
Advice, resources, & tours for families traveling in Italy
Yes, you can take the kids!
Trips to Italy can often have a much more profound impact on the children than the adults, opening their young eyes and minds to the diversity of the world's cultures and peoples. I mean, look at me: my parents took me to live in Italy when I was 11, and now I make my living by traveling around the world.
Europeans expect to see families together, because it's how they travel. You're likely to encounter entire clans, from grandmothers to babes in arms, caravanning around. Locals tend to love kids. You'll often find that a child guarantees you an even warmer reception from hotels and restaurants than you'd normally receive.
Ask waiters for a half-portion to fit junior's appetite. If you absolutely feel the need for a romantic dinner alone one night, your hotel can undoubtedly rustle up a baby-sitter for you.
Be prepared to take things a bit more slowly. Don't go into full-bore sightseeing mode. In between heavy-duty cultural sights, do some stuff just for fun—which is actually good advice for any traveler, regardless of whether he or she has kids in tow.
As an added plus, traveling with a pint-sized person usually entails pint-sized rates. An extra cot in the room ranges from free to, at most, 30 percent tacked onto the room rate.
Most museums and sights offer reduced-price or free admission for children under a certain age (which might range anywhere from six to 18, but usually the latter). Some even offer family tickets good for one or two adults and up to 3 or 4 children.
Plus, kids also almost always get discounts on train tickets (so long as you buy tickets at least 24 hours in adfvance):
- Under 4 ride free.
- Ages 4–14 get 50% off tickets, and 30% off sleeping couchettes and sleeping compartments.
- "Offerta Famiglia" discount (for 2–5 people): You get the regular kids 50% discount, plus the adults get 20% off as well.
- italiakids.com - Lots of good advice and resources for doing Italy with kids.
- Ciaobambino.com - Family-oriented travel agency with good tips on its blog, like how to spend 72 hours in Milan with kids, or vital Vatican tips with kids.
- Minitime.com - A trip-planning site aimed at families.
- Familytravelnetwork.com - Nancy Schretter's family trip-panning site has impressivley been around since 1995 (as has, apparently, its site design), with lots of good advice but a clunky presentation.
- Myfamilytravels.com - The Family Travel Forum has been prioviding vacation advice to families since 1996. I liek how it is divded into sections for Baby, Kids, Teens, Multigen, Students, and Others.
- Familyvacationcritic.com - Family travel advice from the same folks who bring you Cruisecritic.com.
- Bambinidiroma.com - In Italian only, but packed with events, resources, and more for kids in Rome.
- intrepidtravel.com - One of my favorite tour companies offers several family itineraries. They make a concerted effort to travel like real independent travelers—small groups (max of 12 people), staying in mom-and-pop accommodations and getting around by public transport (trains, local buses, bikes, feet) rather than a big tour bus. Aimed at a slightly more adventurous, slightly younger crowd, and close to true, independent travel. Partner
- Gadventures.com - Similar to Intrepid, but based in Canada. G Adventures offers a variety of adventure trips, including many hiking, trekking, and multi-sport active vacations—and many Family Adventures as well.Partner
- Smithsonianjourneys.org - The Smithsonian run highly regarded, rather expensive educational and adventure trips specifically designed for the whole clan—including an "Treasures of Tuscany" family journey.
- Vacationkids.com - Not a tour company, but an outfit that will hook you up with a travel agent to arrange your family vacation.
- Ricksteves.com - PBS superstar Rick Steves runs a highly successful tour company—with both general tours and family-specific tours—that really tries to highlight all the best of the independent travel style espoused in his books and TV show in a group format. I've bumped into several of his tour groups in Europe over the years, and the participants always gush about what a great time they're having. He also keeps his groups smaller than most (24 to 28 travelers versus the 40 to 60 many big companies cram onto the bus), and the smaller the group, the more authentic the experiences each member is going to have (to say nothing of more room on the bus). (Disclosure: I know Rick, but have recommended his product long before that, even if we were once guidebook competitors!)
- Journeysinternational.com - This outfit started as a families-only tour company, and they still cater largely to that crowd.
- Learningjourneys.com - This educational-trip offshoot of the famous Perillo Tours has plenty of family adventures.
