Have traveled Italy & Ireland solely by RS books, and am now looking for advice traveling with 4 children (8-18). Am planning to visit Rome, Florence, Venice and can't decide if we should do Pisa/Cinque Terre OR Pompeii/Almalfi area. Realize we can't fit both in this trip, but would like a couple days of "down time" on the beach. Which one would be more family friendly - CT or AC?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
So one suggestion would be to do Lucca instead of Pisa. It's great for kids because they can bike along the walls, there's little traffic on the streets and there are parks on top of the walls for your youngest. Pisa has a lot more traffic.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
Julie: Tough choice, but since you are in Northern Italy for Venice and Florence, I'd recommend going to Lucca and the CT, not Amalfi/Pompeii, then end your trip in Rome. Amalfi is a long way south of Rome, and the folks in the CT are very family-oriented.
Posted by
OP
Omaha, NE, US
31 posts
Thanks for the info. If we do the Cinque Terra ... Pisa would literally be a photo op at the leaning tower... basically so the kids could say they've seen it. Pompeii would be a little more historically edifying. But didn't want to go way out of the way if the beach/small town atmosphere wasn't worth it with the kids.
Posted by
Denver
799 posts
I would also suggest the Cinque Terre. Keep in mind, however, that the CT beaches are not sand beaches, but instead pebbles. Also, unlike beaches in the U.S. (if that's where you're from), most of the beach in Monterosso is occupied by deck chairs, which you rent. There is space to play closer to the water, though.
Posted by
portland, oregon, USA
148 posts
Consider Lerici just south of CT. Lerici has more sandy beaches for " down time" . CT is also a very short ferry ride away. We have not stayed there yet but are going to on our up-coming trip. We have 2 teenagers and also wanted a little "down time" at the beach for the girls.