Travel Agent/Travel Planner?

Hi there, Daniele, and welcome to the RS forum!

There are lots of experienced travelers able to help you right here! Why don't you respond with your itinerary plus tell us:

How many will be traveling with you
Their approx. ages
Your interests
How you are intending to get around (public transit, rental car, etc.)
Anything else we need to know about, such as travel partners with mobility challenges

The more we know about you, the better we can help! :O)

I agree with everything Kathy said above. I would also add that you should get the Rick Steves Italy guide book, it will tell you where to stay, where to eat, how to travel by train or bus, how to get into sites without standing in line, etc.

Hello! My family of 4 - myself, husband and our two sons, ages 18 & 22 will be traveling to Italy June 15-30. We are flying in and out of Florence. The last half of our trip is narrowed down because we are attending a wedding: June 27-30 here: CASTELNUOVO BERARDENGA, ITALY and staying in Greve in Chianti during that time with friends. Our boys are adventurous and so we want a good mix - interaction, adventures, food and some history and museums sprinkled in. This is our initial thoughts:

June 16 - arrive in Florence 6:15pm - spend the night
June 17 - take Train to Venice

June 17 - 19 Explore Venice
June 20 - pick up car and take the Dolomite Road to Bolzano
June 21 - Dolomites
June 22 - June 23 Drive to Cinque Terre?? Or?? I’m
rethinking Cinque Terre after forum readings
June 24 - Drive to Florence
June 25 - Florence
June 26 - Florence
June 27 - Drive to Greve in Chianti where we’re staying, wedding festivities begin that night 7:30pm at CASTELNUOVO BERARDENGA, ITALY
June 28 - wedding 5:30pm CASTELNUOVO
June 29 - lunch CASTELNUOVO
June 30 - depart Florence 10:25 am

We’ve been all over the map (literally and figuratively) we originally wanted to do the coast but determined crowds and heat may take away from our overall experience there. 😅 I’m so overwhelmed and would love some ideas. Open to edits! I would also love hotel/Airbnb etc… recommendations. Thanks!!

Looks like you have 14 nights in Italy?

If you drop CT- add a night to Bolzano
2 night stay is only 1.5 days

You will not need or want the car for your 3 nights in Florence, so you might want to drop it then pick up another for your time at the wedding. Or just take train from Venice to Bolzano- then train to Florence.

You will need to be IN Florence the night before your departure flight.

Arrive Florence
Florence 1 night
Train to Venice 3 nights
Train to Bolzano 3 nights
Train to Florence 3 nights
Pick up car - Greve 3 nights
To Florence- drop car- 1 night

Kind of awkward with all the odd nights in Florence. Can you fly IN to Venice instead?

This looks doable to me but be forewarned that Florence can be very hot and very humid and very crowded. I'm not saying you shouldn't go there, just maybe pre-book all you museums etc. Definitely buy a vaporetto pass for Venice. Individual rides are very expensive but the pass works wonders for your tired feet. Venice will be crowded too but just turn left (or right). You'll discover parts of Venice that are truly wonderful in their own right. Venice is not a museum that you go to to look at art. Venice is the art and you are IN it.

Make planning part of the fun and involve everyone. Research (RS books are a very good place to start), make lists, compare notes, negotiate and do some more research. I do that for hotels, apartments and sometimes even restaurants.

Some people enjoy planning and others don't. Is there a reason you're flying into Florence, and only staying overnight? You could have flown into Venice, where you really start out.

In Venice, I can recommend this apartment. It’s on the island Giudecca, a short ride to St. Marks. It’s away from the crowds, and has ac. The same company manages several apartments next to each other if this one is not available. https://abnb.me/AL41ClMdSxb

For the Dolomites, I would base in Ortesei, Santa Cristina or Selva instead of Bolzano. It will save you an hour drive. Ortesei has lifts going up to the peaks on either side, but can be more expensive. A bus connects each of the villages if you don’t want to drive (they are about 5 minutes from each other).

