My husband and I are taking our 13 year old granddaughter on a first trip to Italy next year, probably during her Spring recess which is around Holy Week and Easter. We have been to Italy several times, and are thinking of doing Venice and Rome for about 10 days. We have not been in these cities ourselves during that time. Would the religious events make it very crowded, or would that time coincide with European kids' school breaks, thus meaning bigger crowds? Also, we'd appreciate any special advice for things to do in those cities with a young but curious and bright teenager? If possible, we will try to get an open jaw plane reservation, probably starting in Rome, train to Venice and home from there. Any help or ideas appreciated.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
It's one of the busiest times in Rome. It's do-able with pre-booked tours and entry tickets. If that's the only time you can go you'll make the best of it.
Donna
Posted by
San Antonio, TX, USA
98 posts
My wife and I were in Venice at Easter last year. It was a madhouse--extremely crowded. Consider the Secret Doges Palace tour--it's by reservation, so you can skip the line, and it's a pretty cool tour, including non-crowded places that aren't open to tourists not on the tour. The tour ends when the group exits from what appears to be a wardrobe closet, but is actually a secret passage. Then you are free to see the rest of the palace. A tour of the clock tower is also worth while, and by reservation only--so no crowds.
Be sure to make reservations for a special Easter lunch at a local, family run restaurant. Your hotel should be able to help you out here. You'll see a place full of Italian families, and you'll have a very memorable lunch.
Have fun!
Scott
Posted by
99 posts
My husband and I were also in Venice for Easter of 2016. It was not our first time but we thought we'd spend the last 3 days of our trip there. I will never go at that time again. The crowds were worse than we had experienced in July. Masses of people everywhere. We did enjoy the secret itineraries tour and had reserved in advance.