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Feedback on itinerary - revised

Posted by on

Hello - Reposting as it seems my post was deleted after editing it..

I wanted to come back to the forum after receiving some really helpful feedback a few weeks ago on this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/looking-for-feedback-on-an-itinerary

TLDR - we are going to be spending ~4 weeks in March in Italy with our 3 year old and 4 month old. Our trip is fast approaching so looking for a sanity check before it all locks in.

Our current itinerary is as follows:

  • Fly into Rome (FCO) > 5 nights in Rome
  • Rent a car and drive to Tuscany Countryside > 12 nights in Badia Agnano at BnB. We hope to have an even split of relaxing and taking day trips to explore some quaint Tuscan towns (Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca/Viareggio, Orvieto, etc)
  • Drive into Florence, return rental car, 4 nights in Florence
  • Train from Florence > Verona, 4 nights in Verona
  • Train from Verona > Milan, 2 nights in Milan > Fly out of MXP

After speaking with someone who has been, I am wondering if I am spending too many nights in Florence. I am toying with the idea of stealing a night or 2 from Florence to get more time in the country in Tuscany. Obviously this is a matter of personal preference, but I am curious to hear thoughts. We like the idea of an urban environment for the walkability, access to parks, etc. Conversely, I have been cautioned that Florence may be touristy and not really an 'authentic' experience. Our accommodations are in the center of town walking distance to the train station, duomo, etc.

I'd also appreciate hearing thoughts on Verona as the base for the final leg of our trip? From Verona we would consider visiting Lake Garda, and taking it slow in the city as I have been told it is very walkable and pleasant in the Citta Antica. We would also like to see the mountains/alps, is Bolzano a worthwhile day trip from Verona for this purpose, or should we consider basing ourselves in Bolzano? I am trying to avoid adding another leg to the trip.

Any other tips and tricks for navigating Italy with young kids is appreciated.

Thank you!

Posted by
8064 posts

Florence is, for one thing, a supreme wonderland of Renaissance art, and the museums and churches are hard to beat. But there are so many, and unless you’re going to be toting your children to one sight after another, for 2-3 hours at a stretch or more, maybe 4 nights exceeds your tolerance for Florence sights and activities.

It gets lots of tourists, but it’s a phenomenal place, organized to accommodate visitors, and doesn’t feel over touristed to me. If you want fewer tourists and more “authenticity,” look to the Oltrarno neighborhood, across the Tiber river from downtown Florence.

A year ago, we stayed one night in Orvieto. I wish we had had another night, or even two more. Maybe stay in Orvieto, not just a daytrip visit.

I don’t have personal experience navigating Italy with young kids, but on trips in 2021 and 2022, there were sure a lot of strollers (some folding double strollers) being pushed down the sidewalks and streets by residents. Some sidewalks don’t appear to be too stroller-friendly, though - narrow and not so many curb cuts for rolling on and off.

Posted by
28716 posts

You're planning some pretty long day trips: Orvieto (1 hr. 19 min.), Lucca (1 hr. 32 min.), Viareggio (1 hr. 51 min.). That's one of the risks of spending two weeks at the same rural location--you may run out of easy, maximum-interest day trips before your stay is over.

I know it's very different when you have two young children and their necessary gear. Perhaps this is the right trade-off for you.

Posted by
2920 posts

We spent three nights in Verona sans young children including a day trip to Lake Garda. We wished we had had four nights so I don’t think you need to be concerned about spending four nights there. We really enjoyed Verona. Walking around the old town is truly a delight.

If you take the bus to Sirmone on Lake Garda, I wanted to give you a heads up on return. The bus drops you off right on the Lake but for return you either need to walk quite a ways or take a bus to the bus. There was a huge lineup for the bus to the bus (but we were there in August) so we walked. I

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