Family travel - Venice, Florence, Rome

Lots of Italian hotels offer "family rooms." They may be a double, a single and a cot or some other configuration, but Italians appreciate "family" so this should be pretty easy.

I would definitely start with the hotels recommended in Rick Steves' guide to Italy. I've used his recommendations for the last 25 years with zero problems. (I have to admit his recommendations are getting more mainstream and less folksy, but they are still always clean and dependable, and the family-run places still feel homey.)

In Venice, take boats (obviously). That involves a lot of sitting but also a lot of sights. A tour of the canals gives you a view you can't get by walking. Gondolas are horrifically expensive, but fun. See Burano and Murano for the lace and glass-blowing, or Torcello for the quiet. (Avoid Lido.)

In Florence, check out the Bardini Gardens, the Medici Villa in Castello, and a day trip to Siena. Also, go to the San Miniato al Monte basilica and sit through one of the masses that includes Gregorian chanting in the crypt! (It's on a hill so also has a great view of Florence.)

September should be lovely. Fewer tourists, less heat.

Read some Donna Leon novels before you go.

Check any hotel ratings on booking.com, known for their reviews provided by actual guests.

Thank you for the info about family rooms - I have seen this term in a few places but was not quite sure what that meant. Also thanks for confirming the RS recs have worked for you - I will go that route for sure.

We are currently in Italy. Spent 3 nights in Venice and now in Florence for 3 nights before heading to Rome. We are 2 adults and (1) 16 year old. Renting apartments just for the extra space. Had a great rental in Venice, Dorsoduro neighborhood, between Piazzale Roma and Campo Santa Margarita thru Cross Pollinate. It was a 2 bed, 2 bath unit on the first floor located on Calle Contarini. The master had a queen, secondary bedroom a smallish cot, and then a double Murphy bed. Daughter just stayed on the cot-bed and it was fine. Great location, did tons of walking everyday. A highlight was a rowing lesson with Row Venice. Took train to Florence and we are in another apartment thru Cross pollinate in Piazza Della Passera across the Arno river and it is really close to everything. Climbed the Duomo this morning and went to Uffizi. This apartment is only 1 BR but has bedding for 3 but seems more spacious. Having a great time!

We stayed at Ca' Angeli in Venice which does have a family room, plus a nice breakfast. Windows in the breakfast room look over the Grand Canal.

We've stayed at Hotel Casci in Florence but I don't remember if they have family rooms. this is a family run hotel (also with breakfast) and is in a very good location.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

I've stayed at Hotel Casci in Florence several times (in single, double, and triple rooms). Lovely little hotel, moderately priced (for Florence) all on one floor (up an elevator from the street) in a GREAT location. I just checked their website: They have "quad" rooms with either one double bed and two twins, or four twins. They also have a quintuple room with the children's sleeping area in an alcove off the main room. Casci also has a wonderful breakfast. hotelcasci.com. Also, for music in Venice: Several chamber groups play baroque (usually Vivaldi's "Four Seasons") in various church and palace settings in the early evenings. Do some googling, like "evening music in Venice" and you will come up with several options. At least one of the groups plays in period costume. Tickets are usually available once you arrive in Venice.

try the Hotel Balestri in Florence. It is right on the Arno River. We have stayed there twice and have sent many friends there
through the years. yes, a 'family room' is perfect for you. Also, Booking.com is a great site to do your searching--and their
Customer Service people are very good to deal with (if necessary)(but DO contact them WHILE you are experiencing the issue, not
after the fact).

hey auldsport
how great to be traveling your gang. don't know your dates in september or budget in euros or where you're flying from (multi-city). it will be crowded and busy. does your mom have mobility issues with walking? knowing you've been there, the bridges, steps/stairs, uneven pavement and cobblestones are present while pulling luggage.
you understand the "room size" information, rooms are smaller, look for "family" or "quadruaple" or an apartment for more room, kitchenette and we look for terrace to sit and relax.
VENICE:
la levantina we stayed here and loved it, on a small canal, near train station in cannaregio, washing machine, owners great to deal with.
ca' geremia an apartment near train station with amenities you may like
ca' burcio an apartment
hotel agli artisti a quadruple room
cross-pollinate.com (ca' francesco apt)
booking.com (left side has filters, would check for A/C)
hotels/apt near train station for easy access which we liked, some people have other ideas and likes. we always keep address and phone number on hand, away from san marco and rialto bridge. look at what floor, how many stairs/steps to climb or elevator/lift (rare), read fine print, fees?, early checkin or luggage storage, check arrival and departures times with flights and accomodations.
FLORENCE:
casarabatti.com
apartmentsinflorence.net
booking.com
withlocals.com has kid friendly things to do and free with an adult
eatwith.com
cookly.me
look up enzo formisano on facebook in florence, he makes ceramics and may have a class for the girls
studiocassio.com making mosaics in rome.
it's harvest time while you're there. may have festivals in different places worth attending, asl tourism kiosk in main piazza for what's going on, take a walk thru the mercatos (stores) to see the wares and food. eat as much gelato, taste all over and see who likes which flavor the best, same with pizza, maybe take a class, eatingeurope.com
hope this helps you somewhat, don't stress you wull find something and the you can relax. enjoy and other questions ask. don't forget to buy train tickets, earlier is cheaper (trenatalia.com, loco2.com, trainline.com
aloha

It can be difficult searching for a specialty room one hotel at a time. I would try www.booking.com where you can designated search criteria that suit you, i.e., 4 people in one room and the site will return possibilities for you.

Monastery/convent accommodations frequently have rooms with 4 single beds at reasonable prices. We stayed at 4 convents on our trip last year and wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else. www.monasterystays.com is what we used.

We also did Row Venice recently. I think your children would love it, and your mom can just be a passenger if she doesn't want to try. It's 90 minutes on the back canals, and 89 Euros [I think] for all four of you. I think it was so much nicer than the short 30 minute gondola ride. They leave from the Canneregio area.
Safe travels!