When planning a child-friendly holiday that will suit the
whole family, Italy really is one of the top destinations in the
world. There is so much to see and do making it one that suits any
age and above all children are adored by the Italians!
Go self-catering
The best and most economical way to see Italy,
especially in a family, is to rent a self-catering apartment or
villa in a country area for a week. Even though the
accommodation comes with a kitchen, it doesn't mean you need to use
it as there are an abundance of restaurants but often being able to
have the familiar snacks and food on hand will contribute an
enormous comfort factor for your children.
Not only do you have plenty more space renting
a villa or apartment in Italy than taking hotel bedrooms, this type
of self-catering holiday offers you privacy and freedom.
There are no schedules or timetables for meals and you can
come and go as you please. And, not forgetting, there is no morning
urgency to secure a lounger or your place by the pool as the pool
is all yours and private; perfect for relaxing or keeping your
children safely entertained. Kids can watch early morning
children's programs on television (they don't seem to notice which
language cartoons are in) and Mums and Dads can have that after
dinner quiet time, all in peace and
privacy.
For people travelling with young babies, it is worth
putting a used pillow slip or blanket in with your packing to
provide the comforting smell and feel of home, even if the property
is provided with a cot or crib.
Whichever part of Italy you want to see, the regions are jam
packed with things to do and experience - you will be spoilt for
choice! Each night when you return to the same place and each
morning when you wake up in the same beds, your children will
relish the familiarity.
The whole family will find it more relaxing to be in the
country with day trips to the city rather than the other way
around. Most accommodation comes with a swimming pool or at
least a garden or terrace, so cultural excursions can be balanced
relaxation time back at the accommodation.
Eating out
Meals in restaurants are much more fun than the UK;
most Italians love children and will bend over backwards to welcome
them and it is not frowned upon to take children out to a
restaurant, piazza or bar in the evening. Over the summer, Italian
children often stay up late as there is no school.
Many country restaurants also have lovely gardens or
spacious piazzas where the children can play within eyesight,
whilst the parents finish their wine.
RELATED ARTICLE:
'What are the benefits of Italian holidays for groups of
families & friends?'
Culture vultures
One of the biggest challenges for any parent is how to get a
dose of city culture. There are guide books for older children
(such as those by Dorling Kindersley), which provide simple low
downs, suggested itineraries and lots of pictures and diagrams that
will help the children to better understand things in a visual
way.
Hitting the beach
Italy offers some of the best beaches in
Europe and it has always played a major role in The Blue Flag
awards given by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education),
which assesses the best beaches and marinas through strict criteria
such as water quality, environmental management, safety and
services provided close to or within the beach area. Italy
was assigned 248 blue flags in the last year
alone!
The beauty of many Italian beaches
is that the 'lido'-style beaches are perfectly family friendly.
Each beach normally offers facilities in terms of a bar, showers
and toilets. There are lifeguards on hand and even better, many
have fenced off play areas for
children.
Where are the best family-friendly destinations in
Italy?
Whilst we believe that Italy is completely
family-friendly, we have selected our top 3 family-friendly
areas:
1. Lake Garda - the
largest lake in Italy. This is a great all-round family
destination. You have beautiful towns like Torri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino and Lazise to welcome
you, plenty of space for relaxing strolls on the lakes side and
sunbathing on the small nice beaches. You can hire bikes, try
watersports or a bit of fun for the families, there are amusement
parks like
Gardaland,
Caneva and Movieland on the doorstep.
Browse villas in Lake
Garda
2. Sardinia- if you are
looking for a pure beach holiday, Sardinia ticks all the boxes!
Sardinia is very family friendly and you will certainly see a lot
of well equipped "lido" style beaches, where children can play
safely with plenty of activities to keep not only the children
happy but adults alike! Sardinia's beaches have won many awards and
have featured highly in International
Magazines.
Browse villas in
Sardinia
3. Tuscany - dotted
with vineyards and olive groves, this destination is perfect for a
more rural back-to-nature type countryside holiday.
Neighbouring Umbria and Le Marche will offer a similar
experience but for its sheer beauty and popularity, Tuscany offers
offering spectacular scenery, authentic cuisine and a great splash
of culture for the parents. The children won't be bored, you can
still take a day trip to the beach, there are water parks and lots
of activities like cycling and horse-riding.
Browse villas in
Tuscany
If you need any guidance finding your dream Italian villa,
contact us at info@holidayhomesinitaly.co.uk and
one of our Italy specialists will be more than happy to help!
Browse all regions: Amalfi Coast, Italian
Riviera, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Le Marche, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany & Umbria.
