Question QUESTION: Ciao! We are traveling to Piemonte region from USA for a wedding near Turin. We will have 3 days free to tour other parts of Italy by car before taking a train to Vienna. I am thinking that it would be easiest to drop rental car off in Venice and then take a train to Vienna. Is Venice good for toddlers (2 and 5), or should I be thinking of something more quaint, like the five fishing villages?
Thanks, Lynn
ANSWER: Your plan sounds interesting.
Some points of information.
You have to walk everywhere in Venice, over bridges all the time. Are you up to lifting a stroller over a bridge every five minutes and/or carrying your little one?
Little children may be interested in Venice but probably not for the same things that you are. They may not understand how unique the canals and boat-based commerce is.
A five year old may or may not get it. There is a great book called Viva Venice, enchanting.
If you are referring to the Cinque Terre, great off season, crowded high season. The thing about those villages is that you are supposed to hike between them, not so great with a stroller. The villages themselves are built into seaside cliffs, again, little legs will get tired climbing up and down steps all day.
Howabout going to a beautiful Italian town that doesn't have bridges or cliffs but just a nice piazza where the kids can chase the pigeons, gelato, a castle... There are hundreds of them. Big and small.
Buon viaggio,
My website www.kidseurope.com
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QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response. Based on your advice, we are choosing to visit Verona region. I have a question about trains to Vienna from Verona. I'm having difficulty getting train schedules and fares online(Allegro). Do you have any helpful advice/information? Can I get discount for children from overseas or would it be better for us to purchase/reserve tickets when we arrive in Italy? We would be arriving 6 days prior to train departure end of Jun.
Answer I'm sorry my last answer didn't earn highest marks, but let me try again.
I concur with your choice, Verona is lovely, you'll experience a fine part of Italy and logistics will become less important.
They will issue children's tickets. If you have the time in Italy during the six days prior to your travel, then you will save a little money buying there. But, the fast trains sell out. Especially since the Italian Rail system often waits till late in the game to load the availability for purchase. So if the above site doesn't show the train you want up to a week before you leave, then you'll have to wait until you are there anyway.
