Suggestions on Traveling Tips to Italy

Italy is fabulous! You only need one day in Venice. Spend the extra time in Rome which is huge and has so much to do/see. Have fun!!

OK, speaking from personal experience, having gone with 2 kids, ages 3 & 6 at the time I would NOT EVER DO THAT AGAIN...

I highly recommend a prepaid group thing. Check out Rick Steve's, Europe Through the Back Door. He has family friendly tours. Or contact AAA, they actually have great rates.

I could talk for days about our disastrous of a vacation, hotel after hotel, cab, meals, trains...etc.

Really, don't do it alone. You'll be a sitting duck for all the professional pick pockets. Most of the hotels we booked ahead on line, through Expedia, brought hard copy verification, and they would send us off to a low rent hotel, and keep the money we had already paid by credit card for...there is a lot of scamming going on in Italy.

Some friends went with their young kids and did a cruise and had a great time b/c the kids got to sleep in the same bed every night while the ship changed ports.

We even had first class train tickets that ended up being a huge hassle. The book cited we would have to pay a 10 Euro booking fee. But every travel agent charged us 30 Euros per ticket....and I had no recourse....

Ugh...and we went to the same cities you mention above. We are going back this summer for a month and I will definitely book through a tour.

Our youngest was 8 when we went. The one thing that worked for us was booking a couple of private tours through Context Travel. They have tours specifically geared toward kids for places like the Vatican and the Colosseum. The tour guide that took us through the Colosseum was fanstastic. She told awesome stories about the area that kept us all intrigued the entire time. Because they were private tours the guides could gear their information to our family and not worry about an entire group.

I've been to all three beautiful cities and wouldn't miss any of them. However, while Venice is the most beautiful city (I thought), there wasn't as much touristy stuff to do. I'd maybe do 2 days there - one to do some museums and the other to just "be" and explore the city. If you and your kids love art, Florence is where you will want to spend your time, otherwise I'd stick another day on Rome. Enjoy, It will be a wonderful trip. P.s. we stayed in hotels and were happy.

Oh, how fun! We went to Florence and Venice four years ago when our oldest was a baby. We went for eight days. The Italians LOVE children, and we had such a great time. We've also been to Rome on a separate trip before kids in 2001. Loved it.

I also second the recommendation to read Rick Steves' travel books. He has some great tips and sometimes you can get discounts if you mention his book. Also, watch "A Room with a View" to get you in the mood for Florence. And, of course, "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn. If you like Michelangelo, check out "The Agony and the Ecstasy" by Irving Stone. The movie concentrates more on his painting the Sistine Chapel, but the book is a pretty detailed (albeit fictionalized) biography.

In Florence, I think we stayed in the Hotel Enza. In Venice, we stayed at the Corte Campana B&B. Both were fine, although the Corte Campana was at the top of some pretty steep steps. Maybe a little nerve-wracking with small children. I can't remember where we stayed in Rome, although it was extremely close to the Coliseum.

As for what to do, it really depends what you're interested in. My husband and I are huge art and museum fans, so we toured a bunch of those in both Florence and Venice. We also took boat rides to Murano and Burano when we were in Venice. Of course, a baby is a lot more portable and accommodating than older kids, so definitely involve yours in the planning.

We did fewer museums in Rome, although you absolutely must go to St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel. We also checked out the Coliseum, because it's such an iconic Rome landmark, but the inside was really not that interesting.

I personally wouldn't do a tour with kids. There will be a lot of sitting on a bus and waiting on other people, and that's hard on children. And I don't think the other tour passengers will appreciate it if/when they get bored and fidgety. I felt Italy was extremely easy to get around. Very walkable, although again probably less so with kids. Mass transit in all cities was very easy. I can't recall that we ever took a cab. Yes, be careful of pickpockets, but we never ever had a problem.

Let me know if you have specific questions. I think I have the exact itinerary of what we did in Florence and Venice somewhere.

Have fun!! And eat lots of pasta and gelato!

Jae

I took a group tour while in college. I would recommend a hotel. I loved Italy and went to those 3 cities. We even took a 1/2 day tour to Pisa (sp?). It was awesome to ride on a double decker bus. I would also suggest when you exchange your money to ask for small bills. When I was there they only gave large bills and then when you went to purchase something it was difficult to get change. While in Venice I would strongly suggest visiting the two islands Morono and Borono (again sp?). Please feel free to send me a message I could go on for days about Italy.

My husband has been to Rome. All he keeps saying to tell you is - gelato! I can see the pros and cons to go both ways. Good luck and have fun!

