junk4rp

I have been thinking through an itinerary that can work for us (2 adults, 3 kids) after reading a bit. I am trying to use the time the best I can. Please provide feedback, if this is not doable please suggest modification to make it doable:

12th July, Thursday - Reach Rome from US at 8:30am, get out of custom by 9am, get out of baggage drop and arrive at train to station by 10am (is this realistic taking the Leonardo connection) – Get out of Rome by 10:45am….Reach Venice at around 3pm – can we pick Lunch in the train station and eat in the train or does the train have pantry?

Go to the Apt by 4pm, Get out of Apt by 5pm after snacking etc …Do evening sightseeing till 7pm, eat dinner and go to bed by 9pm

13th July, Friday - Full day sightseeing in Venice

14th July, Saturday – Half day sightseeing in Venice and half day trip to Murano and Burano

15th July, Sunday – Breakfast in Venice, Checkout of Apt, Pick a car (where is the best place?) and drive to Lucca, visit Lucca and drive to Pisa, visit Pisa, drop the car and take a train to Florence

16th July, Monday – Full day sightseeing in Florence

17th July, Tuesday – Full day sightseeing in Florence

18th July, Wednesday – Full day sightseeing in Florence

19th July, Thursday – Checkout, pick a car, drive to San Gimi, Siena & Orvieto (Is it possible to do all three by car in a day?)… Drop the Car in Orvieto and train to Rome 20th July Friday, Full day sightseeing in Rome

21st July Saturday – Visit Pompeii

22nd July Sunday – Full day sightseeing in Rome

23rd July Monday – Full day sightseeing in Rome

24th July Tuesday – Fly out of Rome in the afternoon

Thanks a lot for your response.

kybourbon

>>>Reach Rome from US at 8:30am, get out of custom by 9am, get out of baggage drop and arrive at train to station by 10am (is this realistic taking the Leonardo connection) – Get out of Rome by 10:45am…<<<

No. You may have your baggage by 9:30 or 10 and then you have to walk to the train station. Trains to Rome only depart every 30 minutes so you may have to wait thirty minutes if you just missed one. Travel time to Rome is 30 minutes. The Leonardo drops you at a satellite track so you will have a long trek to the other trains. You should allow some time in Termini to get some food/drinks to take with you. The train will have a restaurant car and a snack bar.

>>>15th July, Sunday – Breakfast in Venice, Checkout of Apt, Pick a car (where is the best place?) and drive to Lucca, visit Lucca and drive to Pisa, visit Pisa, drop the car and take a train to Florence<<<

Bad plan. Train to Florence and check in your hotel. Lucca/Pisa can easily be visited from Florence by train (about 6-7€ one way). Many museums in Florence are closed on Monday so plan Lucca/Pisa that day. I would bus or train to Lucca first and then Pisa.

>>>19th July, Thursday – Checkout, pick a car, drive to San Gimi, Siena & Orvieto (Is it possible to do all three by car in a day?)<<<<

Too much for one day.

mama_mia

I agree with kybourbon. You are wasting time picking up a car when you do not need it for your travel destinations. You can go by train from Florence to Lucca and Pisa. If you want, you can do a day trip to San Gimignano and Siena via bus from Florence.

From Florence, you could train to Orvieto; however, I do not think the station has luggage lockers.

The alternative to training would be to pick up car in Venice and keep it until Orvieto--but NOT stay in Florence. Instead, you could stay at an agristurismo and day trip to Florence, Pisa, Siena, etc.

socaltraveler

I think some of this is overly ambitious, starting with the time estimate leaving FCO.

SG, Siena & Orvieto, way too much for one day, way too much.

As is doing Murano and Burano both in one half day.

Also you may be unaware that July 15 is the Redentore Festival in Venice. Google it, it may be well worth adjusting your plans to stay another day. If not, be aware that given it being a weekend, I imagine it will be very crowded in Venice, and you may have to modify your plans.

