Italy with kids?

Question

I went to Italy (Florence, Rome and Venice) last March and had a great time. I am anxious to bring my 5 year old daughter. Do you think that she would appreciate it? We travel a lot as a family, and she has travelled many times to Jamiaca, but the flight is not nearly as long.

Answer 1

I live in Rome, mi 15, i Think it's too soon for to bring em here.... don't understand the sense of holidays, the sense to stay in another place, and it's not important neither for their futures cos when they'll be older don't remember this vacation... trust me.. wait when they're 10  or 11

Answer 2

I think it is important to travel with kids, starting at a young age. I live in Italy and have a two-year-old and it's not true that there are not things that children can enjoy when on vacation here (I'm American so sometimes I like to play the tourist too), you just have to know how to travel with a child. While your daughter may not be able to communicate to you now her appreciation of a trip to Italy, the experience is one that will stay with her and open her mind to the world in general.

Of course dragging children through museums, monument after monument, or other more adult-like activities isn't going to be fun for anyone along. But using the various sites for exploration and adventure can appeal to young children. I recently went to Genova and Turin with my son and we found plenty of ways to entertain him. And my brother and his young children (5 and 2) have visited and the kids really have enjoyed themselves.

A few quick tips:

-- Jet lag is tougher on them than it is on us. Cope with it by having a very flexible schedule.

--If your child is a fussy eater, pack something they will eat so it isn't a nightmare during your trip. (our son eats well but we always have a box of cheerios with us, just in case).

--Tips for sites to see: public gardens (Boboli in Florence, Villa Borghese in Rome), climbing towers (everywhere), scampering over ruins, science museums, boat rides (gondolas in Venice, boats on the Tiber in Rome), sculpture museums (more fun for them to look at), piazzas to run in and large fountains to toss coins in of which there are no shortage.

And kids love being the center of attention in a way that only children-loving Italians seem to be able to do.

I hope you have a great trip and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 3

That depends on your daughter. Is she mature enough to walk with you? I'm sure you remember that Venice, for example, had stairs everywhere. Not good if you are pushing a stroller.

My 4 year old has made several Transatlantic flights. While he's usually a pain on the flights, he usually adjusts to the time difference pretty well.

Answer 4

At 5 years old they won't know the difference between Little Italy and down town Naples. It's important for children to travel.... but if you want to take them to Italy to enjoy the culture you will be deluding yourself. If you want to take them to Italy to see the monuments and historical sites they'll soon be bored. One thing you can be sure of is that the Italians are great with kids and you go every where with them in Italy with out a problem.