Seeking Input on *Updated* Multigenerational Family Itinerary

I believe to get to and from Montepulciano you'll probably need to change trains in Chiusi.

I wouldn't want four different hotel stays during a 9-night trip. The checking in/checking out processes waste time, and I would find that much movement tiring. Plus, getting 9 people from place to place...

I think you'd benefit greatly from putting all your Rome nights at the end of the trip. That means getting on the train on your arrival day and heading either to Florence or to Montepulciano. Montepulciano has rail connections from Rome about every 2 hours. The trip is on a regional train that takes 2-1/2 to 3 hours, with a likely layover in Chiusi. The good news is that, because it's a regional train, you won't pay extra for doing what is the logical thing: waiting until you arrive in Rome to buy the ticket. This way, you're not worried about a delayed flight.

The trip to Florence--although it is farther away--is both faster and more frequent. The issue here is that it's a Freccia train, with fares climbing as you get closer to departure date. Take a look at the TrenItalia website (Italo is also an option) to see what you'd pay for your tickets. Look at today's fares to get an idea of the June walk-up fare.

You might look at the Vatican tours offered by Dark Rome, an "official"Vatican partner.

https://darkrome.com/vatican-tours

We did the Express Sistine plus Vatican Museum tour, with early access to the Sistine Chapel. We had it practically to ourselves for thirty minutes. It was a very moving experience,mtwo be in the presence of that art without the crowds.

For your parents, maybe the semi-private tour that includes the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and skip-the-line access to the Basilica? it looks like this one gets early access to the Sistine Chapel as well.

With 9 nights, if I counted correctly, I would try to limit yourself to 3 places. Agree wholeheartedly to put all your Rome days together at the end.

Research what trails are open in CT. They were devastated by floods a couple/few years ago and restoration is not complete.
For the non-hikers, taking the boat from village to village and just exploring one or two is a wonderful way to spend a day.

Research what trails are open in CT. They were devastated by floods a
couple/few years ago and restoration is not complete.

I'm copy-pasting this from info I posted to a recent thread about the CT:

"You can get trail information and check closures on the park's website:
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eindex.php
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php

The famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) route is the four SVA2 segments. As Ken said, 2 of the 4 segments of that route (Cornigilia> Manarola>Riomaggiore) will remain closed in 2018, or last I read, anyway, and it's not possible to predict status of the other two for any given future month. Chances are they'll be open but heavy rains, rockfall or other damage could close them for varying lengths of time. As you can see on the map, there are many other trails besides the Sentiero Azzurro, albeit most are longer and/or more strenuous, so a reasonably fit hiker doesn't need to limit themselves to just that route."

The Corniglia>Manarola segment of the "Blue" has been closed to landslide since 2011. The Manarola>Riomaggiore segment - known as the Via dell'Amore - was closed in 2012 to rockfall that badly injured some hikers and has yet to be fully stabilized. My guess is that the two open segments are going to be VERY busy in June as we did them + the still-open Via dell'Amore back in May of 2012 - the spring after the flood when visitation was down - and they were a conga line of humans back then. However, as I mentioned above, there are many other trails that can be explored. Do be aware that to hike any open segment of the "Blue" requires a park pass: info is on the website.

Agree with others, go directly to Florence. You can still do day trips, Lucca and Siena. Then go to Montepulciano. Lastly, save Rome for the end, since you have to go back there anyway. You have 9 nights, do 3 nights each. Less moving around. Remember, hotel changes and train travel can take up a good part of a day, especially with getting 9 people organized.

I would leave out Cinque Terre for this trip. It will be crowded, and trying to find accommodations for 9 people might be difficult.

Your family should have a wonderful time together, but 4 lodging changes in 9 nights is too much. Just the time involved with bus and train transfers is mind boggling. So I'm going to suggest this.

Day 1. 14th Rome-Florence on arrival. 2hr30 min.

Day. 2. 15th Florence.

Day 3. 16th Day trip Lucca 1hr11min. If you want to include a beach, Viareggio is 1hr 12min away.

Day 4. 17th Florence-Montepulciano as a joinable or private tour by:

http://www.toursbyroberto.com/prices/

Day 5. 18th Florence-Rome 90min.

Day 6. 19th Rome. Vatican

Day 7. 20th Rome. Day trip to Orvieto.

Day 8. 21st Rome. Colosseum.

Day 9. 22nd Fly home.

While you're seeing as much or more not changing locations will be easier on everyone.

I second gerri's itinerary above. When dealing with large groups of family, often less is more.

We took our grandson to Pompeii yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed our time with Lello. He is the perfect inter generational tour guide!

https://toursofpompeii.com

I was a little put off by the website; “Just give us your info, and we’ll contact you.” But they were the first company to reply , the sweetest to get info from, and I’m glad I took the chance. It was a great dsy! Do plan your tour for NOT Tuesday; the National Museum is closed that day, and we couldn’t go there after, which would have been a good complement.

I like your new plan.

A day trip to Lucca is not too much, but wait and see what the interest level is -- and the energy level -- once you are there. Florence is so interesting that in a mere two days, I find it hard to believe you will need to go elsewhere. The Galileo Museum is very interesting for those not interested in art. Go up to Piazza Michelangelo, just walk around. Enjoy!

To get to Montepulciano take the train and then the connecting bus up to the town. You may have to look for a local tour company to get out into the countryside. As a group of nine, you should be able to hire a guide and a van for yourselves. Check with Tours by Roberto. They may do a custom day for you, although they operate primarily out of Florence. Leaving Montepulciano, bus to the station, train(s) to Rome. I think these transportation details are in the Rick Steves' Guide to Florence and Tuscany and maybe in his Itlay Guide as well.

In Rome, a private guide may be your best bet as the per person charges for tours will add up significantly for nine people. The going rate is about 55-60 Euros/hour so a 4 hour Vatican tour would cost, perhaps Euro 240. Contact Sonia Tavoletta at [email protected]. If she is not available, she'll hook you up with someone excellent. Ditto for the Colosseo, Palatino, et. al: a private guide, Sonia can do it all. Since you only have two days, a guide can help you make the most of your time.

If you want to do bike riding, Lucca does have bike rentals and riding the walls around town on the bike path assures you are not endangered by motor traffic.

Your revised plan is much better.