Hello to all!
We have a 14 nights vacation to Italy planned at the beginning of August. Yes, I know it’s hot and busy, but that’s when we can go. 2 adults with 3 teenager boys. All of us are in good shape. Boys are active and like swimming, fishing, soccer. Adults are used to travelling as a family and prioritize morning coffee on a patio & evening wine on a patio. As of now, here is the itinerary:
3 nights Rome, train to Pisa to pickup rental car, rental car for 5 nights, drive to a beautiful Olive cooking school farm in Tuscany for 5 nights, drive back to Pisa to drop off car (it is easier to have the car rental at one place), train to La spezia, 4 nights cinque terre, train to Rome and 2 nights Rome.
Here is the reasoning: I’ve been to Florence previously. I know my boys, they won’t be interested in the museums there and the logistics of driving out of Florence are more challenging. My husband enjoys driving so Pisa to the farm is ok. There’s a pool and lots of space for my boys to hangout in Tuscany. Cinque terre: this is my bucket list. 4 nights gives us the chance to relax too. The evenings will be calm and that’s preferred, stay on the hotel terrace and not at a restaurant in the evenings.
Questions:
1. I reserved the train from Pisa to La spezia. Should I have reserved it to one of the towns?
2.In cinque terre I’m looking for a reasonable budget friendly place around 250 euros per night. Don’t need a pool since we would have just left a pool. As of now I have a bed and breakfast reserved in Volastra (il Vigneto). There’s a terrace which meets my needs for coffee and wine. Volastra is quiet apparently which I’m hoping is good. From there we can see the other villages during the day. Is it too far though? Since it’s a B and B, there isn’t a kitchen, but the budget is good to buy lunch or dinner out instead or use the fridge. Apparently there are two restaurants in Volastra, has anyone been? Or should we dine in the lower villages in the evening when there are less tourists?
3. Rome: the first 3 nights are at an apartment with terrace near Piazza Navona. Sufficient space to hangout in indoors and on terrace. Close to sights. The last part of the trip is a 2 nights stay closer to the termini (we’ll be arriving by train and likely leaving by Leonardo express). We will see the colosseum during that stay. My question is, when we land at noon in Rome, it might make more sense to take a taxi than the train since we are 5 of us. We will each have carryon suitcases. How easy is it to find the taxi stand and request a taxi for 5 and not be fooled by a private driver? I’ve looked up the prices of private drivers and it seems to be doubled the price.
Any tips and advice is appreciated! Thank you!
