[wtwo3]

Booked my first family international trip since having kids (Mexico/DR don't count). I've avoided big trips with the kids because they have a habit of ruining a good time. But now, after nearly 8 years, we're finally going overseas again. Daugher is 7 and son is going to be 3 at time of travel. We're bringing the nanny with as a way to justify this trip and hopefully enjoy it.

So we're doing it kind of big. Decided on Italy and Croatia split over 11 days (not including travel). It's turning out to be a pretty hectic trip, but if we limit sightseeing to half days and just relax the other half then I'm hoping we'll have the energy to continue on.

Here's what we have so far.... Still need to book transportation and tour tickets. Also having a hard time figuring out how best to fit in Cinque Terre (doing a day trip there from Florence vs. staying 2 nights in a place nearby).

Any recommendations are appreciated!

[ppointer]

Extend your Florence stay and skip Cinque Terra. I like Cinque Terra, but you'll want more time in Florence.

[kscarrol]

We did this last summer. Florence is fabulous but SO crowded, even in early May when we went. Definitely pay for the cut the line tours at major attractions, well worth the money. We spent two nights in Vernazza and loved it! Frankly the morning and evenings after the cruise folks are on their ships was the best time to be there. We booked a VRBO and had a great time. If you stay, buy the day pas for the train so you can hop between all five towns. For phones we used Orange and got a 30 day eSIM with unlimited data/calls. Easy to install and use.

Like the UK I recently saw Italy is introducing a fee for visitors that you have to pay ahead of time.

Edit: As I’m sure you know, there is a lot of walking so be prepared for that, particularly the 3 year old.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

We did this last summer. Florence is fabulous but SO crowded, even in early May when we went. Definitely pay for the cut the line tours at major attractions, well worth the money. We spent two nights in Vernazza and loved it! Frankly the morning and evenings after the cruise folks are on their ships was the best time to be there. We booked a VRBO and had a great time. If you stay, buy the day pas for the train so you can hop between all five towns. For phones we used Orange and got a 30 day eSIM with unlimited data/calls. Easy to install and use.

Like the UK I recently saw Italy is introducing a fee for visitors that you have to pay ahead of time.

Edit: As I’m sure you know, there is a lot of walking so be prepared for that, particularly the 3 year old.

I was wondering if some of those guided and skip the line tours are worth it... seems like they are.

Are there places to park a stroller in the main cities like Rome and Florence? Figure we can transport the 3 year old in a stroller on the way to the attraction and then just take him out once we get there and park it. But unsure if that'll lead to a stolen stroller.

[chassis]

Nice itinerary. We did Germany-Austria-Italy-Croatia-Slovenia a few years ago and it was great.

FYI you are driving right past Venice. Strong recommend. One day with an overnight is enough.

Split and Zadar are cool. We went to Korčula and skipped the crowds at Dubrovnik. Wherever you go it will be good. Food in Croatia is unbelievable. Best in Europe IMO.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by chassis

Nice itinerary. We did Germany-Austria-Italy-Croatia-Slovenia a few years ago and it was great.

FYI you are driving right past Venice. Strong recommend. One day with an overnight is enough.

Split and Zadar are cool. We went to Korčula and skipped the crowds at Dubrovnik. Wherever you go it will be good. Food in Croatia is unbelievable. Best in Europe IMO.

Oh we're not driving anywhere near Venice plan is to head back to Rome from Cinque Terre and grab a flight to Split.

Good to know about the food in Croatia!

[iX nOOky]

Glad you're skipping Venice, just not worth it imho. We were in Croatia in spring of 2024. As mentioned great food, we only had one bad meal. I haven't been to those places in Italy, and really don't want to that time of year. We had fun in Umag and Plitvis Lakes, that's a good day of walking including the drive to and from. Zagreb was definitely worth the visit, as is Dubrovnik. We took home a lot of good olive oil from Croatia, as well as some nasty mistletoe brandy. Enjoy!

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by ppointer

Extend your Florence stay and skip Cinque Terra. I like Cinque Terra, but you'll want more time in Florence.

I was going to say the same. Florence is the bees knees. That said, I was there at a time that felt like we had the entire city to ourselves. Happened to be there for work in January and got a fluke couple days of 70° and sunny with effectively no tourists. May be a bit different in July...

[DocL]

That's going to be nice trip. We are going to Italy next month with our 12yr old twins. We started traveling with them at an early age, so this should be easy. Plus my son has already looked up the best pizza places in Rome, Florence, and Venice lol.