And be advised that Pompeii on a weekend in July will also be crowded and hot, hot - plan accordingly.

Oh, and add some time for grocery shopping when you get to Venice apt before sightseeing. You are traveling with kids, just off a long plane ride, and train ride to Venice - frankly if you all aren't dropping from exhaustion by then I will be surprised.

Your trip will be so much more enjoyable if you take it a bit more slowly, and make sure everyone is fed, hydrated and rested. Keep tweaking.

mama_mia

I would also suggest Ostia Antica outside of Rome as a day trip instead of Pompeii. Pompeii would be a lot of effort, a long day trip; it will likely not be pleasant in July.

Ostia Antica is also fascinating. It is easy to get to by public transit and would hold kids' attention equally well.

These sites are in English:
http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/e.../ancient-ostia
http://www.ostia-antica.org/

bobthenavigator

With 5 people , get a shuttle service to Termini.
www.airportshuttle.it

bardo1

I'll third the idea to save Pompeii for another trip. You also need to think about other cuts - even without Pompeii, this trip is quite rushed. 12 days isn't as much as you think.

nytraveler

I don't sdee anywhere info on how old yuor kids are - and this will make a big difference. If you are traveling with teens they will be able to keep up - although theymayhave some difernt interests.

If any of the kids is small - then I thnk you need to slow down a whole lot or you will have some really cranky kids making the trip sheer hell.

Aso you need to realize that this time of year in Italy is hot and often humid - and you simply can't do as much as you could in more clement weather (95 and humid is enough to wear anyone down after a couple of hours).

ekc

Drop Murano/Burano - you don't have enough time. Ditto for Pompeii.

I second ky's suggestion to train directly to Florence, check into hotel, then see Lucca and Pisa as a day trip from Florence on Monday.

kybourbon

Day 1 - Train to Orvieto. Relax and wander Orvieto. Overnight Orvieto.

Day 2 - Pick up car in Orvieto, drive through Tuscany via Siena. Stay somewhere near Florence/Pisa/Lucca/San G for 3-4 nights and do day trips.

After Tuscany area, either drop car in Florence and train to Venice (2-3 nights?) or drive to Venice.

Train Venice to Rome for last few nights.

junk4rp

First of all, thanks a lot everyone for your feedback.

@kybourbon: So, realistically what is the earliest time we can be on train from Rome to Venice? We might also have to use the drop luggage service at the airport or train station. Will it help the time, if we take an airport shuttle? For the Lucca/Pisa trip, I am trying to fit our travel from one city to another and a day trip into the same day so that I do not lose precious time in check in etc. In car, I can have the luggage with us and check in at the end of the day. I know on Monday Academia and Uffizi are closed, but we can do Duomo, Bargello and some other stuff on Monday, right? The other option would be to plan Academia and Uffizi for Sunday when we come from Venice by train, but I am not sure what reservation time would be good, since there is uncertainty involved with train travel and check-in etc… I am assuming I cannot possibly fit train travel from Venice to Florence, a trip to Lucca/Pisa the same day. May be I can if I use the left luggage service at Florence… For 19th what would make it realistic, two towns or one? Your itinerary suggestion looks interesting. Will think about that.

@mama_mia: I am trying to fit our travel from one city to another and a day trip into the same day so that I do not lose precious time in check in etc. Earlier my plan was to go to San Gimi and Siena in one day and return to Florence and go to Rome by train the next morning... so this way I lose half a day, when returning to Florence for the night halt really does not buy us anything except to pick the luggage. Is it possible to do the car trip from Florence to San Gimi and Siena by car in one day and return to Rome by train from Siena? I got earlier feedback (to another thread) that it is best to stay in Florence than to stay at agroturismo or Tuscan town. I might look into Ostia Antica instead of Pompeii.

