My family will be going to Europe in March/April for two weeks. I have the Paris part of our itinerary down, but I could use some help with Italy. There will be myself, my mother, and my two sons, ages 11 and 16. My mother and I have been to Italy before and loved it. We did the Rome-Florence-Venice route with a stay of a couple of days in Siena (touring Tuscany by car). We are very active people and really enjoyed the jumping around, but this time would like to make things a little easier since we will have the boys with us. Anyway, I would like some advice as to whether we should try to fit in the Cinque Terre. In order to do this, we must give up exploring the hilltowns by car, which we thought were so incredible last time, but then again, we have never seen the CT. It would also mean one extra hotel change which might be more of a consideration travelling with kids. Anyway, here are two itineraries - I would appreciate any opinions/advice on them.

Itinerary #1

- Paris Sat-Thurs
- Fly to Florence(Arrive 4:00 pm) - this will be our base to explore Tuscany
- Fri - Duomo, campanile, Uffizi
- Sat - Volterra, San Gimigniano, Siena
- Sun - Cinque Terre (daytrip)
- Mon - Pisa/Lucca
- Tue - drive to Rome, leave car at airport
- Wed-Fri Rome
- Sat Fly home

Itinerary #2

- Paris Sat-Thurs
- Fly to Florence(Arrive 4:00 pm)
- Fri - Duomo, campanile, Uffizi
- Sat - Daytrip to Siena by bus or train
- Sun - Cinque Terre via Pisa (we would stop to see the tower enroute)
- Mon - Cinque Terre
- Tue - Train to Rome
- Wed-Fri Rome
- Sat Fly home

Thanks in advance for you help!

Weather might be a factor in your choice of the CT, which is best enjoyed using the the boat to go along the coast. In late March/April, the seas may be a bit rough and, if so, the boat service would be curtailed.

All other things being equal, I think your boys would enjoy the CT more than the hilltowns.

Hi Laura,

I agree that the CT in March/April will be questionable, but also that your boys will like it better than the hilltowns.

A possible alternative might be Orvieto for a day enroute to Rome. Easy, right on the train line, and the boys would enjoy the underground cave tour, the ancient underground well, and maybe the Etruscan tombs.

Also, I would cut a day in Paris and add it to Rome. Kids seem to really like Rome. Might depend if they prefer art (Paris) to ruins and catecombs (Rome).

Buon viaggio!

Hi, Lauramor

Itinerary 2 looks better to me - less travelling, plus you have the choice to miss out the day trip to siena if you wan to stay in Florence. IMO you'd be better off going up to Fiesole - just 30 minutes on the bus, and loads to do.

As to Rome, if you have three or more nights, you could go for an apartment - much better with kids and nicer for grandmas [plus easier for you if she does a bit of baby-sitting and you two can sneak out!]

good Luck!

Hi ann,

I also vote for plan 2 with the boys.

Only 1 day in Florence?

Hi, Ira

here's me boringly agreeing with you yet again - were we separated at birth?

Regards,

Ann

Thank you all so much. CT it is I was also thinking that maybe all the driving around would be a little much for the kids. As per Dayle's comment, Paris is already set in stone - I already bought our plane tickets (nonrefundable) from Paris to Florence. Ann - we are renting an apartment in both Paris and Rome - definitely will save $$ on food with two boys! Ira - my Mom's favorite city was Florence last time we visited. Though my itinerary shows only one full day, we would be staying there and exploring the outskirts by car, returning in the early evenings (before dark). With this new itinerary though, we may decide to just stay and explore Florence (no car). Thanks again. Laura

We were in CT early April in 2005. One day was sunny was warmish and the other two were windy, cool and rainy. Two legs of the trails were closed due to muddy conditions.

But we LOVED every minute. Beautiful, beautiful place and great for relaxing.