Traveling with kids in Italy is much easier than you might believe. There are so many different things that you can do and the truth is that this country is quite a lot of fun for family trips. You just need to be a little patient and plan accordingly. Here are those tips that will help you to make only the best possible choices. Take a look at these five tips that will allow you to have an epic family vacation in while you are in Italy travel.
Photo by: Sean McEntee
5 Tips for Italy Travel with Kids
You Do Not Need To Visit All Locations
One of the big problems in traveling with children in Italy and any other country in Europe is the wish to visit all the major attractions. Sightseeing is always great for children, usually more than for parents. However, this does not mean that you need to rush things. Many of the guided tours include too many attractions and you can easily end up not having a great time as you rush from one spot to the next.
Make sure that you research as much as you can about the sightseeing attractions so that you can only include those that you would love the most. Think about what the kids like and stay focused on making it a great time for them. That will make you have the time of your life when you travel to Italy. Also, make sure that you allow for flexibility. You never know when you want to spend some more time at a spot.
Learn Some Italian
Just like in any country you will visit, Italians appreciate the fact that you use their language, even if just a little bit. This is actually something that can be great for children. Teach them how to say “Buon Giorno” (good day), “Grazie” (thank you), “Prego” (You’re Welcome), “Buona Sera” (good evening) and anything else you may come to learn.
Most Italians do not speak English, especially the older folks. You may find some people unfriendly and notice that the attitude will change when you use their language. It is particularly easy to learn some dishes since they are always covered online. Also, remember to ask for menus in English. Sometimes they do not hand them out even if they are available.
Entertainment Options
One thing you may not be aware of is that Italian children do not use phones or tablets when dining in a public place. It is not a good idea to take these with you. Also, when in the hotel, you will rarely have movies available to rent or games that you can borrow. Try to take items that are travel size with you so that you can entertain the children when downtime appears.
In the event you visit Italy during the summer, remember that almost all villages have market days or nights where food and music can be amazing for both parents and children. See what day of the week is for festivities in your village. Plan the schedule around that.
Choose Accommodations Wisely
Whenever travelling with the entire family in Italy, you will want to visit for at least one week. With this in mind, the costs can be a little high. Learn all that you can about how to find cheap accommodations that are great and you should not stay focused on the best resorts Italy has to offer. They are usually too expensive and you can find some really good options in the event that you spread out your search. For instance, cities like Rome and Milano are quite expensive if you stay in the city center but some of the hostels outside the city are really cheap.
Eating Well And Cheaply In Italy
You will find a lot of Italian food in the country and the options available when referring to other cuisines are usually limited, except for the large cities. It is a really good idea to get your children used to Italian cuisine before you go to the country.
When referring to where you should eat, it is recommended to consider the pizzerias and trattorias because they are affordable and casual. Ristorantes are much more formal and in this case even your little ones should be well dressed since Italians are big in fashion. However, as opposed to other cultures, children will be welcomed in most dining situations. It is common to see children dining out really late with their parents.
Conclusions
Italy has a lot to offer for all that want to travel with the entire family. However, this does not mean that you can just go there and expect to have the time of your life. Learn all that you can about the country and use the internet to find affordable options that help you to save money when you are there. That will only help you to enjoy the entire experience even more. Having fun in Italy with children is usually all about experimenting and not trying to include all that a region has to offer in your trip. And most importantly of all, keeping the kids entertained. You will most likely go back one day.
Author: Veselina Dzhingarova loves traveling and experiencing more from different cultures. This is more than a treasure for her. She is regular contributor at TravelTipsor.
