Where in Italy?
 

My husband, mother-in-law, two babies (ages 3 and 1) and I are going to Italy again.
Last year we all went to Rome and then Positano and LOVED it. The year before that we went to Rome and Greve and LOVED that. So...this June we're flying into Rome and then...where in Italy should we go for 4-5 days? (OK, it's admittedly a wonderful dilemma to have!)
We're toying with the idea of going to Cinque Terre or Taormina. Any cheerleaders for either of those two places or any others for that matter?
Thanks,
Jacquie

We had a wonderful week in Umbria in October 2006. There were some aspects to the area that I preferred over Tuscany. I know, blasphemy!

Assisi was very crowded and a bit too touristy for me, but the basilica is absolutely amazing.

We very much enjoyed every town we visited, particularly Gubbio, Spello, Todi, Bevagna, Montefalco and Spoleto, and all the villages we just passed through.

I'd go back to Umbria in a minute.

Forgot to mention beautiful Perugia which we visited on a previous trip.

ttt

Another vote here for Umbria, but it sounds like you've never been to Venice? Venice is wonderful!

Sorry for the delayed response. One of the babies I mentioned has been sick!
Anyhow, thanks for the suggestion. I've also heard wonderful things about Umbria and I think it makes it easier logistically since we're flying into and out of Rome.
Just out of curiosity...Are there any votes for Cinque Terre and that area? Also, if so, what's a good way for a family of five to get there--we prefer to drive or be driven rather than take a train just because we'll have too much stuff and the two little kids.

Sorry...I forgot to respond to the Venice comment. I have never been to Venice and am definitely interested although isn't early June way too crowded a time to go? And...how would we get to Venice from Rome? Would we stay in Venice or outside of?

Hi Jacquie,

I think with 2 tiny ones, the CT is not your best location. The main activity there is hiking and even if you just spend time in the towns, it's stairs, stairs, stairs!

Venice would also require a lightweight stroller to get over all the bridges, even though the steps are shallow. Definitely stay IN Venice. Very easy to get from Rome to Venice on the train, unless you really want to drive.

Umbria might be the best option. Get an apartment/farmhouse, room for the kids to play outside. Lots of short, nearby day trip options.

My hometown of Lerici (a charming Ligurian seaside village)is the perfect Italian destintation with children and for exploring Le Cinque Terre. Lerici itself has a rather large "kid's park" plus several white sands beached with lake like water. There is also a castle with a dinosaur museum. You can easily catch the ferry from Lerici to Portovenere (my favorite place in Italy!) and Le Cinque Terre. Additionally, a good day trip withthe kids is to Genova to visit the aquarium and "Kid's City" on the old port.

Hi, if you wish I know a great small company that works in Northern Italy that helps in trip planning, they respond to some basic questions.
With two smaller kids and based on the time schedule Umbra or Marche is a wonderful selection. Marche is the new Tuscany but do not tell any one. They even offer a travelers assistance program if you utilize the service, they will provide you a phone number to call if you need assistance or even get in a bind traslating or otherwise.
You can email me at [email protected] if you want the info.

Good luck hopes this helps

Hey there...Are there no votes for Portofino and vicinity? From what I read in Fodors it sounds very nice. Especially that town on the penninsula that isn't as expensive as Portofino but is supposedly lovely. We're not put off by somewhat difficult places...We spent last year's vacation in Positano with the two littles ones...granted, the stairs to the beach were a challenge, but I sure came back in great shape having walked up and down them with my kid in the stroller!

As for Umbria and Marches...I love the idea of staying in a beautiful place, high on a hill with great views...nearby to a lovely town with a charming square where we could go have coffee and/or lunch or dinner every day...Where we could drive to other charming towns...I'd love to stay in a farmhouse/hotel, where we're not TOTALLY on our own (meaning, there are some services), I'd love the farmhouse to have a pool and lovely grounds...Does anyone know of such a place in Umbria?
Finally, where in le Marche would you recommend?
Thanks,
Jacquie

Santa Margherita Ligure is the other place near Portofino that sounded great from the Fodors guide. Anyone been there and loved it?

Last thought...I've just started checking out Trip Advisor and read some good things about Rapallo?
Anythoughts about SML and Rapallo?

