Please sign in to post.

Where to go in Italy with in-laws and 4 year old?

Posted by (California) on

Hello! My husband and I have been to Italy a few times (visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Cinque Terre, and Puglia). My in-laws will be 76 years old and haven't been to Italy. They want to go for 8-10 days with us and our 4 year old daughter. This would be my daughter's first international trip. My husband, daughter, and I would likely stay for an additional 5-7 days in Europe.

My in-laws love all things Italian food, history, art, and wine! Rome is a must because of the history, art, and Vatican. But where, else would you go and for how long? I don't think my daughter will be going to all of the historical sites and museums, so her and I might go play somewhere while the others do that. I'd love family friendly areas with delicious farmers markets, gelato, and things my daughter would love. My in-laws are not interested in beaches or hiking.

Any recommendations on where to go after my in-laws leave? I'd love beaches, hiking, or something kind of relaxing.

We would likely go at the very start of June or late September - but we are open to May or October.

Posted by
597 posts

June will be a crazy crowded nightmare.
September will be marginally better.
I would do Bologna and Milano.
Skip Roma because of the Jubilee.

Posted by
1402 posts

I would go as late as possible next year - especially if you are going to include Rome because of the Jubilee year 2025.
The classic answer is Rome, Florence and Venice for a first Italy trip and it is classic advice for a reason. Venice with a 4 year old would give me some pause due to the danger of wandering into a canal, but I am not a parent of a 4 year old.

Rome, Florence with side trip(s) to Siena and/or Bologna, Pisa and Lucca would make a good 8-10 day itinerary - especially with a larger and potentially harder to move group.

For afterwards I think Bolgna, Verona, Lake Garda like Malcesine for the relaxing lake experience, cable car up Mount Baldo for hiking and upper lake ferry could be good.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

Posted by
8809 posts

Consider the Umbrian region: Orvieto, Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Spoleto and more. Fewer tourists and wonderful small cities and towns.

Posted by
1628 posts

For someone visiting Italy for the first time, I'd strongly recommend visiting Florence. It's a magnificent place for food, art and culture. And shopping for gold on the Ponte Vecchio is an absolutely unique experience.

Posted by
291 posts

We took our daughter to France years ago when she was 5. We never realized just how many playgrounds there were we had her to spot them! I’m sure Italy is similarly covered, so you can take her to play where the local children do. Have fun!

Posted by
1441 posts

the danger of wandering into a canal

On the other hand there is less danger of wandering into a street with cars

I remember Imboden saying somewhere that Venice was a great place for dogs for that reason.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.