Hi everyone, I am looking through old posts but feeling overwhelmed! We want to go to Italy in mid-September, it is myself (F50, celebrating, hence reason for trip), husband (48).and our 15 year old son. We are traveling from Chile and it is school spring break so we would go from approx 11 to 25 September.
The idea of this trip is to provide a bit for everyone. Neither my husband nor son have been to Rome, so we must go to see the sites, even though the crowds sound awful compared to my experiences decades ago.
I am thinking:
Rome: 3 nights at start (at this point do I have hopes of booking entries to Colosseum and St Peter's?)
Umbria: 5 nights?
Le Marche: my husband definitely wants some beach, so thinking Sirolo and I would like to go to Urbino and Gradara, so I am thinking maybe 3 nights near Sirolo and then 2-3 nights somewhere inland closer to Urbino? I think we would like to do the Marmitte Dei Gigante but not sure if September works for this so will have to research.
Return to Rome and take another night or two (near) there.
Because of wanting to see several towns around Umbria and going to Le Marche, it is my understanding we will need a car.
In this period of September, are we best to do Le Marche first and then comeback via Umbria? Not sure just a few days will make a difference at all but perhaps there is a return to school date in there that results in reduced crowds at a certain point?
After Rome, the rest of the trip will hopefully balance some hiking/kayaking/wandering with villages/museums/architecture. I think the Rome/Umbria/Le Marche split works nicely for our interests (and our disinterest in dealing with crowds to go to Florence, for instance). September is really the only time we can go, the other option being mid-July, which just sounds too hot and busy!
Are there any recommendations, does it sound like too much, is one base sufficient in Umbria or would it be better to base in one town for a few days and then another area of the region for another couple of days? Is a car for the entire period after Rome the better idea, or is at least part of this doable by bus/train (I don't believe so but perhaps you can tell me otherwise).
Thanks very much.