First time to Rome & Assisi

Traveling with 5 adults and 2 kids is pretty difficult logistically. The European vans are not as large as ours, and the rentals are very expensive. I suppose you could get a shuttle bus to take your group to Assisi and come and get you, as it's 107 miles each way.

To really get the best travel experience in that region, you'd do better to rent a van-or two smaller vehicles. And remember that Central Italy in December is very cold--and not some place you really want to be on foot in.
You might can rent a villa for the week--or stay at an agriturismo. See Booking.com or Agriturismo.com

With 5 and some very young, for sure hire a car to Assisi area. As was suggested an agriturismo would be the best for u. Some actually will cook for unon request. They msy even have a huttle service to Assisi and surrounding area of beauty incl parts of tuscany.

I will take an opposing view. Trains are reliable and comfortable. I would perhaps hire a van from FCO to your apartment in Roma; time and gets very good reviews.

From Assisi, you can go to several nearby towns by train as well, but a couple of rental cars is a better idea than a van, in my opinion. Two smaller cars will be easier to park, and if using them for daytrips, you won't need a lot of luggage space.

With seven people, I'd probably want to rent two cars upon leaving Rome, keep them while in Assisi, then drive them back to Rome the night before your flight out. You'll have to stay in Rome (either in the city or at the airport) the night before your flight, unless you leave Assisi in the middle of the night (and pray that the car rental return doesn't take too long - never a given in Italy).

Just make sure your Assisi accommodation has parking or can make arrangements for it. Two cars will give you much more flexibility (you can split up if needed), and will be much easier to drive on the twisty and narrow roads (of course, some of the driving will be on autostrada - but some will not).

Do realize that while Sorrento seems to have more of a year-round community, Assisi and the other Amalfi Coast towns will very much be in the off season. I'm not sure how much will be open. For kids, it may be a long time to spend in off-season beach communities.

Thank you for all your input everyone, our host from air bnb mentioned that that he could hire a private transfer for 350 euros each way ( the drive will take 21/2 hrs to Assisi). Our daughter in law did find an agriturismo where they serve meals for you. Thank you JS and David for your input. I will look into it. Harold, you brought up a good point about Assisi being off season, our son had suggested that perhaps it will be a nice retreat after visiting busy Rome. He has been there before after WYD with the Pope and would like to go back. We are thinking of leaving on the 2nd or the 3rd of January back to Rome and staying there 1-2 days before departing home from FCO on the 4th. Zoe or anyone, pls give suggestions for nice day trip from Assisi where where we can enjoy as a family? We're all foodies, love arts & history. We realized that December is not the best time to visit due to weather, but this is the only time our 2 sons can have 2 weeks off together due to their occupations. Thank you all for all your knowledge, as this is all new to me & exciting as well. Theresa/California

Theresa, you can combine Spello and Trevi into one daytrip with a car. Spello has an archeological site in a (former?) parking lot, floor mosaics of agricultural scenes and symbols. Both towns are famous for olive oil (Trevi has an olive museum).

I don't think Assisi will be much different in December as far as tourist amenities. There are a few Franciscan sights nearby, and the Rocca Maggiore (castle) might be fun.

Having been to Umbria numerous times, here are my thoughts....

Renting a car for the week will be cheaper than the transfer, even if you rent two cars. Compare rates on Kemwel and Auto Europe sites.

Umbria is cold in winter. Plan for layers to enjoy the outdoor sites. Even to see the sites around Assisi related to St. Francis (Santa Maria degli Angeli, San Damiano, hermatige on the way to Mt Subasio) you will need a car. There are many small hiltowns to visit in the valley. For a view of the valley, drive up Mt Subasio (and come back the the way you came - unless you want an off-road adventure over the mountain).

Perugia has a variety of museums and a really nice historic center but driving in and parking requires some map skills - worth a day trip. Spoleto would be worth the drive. Spello, Trevi, Montefalco, Bettona, Bevagna, are wander-able but not full of museums. Get a good history guide book to see what interest you. Todi is a bit further but a nice town with several churches of interest and a nice city park where the castle used to be. Deruta (famous ceramics town) is an idea if you're in the market. The old town is above the commercial shopping area and quaint. Gubbio is a further drive but a nice hill town with a several churches and a cool old town hall/castle up top.

With small children, less is more. Collestrada is the local 'mall' with a huge IperCoop (think super Walmart with a great deli) for stocking up on supplies, finding a wifi hotspot, and getting McD's happy meals with McToast (grilled ham and cheese sandwich we don't have here - my kids love them) if they are tired of Italian food. It's on the main highway (#75) between Assisi and Perugia.

Be sure to enjoy the porchetta (regional specialty) and local wine, particularly Sagrantino di Montefalco!