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Italy with Children: Where to Stay?
Researching and booking a hotel or vacation rental can be a daunting task for every traveller, but the stakes are especially high when travelling abroad with children. We hope these carefully selected suggestions for lodging help you to find the perfect situation for your family holiday in Italy. Meanwhile, I'm dreaming of spending a week with the family in Florence at the Palazzo Belfiore, a 14th-century palazzo recently refurbished into spacious holiday apartments in the characteristic Oltrarno neighborhood, our favorite area to stay in the city.  Family run, Palazzo Belfiore offers the benefits of self-catering lodging plus helpful owner proprietors who can offer assistance with dining, local events, or activities, and is host to the Arte al Sole children's art and cultural program during the Easter holiday.

Family-friendly hotels & holiday rentals in other regions:

Rome and Lazio   Florence and Tuscany   Milan and Lombardy  Turin and Piedmont
Genoa and Liguria   Perugia and Umbria   Naples and Campania  Venice and Veneto         

Featured Sponsor
Arte al Sole: An Italian Cultural Adventure for International Children is an English-language day camp with programs offered in Rome; Panicale, Umbria; and Lucca, Tuscany,  offering children an opportunity to explore the art, science, history and culture of these regions through a fun, engaging curriculum in English. New for 2014, we have a spring holiday week in Florence city center, and additional new summer locations in Montepulciano and in Monopoli, Puglia.


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Visiting Monopoli, Puglia, with Kids

A special thank you to Denise Ostuni of Ostuni Ventures for her tips on the best sites and dining for families in the area of Monopoli, an exciting new location for the Arte al Sole children's cultural summer program this year.

The area around Monopoli, Puglia, a quaint seaside town southeast of Bari, is a central base for exploring all that the region has to offer for visiting families.

In town, families will enjoy strolling along the lungomare - the path along the sea starting from the Castle of Charles V with its fortified walls,   all the way down to beautiful crystal clear beaches, a playground, cafes and restaurants. Children are welcome in all establishments.

A short drive (or bicycle ride) from the town center toward the countryside, along scenic and winding roads, will take you to through the “agricultural districts” Monopoli is known for.  Explore the characteristic masserie (often namesake of the district), marvel at centennial olive tree groves and explore the ancient ruins of the roman settlement of Egnazia.

During the spring and summer months, you will find sponsored events and festivals of every kind from Easter processions to jazz, food, wine, and children’s activities.  For more information check out: www.monopoliturismo.it .  Towns along the coast of Puglia also have their own events throughout the year listed on http://www.pugliaevents.it/en/.

Snacks and Treats On the Go:

On the road off the highway down to the historic center on Via Sant’Anna 84, you will come across SABATELLI PASTICCERIA ARTIGIANALE on your left.  I’ve sampled sweets from the whole town and claimed this gem to be one of the best (second to my mother-in-law’s sweets of course!) A must-try is their version of mezza tonda, a half of a circle shaped pastry filled with cream and amarena jam, cornetto or croissants and anything with chocolate! Wash it down with chocolate milk or for the adults an espressino freddo, a slushy espresso, or a macchiato.  It is a great place to pick up cakes for special occasions, breakfast or dessert. Read more...

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Best Places to Visit When Traveling in Naples with Kids
By Priscila Siano

Going on a holiday in Naples with kids in tow? Are you worried that the city might be a bit "formal" and "old" for children? Incidentally, Naples' Latin name, Neapolis, means "new city," and many who come here to visit actually find the experience to be truly exciting. It really wouldn't take long for bored or grumpy kids to realize that Naples is indeed a wonderful destination for a family vacation.

The city itself is almost 2,700 years old, but the surrounding environment is even much older, and geological features like Mount Vesuvius are very much part of the city’s unique character. The place is really a complete package, offering a chance for the kids to see and experience many things that are very different from what they are used to back home. Certainly, there are many world-class museums, elegant palazzi, and ancient churches in the city. But on top of these, children might be more eager to explore its other offerings, some of which we’ll look at on this list. Read more...

Family Hotels and Holiday Rentals in Naples and the Amalfi Coast

Fun Family Activities in Naples and the Amalfi Coast

Beyond Pompeii: Off-the-Beaten-Path Family-Friendly Attractions in Naples and the Amalfi Coast

A Day in Naples with the Kids
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We Can Plan Your Stay in Italy for You!

Please visit our sister site Elaia Travel for details about our full-service trip and event planning services