We are just starting to plan a trip to Italy in the summer 2012 with 3 other families, kids ages 10 to 16. This is a new adventure for us because, although we have been to Italy many time, we have never been with a group. The plan is for each family to fly over separately and do their own thing for awhile and then meet up for 5 to 7 days in a villa "somewhere" in Italy. The big debate is what part of italy is the best for such a group. Some say lake como, some say Amalfi coast, still others say Tuscany -- in reality we are all open to a wide range of destination because as you can see, we have time to plan. The general criteria are (1) large Villa with plenty to drink (2) ability to make day trips to interesting spots some days and (3) on other days things that kids might enjoy -- hiking, swimming, boating, or other activities. We are not trying to cram in a tour of all of italy. Instead, we want that week to be just about trying to slow down and see part of the country. In addition, We are not trying to recreate a US summer beach vacation. At the same time, we need a few relaxed destinations or activities so the kids do not mutiny. Has anyone ever done a similar trip or do you have any suggestions for us.

There is an excellent article about large group travel at slowtrav.com that you need to read. It will not be easy.

How many people? You can start by reviewing this site, that has suggestions for villa's. www.slowtrav.com/Italy/index.asp

Here it is::
http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/es_large_groups.htm

Before you start looking at villas, you have to decide where you want the villa to be. Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast are most likely to offer the combination you are looking for; they are also the two most expensive areas.

P.S. There are no villas that lay on plenty to drink; you have to buy it yourself.

If you do decide on Lake Como Bellagio has a couple of good self-catering places -- apartments rather than villas, however.

Hi; I have organized trips for 25, 12, 8 and smaller groups. Listen to Z. Have a family GTG and have everyone float ideas, including the kids. So, how many in the group? We have used www.villavacations.com/italy/italy.shtml for one trip [12 people] and had a very good experience. Richard

Be sure to read Bob's link -- great article.

We spent nearly two weeks at a country villa in Tuscany with a total of three families, 18 adults. Never again.

A few mental notes from that experience:

No matter how much everyone agrees on everything in advance, attitudes and ideas will change after arrival.

There are never enough cars for those who want to do different things on different schedules.

The accommodations in our villa varied greatly (as I'm sure they do in all villas), so some felt in the end that the even split of lodging costs wasn't fair.

We had hoped to meet up every evening for a group dinner, but that quickly fell apart. Then we tried breakfast, but that didn't work either. Eventually, everyone did their own thing on their on schedule, and the point of being together was lost.

This was/is my husband's family, and I do think there was an element "won't this be fun... (if we do it my way)." My family does this group-travel thing better, albeit on a smaller scale, and perhaps your group will have a wonderful time. The problem is, unless you've done this with these people before, you don't know how it's going to go until you go.

We have done something similar to your idea. There were 15 of us and we had more fun than you can imagine....and we did have to purchase our own drinks LOL.

Four cars and open minded attitudes are the key. In our case I was probably the most stressed because I was the main planner....but I quickly learned to take a breath and relax also.

We did not rent a villa with one big kitchen. Instead we rented a building with 4 two bedroom apartments. There were two more one bedroom apartments in the building but we took the whole place and didn't use those apartments. My husband and I had rented from them often so we were able to deal directly with the owner and she gave us a huge discount because we paid cash and took the whole building. The flexability gave people the option of hanging in there own space when they needed some down time or gathering at other times. The property has a large swimming pool, plenty of outside dining options, incredibly beautiful well kept fenced grounds and it was just like having your own villa but with a little individual space for people.

This happened to be in Tuscany but the idea would work anywhere.

Thanks. I've read Bob's article, and it sounds like we will need those drinks, but we are not deterred and will bring our own!!! There are 18 of us total. Zerlina, I am curious why you ruled out Lake Como. Thanks for your help.

Eighteen people. You really need some GTG'S to talk about expenses and what each couples family likes to do. How you will split expenses is imperative. I agree with Jean to a point. But if it's talked out with all, it works. Comunication with all is important. All of the trips I mentioned above, I have arranged without any problems except one. Of our 31 trips to Europe, I have arranged about 20, from 4 to 25. On only one trip, with Great people, a trip with only the four of us didn't work enen thought we had talked about likes and dislikes. I have a group of ten going to Greece in June. [WILL] The best advice I can give you if you are arranging this trip, is FORGET your own wants and concentrate on everyone else's.

Actually, there is a villa in Italy that has wine included in the price. We stayed there in September. But it was only for 8 people, and I doubt if the owners would be happy to supply wine for 18!!!! How can I put this: if you want someplace that supplies a lot of free drinks you probably would not be welcome at a lot of places, as it implies you want to get plastered a lot and drink excessive amounts of their stock.

You will find there are all sorts of odd quirks that emerge among the group. We had agreed to stock the kitchen from a kitty to which everyone contributed an equal amount per person. Then one couple bought a whole bunch of extra eggs for breakfast and made it clear the eggs were for themselves only. But do use a common purse for food purchases. trying to work out who paid for what and who owes what to whom is impossible.

This would be my definition of a vacation nightmare.

Just to set the record straight and get off this drink thing, we are not expecting a place to serve us drinks or dinner or anything else. We will take care of ourselves. Thanks for the comments. We also get the group dynamics and appreciate the warnings, but we have known these people for most of our lives and we have traveled extensively. If, as one person suggested it is a "vacation nightmare" then we will write it off as another travel story and return the next year by ourselves. So, back to our original question, what area of Italy do people believe might be worth investigating for a group such as this. Each family is going to do their own thing first and then meet up. For example, one family is talking about a cruise ending in Venice. Another family is going to do Rome, and will head north or south depending upon the meeting spot. So, there will be time for people to see what they want. Our meeting spot is designed to be a week of hanging out, going on some low key day trips and spending time together, keeping in mind that we have some kids who travel well but still need to do something. We have time to plan and endless possibilities..... Any suggestion is appreciated. Thanks

I suggest Tuscany as a central location with lots to do. Taking 18 people to the Amalfi Coast and trying to move around by car on those impossible roads would be terribly time-consuming. No matter where you go, coordinating the daily activity of 18 people of various generations will be a challenge. Spend your together time at the villa so the kids can swim and you can have "plenty to drink" without the need to drive. Be more flexible about your sightseeing and don't try to include all 18 people in each of your excursions.

Tuscany will give you more options. Look at rental reviews at slowtrav.com

Tuscany, as Bob and others have suggested is perhaps your best option. Or Tuscany on the bordor of Umbria. Especially with people landing in Rome, others in Venice. You could send for these books on villa's, that are free, for ideas. In the summer, for me, I would not be happy without A/C. www.tuscanynow.com www.parkervillas.com

My suggestion would be region first, then accomodations.

Try to keep your options open. While you might be thinking villa, a group of apartments, all of an agriturismo, or a small hotel would also be good options for you.

We met up with some of our extended family for a few nights a while back. They were after a tour and we were in the middle of a self planned trip. We took over a small hotel, there were about 15 or 16 of us. We had a great time.

My suggestion would be to think beyond Tuscany which will probably be the most crowded in the summer. Where depends on everyone's interests, but I would think about the mountains for resorts, hiking, biking, cable lifts, lakes, etc., in Trentino/Alto Adige or northern Lombardia. If some in your group require more towns to explore, think about Umbria or Piemonte.