I think I'd prefer to stay in one of those towns than in Cinque Terre.

Thanks.

Jacquie, we are going to Rome/Florence and SML in June with our 2.5 year old. We were considering Capri or Amalfi coast, but I think SML will work better with a little one. We are staying at Hotel Metropole. :)

That's interesting! I'll look into that. Any reason you chose SML over Rapallo? It seems like Portofino is just way too expensive.
Also, we went with our 2.5 and 7 month old last summer to Positano and did a day trip to Capri. We loved it. Yes, the stairs down to the beach were a struggle, but it was fine.

We stayed in Rapallo last July for 3 nights and absolutely loved it.

The hotel we chose was Grand Bristol - a cut or 3 above what Cinque Terra hotels were, and much less expensive than hotels in Portofino or San Margherita - google it for best prices!

I loved Rapallo! We stayed in the Hotel Europa which was charming and well located.

We did go the CT but lasted an hour. It was overrun with Rick Steeves carrying tourists and we found it charmless.

Now Taormina is simply fabulous and I loved my trips there. Wonderful scenery, fabulous seafood, great Sicilian wines and an all around great place to spend time.

Hi JacquieK
Here's my input on your ideas:

Umbria: 5 of us stayed at this Umbrian agriturismo last year and loved it: Le Case Gialle (www.lecasegialle.com).

You can take a train from Rome to somewhere like Perugia or Foligno and pick up a rental car at the train station (or drive from Rome if you want).

It fills most of your 'wish list' in one of your above posts:

Old farmhouse renovated into apartments; lovely views across the organic olive groves to wooded hills & hilltowns (Montefalco is the main one you see); on-site owners (former city dwellers w/ two children and assorted farm animals)who can help you with restaurants/wineries, sightseeing ideas, internet access, etc; near to places like Assisi, Spello, Montefalco, Bevagna, Deruta, Perugia, etc; daytrips doable to Florence or even Siena if you are nuts like us; rambling grounds with herbs & flowers; swimming pool; full kitchens if you want to cook.

In June the fireflies should be hovering in the olive grove...

However, there really isn't a town immediately w/in walking distance. You will need to drive to have lunch or dinner out, and to go the market.

The Cinque Terre: A gorgeous area w/yummy food. Dayle above commented on the hiking and many steps. We mainly went to that area to hike and walk, so I would have to agree, maybe harder for you w/the little ones.

However, if this beautiful area interests you, I've stayed in Santa Margherita & in Levanto and liked both, with a slight edge to Levanto for its access to the CT. In SML stayed at the Hotel Fasce; in Levanto at the Europa.

Venice: Not alone in saying it is one of my favorite places in the world; I have friends who have loved going there with older children, (even in the aqua alta, which the kids loved) but I always wonder if it would be nerve wracking to have toddlers scampering towards the canals...

Hi Jacquie,

We really enjoyed SML and stayed at the Hotel Laurin right on the marina. Did trips to CT, Porofino from there and especially loved the town itself. A good choice with strollers as the main streets are flat and the seaside promenade is flat too with a nice oceanfront park.

Gosh...I really appreciate all of the input!
Some questions.....
1. Is there any reason why some choose SML over Rapallo and vice versa? Am I overthinking this, in the sense that you can't go wrong either way? We just want a BEAUTIFUL PLACE with comfortable accomodations, preferably with a view and even better with a pool on site.
2. Some people loved the Hotel Europa and some thought it stodgy and overpriced. Any thoughts?
3. I'm gettinig the sense that the SML/Rapallo area--either town--will offer beautiful scenery and views, each town will have its own unique beauty and charm, and regardless of where we would choose to stay, we will easily get around, either by train or car, to visit the other towns and CT. Is this true?

4. Furthermore, my sense is that the Umbrian countryside will be beautiful, we will find a lovely place to stay, hopefully with beautiful grounds and a pool, and that we will be able to see a lot of great towns nearby by car. Also true?

Is the bottom line that one really can't go wrong? I think what would help me decide is if I found the perfect place to stay in any of the places mentioned above. Perfect being, renovated, clean, comfortable, spacious, good views of sea (if in seaside resort) and approximately $400/night for a junior suite. Anyone know of such a place?

5. Is it crazy to drive from Rome to Portofino area?