Italy June/July with teenage boys
 

Looking for recommendation for 1-2 home-base locations between Venice and Rome for a family of 4 with active 16 & 18 yr old boys. We arrive in Zurich on June 25, depart Rome on July 10. We plan on seeing friends in Zurich for 1-2 days, doing some hiking, then either heading to Area 47 in Austria then Venice, or directly to Venice.

Any thoughts on Area 47 would be appreciated! Ideally I would like to find 2 places for 2-4 nights each between Venice and Rome that we can experience local life, but also go to a beach/hike/other cool stuff teenage boys would like. Maybe Ferrari tour?

Was thinking Cinque Terre, but think it will be very crowded. Maybe Elba? Is it worth the trip?

We will cap it with 3-4 nights in Rome. Distant family is from Gaeta, so may do a day or overnight trip from Rome. Will be a game-day decision.

Thanks!

I would suggest that after Venice, if the boys have an interest in cars, go do the Ferrari tour, but then go directly to the Gaeta/Sperlonga area. In that time frame, provided you are not going on a weekend, it will not be overwhelmingly crowded (as it would be later in July and all of August).

There are marvelous historic sights along the seaside and in Sperlonga and castles and hikes in the hills, plus other sights of historic interest. You will experience more of local life in this area of Italy than you will in the usual tourist pit stops between Venice and Rome.

Thanks for your quick response. I agree with you - too much of the same will drive my husband and boys mad! We were just thinking of changing it up a bit and taking a few days after Venice around Florence, then heading south to the Amalfo coast then back up to Rome. It looks like the train from Florence to Naples is 2-3 hours.

Naples is not on the Amalfi coast and in June/July, it will be just as crowded, if not more so, than le Cinque Terre and almost complicated to get to as Elba from Florence.

Italy is crammed to overflowing with things to do and enjoy, including things that teenagers would enjoy, whether that be swimming coves or car factory tours or castle climbs or boat rides or science excursions, ancient and contemporary, music festivals and sports and Twillight series sights. If you don't like crowds, however, you will need to plan to avoid them rather than plug in the most famous international tourist destinations for Italy. Millions of people go to the Amalfi coast in June/July. There are long traffic jams and the swimming areas are crowded. Many people are thrilled nonetheless and wouldn't dream of missing it. But there a beautiful, interesting, uncrowded options elsewhere.

Thanks - yes, I know I would have to travel by car from Naples to AC. What other options do you recommend?

I was interested in Elba - any specifics there?