What could be more enjoyable than an Italy family vacation? Sure, some areas might be better seen by singles or couples. Trekking through the mountains with toddlers might not be such a great idea. However, Italy family vacation packages allow you to see an incredibly wide range of top attractions, historic sites, and more, while ensuring that the little ones will love their experience, as well.
With that being said, finding the right option for you amongst the numerous Italy tours for families can be quite challenging. The process begins by locating luxurious villa vacation rentals, and then sorting through the various Italy family vacation ideas to find one that matches your needs perfectly. To help streamline the process, we’ll guide you through some of the options to help ensure that you have the best family trip to Italy possible.
Rome
The Eternal City is filled with romance and history, but it’s also a great place for the kids, which makes it one of the best Italy family vacation ideas. The kids will adore some of the massive edifices left by the Roman empire, such as the Colosseum, but there is plenty to enjoy that is new and modern. Rome’s streets are alive with food vendors, toy merchants, and more. Street performers put on impromptu plays for the delight of all ages. The Vatican is also a fun place, with multiple museums and interactive activities for younger travelers. While you’re in town, make sure to take a walking tour – they usually include a stop for authentic gelato, and what kid doesn’t love a delicious, sweet treat?
Florence
Florence should certainly make your list of Italy family vacation ideas. They will love the panoramic views out over the site, but there’s also a great deal more to this historic town. For instance, a visit to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum is well worth adding to your family trip to Italy because it allows kids to get hands-on with some of the inventor’s most amazing creations. It’s enough to spark the fire of creation in any young imagination! You’ll also find a beautiful antique carousel at Piazza della Republica that the kids will love to ride, and the Boboli Gardens are perfect for letting the little ones experience nature, but also giving them a chance to run and play.
Pisa
If you’re planning Italy family packages, make sure that Pisa is on your itinerary. Yes, the famous Leaning Tower is certainly a popular destination, but there’s so much more to this historic city. In addition, make sure to take them to the Duomo di Pisa, as well as Knights’ Square, Giardino Scotto, Composanto, and the Piazza dei Miracoli. There are quite a few museums throughout the city that give your children the chance to interact with exhibits, as well.
Catania
When it comes to Italy family vacation ideas, Catania should certainly be on the list. There is so much to see and do here, making it one of the most kid-friendly Italy vacations possible. Mount Etna is an amazing experience, and if the kids are old enough, you can hike its slopes (it’s an active volcano, so the kids are sure to love it). You can also take them to the Giardino Bellini, which is a massive garden-like park with fountains and large open stretches where kids can run and play. Aci Castello offers a view over the area, but is also a great place to explore for kids. Parco Archeologico Greco Romano Di Catania is both an active archaeological site and a museum, and kids will enjoy the exhibits, as well as exploring the ancient amphitheater.
Southern Italy with Kids
Southern Italy is home to sun-drenched beaches, rolling hills, blue waters, and more. However, it also makes a great place for all your Italy tours with children. You might want to begin your tour of the region with a visit to Lamezia, where Azienda Agricola Statti lets kids explore olive groves, pet animals, and explore the vineyard. There’s also a great beach just a few minutes away from town. Exploring Italy for kids should also include a trip to Rossano Calabro. The split between the ancient town and the new city is visible, and kids will love it. There’s a massive beach, plenty of kid-friendly dining, and also Acquapark Odissea 2000. This is a massive water park that features everything from a wave pool to water slides.
Family-friendly tours of Italy should also include a visit to Policoro, which is a very small town located not far from the Ionian Sea. You can camp next to the water if you want, but there are numerous other things to see and do here, from exploring the Kids Zone to the large playground.
Matera is another destination to explore on southern Italy holidays. The old part of town is carved right into the massive rocks, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find homes, shops, and even a church carved out of the living rock. There are also hills and caves that you and the family can explore if you’re feeling adventurous.
Siena
A visit to Siena should be one of your Italy family vacation ideas – the city has plenty to offer young and old alike. Take a tour of the Piazza del Campo, or the Centro Storico di Siena. The All’Orto de’Pecci is a farm-like setting that allows the kids to experience the animals, and there is a restaurant on site for convenient dining options. Fonte Gaia, Fontebranda, and Piazza del Mercato are all popular destinations for families in the area.
Pollino National Park
Back to southern Italy once more, Pollino National Park is the second largest in the entire country. It’s conveniently located to Lamezia, so you can reach is with ease. There are tons of trails to hike here, giving your family the chance to experience the Italian countryside firsthand. There are also kid-friendly tour programs that teach them about the local wildlife, such as hedgehogs and otters, and kids may even get to spot these animals in the wild on their tour. For the more adventurous, there’s a tour of the park’s cave that lets you see 12,000-year-old cave paintings, too.
Amalfi Coast
This isn’t a city, but an entire region of Italy. The Amalfi Coast is rugged, but home to some of the most colorful towns you’ll find anywhere. There are quiet beaches tucked away amongst the coves, little gelato shops to enjoy, quaint eateries, and little parks where kids can have fun. And, because you’re in control of your itinerary, exploring the Amalfi Coast is an excellent option for family holidays in Italy on a budget.
In Conclusion
These are just some of the many Italy family vacation ideas. In fact, the entire country is worth exploring with your kids. When you’re done, you might want something of a change of pace – your next excursion should be to the Caribbean, where you’ll be able to enjoy forested mountains, scintillating blue waters, swaying palm trees, deep history, and long stretches of sandy beach. Barbados villa rentals give you the chance to explore Barbados and the surrounding waters, and you can easily find Turks and Caicos luxury rentals to help you expand your exploration of the region.