So my friend calls me and says he booked award flights for his daughter and himself into Rome and out of Venice over Spring break, and he asks me if I want to go. Flush with miles from monthly travel, I say “sure, why not?”
We plan to spend some time in Rome, Florence, Venice and possibly Milan. Our girls are middle-schoolers (they’re best friends). Any recommendations for wine/food-loving dads with kids attached? They like good food but we won’t be looking for four hour tasting dinners.
Rome, Florence and Venice for sure. I would skip Milan, unless you absolutely have to see the opera. Take your time with each city. Dinners start late over there, like at 8pm. Ya know, something about the environment, eating al fresco, the fantastic food…that I never really felt I needed to buy an expensive bottle of wine. House red was fine most of the time. Are the girls old enough and responsible enough to be left alone occasionally so the adults can have a leisurely dinner? Also, is the other dad into wine? I loved just playing it by ear. I asked the locals a lot where they go to eat and memorized an italian phrase that I still remember. “Quelo que manjate voi”(sp?), which means “I’ll have what you would have”…waiters always brought amazing stuff when we left it up to them.
Thanks. The only reason Milan is in the list is that my friend has some friends there. He likes wine too - we are in the same tasting group.
Just got back from Rome in November. Great food and wine town. Pricey. I’m also a fan of Florence and Milan. I wouldn’t sell Milan short as there’re good winebars and very respectable restaurants. Tons of options Craig.
RT
Rome, Florence are awesome. Venice super touristy, but good for a couple days. If you have the time, two stops near Florence that are great as well are Lucca and Siena. Eat, drink and enjoy. Italy is my favorite vacation destination.
If you want to visit museums, make reservations ahead of time. Those who don’t can wait hours to get in, they only let so many people in at once. With a reservation, you go to the head of the line. If in Milan, see DaVinci’s Last Supper.
If you only have one week, skip Milan. Rome, Florence, and Venice is already too much for one week.
We are hoping to go to Italy in the next year or so. I wish someone had said better things about Milan. If I could convince my wife that she needs to go to Milan, I might have a shot at a day or two in the Piedmont visiting wineries.
If you can squeeze it in (even maybe just for a half day during travel) I would try to stop for a meal in Bologna. They don’t call it “the fat one” for nothing.
Howard, a day or two in Milan, a day or two in the Langhe, then a few days on the Italian Riviera. I guarantee your wife will not be disappointed. If you like quiet and low key, then Cinque Terre is an amazing place to spend a few days.
Craig,
Consider doing a one-day cooking course with the girls. My daughter and I did a course at Badia Coltibuono back in 2008. She was older than yours, but there were some middle school age kids and we all thoroughly enjoyed. We enjoyed the fruits of or labor for dinner, accompanied by wines from the estate (good for the dads) and a tour of the cellars.
Here’s a link for Badia Coltibuono, a beautitful medieval Abbey in the eastern Chianti region (not far from Fontodi and Panzano, my Avatar pic), but there are plenty more in Tuscany and perhaps the Veneto.
Info on one=day cooking course: http://www.coltibuono.com/pagebase.asp?s=18&s2=61&s3=62
Cheers,
Steve
I’ve heard several strong recommendations for it. Still, It can be hard to break loose from wine country once vino-fever sets in.
RT
+1. Better to spend more time in fewer places. Less hassle, and less time spent traveling. No way you can begin to see everything, even the high spots.
Venice is certainly the most unusual place. However the food varies from bad to acceptable (there are a few reasonable places, but not many). Florence is great for art, but do be sure to book museum tickets in advance.
You might think about visiting one of these places plus a few things close by. We had a great trip to Venice and several nearby towns a few yrs ago, for ex.
In any case, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. It’s a wonderful country!
Actually I have no problem spending a short time in any city. The only drawback for me is the travel time. I completely understand that you can’t see everything that you want to in a few days, but I can have a great time in a day or two weeks.
Anyway, the start/end points were determined by where my friend could get saver fares (Rome/Venice), and he studied in Florence so I think he is set on taking his daughter there. I will let him determine the days and places, though I will probably lobby to keep it to three cities. Mostly I’m interested in what to do while there.
Rome, Florence and Venice sounds like a fantastic trip. It’s probably the most popular itinerary, but for good reason. I’ve been lucky enough to go to Italy twice and loved it. Rome has the best food, Venice is the most unique, but Florence is my favorite. Just something about Florence, can’t explain it. Travel time is not bad on the train from Rome → Florence → Venice. Fair warning, this trip will ruin you for Italian food in the states. Just not the same here. Have fun! Oh and be cognizant of your surroundings. Italy doesn’t really have much violent crime but lots of pickpockets and thieves.
IMHO, Cinque Terre is highly overrated. The towns are visually interesting, but in comparison to other coastal towns in Italy, unauthentic, sparse and really overrun with the guide book toting tourist. I spent two days there and wish it had been two hours. I know others won’t share this opinion, but Italy has too much to offer in towns and cities far nicer than these.
Not all of America is Orange County. ![[snort.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/b/bdc3944606213c4dca6c1169cf0a166c8bc4f8c9.gif "snort.gif"){kind=small}
Aren’t Olive Garden and Sbarro everywhere? 
This is Manarola which was uneffected by the floods, Vernazza and Monterossa not so lucky. I wouldn’t go here with the kids, not much for them.
BTW - don’t worry about wine, the entire hills are terraced in grapes. See them on the left side of the picture.
I agree. Was there in July about 6 years ago (during the week). Pretty, but overrun with tourists, including the walking trails. No doubt all looking for a quiet and low key adventure.