Italy Trip (Part 2) - Family of 8, 17 days, 1 backpack each

 

 

 

 

Traveling with all of us is definitely different than trips with just my husband and I.  There are a lot of logistics to work out.  We do a lot of planning beforehand but there are just so many things that we can't know or figure out ahead of time.  So here are some tips.  Some are basic travel tips and some are specific to Italy.

1) Set Expectations - We always try to set expectations before we leave.  For this trip we let the kids know that there were long flights and that they would be experiencing jetlag for the first time.   We showed them the rental apartments ahead of time so they knew what to expect for sleeping arrangements.  We also discussed that we would be walking a lot. 

2) Be Flexible - There were many things we had to figure out and things that were just different.  We did a lot of planning but also left a lot of room for flexibility.

3) Minimize Luggage -  For this trip we each took one backpack. Our reasoning was that it's easier when flying internationally; if you check baggage you have to collect your bags and then recheck them anytime you go through customs.  We also knew we were taking a lot of trains and were going to be walking in the cities, minimizing our use of the Metro.  Backpacks would make navigating this all much easier.  

4) Don't Overschedule - It can be tempting to try to see and do everything.  We knew that the kids would have jetlag and we also knew that our 7 year old would only be able to do so much museum time.  Before leaving we booked or planned one big thing for each city.  Other than travel days we didn't have any set time to be up.  We let the kids sleep in, had slower mornings and then explored more in the afternoons and evenings.  We also had some evenings where some of the kids just wanted down time so a few of us would stay at the apartment and some would go out exploring.  

4b) Plan Some Down Time - Our travel days were down days.  We would enjoy the train ride, do some laundry, grab some groceries but basically just hang out and get settled in the new city.  Often we would go out and wander a bit in the evenings but it was nice for those that wanted to just chill to have the option to just hang out and relax.  While we wanted to see a lot we also wanted this to be a real vacation. 

5) Use Public Transit - We booked all of our fast trains in advance.  These were great as we had assigned seats with a small table so we would grab sandwiches on our way to the station and then eat lunch on our train rides.  For longer trips within the cities;  the metro is also very easy to navigate and you can just buy tickets using the machines at the stations. This makes it very easy to move around and between cities.

6) Use Rental Properties - We booked rental properties for all four cities.  This meant we had access to laundry and a kitchen at each place.  We ate breakfast and most of our dinners in the apartment.  Also, having space to spread out a bit and hang out is also helpful.  

7) Check For Discounts - Italy is very family friendly.  The Frecciarossa trains have a Frecciafamily rate where the kids are discounted.  Most museums are also free for kids under 18 and many other places have discounts for kids.  

**side note, in the US kids are often seen as an inconvenience.  We never felt that in Italy. Everyone was so welcoming and positive about the kids.  Kids are expected to be out late, etc.**

8) Survey The Kids - We asked each of the kids if they had anything specific they wanted to see or do.  Our youngest saw a train with two levels so the next time we were on a regular train we made sure to go up top so she could sit there.  Another one was most excited to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Little things like this add to their enjoyment.

9) Check Sites Again - I had read so much about how you had to book things so far in advance because tickets sold out.  We were able to get last minute or day of tickets to the Castel Nuovo in Naples, the Academia in Florence, Pantheon in Rome and the Doge's Palace in Venice.  As I mentioned before we didn't want to overbook but once we were there and knew we would be up for doing more then we booked them.  So always check again once you're there. 

10) RELAX - There were some stressful moments but I kept reminding myself; God is here, we are all together, we'll figure it out.  There were many more moments when I would just stop and soak it all in.  Watching the younger two girls chase pigeons in St. Peter's Square, holding hands with my husband walking the streets of Florence while our kids ran and laughed ahead of us, listening to a symphony play in a Piazza, looking out over the city of Rome from the top of an ancient castle, going for a midnight walk with three of our girls and grabbing gelato next to the Arno River...and SO many more.

It's a lot more planning and logistics to travel with six kiddos but the memories, lessons, and experiences are always worth the time and effort. 

Italy Trip Report (Part 1)

There's so much that I want to share that I'm going to be breaking this into a few parts. The posts will be long as I want to record things for our own memories too.  This first post will be an overview of the trip.  Later posts will be sharing tips for traveling in Italy as a family of eight and will probably do a picture heavy post of some of the sites we saw...and now on to how we ended up in Italy for twoish weeks. 

