I'm taking my children to Italy, March 25 for 8 days. They've never been and are very excited and specific on where they want to go and we don't have a lot of time. I've been before, so this is all for them. I know you all don't think too much of Venice, Florence, Rome, but I'm trying to show them as much as possible in a week. We're starting in Milan with a visit to the Last Supper (I've got reservations), then board a train to Venice. Just overnight. Long enough for them to walk around and see it. Train to Florence for three days then train to Rome for three days.

I have lots of questions. First, should I reserve train to Venice before we leave? Better yet, should I reserve all trains since we know pretty much when we're leaving each city? Is there a difference in cost: reservations vs purchasing on the spot?

We arrive in Milan at 10:05 am with reservations at 1:45 for the Last Supper. Is this enough time?

Also, anybody heard of these hotels?
San Giorgio, Venice
Hotel Maxim, Florence
Hotel Silla, Rome

I'm going on reviews by venere.com

Also, can anyone recommend restauants for picky teens?

I'm new to the site, but I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts. My girls are 16 and 19 and are great travellers.

Thanks for any help.

For Rome you might also consider the "Navonna" area on Venere. This area is usually more expensive as a result of its better location but there are two on venere.com that are comparable to your Silla choice:
"Rinascimento " and "Pomezia" - both have tons of great reviews.

Just spent 3 days in Venice, so can give you the hi lites.
Stay in Grand Canal & Carlton Hotel, just opposite the train station - very handy.
Take No1 waterbus opposite the hotel (Day ticket 10.50E) down Grand Canal. Stop at Rialto Bridge.
Then on to St Marks Square. Go up Campinile, there is an elevator.
Take guided tour round Doges Palace.
These are the hi-lites. Enjoy.

You can store your luggage at the hotel until it is time to catch your train

Much as I love Florence, I think you should steal a day and add it to Venice.

If I understand your itinerary, you will arrive in Milan after a long flight, See the Last Supper, then hop on a train to Venice. I think when you get to Venice you will still be suffering the effects of the long flight, and will want to rest up a bit, so I would not think you would see much of Venice that evening. It's well worth another day.

Are you arriving on the 25th? This is a big holiday weekend so I would try to book the Milan/Venice train on the Trenitalia website. Monday March 28 is Easter Monday and a major holiday in Italy and most people will be off work. The main museums in Florence are closed on Monday so plan around this.

I absolutely second Clevelandbrown's suggestion that you take an extra day for Venice - it's up to you which city you wish to take it from, but I really do believe that you may be cheating yourself out of an incredible experience.

There have been many, many threads about taking children to Italy, which cities would work best, etc etc, and you can find those threads if you search for them.
I recall one previous thread in particular discussing the fact that what a parent might think as most interesting may not be what will enthrall a kid the most.
The sight of an ethereal city on water, a place like none other on earth, filled with boat rides, ancient bridges, thousands of pigeons, sparking glass baubles, and colourful masks may entertain a child more than you might imagine.
Having been there 3 times already, it's never lost its magic.
I hope you end up giving it a decent chance.

You really will regret leaving Venice after less than 24 hours. I did almost this EXACT same thing seven years ago - - except that we wre NOT flying trans-atlantic to get to Milan (we had already been in England for two days). While we didn't go see the Last Supper (our kids were happy with shopping and the Duomo), we spent until about 3 or 4 pm in Milan.

We DROVE to Venice (because we were headed onward the next day to a villa in Tuscany) - - and just like in your case, it was a Friday. Now, of course, I know better - - no worse time than a Friday afternoon to arrive in Venice (by car). By train, it shouldn't really be a significant factor (and on second thought, are you leaving the US on March 25? or is this first day in Italy on March 25?)... though vaporettos and general foot traffic might lead to a modest amount of slowdown for you.

We left Venice the next day about 3 or 4 pm, the fourth day of a fairly whirlwind 17 day trip - - albeit with six days of &quot;slowtrav&quot; at the villa in the middle - - and at the end of it, everyone unanimously agreed, that it was our one and only big planning mistake: 19 hours in Venice was <i>at least</i> 24 hours too few.

