My husband and I went to Italy 6 years ago with only our backpacks and Ricks book--loved it! We want to take our now 14 and 10 year old and see as much as possible. We will probably do a home exchange-any ideas where to start, go etc??
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Carrie:
What time of year are you going?
When we went with the kids (13 & 8) in summer 2004 we rented a villa. That was a great move - a homey place to stay where we could spread out and decompress - and prepare some meals.
The real winning part of the villa was the pool. This provided so much fun for the kids. It also helped with their mood. For instance - we'd have a busy morning of sightseeing and activities - they'd cooperate because they knew that in the afternoon they'd get pool time!
In Italy the kids loved the following:
Vineyard (as opposed to winery) tours.
Gelato - it is everywhere and it solves problems!
Street food.
Some churches.
Roman ruins.
Being doted on by servers in restaurants.
Smaller villages as opposed to big cities - our kids just loved the chance for a little independence - to walk around the corner for a soft drink or gelato all on their own.
Just remember that traveling is different with kids - its their vacation too - they get to set some of the agenda.
I'd travel with kids again to Europe in a second.
Have fun.
Posted by
OP
Englewood, CO, USA
3 posts
June 2010. You made some good points. What city was the villa? Sounds great. I am wondering if it is doing too much to do something like a week in Rome and surrounding areas then one in Cinque Terre/Tuscany then someplace up north near the Dolomites?
Any suggestions?
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
I agree with Jon: renting a villa for a week WITH POOL is a very good idea. We spent 3 weeks with our kids (10, 13) last June and had this itinerary:
5 nights Rome (appartment)
5 nights Sorrento peninsula (B&B)
7 nights in Tuscany (the villa with pool!)
2 nights Cinque Terre
The kids loved Tuscany the best. Mainly because we took it slow there, spent a lot of time in the pool, made our own pizza in the stone oven in the yard, did day trips to Siena, Florence, San Giminiano, Volterra. We chose a place in Chianti, half way between Siena and Florence.
The kids also liked the B&B on the Sorrento peninsula. The owner had made cake to great us (and so she had won the kids in the first minute) and she was really good in giving us tips to explore the area including how to find really nice beaches with hardly any tourists in sight. The kids had fun in the water, I enjoyed the beautiful views with Capri in the distance while reading a novel. We also did a daytrip to Pompeii from there which was a big hit with the kids.
Cinque Terre wasn't a favourite because it was VERY hot when we did some hiking (98 F at the end of June!).
Rome was very interesting and the kids loved the colosseum and the catacombs but they also found it very tiring. Large cities mean a lot of walking on asphalt and sidewalks and museums ...
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Carrie:
We stayed near Panzano - right between Florence and Siena. The villa is Il Palagio (www.infochianti.com) we have stayed there twice - it is magical.
Have fun.