Any advice on traveling with young kids ages 4 & 7? We will be in Venice 2 days & Florence 2 days. Rome 1 day, but have been there before. We have rented a car to travel between the cities, so we can go at our leisure/pace.
Thanks in advance! Amber :)
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
Those kids are in for a great time! We traveled a lot when we were young kids (dad was air force) and many decades later I still have vivid memories of places and experiences!
The vaporetti in Venice can be a relaxing way of getting around. the kids should be free. Get a 2 day pass to save a little. Also, take a traggetto ride across the Grand Canal - cheap and entertaining! Of course, chase pigeons in Piazza San Marco. Want to watch the kids get grossed out? Take them to the Rialto Market - not the fruit and veggies but the fish, cow, horse and other animal parts for sale. As an adult I look at that and know why the food in Italy always tastes so fresh!
Have you considered the train? Less hassle but less leisurely pace too. Just a thought.
Between Venice and Florence how about Verona? The kids might enjoy climbing around the Roman arena. It's still in use so climbing the steps (seating for the concerts) leads to a great view.
I'm not a big fan of Florence so someone else will have to help you out there. Great place to shop for leather though.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
We are excited! Where/What is the best way to get the tickets for the things you mentioned, from the airport?
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2455 posts
Hi Amber, while I can see the benefits of traveling by car with kids, just like at home, for a short trip to those three cities, a car will be pretty much useless in the cities, just paying for the rental and parking, and hoping you are not accumulating expensive tickets that you will learn about months later. I would use the trains.
Posted by
Placentia, CA
1059 posts
There is a television series called "Travel With Kids". It comes on Saturday mornings. The hosts have taken their kids all over the world. They have done a number of episodes in Italy. It is a great series to watch even if you don't have kids. I know they have their episodes on the Internet and I think on YouTube.
I recently watched their episode on Venice and they had some great suggestions on how to make Venice fun for the kids. Needless to say, the kids loved Venice.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11357 posts
Do you have 5 nights or 7 for this trip? I find it is helpful to count in terms of nights so you know the FULL DAYS you have in each place. If it is 5 nights, this is way too rushed and I would encourage you to "do" only two stops, but if it is 7 nights, you can just manage. In any case, whether 5 or 7 nights, do not add to your itinerary, i.e., do not plug in Verona. Your kids will like Venice better anyway.
Arrive Venice airport and take the Alilaguna Shuttle to the city. Hope you are staying in Venice proper! Find a Vaporetto ticket vending machine or a HelloVenezia kiosk and buy vaporetto passes. As single rides are Euro 7.50 each, buying a 48 or 72 hour pass makes sense. This site might be helpful. Most of what was mentioned above by Robert does not require any ticketing. Do have a look at Rick Steves' Venice Guidebook for suggestions with children as well as the Ciao Bambino blog.
Take trains! They will save you time, money and sanity! If you can commit to a schedule and buy in advance 4 months, you can get all four of you to Florence for Euro 58.00!! Note, on the Italian train website, Venice is Venezia and Florence is Firenze. Note you should monitor that site 120 days from your date of travel and jump on the tickets for the best fares, but they are non-refundable so you are making a commitment. As you do not need a car in any of these cities and parking is expensive and difficult, trains are best. A leisurely pace at driving, well, it's hard to make too many stops when your time in the country is so short. Better to move on to Florence, for example, and if you want to do something outside of the city, take a bus trip or tour. Ciao Bambino has ideas for Florence and Rome as well, BTW.
Posted by
4544 posts
Just did these three cites with kids. Without question take the train! Fast and cheap if tickets bought 120 days in advance. Children under 14 are half price also and free under 5 I think. A car is much more of a worry than an asset here.
It's possible to spend only 2 nights in Venice and 2 in Florence and see a satisfactory number of sites but you will have to micro plan each few hours, choose lodging near rail stations, and have a plan to store luggage short term. Also will have to limit seated restaurant meals because they consume a great deal of time.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23318 posts
It makes no sense to have a car in those cities especially Venice and Florence. Rome, maybe, depending on where you want to stay or do. But worthless for the other two. Florence is notorious for the TLzones and expensive traffic tickets a year later. And, obviously, a car has to be parked outside of Venice in expensive garages. Use the train. Cheaper and easier. And kids love it.