Hello,
We are excited to be traveling to Italy this summer with our teenage boys, twins age 14. We have 11 days to spend. Starting in Rome, with the idea of taking 4 nights in Rome. We booked a flight out of Venice, to London for the last leg of our trip. We are starting to feel that Venice may not be where we want to spend much time. We are drawn to, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and Luca. We want to avoid having to sleep in many places, but wonder about situating ourselves , for instance in Florence, or Luca, which we've heard great things about and taking day trips from there. Also, giving ourselves at least a day from Venice or considering canceling the flight from Venice and flying out from elsewhere, to London. Would it be helpful for us to go on line and watch, with our boys some of Rick Steve's tours in Italy? Are they on Netflix?
Thanks!
Mary
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Venice for two nights with teens is plenty . They really aren't into the "
romance " of the city , and with only 11 days I wouldn't give Venice more than two nights. The kinds of things that interest adults who love Venice , wandering the back streets , popping in and out is shops , sitting in cafes sipping 7 euro cappuccinos , are not really high on list of things that interest most teen boys . They like to see it , maybe ride a gondola , and that's about it . There is however a beach that if it's hot is worth a swim , the Lido . But that's a half day really , no one goes to Venice for a beach vacation .
Ricks videos are on here , YouTube , all over .
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Is why not Cinque terra for two or three days , hiking and some cute beaches , swimming in the Mediterranean is kind of cool .
Posted by
London
238 posts
Mary, you can also download individual episodes of Rick's show on iTunes. I think that would be a good way to help your boys get a sense of some of the different options so that they can give you an idea of what they'd like to do. Happy planning!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Rick's travel videos are here; scroll down to the country of your choice, and click it to see all the shows. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
Posted by
Eagle, CO
288 posts
Our boys last year were that age and loved the Cinque Terre. A couple of days out of museums and history into the outdoors was welcome to them.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
If you could change your flight and fly out of either Pisa or Florence that would be better for you.
It sounds as though Tuscany is really calling you. You might consider spending the first 4 days in Rome then the last week in Tuscany. You can rent a villa and base out of there. Do day trips to the smaller towns you wish to visit.
I would get a few guide books and have the boys go through them. Let them choose some places of interest and plan your trip around that. They might choose Venice or the might not. If not, consider a week in Tuscany. If they like exploring that would be a great place for them to do it.
Donna
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks to all who have added comments to our question! We have heard that Lucca is a great place to go because it is smaller and close to Pisa and Cinqueterra. Anyone have any experience with Lucca and surrounding area, especially with the teen factor in mind?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Lucca's a nice town but for me doesn't have half the interest of Venice or Siena. I'd rather stay in the Cinque Terre than day trip to it. But I'm somewhat out of touch with 14-year old boys. In Venice, consider the Rialto fish and produce market, a mask-decorating option such as http://www.camacana.com/courses/abc-mini-courses/, or maybe book ahead for a rowing lesson with Row Venice. Venice is great for photography, if they're into that.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Day
1-4. Rome (4N)
5. Train to Siena (3N)
6. Siena
7. Day to Florence by bus
8. Train to Lucca (4N)
9. Afternoon to Pisa by train
10. Day to Cinque Terre by train
11. Day to Florence by train
12. Fly to London from Pisa
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
795 posts
Laura's Row Venice suggestion is great! Instead of paying a ton to ride in one, why not learn how to drive one? I think 2 nights is great, I got my fill with that amount of time as well....
I can see how 14 year old boys might not like Venice (heck, I don't like it that much haha) and I think Cinque Terre might be great for them as it is more natural (or outdoorsy?) and smaller, so easier to get a grasp on....
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
359 posts
Lucca might be a nice stop right after a city where you've spent lots of museum time. Rent bikes and ride around the walls. Blow off some steam and energy!
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1371 posts
A vote for Lago di Garda. Between Garda and Bardolino you can find motor boat parachuting, banana riding, hill hiking, take a ferry to Malcesine and ride the gondola to the top (http://funiviedelbaldo.it/en/), take a ferry to Peschiera and rent a boat. Walk between Garda and Bardolino and eat ice cream. And there's https://www.gardaland.it/en/ and http://www.gardalake.com/place/caneva-aquapark-lazise/