Need help refining Italy trip itinerary
 

Thanks to everyone that helped me with my previous post. Based on input, I have decided to expand our trip to 10 or 11 days. This is our first trip to Europe and plan to do so in late June '06. We would like to start our trip in Rome for roughly 4 days and finish our trip in Venice for 2 days. I need input as to where we should spend the 2/3 days in the middle. As I figure 2 days would be utilized for train travel (one day from Rome to the second location and then another day to Venice). We have 2 sons, ages 11 and 13. Considering my children's ages and the heat at that time of year, I think that we want to spend those days in a more relaxing fashion as opposed to another city (e.g. Florence). I would really appreciate suggestions as to what areas we should consider. We would travel by train. Thanks again.

We particularly like Lake Como (altho' there is not alot of kid centered activities). It would be relaxing.

Consider staying in an agriturismo in the countryside near Florence. Many of them have restaurants, pools and play areas for children. If you Google "agriturismo Tuscany", you'll get thousands of hits. You'll have to be careful, though, to choose one that is accessible by public transport:

http://www.sita-on-line.it/

And you won't lose two whole days on travel. The train from Rome to Florence is 1.5 hours and from Florence to Venice 3.5 hours.

I don't know if this fits your budget or interest, but there are barge trips that go from Verona to Venice, making a couple of one-day stops along the way. The boats are not huge, but big enough to have all amenities. Each day the boat stops, you can opt to explore the nearby town for the day, or you could even opt to stay on board and relax. The last two nights of the trip are in Venice, but you'd be sleeping on board, and not in a hotel.

Thanks for the suggestions. Eloise, are there particular towns that your would recommend? Elaine, where would I find information about the barge trip from Verona to Venice? Do you have a name of a company that runs the barge?

I know this is redundant to the posting on your last thread, Tom, but it was so long, I wasn't sure you'd see my recommendation for the Kids Europe journal for your kids, coincidentally, my kids are the same ages as yours and they thought it was pretty neat. In any case, I recommend trying to spend four nights or more in a villa with a pool. Add a few days to your trip so you can enjoy Tuscany as we did. Go ahead, you deserve two weeks! We loved Rome, loved Venice, but we really needed some down-time and the place we found in Tuscany was great. We were still enjoying Italy, walking into the little town, buying our bread and wine, clambering around some Etruscan ruins and checking out the nearby castle. We made a day trip into Florence and really enjoyed it, but the dip in the pool at the end of the day was heaven, too, for everyone.

Have fun!
Totally

Hi tom,

You might want to add a day to Rome for a daytrip to Orvieto.

From Rome to Venice, you could take the bus to Siena for an overnight before going on to Venice.

I also suggest adding a day to Venice.

((I))

So far my research has drawn me to the Almafi coast. I was thinking of staying in Sorrento for 4 nights/3days and doing days trips. Thus, one day capri, one day pompeii and one day positano etc. Any thoughts on that plan would be appreciated.

If you're going from Rome to Venice, the Amalfi Coast is in the opposite direction, which would add significantly to your travel time. You could use a budget airline to fly from Naples to Venice, though.

I love the Tuscan countryside, but if you want water you and your kids may enjoy staying a few days around Lake Garda, which has Gardaland, an amusement park. There are buses that go all the way around the lake; you can find more info by searching here for GAC's posts about bus service to Lake Garda. The scenery at the north end of the lake is spectacular, and Sirmione at the southern end has a castle to walk through.

totallyintoTravel, that discovery journal looks really great. Did you purchase the basic one or any of the other info? Also, any suggestions specifcally related to traveling with the kids is appreciated. Thanks for the feedback.

Tom,

Tonight (8/16)I sent you an e-mail with a possible trip itinerary.

Has the Amalfi Coast replaced Venice? Or is it in addition to Venice?

If Venice is still in the mix, I think you're trying to cover too much in 10-11 days. I'd stick to your original plan of Rome-somewhere-Venice.

sorry, I didn't get back to this thread before now
if you are still considering river cruises, look into Uniworld, Viking,
for two,
or just Google river cruise italy

My plan would be to land in Rome on late thurs morning, June 22nd. Spend fri, sat & sun in Rome. Travel from Rome to Almafi on mon. Spend tues, weds & thurs in Almafi. Travel on friday to Venice. Spend sat and sun in Venice. Fly home on monday, July 3rd. Any thoughts?