Another question for our trip - Any opinions/recommendations on wether a private villa or an agritourims would be better with teenagers. Has anyone had an experience at one or the other that they would recommend? We have enjoyed renting villas as a family in other places, but I wonder if staying at an agritourism or farm house type of place where there is opportunity to interact with others, especially the owners/caretakers might be better for the kds. Any thoughts/recommendations would be great. Thanks
Posted by
Baltimore
49 posts
Hi Lisa, We stayed at an apartment in a villa, Le Torri in Montespertoli, this past June with my 13 and 15 year olds, and it was great. It was nice to have other people around, and there were a couple of communal meals. There weren't any other kids their ages when we were there, but that was ok. They did feel that a week in Tuscany, which was the required length of stay at the agriturismo, was a little long. Five days would have been better. We made a lot of day trips to hill towns, and by the end they felt it was a few too many. They both loved Rome and would have liked more than 4 days there.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
It really depends on your teens and their interests, of course. But our two teens (now 13 and 17) would much prefer time in any city over time in a rural location. When we first took our daughter to Italy, when she was 10, we thought she would find too much time in the cities overwhelming, because she felt that way when she was younger. We had scheduled about half our time there between Venice, Florence and Rome, and then almost a week in two different towns in Le Marche. Well, she loved the cities so much that we offered to cut our time in Le Marche short to add time in Rome. She turned that down, but just barely. Also, if you're thinking about a villa or agriturismo outside of a town, then they'll be a bit stuck, and if they want to get out and about a bit on their own, it will be difficult (impossible?) for them to do so. Even a rental place in a small town would provide them with more opportunities.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I think Lexma brings up a good point about your teens in particular. Older teens are usually not too happy with being "stuck" in a rural place, no where to wander around for an hour, whereas if they are in or near a small town it would be perfectly reasonable for say some 16-18 yr olds to want to go for a walk around on their own, but if by teens you mean 13 yr olds, well different story.
If going in summery months having a pool will really really help, nice end to a hot day of touring.
Posted by
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Personally, I would not stay at ether. Stay in a city where they can have the freedom to explore. My teenage boy would be bored silly.