To Go To Rome... or Not in Summer '25?
May 29th, 2024, 03:26 AM
#21
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What about a farm stay in Tuscany? (You mentioned a farm near Vienna so...) Many have pools and it could be a lovely, relaxing stay within driving distance of Florence and Modena. My daughter and her family stayed in a cottage at a farm that produced wine and olive oil. They really enjoyed it. (Look under agriturismo.it)
May 29th, 2024, 03:30 AM
#22
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A number of years ago I took a career path that means that it is much easier to travel during summer or Christmas vacation or Spring Break. So I have been to Italy during high season a lot in the past decade+ after many years of traveling off-season.
I have been to Rome in July and--in 2022--August. I had wonderful albeit sweaty trips, but had visited Rome many times, so didn't feel the need/stress to see the "must-see" sites. Your family's flexibility about that and their need to stand in line at the Colosseum etc. may impact your enjoyment.
Just as an FYI the Po Valley (I guess that's what you call the "Motor Valley"?) gets super, super humid, and to me feels hotter than Rome during the dog days of summer. Especially Bologna.
I have been to Rome in July and--in 2022--August. I had wonderful albeit sweaty trips, but had visited Rome many times, so didn't feel the need/stress to see the "must-see" sites. Your family's flexibility about that and their need to stand in line at the Colosseum etc. may impact your enjoyment.
Just as an FYI the Po Valley (I guess that's what you call the "Motor Valley"?) gets super, super humid, and to me feels hotter than Rome during the dog days of summer. Especially Bologna.
Air conditioning will definitely be a must. We survived terrible heat and humidity in Thailand last year, but didn't have the crowds. That is the combination that seems the least appealing to me. I am leaning more and more to striking Rome from our list. I am grateful to have been several times before and without the crowds and heat!Thanks!
May 29th, 2024, 03:32 AM
#23
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I am surprised your husband would want to visit Rome given your description of his travel style and interests but, if he was willing to do Rome perhaps Florence would be a compromise for a short period of time. You can get advance tickets for many of the main museums: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-rea...ns-in-florence. A hotel with good air-conditioning can be heaven sent.
When we visited Florence with our kids, we added a quest to find the best gelato and visited multiple gelaterias in-between our sight-seeing stops. Perhaps this would add interest for your younger son?
When we visited Florence with our kids, we added a quest to find the best gelato and visited multiple gelaterias in-between our sight-seeing stops. Perhaps this would add interest for your younger son?
May 29th, 2024, 03:52 AM
#24
agreed, someone else did and it just niggled.
If you are doing it this year, you need to get your fast shoes on.
https://www.agriturismo.it is a good place to hunt, but you really will want a pool
If you are doing it this year, you need to get your fast shoes on.
https://www.agriturismo.it is a good place to hunt, but you really will want a pool
May 29th, 2024, 09:18 AM
#25
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This article is old but there likely are newer ones: https://justinpluslauren.com/vegan-gelato-in-florence/. The thought of a kid unable to have gelato in Italy just won't do!
May 29th, 2024, 04:26 PM
#26
Ha ha! I am surprised as well! Florence will probably end up being a compromise with a place to stay outside of the city and advance tickets for sure, a long with air conditioning! My younger son is dairy free! Not being able to promise ice cream on a hot day is just a bummer. It used to be our go-to when my kids were younger! Thanks for the reply!
May 29th, 2024, 05:54 PM
#27
Don't expect Florence to be cooler or less crowded than Rome. Florence always seems more crowded to me as the historical center is very compact. In Rome, it seems like everything is more spread out and just feels less crowded. Last summer, Florence/Tuscany heatwave (often 100) started early July and lasted until late August.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/europ...ntl/index.html
Perhaps if you could book some night tours of things in Rome that is on your husband's must do list? Maybe only spend a couple of days and tour things late when it's cooling off a bit.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/europ...ntl/index.html
Perhaps if you could book some night tours of things in Rome that is on your husband's must do list? Maybe only spend a couple of days and tour things late when it's cooling off a bit.
