Italy in 12 days with teen boys

All of your destinations are easily reached by train. Check out the Trenitalia and Italo websites.

Given your time frame, it might be more enjoyable to stick to only three locations, max.

thanks a bunch!

best
Jules

I’m not usually a divide things up evenly planner but for your 4+ locations I’d look at 3 nights in each location, eliminate a day trip from Florence (with only 3 nights) and spend the last night in Milan or an airport closer to MPX depending on your return flight time. My other suggestion would be to eliminate one location and redistribute the nights among the remaining locations but I find that to be the most difficult decision in some of my favorite places you’ve chosen. The third option probably isn’t an option but adding 2 more nights to your itinerary would help to give some more much needed time in Rome and a night near MPX at the end.

All of these locations are easily reachable by train with better times than driving and getting you efficiently to the centers of cities.

When we did an Italian trip with 2 teens in 2019 we rented apartments in Italy and found them to be good value and great places to spread out with teens.

this is most valuable info.

adding another 2 nights would be awesome. unfortunately spring brake falls on a terrible time. however, I could shift a bit around.
is it really that much to be seeing in Rome that needs more 2 nights?

you mentioned renting a place. I'm one of those so scared renting something abroad and getting screwed...lol
what and where would you recommend? hotels so far are a killer!

best
Jules

When I traveled with teens in Europe, I treated them like adults and expected them to behave accordingly.

I suggest that you spend at least 4-5 days in Rome, there is so much to see there.

Check the internet before you go on travel for day tours from your locations.
TripAdvisor is a great source of information. Use things to do for your search.

Some tours you need to book in advance, like the Sistine Chapel, Coliseum and Forum in Rome. In Florence, the museums you should book as well.

You can take the train from Florence to Siena and Pisa. Perhaps busses are available, or paid tours from Florence.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187895-Activities-c42-Florence_Tuscany.html

Viator does not give tours but sells local tours. Still, it is a good source for information and to compare.
https://www.viator.com/Florence/d519-ttd

https://www.sightseeingtoursitaly.com/italian-tours/florence/

Venice is very expensive, but check tripadvisor for lodgings NEAR the main train station.

Bed and Breakfasts are a good option sometimes, but compare with small hotels. It is best to avoid five star hotels as too expensive.

Also, Italy has a great rail system, particularly between Rome, Florence and Venice

this is helping quite a bit

luckily my boys are good teenage. 16 and 15, as long they are well fed and rested all is good...lol

best
Jules

hey hey junqueiras
have fun traveling, lots to see and do. my own opinion is you are planning too many places in a short time frame, plus during spring break will be busy & crowded. long lines, "skip the lines does not mean you skip the security line to get in, some confusion there, the weather
there was a recent post here about school groups on field trips, hundreds of kids everywhere (restaurants, trains, museums, parks, churches, cities) during spring breaks. be prepared, plus attractions (friends were at the vatican last week on a cruise stop and was so crowded)
always remember checking into hotels/apts are usually 3-4pm and check out is 10-11am. if flight is early morning you will be pulling/pushing luggage on uneven streets/cobblestones, unless the hotel will have storage until check in. usually not in apts.
accomodations are usually small in europe. your 2 nights in rome is not enough, jet lag is REAL and may feel it second day and drag along/tiredness sets in. next morning catch train to florence early and you're planning 3 seperate day trips without time to see the beauty of florence with 1 day and on the train again to venice. you don't want to be spending more time on trains/stations
my opinion cut down days at lake como and add to rome. like others we have used booking.com and tripadvisor.com under vacation rental. nice if apt has washer/dryer (many don't) pack light, we have sink hand washed, many places may not have next year calendars out yet, i would email them about your dates you are planning.
make a plan of what you want or hope to see and do in each city, have your boys do research also. what is your budget in euros, any restrictions (stairs/steps, VRBO/airbnb may have fees /taxes that you really need to check out total, cancellation policies)
don't stress yourself out, many people are traveling all over the states, europe looking at same places as you. if you find something book it and check cancellation policy.
in venice:
la levantina is 2 bedroom apt right on back canal, down from train station in canareggio district.
bed sizes are always an issue compared to mainland places, we just dealt with it
cabadoer-veniceflat.it
check the family room or both east/west studios. we liked this apt & area in san polo area. send them inquiry/question and if you guys can stay in family with 4 people.
cross-pollinate.com
contact them with a message or email [email protected] they started the beehive hostel years ago, but after pandemic and issues, looks like things have changed a bit. many reviews are older, before closure, and now people getting back on their feet and make up for what was lost. some may have closed all together
keep your questions coming, people here to help you with good bad and ugly. want you all to have a good time
aloha

