We are planning a trip to Italy (with 3 teens) after visiting family in Switzerland. We are tempted to find a house to rent for a week and do day trips from there rather than run all over Italy with our luggage, etc. but don't know if that is practical. I would love for the kids to see mostly the central/northern parts of the country...but hate for them to miss the history of Rome. Our schedule is flexible at this point in terms of days in the country. Any advice/suggestions?

The experiences in my family robyncg with teens is that they all have loved Rome and Venice the most. I do understand about your not wanting to keep moving all around Italy but have you considered spending part of your time while in Italy in Venice and than the balance in Rome? Not sure if you have purchased your airline tickets yet but if not you could do an open jaw type of ticket..fly into Switzerland and fly home from Rome. Not sure about the mode of transportation you will be taking but it is quite easy to take the train from Venice to Rome. Best wishes.

Thanks Loveitaly for your help. I had a feeling that Venice would be fun for older kids and I have never been there myself. Would you stop in Florence on your way to Rome or is that a do-able day trip from Venice? My oldest is a college student studying Italian and had a teacher from Ferrara. He is wanting to visit there as well. Do you know anything about this city? It looks like it is on the train route to Florence too. Any suggestions for accomodations in Venice? It is tough with 5 people - usually need two hotel rooms or an apartment type place. I know it will get pricey, but this could be our last family vacation with the whole gang. Last but not least, do you think we can do well without a car?? I would love to but have heard horror stories about the reliability of Italian trains.

My kids loved Cinque Terre and Siena. You can rent a villa near Siena or Lucca and day trip to Florence or CT. We stayed in a villa near Lucca. It was so reasonable that we stayed over night in CT while renting the villa and the week was still cheaper than a hotel

Sorry, I pressed post too soon. Then you can fly out of Rome.

Hi robyncg, I think everyone in your family would enjoy Venice. There are a few people that don't seem to but not that many. Regarding hotels, do a search here on Fodor's and also at www.slowtrav.com for ideas as yes you would need two rooms? Or you could rent an apartment in Venice, again do a search. If you can find an apartment that might be ideal.

I have been in Ferarra for two days and enjoyed it very much as I was with friends from Italy and the husband had been born and raised in Ferarra. With 10 plus days however I personally wouldn't bother. You can assure your college age teen that they will be back to Italy and can visit at that time. People always seem to go back to Italy once they have visited.

Regarding Florence, if you caught the train early in the morning from the Santa Lucia train station in Venice you could have a day in Florence, leave the luggage at the baggage area. They use to have lockers at the station but don't know if they do anymore (due to security reasons). I could find out for you if you are interested.

You could than take a train later in the day to Rome and spend time in Rome which most people really enjoy..and teens sure seem to.

I know some would say to spend a night or two in Florence and of course you could do that but I was thinking of your checking in and out of an additional hotel.

robnycg, trains versus cars. Will you be flying from Switzerland to Venice? You won't need a car while in Venice of course. And the train to Florence is just fine as is the train to Rome.
Yes, sometimes the trains are late but not all that much. The only time I would NOT depend on a train is on the same day I was catching a flight. As far as strikes, they are always announced something like two weeks ahead of time and not all them go on strike and it is usually for about 8 hours or so. There are very strict laws in Italy regarding strikes. And often the strikes are cancelled.

with five of you and all the luggage you would have to hire a van anyway as you would never fit five people plus all the luggage into a typical auto. Plus you don't need or want the car for a day (or two days) while in Florence. And the same goes for Rome. So personally I would travel by train.

I think you and your family will be making beautiful memories!!

Ho robyncg, I forgot to mention..if you stop in Florence make sure it is not on a Monday as a lot of the museums that you know doubt will want to visit will be closed.

Am just doing similar research and for the same reasons (last family fling for forseeable future with older teens). Found some apartment rentals on a site called world in a bag - venice is one of the cities listed. They look pretty good and reasonable.