I am planning a 12 - 14 day trip to Italy in early March for 2 adults and 2 children (12 & 6 years). I need advice and recommendations for the following:
7 or more days in Tuscany - family cooking lessons or adults that is kid friendly, house or villa rentals, best sights in the region, hiking
1 or 2 days excursions using Tuscany as base.
3 days in Rome - Family hotels or rentals, best sights to visit with kids.
I am flexible on what to do first either Rome or Tuscany.
Sorry, can't help with the first...
For the second, Florence is likely on your list, Siena is the next likely culprit. For pure touristic pleasure, and the kids might connect with it, Pisa is worth a stop, maybe combined with a stop at the coast for maybe some beach. Venice of course would not be too far, probably an overnight there though. If food is an attraction, then Bologna might have some possibilities.
For Rome, I usually stay in the Trastevere, neat area, close to the historical center by tram or foot. If I recall correctly, Hotel Trastevere has some family style or Apartment accommodations and there is a nice piazza in back of the hotel with a playground and a small market some mornings.
For Rome, we stayed in this apartment in Trastavere.
https://www.vrbo.com/837095ha
It's perfect for a family. Two bedrooms and 2 baths and decent price, depending on when you go. For sights to visit with kids - I think the Vatican Museum may be too big to keep their attention. St. Peter's on the other hand will be a marvel to them. Also, I would go to the Colosseum (do the underground tour), Forum and Palatine Hill. These are all on the same ticket. Villa Borghese (the grounds/park) would be a good place for a picnic and some running around time. The catacombs and Via Appia are a couple of other options.