😳😳😳

Geez, you’ve put me on panic mode 😆

We are fine with jet leg and used to travel within different time zones.
The dragging luggages through cob stones did make my hair go up 🥴
Our budget is 11k total.

The Venice apartments site has a mandatory 7 nights minimum stay, so that’s a negative

We would only stay at a rental if cost is considerably lower.
If it’s only going to save few hundred bucks, then that’s a no.

To avoid the crowds I guess I could pull the boys a week before spring brake.
Planning planning and planning…

If you are referring to the Views on Venice apartments, it is way too early to book for next April. The apartment owners want to try to get one-week stays booked before they offer shorter stays. Booking six months out, you should see many options with a 3- night minimum. That is all we have ever done with them.

Another local Venetian company we have used is Venice Red House. I see they will,let you book an apartment for 3 nights next April at this time.

This large apartment is €315 a night in early April:

https://veniceredhouse.com/apartments-in-venice/the-arsenal-large-apartment/

This smaller apartment close tomSan Marco if less expensive, but the kids would have to share a sofa bed in the living room.

https://veniceredhouse.com/apartments-in-venice/garden-apartment/

This is the apartment we had for a month some time back; it is around €250/night in early April.

https://veniceredhouse.com/apartments-in-venice/the-lions-house-apartment-lion-4/

The sleeping quarters are separate from the living room and on two different floors, but the kids would have to share a bed here as well. We loved this apartment and the rooftop terrace. But if they kids need separate twin beds, try Lion’s House 3, in the same building one floor down.

https://veniceredhouse.com/apartments-in-venice/the-lions-house-apartment-lion-3/

This location is very central, right near Rialto Bridge, but on quiet Campo San Lio. I don’t know why I didn’t think of mentioning this company earlier, but it is a good option. Each apartment says ‘“3-night minimum” right on the calendar page.

Prices on all these apartments vary by date and go up markedly in mid-April, so I hope your meds’ spring break is early in the month.

I will add that there is only one small bridge to cross with your luggage between the Rialto vaporetto dock and the Lion’s House apartments. And no cobblestones.

There is a grocery store right down the street, and one of the best gelato places around, Gelatoteca Suso, is close by.

https://suso.gelatoteca.it/

Note they have two locations, one on either side of Rialto Bridge. This is the one on the San Marco side, on Calle de La Bissa.

If you want to locate the Lion’s House apartments on a map (using satellite view is best) find Campo San Lio just a bit east of Rialto bridge. The building is right on this little campo.

Lola

are you sure you aren't a travel guide?...lol

this is awesome. thank you so very much for all the perks.
I know its a bit early, im just one of those that OCD lady, that if I don't have everything booked and read within the least of 4 months out I go nuts.
I just cant stand not having options for booking last minute.

best
jules

hey hey
don't panic, just things to think about. you are researching early which is a good thing. i'm just surprised they are booked this early.
make sure passports are all up to date.
cabadoer-flat.it says 2 day minimum unless changed for break of some celebration happening.
albergo marin
across bridge from train station down an alley. we stayed at hotel carlton right after that
ca' geremia apartment
send them message if they can make one of the beds into a queen or double
casa santa fosca venezia
hotel tintoretto
quadruple room, one queen & two single
ca nadia apartment
living duomo florence
quadruple room
hotel pandini florence
quadruple room, breakfast included
union charme florence
near duomo and center
viola borgia floremce
near the river & city center
roma central guest house
hotel smeraldo
near piazza navona
check VRBO and trip advisor vacation rentals. lots of "sofa beds" ugghhh
more ideas for you,
aloha

Have you got hold of copies of RS guidebooks for Rome, Florence and Venice? They are essential reading and will provide answers to most of your questions.