@socaltraveler: Please suggest realistic time for FCO departure, I do not have a clue. Will two towns in a day by car doable? As for Murano and Burano, I read many trip reports claiming it can be done in half a day. Again, I do not have a clue as to whether it is realistic. What I did not know about at all was the Redentore festival… not sure what to do about it. Is it worth to give up visit Lucca/Pisa to enjoy Redentore festival? I agree, it would be crowded in Venice when we would be there, but given that we are going in summer, is the crowd going to any more (than normal summer weekends) for Redentore festival itself? Thinking of dropping Pompeii… Yes will do grocery when we arrive. The day of arrival, I should not have said sightseeing; it is more like walking and having an evening experience with some grocery shopping etc. It is basic orientation time and getting a feel of the evening. I will keep tweaking until I get it right or start of the trip whichever comes first!

@bobthenavigator: thank you for the shuttle link. I am thinking it probably will be easier to use a shuttle service.

@bardo1: Pompeii will very likely be dropped. Yes, it is rushed; I want to mix big cities with a few small towns without overwhelming the kids. I know for sure we will not return to Italy for a very long time; our world trip wish list is mile long. So, want to fit in anything that is practically possible.

@nytraveler: Kids are 14 and 10s. We do a lot of road trip in US and they are ok as long as they are well fed, hydrated and have some form of entertainment while in car/train etc. With kids at that age, there is no choice for us to do any travel unless we venture out in summer. I am hoping a mix of indoor and outdoor activities will help. With the way summer has started in US, I am also hoping, this year summer will be cooler in Italy; no harm in hoping, right?

@ekc: While I am planning to drop Pompeii, really do not want to drop Murano and Burano… will see after a few tweaks. This is almost like a trip we did to Amsterdam couple of years ago… I was suggested by many to drop Keukenhof from a 2.5 days trip, I was so tempted to go (love flowers). I am glad we did and experience was unforgettable since it will be hard to return to Amsterdam soon.

All, please keep suggesting tweaks, I really need them to make adjustment for a wonderful Italian vacation. Thanks again.

Yostwl

It does depend on your personal interests, but I would take a day away from Florence and add it to Venice. We prefer the variety and cultural blending in Venice when compared to Florence.

Also Florence is one of the hottest places in Italy in July averaging 14-15 days over 90 degrees (Venice averages 1), usually with relatively high humidity (avg. 64%) given its river valley setting.

Venice is also high humidity (it is, after all, in the ocean, or an arm of it), but is, on average, 8-9 degrees cooler than Florence during the day when you will be out moving around sightseeing.

BUT if you really, really, really are into Renaissance art and architecture, then Florence might be heaven for you despite heat and humidity. Personally, other than seeing Florence's highlights like the Duomo and David, I get plenty of Renaissance and architecture in Venice, Rome, and other Italian cities. But I'm not a huge Renaissance groupie (though my wife is).

kybourbon

>>>I am trying to fit our travel from one city to another and a day trip into the same day so that I do not lose precious time in check in etc. In car, I can have the luggage with us and check in at the end of the day.<<<

This idea is unrealistic. It may be what you are "trying" to do, but it likely won't be what happens. IMO you will lose more time doing this than taking the train. It will be a schlep from wherever you are staying in Venice to a car rental location. Many don't open until 9 and it's likely you will stand in a line. You will have to get a huge car (one day rentals are usually very expensive) to hold five people plus luggage. Don't think you will walk into a rental office and walk out in five minutes.

>>>I am assuming I cannot possibly fit train travel from Venice to Florence, a trip to Lucca/Pisa the same day. May be I can if I use the left luggage service at Florence…<<<<

You can always train to Florence (two hours) and drop your luggage at your hotel. Visiting Lucca/Pisa after that isn't difficult (although I would stay in Florence that day and do them on Monday), but it would depend on how much time you are planning to spend in each one. If Pisa is only to view the tower (not climb which requires reservations) then you may only need an hour for Pisa. You haven't said what your interest in Lucca is (biking?).

When you get to Pisa/Lucca, there are restricted zones so you will have to park outside of the parts you want to see and walk/bus. It will all take much more time than you plan.

