Anonymous
01/14/2026 20:32
Subject: Re:First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Anonymous wrote:What about Rome and Lake Garda? Any thoughts on that combination?
Quite far apart, but personally I like this idea, mixing up two different types of environment, and I think Rome should be the first city you go to in Italy if possible. But be concerned about the heat in late June.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 20:22
Subject: Re:First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
What about Rome and Lake Garda? Any thoughts on that combination?
Anonymous
01/12/2026 04:29
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
How much time do you have? At that time of year I wouldn't spend the whole time in cities and moving between the cities, it will be getting quite hot. I would focus on 1-2 of the cities plus somewhere more relaxing with opportinities to cool off (beach or a villa w/pool in Tuscany/Unbria). There are tons of other beaches besides the Amafi, but June is better than August at least. Check out the Mama Loves Italy blog, some great ideas there.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 13:11
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
I’d definitely vote to skip Florence with tweens. There is just not much there that is captivating for kids.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 15:13
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
I wouldn’t call Naples a dump. It actually has more of a vibrant cultural vibe than Rome. Yes it is more crowded. Has more traffic and has dirtier areas but just like any city you stick to the safe parts. We took a walking food tour and had a blast! The pizza is unlike anywhere else in Italy it cannot be beat. Just go for a day and then head down to Pompeii/Mount Vesuvius. Then down to the Amalfi coast. Highly recommend just one day in Naples.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 14:02
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Naples is a dump. But you can cover the highlights of Rome in 3-4 days and then we actually did a train day trip to go to Pompeii and Hurculenium, grabbed pizza on the way back to Rome and then took the train to Florence and on from there. Easily a solid week.
Amalfi is a couple of days minimim on its own and venice is another couple of days.
Amalfi is a couple of days minimim on its own and venice is another couple of days.
Anonymous
01/08/2026 10:48
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Anonymous wrote:Rome/Naples/Amalfi! Especially with tweens!
Naples is pizza heaven! Castles! Vesuvius and Pompeii on the doorstep! Take a day trip to the Amalfi coast from Sorrento. So; definitely add Pompeii. Skip Capri! Add Ischia for thermal waters, amazing pools, no crowds, and great white sand beach in Forio.
Florence is very art heavy and museum heavy, and of architectural interest. I feel it’s not great for kids. It lacks the amazing fountains, and piazzas, and things kids really want to see, like the Colosseum in Rome.
It’s also the hottest destination in summer as it sits in a valley with no breeze ever.
If you have time, you could still add Venice via an open jaw flight (fly into Venice, continue to Rome, or directly to Naples, where you can base yourself in Sorrento, then Ischia, fly out one or the other.). This would likely be the easiest. If you must base yourself directly on the Amalfi coast proper (instead of Sorrento), pick a small lesser known town, but check the ferry connections. The bus is not for the faint hearted and I’d completely rule out driving there!
Naples is a dump.
Anonymous
01/08/2026 09:41
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
We did Amalfi and Rome last summer. It was awesome! Flew in and out of Rome, so took train to Naples, driver to take us down to A Coast. A few days of beaches, boat tour and hiking. Went from there to Pompeii overnight and then on to Rome.
Anonymous
01/08/2026 03:07
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Rome and Naples 100%. Skip Amalfi coast- never been to a more crowded less authentic place. And we went in low season. Impossible to move around- felt like I was being held hostage.
Anonymous
01/07/2026 23:48
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Take a detour to Parco Bomarzo, a Renaissance era park and very trippy.
Anonymous
01/07/2026 22:18
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Rome/Naples/Amalfi! Especially with tweens!
Naples is pizza heaven! Castles! Vesuvius and Pompeii on the doorstep! Take a day trip to the Amalfi coast from Sorrento. So; definitely add Pompeii. Skip Capri! Add Ischia for thermal waters, amazing pools, no crowds, and great white sand beach in Forio.
Florence is very art heavy and museum heavy, and of architectural interest. I feel it’s not great for kids. It lacks the amazing fountains, and piazzas, and things kids really want to see, like the Colosseum in Rome.
It’s also the hottest destination in summer as it sits in a valley with no breeze ever.
If you have time, you could still add Venice via an open jaw flight (fly into Venice, continue to Rome, or directly to Naples, where you can base yourself in Sorrento, then Ischia, fly out one or the other.). This would likely be the easiest. If you must base yourself directly on the Amalfi coast proper (instead of Sorrento), pick a small lesser known town, but check the ferry connections. The bus is not for the faint hearted and I’d completely rule out driving there!
Naples is pizza heaven! Castles! Vesuvius and Pompeii on the doorstep! Take a day trip to the Amalfi coast from Sorrento. So; definitely add Pompeii. Skip Capri! Add Ischia for thermal waters, amazing pools, no crowds, and great white sand beach in Forio.
Florence is very art heavy and museum heavy, and of architectural interest. I feel it’s not great for kids. It lacks the amazing fountains, and piazzas, and things kids really want to see, like the Colosseum in Rome.
It’s also the hottest destination in summer as it sits in a valley with no breeze ever.
If you have time, you could still add Venice via an open jaw flight (fly into Venice, continue to Rome, or directly to Naples, where you can base yourself in Sorrento, then Ischia, fly out one or the other.). This would likely be the easiest. If you must base yourself directly on the Amalfi coast proper (instead of Sorrento), pick a small lesser known town, but check the ferry connections. The bus is not for the faint hearted and I’d completely rule out driving there!
Anonymous
01/07/2026 22:05
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
we did two nights in Venice and that was plenty plus Rome and Florence. Our teens loved it all but particularly Rome.
Anonymous
01/07/2026 21:39
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
We did this last year – Florence, Rome, a night in Naples/Pompeii and then the Amalfi coast. The coast was our kids favorite of the trip. They were 14 and 16.
No matter where you go just watch out for museum overload. The worst thing we did was private tours we were stuck with the guide, even if we tried to politely say can we move along they were giving monotonous details about every piece of artwork that just was not teen friendly.
That being said it was an incredible trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
No matter where you go just watch out for museum overload. The worst thing we did was private tours we were stuck with the guide, even if we tried to politely say can we move along they were giving monotonous details about every piece of artwork that just was not teen friendly.
That being said it was an incredible trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Anonymous
01/07/2026 21:28
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Because of how it's situated Venice can have crappy air quality, depending on winds. So if your kid has allergies or asthma, keep that in mind.
Anonymous
01/07/2026 21:24
Subject: First Italy trip with kids: Rome–Florence–Venice or Rome + Amalfi?
Rome and Amalfi sounds great. Venice is nice, but it's a romantic city and a lot will be lost on them.....take them to the museums and beaches, they'll have a blast.