itinerary for 12 day summer trip to Italy

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about using our FF miles for a trip to Italy next summer with our twins who will be 7 next summer. We will only have about 10-12 days, and I know we can't see it all so we have to prioritize the places we visit and our travel time between them. If you've done a 10-14 day family trip to Italy, can you share your itinerary or places that you went and what you felt was a must see? We weren't planning on renting a car - just relying on trains so travel time and accessibility to train stations would factor into our trip planning. But, we would rethink renting a car for some of the trip if it made sense.

Our initial idea is to spend several days in Rome with a 1 or 2 night excursion by train to see either Pompeii or Herculaneum from Rome and back and then the last part of the trip take the train from Rome to Venice for several days and then back to Rome to fly home. I've been to Italy before and have seen some of the country but DH hasn't and we want to pick sights to see that would also appeal to our kids.

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Rome, Florence and Venice

[Anonymous]

Insidersitaly.com

Money well spent

[Anonymous]

We had 7 days and did Venice, Verona, bologna, an agroturismo, and Parma.

[Anonymous]

I'd error toward the northern part of Italy. Rome and parts south are going to be hot that time of year. Though if you're in DC, I guess you're used to it.

[Anonymous]

Fly to venice (2-3 days), train to florence (day trip from their bybtrain to pisa), train to naples ( amalfi coast and pompei) and then train to rome. We did the private train (ontome, clean).

[Anonymous]

Definitely go to Rome! That's a must.

I would say fly into Rome, spend some time in Tuscany. Then make your way to Norther Italy.

Venice is a must, and try to go to Portofino and Cinque Terre. They are so beautiful.

[Anonymous]

I'd vote Rome, Florence, one night in Venice and Pompeii!! Pompeii is too cool to skip in my nerdy world.

[Anonymous]

During my last trip, I stayed in a converted castle in Umbria and rented a car for day trips. It was nice to have an "anchor."

Prior to that, we also rented a car but stayed mainly in the South with family. However, we did travel. Venice is a must. Pisa is eh at best. The tower is OK. Florence is gorgeous. We did stay overnight there. Lago di Garda is also a must, IMO. And then there's the French Riviera and Monaco. (long trip, I guess!)

have always wanted to visit the Blue Grotto! maybe next time

oh - and agree with Pompeii - my next trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fly to venice (2-3 days), train to florence (day trip from their bybtrain to pisa), train to naples ( amalfi coast and pompei) and then train to rome. We did the private train (ontome, clean).

+1 except I would completely skip the amalphi coast and just do Pompeii then head for Rome.

[Anonymous]

I would take a more modest itinerary and try to actually feel Italy- this is more authentic experience in my than running around seeing many "sights."

Two destinations and one should be a semi rural area w car rental.

[Anonymous]

I must be the only person in the world that was meh on Pompeii. I found Ostia Antica outside Rome much more interesting. I would do Rome for a few days, then base myself in Florence and do other things that are within driving distance in Tuscany (Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Giminiano) and a couple of days in Venice.

[Anonymous]

Unless your kids are real art fans, 7 is young for spending much time in art museums. Pompeii would be great. Kids love climbing the tower in Pisa. See the Colosseum. Riding the funicular in Capri is fun. Do get tickets in advance for the big sights so you don't have to spend hours in line.

With kids that age, I'd really advise looking into a cruise. There's another thread on that.

[Anonymous]

Children under 8 are not allowed to climb the tower of Pisa-- with the lean it can be slightly dangerous for small kids.

I would also recommend Ostia Antica over a trip to Pompeii, unless your kids are really excited about seeing Pompeii it's a long (hot) way to go.

[Anonymous]

Pompeii and Herculaneum are wonderful sights, especially if you have any interest in the classical world. Ostia Antiqua is much closer to Rome but pales in comparison. There really is no comparison. But Pompeii will always be crowded and it is a very long day trip from Rome.

We love the Naples/Amalfi coast and would happily spend all ten-twelve days there. If you're there during the summer you can easily stay in places along the coastline with access to the water and there's nothing like swimming in a cool Mediterranean sea after a long day of activities. Naples is definitely gritty but very atmospheric and probably has the best value food in Italy (and ice cream too).

I would probably focus on picking two or three places rather than stretching yourself across as much of Italy as possible. Rome has so much to see and do and one can easily spend 5-6 days in Rome, followed by 3 days/2 nights in Florence and another 3 days/2 nights in Venice. But this is a well trodden path and will be very crowded with tourists everywhere you go, especially Venice.

Likewise, Venice-Verona-Vicenza-Bergamo-the Lakes makes for a nice 12 days trip, taking you to smaller, less crowded areas along with the star, Venice.