 

 

 

More than 20 years ago my husband and I went on a Mediterranean Cruise for our honeymoon.  We made a few stops in Italy and fell in love with the country.  Ever since we have wanted to go back.  

About 5 years ago we started discussing taking the kids on an international trip.  We both feel strongly that travel and exposure to other cultures and people is very important.  The above quote is one that my husband has referenced over the years.  It's easy to see people as "other" or just part of a certain demographic or stereotype; until you walk with them, in their cities, look them in the eyes and interact; then you remember and understand more clearly that we are all made in God's image, all with value and a purpose and those prejudices and preconceived ideas fall away and you find a love for the beauty and diversity of the people and places God has made.

After much saving, planning (and one of our kids deciding to take Italian for all 4 years of high school) we decided that this year was the year. 

We have always traveled with our kids.  We travel in the U.S. quite often, typically on road trips but have flown also.  Our kids are good travelers but we knew this would be much different as they had never experienced jet lag or being in another country.  We still chose to take on all four major tourist areas.  

July 21st - We took an evening flight with a layover in Portugal.  

July 22nd - Arrived in Naples about noon.  Took the Alibus from the airport to the port area.  Our VRBO was about a 15 minute walk from the port.  Our host was gracious to let us in about an hour early as the weather was very hot.  On our way to the apartment we stopped for our first (of the trip) lemonade made with Sorrento lemons. The kids loved it! 

We stayed near Piazza Plebiscito so after settling in we did a bit of exploring and also made a trip to the local grocery store.  We also visited the Umberto Galleria. 

July 23rd - We had left this day pretty open to account for jet lag.  We all got up a bit after 11am. We spent the afternoon exploring the port area a bit and visited castel nuovo (New Castle); a medieval castle.  

July 24th - We had booked a bus tour along the Amalfi Coast that would also stop for a tour of Pompeii.  We met the bus at 8am.  After a ride along the coast with a stop at a limoncello factory we stopped to explore the town of Amalfi for a couple hours.  We had a nice lunch overlooking the sea.  After Amalfi we went to Pompeii for a guided two-hour tour.  It was interesting to see how much more has been excavated since the last time we were there.  It was HOT and there's not a lot of shade.  We had a good time but were ready to get back into the A/C of the van.   

When we got back to Naples we grabbed some groceries and started packing up as we would be leaving Naples the next day.

July 25th - We got up about 8am, had a quick breakfast and then checked out of the VRBO a bit after 10am.  We took the metro to the main train station and then boarded our first fast train (Frecciarossa) that would take us to Rome. 

When we arrived in Rome we hopped on the metro and then had about an 18 min walk from the metro to our next VRBO. We were staying in the Trastevere neighborhood which is known for great restaurants and a nice area to explore.  When we arrived the electronic lock for the outside door didn't work but thankfully there was another guest who was able to let us in (once we checked in and got the physical keys we used those).   We grabbed some groceries and did some laundry and just enjoyed a slower afternoon/evening.

July 26th - We had booked an evening entry to the Colosseum.  The ticket included entry to the Roman Forum ruins and Palantine Hill (the site of Nero's palace).  We could visit these other sites anytime 24 hours before or after our Colosseum time.  We had a slow morning and then made our way to the Forum, enjoying the sites (and lunch) along the way. We spent several hours exploring the Forum and Palantine Hill.  We then made our way to the Colosseum.  Having an evening entry time was perfect.  All of the tour groups were gone for the day and it was a bit cooler.  

On our walk back we stopped into a restaurant called Guenda, it's built in a cave in the side of a hill.  This was probably our favorite meal of the whole trip.  The food, the staff, the atmosphere was amazing.   

July 27th - Our oldest girl had made the comment that it would be fun to go to the Vatican on Sunday.  So we made this day our Vatican visit.  We didn't pay for any of the museum tours; choosing instead to just visit St. Peter's square and St. Peter's Basilica since those are both free to visit.  The building and artwork are impressive and it was interesting to hear the kid's perspectives on being there.  

After visiting the Vatican we decided to go to Castel Sant'Angelo which is just next to the Vatican.  We got there about an hour before they closed but still had plenty of time to explore.  The highlight of this site is getting to the top and having stunning views out over the city of Rome.

On our walk back to the apartment we stopped at a restaurant called Da Gildo.  It was a decent place with some different pizza flavors.  I had a pear and blue cheese pizza that was very good. 

