Looking to spend 5-6 weeks in Italy next summer with a 9 year old and 2 year old. What city would be best recommended? Would ideally like to send the 9 year old to some sort of english speaking camp during the day. We'd try to keep one place as 'home base' and then explore the rest of the country on weekends; so access to easy transportation. First time doing this.
We just came back from 2 weeks holiday venturing Venice mestre - Friuli - Venice Island (Cannaregio) - Florence - Rome
Please dont judge if some of these are touristy, i am a tourist haha.
Grazie millie Italy, you have trully captured my heart.
I am looking at flying into Rome then staying in Spello for a few days in May, June or July.
It seems close enough where I can go to Rome by train and see what I want, but far away and quiet enough to just relax and not be so touristy.
What are your thoughts on this or suggestions if not Spello?
Going to Verona in a couple weeks with our toddler and baby. We were going to do Bologna but the airbnb situation just worked out better in Verona. Did we mess up? Bologna seems awesome, but the food situation seemed a bit harder with kids (we wouldn't want to bring them to a nicer restaurant)
It's not too late to change our minds and do Bologna instead. Which is better for little kids? And the parents haha
I am working up for a trip to Italy this fall, and I am planning to fly into Rome (FCO), but spend a few days in Florence as part of the trip. I am going to Florence via the high-speed train, which means I need to bring the same bag on the train that I fly with.
From what I have read, nothing larger than a carry-on bag will fit in the overhead racks. I am planning to use a 27 inch (Medium-sized) check back: will this have any trouble fitting into the baggage racks at the end of the in the Business-class carriages, or in the between-seat storage?
Additionally - my alternative bag is 31 inches- is this unlikely to fit anywhere the 27 inches bag would fit?
Thanks for the help.
Just got back from a 2 week trip where we visited Montenegro & Croatia and then spent 5 nights in Rome. Truly a beautiful city and honestly insane to think about all the places I grew up learning about (the Colloseum, Pantheon, etc.) that I got to experience for myself! Couple of big takeaways:
TRY AS HARD AS YOU CAN TO GET A NIGHT TOUR OF THE COLOSSEUM!!!!!! It’s simply the best way to experience it without a shadow of a doubt. We managed to snag a spot when they released a week before and it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. There was only 15ish people in our group + the tour guide and we never saw another group throughout the tour. Tourguide was excellent and it was surreal to have one of the 7 wonders of the world to yourself for about an hour and 15 min with pleasant weather. The tour takes you through everything including the underground section so you get to see the entire structure as well. I can’t stress enough that it’s worth spamming refresh to try to beat all the tour operators at release.
Fully expected the Vatican museums to be crowded but whoever designed the security lines before your time is called outside of the museum should never be in charge of anything ever again lol. It’s a madhouse with no real gates or structure and everybody just pushing and shoving their way to the front. The experience inside was obviously amazing but the initial security was just a complete and utter disaster & it’s got to be fixed.
Trastevere had by far and away the best food + prices during our stay. Great atmosphere with a lot of delicious food without any of the high prices found near most famous places (this one is probably extremely obvious but just wanted to mention how much fun we had here).
We went during the last week of September and 1st week of October and I can’t even imagine how bad peak season must be as we still experienced massive crowds at several major sites. Obviously Rome is a very busy city, but the amount of tourists were truly unbelievable at different points (obviously I know we’re part of the same problem just pointing it out as an observation). It didn’t put a damper on our trip and just like anywhere else you can escape the crowds pretty easily if you just go a few blocks from the major tourist sites.
All in all it was a fantastic trip and a great opportunity to see a beautiful city and a beautiful country!
Was thinking about seeing about a trip to Florence and Lucca, or Rome for my birthday next year. My family is from Lucca so I'd really like to go there, but wondered how large the crowds were in April for either spot. Already been to Rome so thinking moreso Florence and Lucca (specifically Torre Del Lago as my great grandma spent her first 9 years there) so I can see where my family originated. TIA!!
ETA since if forgot the dates: I was thinking April 12th-21 2027
Traveling to Florence mid-November followed by 2 days/2 night in Bologna (6:30am flight on 3rd Bologna "day"). Long story short, personal life events make it hard for me to feel excited for this trip (and in general) but I'm grateful to be traveling with my godfather who knows so much about the food, Renaissance, and history.
Not many things are on my "must see" list. While I appreciate art and architecture for its skill feat and importance, seeing it -- especially without context -- doesn't do much for me. That being said, my mother raved about the guide she had for The David (how his expression and posture changes the viewer's impression at each angle, etc.) so I'm very curious to experience that.
This community would be super helpful for suggesting non-art experiences (I promise I'll get plenty anyway) and -- even better -- thoughts or stories to help me get in the mood and excited for this trip. Much appreciated <3
So far, these sound good (reality-check me if you disagree!):
Florence (Full Days Tues 10 - Sat 14)
Bologna (Full Day Sun Nov 15 and Mon 16)
My godfather will point us in the right direction for food, but the wine windows and charcuterie perk my ears up :)
This will be sometime between Oct 22-27. We have one day to do a day trip from Florence. Our options are to take the bus and spend the day in Siena (just the two of us) or go with a group to Siena, Chianti and San Gimignano. The group one would only have 1.5 hours in Siena.
I really really want to spend time in Siena but also want to do wine tastings in Chianti. I can’t figure out a way to get both except the group one, but I wish it had a longer time in Siena.
(I think I can figure out Siena a on my own, but I don’t think I can figure out the Chianti part like which wineries to go to, how to have a lunch like that, etc which is why I was looking at the group stuff.)
What would you do? I’ll take any advice!
Help!
Staying in Florence and barely made connection JFK->CDG—>FLR - bag didn’t make it with the following items - mostly my wife’s beauty stuff - where do we go in Florence to buy this stuff? We are staying Sunday - Wednesday and I’m not confident the bag will Catch us.
TIA - sucks we have to spend time doing this but it is what it is
Osprey vector 22 - sojourner 44 equivalent
Men’s Pair of dress sport shoes Prescription sunglasses Maui Jim Hilfiger jacket Heavy weight quarter zip
Curling iron/Hairdryer combo Bronze Tanning wipes Hand wipes Women’s Tennis shoes -100 Women’s Sandals - 100 Women’s Uffos -100 Women’s Loafers - 140
Sanitizer stuff I Hand wipes Disposable wash cloths Needles for b12 shots
Hello there! Me and my wife are going to visit Italy in a 7 days trip, we’ll have the first 2 days in Milano, the 2 days in Florenza and 3 days in Roma. 14-21 october this year
If any of you could recommend us some nice traditional and non-scammy places where we could try good quality italian food in each city we’d highly appreciate it! 🙏🏻
Also, if you have any tips ( safety, visiting, etc) feel free to type them.
Thank you very much!