[spazzyfry123]

In the same vein, how are those traveling with the younger kids on the plane? Do you have a regime?

While I don't anticipate to bring our young ones on a long flight any time soon, the thought stresses me out. My last flight was about nine hours with kids just doing laps on the plane and my flight prior to it being over eight with a three year old kicking my seat the whole flight with no help from mom. Kids are kids and I want them to be, but I'm about to jump out of my skin on one of these flights; I can't imagine what it's like for the balls of energy.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

In the same vein, how are those traveling with the younger kids on the plane? Do you have a regime?

While I don't anticipate to bring our young ones on a long flight any time soon, the thought stresses me out. My last flight was about nine hours with kids just doing laps on the plane and my flight prior to it being over eight with a three year old kicking my seat the whole flight with no help from mom. Kids are kids and I want them to be, but I'm about to jump out of my skin on one of these flights; I can't imagine what it's like for the balls of energy.

I would say it's definitely not pleasant.... but with some preparation and attentiveness, you can avoid it being a total disaster.

In my case I pack activities for them to do... coloring books, small toys/trinkets. Will occasionally take them for a walk through the aisles when it's safe to do so. Have snacks ready. And when all else fails, an iPad to give them some screen time. The 7 year old is pretty good, but the 3 year old requires attention, and my wife and I will tag team that task.

[chassis]

+1 for Plitvice Lakes!

[mencio]

This is going to be an amazing trip, me and my family (wife and 3 kids) go to Rome every year as I have a house there (and I am Italian ). Keep in mind that this year is the Jubilee 2025 which means Rome is going to be more crowded than usual. If you plan to visit famous sites, a tour is definitely recommended (unless you know the right person) if you don't want to wait in 2+ hour lines.

I would also skip Cinque Terre, IMHO way overrated in the summer months, especially July. Instead explore smaller cities in Tuscany, such a Siena or Lucca. If you want to go to the beach, there are tons a public beaches along the coast, north of Rome that are amazing and not busy.

If you're nearby Siena, this restaurant is a gem, amazing food and cool location. The drive alone is worth going: https://www.dopolavorolafoce.it/en/

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by mencio

This is going to be an amazing trip, me and my family (wife and 3 kids) go to Rome every year as I have a house there (and I am Italian ). Keep in mind that this year is the Jubilee 2025 which means Rome is going to be more crowded than usual. If you plan to visit famous sites, a tour is definitely recommended (unless you know the right person) if you don't want to wait in 2+ hour lines.

I would also skip Cinque Terre, IMHO way overrated in the summer months, especially July. Instead explore smaller cities in Tuscany, such a Siena or Lucca. If you want to go to the beach, there are tons a public beaches along the coast, north of Rome that are amazing and not busy.

If you're nearby Siena, this restaurant is a gem, amazing food and cool location. The drive alone is worth going: https://www.dopolavorolafoce.it/en/

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks for the info! Sounds like booking tours is the way to go. It's a lot pricier but sounds like it's worth it.

As for Cinque Terre... why do you say it's overrated? I'm approaching this from the perspective of someone who's never been to Italy and unsure when I'll go back (I like to go to different countries every trip). And Cinque Terre has always been one of those places I've wanted to visit. That being said, it is quite inconvenient to get there in our limited time.

[mencio]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Thanks for the info! Sounds like booking tours is the way to go. It's a lot pricier but sounds like it's worth it.

Anytime!

Originally Posted by wtwo3

As for Cinque Terre... why do you say it's overrated? ... That being said, it is quite inconvenient to get there in our limited time.

Don't get me wrong those villages are absolutely gorgeous, but so is pretty much the rest of the country. Overrated because other than the initial view of the coastline and villages, the vibe you get can be had anywhere else, along with the food/people/etc...

That area is also very busy with tourists and the locals know that and maybe because I am Italian, it gives me the idea that I am also a tourist there. Not really authentic anymore. Now if you had enough days, and it was on the way to somewhere, I would say "You have to see it", but as you stated, being out of your way, I would instead focus on other places in Tuscany which are just as amazing.

I mentioned Lucca, and if you want to visit a really cool ancient medieval town, close to Siena which has one fo the best breakfast Cornetti and Coffee I ever had go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteriggioni

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by DocL

That's going to be nice trip. We are going to Italy next month with our 12yr old twins. We started traveling with them at an early age, so this should be easy. Plus my son has already looked up the best pizza places in Rome, Florence, and Venice lol.

