Families planning a trip to Italy often wonder if they should use trains or rental cars to travel between cities. We are definitely big fans of train travel in Europe and definitely prefer to travel by train between large metropolitan areas due to the convenience and cost. However, there are situations where train travel in Italy is impractical. During our July 2018 Italian family vacation, the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museumwere high on our must-see list. Both museums are in the Modena area and very challenging to reach by train. The cost of long taxi rides to and from the Bologna train station and in between the two museums was pretty staggering, and with a family of five, we would need to hire two taxis. Additionally, we were skeptical that we would be able to store our luggage at the Bologna train station for this excursion. We decided that by renting a car in Italy for a day and a half, we could visit the Italian car museums with flexibility, spend a night in Pisa and then visit a few Tuscan towns before returning the car upon our arrival in Florence.
View of San Gimignano from the outskirts
Booking an Italian Rental Car
Manual transmission vehicles are significantly less expensive to rent in Italy, but we chose to stick with an automatic transmission and reserved our intermediate, five passenger car through Alamo/Enterprise. The daily charge for the rental was €43.47, but with taxes and the rental of a car seat for our daughter (€45), the grand total for our two day rental came to €245.39.
Renting a Car in Italy – Requirements
An international driving permit is required to rent a car in Italy. My husband obtained his permit from AAA before our departure, and the process was relatively painless and cost only $20 and required two passport sized photos. He was actually never asked for his driving permit in Italy, but we did not feel it was worth the risk to not get it in advance.
Renting a Car in Italy – Car Seats
One of the trickiest parts of renting cars is figuring out how to handle car seats. We chose to rent a car seat for our three year old daughter because she was less than 30 pounds and needed a convertible car seat. We were traveling very light and definitely did not want to lug around a heavy car seat throughout our 18-day European vacation when we only needed it for a day and a half. We considered purchasing the Ridesafer Travel Vest, but she had not yet reached the lower weight limit for use in the US, we were concerned that the vest would not be permitted in Italy. While the €45 rental fee seemed pretty exorbitant, we thought it was the best option, and the seat we received seemed satisfactory. We also carried two Bubble Bum booster seats with us to use for our eight and ten year old boys.
Renting a Car in Italy – Insurance
Worldwide car rental insurance up to $50,000 is a perk of our Costco Citi card for any car rental 31 days or less that is paid for with the card. This coverage means we can decline the additional collision loss/damage insurance that is always offered through the rental company. Because our rental included a car body package to limit liability to €1,800 in case of damage or theft at no extra fee, we verified with Costco that this included insurance would not negate our coverage in advance and did not have to pay extra for full rental car insurance.
Renting a Car in Italy – Pick Up
We were departing from Venice the day that we planned to pick up our car. However, picking up a rental car in a car-free city seemed unnecessarily complicated. We chose instead to take a train from Venice to Bologna and pick up our car there.
Picking up a rental car always seems to take longer than we expect, and our experience in Italy was no exception. It’s important to research the exact location of the rental car company as the descriptions online might not be reliable. “Train station” could mean near the train station, and “downtown” might near downtown. We thought that the Enterprise/Alamo desk was at the Bologna train station, but it was actually about a block away, and finding it was a bit of a challenge. After completing the registration with the clerk, we were directed to a garage several blocks away. We were offered a six passenger vehicle that was larger than we expected but manageable. As always, we made sure to thoroughly inspect the exterior of the car for any damage and make sure any dents were properly noted before leaving the garage. We then had to figure out how to install the car seats before setting off. Our grand plan included a lunch in Bologna, but we knew our time was tight, so we headed out of the city without seeing even the Towers of Bologna.
Renting a Car in Italy – Logistics
After spending 10 days driving the Ring Road in Iceland in June 2017, renting a car for a day and a half Italy seemed like it should be no big deal. However, it was significantly more challenging than our experience in Iceland. We used our GPS with international maps in both countries but found that we were constantly being directed into restricted zones (zona traffico limitato or ZLT) in Italy. Traffic, which is nonexistent in Iceland, was often heavy in Italy. Road rules were also confusing, speed limits were often hard to determine, and Italian drivers are particularly aggressive. As a result, I was really nervous that we would end up with a huge fine to pay at the end of the trip and generally nervous the entire time we were in the car. Dropping the car off in Florence was particularly a nightmare as we had to do several U-turns before determining that the rental car return was located within a limited traffic zone; however, it was a huge relief to drop it off.
Renting a Car in Italy – Benefits
By renting a car in Italy, we were able to visit the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum, Pisa and San Gimignano in a day in a half, all without worrying about luggage storage. The Lamborghini Museum, Ferrari Museum and San Gimignano are not easily reachable by train and were particularly enjoyable parts or our trip. We would have been able to visit other Tuscan towns between Pisa and Florence as we had originally planned if we hadn’t decided that we needed to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and tour the Pisa Cathedral. If we were traveling by train, we would have likely booked a mid-morning train journey and would have regretted not having enough time at the Field of Miracles. So, we did enjoy the flexibility to easily alter our plans.
Pisa Cathedral and the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Our Italian car rental also allowed us to have the most authentic, non-touristy experience in Italy, lunch at Glamour Caffe e Cucina near the Lamborghini Museum. After skipping lunch in Bologna, stopping for a meal before touring Italian car museums was non-negotiable, and we happened upon the Glamour Caffe. We were definitely the only tourists, and none of the servers spoke English. Our order for fixed price lunches was complicated, and we were not clear on how much the meal would cost. However, the food and authenticity of the meal was top-notch, and the price ended up being quite the bargain as well. Because our trip focused on large metropolitan areas, this was really our only opportunity to get off the beaten path and a huge benefit to renting a car.
Renting a Car in Italy – Recommendation
We recommend traveling by train in Italy unless there is something on your must-do list that is completely impractical to do via public transportation. However, it is possible for adventurous families to rent a car in Italy and truly explore the countryside.
The Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum each hosted our family’s visits. As always, all opinions are my own.
During our family vacation to Italy this past summer, we followed the classic itinerary and visited Venice, Florence and Rome. We were not disappointed by these bucket list destinations in any way, but it was clear from our few detours off the beaten path that Italy has so much more to offer to tourists. We’re already dreaming of a return trip to Italy, which will definitely include more stops off the beaten path in Italy. We asked our favorite travel bloggers to recommend their favorite places off the beaten path spots in Italy and came up with this amazing list (which included a few of our own favorites):
Northern Italy With Kids
#1: Cittadella With Kids
Cittadella is a beautiful walled city located between Vicenza and Venice. Our favorite part about Cittadella was being able to walk all the way around the 13th century walls, where we enjoyed amazing views of the city.
We stayed in Vicenza for my husband’s work conference, so it was a quick 30 minute drive away. There is plenty of parking on the ring road around the walls. I wouldn’t recommend driving into the walled city. Try to find a parking place close to one of the four gates for easy entry. Cittadella is a quaint city that doesn’t require more than a 1/2 day to explore. We arrived in the late afternoon and stayed until dinner.
