Lake Como or Rome?
 

3 weeks with 2 kids, landing in Barcelona, leaving from Rome. We want to visit Lake Como and Florence, but feel we can either do 1. Lake Como (and fly out of Milan) or 2. Rome and skip Como.

Which is the better move?

Thanks!

How old are the kids? where do you live?
i guess all matters a little, but at a first glance I would choose ROme, as Audrey Hepburn said in the movie
"Roman Holiday", ROME BY ALL MEANS ROME, I feel there is so much young people can discover in Rome.
In Lake Come you have nature mainly. but in Rome we can see part of our Western Civilization .
BTW that is good movie for them to see before going to Rome.

We live on an island in Puget Sound in Washington State. The kids will be 11 and 14. After Barcelona and Florence, I'm just not sure how much more "city" we can handle. My kids generally prefer quieter places. And sightseeing for them in heat will be challenging too...I realize it's comparing apples to oranges and better off picking a few places than spreading us too thin...

I would say Lake Como (on the east side, away from traffic); probably Varenna.

If you feel you will be tired of city life after Florence, trust your instincts. Rome has much to offer, culturally speaking, but very busy with cars and vespas. I don't care to go back.

Hi S,

>Lake Como or Rome?<

Do you like chocolate or vanilla?

((I))

Skip Florence and do Rome...

Having been to all of them, I would say there is no comparison whatsoever between Lake Como and any larger CITY...

If you like scenery and exploring villas and gardens and just generally relaxing in a very peaceful setting then the mid-lake area of Lake Como (Varenna, Bellagion, and Menaggio) may very well be ideal.

How are you traveling? Car or rail?

Never miss a chance for Lago Como if you are in the area, especially after big cities.

I'm with WebVisionItaly. Skip Florence and do Rome. Unless your kids are fascinated by Renaissance art and architecture, they'll find more of interest in Rome. Florence gets awfully crowded with tourists in the summer. There's more room in Rome.

You have to go to Rome anyway, so go to Lake Como. And I agree with the recommendation of Varenna.

Mimar, from Seattle

If you have three weeks and the only places you want to visit are Barcelona, Lake Como, Florence, and Rome, you have plenty of time for all four places.

Will you stop at the Cinque Terre on your way to Lake Como?

Ciao,
I live between Milan and Como.... I have absolutely NO doubt: GO TO ROME!!!

It is a fantastic town, every corner, square, street of the center of the town is full of "real" history. Your kids will enjoy.

Como and the lake is a nice area BUT nothing that can be compared with Rome.

Ciao, beleive and trust me ...

Gianni (from Italy!!!)