Instead of CT, you might consider a stay at Lake Garda or Como.

I think you've done a great job, but I'd forget CT and stay longer in the Dolomites. You can either do two car rentals, pick somewhere in the mountains where you don't need a car, or choose a Florence accommodation with parking--all have minor tradeoffs.
The split stay in Florence is a minor inconvenience but sometimes that's how it goes. If you were arriving in the morning, I'd have said take a train to Venice on arrival day, but with a 6pm arrival, I imagine you will be done!

Wow, thank you all for your responses! I don’t enjoy planning, it’s just stressful. Unfortunately, the most inexpensive way to fly was round trip out of Florence - (by thousands) so it’s not ideal but it’s what we have to work with…

I think we will drop Cinque Terre. Does anyone have more ideas on the Dolomites in general and where to stay?

Would it be foolish to add in Rome?

Also, if we fly out of Florence at 10:25am why do we have to stay in Florence? I believe the drive to the airport is 1.5 hours?

You could do Rome instead of the Dolomites, but I don't see how you would do both. I really like the contrast of interspersing the main tourism sites (Venice, Florence) with some low key nature stuff--you mentioned adventurous sons.
Are you staying an hour away from the wedding?
You could do an early morning drive to airport, sure.

Also feeling the pressure to keep the 18 & 22 year olds engaged and happy to be traveling with their parents so I’d love some excursions that would suit two active and adventurous young men!

I agree @valadelphia! We really want to keep the Dolomites! That’s more “us” and I can’t unsee the beauty I’ve found in pictures so we feel like it’s a must. Thanks, again!

Wow! You're off to a great start, Daniele!

This?

Also feeling the pressure to keep the 18 & 22 year olds engaged

Mom, take that pressure right off your shoulders. Give them each a guidebook and advise them to find some things they'd like to do in the chosen destinations. The internet is a great tool too. If they engage with the plan, they're more likely to engage with the activities THEY chose. If they don't? You didn't pick 'em so talk to the hand. HA! Anyway, this is a GREAT opportunity for the both of them to learn how to research and plan a trip: Do it all for them and, well, that's a missed opportunity. They're also old enough to do some striking out on their own without the parents. :O)

I'll vote with the fine folks above to cut the CT and add to the Dolomites. Rome? You'd have to drop the Dolomites to fit that one in.

Florence: I don't know how much planning you've done for sightseeing there but you do need to make advance reservations for some of the attractions. Once you have your itinerary nailed down, give a shout if you're unsure of the official ticketing websites, sightseeing ideas. etc? The gang here will be happy to help.

There's nothing wrong with using a travel agent, although you've cut things very close timing-wise.

Anyhow, Travel & Leisure has a list of folks they like FWIW and it was just updated

https://www.travelandleisure.com/a-list/a-list-travel-advisors

Also, if we fly out of Florence at 10:25am why do we have to stay in Florence? I believe the drive to the airport is 1.5 hours?

Because you need to be at the airport 2-3 hours before departure. You never know what kind of traffic you will run into. Why would you not want to stay in Florence?

Also, if we fly out of Florence at 10:25am why do we have to stay in
Florence? I believe the drive to the airport is 1.5 hours?

Greve is actually about an hour to the airport- but always add time- stuff happens- traffic delays, getting lost...
I was thinking you were staying at wedding venue- which would be too far.
You will need to be at the terminal about 2 hours preflight- your flight is going somewhere in Europe, correct?
Add time for dropping car- check rental agency hours- taking shuttle to terminal, etc.

I'd be on the road from Greve no later than 6:30 am- and TBH I would still be nervous!
(if you were staying in Florence you could hop in a cab at 8 am)

Be sure to do your homework regarding driving in Italy- understand ZTLs, speeding cameras, parking issues, alcohol limits.
You don't want any surprises in your mailbox after you return home!
All drivers must have an IDP-International Driving Permit- get at your local AAA.

We always book our cars with www.AutoEurope.com- A US based consolidator with stellar customer service-, full insurance.

