Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by lululu

Posted by JandJ1224

Posted by lululu

Posted by Sash

Posted by tourist

Posted by Sash

I second Pompeii! That was everyone’s favorite stop when we did the cruise. Granted you only see a glimpse of Italy when doing the cruise but Rome was our least favorite. It was too congested and so hot. It happened to be one of the craziest heat waves they seen in 20 years. So we were all miserable in Rome.

I went on a cruise too. We had a private tour guide in Rome, which was nice. We did that so we could see more in 1 day. We didn't see much of modern Rome, we did the Colliseum & the Vatican. I had a fever & almost passed out, but it was still good. I didn't like Naples itself, but from there we went to Vesuvius & Pompeii, which I think would be good for older kids.

We weren’t able to get a private tour which I’m sure is a game changer. I think the congestion was too much, the reason I hate and don’t do theme parks. My cousin paid an astronomical fee to fast pass her way into the Vatican and it was so packed that she ended up being escorted out through an emergency exit because she was having a panic attack. She said she felt like she was being herded like cattle and it was too hot. She’s claustrophobic as well. I was bummed because I really wanted to see the Vatican. I am willing to do Rome again but in September not June. lol.

I know the OP asked for Italy but I will say for anyone planning a trip to Europe and can swing it, do Portugal. It was amazing. We stayed in the Algarve region.

We are doing Ireland and England this summer for 4 weeks. We started to plan Spain/Portugal/Morocco but we felt this was a better Segway into Europe. Not a long flight, not a bad time change and English speaking. Even thou we spent a month in Costa Rica and the language issue was no prob. Definitely want to do Spain, Italy and Greece before my son graduates high school.

We did Ireland with my kids and had an amazing trip. It was very beautiful. I would highly recommend hiring a private driver to take you through the Ring of Kerry.

Yes someone told me that it is scary to drive it yourself so we will probably go that route!

I can't wait to see Ireland one day, it looks so beautiful. Hope you have an amazing trip!

There are so many gorgeous countries to see and not enough time to get to them all!!! I guess that's what retirement is for, lots of travel.

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by lululu

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by lululu

Posted by JandJ1224

Posted by lululu

Posted by Sash

Posted by tourist

Posted by Sash

I second Pompeii! That was everyone’s favorite stop when we did the cruise. Granted you only see a glimpse of Italy when doing the cruise but Rome was our least favorite. It was too congested and so hot. It happened to be one of the craziest heat waves they seen in 20 years. So we were all miserable in Rome.

I went on a cruise too. We had a private tour guide in Rome, which was nice. We did that so we could see more in 1 day. We didn't see much of modern Rome, we did the Colliseum & the Vatican. I had a fever & almost passed out, but it was still good. I didn't like Naples itself, but from there we went to Vesuvius & Pompeii, which I think would be good for older kids.

We weren’t able to get a private tour which I’m sure is a game changer. I think the congestion was too much, the reason I hate and don’t do theme parks. My cousin paid an astronomical fee to fast pass her way into the Vatican and it was so packed that she ended up being escorted out through an emergency exit because she was having a panic attack. She said she felt like she was being herded like cattle and it was too hot. She’s claustrophobic as well. I was bummed because I really wanted to see the Vatican. I am willing to do Rome again but in September not June. lol.

I know the OP asked for Italy but I will say for anyone planning a trip to Europe and can swing it, do Portugal. It was amazing. We stayed in the Algarve region.

We are doing Ireland and England this summer for 4 weeks. We started to plan Spain/Portugal/Morocco but we felt this was a better Segway into Europe. Not a long flight, not a bad time change and English speaking. Even thou we spent a month in Costa Rica and the language issue was no prob. Definitely want to do Spain, Italy and Greece before my son graduates high school.

We did Ireland with my kids and had an amazing trip. It was very beautiful. I would highly recommend hiring a private driver to take you through the Ring of Kerry.

Yes someone told me that it is scary to drive it yourself so we will probably go that route!

I can't wait to see Ireland one day, it looks so beautiful. Hope you have an amazing trip!

There are so many gorgeous countries to see and not enough time to get to them all!!! I guess that's what retirement is for, lots of travel.

Honestly the pandemic was what really kickstarted travel with our children for us. We had done basic trips (disney, caribbean, outer banks etc) but we had to get out of here when things were so shut down and the rest of the world was open. First we spent a month in South Carolina and then decided to spend a month in Bermuda. When I realized that my kids were old enough to handle it (they were 8, 9 & 12 at the time) we realized we could pretty much do anything. That's why if I were you, I would do the Italy trip this coming November. Why wait? I know your son will be a little on the young side - you said he will be 10? But it will give you the opportunity to get in one more great trip with your daughter before she has to leave for college. We have so many trips we want to do as a family and we realized that we don't have all that many summer vacations and holidays left before my son will be in college (and he's only in 8th grade now) but when we list what we want to do it feels like we won't be able to get it all in.

