Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 18:56     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
We were in Florence in October with our 12yo, and he loved it. For those that say it’s boring for kids, just walking around may be so, but there are fun activities to be had that don’t require you to be an art lover.

Far and away my kid’s favorite was a Vespa tour, where you drive Vespas on back roads near San Gimignano. Because of his age, he had to ride with a guide, who let him do a lot of the steering. We also did a truffle hunt in nearby San Miniato, and a pasta making class. The da Vinci museum was engaging and we all skipped the Pitti Palace & went straight to the Boboli gardens. He’d been to Rome 4 times before his trip, and said he preferred Florence.

We liked Bologna less - the panhandlers there are really aggressive, and I didn’t like the food as much.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 18:30     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do tweens enjoy Florence? Ours are not big museum goers, so I was thinking of skipping it.

Besides nice walking, great food and gelato, our tweens could have skipped Florence. But how do you compete with Rome?


For Florence, I think it really depends on how into art you are. It's a fine city if you're not, it's an amazing city if you are. I wouldn't skip it if it's your first time in Italy,

One city I really that was on the Rome/Florence/Venice train route liked was Bologna. Not really a tourist attraction city, but great, budget-friendly food and great youthful university vibe.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 16:57     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
I liked Siena.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 16:36     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:Do tweens enjoy Florence? Ours are not big museum goers, so I was thinking of skipping it.

Besides nice walking, great food and gelato, our tweens could have skipped Florence. But how do you compete with Rome?
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 16:16     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Do tweens enjoy Florence? Ours are not big museum goers, so I was thinking of skipping it.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 16:03     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
I've been to Venice four times. Once alone as part of a Eurrail pass, once with my (then 50something) mom as part of a Venice/Florence/Bologna/Amalfi/Rome/Pompei trip, once as part of our honeymoon that covered France/Italy/Spain, and once with our ten year old daughter as part of Venice/Florence/Bologna/Verona/Dolomites/Lake Garda trip. I can definitely see the downsides of Venice (crowds, prices), but Venice was the favorite place of both my mom and my daughter.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 14:55     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Venice was the least of our trip too.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 11:30     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Did a similar trip 10 years ago- loved Rome, liked Florence, was not a big fan of Venice- way too crowded, too overwhelmed with tourists. Looking back, should have rented a car in Florence and gone around the countryside in Tuscany rather than going to Venice. Something to consider as an alternative.


You went to the wrong part of Venice. Next time hang out in the Dorsoduro neighborhood and stray into the more touristy areas only in the early morning or late evening..


Venice just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I found it easier to get away from the crowds in Florence and Rome. It also depends on what time of year you go. I’d only go back to Venice during the cooler months, it downright stinks in the summer.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 11:26     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:OP here. What was that nice small hotel in Florence?


We liked La Scaletta. It’s on the Oltrarno side of the river (near Pitti Palace) which was quieter and low key at night. Some nice restaurants over there too.
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 10:48     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
Here is the awesome pizza near Rialto, OP
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1547688-Reviews-Antico_Forno-Venice_Veneto.html
Anonymous
Post 12/25/2017 10:46     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We didn't this exact trip a few years ago and it was awesome. Booked it ourselves. Booked train tickets between cities online, which wasn't too hard. Rick steves books and trip advisor forums were a huge help. Our B&Bs actually booked a lot of our reservations for museums & things for us, which was very convenient. I researched places to eat on trip advisor and had a list for each city so we'd usually hit a few from our list and also get local recommendations.

Florence was our favorite, which we weren't expecting. Rome was great. We didn't love Venice as it was just so touristy. We get like we were getting ripped off everywhere we ate so we ended up at the pizza shop by the Rialto bridge a lot! But we did really love the day we spent in Burano with the beautiful colored houses. Have fun!


Of course you're going to get ripped off if you're looking for food anywhere near the Rialto Bridge. Next time research where the locals eat instead of the tourists.


We loved that pizza. So sue us. Otherwise we weren't looking for food near the bridge we just loved thy pizza shop. We tried some local spots and we were underwhelmed. And a lot of the highly recommended places were out of our price range. It was easier to find good affordable food in florence and Rome. We just didn't love Venice and that's ok!! Next trip we will focus on Florence and explore the area more with some day trips. To each their own. It was great to try all 3 cities first and see what you like. That's why we like to travel.
Anonymous
Post 12/24/2017 14:19     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We didn't this exact trip a few years ago and it was awesome. Booked it ourselves. Booked train tickets between cities online, which wasn't too hard. Rick steves books and trip advisor forums were a huge help. Our B&Bs actually booked a lot of our reservations for museums & things for us, which was very convenient. I researched places to eat on trip advisor and had a list for each city so we'd usually hit a few from our list and also get local recommendations.

Florence was our favorite, which we weren't expecting. Rome was great. We didn't love Venice as it was just so touristy. We get like we were getting ripped off everywhere we ate so we ended up at the pizza shop by the Rialto bridge a lot! But we did really love the day we spent in Burano with the beautiful colored houses. Have fun!


Of course you're going to get ripped off if you're looking for food anywhere near the Rialto Bridge. Next time research where the locals eat instead of the tourists.


https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jul/05/-sp-venice-city-guide-a-day-in-dorsoduro
Anonymous
Post 12/24/2017 14:16     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
We went for 2 weeks- 4 different locations: Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast and Taoromina- Trains and ferries between locations. 2 adults and 2 teens.
I used TripAdvisor to find well reviewed locations and the trip worked out well. There is plenty of info. online. I bought touring tickets to Vatican, Ancient Rome tour, etc. before we left. Just create a calendar, plug in what you want to see on particular days and start making plans. It will come together.
I think a travel agent would also be a fine way to go if you don't want to spend the time on DIY stuff.
Anonymous
Post 12/24/2017 14:11     Subject: Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:We didn't this exact trip a few years ago and it was awesome. Booked it ourselves. Booked train tickets between cities online, which wasn't too hard. Rick steves books and trip advisor forums were a huge help. Our B&Bs actually booked a lot of our reservations for museums & things for us, which was very convenient. I researched places to eat on trip advisor and had a list for each city so we'd usually hit a few from our list and also get local recommendations.

Florence was our favorite, which we weren't expecting. Rome was great. We didn't love Venice as it was just so touristy. We get like we were getting ripped off everywhere we ate so we ended up at the pizza shop by the Rialto bridge a lot! But we did really love the day we spent in Burano with the beautiful colored houses. Have fun!


Of course you're going to get ripped off if you're looking for food anywhere near the Rialto Bridge. Next time research where the locals eat instead of the tourists.
Anonymous
Post 12/24/2017 14:09     Subject: Re:Stuck on Italy planning
Anonymous wrote:Did a similar trip 10 years ago- loved Rome, liked Florence, was not a big fan of Venice- way too crowded, too overwhelmed with tourists. Looking back, should have rented a car in Florence and gone around the countryside in Tuscany rather than going to Venice. Something to consider as an alternative.


You went to the wrong part of Venice. Next time hang out in the Dorsoduro neighborhood and stray into the more touristy areas only in the early morning or late evening..