Family Vacation to Italy: Kid-Friendly, Parent-Approved Adventures
At the center of Italian culture is the family. You’ll find parents and kids enjoying a wide variety of attractions and activities in the Italian countryside. And while you may not see kid’s menus in every restaurant, that’s because children eat the same foods as their parents. That said, the wait staff at restaurants often do an excellent job of entertaining kiddos.
In Italy, your crew will never lack for fun activities suited to every age and interest. Of course, the best family vacation in Italy is customized based on your children’s ages and unique needs. Whether we’re talking about daily space in your itinerary for 3 pm naps or ensuring all activities prove stroller accessible. With that in mind, let’s explore ways to make your family vacation to Italy both kid-friendly and parent-approved.
Best Family Vacations in Italy: When to Go
Before we delve into specific activities to populate your itinerary, let’s go over some ground rules when it comes to your family trip to Italy. You’ll want to decide the time of year you choose to travel with care. While summer on the Mediterranean comes with obvious charms, it can also attract throngs of other visitors.
For this reason, for those not bound by school schedules, consider off-season times of the year for your vacation. May, September, and October are all excellent months for traveling to Italy. You’ll still enjoy spectacular weather while beating the crowds. December is another magical month to visit, and it provides you with the opportunity to enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas European-style.
For the rest of us, late June and July are less crowded than August.
Tips for Family-Friendly Vacations to Italy
What else should you know before you go? Bring comfortable shoes and get ready for plenty of walking, especially on uneven, cobblestone streets. For families traveling with infants, consider bringing a travel booster for eating at restaurants. And you’ll also want to perfect the art of changing your baby’s diapers in a stroller. (Changing tables aren’t a popular amenity of Italian bathrooms.)
It’s widely acceptable to breastfeed in public, so don’t sweat the small stuff if you forget a nursing cover. And don’t feel like you have to stick solely with attractions geared towards kids. From museums to vineyards, destinations across the nation are used to providing activities for little ones.
A family vacation to Italy is also the perfect time to schedule a photoshoot with a professional through flytographer. Find out more about hiring a flytographer to capture memories for a lifetime.
What to Do in Italy: Wine and Cooking
Does the thought of visiting Italian wine country sound fantastic? But you’re not sure what to do with the children? We get it, and we’re here to tell you, you can have your wine and drink it, too. Some parents choose to hire a babysitter to watch their children for a day. Others prefer to book a kid-friendly wine tour. But our favorite option? Taking a private Wine and Cooking Class.
Imagine spending a day at a 13th-century villa where you’ll receive hands-on experience in Mediterranean cooking while enjoying seasonal cuisine paired with lovely vintages. Best of all, the Mediterranean’s richest traditions and pleasures will come alive to you and your kids as you savor this interactive and meaningful experience.
Italian Wine Country Experiences
Remember that activities that appeal to both children and parents abound in Italian wine country. These include visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, exploring the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence, and attractions in Siena, including a visit to the Piazza and the Museo d’Arte per Bambini.
You’ll also find plenty of wonderful activities in Italy’s rural countryside. These include hiking in the picturesque Dolomites or visiting one of the nation’s many enticing beaches. From swimming to picnicking, people watching and playing in town squares to discovering local markets and festivals, activities for every age abound. And don’t forget about a medieval castle tour where your kids can live out their wildest prince or princess fantasies!
Top It Off With Truffle Hunting
Imagine exploring Italy’s stunning forested lands on a one-of-a-kind adventure, truffle hunting. Explore dense forests of poplar, hazel, and beech as you look for one of the most sublime-tasting foodstuffs on the planet. How can you make this activity more kid-friendly? Go with one of the shorter tours, such as this three-hour Truffle Hunting in Piedmont adventure. (Other tours last upwards of four to six hours, which can be pushing it for small children — and even teens — for that matter!)
As you prepare for your adventure, understand that it will involve some climbs and descents as well as negotiating thick undergrowth. There’s always the possibility of encountering brambles, so dress in lightweight layers with long sleeves, long pants, and good hiking boots or athletic shoes. This wardrobe will also help your family avoid stickers, ticks, and other bugs present in the undergrowth.
Family Vacation to Italy: We Can Help
Interested in finding out more about how to plan an exceptional family vacation to Italy? Check out our post on planning a Classic Italy family vacation for itinerary ideas your family will adore.
As a Virtuoso-affiliated travel agency, we offer exclusive benefits to our clients. Our travel planning services ensure you’ll get the best value and enjoy meaningful and authentic experiences so you can focus on creating lasting memories with your kids.
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