Italy runs to its own wondrous beat, but whilst the colour and chaos might seem at first glance to be too much for parents who are contemplating travelling with kids to Italy. Personal travel manager Kerry Cleasby knows differently. Following her recent family holiday to Venice, Kerry shares a few of her personal tips that will ensure your time in Italy is both rewarding and enjoyable.
It may seem like the ultimate luxury, but after a long flight, it’s a great way to avoid the stress of that final leg to reach your accommodation. Instead of dealing with coach transfers that always seem to visit every other hotel before yours, imagine being met off your flight by a driver who will help you with your luggage and drop you directly to the door of your hotel. It’s often not much more expensive than a local taxi but far more comfortable, and you will all start your holiday in a much better frame of mind.
Italian hotels rooms are not always generous in size, and often sleep a maximum of only two people. Your personal travel manager can help you find a family-sized hotel room, or better yet, an apartment in a central location. Just ensure that the bedding is suitable for everyone to get a good night sleep, as grumpy kids (and grumpy parents) won’t enjoy the next day if they’re not well rested.
A private tour is a very smart way to introduce the family to a new city. Usually around three hours in length (or longer by arrangement), a private guide can give you a really good look around the city and tailor their content to hold the interest of the children. You can also stop for a gelato if the kids are fading, or allow yourselves to be side-tracked if something attracts your interest: something that doesn’t usually work in larger tour groups.
Some of the most memorable experiences come from sitting in a local café or trattoria, people-watching, and chatting with the locals. It’s not necessary to rush from one sightseeing attraction to the next all day, every day: if you slow down and take a more Italian approach to your day, you’ll see more and have time to sample the local coffee, pasta, gelato, wine, etc.
As well as spending time in the big cities, be sure to include some down time too. Head for the Amalfi Coast and enjoy a few days lazing in the sunshine, enjoying fresh seafood and limoncello, or rent a Tuscan villa and get acquainted with all the regional food and wine: either way it’s a great chance to connect with the real Italy. Allow the children time to just be kids: they can also be great conversation starters.
If Kerry’s personal experiences have inspired you to consider a family holiday to Italy and you would like to find out more, you can view her web profile and get in touch with Kerry here.
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