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The Italians just love kids – just walk into almost any Italian restaurant with a baby and you’ll see what we mean! And if you take your own family on holiday there, you’ll find plenty to keep everyone busy… as Helen Kay discovered.

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​​What’s not to love about Italy...?

​...​Stunning scenery, great food, unbelievable history and culture… and all just a two- to three-hour flight away! I’ve taken my own family there several times and we’ve always had a brilliant holiday as the Italians are so welcoming, especially to children.​

For me, there are two types of family fun in Italy: urban and rural. The cities are full of simply unbelievable sights and experiences, and it's easy to find child-appeal in almost every museum and monument (the sheer mention of Gladiators and Romans ought to do the trick!). 

The Great Outdoors

​Outside the urban areas, Italy has no shortage of clean, fresh air, with gorgeous beaches, sea swimming, mountains and lakes swinging into action. Anyone over five won't be able to resist…​

We've had some memorable adventures all across Italy. Sardinia was especially good – from albino donkey-spotting to horse-riding, and from rock-climbing and caving. The beaches and watersports were great here; and the kids learned to dive on one of the excellent 'Bubblemaker' courses.

The Italian Lakes are fantastic too. Lake Garda is my personal favourite, with plenty of lakeside beaches, watersports, climbing, and bike rides – we also tried canyoning (from Riva del Garda), and could have done paragliding from Monte Baldo if we'd had time.

​And while Venice might not sound like an 'outdoors-y' sort of place, kids will love a customised kayaking or sailing tour, or learning to stand-up row just like a gondolier!​

Cool Climbs

Away from the mountains, a different sort of climbing really appeals to youngsters, like ascending inside the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy's largest, most spectacular church ('unbelievably cool', my son commented!), or the Duomo in Florence?

Alternatively, venture underground. Palermo's Catacombe dei Cappuccini is undeniably creepy (over-12s only), packed with mummies in their Sunday best; or try the catacombs beneath Rome's Via Appia Antica.

And over-eights can venture through a secret trap door to explore war-time hideouts, sacred catacombs and ghoulish cemeteries on Naples' gripping underground tour – Napoli Sotterranea.


Top Chef

Of course, any holiday in Italy will always revolve around food. Italian menus – even the kids' ones – are bursting with lovely fresh colours and flavours. 

And naturally, there's nothing little ones like better than getting down and doughy, learning to make pasta, pizzas or gelatos!

Italian cookery classes are widely available, but one of our own personal favourites involved the whole family learning from a professional pizzaiolo in Florence.


Play Like a Pro

​If your kids take their sport quite seriously, Italy has some great academies. Juventus has a football academy at Verdura Resort in Sicily, and Chelsea one at Sardinia's Forte Village, where keen​ players can have personalised training sessions, learn new team skills and be observed by top professionals.​

​There are many other academy opportunities too, including go-karting, fencing, tennis, golf, swimming, hockey, water-polo, dancing… the list really is almost endless. Places aren't though, so I'd recommend pre-booking for any of them. Really, with all this so close to home is it any wonder Italy is destination that's a firm favourite with families?


Our Child-Friendly Italian Hotels

  • Belmond Hotel Cipriani Venice

    A true Venice legend, the Cipriani is the hotel that has it all – cosseted luxury, the city's only Olympic-sized swimming pool, an eye-wateringly chic clientele and the world's most famous cocktail bar.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • L'Albereta Lake Iseo

    Hidden away amongst the rolling Italian hills of Franciacorta, this wine-lover’s retreat is also listed among the country’s best luxury spa hotels.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Belmond Hotel Splendido Portofino

    Perched high above the gleaming bay of Portofino, surrounded by fragrant flowers and tropical palms, and indisputably the very best address in this most sought-after of Italian destinations.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Montalcino, Tuscany

    Dazzling all who visit with its mind-blowing tapestry of green, rolling hills in the spring and golden vineyards come autumn, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is the ultimate Tuscan retreat.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Borgo Egnazia Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia

    ​Emerging almost organically from the sun-blushed Apulian ground, this masterpiece of hospitality is an entire purpose-built village that's dedicated to spectacular holiday-making.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea TAORMINA MARE, SICILY

    Sister hotel to Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, set on the exquisite Bay of Mazzarò, Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea's gorgeous gardens and private beach are a magnificent playground for the entire family.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Verdura Resort - A Rocco Forte Hotel Sciacca, Sicily

    If you want sensational sporting and pampering facilities in a breathtaking, natural setting, then search no more, Verdura will tick every box on your holiday wish-list.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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  • Forte Village Resort Santa Margherita di Pula, Sardinia

    Long a hotspot for those seeking unforgettable nature, fine-dining, sporting, diving and wellness experiences, nightly entertainment and high-end shopping, Forte Village is definitely worth checking into.

    Call us on 01244 567 000 to start planning your next holiday.

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