Arrive in Italy in the fall or spring to enjoy the country's mildest weather. To splash in the Mediterranean Sea and build sand castles on Italy's beaches, summer heat is best. If you plan to teach kids how to ski in the Italian Alps, winter can't be beat. Plan on battling massive crowds and spending more on airline tickets and hotels during Christmas, Easter and summer peak seasons.
Travel around Italy via trains, footpaths and bicycles with older kids; or if you prefer to keep your own schedule with younger children and infants, rent a car. Make sure to request a car seat. In Italy's large cities, park cars and bikes and get from one attraction to the next via public transportation and on foot. Well-known tourist destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa and Naples are well-served by buses and trains.
Soak in Rome's history and culture. Tour the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other Roman ruins and teach your children about the Roman Empire. Give the kids spare change so they can make wishes at Rome's many fountains. Wind through Venice's labyrinth of streets dead-ending in canals until you find a bridge to cross or a boat to board. When little feet get tired, board a vaporetto boat--the Venetian version of a city bus--and enjoy views of Venice from the canals. Relax after a long day of sightseeing as you float around the city in a gondola. Hike and bike on trails crisscrossing the Italian countryside. Head to Italy's coast or one of its islands for a day in the sun, but don't forget to slap on sunscreen and encourage kids to wear a hat for extra solar protection.
Italian hotels are child friendly, but their rooms may not be childproof. Bring your own childproofing materials or expect to keep a closer eye on your little ones. Many hotels offer family-sized rooms, and cribs and cots are available upon request at most establishments. In larger cities, consider staying in apartments so you can prepare your own meals when kids are tired and cranky. Seize the opportunity to teach kids to cook their favorite Italian dishes in Italy. If your plans include driving, bicycling or hiking winding country roads, stay at country villas where kids can get outside and play and you can relax as on-site chefs prepare delicious Italian meals for you and your family. Keep the kids happy by booking accommodations with pools, play areas and athletic facilities.
Expect to feed small children in strollers or on your lap because most restaurants don't provide guests with highchairs or booster seats. Keep in mind that most restaurants are only open at fixed times, for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Most kids love Italian foods like pasta, pizza and gelato, making it easy to find something kids will want to eat in Italy. Don't worry if kids get hungry between mealtimes: Pizza, pastries and gelato can generally be acquired all day long at bakeries, pizza places and ice-cream shops. Another option is buying groceries at local markets. Fresh fruit and a loaf of bread with a jar of Nutella (a hazelnut chocolate spread that is very popular in Italy) will travel well and keep kids happy between meals. If you have a cooler or a refrigerator, buy groceries for picnics and enjoy low-key mealtimes in public parks or even in your hotel room or rental apartment.
