we are a family of 4 (girls ages 9 and 10) who have 4 nights in switzerland, and then heading down towards Rome. we have 3 nights designated for the "italian riviera" on our itinerary in between switz and rome, but i'm paralyzed at choices and areas and completely unfamiliar with that area. we will have a car. where do we base? lucca? florence (but i've heard negative things)? CT? after these 3 nights we have 3 in Rome, 3 on the amalfi coast (no lodging yet and need help there too), and then fly out of rome.. we the car after the riviera in rome.
HELP!!! thoughts on the 3 days between switz and rome? thoughts on amalfi coast? want a decent place with great views but dont want to spend a fortune..
Posted by
Woodinville, WA
97 posts
Hi Randel, We were just in both Switzerland and Italy with three kids, ages 9, 13, and 16. We did not have a car our entire trip. We went to Rome (4 days), Florence (3 days), and a trip through Lucca and Pisa on the way to the CT (2 days). Our itinerary was reversed as we started in Rome and ended in Switzerland. First of all, we were so glad that we didn't try to do more! Changing places is difficult with kids...more to pack and they like consistency. We all loved the CT, but my kids like to walk and hike. We stayed in Manarola, which was absolutely beautiful and no crowds! Florence was so much fun too...lots of art and great museums. It's a beautiful city. My kids loved seeing the David, the Galileo Museum, and climbing the Duomo. Plus, all that delicious gelato, which was their favorite! I wouldn't take a car into Florence, though. And, I wouldn't take a car into Rome either. Lucca was beautiful. We spent a few hours there biking around the ramparts, and the kids loved that. I think you need to narrow down what you all like to do. Hike? See museums/art? Relax in the country? When you define that, answering where you want to go will be easier. Rick's Italy book is great for giving ideas of what each place has to offer. Get that first. Oh, and we rented apartments everywhere except in Manarola, where we stayed in the hostel. Good luck!
Becky
Posted by
OP
dallas, ga, usa
26 posts
what did you think of the hostel? i just submitted a request to see if they have a family room available. you actually planted in the CT, or you traveled to pisa and lucca from there during your time in CT? might be deciding between that hostel and an apartment in lucca. and as for what we like to do- i dont know!!! my girls play softball, so they are somewhat athletic, but we've never hiked together and i dont know HOW they'll handle themselves at museums and such. i've booked a kids dessert class in paris for an activity, and i'll do a scavenger hunt tour at the louvre, but i'm not sure what i'm hoping for during these 3 days around the coast.. i think just checking out the CT, lucca, and pisa..
that's why i'm wondering if lucca would be best as a middle ground point b/c we have a vehicle we are renting. did you train between CT, lucca, and pisa? was it incredibly pricey? thanks
Posted by
OP
dallas, ga, usa
26 posts
sorry, i am rereading your post and it looks like you went through lucca and pisa on your WAY to CT. train?
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
I dont know HOW they'll handle themselves at museums and such. Randel, please take your family to the FREE Dallas Museum of Art. Then you'll know.