Italy in November with small children

We were in Cinque Terra in early December. The town is very quiet and lots of things are shut down. We were there and had good weather and hiked, but you could get lots of rain and cold there. When we went we wanted to go, but left our plans flexible depending on the weather. The forecast was good so we went. I think for 6 days it would be too long as so many places are closed and you probably will have some poor weather days with not much to do. If I was doing it I would base in one of the other places with more to do and day trip to cinque terra on a nice day, or spend a night or 2 there if there was going to be a good stretch and you want to hike. There will be restaurants open, but fewer than in summer.

Others will know better than me. Would Santa Margherita Liguria make a better option than actually on 5T In November.?

Day
1. Arrive Milan (2N)
2. Milan sights
3 Train to Santa Margherita Liguria (2N)
4. Day to Cinque Terre
5. Train via Pisa to Lucca (2N)
6. Lucca
7. Train via Florence to Rome (3N)
8. Rome
9. St Peters & Vatican
10. Depart Rome

In November, I'd probably stay in Lucca and day-trip to Pisa, the Cinque Terre and Florence instead. As Keith said, lots in the CT will be shut down that month, it could be rainy and chilly, and there promises to be much more open in Lucca as it's so much bigger (90,000 or so). I'd just be sure to miss the annual comic book and game convention (Nov. 1-5, 2017) as I read it's pretty busy in town.

Getting around most of the CT involves a lot of hills and steps - although Monterosso is pretty flat - so I wouldn't choose it for a toddler for a 6-day stay.

I would not waste my time at the Cinque Terre in November. And frankly even 6 days in Lucca would be 5 too many. In November I'd stick to Florence and Rome which can keep you busy for your entire stay even with inclement weather. While in Florence you can also take day trips, such as to Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Pistoia, Arezzo and Cortona, and many more. All of the above are one hour or less away from Florence.

November is the rainiest month in Italy. When I write "rainiest" I mean that most floods happen in the first two weeks of November, and even if the rain won't be disastrous, it is still the moment when bad weather is more likely. Common wisdom is that life in cities offers more thins to do even if weather is bad. - After that, you may get lucky and have good weather in November, but you are gambling, and gambling against the bank.

No, no, no, please don't do this! Six days in November with two kids under five in the rain on the coast where everything is shut down would not be fun. Please do yourself a huge favor and stay in Lucca instead. Visit the Cinque Terre on a sunny day as a day trip (we did it with 4 kids). Lucca is a perfect family city with lots of parks, playgrounds, ice cream, etc. We love renting and riding bikes around the wall with our kids. We have stayed in Lucca for a full week in the past and didn't run out to things to do. I can also highly recommend the family apartments 2Italia, specifically the ones at the Anfiteatro - https://en.2italia.com/accommodations-2/porta-s-pietro-anfiteatro-2/. The top floor is a huge playroom for kids and the location couldn't be any better.

I'd stick to Florence and Rome which can keep you busy for your entire
stay even with inclement weather.

Well, that's what I was thinking too but had the feeling that a smaller town/city was the preference for some reason. November being sort of a rainy month, Roberto makes a very good point that there will be more to see/do in Florence and Rome if it's wet and chilly. And as he also noted, day trips are easily done from Florence; a bit more easily than from the CT.

I think everyone on the forum is going to agree that this does not sound like a great plan.
6 nights in CT, in Nov., with 2 toddlers,

Day tripping in on a nice weather day makes much more sense. Base in Lucca or split the time between Lucca and Florence.

Agreed do not go to CT at this time of year.

Rome will offer more to do for everyone in the family at this time of year, especially indoors. Tuscan towns will be wet, cold and damp with not much to do indoors. While I agree that ROME and FLORENCE will be nice...if you are looking for a taste of warmer weather and to get out of big cities....try this...

If you head south the temperatures will be warmer...Sorrento might be a good base, as the season is being extended there in recent years..it is a safe, family friendly area that offers a good base at that time of year for sight seeing. It won't be over run like in summertime.

Fly into Naples take a car service to Sorrento stay 4 nights, use as base to see the islands or Naples.
Get to Naples by bus, or car service....take fast 1.5 hour train to Rome and stay 3 nights, fly home from ROME.

...lot's to do INDOORS in ROME whether it is museums, churches or gallerias...easy to take taxi's or if you choose a central storico location, walk with easy to many sights.

Thank you so much everyone! Sorry for the delayed response, still figuring out the forum! :) All of these responses have helped us to rearrange our trip ideas. We're thinking of doing southern Italy now. :D

Kristen