I am a single mother. My son will be 16. His first trip to Italy. I have not been in 20 years. (I have been quite q few times) He does not know we are going yet (will find out on his birthday in May). So excited to share this with him (though I must lower my expectations I know). We will fly into Rome 6/28 for two days, then I have us in Siena (with car and apartment) until 7/4. The Palio is amazing and I want to share this with him. I figure we can see Firenze, quickie trip to Pisa and maybe some hill towns. I wanted to go to Amalfi for three days after (and do Pompei etc) because I have such great memories), then back to Rome for two (no place like Rome) but now i am thinking instead Perugia or Assisi for two days then back to Rome for three? Or a beach town in Le Marche for two? Or perhaps Venice? It's hard when you are a single mother, or maybe" different" is a better word. I have had great times in Italy, and I want to share this with my son before he leaves home. But I don't want to go, go go. And I don't know if i put aside enough time for Rome. Thoughts? (PS Have never been to Venice.)
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8176 posts
For someone that doesn't want to go go go, you're sure moving fast. And you're kind'a running in circles.
I would suggest you stay a little longer in great places. It would be more efficient to start in the south and move toward the north--in a straight line.
Rome is a 4 day minimum place. Firenze is a 3 day minimum place.
You just may not have enough days allotted to see so much.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Over time I have come to believe that there is no universal minimum/maximum amount of time per city - you do the best you can with the time you have.
First, count nights, not days. You are spending a lot of time in Siena, which is fine, especially if you are doing day trips with a car. Perhaps slip Lucca into the Pisa day trip (walking/biking the town walls). But those nights in Siena mean you will have to forego time elsewhere. You don't say how many nights total you have on the ground, but it seems that you have about 9 nights. I would put all your Roma days at the end of the trip and go directly to Assisi or Perugia after you arrive (train from Roma). Someone else will know about car rental availability in Assisi or Perugia, I would not recommend driving right after a long flight, but you know your limits best.
Additional caution: If your son doesn't already have a passport, prepare to pay for expedited service if he applies after his May birthday in order to get it by the time you leave).
Posted by
Milton, Delaware USA
138 posts
I think going down to Amalfi is a bit too much of a drive (we drove from LeMarche to Sorrento, very long day) and you really loose a day. Urbino, Italy is a wonderful university town with a palace, Duomo and enough of a young vibe that your son may enjoy. Kids hang out in the square at night eating gelato and there are very good places to eat, one that Rick recommended on a terrace overlooking the valley was wonderful. Unless you are really into the leaning tower I would skip Pisa all together.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I have 11 full days. I am not counting the days flying in and out.
I agree Pisa is uber touristy, but I know the boy would love it. I KNOW there is so much in Florence, but it was not my favorite place. I plan on doing it as a day trip or two from Siena. I have spent a long time using Siena as a base before and found that to work well. I may even add a day or two to the Siena piece at this point to allow more exploration from there. Less moving and unpacking is better. (If you have never been to the Palio, it is a truly authentic medieval festival that is not to be missed. )
I am leaning against Amalfi at this point, but like the idea of heading out of Rome right away and then coming back for four full days. Rome is my very favorite place.
I will have to check out Urbino.
Thanks for these suggestions!
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Hard to put myself in the shoes/mind of a 16 year old but really that is needed to come up with the best plan.
While you know your son better than any of us, I envision some of the amazing history / architecture / churches / experience being lost on him so would not rush around to see everything like you are planning.
I could see him being amazed by the whole Palio experience but the intense crowds involved with that event could tire you both out, he will probably want some down days to just relax and make sure where you are staying has good wifi or rent a wifi hotspot.
Speaking with my nephews his same age that went on a big trip of Italy last summer, their fondest memories were going out / being shown around by some relatives in a small town. I expected them to tell me Rome or Venice, etc...
They enjoyed the cultural differences and experiences in the smaller town life more than the grand sites and were not fond of the lines and crowds that accompany the main tourist sites in Italy in summer.