Hello! My family and I are going to be traveling to Italy next spring, probably around Easter week and we are trying to determine Where to go and stay etc. We are thinking right around 10 nights. We want to do Rome and Florence for sure but we would also like to do Cinque Terre or Venice. Do we have time to do both? Neither? We are just not sure how many days to plan for each location. Any off the beaten track sights/places you would suggest for Florence or Rome? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
I'd vote for Venice over CT, just because it's unique and amazing. Florence: in the Medici-Riccardi Palace (right near the Duomo) is the well-known fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli of the Procession of the Magi; the procession includes most of the Medicis. What few people know is that downstairs on the ground floor is a digital representation of the fresco: you can stand on a platform and point to a specific area--it zooms in and tells you in the language of your choice who the people are. Kids would love it, and grownups love it too. It's fun. Watching the cleanup after the market in Campo de Fiori (about 1:30) is a quiet amusement after lunch. We sat on the base of the statue and watched the farmers loading their trucks, the little Bobcat sweepers going around in circles, and the guys with witch's brooms following. In a half-hour the place was covered with chairs for the cafés and the market was gone. Have fun!
Posted by
Land of La
9316 posts
What are the ages of the children? Do they like museums? Do you like museums? Art? Shopping? Foodies? Hiking? Are you going to fly open jaw? First suggestion is to get the RS book on Italy and read it cover to cover. LOADS of insightful and practical information. Asking these questions as it helps the collective's suggestion process. The Ron in Rome website is also a fabulous resource. Be sure to spend time perusing all his helpful tips. Personally, for off the beaten track places, I wander through cemeteries. The one attached to the San Miniato al Monte Church above Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence is stellar. Also enjoyed the East end of Venice, far from the Madding Crowds of St. Mark's square. Lovely park, (Park of Remembrance) where I enjoyed watching the sun set, Venetians walking with their children and dogs, watched some soccer and had a wonderful lunch. Same with strolling around San Pietro di Castello. Few tourists. To find off the beaten path in Rome, simply get lost in the maze of alleys. You'll find something interesting.
Posted by
San Jose, CA, United States
24 posts
I agree with the open jaw:
I am doing Venice -> Florence -> Rome in that order for 9 nights - open jaw. I am a worrier and Rome seems to offer more choices to easily get to the airport on our return and that brings more ease to me. Getting from Venice to the airport is more of a hastle. So think about how much time you need to allocate getting to the airport.