May 30th, 2024, 01:48 AM
#28
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Ha ha! I am surprised as well! Florence will probably end up being a compromise with a place to stay outside of the city and advance tickets for sure, a long with air conditioning! My younger son is dairy free! Not being able to promise ice cream on a hot day is just a bummer. It used to be our go-to when my kids were younger! Thanks for the reply!
You can get advance tickets to the Colosseum, but you may have a line for security. I once had to wait in line an hour under the broiling sun even though we had tickets. Even people who had paid for private tours were waiting in line, and they weren't happy. I hope the situation has been remedied since then.
I myself think the exterior of the Colosseum is the best part, but I was with my cousin and her family, and the inside of the Colosseum was on her bucket list.
I must warn you also that Florence is usually hotter and more humid than Rome.
May 30th, 2024, 05:37 AM
#29
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agreed, someone else did and it just niggled.
If you are doing it this year, you need to get your fast shoes on.
https://www.agriturismo.it is a good place to hunt, but you really will want a pool
If you are doing it this year, you need to get your fast shoes on.
https://www.agriturismo.it is a good place to hunt, but you really will want a pool
May 31st, 2024, 05:03 AM
#30
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My daughter is allergic to all milk products, but every gelateria we've ever visited has a good selection of non-dairy gelatos. In fact, most of the fruit gelatos are non-dairy.
You can get advance tickets to the Colosseum, but you may have a line for security. I once had to wait in line an hour under the broiling sun even though we had tickets. Even people who had paid for private tours were waiting in line, and they weren't happy. I hope the situation has been remedied since then.
I myself think the exterior of the Colosseum is the best part, but I was with my cousin and her family, and the inside of the Colosseum was on her bucket list.
I must warn you also that Florence is usually hotter and more humid than Rome.
You can get advance tickets to the Colosseum, but you may have a line for security. I once had to wait in line an hour under the broiling sun even though we had tickets. Even people who had paid for private tours were waiting in line, and they weren't happy. I hope the situation has been remedied since then.
I myself think the exterior of the Colosseum is the best part, but I was with my cousin and her family, and the inside of the Colosseum was on her bucket list.
I must warn you also that Florence is usually hotter and more humid than Rome.
Seeing David is probably our only goal in Florence, so we will probably make it a day trip.
May 31st, 2024, 05:07 AM
#32
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Don't expect Florence to be cooler or less crowded than Rome. Florence always seems more crowded to me as the historical center is very compact. In Rome, it seems like everything is more spread out and just feels less crowded. Last summer, Florence/Tuscany heatwave (often 100) started early July and lasted until late August.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/europ...ntl/index.html
Perhaps if you could book some night tours of things in Rome that is on your husband's must do list? Maybe only spend a couple of days and tour things late when it's cooling off a bit.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/europ...ntl/index.html
Perhaps if you could book some night tours of things in Rome that is on your husband's must do list? Maybe only spend a couple of days and tour things late when it's cooling off a bit.
May 31st, 2024, 05:09 AM
#33
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This article is old but there likely are newer ones: https://justinpluslauren.com/vegan-gelato-in-florence/. The thought of a kid unable to have gelato in Italy just won't do!
May 31st, 2024, 08:56 AM
#34
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https://www.villaolmifirenze.com/en/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
We stayed here at Villa Olmi just outside of Florence and it was lovely, has a pool, restaurant on site etc. It is in Bagno a Ripoli so there are restaurants in the town itself as well. It is very close to Florence and they run a shuttle back and forth or you can take a taxi and it isn't terribly expensive.
We stayed here at Villa Olmi just outside of Florence and it was lovely, has a pool, restaurant on site etc. It is in Bagno a Ripoli so there are restaurants in the town itself as well. It is very close to Florence and they run a shuttle back and forth or you can take a taxi and it isn't terribly expensive.
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