After entering through the south gate, we grabbed some ice cream at Gelateria Antica Porta before making our way to the entrance to climb the walls. The entrance is located near the north gate and is easily accessible via the stairs (don’t bring a stroller). We paid our entrance, grabbed an informational paper and began our walk. The walk is pretty safe for children with some guard rails, but keep an eye on toddlers. After our walk, we descended and headed to dinner at Birreria Torre S.N.C. Cittadella is great for kids because it features a medieval wall, a huge playground near the south gate and ice cream shops. The city is not pedestrian only (so watch the kids near the road), but the sidewalks are wide, and it’s easy to navigate.
Small Italian towns don’t come quainter than Como, on the southern tip of Lake Como. We visited for one day, but I think three days is probably ideal. It’s easy to reach by train, 30 minutes from Milan, and the walk down to the Lake takes visitors through the gorgeous old town. Stop for a coffee outside the Duomo or the Basilica di San Fedele, a beautiful 10th century church.
Kids will love the funicular ride into the surrounding hills and adults will love the breath-taking views from above. If it’s hot, there’s a cute little play area with some splash fountains – remember to bring a swimsuit and towel. Visiting families will be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants, with so many available on the left side of the Lake. Most will be open for lunch, closing at around 3 and opening again for dinner at seven.
Como is a great base to explore the other lakeside towns and to find some lake beaches. There are regular steam boats and ferries visitors can use to get around. Another option is to hire a car and head into the hills, but make sure it’s a small one, the streets are pretty narrow. And no, we didn’t see famous residents, Amal and George, but there’s always next time….
One of our favorite family destinations in all of Italy is the lovely town of Lucca. Located in northern Tuscany, less than two hours from Florence by train, Lucca dates back to medieval times and has a timeless charm that makes it perfect both as a base to discover the area and as a stop during a Tuscany road trip.
We first visited Lucca with the kids when they were 3 and 5. The town can be visited in a matter of hours, but it is worth taking a few days as it is really easy to enjoy with children. The city still retains its medieval walls, and this means a large section of its center is car free. Our kids loved running around its small streets and were charmed by the many musicians fillings the air with beautiful notes: Lucca is the home town of composer Puccini, and his legacy is very much alive! Older kids are likely to enjoy cycling along the city walls, and visitors of all ages will love Lucca’s many restaurants that offer delicious Tuscan fare.
Recommended by Marta Correale from Learning Escapes. Find out more from Marta about Lucca with kids.
#4: Milan With Kids
Last year we spent six days in Milan with our little boy, who was 3.5 at the time. Compared to flights to Rome or Venice, the flight from Amsterdam to Milan was very cheap, and Italy was still on our bucket list, so that was an easy choice. The city is easy to navigate with public transport and very family friendly. Like the flights, accommodation is also a lot more affordable in Milan. It’s still a big city, so don’t expect ‘Asia cheap,’ but we managed to find a one bedroom apartment for €53 per night. We looked at hotels too, but with our little one in tow, a separate bedroom was a big plus. And to save some money, I cooked us dinner a few nights. We really enjoyed riding the old trams and visiting Sforzesca castle. Don’t forget to plan at least a half day for a visit to the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Technologia (Science and Technology Museum). San Siro Stadium, the ‘Temple of Soccer’ is worth a visit if you kids are soccer fans, and for race enthusiasts there is the Autodroma Monza. While not the obvious choice for a city trip to Italy, Milan really is a nice place to visit with kids.
Orvieto is just off the highway that connects Rome and Florence, yet many visitors pass right by on their rush to get to Tuscany. Yet this medieval, Umbrian city is much quieter than its hilltop counterparts in Tuscany. With so much to do for kids, it deserves at least a pit stop, if not an overnight stay. The Orvieto Cathedral is simply stunning, a rival to the Duomo in Florence (minus the magnificent dome). Those who don’t mind a little adventure can climb down into St. Patrick’s well or take a tour of the Orvieto Underground. Even without visits to the museums and attractions, kids will love running through the park and exploring the cobblestone streets in the evening. Parents can enjoy wine tasting at a sidewalk table while kids play in the piazza with locals and finish off the evening with a gelato.
Recommended by Tamara from We 3 Travel. Find out more from Tamara about Orvieto with kids.
#6: Panzano With Kids
Panzano is a quaint picturesque Italian town and is located in the Chianti/Tuscany region between Siena and Florence. Easily reachable by rental car, visitors will find it roughly equidistant from Bologna in the north (2 hours) or Rome in the south (2.5 hours). We recommend using this hilltop village as a base for at least four nights to explore the sites and tastes of the Italian countryside. Some of our favorite things to do in Panzano include taking a family cooking class at Toscana Mia, sampling offerings from the 7th generation butcher Dario Cecchini, visiting one of the many Renaissance villages and abbeys within a 30 minute drive, dining at one of the world-renowned wineries, and enjoying gelato or espresso in the town square. We recommend spending your nights at Villa Le Barone, a 16th century villa that is loaded with charm and history. The Independent Apartment is a perfect space for families and features a double bed plus two single sofa beds and offers privacy and a beautiful view of the rolling Chianti Hills. We enjoyed spending time on the property as the pool, tennis courts and bicycle and walking trails give visitors an opportunity to get the kids outside and immerse themselves in this breathtaking countryside.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most recognizable landmarks because of its unintended tilt. Even though it isn’t the only leaning tower in Italy or even Pisa, it is world-renowned because of the degree of its tilt, the beauty of its architecture and the fact that Galileo used it in experiments that showed that objects of different mass fall at the same rate. We spent a night in Pisa staying at a hotel across the street from the Leaning Tower when driving from Bologna to Florence. The view of the Tower from our room was amazing. While we planned to arrive late and head out after breakfast and a walk around the Field of Miracles, we extended our stay to tour the Cathedral and Baptistery and climb to the top of the Leaning Tower.
Cinque Terre or Five Lands is a string of five picturesque fishing villages in the Liguria region of Italy. The five villages are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. We were lucky enough to visit Riomaggiore several years ago on a road trip through Liguria and parts of Tuscany. Riomaggiore really took our breath away with its colorful houses perilously perched on the rocky cliffs off the Mediterranean coast. We were so taken with the undeniable beauty of this place that we vowed to return in the future and properly explore all five villages.
It is not possible to drive into Cinque Terre. To get there, we parked our car in the town of La Spezia and hopped on a train that takes visitors to all five villages. The train ride from La Spezia to Riomaggiore is only 10 minutes and is very affordable. The ride between each of the rest of the towns is only 5 minutes or less. Since we had very little time to explore, we only visited Riomaggiore. But visitors who have enough time to visit all five should buy a Cinque Terre card to save money and gain access to hiking trails and museums. Make sure to validate your ticket at one of the yellow machines at the train station before boarding the train! Exploring by train rather than foot is easier for those who have difficulty with their mobility or have very young children. Just be aware that the train is very crowded during high season. We felt like sardines in a can. Also, once in the towns, be prepared for lots of stairs and elevation changes when exploring. Because of the terrain, a super thorough sightseeing may not be for everyone.
