Family Trip to Italy in August - Recommendations?

I would personally find a place in Naples and then take a day trip from there to Pompeii via the regional train line, I think about 3.5 euro one way and about 45 minute ride. It will be very hot there in August so take plenty of water and wear a hat, we were there in June and it was HOT. Enjoy.

You say "12 days;" is that 11 or 12 nights in Italy? Makes a difference. Since each change of location will cost you half a day, do you want to spend 1.5 to 2 full days in relocation? I like to think of my trip in terms of nights because my usable tour time does not include arrival and departure days. If Pompeii is super important to you, perhaps you should skip Florence (unless you are greatly interested in the museums). Concentrate on the 3 locations that "sing" to you. For example: Venice 4, Monterosso al Mare 3, and Rome 3 = 10 nights. Spend 1 night in Naples to allow visiting Pompeii and then your departure since you have a flight already booked, I presume. That is, leave Rome early, arrive Naples before noon; See Pompeii; Stay the night and depart the next day. If you have actually 12 nights to spend, then add one night to Monterosso. Your kids will love the CT. FYI, Rome and Venice are surprisingly seductive. There's more to see than the sights. And since it will be hot, you won't be moving too fast. As to transportation, trains are so much easier. If you drive Venice to the CT, you will only have the car for one day of driving. It is useless in the CT; You'd have to drop it in Le Spezia.

Neil, Regarding each of your questions: 1.) I'd probably change the route to Venice-Florence-CT-Rome-Naples, in order to minimize travel times (unless of course you already have Hotels booked). 2.) Although a rental car may be slightly more cost effective for a family of four, driving in Italy comes with some "issues". Each driver will require the compulsory IDP and you'd need to be very careful to avoid the ZTL areas (which come with expensive tickets). The main reason I feel trains would be better, is that they're much quicker than driving (especially the fast trains) and with such a short trip that's important. Travel in Italian trains may also be a more "interesting" experience for everyone. 3.) Given your overall Itinerary, in the same situation I'd skip one day in Venice and one day in either the CT or Florence, in order to provide at least two days for Sorrento (it's a relatively easy trip from Rome). That would allow you to both visit Pompeii as well as easily access your flight from Naples. To reach Naples Airport from Sorrento, use the Curreri Viaggi Bus. Here's some information: Travel time: ~1.5 hours Cost: Not sure but I believe it's €10 PP Departure times Sorrento to Naples Airport are 06:30, 08:30, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 16:30. For all the details, have a look at Their Website. You might also find it helpful to pack along a copy of The Phrasebook as it's always good to try and function a bit in the local language. August is not the best time for travel in Italy, as many Italians take their holidays at that time. It would be a really good idea to pre-book accommodations SOON (if not done already). Happy travels!

At the end of August, MOST Europeans in most countries take their vacation. If you're going August 2011, you need to book now.

Neil - I think your itinerary sounds reasonable. You won't need a car in Monterosso right (haven't been to CT), so it would seem like train from Venice (where you also don't have a car) would be best. Re: Pompeii - both times we have been there we have stayed in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Other friends with family did stay in Naples and really enjoyed the museum there. I know it is possible to do Pompeii as a day trip from Rome but honestly, it is seems like a real ordeal to me. Take a night off Florence or CT if you are short on time and consider spending the night somewhere. And finally - just echoing what others have said - be sure you book your accomodations now. It is NOT bad traveling in Italy in summer (the only times we have been) but it is more difficult trying to get a quad or 2 rooms so best to set your itin now and book.

Thanks for everyone's comments so far! We like the idea of staying in Sorrento, as a base to visit Pompeii, and maybe to see the Greek ruins in Paestum, and to catch our flight home from Naples. We are considering spending a couple of days in Sorrento, instead of CT. So our new itinerary would be Venice - 3 nites; Florence - 3 nites with Pisa day trip; Rome - 3 nites; and Sorrento - 3 nites. It sounds like the trip from Sorrento to Paestum is long and difficult. Is it worth going to Sorrento/Paestum in August, and giving up CT?

Neil, The revised Itinerary looks good also. As you want to visit Pompeii and Paestum, Sorrento is probably a better choice. Regarding the trip from Sorrento to Paestum, the route I'd probably use is Circumvesuviana to Naples (1H:05M) and Trenitalia from Naples to Paestum (1H:20M). With waiting times, the trip will likely be at least 2H:30 in each direction. This is somewhat easier and "more direct" than a combination of Buses and rail. As I recall, the site is about a 15-minute walk from the station. The other (but more expensive) option would be to arrange private transport with the Monetti's (or one of the others listed) for a day tour of not only Paestum but other points on the Amalfi Coast as well. This is a more cost effective option for a group than for a solo traveller. Contact information and other details in the Guidebook. Cheers!

Neil, We did a family trip to Italy last August with our three sons ages 13, 12, 10. Your itinerary looks fabulous but may I say it sounds a bit amibitious. Here's why - you don't say when you arrive in Rome, but you could spend a week there. And it's HOT in August. We had a great hotel with working a/c but we were all pooped from walking around. With fewer days you may need to rush about to see what you want to see. The Vatican alone with St. Pete's is more than half a day. Maybe cut out Naples and Cinque Terre? That's a lot of train travel in 12 days and with kids in tow you know it will eat up sightseeing time. Just my two cents. We also flew into Venice and if I were to give you one tip it would be to get a water taxi and arrive in Venice that way. My family still talks about it! About $100 U.S. but I would do that again over the gondola ride. The taxi pulled right up to the hotel lobby and we all hopped in. We stayed at a B&B called Locanda Orseolo and it was a real hit with our boys - they were super nice and fed us well. A clean, English speaking, value. Have a wonderful trip!

The boat ride from Sorrento down the Amalfi Coast is spectacular. It stops at Salerno. A train connects Salerno to Paestum. The ruins are about a half mile walk from the station.

Another two cents... if we were all giving dollars maybe it would help pay for your trip! I have been there in July & August and it was so hot. Great, but hot! With your current itinerary you have all cities, except Sorrento or CT. I have been to both and in the heat of the summer and I would prefer CT over the Amalfi Coast. It is a lot more laid-back and taking the train or hiking from village to village was a highlight for a 9 year old. I would also take two days in Rome to fight the crowds and see a few highlights and add a day to the Florence time, although I would opt for a village in Tuscany and day trip in to Florence and to Pisa. I would take a train to CT from Venice, train to Florence, get a car at the airport and stay and explore Tuscany for a few days. The villages and countryside were a welcome relief from the sweltering city. You do not need a car in Florence, so I would take a bus from one of the surrounding villages. Drop your car after Tuscany and take the train to Rome. There are so many beautiful villages and Tuscan countryside and vineyards to explore and with a car it is on your schedule. Its a real adventure.

Neil Consider dropping Pisa as the Leaning Tower is it's one claim to fame. It takes over an hour to get there by train. in addition to a short walk from the train station plus getting to the Florence train station from your hotel. The Tower can be seen in an hour. All told more than 1/2 a day. You are spending much more time to get there, than to see the sight!

Thanks everyone for the additional comments. We've decided to do CT for 3 nights instead of Sorrento, and just see Pompeii on our last day and stay near the Naples airport that night to catch our flight home the next morning. How is the train ride and connections from Venice to CT? Would it be easier to rent a car for the day?