My husband & I went for 10 days in July 2009 & had a fantastic time! We did the same cities you are planning on going to. We planned the entire trip except for a tour to the Vatican and to Cinque Terre on our own & had no troubles. We arranged our own travel and accommodations. Things went smoothly. The only thing that I wish I could have done differently is stay longer!!!!!

This sounds like a wonderful adventure but perhaps more enjoyable for the teenager. I loved Italy and long to return especially to Rome. But one thing that's important to remember and that is there are 1000's of people from all walks of life and let's not forget the most important opportunist - the criminal! Not to set off a major alarm but you are a tourist with some vulnerable spots having 2 small children. I saw a woman get robbed by 2 people and she never knew what was going on. Walking is also a challenge with the crouds and the uneven pavement. I would love to take my 8 year old on such and adventure but not with out my husband for that male presence and protection. It's a delightful experience, so if you are doing it please cover all angles and possibilities. Oh yeah, June is hot!!

I agree with others about at least part of it planned and part of a group. If you can afford it, look into a private driver and tour guide for at least Rome.
My husband and I did that a couple years ago and there are several benefits. One, like he jokes, we saw Rome in a day. But then we went back, on our own to the places we wanted to see more of and spend more time at. Plus, things like the Vatican Museum can take, sometimes 2-4 hours just to get in! That's a long time to wait with your younger two. Our driver and tour guide had it down to a science. One got in line and the other took us to other sites. The one in line called at a certain point and we just showed up. Of course, it does seem rude to the many who had waited in line, but we weren't the only ones. Plus, it was just her and the two of us, pretty much getting a private tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's instead of in a group.
Florence is pretty easy, I think to get around and see the highlights. And actually we are going to Venice for the first time this summer.

Have fun!

I've done several trips to Europe, but never with children. I did take my mom and we did a planned, group tour and we loved it. Everything is taken care of; we felt safe the entire time; Venice is very, very confusing and easy to get lost (ask me how I know).
IF you are the adventurous type and thrive on that, then I would say "go for it" on your own. BUT, if you want to have things all taken care of and just sit back and enjoy, then a planned tour is the way to go.
Just my two cents,
Ciao!
R.

I was in Venice in early July and it was HOT and super crowded. You are very lucky that you have the 17 year old, because you will literally need to keep a hold of the little ones. A stroller might not be very easy on some of the narrow passageways and bumpy roads. I would also say that one day in Venice is enough. Be aware that you will pay up to (usually less) the equivalent of about $2 every time you want to use the restroom. Also, be aware that they often charge extra for you to sit down when you get food somewhere. We didn't know this and paid about $10 just to sit while we ate our little wraps for lunch one day. That being said...Venice is really so beautiful and be sure to do the gondola ride (also SUPER expensive-we split the cost with another small group of Americans) I've never been to Florence, but my husband looooves it there...so maybe plan for more time in the other cities :) Good luck!

I spent a month in Italy when I was in college and although Florence, Rome and Venice were all beautiful the highlight of my trip was visiting the hill towns in/near Tuscany. Pick atleast one and do a day trip from Florence or Rome. My hands down favorite was San Gimignano, but also enjoyed Assissi and Gubbio. These little towns are soo charming and simply gorgeous (when you drive up to them they are surrounded by castle walls). Each little town also has their own style of pottery, which you will then begin to recognize as you travel throughout Italy. These little towns are soo quaint and just really magical and should not be missed! We rented a villa in Tuscany on a vineyard just outside of Sienna, but don't overlook some of the vacation rental properties; they may have less "service" than a hotel, but with kids it might be nice to have your own kitchen and more space for down time since kids tend to go to bed early.

Wow, enjoy your trip! Italy is beautiful and how wonderful to experience the beauty and history with your family. We have traveled throughout Europe on our own and relied heavily on Rick Steve's Europe books. The books that focused on a particular city (i.e. Rome) were extremely helpful. From hotels to food, it will not steer you wrong. Every tip is right on! I did not travel with children, but am planning to use the tips learned on an upcoming family vacation. Good luck and have fun!

I am partial to Rome after having studied there, but I will tell you that you need a week in Rome to appreciate it -it is big and crazy, and overwhelming, takes a few days just to get acclimated. Having given this advice before, almost everyone I know who had at least a week in Rome LOVED it, those who had less time didn't really like it. I think you could skip Venice on this trip, and hope to go back some day to some other Northern Italian cities and do it then. Florence is great too, you will have a lot of fun! I haven't been with my kids, I can see the potential for problems like the one poster said, definitely have everyone keep their guard up, carry all valuables in a small pouch that could go around your neck and down under your clothes. I think if you are all extra careful you could have a great time!!