When we return to explore Cinque Terre in the future, we would love to hike from village to village and stay in each for a couple days, or perhaps even longer.
Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags.Org. Find out more from Bea about Italy’s Liguria region.
#9: San Gimignano With Kids
We spent a lovely afternoon in San Gimignano. While driving from Pisa to Florence, we wanted to explore a typical Tuscan town and were so glad we chose this beautiful walled, hill town. We could see the 14 medieval towers miles before we reached the outskirts of town and parked just outside the wall and walked into the city center and quickly came to Piazza del Duomo. The adjacent Piazza della Cisterna, which is named for the cistern that was accessed from the center of the square, was the perfect place for a glass of wine (for the adults) and some gelato (for the kids). The line at the world-famous Gelateria Dondoli was too long, and we desperately needed to sit in the shade, so we choose Le Terrazze instead. After we were all refreshed, we decided that we couldn’t miss a 360 degree hilltop view and took a short walk to the Rocca. San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval hill town, and it was a refreshing break on a trip spent mostly in large metropolitan tourist centers to spend a few hours in this quaint town.
Just a short walk from ritzy Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure is the perfect base for families wanting to explore the Italian Riviera. Santa Margherita is a small port, fishing town and a popular resort with Italians. Its shingled shoreline boasts a couple of beach clubs, and the sea front is lined with cafes, restaurants and of course gelateries.
Visitors strolling along the pretty cobbled streets stumble upon a magnificent baroque church and a castle with impressive views of the Ligurian Sea. On summer evenings, the town lights up with free entertainment and dancing.
Santa Margherita is well serviced by public transport or families can drive from the closest airport at Genoa. To explore the Ligurian coast, visitors can walk to Portofino or take a day trip by train to the Cinque Terre. In summer, a ferry service hops along the coastal towns of the Italian Riviera. After spending a week in Santa Margherita, visitors will return home with that la dolce vita aura Italians are famous for.
Recommended by Katy Clarke of Untold Morsels. Find out more from Katy about the Italian Riviera with kids.
#11: Siena With Kids
We stayed near Volterra, so the drive to Siena was just over an hour away, but perfectly worth it. Siena has the wow factor with medieval architecture, a beautiful elaborate (yet unfinished) cathedral and symbolic neighborhoods, which even today people take heed of.
To make the most of visiting the beautiful medieval city of Siena with kids, I would highly recommend paying for a walking tour. We went with ‘Ariana and Friends’ who can tailor and pitch the tour exactly to your needs. We learned that Siena is comprised of 17 historic neighborhoods, each with its specific symbol showcased outside. Look out for dragons, caterpillars, geese, wolves, porcupines and more! Each family belonged to a neighborhood based on their profession or status.
Not to be missed are the Basilica San Domenico and the Duomo, or a run around the Piazza del Campo and soak in the sights. There is a small exhibition for children inside the Santa Maria Della Scala (located opposite the Duomo) with several interactive opportunities too.
For families visiting during the hot summer months, the swimming pool in Acquacalda may appeal. There are two outdoor pools: a large one with space for both swimming and relaxing and a smaller one for children.
We have been to Italy multiple times and have to admit that it’s an extremely kid-friendly place to travel. However, there are more towns, churches, or museums than any child can handle – not to mention the huge crowds in the popular tourist destinations. This summer we took our kids to the Trentino region in Northern Italy, and it became our favorite place for a family vacation in Italy. Trentino has it all: spectacular mountain landscapes, quaint little towns, authentic Italian feel, and an incredible variety of family-friendly activities.
Visitors can enjoy activities ranging from hiking to mountain-biking; spend a day at an adventure park, try bouldering, or explore the exhilarating yet family-friendly Via Ferrata trails. There are even special canyoning opportunities that are suitable for families with kids from five years and up. Not into that much action? No worries. There are animal parks, petting farms, playgrounds, and plenty of beautiful mountain lakes where visitors can row a boat or go for a swim. One thing that is lacking in Trentino is the crowds. It’s the perfect place for a truly family-friendly Italian vacation off the beaten path.
Treviso is a quiet, much less touristy and a little less beautiful version of Venice. We arrived with our rental car and stayed for one day and night before continuing to its famous neighbor. Walking through the city with our toddler, we loved the colorful buildings on the many waterways. There are of course a lot of restaurants, and because Treviso is not a touristy city the meals are very affordable. Romano is known for having the best ice-cream in town. So be prepared to stand in line, but after that you will enjoy some of tastiest Italian ice-cream ever. They provide a bib for kids and adults.
There are many low-key attractions in town. Cycling fans will want to check out the Pinarello shop with the bike Froome used for his Tour de France wins. We also found a great playground on the Vialo Bartolomeo d’Alviano in one of many parks in Treviso. While Treviso does not host any special child friendly museums or theme parks, the laid-back atmosphere and friendly people makes it very suitable for families with young children. I do suggest bringing a stroller as the city center is rather big.
Recommended by Tikva from GezinOpReis (Dutchtravelfamily). Find out more from Tikva about Treviso with kids.
#14: Volterra With Kids
Volterra is one of the most picturesque small towns in Tuscany. Located just over an hour from both Florence and Siena, this medieval town is best reached by car, but trains and buses are also an option. We would recommend a stay at a local agriturismo, as there are plenty in the area, and they are great options for families. We stayed at a lovely vineyard, Fattoria Corzano e Paterno, and drove to Volterra for the day.
Volterra dates back to Etruscan times, and visitors should spend time exploring the remains of the 4th century city walls, the Etruscan Museum and Porta all’Arco, one of the town’s main gates built by the Etruscans. Kids will love exploring the Roman Theater ruins, one of the best preserved in Italy. Dating to the 1st century BC, the site includes the remains of the stage, seats, a forum, and even baths.
After the ruins, spend time wandering the medieval streets of Volterra. Be sure to shop at the local alabaster shops, and make a stop at Piazza dei Priori, the main square, and home to the oldest town hall in Tuscany. Don’t miss the sandwiches at Panineria Al Vicolinio and gelato at L’Isola del Gusto before heading home for the day.
In Matera, Italy, visitors can stay in a cave! That by itself was a highlight for our kids, but there are many other things to do in this UNESCO Heritage Site. Visiting families can ride a tuktuk-style taxi around town to get a nice tour, visit a free museum of miniature replica of the town, or have gelato in one of the charming town squares.
We stayed in Matera for three nights, three days and spent two days exploring the town and a day trip out to the Bari Coast on the third. Matera is about a two hour drive from Naples, an hour and a half from Bari, and five hours from Rome. There are several cave hotels around town, but we stayed at the Residence San Pietro Barisano and had an amazing time! The rooms are right in front of the restaurant, so on one of the nights, we got to go outside our room and have a romantic dinner overlooking the town after the kids went to bed. We would recommend going to Matera with kids in a heartbeat!