Your comment about pizza in Rome reminded me of this photo I took while walking in Rome looking for a spot to have lunch. We didn't eat there, but I thought the sign was amusing.

[MoeTE87]

Funny that you posted this yesterday as I posted a similar one last week, but the wife and I are planning a trip around the F1 race in May 2026.

So I will be looking forward to your reviews on everything as I am sure we would be doing the same. It sure helped last year when it came to Disney!

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by mencio

Anytime!



Don't get me wrong those villages are absolutely gorgeous, but so is pretty much the rest of the country. Overrated because other than the initial view of the coastline and villages, the vibe you get can be had anywhere else, along with the food/people/etc...

That area is also very busy with tourists and the locals know that and maybe because I am Italian, it gives me the idea that I am also a tourist there. Not really authentic anymore. Now if you had enough days, and it was on the way to somewhere, I would say "You have to see it", but as you stated, being out of your way, I would instead focus on other places in Tuscany which are just as amazing.

I mentioned Lucca, and if you want to visit a really cool ancient medieval town, close to Siena which has one fo the best breakfast Cornetti and Coffee I ever had go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteriggioni

Sounds good. Let's see, I'll pitch the idea to the group. I've already convinced my wife to skip Venice since it's out of the way and I've heard it doesn't meet expectations - might be hard to convince her of Cinque Terre as well I do know she was hoping (as was I) to at least visit either Amalfi or Cinque Terre. If we did Amalfi it would have been at the expense of Florence (and we'd instead do Naples).

Monteriggioni looks really cool - I'm adding that to our list for our Tuscany day trip! Do you know the name of the Cornetti & Coffee place in Siena? Or do you mean all of the Cornetti & Coffee in that general area?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Funny that you posted this yesterday as I posted a similar one last week, but the wife and I are planning a trip around the F1 race in May 2026.

So I will be looking forward to your reviews on everything as I am sure we would be doing the same. It sure helped last year when it came to Disney!

Ah I missed that - guess I haven't been very active in OT as of late. Will definitely post about my experience once I come back from the trip this summer. Going to the F1 race sounds super cool. I wish I could at least squeeze in a trip to Maranello to check out Ferrari and Pagani, but it's not in the cards unfortunately.

[Alfisti]

I've been to Croatia several times and that's too much driving in the time you have listed. Are you flying home from Dubovnik? Once you tell me the path home I can offer suggestions as your current itinerary, imho, is too much driving and not enough enjoying. plus I wouldn't do both Split and Dubrovnik, Split is seriously overrated.

ALso how are you getting from Cinque to Split?

Without knowing more (I am sure you will update me) there's way, ay too much travel and zigzagging with a 3 yr old. Cinque looks a PITA, you're going west then east to Croatia, always travel in one direction, even if that means one way flights. Need more detail, flight arrival city, departure city etc, tbh looking at this it needs a serious re-work even with the side piece ... sorry .. nanny

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Thanks for the info! Sounds like booking tours is the way to go. It's a lot pricier but sounds like it's worth it.

As for Cinque Terre... why do you say it's overrated? I'm approaching this from the perspective of someone who's never been to Italy and unsure when I'll go back (I like to go to different countries every trip). And Cinque Terre has always been one of those places I've wanted to visit. That being said, it is quite inconvenient to get there in our limited time.

So I'll jump in on Cinq de terre as we stayed in one of those towns for a night or two and did the hike between towns. Honestly, its nice, its small though, each town is fairly small. I don't see that as a bad thing, because I don't care about night life, and you probably don't either with two young kids lol.

I would do it if you can, just so you can experience it, but only if you are doing the hike, because honestly, that's really the draw for Cinq de Terre. The ability to walk between the five cities. Otherwise, you can get the same ambiance elsewhere to be honest. And Florence is honestly one of my favourite places we stayed at and I wasn't expecting that.

Here's the thing about Cinq de terre though - given the info you provided, if you have a stroller, I'm not sure you want to do the walk, because there is a decent number of steps involved in the hike between the towns. You can take transit between towns of course, but you aren't really seeing the views then. Just think about your situation and whether it makes sense with the family as young as it is. If the 3 year old was say 7, I'd say go for it - they can walk well at that time without being a royal pain in the butt, however, if you need a stroller....I don't know about that hike. People did have them on the trail, not going to lie, but be prepared to carry it up or down as needed.

[machareus]

In Rome you should visit Da Francesco. The pasta is mind blowing.