First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?

[Anonymous]

Trying to decide between two options for a first Italy trip with kids and would appreciate some input.

Option 1 is Rome–Florence–Venice. Option 2 is Rome plus Naples/Amalfi. Kids will be tweens and we’re looking at late June. This would be our first Italy trip and first big Europe trip as a family, so I’m trying to keep things enjoyable and not overly complicated.

I’m torn between whether Venice feels like a must on a first trip, or whether Naples/Amalfi is worth the added logistics, especially at that time of year. For those who’ve done Italy with kids, which option felt more manageable and enjoyable overall for a first visit?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I think Rome/Amalfi out of those two options. A better one would be Rome, a short stay in Florence, then rent a house/villa or stay at a resort in Tuscany.

[Anonymous]

For that age Venice is a must. At some point Venice will be underwater so I go whenever we get a chance.

[Anonymous]

I think Amalfi coast is more kid friendly. Venice isn't bad but it's crowded and can be a lot. Some beach time might be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget that if you're in Florence, you can bop over to Pisa on the train. It's about 30-40 minute train ride. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

[Anonymous]

Boring

[Anonymous]

My older elementary kid is currently into Pompeii, so I'd pick Naples.

[Anonymous]

We did Rome + Amalfi for one vacation then went back a couple years later and did Venice + Lake Como. Best vacations.

[Anonymous]

At that age I’d do something akin to Venice (2) > Florence (2) > Rome (3) > Capri / Pompeii (3). Cut Capri and Pompeii if tight on time.

Venice is kinda meh for many adults but kids and teens love it because of the novelty of the canals.

Naples is awful, skip entirely.

Kids will be kinda bored by Florence if they aren’t art lovers but it’s only part of the trip.

[Anonymous]

We did this for our first trip to Italy in late June with our 15 and 17 year olds:
Fly into Naples, train to Sorrento, stay three days and see Amalfi and Pompeii
Train to Rome, stay for three days
Train to Florence and stay for three days
Train to Venice and stay for two days
Fly home from Venice

[Anonymous]

What time of year? Heat a key consideration if in summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget that if you're in Florence, you can bop over to Pisa on the train. It's about 30-40 minute train ride. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

I wouldn't waste time on this...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Amalfi coast is more kid friendly. Venice isn't bad but it's crowded and can be a lot. Some beach time might be a better fit.

You can get beach time either way.

I’d vote for Rome/Venice and maybe think of where the kids would also like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At that age I’d do something akin to Venice (2) > Florence (2) > Rome (3) > Capri / Pompeii (3). Cut Capri and Pompeii if tight on time.

Venice is kinda meh for many adults but kids and teens love it because of the novelty of the canals.

Naples is awful, skip entirely.

Kids will be kinda bored by Florence if they aren’t art lovers but it’s only part of the trip.

https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/florence/tours/florence-for-kids-exploring-symbols-and-legends?display_currency=USD&page=2

https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/florence/tours/uffizi-tour-for-kids-crash-course?display_currency=USD&page=2

Da Vinci Interactive Museum

https://www.valdichianaliving.it/en/tours/pizza-making-course-for-adults-and-children

https://livtours.com/tours/private-gelato-class-in-florence/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=8316141357&hsa_cam=21400609382&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21394246482&gbraid=0AAAAADtz4iTm595fVigBozggk1PPyB_Jl&gclid=Cj0KCQiApfjKBhC0ARIsAMiR_IvukL_CBobPRzTZx0_-ojjX6NykwXu6k5I1b3w4xP0iolv7PLST7GYaAgUFEALw_wcB

Climb the duomo

[Anonymous]

Do keep in mind that Italy is hot at that time of the year, so plan everything around that. Florence is my favourite city in all of Italy, I wouldn’t miss it. I was so not impressed by Venice but maybe I am old and jaded 😉