We love Ostuni in Puglia! Known as the white city, it can be seen for miles around, shining in the hilltop! We flew into the nearby town of Brindisi, but Ostuni can be also reached by plane from Bari or via cruise ship. Out five day stay was perfect giving us time to explore Ostuni and the surrounding area, including the UNESCO world heritage site Alberbello and also allowed for plenty of beach time! I recommend staying with kids in a trulli house. These traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs are common in the region and offer added authenticity that visitors won’t find anywhere else.
Recommended by Leona Bowman from Wandermust Family. Find out more from Leona about Puglia with kids.
#17: Salve With Kids
Salve is located in the province of Lecce, Apulia region and entirely within the Salento peninsula, often called the “heel” of the Italian “boot”. The village is set in the countryside amidst olive groves and native Mediterranean scrub. Perfectly nestled for easy reach to the sea-front fortified gems of Otranto and Gallipoli and Leuca, the luxurious seaside town, and Lecce, the capital of the province and a Baroque masterpiece town.
White fine sand with shallow and crystal-clear water provide some of the most acclaimed beaches of the Ionian Salento Coast which are ideal for families with younger kids. On the Adriatic side you find breathtaking cliffs, caves and alcoves. Hidden and secluded tiny beaches among these cliffs provide excellent swimming and snorkeling stops for families with older children. Visitors can also rent a small boat and explore this beauty at their own pace.
During summer peak season, Salve and the surrounding area is a very lively place with kids as there are fun fair rides along the beach promenade and plenty of good restaurants to choose from. For families who prefer a quieter time and don’t mind if some of the activities are already shut down for winter, September is a great month to visit. Easiest way is to arrive by air directly to Brindisi – Salento airport – from where you can rent a car and drive about one hour south.
Our last trip to Italy brought us to a city many visitors ignore: stunning Siracusa. Located on the East coast of Sicily, Siracusa dates back to Greek times and now mixes seamlessly ancient history, medieval charm and a modern vibe.
The city has two main areas of interest for visitors: the old city center, Ortigia, and the archaeological park. It is possible to visit both in one day, but we recommend you schedule at least a couple of days to appreciate Siracusa’s splendor.
Ortigia is the part of the city we loved the most. There is a plethora of beautiful buildings. The main duomo overlooks a large square perfect for kids to run around, and just a short walk down the road is the famous fountain of Arethusa and its resident ducks! Older kids are likely to enjoy the archaeological park where they can visit the infamous Latomie and the largest Greek theater in the area, truly a sight to behold. Nearby, inventors in the making can experiment to their heart content in the museum of Archimedes’ inventions, which pays homage to the city’s most beloved son.
Recommended by Marta Correale from Learning Escapes. Find out more from Marta about Siracusa with kids.
#19: Sorrento With Kids
My family and I traveled from Rome to Naples on a train for 1 hour and 20 min. Once we arrived we had a private guide, Lovely Amalfi Coast Tours, drive us down to the Amalfi Coast where we toured Ravello and Amalfi, had lunch in Positano and ended in Sorrento! We stayed in Sorrento for two nights in a very nice four star hotel called the Grand Hotel De La Ville that overlooked Sorrento and Mt. Vesuvius. This hotel has two rooftop pools with the best views in town! Across the street is a wonderful children’s park, Parco Giochi Don Luigi Verde for families with small children that has plenty of slides, swings, rides, trampoline and a refreshment and snack bar for a quick bite to eat. Another attraction near the hotel is a lemon orchard, Giardini Di Cataldo. This orchard has lemon trees growing all over, and while the adults sample the famous limoncello, the little ones can run around wild and let out their wiggles out. Heading into the town is a must and is only about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Venturing through the charming cobblestone streets and vendors is all part of the adventure. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and gelato to keep the whole family happy!
Our family recently discovered a wonderful place in Italy, truly off the beaten path. We have been to Italy several times, to places, like Rome, Florence and Venice – the usual suspects. But this time, we wanted to cool off in the Italian Alps, as the summer in Europe has been unusually hot. Before we set off on our road trip, we thought we knew what to expect from the Italian Alps, but we were in for quite a surprise. For our one-week camping and hiking excursion, we chose the region of South Tyrol (or Alto Adige in Italian). This is the home of the Dolomites, which are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. As we soon discovered, not all European Alps were created equal. We’ve been to the Alps in France, Switzerland, Austria and other parts of Italy, but the Dolomites just took our breath away. No wonder, the Dolomites are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Not only are these mountains beautiful, the towns picturesque, lakes out of fairy tales, but also, we were surprised to find out that in this part of Italy, German is widely spoken by the local population, as well as Italian. In fact, all names of places in this region have both an Italian name and a German name.
During winter the Dolomites are very popular with skiers, but since we were there during the summer, here is what we did:
We slept in a tent at the Camping Olympia in the town of Dobbiaco (Toblach in German).
We hiked around one of the most beautiful lakes on the planet, Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee in German).
We explored the picturesque towns of Dobbiaco (Toblach) and Villabassa (Niederdorf in German) on bicycle.
We stuffed our faces with a local dish named “knodel” (“canederli” in Italian). I think I found my new favorite food.
We explored the bucolic countryside.
So, for visitors looking for a different experience in Italy, with no crowds, surrounded by nature, with pristine lakes and a slower pace of life, look no further than the South Tyrol region in northern Italy.
We spent a lovely afternoon in San Gimignano, a beautiful walled, hill town in Tuscany. While driving from Pisa to Florence, we wanted to explore a typical Tuscan town and were intrigued by San Gimignano. It is known as “the Town of Fine Towers” because of the medieval “skyscrapers” that are still the distinctive feature of the town’s skyline. San Gimignano once had 72 towers used as either legitimate fortifications or simply as empty shells that served as ego boosters for wealthy families who either did not feel the need for extra protection or could afford an empty shell but not a protective tower. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do in San Gimignano with kids.
San Gimignano’s towers
Planning a Visit to San Gimignano With Kids
Transportation to San Gimignano With Kids
Without traffic or stops along the way, San Gimignano is about an hour and a half from Pisa. We had planned to leave Pisa right after breakfast and spend the day exploring Tuscany. However, we decided to postpone our departure so that we could visit the Duomo, the Baptistery and climb to the top of the Leaning Tower, and we did not leave Pisa until about 12:30 pm. We decided to stop for lunch at about 2:00 p.m. at the Toscana Resort Castelfalfi before continuing the last half hour to San Gimignano. We could see the remaining 14 medieval towers miles before we reached the outskirts of this idyllic town, which is surrounded by vineyards and cypress trees.
View of San Gimignano
Visit San Gimignano With Kids
The city center is a limited traffic zone. Luckily, we noticed the “ZTL” signs because our GPS directed us into the prohibited zone several times while we were trying to locate parking. There are significant fines for cars entering these zones without permission. The GPS confusion required several u-turns, but we eventually located a parking lot just outside the wall and headed into the city center. Because our daughter had rested in the car on the way to San Gimignano, we went sans stroller. Even with a three year old walking on her own and without a good map, we reached Piazza del Duomo within about 10-15 minutes. This 12th century Collegiate Church of San Gimignano (aka “the Duomo”) is not as intricate or ornate as the focal churches Venice, Pisa, Florence or Rome, but it is still an impressive example of Romanesque architecture. Because of our limited time, we did not visit the interior but enjoyed a bit of people watching in the Piazza.