And I hear you about traveling during retirement, that will be a given. But my kids have such amazing experiences on these trips, I think they have learned so much already. It makes me so happy to be able to do this with them.

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by Hofstra26



That is awesome that you have been able to do so much travel with them, it's such a great experience along with creating incredible memories as a family.

Like you, we've only done basic trips as well mostly because my DS was always a little young to take on a big trip like Europe. That's where the 4.5 yr age gap has been a pain, we've been waiting for him to be old enough to do things but in the meantime, my DD is getting older.

I REALLY always wanted to see Vancouver, BC. That is the trip we were planning for later this year. I love the outdoors and wildlife so I am excited to go there and see all it has to offer. Next year will be Italy and hopefully the year after will be Ireland or France. I'd love to travel more (and be able to stay away longer like you do) but unfortunately it's tough with my DH's job, he gets a lot of vacation time but it's tough for him to take a lot of it at once.

I'll have to hit you up for travel advice as we plan, you seem to be a good resource!

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by lululu

Posted by Hofstra26



That is awesome that you have been able to do so much travel with them, it's such a great experience along with creating incredible memories as a family.

Like you, we've only done basic trips as well mostly because my DS was always a little young to take on a big trip like Europe. That's where the 4.5 yr age gap has been a pain, we've been waiting for him to be old enough to do things but in the meantime, my DD is getting older.

I REALLY always wanted to see Vancouver, BC. That is the trip we were planning for later this year. I love the outdoors and wildlife so I am excited to go there and see all it has to offer. Next year will be Italy and hopefully the year after will be Ireland or France. I'd love to travel more (and be able to stay away longer like you do) but unfortunately it's tough with my DH's job, he gets a lot of vacation time but it's tough for him to take a lot of it at once.

I'll have to hit you up for travel advice as we plan, you seem to be a good resource!

Gotcha. I have wanted to do Vancouver and Whistler. We will probably do that over a February break when my kids are a little bit older. We have always wanted to ski out there.

I do a lot of travel research but one good way I find to cheat as far as itineraries and good hotels is to use the Adventures by Disney site. I never book through them but I like to see which hotels, areas and activities they pick. Typically they have family friendly hotels. I always use that as a starting point.

Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

If this is your first time in Italy, I would recommend a tour. I know you don't get the same "local culture" as you would by taking the trains and doing it on your own -- you'll be on a bus with a bunch of Americans. But, all the hotels and transfers will be organized for you. We went on a tour with Gate 1 Tours in 2018. It was really nice because they usually had a morning tour included. Then, you had the afternoon to yourself. It was really a nice vacation.

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

My friend has a travel blog and took her 4 kids to Italy. She hasn't updated her blog in awhile, but if you scroll down there are a bunch of detailed posts about her time in Italy. Good luck!

https://bigtripswithfourlittles.com/

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by Lucky09

My friend has a travel blog and took her 4 kids to Italy. She hasn't updated her blog in awhile, but if you scroll down there are a bunch of detailed posts about her time in Italy. Good luck!

https://bigtripswithfourlittles.com/ [/QUOTE

Thanks for sharing, I'll check it out!

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Travelzoo always has Italy in their Top 20 Deals. I would check them out. I've purchased several trips through their amazing deals! Here's a link to this week's Top 20. They are released on Wednesdays

https://www.travelzoo.com/top20/?pageType=Homepage

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by BargainMama

Travelzoo always has Italy in their Top 20 Deals. I would check them out. I've purchased several trips through their amazing deals! Here's a link to this week's Top 20. They are released on Wednesdays

https://www.travelzoo.com/top20/?pageType=Homepage [/QUOTE


Thank you! I'll check this out!

Re: Since this is the only active board - TRAVEL QUESTION (Italy)

Posted by lululu

Posted by Hofstra26



That is awesome that you have been able to do so much travel with them, it's such a great experience along with creating incredible memories as a family.

Like you, we've only done basic trips as well mostly because my DS was always a little young to take on a big trip like Europe. That's where the 4.5 yr age gap has been a pain, we've been waiting for him to be old enough to do things but in the meantime, my DD is getting older.

I REALLY always wanted to see Vancouver, BC. That is the trip we were planning for later this year. I love the outdoors and wildlife so I am excited to go there and see all it has to offer. Next year will be Italy and hopefully the year after will be Ireland or France. I'd love to travel more (and be able to stay away longer like you do) but unfortunately it's tough with my DH's job, he gets a lot of vacation time but it's tough for him to take a lot of it at once.

I'll have to hit you up for travel advice as we plan, you seem to be a good resource!

Gotcha. I have wanted to do Vancouver and Whistler. We will probably do that over a February break when my kids are a little bit older. We have always wanted to ski out there.

I do a lot of travel research but one good way I find to cheat as far as itineraries and good hotels is to use the Adventures by Disney site. I never book through them but I like to see which hotels, areas and activities they pick. Typically they have family friendly hotels. I always use that as a starting point.