We love Italy and it really does have something for everyone. From Renaissance artwork and crumbling buildings to the most delicious cuisine, it’s a great destination for couples, groups and families alike. Here are just some of the places you really should have on your travel list.
Florence
It’s said April to June, September and October are the best months to visit Florence – the peak summer months hotter and busier. On our most recent visit, we got to do a private food tour, make gelato and take a guided trip to see The David at the Accademia Gallery. One of Michaelangelo’s most well-known sculptures, it stands over five metres tall and took him 18 months to complete. Florence is home to The Uffizi – one of the most well-known museums in the world. Famous paintings include Michelangelo’s Tondo Doni, Titian’s Venus of Urbino and Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi. The magnificent dome at the Duomo, named in honour of Santa Maria del Fiore and designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, is seriously impressive.
The Duomo is the 4th largest cathedral in the world, after St Peter’s, Rome, St Paul’s, London and the Duomo in Milan. The famous Ponte Vecchio is the River Arno’s oldest bridge and the only one not to be destroyed in World War II although it was rebuilt in 1345 due to flooding. The Vasari Corridor was created in 1565 with the shops added later.
Discover more about Florence and Tuscany in this post.
Check out our private food tour and gelato making class in Florence here.
Puglia
With all-year-round sunshine, conical trulli and whitewashed towns, Puglia is situated in the heel of Italy’s boot. This lesser-known region of Italy is ripe for exploration and there’s plenty for families to do. We stayed in a trullo near Casalini which provided us with access to the Valle d’Itria (Alberobello, Cisternino and Locorotondo), the white city of Ostuni, Grotte di Castellana caves, and the wonderful Italian coastline.
Alberobello is the picturesque town known for its unusual conical-roofed houses. It was made a UNESCO heritage site in 1996 and one of the region’s most recognised landscapes. Puglia has the highest concentration of trulli which can be found in other towns in the region. We headed to beaches like Torre Guaceta, Pozzella and Tavernese before staying put on Lido Morelli which we largely had to ourselves (off-peak). Although further afield, and actually in Basilicata, Matera was well worth the trip. Once seen as the “shame of Italy”, it has a labyrinth of cave-dwelling communes (the Sassi) along with rock churches and a breathtaking ravine.
See what we got up to while we were in Puglia.
Check out the trullo we stayed in here.
Rome
We’re rather overdue a return visit to Rome especially as POD has never been. The “eternal city” as its sometimes known is located in the central-western section of the Italian Peninsula along the shores of the Tiber. It’s the most popular destination in Italy and one of the most visited cities in the world. It’s easy to see why when there are so many monuments, museums and churches to explore. From the Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps and the Catacombs to the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) is effectively a country inside the boundary of Rome – home to the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica.
Sardinia
Sardinia, Italy’s second-largest island, is famed for its turquoise green waters, rugged mountains and sandy beaches. Our first trip to Sardinia saw us head to the beautiful Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) and Porto Cervo. This time around we headed to the Bedoni region as a family on a Neilson holiday. We’re no strangers to activities having holidayed with Mark Warner several times in the past and they’re brilliant for kids. Along with all the activities on offer, we also took a cruise one day to the La Maddalena Archipelago. The archipelago is made up of 7 islands including the harbour town (La Maddalena) after which we headed to the uninhabited Spargi Island. Isola di Spargi is on the western coast of the Maddalena, circular in shape with the landscape largely granite. The sea is breathtakingly clear with the waters teeming with fish.
Read this post to find out what we loved about our Neilson Holiday.
Click here to discover Spargi Island which is in the Archipelago di Maddalena.
Sicily
Although we’ve holidayed in the heel of Italy’s boot, we’re yet to make it to the toe. Sicily is somewhere that’s been on the list for a while though and we nearly made it to Palermo last year – had we not looked at flights too late. Sicily’s capital has a lot to offer from Teatro Massimo, Monte Pellegrino and Spiaggia di Mondello. Saying that there is so much more to take in on this Mediterranean island. From the winding alleys of Taormina and Castelmola to an Etna expedition and The Valley of Temples to the volcanic Aeolian Islands, Siracusa and Ortigia. We’re totally spoiled for choice and the draw to get to Sicily is strong – one for October half term perhaps.
The Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes in Northern Italy comprise of Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. The latter is the second largest of the lakes and borders Switzerland. It’s an excellent destination for all families and groups whether you’re an adventurer, a beachgoer or even a thrillseeker! From hiking in the mountains, taking a trip to the Borromeo Islands or admiring pretty Cannobio to visiting a 12th-century hermitage perched on a cliff, sampling chocolate in an actual chocolate factory or braving the Funivie del Lago Maggiore cable car. We spent a few days in Lake Maggiore last year and fell in love with the region. Check out some of our posts below including things to do in the region, our mountain trek and a review of where we stayed.
Click here to see what’s on offer for families in Lake Maggiore
Check out our mountain hike for cheese here
Read about the Golfo Gabella Resort in the Italian Lakes
Tuscany
Tuscany is simply irresistible what with its rolling hills, deep-rooted heritage and gastronomic delights. Frequently viewed as one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, its Renaissance is reflected in its architecture, sculptures, paintings and museums. We’ve already covered off the Tuscan capital Florence (see above), but Tuscany has so much more to offer. Siena, for example, is well known for its medieval buildings with Piazza del Campo at the heart of the city. Piazza del Campo is dominated by Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia which is thought to be one of the finest examples of gothic architecture. Located a short walk away is Piazza del Duomo and the Duomo or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta which is said to be one of Italy’s greatest Gothic churches. Pisa is renowned for its 850-year-old Leaning Tower which is situated in the Piazza dei Miracoli along with other monuments like the Cathedral and the Baptistery.
Read about Tuscany here including Siena and Florence here
See photos from Volterra – thought to be the inspiration for Twilight
Read about Villa La Capanne – a converted farmhouse with incredible views
Venice
We’ve visited Venice on several occasions but this was our first time with seven-year-old POD in tow. Some say you shouldn’t take children to Venice but Italy’s Veneto region is an ideal destination for children when they’re the right age. Of course, it’s great to visit the likes of Piazza San Marco Piazza, the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Campanile and Doge’s Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. During the day although it’s pretty special at sunrise! A ride on a gondola is a must for first-timers, as is getting lost to experience the “real Venice” and if there’s time, do explore the Venetian Islands. We loved our time on Burano, Murano and Torcello. The Vaporetto (water bus) routes also include the city centre, circular and lagoon routes.
Verona
Unless I’m on a press trip, we always travel as a family of three. That said, last year we found ourselves with a free weekend while POD was with her grandparents. So we booked a late flight to Verona and over a single weekend walked about 20 kilometres. It’s truly stunning and there’s certainly more to this beautiful destination than Romeo and Juliet. In fact, the courtyard outside Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) was so busy we didn’t stay long. As well as the Shakespeare connection, Verona’s Roman amphitheatre (Arena di Verona) is well known. Situated in Piazza Brà, it’s thought to be one of the oldest of its kind. Piazza Delle Erbe (Market Square) is just a few minutes walk away where there’s the town hall, the frescoed Mazzanti Houses and fountain along with Torre dei Lamberti which is the tallest of Verona’s towers.
Umbria
Sicily and Umbria are the only two destinations in this post we’ve not visited but they’re on the list. As a family that loves the great outdoors, the appeal with Umbria is the mountains, lakes and lush hillside coupled with medieval villages, pretty towns and culture. From the Cascate delle Marmore waterfalls, where you can also canoe and kayak, Lago Trasimeno and Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi to the Pozzo di San Patrizio (historic well), Duomo di Orvieto and Basilica di Santa Chiara.
Regardless of whether we’re off the beaten track or in a city, Italy is certainly a favourite. It was before POD arrived back in 2020 and it’s even more so now as everywhere we’ve visited is so family-friendly. Have you been to Italy and if so what were your favourite regions? We have Sicily and Umbria on the list that’s for sure.