Collegiate Church of San Gimignano
An Afternoon in Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano
Adjacent to Piazza del Duomo is Piazza della Cisterna, which is a triangular gathering place named for the cistern that was accessed from the well in the center of the square. This Piazza is the home of the world-famous Gelateria Dondoli, which boasts its status as the Gelato World Champion for 2006-07 and 2008-09. Gelato was a daily afternoon indulgence during our time in Italy, and we definitely could distinguish excellent gelato from corner shop gelato. However, the line at Gelateria Dondoli was simply too long, and we desperately wanted to sit in the shade. So, we choose Le Terrazze across the Piazza instead.
The line stretched out the door at Gelateria Dondoli
I thoroughly enjoyed a glass of vernaccia, a San Gimignano wine made from indigenous grapes, while my husband and our kids selected their gelato flavors. We spent about 45 minutes relaxing on the shaded patio.
After we were all refreshed, we took a look at the octagonal well at the center of the Piazza. This well was originally built in 1273 and enlarged in 1346.
Best View in San Gimignano For Kids
We decided that the perfect end to our afternoon in San Gimignano would be to check out the 360 degree hilltop view. So, we took a short walk to the Rocca. The view most definitely did not disappoint.
View from the Rocca
Our visit to San Gimignano was a rare time that we did not bring our stroller on a sightseeing adventure and was pleasantly walkable for three year old legs. We all particularly enjoyed the medieval touches of the city during the walk back to our car.
Why We Loved San Gimignano With Kids
San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval hill town. While we spent most of our time in Italy exploring large metropolitan tourist centers, it was refreshing to spend an afternoon in this quaint town full of old world charm. Our two and a half hour visit gave us plenty of time to see the town, but there are plenty of overnight accommodations for visitors who want to extend their stay. Make sure to check out the rest of our blog posts on Florence and Tuscany before planning your next family adventure to Italy!
When we started considering Europe as a summer vacation destination, we immediately wanted to combine visits to both Italy and France. Our three kids, aged 3, 8 and 10, had never been to Italy, and Rome and Venice had been high on my bucket list ever since I visited Florence as a college backpacker. Even though it was hot and crowded at times during our mid-July visit, we had a lovely Italian holiday filled with delicious meals and visits to iconic monuments, cathedrals, architectural sites, palaces, gardens and art museums. We enjoyed planning a family trip to Italy with kids and put together this Italy trip planner for other families!
The Colosseum
Traveling to Italy With Kids
Wondering how to plan a family trip to Italy? Start with making travel arrangements to and from Italy. We booked our trip to Paris and Italy a mere 5 1/2 weeks before our departure due to scheduling issues. We discovered while booking flights that flying from Cleveland to any major Italian city cost between 2-3 times the total of our round trip flight on Wow air to Paris, However, because there were plenty of budget flight options from Paris to Italy, we booked round trip flights to Paris and planned to spend 10 days in Italy in the middle of our trip.
When we went to book the evening flight I had found from Paris to Venice, we discovered that arriving into the Venice Airport at night is particularly challenging with local transport limited to boats. Most Airbnb hosts meet their guests upon arrival and require hefty late check in fees, and some do not allow check ins after a certain time. Because the risk of not having accommodations was simply too great to even consider, we decided to research overnight trains. Almost immediately, we found the Thello night train from Paris to Venice that met our needs perfectly. The train was scheduled to leave Paris at 7:10 p.m. and arrive in Venice at 9:35 a.m., so we would lose very little sight-seeing time in transit. At €35 per person for a couchette with bedding, it was a particularly affordable option, and the sleeper cars looked much better than any I had taken during my backpacking days.
Even though my three year old did not have to pay to ride the train if she used existing seats/couchettes, we did not think that we could comfortably have two people share a couchette in one of the four person sleeper cars. So, we chose to book all the couchettes in a six person sleeper car to make sure that no other passengers were placed with our family. The overnight train cost us a total of €210, which was roughly the same as our average accommodation cost! I figured that we also saved at least $800 by avoiding flights, travel to and from the airports in Paris and Venice and accommodations with late check in fees.
We were pretty sure that our kids would enjoy the overnight train as a fun sleepover experience, and they definitely did. The three level bunk beds were a particular hit. We bought dinner in Gare de Lyon before our departure and had a particularly relaxed evening in our sleeper car. Our boys chose the top bunks, and my daughter quickly mastered the ladder. We all slept for about nine hours of the journey. The only downside was that the train arrived in Venice about an hour and a half late, which meant we were late for our scheduled Airbnb check in. Find out all about our trip on the Thello night train.
We booked an EasyJet flight from Rome‘s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Paris Orly Airport (ORL) at the end of our time in Italy. Our five tickets and one checked bag cost €372. Although it is only a two-hour flight, it took about seven and a half hours from the time we left our Airbnb in Rome until we reached our Airbnb in Montmartre. We pretty much lost an entire day of sightseeing and generally preferred our night train experience.
Travel Within Italy With Kids
We traveled in Northern Italy by both rental car and train. We took Trenitalia from Venice to Bologna, where we picked up a rental car to take us to the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum, Pisa and San Gimignano, and we returned our car upon our arrival in Florence. We traveled via Trenitalia again from Florence to Rome, a quick 90 minute journey.
Renting a car was a convenient way to make a bunch of stops slightly off the beaten path without having to worry about storing luggage, which was our major concern with visiting multiple cities by train in the same day. However, the speed limits, driving patterns and limited traffic zones were particularly confusing and somewhat challenging. We brought our GPS, which had international maps, but it directed us directly into a limited traffic zone on more than one occasion. As a result, our preference was definitely traveling by train between cities whenever possible. Find out all about renting a car in Italy.
Our rental car
Accommodations in Italy With Kids
Although booked our trip only a few weeks in advance, we were very pleased with our accommodations in Italy.
Accommodations in Venice
We stayed at La corte di San Marco, an Airbnb close to Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. This authentic Venetian apartment was updated and had two bathrooms and a washing machine. The host, Jenny, was extremely responsive and had lots of tourist information available in her clutter-free apartment. The apartment also had an adorable enclosed outdoor patio. I noticed a pack and play and high chair in the laundry room and children’s silverware in the drawers that would be extremely helpful for families with babies or toddlers.
La corte di San Marco Airbnb
Accommodations in Pisa
Our Pisa hotel, the Relais I Miracoli Residenza D’Epoca was located literally steps from the Tower of Pisa and had the most spectacular view from our window. Only two rooms in the hotel have this view, and they are both family rooms. Our room was comfortable, and a stocked mini bar and breakfast at the cafe downstairs were included in the room rate. We parked our car overnight outside the city walls about five minutes away.
