Hello all,
I am still working on planning our Italy trip and need a little more help. We (family of 5 - children 15, 11 and 7 years) will be in Rome for 4 nights and then rent a car and need to decide where to stay and what to do for 2 nights. Then we have 2 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Venice before heading home. During the 3 days/2 nights between Rome and Florence what would you recommend? There seems to be so much to see. Should we spend the 2 nights in the same hotel or 1 night one place and 1 another? The kids definitely want to see Pisa. I would love to see some of Tuscany and Cinque Terre, but realize something will probably have to wait until our next trip. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Alice
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
959 posts
222 to Siena. Etruscan tombs on the way, but you have to hike some. Castle Chianti is cool. Go to an olive press. Buy some local sausage.... they are the best country sausages in all of Italy! In Siena, climb the Civic Tower and see the Duomo. Further south find Monteriggiano (sp) Montereggiano is small but also very sweet as an ancient walled village. Your children will recognize it if they've played Assassin's Creed II. It would be a very cool place to overnight. Haven't got there yet, but lake di Braccina looks beautiful on the maps. Rent a Boat?
I really like the fact that you're taking two days on this drive. People should slow down and see things.
Oops, I see you are going South to North. Just reverse the list. Unfortunately the 222 doesn't work to get to Pisa directly.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Alice,
With only two nights to spare, you could either spend the time in Orvieto (Umbria) or Siena (Tuscany), as they're both somewhat "on the way" to Florence.
I'd suggest that you also consider using public transit rather than a rental car, as it will be considerably faster and more efficient.
Note that for driving in Italy each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an IDP can result in fines on the spot or impounding of the rental car. A GPS and along with a map would also be a good idea.
You may want to check some of the previous posts here regarding the ZTL areas which are especially prevalent in Florence. Each time cars pass through one of the automated Cameras, a €100+ violation notice is produced.
Good luck with your planning!