Heading to Tuscany (right outside Lucca) with a quick stopover in Venice - never been to Italy!

[Anonymous]

DH and myself with our two tweens are heading to Italy next week. This will be kids' first trip to Europe, and first time in Italy for DH and I (have been to UK, France, Spain, Russia, Croatia, but never Italy!).

While we have a solid itinerary and a handful of must-see interesting things booked (Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo etc) we want to leave some open time in our schedule as well. Mainly looking for general "Tuscany with tweens" tips and getting around the area tips. Do most people speak (some) English, or will we really need to rely on our translation app? How are the roads (mainly windy/curvy?). Are casual clothes OK for dinners out? Are restaurants generally hospitable to kids?

More looking for insight into local customs and stuff, especially when traveling with middle-schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Italians love children, but they don't have a kids menu. So, hopefully, your kids aren't picky. Enjoy gelato everyday. Semi-casual is fine. Just don't wear the typical American style of yoga and sweat pants to these restaurants.

Driving in Italy is insane. They don't even pull over for the police/ambulance when their sirens are blaring.

Tuscan countryside is just amazing.

Most people speak a little bit of English, but even if they don't, you can get by, especially with a translation app. We were there 20 years ago before translation apps were a thing, and we got by.

[Anonymous]

How many days have you got? You could rent a centrally located place and day trip around.

[Anonymous]

Pisa isn’t worth it. Visit other places like San Gimignano and definitely hit the coast and spend some time on a boat (ideally a private one).

[Anonymous]

My advice would probably be not try and do too much. A trip to one of the nearby towns to walk around and have lunch is great way to spend a day in Tuscany. Can maybe look for a chef to come in a cook for you/do a cooking class.

[Anonymous]

Second the driving in Italy is insane advice. I lived there for years and considered driving an exercise in vehicular terrorism.

The Italian mindset behind the wheel is, "I am the only driver, and mine is the only car." The rules mean nothing.

They will not stop when required. They will pass when it is dangerous. They will throw the car in reverse and back up on the Autostrada if they miss their exit. They will weave their scooters in and out of traffic and within inches of your car with no concerns. The rural roads have no shoulders and often have large old trees planted right at the edge of the tarmac, meaning there is no way you can pull over when the passing Fiat opposite you is coming is head-on.

Ensure you are all buckled in, all the time. Do not play chicken or think the other driver will do the "right" thing.

I love the Italian people and their country. But I hate them when they get behind the wheel.

[Anonymous]

Driving in the country and smaller cities is fine. Even driving in Rome is fine if you are used to driving in DC or NYC. The bigger issue is knowing exactly where the restricted zones are: the ZTLs. Do not enter those.

[Anonymous]

Tuscan roads are no joke. Very twisty!!! But so so beautiful. Chianti in Greve has a lovely town center with several good restaurants and cute shops. Also a fantastic grocery store - the Co-op, if you want to get supplies.
The Auto Sops on the highways have EXCELLENT food and are super convenient.

[Anonymous]

Gelato!!!!! Yum.

[Anonymous]

If you are visiting churches, remember to cover knees and shoulders or wear clothing that is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

If you’re driving on the highway and you enter through what looks like a toll gate, be sure to take a ticket! Rental cars do not come equipped with an EZ pass (or the Italian equivalent), and if you don’t have the ticket to insert, you’ll be stuck at the gate when you try to exit, shoving all the Euros you have into the machine while trying to understand what the toll attendant (through the speaker) is telling you (in Italian). Learned that one that hard way.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared to rebuff beggars outside some churches/cathedrals, often women with infants.

Bring Euro coins for the pay toilets.

Language is hot or miss. The more a location sees tourists, the more many people will speak some English. Less so in the smaller villages. Learn a few friendly phrases in Italian, to show an interest and sensitivity to the country - be bale to say good morning, afternoon, and evening, thank you, please, do you speak English, excuse me". Just those will help smooth encounters, even if they proceed in English or with the help of a translation app.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared for heat and crowds. Italy in the summer? No way. Much better choices in Europe OP.