I was hoping to get some advice on travelling through Italy. Favourite spots to stay, getting around, activities with young teens. Thanks!

Amy
We did 3 weeks with our kids. It really depends how long you are going for as it is better to go quality vs quantity. We did Venice, Florence/Tuscany (an excellent base for seeing other places such as Sienna, Pisa and Lucca), the Cinque Terre (we stayed in Framura and also did Portofino. A MUST is bike rentals and riding along the coast through the old train tunnels!), Positano (apples and oranges from Cinque Terre so don’t let anyone tell you to only do one), Naples (least fave city and we only did a day to see Pompeii) and of course, Rome. The train system is SO easy and efficient to use for in between. Just don’t try and jam everything in, it’s impossible. Leave room for the unplanned and note your highlight desires as a focus.

Amy loved Lucca!

Gaylene Johnson-Yelenik So great! Renting bikes on top of the wall is so much fun.

Amy yes! We stayed there for 3 nights, wish we would have stayed longer.

If you plan to go to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel - do the early entry into the Sistine Chapel - you are there half an hour before it opens and get to really experience it - yes - you are up early - but worth every minute and every cent spent! Half an hour with only 30 people is awesome!

Carey I second this did it a few years back. Taking granddaughter this summer and going to see if she wants to go and see this as I will book it with the same tour company I took then. At the time there may have been 40 people in the Sistine Chapel so could really appreciate it.

Thanks! Great ideas! We have 6 weeks on the springtime so hope to enjoy many areas but not too rushed.

That is very hard to nail down. There is so much to see and do and every region offers its own specialness. The variety of landscapes and seascapes are stunning. And, of course, there is all the historical focus - cathedrals, medieval villages, spectacular art. As for the teens, it really depends what they are interested in. Grade 8 Social Studies focuses on the Renaissance and Italian city states, so seeing that history in person might be particularly meaningful to them. There is no place on Earth like Venice - canals, water taxis, St Mark's Square and Basilica, glassblowing in Murano... Florence - Michelangelo's David, the Duomo. Tuscany - excellent countryside views and medieval hill towns with their towers. Cinque Terre - amazing hiking along its coastal cliffs. Rome with its history right there, surrounded by the modern city. Tours of the colosseum. the Vatican. Cities south like Sorrento. The Amalfi Coast. Pompeii. Isle of Capri. And that just scratches the surface of what Italy offers.

Ron agree with you totally..so much to see! Just remember to have good comfy walking shoes and be prepared to wait in lines if you are there in the summer,and it’s hot too. Venice is still one of my faves, but stay a few nights as it’s even more magical when the day trippers are gone.

Sandra Absolutely. So many say to stay on the mainland and come in for the day. We rented a small apartment right off San Marco Square and stayed for 6 nights. Evenings and nights are magical, especially once the hordes of tourists are gone. We had a relaxing and magical time.

We did a tour but did Tuscany, it was amazing. Less populated and less touristy. I felt a bit more exposed to the culture in the best way
started in Rome then finished in Venice. We went through AMA.

Venice, Florence, Pisa, Cinq a Terre, Rome are all AMAZING! Take the train in Europe. There is not a better way to travel in Europe in my opinion. And use a backpackers pack for luggage. It's nicer than dragging your bag around the train stations. 2 places that surprised us in Italy were Mulan and Asissi. Mulan is close to Austria and the mountains in the background are stunning. We could have explored that area more. Asissi is in such beautiful country side and the whole town is high on a hill. The history there is amazing and the town is medieval and so beautiful and charming.

Just did 4 weeks last summer. So many must dos. We used a travel consultant that was cheap and amazing. DM if you want her particulars.

Check out Ciao Tours out of Cranbrook. My cousins company that specializes in travel in Italy. They can probably help you out

Do the night tour of the Coliseum. It is so darn cool at night.

I was there for 6 weeks, pm if you have any questions.

following for ideas.

How long are you going for?