July 28th - This day we did more of just walking around and seeing more sites.  We went to Trevi Fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps and we also were able to snag tickets to the Pantheon at the door.  We also did a bit of shopping. Rome is a place where everywhere you walk there is something old and interesting to see. We went back to the apartment, had dinner and then prepared to leave the next day. We also went out for a late night gelato.  

July 29th - Got up at 8am had breakfast, finished packing/cleanup and then headed back to the metro.  We made it to Roma Termini and got our 2nd fast train that would take us to Florence.  

We arrived in Florence and had a 15 minute walk to our AirBNB.  Our host met us there and gave us all the information for the apartment, he also gave us a bottle of wine to welcome us to Florence; which was a lovely surprise.  

We did some laundry and grocery shopping and then headed out to explore the city at night.  I LOVE Florence and it just becomes more magical when the sun goes down.  It is an amazing city to just walk. 

July 30th - We had booked most of our tours ahead of time but when I tried to get tickets to the Academia the site said they were sold out.  On our last night in Rome (while getting gelato :) ) I decided to check again and found that there was availability for this day (30th).  So we booked for the early afternoon (when it's hottest out) and were able to see Michaelangelo's David.  There are also many other sculptures on display.  I especially found Michaelangelo's The Prisoners to be thought-provoking.  We spent a couple hours here.  We then took an hour train ride to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower; we spent a couple hours here taking the typical funny pictures and then grabbed a train back to Florence.  

July 31st - We had booked tickets for the Uffizi gallery for this day.  We had a slower morning and then headed over in the early afternoon.  We spent about 3 hours here.  It is amazing!  The great thing about our AirBNB is that it was a less than 10 minute walk to all of the major sites.  So our oldest, who loves museums and taking his time, was able to just do his thing and then meet us later; while we and our youngest, who was a trooper but at 7 can only take so much time in a museum, could leave.

August 1st - This day we chose to just explore and shop.  We had wandered the city every night we had been there but hadn't been on the Ponte Vecchio when the shops were open so we chose this day to wander over their, go to a leather shop I had heard about and just walk through more shops.  I think we also got gelato (we got gelato pretty much every day in Florence).  We also tried an affogato which is delicious! 

August 2nd - Another travel day so after checking out of our AirBNB we hopped on the Frecciarossa and headed to Venice.  This was a longer train ride (previous ones had been just over an hour, while this one was a bit over two hours) and we were able to see some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. 

We arrived in Venice and had a quick 13 minute walk to our AirBNB.  Our host had said we could drop our luggage but requested we not officially check in until after 3pm so we had an hour or so to just wander Venice.  We headed to Piazza San Marco but got caught in a heavy thunderstorm.  It was after 3pm by then so after buying a few umbrellas we headed back to the apartment.  We had a quiet evening doing some laundry and grocery shopping.  The grocery store our host recommended is called Despar; it's very cool because it is in an old Italian Theater building so as you are grocery shopping you can also admire the frescoes on the walls and ceiling. 

August 3rd - The one thing I wanted to do while in Venice was take a water bus over to the island of Murano.  Murano is known for it's glass blowing.  We spent the afternoon exploring the shops, watching a glass blowing demonstration and saw the oldest glass company on Murano, it's been there since 1295!  

August 4th - This was our last day in Venice and the weather was gorgeous so we headed to Piazza San Marco. Both the basilica and Doge's Palace are very impressive.  We were able to get tickets to the Doge's Palace so we grabbed a quick lunch and then toured the palace.  After a few hours there we headed back to the apartment, played some games, had dinner and prepared to leave the next morning.

August 5th - This was our earliest day.  We had booked one of the first trains which left Venice at 6:18am.  The nice part about getting out that early is that the streets were empty.  We were able to get a couple pictures of empty canals and streets before boarding our train.  We took the train to Milan and then made a transfer to a train headed to Zurich, Switzerland.  We had a gorgeous train ride through the Alps!  We chose to fly home from Zurich as the airfare was significantly cheaper than flying home from Italy.  We stayed in a hotel outside the city center for our last night in Europe.

August 6th - We got up, took an Uber to the airport and started our journey home.  Our connecting flight on the way home was in Iceland.  We were a little concerned as we had a short layover time but God worked that all out as our first flight was significantly delayed so the airline made announcements about connecting flights and we were able to make our connection without any problems. 

It was an amazing trip and we returned home with full cameras, full hearts and heads full of priceless memories.   

Stay tuned for some more posts with pictures and some tips on the logistics of traveling as a family of eight...