto---giving that region at least 3 nights.

Then I would drive to Tuscany and plan to spend at least 10 days between two base locations in Tuscany and Umbria. Which locations is another question.

There is a start---I envy you the time you will have to fine tune an even better itinerary---this one would appeal to me.

Ok, thanks!! Yes, approx 2.5 weeks in Spain and 2.5 weeks in Italy.
I loved the cinque terra and Amalfi, and would love a similar experience.

I don't want to go back to Venice (been twice) but happy to visit Florence again.

The hilltop towns appealed, some form of beach/water experience, wine regions if chianti and Tuscany, small, rural and rustic villages and towns.

I just don't know which towns to base in, especially Tuscany/Umbria.

I will check out your suggestions- thank you,

Anna

Anna,
This may help http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm

Anna,

One thing to keep in mind is that a toddler might have some trouble with car sickness on winding roads, so when you pick a location in Tuscany, try to pick something not too far from a good highway so if you want to go sightseeing, you are not constantly stuck on winding roads.

Something else to consider is renting an apartment on a farm in Tuscany with a restaurant gives you a lot of flexibility about meals, and can really add to the relaxation. Your child might enjoy somplace with farm animals. But there is also an argument to be made that you and your toddler might enjoy renting an apartment in a small town where you can enjoy just hanging out in the piazza and have easier shopping.

As for the seaside, places with loads of steps are not ideal with a toddler, but there is plenty of seaside beauty on the Mediterranean in flat towns.

If you are not going to Venice, I would not go so far north and I would not go to the Dolomiti with a toddler, partly due to car sickness but also because it is much, much cooler up there in June and you will need clothes for it. Just in general it is extra work and harding driving to go to the Dolomiti and your toddler won't appreciate the views!

So I suggest that you look for a flight into either Pisa, Florence or Rome. With 2.5 weeks, why only 3 or 4 days in Tuscany or Umbria? Why not divide the time between 1 countryside stay, 1 seaside stay and a stay Florence?

If you want the Tuscan countryside, staying in the Chianti would be great, somewhere near Radda or Castellina in

If you want Umbrian countywide, check out Bevagna and the areas around it.

For the seaside, you might consider areas just south of Rome, near Sperlonga.

(Anna, if you would rather not go south of Rome for a seaside visit, there are lots of pleasant beach areas along the Tuscan coast that are nice and flat and shady for a toddler and have interesting towns nearby, or you could consider the islands of Elba and Giglio.)

Would you be interested in spending the entire time between Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche? Both Umbria and Le Marche are just as beautiful as (some would say more than) Tuscany, and much less touristy. They have art, scenery, great food, hill towns, mountains, and seacoast in Le Marche.Two and a half weeks would be about the right amount of time for a road trip through these regions.

You might want to check out this travelogue which details the family's visit to Italy with their toddler and young baby. She has many good suggestions. This part of the travelogue talks about Tuscany, but she has another one that details the AC.

http://www.hitherandthither.net/2014...elogue-tuscany

Ooooops !
I read " 14 year old daughter". I agree, skip the mountains with a toddler.

Thanks all, I will check out those suggestions!!