Where Would You Travel in Italy?

This look like an old thread, but since you still have two boys and you might go to Italy again… we spent a wonderful week in Umbria with our two sons (twins, age 10). It was so fun! We stayed at an agriturismo with a pool and chickens, and had dinner made for us every night by the family who owned the place. We took day trips to Assisi, to the Perugina chocolate factory, to a little town called Gubbio that had a gondola shaped like bird cages, and the four of us had a private cooking class with Letizia, found here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187905-d661699-r441138177-In_Campagna_Cooking_Classes-Assisi_Province_of_Perugia_Umbria.html
We also drove to the Ferrari museum and the boys got to drive in a simulator! Anyway, Umbria is off the radar and hot in July, but we loved it. If you plan to go back to Italy again…

I would definitely go to Sicily. I loved the eastern coast: Catania, Etna, Taormina and Syracuse. So beautiful!

One place I always want to go and see.

Italy is the most enthralling country in the Entire Europe with many attractions. Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city seems like surreal location, I felt that how human beings could do this? Marvelous structures and awe-inspiring sights. Visit the spectacular Colosseum, the ruins of Palatino, Vatican Museums and many attractions to see on a Rome Holiday.
I have been to Italy when I was very young with my parents, I assure great memories and learning on an Italy Holiday.

Ciao! I just returned from two magical weeks in Italy. If you’re considering Tuscany, I’d recommend the Piedmont region. It’s less crowded and home to amazing slow food and wine country. Lots of castles for the boys too :) We also loved Genoa! It’s a coastal city with twisty old streets and surprises, but less tourists. They have a huge aquarium, an old ship you can tour, and a children’s musuem as well. Also Italy’s best focaccia and pesto!

We lived in Genoa when my son was 3. We traveled quite a bit while we were there; everything is so accessible by train. There are so many great choices but I would definitely recommend somewhere near the Amalfi coast, Tuscany, Rome (though it will be hot). I wrote a blog about our travels if you’d like to read it. It also includes travel to the Netherlands, London, and Germany but the bulk of our travels were just in Italy.

http://katherinepearsonlee.blogspot.it

My husband and I just returned from a two week trip to Italy. We are 30 and don’t have children, so we packed a lot in! We did Rome, Umbria/Tuscany, Florence, and Cinque Terre.

I would recommend booking an agriturismo in Umbria or Tuscany. The website is http://www.agriturismo.it/en/. Many agriturismos also have pools–perfect for families! We did half board which was great! We had breakfast and dinner at the agritourismo and could eat lunch out when we were exploring. If you are interested in Christian history, I would recommend Assisi. It is a neat hill town in Umbria.

In Rome, I would recommend staying near the Colosseum. Your ticket covers the Colosseum and Palantine Hill, which could easily be two days of exploring with littles. I would also recommend taking a bike tour. Top Bike Rentals has some bikes with children’s seats. They give great tours and you are able to see a lot in a short amount of time.

I also had someone recommend Ostica Antica, which is an ancient port near the airport. We didn’t have time to check it out, but it might be worth exploring!

Have a great time!!!

We go to Italy regularly (we live next door, Greece!) and I consider it pure heaven on earth. Everywhere! So, this July we’re doing a road trip with our son. FYI, August prices were almost twice up so July it was.
My son had loved loved Rome last January (colosseum? Check. Gelato? Check. Pizza every day? Check. Huuuuge piazzas to run with fountains to play? Check check.) Since we’ve been almost everywhere before, we wanted this trip to be memorable for him so we decided on northen Italy. Milan, Como, Garda (there is a really nice disney like park there, Gardaland, that we’ll visit), Verona (he’s juliette’s father in the school play), Venice, Ferrara, Florence, Sienna and lots in Toscany and finally Piza, Lucca and the Cinque Terre. I’ve booked airbnbs everywhere and the one in Toscany is an Agriturismo Farm with animals, vines, ping pong table etc
It’s a lot for 10 days but I think pizza and chianti will take us through!
Whatever you do make sure to stop and play A LOT, stay inside for siestas because the sun is crazy hot down here and feel relaxed!

Just be aware that if you’re not on the coast, it is SUPER SUPER hot in the summer. I went to Rome and Florence with my aunt over the last couple weeks in July and in Florence after we climbed the Duomo we broke down and went to McDonald’s for Diet Cokes because it was the only place we could find ice. We so desperately did not want to be the lame Americans at McDonalds but we were just. so. hot.

We finally figured out the trick is to do museums in the middle of the day when it’s too hot to be outside comfortably and do your city walking in the morning and the evenings. Also lots of gelato.

When I was younger my grandfather took us on a trip to Rome and Pompei. I had always heard about Pompei growing up and I have to say I LOVED it, much more than Rome. We stayed at an adorable, family friendly place called B&B Elena, and the town was so small and welcoming . Not too many people stay there for more than a day, so staying for a few was a nice experience.

Hi, my husband, son (aged 6 at the time) and I went to Italy for two months last year – Italian summertime. We stayed in Rome for one month, renting an apartment in Trestevere through air bnb. Then we flew to Sardegna for a month – and that was amazing – relaxing beautiful the food is all grown or produced locally, we rode bids, swam, took boats to little beaches. I spend my whole life wanted to be back there! We stayed in Alghero in Sardegna.

