Hello, we'll be travelling to Italy in early July, for two weeks, visiting the big 3, (Rome, Florence and Venice) with a family of four (two teens). We plan on travelling by rail. Still looking into whether an Italian train pass, or individual tickets (booked in advance) makes sense? After landing in Rome and spending 4 full days there, we'd like to take a few days to relax on our way to Florence. We thought maybe in the Cinque Terre region. But realize it might be a little out of the way and still feeling the effects of last October's mudslides? Is there any rural area that might be worth a visit in between Rome and Florence. Fodors forums are a wealth of great information. Hopefully someone has some recommendations?

Thank you...Tom

Hi Thompson12.

Railpass tickets often involve a local surcharge also - you might want to investigate this aspect to evaluate their true cost effectiveness.

Cinque Terre - we've ummed & ahhed a little about visiting (we travel in May) but have decided to go ahead, noting that it was two villages rather than all five that sustained major damage. We'd like to spend our tourist dollars there as the tourist-dependent area will be financially hurting now & needs support more than ever. We accept that not everything is going to be perfect but know that our custom will be appreciated.

Have fun with the planning. Others will be along soon with further assistance.

But CT is out of the way.

If you want something lower key than your big three, try Orvieto. Setting is unique, and it is right on the main railway line.

But I don't think I would do either of these if it meant giving up an extra day in Rome or Florence.

hi thompson,

first of all, you do know that it can be quite hot in Italy in July, don't you? and the cities can be very hot and crowded. so the idea of going to the coast is a good one, but what about a beach resort instead? you can get to Livorno for example on the train from Rome and it would make for a nice relaxing change before you hit florence [which you could then get to by train via Pisa].

Orvieto is not rural [to be fair neither is Livorno, but it is very different, whereas Orvieto is another city] and generally, you would need a car to get out into the countryside. alternatively, there are several companies offering days out in Tuscany from Florence - i've see one called "hills and walks" recommended very highly on this forum. [search here, as I can't find it on google, though I've found others].

and i doubt very much that a rail pass would be worthwhile, particularly if you can book your trains in advance.

how about this place in Tuscany (no 1 B&B in italy on tripadvisor-looks very boutique luxury style) it gets amazing reviews and somewhere i have always thought sounds amazing for food and a proper Italian rural experience. It has a lovely pool to to enjoy which will be great in july. An hour by train from Florence...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...o_Tuscany.html

Hi Tom congrats on your trip go a lot was there last May going again with my wife in April.Posting a budget might be helpful. Currently we save training on regional trains seat61.com/italy from 2-3 euro per hour way cheaper than pass.
We just hop on like a local at station. Route Roma
Orvieto.info Siena Pisa cinqueterre.com Lucca,info Venice-tourism.com Florence Rome. CT is better from flooding we prefer www.metropole.it a nice hotel 1 block from SML/Portofino train station from 100 euro or so right at ferry dock for all villages. eurocheapo.com good budget tips booking.com family rooms way better than apts touted by individual scammers usually for us.

Things are dicey financially over there insuremytrip.com wise

We booked Sheraton Roma $69/nt hotwire.com secret south Rome hotel with a shuttle.Saved us a lot around our flights and xport cost to/from FCO.

We love it odds are great you will too...

Have fun!

ooo clicked to soon

The village it is by is Castiglione Fiorentino (google image it to get a feel) and that looks beautiful in the heart of rolling tuscany. Think you can take cooking class too of vineyard tour and the place just looks lovely.

Maybe it would be better to just take a guided day trip out of Florence and into Tuscany. I and others here have used Luca and hillsandroads.com. Highly recommended. And he has a van that can easily accommodate the four of you.

hillsandraods - that's what i was thinking of.

<Is there any rural area that might be worth a visit in between Rome and Florence.>

Sorry, wrong question. You're talking about Italy here, so banish the thought that any area, rural or urban, might NOT be worth visiting. The correct question is "Given our interests - primarily ...., but also .... and a little .... - which rural area between Rome and Florence do you recommend?" Please fill in the gaps!

Thank you so much for all the great advice. Really appreciate the feedback!

Orvieto is cute but can be done in a day. The town is closed up in the afternoon for "siesta" for 3/4 hours everyday so it does put a hiccup in your travels.

Do not stay at the Sheraton Roma as it is NOT near the city center and you will be spending your whole visit waiting for the darn shuttle!Let us know what your price range is and all of us would be happy to suggest some of our favs in Rome's city centre-trust me you want to be able to walk around at night and enjoy the magic without waiting for a hotel shuttle's schedule!

SML is a great Cinque Terre town to stay in. I would also recommend going further up on the train line to stay in the town of Rapallo. There is train service there to all of the CT towns(matter of a few minutes) ,Genoa and Pisa. It is a wonderful city right on the Italian Rivera and a 10 minute ferry ride to Portofino to see how the other half lives?It has great restaurants and shopping without the big tourist scene which is nice. The Victorians always stayed there because of the good weather and location.

If you are traveling with two teens, I think that staying in bigger cities might be the best bet for you because there will be more things for everyone to see and do.

I want to thank everyone so much for the great advice! I've made some changes because some of your suggestions,.ie..looking forward to the Hills and Roads tours and staying in Tuscany.

Thanks again,

Tom