I think you are short changing Rome - there is some much to see and do there. I would strongly recommend 1) food tour by Eating Italy of the Testaccio area. This is the “real” Rome, and has been food central for millennia. Tour takes at least four hours including a lunch with pasta and wine, plus a visit to Testaccio market, a visit to Mt. Testaccio which is a man made mountain 115 ft high of the broken amphora the Romans used to ship olive oil from the Provinces. I think the boys will love it and it’s a wonderful intro to Italy’s food culture! 2). Take A day out of town to visit Ostia Antica, a complete ancient Roman city. Easily reached by metro/train from central Rome. Think of it as Pompeii without the trade by. Ostia was abandoned as the port for Rome after the river silted up abd changed course. 3). San Clemente church and basements reaching down through layers of history to Rome’s early days and walk the streets of the ancient city. A visit out to one of the catacombs might be interesting for the boys. The Colosseum, the Forum and Circus Maximus (think the chariot race in Ben Hur) and the Pantheon, all must sees - let the kids choose what interests them

For accommodation in Rome consider Hotel Smeraldo. Centrally situated for easy walking to the main sites and the metro.

Walk through the Jewish ghetto and be aware of the reminders of the round-up of Jews in late-1943.

this, is really interesting!!!

I would drop Como and add those nights to Rome. Really, if you’re only spending two nights in Rome (especially at the beginning of your trip), it’s a waste. You will be jet lagged and really only have one day for sightseeing. You could easily spend 5 nights in Rome. It will be much more interesting than Lake Como, especially for your teens (I have two teen boys).

You will not find many hotel rooms that sleep 4 (in real beds) in Europe. My teens are over 6’ and sofa beds don’t cut it. We rent two rooms, or apartments. With apartments I often have to search for 3 bedrooms, because a living room with a sofa bed can be called a “bedroom”. We spend at least 3 nights at each stop, and having the extra space makes a huge difference for us. Having a washer is a bonus and allows us to pack light.

We rented this apartment in Venice. It’s an easy ride from the train station with only one bridge to cross with luggage. We liked being 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle near St. Marks.
I believe there is a 3 night minimum. The same company has several similar apartments on the same street. https://abnb.me/x6o3eCo9qzb

I would suggest:

Fly into Venice - 3 nights. It’s an easier place to get over jet lag than Rome.
Florence - 4 nights, given all your day trip (but when are you actually going to see Florence? How about cut one day trip)
Rome - 5 nights
Fly home from Rome

If you must go to Lake Como, take the kids out of school a few days early. Do Venice, Milan/Como, Florence, Rome. If you reverse the direction, keep in mind that many international flights leave Venice very early, and transportation to the airport may be a challenge.

This got me thinking…I might reverse this.

hey hey chef
great info here.
europeforvisitors.com
lots of info here traveling in italy and different cities.
motoscafiavenezia.it or venicelink.com
these are private water taxis (limousine style arriving or departing venice to airport). we have used them 4 times, not the cheapest but best way to travel. you can look at the shared shuttle or have boat to yourself and they take you as close as they can get you to your place. we reserved it, there were 4 of us to share cost, no worries about getting on a alilaguna that maybe crowded and carrying your luggage with standing room only. we just saved $$$ in our "piggy bank" for couple months to pay (maybe 120E)
romelofts.com/ eating in the jewish ghetto or history of the jewish ghetto
we walked through campo de fiori across the river here but places closed, wrong day. had lunch at ristorante carlo menta, outside tables family style. had pizza, pasta, and tartufo for dessert. was yummy
eatingeurope.com
different cities for food tours, use eatingspring20 for discount code
discoverwalks.com
free with a tip walking tours of rome
when looking at flights for multi-city, always check departure and arrival times, especially arriving in europe, for times to check in.
we have left venice so so early, like 7am, used the private water taxi at 5am (that's dark thirty to many). many flights fly to another europe city before back to USA. see if non-stop flights. turn the page around and land in venice out of rome.
as you say your OCD kicks in, this will keep you busy investigating. i'm the planner/researcher for our trips and run it by my traveling friends. takes a lot but in the end it does pay off. keep asking, here to help.
aloha