Can’t believe I forgot this – but a late night champagne or Sunday brunch at Salotto 42 in Rome is great. I think it’s sort of a big deal place now, but years ago, it was pretty quiet & the bougainvillea alone is worth a few moments of basking. If you go late on a hot night, it’s nice to stand outside & feel the air & take the strollers in. I’m really pumped for you guys & this trip – it’s gonna be so fun. Plus, from what you’ve shared, I think your oldest will LOVE how dressed up & chic most Italians are – even in rural areas, you’ll see men in suits and women in heels on the reg. So maybe he needs a linen dinner jacket before you go? ;)

We have taken our two kids to Italy three times, each time in summer, most recently aged 5 and 3. We avoided the more touristy cities given that summer can get pretty crazy in Italy with tourists. The kids especially liked Verona (big Roman ruins to pique kids’ imaginations, manageably-sized and interesting art galleries, gardens with hedge-like mazes, beautiful squares to dine in while the kids hooned around in the square in front of us without disturbing anyone, day trip to lake Garda), Ferrara (large city walls to picnic on, a castle in the city centre with a moat, a fascinating history and no foreign tourists to speak of (total bliss! The kids got so much lovely attention from the locals!)), Parma (OMG, the food! Plus there was a great park with cool pedal cars for hire for the kids to explore). We went in June/ July. We hired cars whilst there to allow for spontaneous day trips to surrounding areas. Take your own sat nav if driving – this was invaluable!! We found that the key thing with kids is to select a good base city and then do day trips from there. We would always scout out the local parks and be happy to spend a few hours just letting them play when needed. Enjoy! You can’t really go too wrong in Italy, wherever you go, its the best!

Naples! Where pizza was invented! It also feels a lot less touristy than Rome. Then make a short train ride from Naples to visit Pompeii.

I’d suggest Lago di Garda.
For sure you can find budget friendly appartment.
I even prefer this vs hotel as you have the possibility to buy and prepare the awesome foods from local markets.
We have been to Moniga so many times and it is adorable for children plus you have plenty of cultural and natural spots to visit.
cheers from Germany

I’m going to Tuscany with husband and 6 year old son in July! I’m meeting my very first and best friend and her family there. I used to live in Carroll Gardens and miss it terribly! I enjoy reading your bog and getting updates about my old neighborhood. I’m taking notes on all the great tips in the comments! Would love to meet you in Italy!

I loved Florence! Art! Steak! Stayed there and took day trips to Pisa and Bologna (best, cheap food in this lovely college town).

Borgo Argenina in Chianti is amazing. The host is wonderful and you can rent your own villa for the family. She offers cooking classes right In her own kitchen. You open the windows and It’s like a dream.

YES! Spend a few days in Rome then spend the rest of the time in Tuscany. I stayed in San Gimignano and it was AMAZING and a great location to travel to other Tuscan cities. You must eat here: http://www.vecchiemura.it/ Food/wine are amazing and the view is better! The piazza in SG is also perfect for strolling and sitting while the kids run around and eat gelato.

We are traveling to Croatia via Venice this summer and we can’t wait. We are going “off the radar” in Croatia with some time in the north (Istria Region) that supposedly rivals Tuscany and then an Island visit. The prices are great, so two families can share amazing homes with pools or village locations. We know Venice will be crowded when we stroll through en route to our ferry to Croatia, but I think my kids (11 yr old boy and 13 yr old girl) will love checking it out. As for favorite ages — we are still loving this stage as our kids are flexible, active, getting into history, and still enjoy spending time with us. We’ll be passing through Venice twice, so I will keep my eyes out for your family.

We’re going to Italy this summer for two weeks, with a 6 year old. Cinque Terre, Florence, Sicily and Rome. I’d be happy to share our specific plans and places we’re staying at… all child-friendly and budget-friendly. I’ve done a ton of my own research, my mom in Sicily and her best friend in Florence provided the remaining details.

And I’d love to meet up! I’m friends with your sister. If you’re interested in more info – email me. :)

One free tip to everyone: if traveling with kids in Europe – ALWAYS tell the hotel upon booking the exact number of people sleeping in the room. It’s expected and they often charge by the person – not by the room. In the US, I book a room… and we show up with two adults and a kid, and it’s the same price as if I were alone. In Europe (Italy especially), they can cancel your room as you’re standing at the registration desk to check in… or they increase the price of the room. You’d rather know that ahead of time.

We had a glorious trip last fall with our 2 year old! We hotel’d in Rome for 3 days, then airBnB apt in Cortona for one week, then back to a fantastic airbnb in Campo Di Fiori in Rome at the end. I really recommend a mix of big city and small town to keep things from being too frenetic.

Italy is so kid friendly and fun. We discovered local playgrounds – at one, the big kids helped our little one down the slide in the shadow of Castel St’Angelo. We went to the zoo and on tons of walks. Our son also got very into playing soccer with some big kids in Cortona’s main square. Street performers are all over in Rome – Trastevere’s main square is particularly fun. Have a wonderful time, you will never forget it! Feel free to email with questions.

We travelled to Italy last year with our 7 year old. We flew into Rome and splurged on a private, kid focused, tour of the Colosseum and it was absolutely the best money we have ever spent on a vacation. We also did some other ruins and just a ton of walking around and eating pizza and gelato. We were in Italy when our son was 3 as well and he loved it both times. There is so much to see and take in that it is an amazing place for kids – and of course for adults too! Everything we did seemed very kid friendly – even it was just drinking red wine at a quiet outdoor table while he played in a piazza. I cannot say enough about Italy with kids! You should absolutely do it!!!!!