Italy trip 2026

[StudentLoansAre]

DH really wants to go to Rome next year. We've never been before and we'd want to go as a family.

But I'm making this thread to ask where else in Italy is nice (outside of Rome). How different if Milan, Florence, Verona etc?

There’s nowhere else like Rome in the world. Other places in Italy are lovely and you could easily travel by train if you wanted to do a two centre holiday.

Florence is probably the favourite for such a trip, but honestly, you won’t be bored or disappointed with Rome.

We did a family trip to Italy a few years ago. Our dds were 16 and 12 at the time. We decided to travel by train as we didn’t fancy the crazy driving in the cities (we had experience of it previously!)

The trains were brilliant and I’d definitely recommend. We had 4 days in Sirmione, Lake Garda; then went to Verona, Florence, Venice, Rome and Sienna. Probably not in that order though! A few days in each, longer in Rome.

Rome is brilliant, there's so much to do. We were there for 5 days and need to go back to see the stuff we didn't have time for.

We went to Lake Garda this summer and it was just so lovely. Even the teens enjoyed it. You can do trips to Verona, Venice, Milan and the dolomites from the area.

You can get down to Naples from Rome very easily on train, and then onwards to the Amalie Coast if that vibe tickles your fancy. My personal favourite Italian city is Florence. Absolutely beautiful and lots to see and do. And easy to get to by fast train!

Rome to Florence is about an hour and half by fast train so easy to combine

DH really wants to see rome. We did Paris this year and liked it. Paris was my suggestion. We have young DDs (soon to be 18 and 21 respectively). If they wanted a night out with each other there would they have a good time?

We have young DDs (soon to be 18 and 21 respectively). If they wanted a night out with each other there would they have a good time?

Yes, they'd have a great time. There are plenty of bars and restaurants open late, Trastevere and Campo De Fiori are particularly good in the evening, full of young people. If they want to go clubbing, the Testaccio area is a good bet

Thank you a lot for this!

Took our DDs on a 2 centre trip a few years ago when they were mid-teens. We flew to Pisa, got the coach to Florence and had a lovely few days there, then took a train to Venice and loved our few days there before flying home from Venice. A couple of years later, DDs and I went on a school trip to Padua and Venice, again spending a few wonderful days there which included a lot of singing!

DH and I had a couple of days in Rome in late May. It is an amazing place to visit.

Public transport in Italy has been really easy to navigate and pretty reliable so far, so I definitely recommend it.

I don't know if this would appeal, but I'll tell you my experience of Rome. I'd always wanted to see it but was concerned about the heaving crowds and queues for everything, it kind of put me off. So I decided on the following tactic and it worked out beautifully.

I stayed for 9 nights in total, but instead of staying in Rome itself I stayed in Ostia Lido on the coast. Fabulous town with great beachside facilities (had to pay for a sunbed though), a magic restaurant quarter with street entertainment every night, and a very nice atmosphere. It has a train station with a direct connection to Rome and the Metro - 30 minutes journey for €1.50 with a 90 minute ticket validity on all Rome transport. So went into Rome four of the days, visited the Ostia Antica Roman archaeological site another day (absolutely amazing, and as good as Herculaneum etc.). Chilled out by the sea (in recovery!) in between. Our hotel had a lovely garden and we had a big sea view balcony also.

Just thought I'd mention alternatives, but it's not for everyone I know that.

Lots of Italy is very nice indeed. But it depends on how much time you have, and what you like doing - and when you'd be travelling. Rome could fill a whole week easily. But I wouldn't go anywhere south in say July and August as it's far too hot. Rome could be combined with Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi or one of the islands with visits to Pompeii or Herculaneum.

I have been to Rome multiple times and love it, so much to see and do. I have been with a friend and as family so have experienced different ways. As somebody else has said trastevere is great for a night out, very chilled, people outside and live music being played in the street. Lots of roof top bars to enjoy as well. If you want to do 2 places I can highly reccomend Florence as a very different experience to Rome, it has a much different vice due to being renaissance and smaller.

If you want some real relaxation, the small towns near Lucca are beautiful.

I've stayed at a vineyard near montecarlo a few times. It's lovely and quiet.

Fly into Pisa then train.

How well is the English comprehension in these areas? I don't know any Italian that's why

Fine. In Rome, everyone spoke English. We didn't know any Italian when we visited Florence or Venice and managed fine. I learned a few phrases from Duolingo so was quite proud of myself for ordering espresso and a croissant in Rome, and I could say thank you in Italian.

Rome is fabulous! I have spent a lot of time in Puglia (also incredible!) and have taken the train to Rome several times. I think you could go 100 times and still discover more!

In terms of the language, I speak very little Italian (not for want of trying, I suck at languages apparently!) and you will be fine but they do truly appreciate you trying and learning some key phrases

We’ve never had an issue in Italian cities and tourists spots with language. Pisa is also easily accessed by rail from Florence if you want to tick off the tower.

We did Florence (with day trip to Pisa) - lake Garda - venice and it was great. All by train! Some of the best food in Europe and all speak good English.

Meant to say I have also been to Rome and it's my top Italy destination (lake Garda a very close second but for different reasons!)

I’ve been to Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence and Lake Garda and Rome was my favourite!
Lake Garda is a great place to base yourself if you don’t want to be based in a city, and it’s easy to get to all these places by train from there. The little villages around Lake Garda are all to die for, stunning. We stayed in Malcesine. Your young people might find that a bit boring if you are based there and they are looking for nightlife. Rome would be better for that.

Love Italy!
We went last Easter, DD was 10 at the time.
We did 3 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Rome and 3 nights in Sorrento. We got the train to get to the next destination, which worked seamlessly. They were all really different and we loved the whole trip

We just spent three days in Turin this summer with our DSs (16 and 14). We could easily have spent longer as there was loads to do. Lots of varied museums for different tastes and interests and we kept marvelling at how uncrowded it seemed for midsummer. Buzzing, but not overcrowded… which might be enjoyable if you want to visit Rome first and then chill more?