I just can’t get over how helpful you all are on this forum, THANK YOU!!

I forgot to ask about travel insurance - any companies we should check out?

Everyone has different insurance needs

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-insurance

You can compare policies at
www.insuremytrip.com
www.squaremouth.com

Here are some suggestions. Please note, they are suggestions, you know what is best for you and your family.

Since you are flying into Florence, can you spend your days in Florence first? Then pick up with your schedule– train to Venice for your time there, then the Dolomites and then the wedding. Leave the wedding site the evening before your flight and go back to Florence. I agree with dropping the Cinque Terre. This alteration would still allow you to pick up the car in Venice and then keep it until you leave (or the night before you leave).

I agree with ChristineH; I would NOT want a car in Florence. I also agree about in staying Florence the night before the flight (and turn in the car the night before). For international flights you need to arrive 3 hours prior to departure (boarding typically starts 45 minutes before scheduled take off). So adding 3 hours in the airport, 1:15 travel time from Castelnuovo Berardenga, and the time to deal with turning in the rental, you will have to be packed, checked out of the hotel and on the road around (likely before) 6:00am. For us, that is too much, too early, on a long travel day, but this may work for you.

We were in Europe last year with our family of four–kids are college age, 20 and 22. I had everyone make a list of 3-5 things they wanted to do and I had them prioritize at least one must do. This takes some of the touring pressure off of you.

I find this forum invaluable for my trip planning, and my husband and I are returning to Italy this fall. Everyone has extremely helpful advice and experiences to share. I also suggest the Rick Steves Italy book.

Parting thoughts and recommendations:

• Make sure you have air con. Summers in Italy are hot and unless you are accustomed to no air conditioning, you will be miserable without it. In addition to the heat, windows open allows a lot of noise (and frequently mosquitos and gnats) too.

• Do not overplan. If this is your first trip to Italy, some of your best experiences will be things you just happen upon –like finding the best gelato in Florence which requires a lot of sampling (and resampling to make sure you remembered the other gelato flavor correctly).

• In Venice, our family of 4 stayed at Prince Apartments booked via booking.com. We had air con, two bedrooms and access to a washer and dryer. The apartment was a five minute walk from the Arsenale vaporetto stop and the owner/manager was very responsive. We would stay there again.

• In Florence, we stayed in Hotel il Bargellino in a family room for 4 - they brought in a single bed, in addition to the queen bed and daybed. I found it in the Rick Steves Italy book and I contacted the hotel directly. The room had air con and a large modern bath. If your family has issues with being cozy, this may not be your best option, but it was great for us and has a wonderful terrace with a view of the Duomo. We enjoyed the terrace every evening sometimes with antipasti, aperitivo, prosecco etc; obviously dinner was frequently a picnic as Mercato Centrale was right down the street. My husband and I are staying here again this fall.

I have no idea why we aren’t just seeing and staying in Florence first - that makes the most sense now that you brought that to my attention. Thanks for the hotel suggestions, as well. We’re happy to be cozy - the boys, maybe not! 🤣
All of these tips I’m getting are helping me to be less stressed!

Since you are flying into Florence, can you spend your days in
Florence first? Then pick up with your schedule– train to Venice for
your time there, then the Dolomites and then the wedding. Leave the
wedding site the evening before your flight and go back to Florence. I
agree with dropping the Cinque Terre. This alteration would still
allow you to pick up the car in Venice and then keep it until you
leave (or the night before you leave).

^^This is a really good suggestion.
Florence 3 or 4- late night arrival on Day 1 means just 2 full days if you spend just first 3 nights
Venice 3- gives you better time in Venice
get car
Bolzano 3 or 4
drive to Greve- long and boring but probably best use of time-- 5 hours?
Greve 4 nights

Limits number of days you need a car- which means less stress overall.

