Family of 7. Italy/Ireland OR Praque/Budapest/Vienna

Both choices are excellent.

My favorite countries in Europe to visit are Italy and the British Isles (UK/Ireland). I do think for only two weeks you should not try to do Ireland and Italy. Italy is so loaded with history, art and culture that two weeks there would be enough time for Rome, Florence and Venice (and perhaps Naples/Pompeii/Capri). I love Ireland and its people, my ancestors come from Ireland and Britain, but there is a lot more to see in Italy than Ireland. Also, if you try to do both, you will be wasting a day on travel and adding the cost of airfare for 7 persons.
If you have just got to do Ireland, then recommend adding Scotland as well. Frankly, Scotland is even more impressive than Ireland.

Prague, Vienna and Budapest are all great. Two weeks is plenty of time to see those cities. You might even add another city, like Berlin or Munich.

Ireland has its castles and the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, but its main attractions are the scenery. The Ring of Kerry is awesome. With Italy, if you love history, especially Roman History it is tops. The Sistine Chapel is the most amazing work of art in the World. St. Peter's Basilica is awesome. Florence shows the wonders of the Renaissance and Venice there is no place like it.

Hi there,

I would definitely choose Italy. The next step would be where are you planning on traveling to once you get there?

I would recommend going to the coast of Italy. Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri they are all beautiful towns and the beaches make for great family fun in the sun.

I put together a great blog that can help with planning out you trip to the coast: https://www.outofenvy.com/2018/10/29/the-most-beutiful-towns-off-the-coast-of-italy/

There are so many fun things to do in Italy and so much to explore. If you are considering going elsewhere in Italy let me know as I have been all over the country.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Prague/Budapest/Vienna will be easier, I think. Trains are your economical friends on this itinerary and I think the order would be Prague to Vienna to Budapest or reverse, with Vienna in the middle. Two weeks allow for some nice longish stays (4 to 5 nights in each place) with time for day trips.

Italy OR Ireland, not both. In Italy in 2 weeks you barely scratch the surface. Rome, Florence, Venice and maybe a few days in rural Tuscany and your 2 weeks are used up. You could maybe see some of Ireland then fly to Rome for a week, but a very expensive transfer for a larger group.

One other note, no matter where you go, you will only move at the pace of the slowest traveler. If you have late sleepers and night owls, you may have trouble getting everyone going on a fast-paced two-week trip. Slowing it down by spending more time in fewer places will make for a better experience for all.

As you're aware from your previous trip to Ireland, the logistics of moving around the country using public transportation can be challenging. The comfort, convenience and freedom of movement provided by having a car is the better way to go. That said, for your group you'd need 2 vehicles to handle everyone and their luggage which might itself pose a few problems.
Public transportation in Italy, on the other hand, is extensive and relatively cheap, greatly simplifying the problem of moving 7 people from place to place.
Rather than losing a full day to travel by having to relocate between far flung destinations you're probably better off sticking to one place (Italy in this case) where train journeys aren't going to eat up a lot of your discretionary travel time, and would be short enough that the novelty (and the enjoyment) wouldn't wear itself out versus some of the longer journeys.
And flying open jaw would save having to backtrack and thus effectively gain another day of vacation time.

Prague, Vienna, Budapest will be substantially less expensive and travel between the three is a snap and cheap on the train. This is a well traveled and classic tour.