Family holiday in Italy during October half-term

[jennymac31]

My eldest DC (age 11) really wants to go to Italy for October half-term so we're thinking of staying in Milan for the week and potentially doing day trips to Rome and Venice (maybe stay overnight for one of these trips).

I've never been to Italy so would welcome any suggestions, especially ideas of things to do that would also appease my younger DC (age 7).

We didn't go in October but when our two were a bit older than that (13 and 10). we did Venice, Florence and Siena and travelled around by train. It was great. The kids loved Venice particularly.

The trains in Italy were ideal. Punctual and clean.

Kids are 18 and 15 now and still list it as one of their favourite trips even though we did it quite on a budget.

Dd is off to Rome with school this October to "do" Pompeii and Herculaneum.

You can't do a day trip to Rome from Milan - it will take about 5 hours to even get there. Venice might be possible but that is about 2 to 2.5 hours each way. You can definitely do the Lakes from Milan - Garda, Como, Maggiore etc but weather could be very variable. Verona is nearer than Venice. Do you have to fly to Milan? - end October i would try to fly to Rome or Naples for better weather. We had a great week in Rome one Autumn half term.

You need to stay nearer or in Rome. Could you do two or three centres? Fly into Rome and out of Venice?

Milan is a commercial centre and doesn't have a huge amount of interest. As PP you could split a couple of days in Milan travel to Rome and home from there. Verona is a nice city with some interest and easy access to Lake Garda and an easier day trip to Venice. I would think of either staying in Verona / Venice or Tuscany or Rome or combining 2 of them.

Nothing to Milan, in a day and a half you could see all, it is just a glorified shopping centre. I would stay in Rome.

We had an October half term week in Rome when dd was a young teen. Good time of year for sightseeing, and we needed all that week just for Rome, could have done with more!
Don't waste a large part of your week travelling.

Thanks for all your responses - Rome and Venice appear to be better cities to start / end our holiday at. Any recommendations as to where to stay in Rome and Venice?

We went to Rome and stayed for a week, ideal time to go in October. Remember going to Ostia one day and have so much to do in Rome for a week.

Do Bologna, you’re a 1 hour fast train ride from Milan and Florence and 2 to Rome. Bologna has fab architecture and amazing history, plus the food is amazing. It’s a city with one of the largest historical centres in the world.

Verona is pretty but small and quite boring.

Milan is actually a gem if you bother doing your research. It does have historical architecture, a medieval and renaissance area (Leonardo lived here, near where he frescoed the Last Supper), plenty of art nouveau, canals (again, designed by Leonardo) with lively nightlife, markets and artists quarters, plus it’s a great cultural hub, in particular for design.

yes it’s a financial centre and also the seat of the Italian fashion industry, but do not detract from the rest. I live here and whilst I love Rome (worked there for many years) I find Milan a more cosmopolitan city.

From Milan it’s a short train ride to lakes Como and Maggiore, plus you’re near the Alps. Turin is another gem and 1.5 hrs away by train, Venice 2.5 hours. On the way to Venice you can stop off at Padova, which is charming, and visit Treviso? Another canal city within ancient walls. In fact you could probably stay in Padova and visit Venice from there, it’s only half an hour away in the train. That might work out cheaper than staying in Venice itself.

Rome is 3 hours away from Milan on the high speed fast train. 5 hours was in the 90s😁

We are flying to Naples October half term. Staying just outside Sorrento. Plan to visit Vesuvius, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. Hoping for half decent weather.

@Melassa Your post is spot on. Milan is brilliant. Prada Foundation is great as are some amazing churches and museums. Anyone who says it’s worth only a day hasn’t bothered to look.

DD lived in Bologna for a bit as a student. From there it’s easy to get to fantastic places like the Ferrari Museum, Ravenna and Parma. Plus quite a few fast trains further afield, eg Venice and Florence. I’d also think about staying in Verona or Padova/Padua. The Scrovegni Chaple is worth a visit on its own. Not so sure for an 11 year old! The other option is Sienna. Fantastic place and you can travel to Florence very easily.

I think I’d say visit Rome or Venice. Not both.