OP is staying in Greve with friends - while it would make me nervous- they could drive to FLR morning of flight. Since it is NOT an international flight from Florence (they will be changing planes somewhere in Europe) getting there about 2 hours preflight should be fine.
(Hopefully our resident Florentine Roberto will pop in with some driving advice)

Absolutely must have air conditioning.

Noted: Sounds like we need to re-think having the car in Florence and we need a/c at all accommodations!

This will help you understand one of the main driving problems in Italy ZTLs and why driving in cities is not recommended. Also watch out for speed cameras to avoid tickets. It’s been 4 years since I drove in southern Italy so the need to carry change for toll booths may have changed.

I'd suggest booking lodging asap. Based on reports here, lodging in Europe is getting expensive and in short supply. This is the first year to travel without covid testing., so there significant pent- up demand. Don't mean to add to your stress, but get an itinerary asap, book lodging, then adapt and modify, if lodging allows.
Safe travels!

Just to add to the rental car stuff: a good many of us would advise never to leave anything of value in unattended car. If you MUST leave luggage in one while sightseeing from one place to another, make sure the bags are stowed out of sight. Here's a thread on the subject with some tips. You'll see that there are varying levels of comfort/discomfort, and that chances of a break-in could be higher in one part of the country versus another, or a popular tourist destination versus one which draws fewer of them.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/just-don-t-leave-the-vehicle-unattended-while-luggage-is-inside

And yes, boning up on driving in Italy is a necessity as some stuff, such as ZTLs, is different there than here. Understand as well that virtually all violations are caught on camera, so you probably would be unaware that you caused one until you get the fines in the mail months later. Honest, not to add to your stress but to emphasize the need to do the reading-up. As others have said, you do NOT want or need a car in Florence or Venice.

Thank you for the tips. We will not be getting a car in Florence or Venice after all! I will have my husband read up.

Have him read this
http://driventoit.blogspot.com/2015/01/driving-in-italy-including-dreaded-ztls.html?m=1

Personally, I love planning travel. This thread is getting long and I apologize if others have hit these points.

I agree with Kathy that your kids are old enough to do some of the work. It will help them be engaged with the trip. Maybe they want to climb every tower and dome or can find a certain hiking trail. Think about how comfortable you will be with letting them roam on their own and what the rules will be. It helps to set the expectations in advance. Have a plan for what you want to do in the evening. Give your kids a decent budget for purchases . Florence has amazing leather shops. If your kids buy something they love there, it will last a lifetime. Maybe for a teen, some Italian clothing, like a linen shirt and pants might help them feel good at the wedding and be something they wear at home, too. Edited: In reviewing the thread, your kids are older than I first thought. Let them set their own budget!

I'm a proponent of longer stays in fewer places. Especially when traveling with a group. Longer stays make an apartment or Airbnb more cost-effective. The quality of where you stay can make a big difference in your trip. Make sure everyone has enough personal space. Nothing starts us bickering more than a tight, noisy room with inefficient air conditioning and not enough hot water. Remember, the effects of traveling are cumulative. What might be okay at the beginning of the trip can become an issue closer to the end. I always book our best accommodation for last. Think about getting food from grocery stores. Not only are they different and fun to shop in, after a loooong day of touristing, a salad and a glass of wine or Italian soda are sometimes just right.

Florence will be hot and humid and crowded. Last May, we stayed north of the central tourist area in a leafy neighborhood near the river that was a mix of hotels and apartments. Yes, it was a bit of a walk to the main attractions but the walk was down the Arno. We're the kind of people who need time in open spaces. To get out of the crowds to watch the sunset from the Arno or have a drink on the hotel terrace with a view of the Duomo was balancing. Lots of hotels in Florence have pools if that is helpful.

Italy is bigger than you may think. Even with high-speed trains, travel takes a while. Personally, I never ever want to drive in Italy. I can handle LA and other major cities but I just say NO to Italy. Lane-fluid is not my style.

Last, make sure you have enough personal time with your husband. You can be a responsible parent and still have dinner out alone with your spouse. I'm a big fan of the aperitivo.