Suggestions on where to go in Italy
 

My family and I (husband and 14 year old son) are planning to go to Italy for about a week and then fly from Italy to Berlin. I am looking for suggestions on where to go in Italy next summer. I went to Florence once and loved it. Wouldn't mind going there again. We will be renting a car. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Try the north. Spend 4 nights in Venice, then 3 relaxing in Bellagio. You'll love it.

Save Bellagio for when you don't have your son in tow. Garda is less than half the distance from Venice, and the three of you will find lots to do there. A circum-lake drive (or half-circum... cross the lake at Torre di Benaco by ferry), going around the north end will match (some of) the beauty of Lake Como.

Unless you're constrained by budget, rhe suggestion of the first (three or) four nights in Venice is a good idea.

Best wishes,

Rex

ttt...

I'd try for 3 nights in Venice (no more, no less) and then your remaining 3 or 4 nights either somewhere close (Garda is an excellent suggestion) or perhaps in Tuscany... you mention you've seen Florence but have you seen Sienna or any of the hilltowns? It would be a bit of driving but an interesting contrast to the north.

The flight to Berlin may be a big factor---from Venice, Milan, Rome?
With 7 days and a 14 year old I would include a lake or the Dolomites and one major art city.

I'd spend the whole week in rome. Don't rent a car. You can spend 3 or 4 full days in rome, there is so much to see and do. Take a bus or a day-tour to see some other sites nearby...there are some ruins you can see on a day-tour...they are a lot closer to Rome than Pompeii...I believe they are called ostia antica? someone on this web-site will know.

Rome was our favorite place on our trip. Our teens loved Rome too. Stayed in a centrally located hotel in an atmospheric neighborhood. Being near the pantheon, within walking distance, is a great location.

If you loved Florence, I believe you will love the area around Rome & South. (I'm assuming that your love of Florence means you enjoy some time in museums and historical sights.
I believe a 14yr old boy will be far more interested in the history of Rome, Pompeii & Herculaneum than in the Northern sights. (Think places like the Colisseum-- they catch the imagination of kids.) Ostia Antica might be good too-- give a bit of feel for daily life in Roman times.

I agree it's better to avoid having a car for the days you are in Rome, then pick it up for the drive south. On the drive down you can stop at Pompeii. With a 14yr old, I think Sorrento is a good base. From Sorrento you can drive to Herculaneum, take the ferry to Capri, etc. It's been a few years so I'm not familiar with hotels there, but larger hotels are likely to have a pool where a 14yr old can blow off steam and likely meet other kids his age.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. We plan to fly into Berlin first and spend five days there (is that too many days for Berlin?. From Berlin, we'll fly into Rome and spend seven days in Italy. We will have to fly back to Boston from Rome. Therefore I am ;ooking for a seven day Italy itinerary that won't have too much driving. I've been to Rome before and don't want to spend more than 1 day there.

There is a lot to do in Berlin. I don't think five days is too much.

One of my favorite places in Italy is Verona. It is small and lovely, and the surrounding region is full of great wineries. It makes a nice break from the tourist magnets such as Venice and Florence.

<<we'll fly into Rome... have to fly back from Rome. Therefore ...looking for a seven day Italy itinerary that won't have too much driving.>>

Sounds like an "all-Umbria" itinerary to me!

...although, considering that you can get to Florence (by fast train) in less time than it takes to get to say... Assisi or Perugia... (and you said you wouldn't might a "re-taste" of Florence) - - you could originate in Florence with a car rental, and wind through both Tuscany AND Umbria over a span of six days.