Best wishes,

Rex

Dear ad,

&gt;...board a train to Venice. Just overnight. Long enough for them to walk around and see it. Train to Florence for three days then train to Rome for three days.&lt;

How old are the kids?

As Adawson1 states in her original post, s/he has two daughters aged 16 and 19.

I know I'm going to regret not staying in Venice longer. This will be my third time there. The other two times I was only there for a day and wished that we had had longer. I'm just trying to get in as much as we can in a very short amount of time.

I've been planning this trip for about 3 months and have just found this forum, which I have to say, I am delighted with. I have tried to read as much as possible that relates to our trip and have found some great tips. I just wish I had seen it earlier.

We've got four people so there aren't many choices. We're also on a budget. Less than $200/night. The hotel in Florence has a minimum 3 night stay and at this late date, I don't think there are any other places available.

How mean! Way too little time mom in Venice! It is way too exciting to breeze thru so quickly!

It sounds as if your plans are fairly set. Perhaps you can take a later train from Venice to Florence and give yourselves another half day there. In any case, you will be giving your children a great treat and, hopefully, this will be the first of many trips for them. Enjoy.

You might remind the kids that eating new foods or eating differently than they do at home is all part of the experience. I'm sure they will find great food they will enjoy. My son, who was a hamburger and hotdog affecionado at home, surprised himself by liking the dishes he tried.

Thanks everyone.

I had definitely planned on taking a later train to Florence. How are hotels in Italy with late arrivals. We have confirmed reservations but I've heard horror stories of rooms not being available. We're four girls. Actually 2 girls, 1 mom, 1 grandmom. I'm trying to get in before dark.

adawson1,
We did a similar trip with some changes with our 5-yr old twins about 10 days ago.
You should account for about 1 hour to reach from MXP to the center (the immigration clearance was a breeze). I think you have enought time to see the The Last Supper. In fact, you may have enough time to take a museum tour of the recently renovated/ reopened La Scala, described at THE best opera house. The only reason we didn't take the tour was because on that day, they were having some rehersals going on and then they don't let visitors into the theater.
I would suggest that you don't buy tickets beforehand - although it saves time at the very confusing Milan ticket counters (separate queses for different kinds of trains). The only reason I suggest not pre-booking is that more than likely, you will fiind yourself done with Milan site-seeing and may decide to take an earlier train to Venice.
Like some others suggested, take some time off Florence and add more to Venice.
Here is my suggested for your itinerary based on my travel experience with my kids (5-yr old twins - great travellers):
Day 1: Arrive Milan. See Last Supper and anything else. Leave for Venice by 5pm. Reach Venice by around 8p, enjoy the evening strolling or visiting San Marco. Overnight near San Marco (take the 10.50E 24-hr vaporetto pass).
Day 2: Hit some spots in venice like Cathdral, Doge's Palace or just stroll more around Rialto to see the morning market close by. Leave Venice late afternoon or early evening to reach Florence by 8pm. Dinner and sleep.
Day 3,4: Florence
Day 5: Train to Rome. Reach Rome by mid to late afternoon. Sight see for the reaminder of the day
Day 6, 7, 8: Rome

Please make sure that you look beforehand on the working hours/ days of the different sites you want to hit in Florence and Rome - and you will be able to plan much better.

Enjoy your trip.

WOW pg thanks.
Yes, I've already taken into account closings on Monday in Florence. We're going to do all the touristy things and wander and shop on that day. What are your thoughts on Fiesole? I've never been.

As to arriving late at your hotel, I would suggest you contact them and make sure they can accomodate you. I know some of the more economical hotels save money by minimizing front desk service. One we stayed in locked the door at midnight! And it is not uncommon in hostels and convents that there is a curfew.

Sorry you can't spend more time in Venice; you'll have to go back next year.

adawson1,
Sorry, I don't know about Fiesole - so can't help you there.
You may want to follow one other thread for Venice hotel location recommendation that I made to someone on a short visit to Venice.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1