Thanks to this board, March trip with sons now solidified

Linda and Karen,

Thanks for your helpful feedback. I agree that going down to the Naples/Vesuvius area is really out of the way, but this is one thing my hubby really would like to do so it's an option for our last day. We figured if it was going to be yucky weather that day, we'd stay local and do things in Rome. If it was going to be beautiful, we could either do more outside things in Rome or take the day trip south.

I guess the same thing would apply to the Pisa/Lucca day trip. Pisa is a quickie touristy stop but it is one of those iconic "Italy" sights that we think our sons would enjoy seeing. Lucca sounds lovely and should be a nice taste of a countryside town, so we'll likely spend more time there than Pisa. Again, if it's going to be crappy weather, we'll likely just stay in Florence.

Everyone seems to be fine with this itinerary, which is the most important thing. My oldest son said he's really starting to get excited about the trip. Hopefully the younger (and more subdued) son is also.

Thanks again for your thoughts. I've got them printed out for reference!

Melissa

Now I can't wait for your trip. Promise to give us a trip report.

I completely agree with everything Karen said, but I understand your reasoning. I have to say though--don't underestimate how wonderful Ostia Antica is.

Have a wonderful trip!

Congratulations Melissa! Your itinerary will give you a taste of Italy and I imagine wanting to go back for more. I have been to both pompeii and Herculaneum and they are both certainly well worth seeing but I would save those for your next trip when you can concentrate on the Amalfi coast area. I would spend 3/27 in Rome.There is just too much there to experience.
If someone in your party really must see some ruins, check out Ostia antica. It is a 30-40 minute train ride from Rome.
Perhaps your sons would enjoy Trastevere esp at night. I was there with my 19yr old son and an 18 yr old friend and they loved it. It came alive with street vendors, musicians, and young people. The later it got the "livelier" it got. But that was in july. Another thing we really enjoyed was visiting Castel Sant'Angelo at night. I had seen it before in the daytime but it had a special eerieness at night.
I realize you have an early am flight out of FCO so understand your desire to move to an airport hotel, but we have done the same time flight and we just took a very early cab to the airport. Traffic at 6 am is not usually an issue and it buys you some extra time in rome center the prev evening. Might be worth it to you.
After you get your accomodations settled, you can ask for specific recommendations on special things to see and do with your sons in mind.
Another thought just came to me. On one trip to Rome, we all read Angels and Demons before we went and tracked down all the landmarks which was huge fun. Then we reread the book afterwards and it was so much more interesting in being able to picture all the sites. Since the movie is being released in May you may all find it especially interesting. There are also Angels and Demons tours you can take.

Good you did it! I'd pass on Pisa with your limited time. It's worth it only if you're passing through anyway and you've got so many better options. I'd also substitute Ostia-Antica instead of Pompeii & it's close to FCO or go down late afternoon 3/26 to Sorrento for your Pompeii visit and spend the night. Hotel Campo di Fiori has some apts in Rome. I've only stayed at their hotel though but the location would be great for the boys. I also agree with Linda to take an early taxi. I'd looked into airport hotels & they were expensive so I decided I'd rather have the evening in Rome. We paid 50-60 euros last year for a town car to the airport arranged by the hotel.

We may reconsider the Naples/Vesuvius day trip. Talked to hubby tonight and suggested we might want to do that (and the AC) during a future southern Italy trip, and he said we may need to. Sooo, it sounds like he and I may go on another Italy trip at some later date. Yippee! ;)

Melissa,

Just curious on what method you're planning to use to get from FCO to CIA on your first day? Where were you planning to "stroll around" for a few hours?

That first day is going to be a LONG day!

Happy travels!

Ken,

We will probably take the Leonardo Express (sp?) to Termini, the take the Metro to CIA. Do you have other suggestions? We could take a shuttle, but with 4 of us it would likely cost around 150E.

Strolling around? Haven't gotten that far. Just thought it would be a good use of the "in between" time we had until our Venice flight. I agree it will be a long day, which is why we'll likely crash as soon as we get to Venice!

Other thoughts or suggestions?

Melissa, the Rome metro doesn't go to Ciampino airport. A local bus winds its way to the airport from the Anagnina metro station, but it seems to take forever, and it's always crowded with locals. A better (and faster) bet would be the Terravision bus, which runs from Termini to coordinate with Ryanair flights. Check Ryanair's website for details, but I think it's about 6 Euro and takes about 40 minutes. Don't forget...Ryanair's check-in counter closes 40 minutes before flight time....and they accept no excuses! ;)

Great advice, Norm. I will look into that bus on the RyanAir site.