I am planning trip to Italy in end of May-5/23/09 -6/4 or 6/5-09. We will be flying into Milan(a.m. flight) and departing from Rome. We have 2 children with us age 7&9.Can't change plane itinerary do to price on ticket.Please Help.Thank you.
Here is what I am thinking :
Milan (1night ) -Hotel Agape
Venice (3 nights)HOTEL BERNARDI SEMENZATO
Florence (2 nights) or 3nights-day trip to Sienna and Pisa not sure of hotel(-Alloro B&B, petersonB&B?)
Rome(4-5 nights)
a car--that may be key with 4 people or a train from Milan to Venice, Venice to Florence, Florence to Rome.Leaving from Rome home.

If you just plan to visit cities, a car would be of little benefit. You might rent a car for a day or two to explore the countryside near Florence. Your family qualifies for family tickets on trains. Details of Family tickets:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Thank you for a tip.I will look in to it

What about Florence?1,2 or 3 days?

Sounds good Iada. I am not familiar with the hotels. Other Fodorites can comment or you can check out Trip Advisor online. Your children might enjoy leaning tower of Pisa a lot. You need to make reservations to climb it (can't remember if you can do it online or you have to be there).

If you have time in Milan, the Duomo is one of the largest in the world and you can get up on the roof (via an elevator). "Last Supper" viewing requires reservation and the shopping Galleria is fun. LaScala has interesting museum.

A train is quite do-able to all of the places you mentioned if you don't have huge amount of luggage. Also, you would need bus or taxi from station at Siena (be sure to arrange for taxi to pick you up as well if you don't have a phone) to the centre.

Have a super time and please let everyone know about your trip when you return.

You will only need 3 nites in Florene if you day trip to Siena one day--which I would. The best option is by bus and not train--the bus drops you in town. Have fun !

Looks like we all replied at once. Why aren't we at work?!

bob's bus advice for siena makes good sense. Check for Pisa bus as well.

You have to decide what "calls out" in the guide books and use that to make your decision about number of nights to stay in Florence (or anywhere for that matter). You can get 30 people to say 35 different things about how long to stay in any given place.

Thank you so much for advice. I do have day in Milan.
Should I plan 1 full day for Florence and next day trip to Pisa and then day in Siena and take train from Siena to Rome?
One more option:Add 1more night in Rome and day trip to Orvieto or Ostia Antica?Or not.

Re: Peterson B & B. I'm not a big fan of this misnamed place--it is not a B & B (we knew that), it is very plain and somewhat austere and most important, it is a fair hike to almost everything. We have stayed in Florence 8 times and sampled lots of lodging--mostly budget--and it is at the bottom of our list.

For your itinerary, trains seem the way to go as cars are useless while in Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome. I would only do one daytrip (Siena) while in Florence. Your kids would love climbing the Duomo or Giotto's Tower and visiting piazzale Michelangelo while in Florence. Have fun

Rome takes 5 days easily without day trips.

macanimals what your recomendation in Florence lodging?

I wouldn't switch hotels to visit Siena. It's only 70 minutes by bus from Florence so just day trip. I've stayed at the Alloro and it is much more centrally located than B&B Petersen.

Re: Florence lodging. We are very frugal when it comes to lodging and we like to be close to the "action". Hotel Giada www.hotelgiada.com fit the bill on our last visit in late September. It is in the heart of the San Lorenzo market with all the accompanying cart traffic and sounds which we found quite fascinating--the construction and tear down each day. The hotel is secure and well appointed with easy access to all Florence centro. Mind you, we do not prioritize hotel luxury.

Unfortunately Hotel Giada booked for my dates.Any other one for Florence?
What about Milan and Rome?

The Alloro is only a minute or two from the Giada. If you look at the map for Giada, you will see via Giglio and the Alloro is on the corner of Giglio and Alloro.

Ten years ago, we stayed at Fenice Palace in Florence for 3 nights. We ran out of time to see Pitti Palace and Piazza Michelangelo. The site below says it's 4-star (it certainly wasn't when we were there) so I can't say about prices now. It is very centrally located and the desk clerk saved us hours by booking a reservation at Uffizi.

http://www.hotelfenicepalace.it/

Subsequent 2 trips to Florence have been day trips from Pisa. Florence has lots of shopping and incredible art. Pitti Palace has huge garden. I don't have kids so my perspective of what's fun is so diff from a 9 year-old's. DH's on the other hand (har har)...

Truly, look on Trip Advisor for hotel reviews listed by price and location. Many Fodorites like the area around Campo Fiori and I agree. We splurged in Rome last time and stayed at Raphael-steps from Piazza Navona. See if they have any deals for a family. Have never spent the night in Milan.

With you in spirit!

In Florence, look at the Bavaria Hotel. I don't have personal experience, but a friend and her daughter stayed there last year and thought it was a great deal. Clean, no frills, good location.

Thank you so much for the responses! Is there something going on in Florence between May27-30? I tryed all hotels they don't have availability.But both look good.Thank you.

I think it's more likely that you have waited a bit late to book. The historic center of Florence is not all that big.

I agree with kybourbon. Tick-tock.

However, Tourist House Ghiberti in Florence shows availability of at least two rooms for May 27-30 at 169 euros each. This B&B does not have quad rooms although you could email the hotel and inquire whether they might accommodate all of you in one room. (Their rooms are larger than the norm in Florence.) If this place appeals to you, don't wait to reserve.

www.touristhouseghiberti.com