You don't have to see Pisa/Lucca on your travel day. You can train to Florence and tour Florence that day.

>>>@bobthenavigator: thank you for the shuttle link. I am thinking it probably will be easier to use a shuttle service.<<<

Sorry, but I wouldn't use Bob's shuttle as I believe it's a shared shuttle which will be dropping other off at their hotels. If you want a private shuttle, try this one.
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/...t-transfer.php

Things I think you should really reconsider:

Traveling all the way to Venice on arrival day with three kids in tow. You are talking about an overnight flight + 2-3 hours getting from landing to Rome train station + 4 hours to Venice + maybe another hour getting to hotel.

Renting cars for one day to places that have train stations. Most towns have restricted zones for residents only (do a search for ZTL) so you aren't allowed to drive in them.

danon

Agree about less time in Florence and more in Venice...

I would forget about Murano...and Burano....if you wish to get out of town, go to Lido.

We were in Venice 10 days ago( also ,went to Florence for a day from Bologna to revisit
the Duomo),
The lineups were already very long and the crowds everywhere.
You might need some time to slow down and recuperate from the heat and so many people

PeaceOut

Sounds way too rushed, especially the day you arrive in Italy. My family would meltdown if I made them do all that after such a long flight, with jet lag, etc.

I would also drop any notion of renting a car. You aren't exploring Tuscany, you are visiting places that have easy access by train or bus.

jamikins

I agree you are trying to do way too much in 12 days.

Drop Pompeii and go to Ostia as a day trip from Rome.

The drive from Venice to Lucca on googlemaps shows that it is 3.5 hours (that doesnt include any stops for lunch or traffic you might run into so you will likely need to add some additional. Lucca is also on the opposite side of Florence.

You are also not taking into account how long it will take 5 people to get ready to go out in the morning and the fact that most towns will shut up shop from 12 - 2or3 for lunch hour. And I do mean shut up shop, pull down the shutters on the store fronts etc...so it is really only feasible to do 2 towns in one day IF you get into the car before 9am. You will then need to drive to the town, park, and walk into centre. Then the town shuts at 12 you can do lunch or drive to the next and repeat when it opens at 2 or 3.

I would be surprised with 5 people if you could do this even and would plan to get to a town for lunch and then explore after lunch and then head out.

Also if you have luggage with you you are going to need a very large car for 5 people and may not feel comfortable driving close to centres so may need to walk farther.

With 12 days and that many people I would personally pick 2 locations and stay there, taking the train between, and do daytrips using public transit.

Hope this helps!

nytraveler

You really can;t count on Italy being cool in the summer. It simply isn't.

And using a car for the trips you have in mind makes no sense (and this is from someone who has done numerous road trips in europe and loves diriving there). The small towns you are talking about have pedestrian centers and you have to park outside the walls and walk (or bus) in to see the sights. We have done this - BUT we started out at 8 am, did one town in the mornng and had lunch then drove to the second (nearby for the afternoon). Not starting someplace else and renting a car and hauling luggage - but just taking a car out of a hotel garage in a nearby city. You just do not have the hours to do what you are tyring to. And with 5 people, including 3 kids, everything is going to take longer than with a couple of adults.

For everyone to enjoy this vacation you need to be realistic and slow down.

(And can't iagint how to see Murano and Burano is an afternoon unless this is a group tour - the first is a visit to a glass factory and the second is a float by to look at the cut island.