View from our hotel room
Accommodations in Florence
We stayed in an Airbnb about a five minute walk from the Duomo. This traditionally decorated apartment was our most spacious accommodation and featured a separate kitchen and dining area in addition to two bedrooms and a living room. It also had a flat screen television that we never turned on as well as a washing machine. We were in Florence only two nights, but the size and ample storage available would make this apartment comfortable for a longer stay, especially for families using Florence as a base to explore Tuscan towns by train. Irene is an Airbnb Superhost, and she let us store our bags in the apartment for about an hour after check out, which was extremely helpful.
Our Florence Airbnb
Accommodations in Rome
We wanted to be centrally located in Rome and booked five nights at the Sole Trevi Fountain Airbnb. This two-bedroom apartment was ideally located about a two-minute walk from the Barberini Metro stop and about 10 minutes from the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Stairs. The furnishings were predominately from Ikea, and the cube storage in the master bedroom was particularly useful in separating each of the kids’ clothes and keeping them easily accessible. David was a first-rate Superhost, and we would definitely recommend his apartment, which also included a washing machine. David also let us store our bags in the apartment after check out. We felt right at home during our five nights in David’s apartment.
Sole Trevi Fountain Airbnb
Local Transportation within Italy With Kids
We found most of Italy very walkable but did need to travel at times via vapretto, metro or taxi.
There are no typical buses or subway system in Venice. The metro are ferry boats, which are known as vaprettos. One way tickets for riders over age six cost €7 each, which is substantially higher than typical public transportation costs in other metropolitan areas. Because our Airbnb was centrally located near both Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge, we only used a vapretto for the round trip journey from the train station to the apartment and walked the rest of our time in Venice. On the way back to the train station, we took a slightly longer but much more scenic route through the Grand Canal, which we definitely recommend. Find out more about vapretto travel in Venice.
View from the vapretto in Venice
While Rome was also a very walkable city, the Metro was convenient when we needed to travel farther distances quickly. We took only six Metro rides during our five days in Rome. Travel cards for unlimited travel on the Metro and buses can be purchased for 1 day – €6, 3 days – €16.50 and 7 days – €24, but because we used the Metro so infrequently, we purchased single ride tickets for €1.50 each from the vending machine in the station before boarding. Children under 10 do not require tickets. Find out more about Metro travel in Rome.
Ticket machine in Rome’s Metro
We did not use public transportation at all in Florence, but we did take a taxi from the rental car agency to our Airbnb. We also traveled by taxi to FCO from the Barberini Metro stop cost the fixed price of €50. Taxis were convenient because we avoided schlepping our kids and bags through the streets of Florence while getting our bearings and on the train and Metro in Rome. Our drivers were particularly professional, and we even got a mini tour of the outskirts of Rome.
Packing for a Family Trip to Italy
Our entire trip was 17 days and 17 nights, but we were primarily staying at homestay apartments with washing machines. We packed approximately five to six full outfits for each person, which was, as always, more than we really needed. But, I worried that the promised laundry facilities might not be functioning in each of our locations and wanted to make sure that we did not have to visit a laundromat. We also needed some bulky items like two Bubble Bum booster seats. Wow air charges for each carry on larger than a personal item (e.g. backpack) and each checked bag, which cannot weigh over 44 pounds without incurring overweight fees. So, we chose to check one bag and also bring two back packs with us and packed a gym bag inside our checked suitcase, knowing that we would likely be returning with more than we brought with us.
I had read extensively that cathedrals and churches in Italy require covered knees and shoulders, so we also each packed a few pairs of pants, and I did not bring any sleeveless dresses. The rules may have been relaxed because of the heat, but the covered knees rule was not enforced at any church we visited. We probably visited two dozen churches and cathedrals, and covered shoulders were required only at the Sistine Chapel, Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. Shawls were available for visitors to purchase or borrow at Saint Mark’s and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin, respectively. Shorts and sundresses were appropriate outfits for the unseasonably warm weather we experienced, and I wish I brought more sundresses and a shawl and left all the pants for me and the boys at home. And, next time, we’re definitely going with a maximum of four to five outfits each.
Our luggage
With a three year old who would need to nap on the go, we decided to bring a small umbrella stroller with us. While we did need to carry the stroller up and down stairs at times (and over Venice’s bridges, in the Metro stations and at the Forum and Palatine Hill), we found that much easier than carrying our daughter, especially when she was sleeping. She typically hopped out whenever we reached stairs to make the stroller easier to manage, and my ten year old was an expert in helping when she was sleeping. We do look forward to being stroller-free soon but will miss the built-in storage and bottle holders.
I’ve never tried packing cubes, mostly because I don’t want one more thing to store and search for before a trip, but I have been intrigued by the organization of separate packing. It’s amazing how challenging it can be to choose outfits from a large suitcase. As an experiment, I rolled and packed each person’s clothes in ziploc bags and had separate bags with our pajamas and first day clothes packed into one of the backpacks. This helped with the organization of the large suitcase and provided a backup in case our suitcase was delayed at the beginning of the trip. Luckily, we had no trouble retrieving our suitcase at CDG upon arrival. However, on the way back, we made the rookie mistake of packing our pajamas and remaining clean clothes into our backpacks along with our cameras and breakables and packed all of our new clothes and shoes and toiletries into the suitcase. We also forgot to remove cash from the locked pocket before checking our suitcase. When the suitcase didn’t make the connection in Reykjavik, we worried if we’d ever see it again and realized that so many things we had packed were irreplaceable because they were simply not available in the US. Luckily, our bag arrived via FedEx Ground four days later.
Ziploc organization
We neglected to pack a supply of small soap bars and shampoo, which were typically not available in our Airbnbs. But, we were able to find these items easily in local shops. I also made an unfortunate assumption that our converter also had adapter capabilities when I brought my flat iron, which turned out to be unusable for the duration of our trip.
Eating in Italy With Kids
A major benefit of using our feet as a main mode of transportation in Italy was that we could enjoy amazing Italian meals guilt free. We typically sat down for lunch and dinner every day but made reservations only once (because we knew exactly what time we would eat dinner due to the England semi-final World Cup match). Even during peak tourist season, we never had to wait more than five minutes for a table. We learned that a trattoria is more formal than an oysteria and less formal than a ristorante. Hosts or hostesses often stand outside to encourage anyone passing by to take a look. A few times, we were put off by a hard sell and moved on.
We found the perfect table to watch the World Cup, so we booked it for the next night
Each region had its own specialties, and menus were generally posted out front. We noticed that chicken was not really available at any of the restaurants we visited, but we all tried a variety of dishes. My older son was particularly adventurous, and my younger son developed a love of margarita pizza. I particularly enjoyed several amazing meals of seafood risotto. At dinner, my husband and I regularly shared house wine and were never disappointed. We found that restaurants did not provide tap water but always had to purchase a large bottle or two with every meal. Cut watermelon was a special dessert treat.
Our favorite restaurant in Rome was Gioia Mia Pisciapiano, where we enjoyed dinner three of our five nights in Rome. In Florence, we enjoyed our dinner at I Ghibellini so much that we returned for lunch the next afternoon before our departure.
There were plenty of options for takeout meals, but we typically preferred a sit down meal. The only exception was Alice Pizza, a chain that sells pizza with fresh toppings and a crunchy crust by weight. One was conveniently located next to our Airbnb and opened early, so we picked up pizza on the go a few times or ate at the counter.
