Family Holiday in Italy? Recommendations?

ghdm

Hi, we're thinking of going to Italy in June, a day or two in Rome then onto a beach. We have three children aged 6, 5 and 3. Any ideas or recommendations for resorts/hotels/self-catering that don't break the bank and provide activities for kids and maybe some kids clubs/babysitting services as well?

Thanks,
ghdm

naughtysmurf

Here are two we have done with young kids over the last few years,

Four days in Rome followed by a week in Sorrento, you get the train from Rome to Naples and a Dart like train or hydrofoil on then to Sorrento, you can also visit Pompei & Herculaneum, in Sorrento we stayed at a place called La Neffola, great location.

The other was Bibione, north of Venice but only a cheap train ride away, stayed at Villagio Planetarium (Falcon) Good but busy complex, fantastic beach, easy to get around, big into bike hire

Both were great holidays, we love Italy and would nearly go every year but I've found trying to get good quality accomodation that suits us for a reasonable price difficult enough!

ghdm

Thank you so much, I'll look into those. Would they be suitable for younger children? We were in Italy a lot as a couple pre-kids, but never as a family and I always thought it would be a great place for a family holiday, but a bit lost as to where to start! Thanks again.

naughtysmurf

ghdm wrote: »

Thank you so much, I'll look into those. Would they be suitable for younger children? We were in Italy a lot as a couple pre-kids, but never as a family and I always thought it would be a great place for a family holiday, but a bit lost as to where to start! Thanks again.

Rome is pretty hot during the summer, we had a five year old with us at the time and it was grand, lots of ice cream / juice stops, once you get to the Amalfi coast with the sea / pool it's a lot easier.

Villagio Planetarium in Bibioni would be more similar to a med apartment complex, busy, good pools / slide, animation team but mossies the size of a small dog :eek: when we were there, they also provide a very regular shuttle bus to the beach where you will have your own assigned beach umbrella, lounger & chair for the duration of your stay

Generally speaking, have always found Italy to be very child friendly

ghdm

Thanks again naughtysmurf. Don't like the sound of those mossies! We're hoping to go early June, before the worst of the heat, so need to weigh up the temp/cranky children index! Much appreciated.

Joan brophy

We stayed in bella italia, camp site, wonderful place, car most essentia and sat nav, highly recommend i

ghdm

Thank you Joan, I've been looking at campsites as well so a recommendation is much appreciated.

Joan brophy

Anybody we know who went there loved it and most have gone back many times.

leana

Joan brophy wrote: »

Anybody we know who went there loved it and most have gone back many times.

Delighted to hear that..booked the family holiday yesterday and will be staying there:)

Joan brophy

Lovely, enjoy, its a beautiful region. What time you booked to go away

leana

We're going for last week in june -first week in July, got a decent rate for accommodation with vacansoleil, flights that time of year are expensive though.

ReallyWiggy

Hi Joan - I'm going to Bella Italia last 2 weeks of July, 3 kids [6, 3 and baby]. Which theme parks would you recommend for this age group. Garagland looks great but a lot of the rides have height restrictions that wouldn't let the kids on. Are there some parks better than other for smaller children do you know?

Irlandese

Italy is a great choice for family or any holidays. Think about Puglia, the "heel" as an option. They are well linked to Rome by rail and road or plane and they have some of the best food, wines and beaches in all of Italy. Its a growth area for Italians themselves, so you cannot go wrong. Plus the prices are way lower than other more well-known destinations.
The cities of Lecce, Alberobello, Polignano, Martina Franca, Ostuni, Conversano, Cisternino, Locorotondo etc etc are so well worth visiting. There is a great range of prices to suit luxury levels. You can go from 5 star masseria hotels to simple but comfortable b&bs, with a little forward planning.
Language problems can be sorted with some ex-pats providing low-cost simultaneous or call-up translation services, using a local sim card that you can pick up in any phone shop. Have a google at locations mentioned.

brooksamanda89

When I traveled to Rome we looked into Rome apartments for a short term rent rather than staying in a hotel. We had a great experience with lots of space for everyone!