Rome plus one other location in Italy: Spring Break 2026

[Anonymous]

Booked flights for Spring Break 2026 - in and out of Rome, 9 nights total. Traveling with a will be almost 3 year old and 5 year old. We're thinking of doing the first 5-6 nights in Rome, and then moving to another location for 3 nights (and then potentially back to Rome for the last night if needed).

Hoping somewhere easily accessible by train, we don't want to rent a car. Preliminary research suggests Florence (but not sure how fun that will be with young kids), other smaller towns in Tuscany (Lucca, Siena, Montepulciano), Orvieto, Sorrento (too cold to go here for Spring Break?). Open to other options as well.

Ideally would also be a place to relax/slow down for a few days after Rome.

This will be everyone's first trip to Italy (but I assume we will be back again for sure, so don't need to cram in all the 'must see's' in this one trip), and the kids' second trip to Europe (we took them to Portugal this year for two weeks and it was a great trip).

[Anonymous]

Why are you taking kids that young to Italy? No one is going to enjoy it. Wait until they are older for that kind of a trip.

[Anonymous]

6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

I'm not talking about stairs making it difficult to push a stroller, I'm talking about local ordinances passed against pulling roller luggage on the streets. Like I said: I don't know if it extends to strollers, but it's worth investigating with kids that little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

SMH

Stick to Disneyland.

[Anonymous]

Recommend you either

1) Fly into Venice, out of Rome (maybe 3 nights in Venice, the remaining nights in Rome). Venice is a gentler introduction to Italy; the high speed train between is about 4 1/2 hours. Rome is a little jarring, like being dropped into Manhattan except the traffic is crazier.
2. Stay in Rome the whole time and do a few day trips by train or private tour. If you rent a place in a convenient location, you'll gradually adjust to the Roman vibe.

Since you had a good time with your kids in Portugal, I assume you are parents who take the time to do kid-friendly things, let them nap, etc. Italians love kids, so they might be an asset! Just be vigilant because you will need to be wary of pickpockets and have your kids' safety at top of mind simultaneously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

I'm not talking about stairs making it difficult to push a stroller, I'm talking about local ordinances passed against pulling roller luggage on the streets. Like I said: I don't know if it extends to strollers, but it's worth investigating with kids that little.

No, strollers are allowed but basically useless for the reasons I described. They would just end up carrying the stroller most of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recommend you either

1) Fly into Venice, out of Rome (maybe 3 nights in Venice, the remaining nights in Rome). Venice is a gentler introduction to Italy; the high speed train between is about 4 1/2 hours. Rome is a little jarring, like being dropped into Manhattan except the traffic is crazier.
2. Stay in Rome the whole time and do a few day trips by train or private tour. If you rent a place in a convenient location, you'll gradually adjust to the Roman vibe.

Since you had a good time with your kids in Portugal, I assume you are parents who take the time to do kid-friendly things, let them nap, etc. Italians love kids, so they might be an asset! Just be vigilant because you will need to be wary of pickpockets and have your kids' safety at top of mind simultaneously.

Portugal is MILES different from Venice or Rome during the tourist season. Apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

I'm not talking about stairs making it difficult to push a stroller, I'm talking about local ordinances passed against pulling roller luggage on the streets. Like I said: I don't know if it extends to strollers, but it's worth investigating with kids that little.

No, strollers are allowed but basically useless for the reasons I described. They would just end up carrying the stroller most of the time.

Okay, so I said OP might want to go to Florence instead of Venice if they need a stroller, and you saw that comment, misinterpreted it and replied to condescend to me about the age of Venice because . . . you agree that Venice is not a good place for a stroller, but thought you would sound smarter than a poster you assumed thought Venice was built in the 1970s? You and Disneyland need hobbies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

I'm not talking about stairs making it difficult to push a stroller, I'm talking about local ordinances passed against pulling roller luggage on the streets. Like I said: I don't know if it extends to strollers, but it's worth investigating with kids that little.

No, strollers are allowed but basically useless for the reasons I described. They would just end up carrying the stroller most of the time.

Okay, so I said OP might want to go to Florence instead of Venice if they need a stroller, and you saw that comment, misinterpreted it and replied to condescend to me about the age of Venice because . . . you agree that Venice is not a good place for a stroller, but thought you would sound smarter than a poster you assumed thought Venice was built in the 1970s? You and Disneyland need hobbies.

I didn't misinterpret anything. You claimed a vendetta against wheels and "didn't know if it extended to strollers." I pointed out that there is no vendetta and told you why Venice would be hard for anyone with a child in a stroller. You chose to be triggered by my response. It's not my fault you don't know the reason they don't allow suitcases in Venice during the height of tourist season.

[Anonymous]

Do the kids need a stroller? I took my kid to Germany to visit my family when he was 3 and he went all over Dusseldorf without a stroller.

[Anonymous]

So much of Rome is history and ruins and art will the kids remember any of that? Plus how far can they walk? Spring break is probably too soon for Amalfi Coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 nights in Rome is a really long time - it's not Tokyo or anything. I would do 4 nights in Rome, another 4 in Venice or Florence (probably Florence with kids that age - Venice had some kind of vendetta against wheels last time I was there and I don't know if it extends to strollers), then back to Rome for one night before your flight out.

There is no vendetta. Venice, like most European cities, was built way before strollers and tourists were a thing. There are stars everywhere, on every bridge and there are like 4 million bridges.

I'm not talking about stairs making it difficult to push a stroller, I'm talking about local ordinances passed against pulling roller luggage on the streets. Like I said: I don't know if it extends to strollers, but it's worth investigating with kids that little.

What in the world

[Anonymous]

I would save Tome and Venice for just 2-3 yrs - your kids will love but they will not now. Strollers are really hard in Venice..

This is the old city, not Disney. I mean your kids really are too young to be hot any of the history and it's not a "fun" baby city. And def not Florence - I didn't even bring my 11 and 13 yr olds there! It's just not what they are interested in.

I'd target London or not Europe with kids that young personally. Asia specifically Japan is excellent however but too far for Spring Breaj really unless you can pull 12 days.

I'd stick around US. Or go relax on an island or even Mexico. Before age 7 Europe is totally pointless unless you just really want to enjoy a particular place.