Alice Pizza
I loved starting off my morning with a perfect cup of cappuccino served at the counter of the coffee shop next to our apartment. Like most coffee shops, alcoholic beverages were stored on higher shelves so that it could double as a spot to grab an early evening drink.
Pro Tip: A “coffee” in Italy is really an espresso shot. Because this is not my preference, I always opted for a cappuccino but read Cafe Americano is a close substitute as well.
Morning cappuccino
We did not prepare any meals in our Airbnb apartments but occasionally warmed up leftovers for breakfast. We did not find a grocery in Venice, Pisa and Florence and found any snacks or produce at corner shops rather outrageously priced. However, we did purchase some snacks and fruit at a Coop grocery in Rome. We made sure to have a daily afternoon dose of gelato and maintained a supply of bottled water, which we could refill at many of the water fountains around the cities.
Our most artistic gelato
Cell Service in Italy With Kids
We researched relatively inexpensive options to add voice/data to our Verizon mobiles while in Italy but ended up only using cell service on the one day we were meeting up with a friend. We had self check-in instructions in Rome and were able to contact our host after connecting to WiFi in the apartment. WiFi was usually available at restaurants, and it was nice to mostly unplug during the day and use WiFi at our accommodation in the evenings.
Currency in Italy With Kids
We definitely needed to use euros at times in Italy, so it was essential to get some local currency. We traveled with about €200 in cash and then withdrew money twice from ATMs during the trip.
Language Barrier in Italy With Kids
Most people in the Italian tourist industry speak English, and almost all menus were translated into English as well. My husband and I both learned some key Italian words and phrases, which were helpful in exchanging pleasantries but were rarely necessary. The only time we truly experienced a language barrier was at lunch outside of Modena where none of the servers spoke English. We thought we ordered three fixed price, three-course meals but wondered when the large portions of delicious food were brought to our table if we misunderstood the pricing scheme. It turned out to be an amazing and unbelievably inexpensive meal.
Pickpocketing Warning in Italy With Kids
We had read many reports of pick pockets active in Italy and were extremely cautious. I carried a Travelon anti-theft messenger bag, and diligently kept the clasps locked. If I ever felt slightly unsafe, I would hold the edge of the bag covering the clasp. We had one run in with likely pickpocketers in the Rome train station. A well-dressed woman who spoke little English was standing at the top of an escalator and told us we had to use the elevator with the stroller. While taking a stroller on an escalator is not common in the US, it is very common in Europe, where elevators are often not available. However, elevators are preferred if easily accessible, especially when we were carrying all of our luggage. Even though I was not sure if she was a station employee, we thought this was useful information and followed her to the elevator. Unexpectedly, she and two other women jumped on with us at the last-minute and caused constant confusion obviously trying to distract us during our short ride, even telling us not to get off when we reached the Metro floor. We remained alert and careful and luckily did not fall victim to their ploy. After that experience, we were wary of anyone not in uniform offering free advice.
To help get our kids involved with planning our Italy family vacation itinerary, I borrowed some children’s books on Venice, Florence and Rome from our local library, including 13 Architects Children Should Know and 13 Buildings Children Should Know. We initially hoped to make quick stops in Padua, Bologna and Sienna, but later determined that we did not have enough time to tack on even brief visits to additional cities. The key to finding the best Italy itinerary for families is to prioritize cities to visit and allot enough time in each one.
Family Trip to Italy Itinerary – 11 Days
We spent 11 days in Italy in the middle of a 17 day European vacation. We planned to take a slower pace when possible, sit and enjoy meals, watch World Cup games and really explore the city. We really didn’t acclimate to waking up early, and it was always late before we got into bed. Even though we weren’t in full tourist mode, we still saw many wonderful cities and sights. We weren’t able to fit in trips to Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast this time, but both are high on our list for our next trip.
Here is our basic daily Italy with kids itinerary:
We definitely recommend Italy family travel. We hope this guide outlined how to plan a family trip to Italy. Make sure to check out our listing of all blog posts related to travel to Italy with kids!
The Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum hosted our family’s visits. As always, all opinions are my own.
Guest Blogger: Jade and Ryan were busy planning a month long trip away from home when they found out Jade was expecting. They didn’t let that deter them – they just brought along their three month old… For more on the Davies family, from East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, follow them on Instagram.
In April 2017, we spent six glorious days in Tuscany with our three month old infant, Henry. Our time in Tuscany was at the end of a month long vacation that began with five days in New York City and 14 days in the UK visiting family.
Who spends a month living out of a suitcase with a three month old infant?
We had just started planning our month long trip when we found out I was pregnant. Although we did pause, many times, and wonder whether we should just wait and take the trip when the baby was older, we really had no option to turn back or cancel the trip as we were traveling with family, and they had already booked their flights. So, we plowed on and continued making plans even though the trip would ultimately require us to live out of a suitcase for a month with a three month old infant!
How did we prepare for a month long vacation?
Prior to having kids, we had traveled extensively, but most of it was of the backpacking variety that did not require much prior planning or organization. Knowing that I would be traveling around the world with an infant, I thought maybe I should have more of a plan. So, I began first by researching transportation options to figure out the logistics of flying and traveling with an infant and all the items required. My biggest concern was how to transport our family while traveling with an infant – train? bus? taxi? car hire? We opted to rent a car and mostly used it to get around although buses and cars were our usual mode of transport before kids.
How did we get to and get around in Italy?
We flew from Bristol, UK to Pisa, Italy with Easyjet Airlines on an early morning direct flight that took just over two hours. This gave us a whole day of travel upon arrival. I happily grabbed the window seat, which I prefer as it tends to give us a little more room to stretch out, and Henry slept the whole way. I had already booked a car for pick up at the airport, and the rental car company provided a car seat, which we were able to install ourselves. Car seat laws differ by country and rental car companies don’t always provide car seats, so we inquired ahead of time.
It was a one hour drive from the airport to where we were staying, and the car came equipped with a navigation system, which provided super easy instructions in English. Henry does not mind the car, so he slept most of the way.
Where did we stay?
We rented a gorgeous two-bedroom apartment on a hilltop overlooking Tuscany, located in Uzzano, a commune in the province of Pistoria. The apartment was truly amazing – it came equipped with a full kitchen, laundry, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. We had plenty of space, which was great, as my parents were also traveling with us. The only downside to the apartment was its location – about an hour long drive to Florence and an hour to Pisa, so while this would not have been ideal if we had only been in Tuscany for a short time and/or did not want to rent a car, this was a great location for us because of the space and the amenities. We also spent one day in Uzzano, exploring the small town that consists of about four streets and a big church on the top of the hill. Henry needed a rest day after our day trip to Venice, so Uzzano was a great place to have a relaxing, low key day.
Our apartment complex
View from our home base.Our rest day in Uzzano.
What did we do?
