Italy itinerary - is it reasonble

I think your pacing is reasonable to catch the highlights, some might bemoan only one day in Florence, but I found that OK for myself the first trip (actually I just Day Tripped to Florence from Siena)

I think for Venice and Florence I just used some of the cheaper Rick Steves recommendations, In Rome, I have stayed several times at Hotel Trastevere, I like the area and the prices seem good. They do have some apartment type rooms as well that might be worth looking into for a family.

Reasonable, yes, but I don't see the side trip to Pisa as worthwhile in such a short trip. It is a one trick town. Go right to Rome and enjoy the extra hours there. Good to spend 3 nights in Venice! too many people make that a one day/two night stop and longer is better.

Check VRBO.com and cross-pollinate.com for apartments, which are much more reasonable for 4 people than two hotel rooms.

I'd take out the trip to Pisa as well. That is adding a lot of train travel (1 hour Florence to Pisa, then close to 3 hours from Pisa to Rome) just to see the tower. A direct train from Florence to Rome is less than 2 hours.

Of course it depends on what you want to see and do in Florence but Florence can be hard to plan if you happen to be there on a Sun or Mon- I'd give it the extra time in place of Pisa. Maybe take a later afternoon train to Rome to keep your 3 nights in Rome.

I can see that the itinerary is doable. I'd probably would have reversed the time in Venice and Florence, but that's personal preference. Though others have said to skip Pisa, if you and the kids want to see the leaning tower, do it. Hotel ideas can be found in the RS Italy guidebook. The apartment suggestion is something you should consider. Have a great trip!

we have done these cities several times now, lastly in Sep 2014, and your schedule is reasonable for a first time. we thought seeing the leaning tower would be a little too touristy but the tower and cathedral are worth seeing. you could spend more time in each of the main cities that you mentioned but we have found it more enjoyable to bite off cities like Rome and Venice in several trips. Otherwise you can suffer from seeing too many pretty churches etc in a short time period. We were not able to get any of Rick's recommendations re hotels in Venice this last trip. We were there during the annual gondola parade, the Rigatta Storica so rooms were more scarce than usual. We stayed at 3749 Ponte Chiodo Guest House in Venice and loved it. It is in a residential area but amazing convenient to the train station, a Grand canal crossing point and "bus" stop" and many of the sights in Venice. We walked all over Venice from this location with no trouble. We also walked to the Guest House with our 20" suitcases from the train station with no problem. They have a web site so you can check it out. Several of the eating places recommended by Rick are also close by. When we flew back home out of Rome we stayed at a major chain hotel at the airport. Nor romantic but really lowers the hassle of getting out to the airport from downtown Rome

I too agree that the itinerary is reasonable. If Pisa is a must-see, I’d suggest doing it as a half-day trip from Florence on day 5. That avoids having to deal with your luggage in Pisa and shortens your travel time on any given day. It also provides flexibility in your departure time from Florence to Rome on day 6. You could depart late morning or early afternoon, making up for the time spent in Pisa on day 5 but not cutting into your planned time in Rome. Logistically, I think it works better.

Agree with the poster who said Pisa is a "one trick pony!" Really you can see it in a magazine. On the other hand, one night in Florence is NOT enough. With your schedule, I'd maybe cut a night in Venice (which really CAN be seen in a day) add a day to Florence and skip Pisa altogether. Just my opinion.

Sounds good, but make Pisa a sidetrip from Florence. You could squeeze in Lucca on the same day, you can walk or bike along the wall that surrounds the city. The teens might appreciate that. I like Pisa's Cathedral complex, and it's much more impressive than just the bell tower. If you go, look around the cemetery as well.

All

Thanks for all the advice.

Avtar

I'll just chime in to agree with the suggestion that you visit Pisa as a day trip from Florence and that you include Lucca as a stop that same day. It is something of a hassle and some extra expense to lug and store your baggage during such a stop en route. Even more, Venice, Florence, Rome and Pisa are all larger cities with loads and loads of tourists. Lucca is a small town, very liveable, and much less touristed. Spending a few hours there, strolling or biking in town or on the very wide walls, maybe climbing the tower with trees on top, will give you a view of a whole different Italy than the bigger and more crowded cities.

I like the pace of the itinerary, and wanted to reaffirm the suggestions that you stay an extra day in Florence and do Pisa as a side trip. Just take a very early train to Rome from Florence to maximize things out.

I agree with most that your plan is reasonable. Since you are traveling with teenagers your stop at Pisa would be fun. On our first trip to Italy we put our luggage in a locker and took the bus to the leaning tower. I love Florence but on our first trip saw Florence as a day trip. Just make sure you are not there on a Sunday or Monday as some sights are closed. Have fun.

Thank you all for your kind advice, it is appreciated

Avtar

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is iconic and every teenager knows about it... therefore it is one place they often ask to visit. I took my grandson there (per his request) and he loved it. He is an artist and a priceless memory is watching him sit on the steps and sketch the tower in his journal... Later during the trip he painted a picture from that sketch. I wouldn't give up that experience for anything...It was well worth the half day we spent there.... but I would do it as a side trip from Florence as suggested. Lucca is also delightful and the kids would enjoy it. My experience with kids is they can only spend a limited amount of time trooping in and out of museums and churches. I would keep the number of nights in Venice and if you find extra time you could take a boat trip to Burano. Have a great trip and be sure to encourage the kids to keep a journal and have their own cameras.