Afernico

Junk,
I agree as well that this sounds like a very rushed trip...however, it is doable if planned well. I would allow until noon on the first day to get out of Rome. Our visit to Venice was similar to yours, three nights and two full days. We were able to do Murano and Burano in just over a half day. Get a 3 day vaporetto pass and learn your stops. I think it was about half an hour to Murano, another 30-40 minutes to Burano, about an hour back to our stop. We didn't care to tour a glass shop and didn't spend a lot of time shopping. Agree with KYbourbon about the train to Florence. Definitely the way to go. The only time I would rent a car would be the drive from Florence to Orvieto. It was gorgeous! Skip San Gim. If you start out early, I think it was only 45 min to Sienna, spend a half day there then head to Orvieto. I would allow about two hours driving time to Orvieto so you can take your time. Rental car return in Orvieto is at train station. There is a hotel just up the hill that will keep an eye on your bags (2-3 euros\bag) Funicular up the hill to Orvieto and walk around for a few hours. Late train to Rome. Hope my 2 cents helps.

PatriciaOne

Arrive in Rome and stay.I would not be even thinking of getting everyone on a train for another five hours. I'd pick a hotel with a pool if I could afford it. Then I'd go to Venice spend time there and return to Rome and finish whatever I still wanted to see.

junk4rp

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for all your comments. I am gaining a lot by your insight and I cannot describe the gratitude I feel in words.

@Yostwl: We are not really into Renaissance art and architecture, but Florence is more central to visit Luca/Pisa and to one/two Tuscany hill towns. That is the reason why we have divided the days that way. I am planning to see St. Mark, Square, Rialto bridge, Riato Market, Doge’s palace and may be Academia. May take a Gondola Ride and do a canal cruise on Vaperetto #1. I am guessing two days for this would be sufficient. If we can fit in a trip to Murano/Burano, I am willing to give up Academia. Will this work? The temperature is scaring me, but we do not have much of a choice.

@kybourbon: I am dropping the idea to rent a car; I am thinking of going to Florence by train, leave the luggage at the Florence station, and go to Lucca/Pisa and return to Florence in the evening to check in. I want to go to Lucca to just see the town, do not know what is there. Have heard that it is nice to see, if we are planning to go to Pisa for the tower. We might try to climb to the top of the tower. If this can be done in half day, we might do it the next day. Thank you for the shuttle info, will check Rome Shuttle. Kids are fine with long travel and we want to get to Venice the first day so that we are not fighting jet lag in Rome. Did not know about ZTL and hence will have to look that up.

@danon: May drop Murano/Burano. What is in Lido, I thought it is a beach only. We will remember to relax and wander. We might not see many sights, but just see things on the way.

@Peaceout: Actually the day we arrive is ok, I feel. Except for transferring from FCO to Roma Termini and St. Lucoa Station to apt, we would do just fine with enough food and water. Kids will probably sleep in the train. They are used to international travel; gone to India many times with 3/4hrs layover in Europe. Yes, dropping the idea of renting the car on way to Florence. Figuring out Florence to Rome route. May visit only Siena or Orvieto on the way and may not need a car.

@jamikins: I am dropping the idea to rent a car right now. Planning some daytrips. The daytrips might be Lucca and Pisa on the way to Florence, Siena & something else from Florence and Ostia Antica from Rome.

@nytraveler: I am not counting, just wishing… Might drop Murano/Burano or do a guided tour. Trying to cut down as much as possible.

@Afernico: I am trying to fit a variety of things to see and do in and around Italy’s most famous 3, assuming I may not return anytime soon. It is a hard thing to do, which is why feedback from all the travellers here is so valuable. You gave a good suggestion about the car trip through Siena to Orvieto and taking train to Rome. Skipping San Gim already. If I can do Siena and Orvieto that will be great. Not sure whether this is doable, based on others comments. Also, have to look into ZTL.

@PatriciaOne: Please see my response to PeaceOut. We have to see Florence. I would love to leave things for another trip, but the second trip to Italy is unlikely for us, at least anytime in the near future. However, I will have to adjust each day for just wandering around. Since our trip starts at Rome and finishes there, we want to go to another city the first day and keep Rome for the end. I have read trip report and realize that Venice would be better for fighting jet lag than Rome would be. We will remember to relax and wander. We might not see many sights, but just see things on the way.

All, please suggest anything else that I cannot think… I appreaciate your feedback immensely. Thanks again!