Given the location of our accommodations and our use of a rental car, we decided to break out trip up into small day trips. Over the course of six days, we took day trips to various destinations around Italy. Although we frequently found ourselves wishing we had more than one day to explore any particular city, it was a good overview and having a designated place to sleep was nice, given that we were traveling with an infant.
1. Pisa
Our first adventure was to visit Pisa, a small walled city. We literally followed the road signs saying “Leaning Tower of Pisa” and the paid parking signs…. which led us to a parking spot right across the road from the famous tower. We paid 15 € to park there for the day and just took our stroller with us. The city was flat and easy to get around with the pram. We wandered around the Leaning Tower and the surrounding buildings and took all the cheesy tourist photos that you would expect… it had to be done. There was a one hour wait to get into the building itself, so we just looked from the outside. We enjoyed a sumptuous lunch of pizza, pasta and breads, from a restaurant on the street leading away from the tower. After lunch, we strolled the streets and just enjoyed the beautiful architecture, before grabbing gelato and heading back to the car.
We had to!
On the way back to the house, we stopped at Villa Garzoni, the beautiful home where Pinocchio author Carlo Lorenzini spent his childhood. It was about 22 € per person to enter, but well worth it. Collodi, the town where Villa Garzoni is located, is roughly one hour driving distance from Florence, but would also be a great day trip, especially for those traveling to Italy with older kids as there is a Pinocchio gallery to visit as well.
Villa Garzoni
2. Florence
The city center of Florence is a no drive zone, so we had to park outside the city and walk. We parked at a parking lot near the train station, which cost about 20 € for the day. Knowing we would be doing a significant amount of walking, we took the stroller and used it heavily, including on the 15-20 minute walk from the train station into the heart of the city
Our first stop in Florence was the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, a city square that features Santa Maria Novella, a Gothic Renaissance basilica completed in the 14th century. We picked up a coffee before heading over to San Lorenzo Market. As we meandered along the winding streets, we stumbled across many beautiful buildings and churches.
Once we arrived at San Lorenzo Market, we all enjoyed delicious pizza made from the fresh produce sold at the downstairs market. It was exciting to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the marketplace and we loved every minute of it. After lunch, we went on a mission to find the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a Renaissance Palace that I learned about in school and was eager to visit. The Palace is now the seat of the Metropolitan City of Florence as well as a museum, and I was thrilled when we spotted a local artist showing her work in the downstairs gallery.
San Lorenzo Market
From the Medici Palace, we went to Santa Maria del Fiore (commonly known as the Duomo), which unfortunately, was completely booked and had a 2.5 hour long wait to tour. Traveling with an infant, we did not think it would be wise to wait, so we just enjoyed the beauty of the Duomo and adjacent Florence Baptistry from the outside. We were also disappointed that we did not get to tour Uffizi Gallery, which was closed for renovations.
The magnificent Duomo
During our day in Florence, we also crossed the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River. We loved walking along the river, getting lost in the beauty, architecture, and culture of Florence. We made sure to enjoy gelato from one of the many shops around the city.
Ponte VecchioGelato – yum!
We also saw the replica of Michelangelo’s David at the Palazzo Vecchio. The original was originally placed at the same location but moved indoors to the nearby Galleria dell’Accademia for conservation.
Pro-Tip: We visited the first week of April, and there were so many tourists that we got blocked out of visiting many locations, like the Duomo. Be sure to pre-book any items that are on your bucket list to ensure the opportunity to visit.
3. Cinque Terre
La Spezia is located in the Liguria region of Northern Italy, and is the start of the Cinque Terre, a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera that consists of five villages. It was a 90 minute drive from our house to La Spezia, which took a good chunk of time out of our day. Once we arrived in La Spezia, we took the train that departs from La Spezia station every 20-30 minutes and stops at every town along the Cinque Terre for those who don’t want to or can’t walk it. With an infant, we had no illusions of walking it and used the Ergo 360 on this day trip instead of the stroller for ease of maneuverability.
Our first stop was at Monterosso al Mare, which happens to be the last town on the Cinque Terre line and the only town that has its own beach. We strolled the historic old town at our own leisurely place and enjoyed popping in to visit beautiful old churches.
From Monterosso al Mare, we boarded the train to Vernazza, the quintessential Cinque Terre town. We enjoyed lunch at one of the restaurants leading down tot he waterfront and afterwards, walked up the cliff side overlooking the town.
Unfortunately, by the time we stopped to check our watches, it was time to jump back on the train to La Spezia and drive back home for a late dinner. I wish we had one extra day to explore the other towns, but the distance from our home base was just too great. I was glad to use the carrier, rather than the stroller because most of the towns along the Cinque Terre were on the side of a cliff and maneuvering the stroller on/off the train would have been not only tricky, but exhausting.
4. Venice
Our day trip to Venice was long as it began with a one hour long drive from our house to Florence, and then a two-hour train ride to Venice. Henry hated the train and was very upset during the entire ride, which I spent walking him up and down the aisles to try and calm him down.
We arrived in Venice at 10 am, which gave us plenty of time to explore and take our time strolling around the canals and taking in the stunning architecture. There were tons of restaurants and churches on every corner, so definitely take your time and enjoy the sights. One easy way to cover a lot of ground is to go on a gondola ride, but we found on a previous trip that it was beneficial to negotiate with a vendor instead of just using the first one that you see, as they will likely spot that you’re a tourist and charge you quite a bit more than if you just put in some leg work.
Pro-Tip: Avoid taking your stroller to Venice, if possible. We brought our stroller because of forecasted rain and cold temperatures but had trouble managing with it over the bridges and stairs. It would have just been easier to use a baby carrier instead. It can be extremely expensive to stay in Venice, but take a look at main land options and consider catching a ferry/boat or train across to spend the day in Venice.
5. Montecatini Terme and San Gimignano
We spent our last day in Tuscany visiting the towns of Montecatini Terme and San Gimignano. Montecatini was close to our home base in Uzzano, so we thought this would be a great location to visit. The town was filled with stunning old bath houses and the landscape was gorgeous; unfortunately, they were still closed for the season. I would highly recommend visiting Montecatini and its bath houses in the summer.
On a whim, we decided to drive to San Gimignano, because it was so close to Montecatini. WOW, am I glad we did! San Gimagnano is a small walled medieval town perched on top of a hill. We took advantage of the public parking (5-10€ for the day), but you can also just catch a bus into the city or walk. We arrived just in time for lunch and ate at a restaurant in the Sant’Agostino Square. The weather was absolutely brilliant, so we sat outside and had pizza and drank vino. Afterwards, we walked the streets and did some last minute shopping, while on the hunt for the world’s best gelato.
Final Thoughts
We ate a lot of pizza, wine, and gelato during our time in Italy, but we love Italian and the food was amazing. While we did eat a lot, we also felt like we did so much walking that we burned off quite a few calories. Because we visited touristy locations, we did not experience any language barriers. It was easy to buy diapers and wipes locally. If we went back, we would prefer to stay in metropolitan areas and spend more time exploring each city. The rental car was convenient, but we might try exclusively using trains next time. Although we did a lot of driving, we loved every minute of it and definitely recommend exploring Italy with kids.