- Familyadventures.com - Thomson Family Adventures forcuses on adventurous family trips to mostly exotic locales—Alaska, Baja, Belize, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Galapagos, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Tanzania, Thailand, and Turkey. They do also offer Europe, though (Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Scotland, Swizterland, Turkey, and the Azores).
More on Family-friendly
Little to see but some 20th century art and great views from the stony castle high above Naples
Incredible private collection that includes the largest display of Japanese arms and armour in Europe
Elegant 19th century cafes and modern bookshops on an expansive square
A tour that gets you—quite literally—behind the scenes, into the rooms and chambers hidden behind those lavishly decorated walls where the actual governing of the Venetian Republic happened
Climbing up between the cathedral dome's two layers to spectacular city views
Be a gondolier for the day: Take rowing lessons in a bona-fide gondola or other classic Venetian boat
Weird, random, oddball, and just plain fun tours and activities you can sign up for in Italy
The fine art of getting lost in the backstreets of Venice and learning to love it
Learn what it took to do battle in the Colosseum with a half-day Roman gladiator school
Learn to paint, drawn, sculpt, or make ceramics in one of the world's great capitals of art
Hiking a narrow path past lovely villas from Fiesole back down into Florence
Stay on a working farm agriturismo in the Chianti and experience the best of Italian hospitality and Tuscan countryside tradition
Far from an indulgence, villa rentals in the Chianti can actually offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Naples can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Amalfi Coast can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Sorrento can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Rome can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Amalfi can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Positano can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Ravello can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Live life all'italiana for a few days or weeks by renting a villa near Sorrento, Italy, from €116—and that's for a three-bedroom home with a pool
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Capri can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Pompeii can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Florence can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Venice can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Tivoli can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Cinque Terre can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Milan can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in Pisa can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in the Chianti can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) in San Gimignano can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Apartments (rental flats and short-term tourist lets of apartments) on Lake Como can offer substantial savings, especially for four or more
Stay on a working farm agritourismo and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Cinque Terre and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Serviced flats, residence hotels, Aparthotels, and other townhouse suite lodging in Italy
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Sorrento and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Capri and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Pompeii and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Campi Flegrei—The Phlegrean Fields and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Florence and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Tivoli and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Lazio lake district and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near Pisa and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
Stay on a working farm agriturismo near San Gimignano and experience the best of Italian hospitality and countryside tradition
An Italian villa to call your own for the night or the week—renting a villa, house, or cottage in Italy
Camping and campgrounds (campeggi) are a cheap way to spend the night in Amalfi Coast
Campgrounds around Sorrento from €30 for a campsite for two, or €50–€100 for a cabin or bungalow sleeping 2-4
Camping and campgrounds (campeggi) are a cheap way to spend the night in Pompeii
Camping and campgrounds (campeggi) are a cheap way to spend the night in Campi Flegrei—The Phlegrean Fields
Camping and campgrounds (campeggi) are a cheap way to spend the night in Lazio lake district
Trading spaces isn't just a show on basic cable anymore. It's a way to live life like a local on your travels absolutely for free—so long as you let the local borrow your life (and home) in return.
Sleep for free on vacation in Italy by watching someone's house (and, often, watering their plants and feeding their cat)
A three-room B&B with modern appointments overlooking a leafy square in the heart of the centro storico
An agriturismo (farm stay) near the ruins of the ancinet city
Venice actually does have campgrounds—and would you believe this one is right on the beach?
A quiet, cozy little campground across from the beach and a vaporetto ride away from downtown Venice
Where to grab a quick, cheap meal—Pizza rustica, street food, and fast food in Sorrento
Where to grab a quick, cheap meal—Wine bars, street food, and fast food in Florence
Where to grab a quick, cheap meal—Pizza rustica, street food, and fast food in Venice
Where to grab a quick, cheap meal—Pizza rustica, street food, and fast food in Siracusa
Be your own chef and you can save money and add an extra cultural experience to your trip
What do do in Naples that will make the whole family happy—Sights, experiences, restaurants, tours, and more
What do do in Rome that will make the whole family happy—Sights, experiences, restaurants, tours, and more
What do do in Florence that will make the whole family happy—Sights, experiences, restaurants, tours, and more
What do do in Venice that will make the whole family happy—Sights, experiences, restaurants, tours, and more
What do do in Milan that will make the whole family happy—Sights, experiences, restaurants, tours, and more
The best pizzerias in Naples, the history of pizza, and more pizza, pizza, pizza