We could use some help with our itenerary in Northern Italy. My wife and I have two boys, who will be 5 and turning 7 on the trip. The only destination that is set is a week with friends and family on Lake Como (Varenna).

We are looking for advice on the other week. We are tenatively planning to fly into Venice (3 days), drive to Lake Como (we'll have the "community car", 7 days), drive to Dolomites (Bolzano?, Cortina?, 2 Days), drive to Florence (2 days) -fly home from Florence.

I've never been to Italy and we haven't visited Europe with the kids, although they have traveled quite a bit. Any suggestions on upgrading our intenerary? Any suggestions on places to stay with a family? Should we visit other places in Tuscany, rather than Florence? We like outdoors stuff and the boys are, shall we say, "active".

Thanks.

Hi Higrove - I'd highly recommend the Dolomites. Great choice ...

Personally I'd stay in Ortisei, Val Gardena. Lots of options for children. Some great lift rides too ...

http://www.valgardena.it/?pagid=188&...mp;newlang=eng

http://www.valgardena.it/?pagid=120

http://www.valgardena.it/?pagid=159&lang=eng

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Hi, I agree with Steve. Val Gardena is an excellent choice for the Dolomites. these sites may be helpful.
www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/eng/index.html

www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/eng

\www.val-gardena.com/\

Paul

On your way to Varenna from Venice you could stop in the amusement park called Gardeland (on Garda Lake): your kids will like it.

http://www.gardaland.it/en/home.php

If you have time, in Tuscany you can go to Siena, which is much smaller than Florence and the best monuments are all concentrated in the center of the town. It is a beautiful town.

One other suggestion: in Venice have a snack in a “calle della Bissa” - this is the address of a sort of canteen – and ask for “mozzarella in carrozza”. It is a sandwich made with white bread filled with mozzarella cheese and anchovies, all fried. It is delicious…

steve, PJ, Zorba,

Thanks for the great suggestions. We'll try Ortisei and Gardeland! And how could anything fried with mozzarella be bad. I'll try that too!

-Todd

Bookmarking for Dolomites town suggestions!