My kids have always got a kick out of the Italian peninsula being shaped like a boot (lo Stivale). In fact, Italy is one of the few countries they were able to easily identify from a young age. This meant choosing Italy for one of our summers vacations was a no-brainer, especially when I also factored in their love of pizza, pasta, and gelato. At the time of our visit, they were aged nine and six.
The question was, where in Italy should I take them? I settled on the shin of the boot – otherwise known as the west side of the Italian peninsula. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, I chose the Italian peninsula for several reasons. First, I had been there before. This meant I had an idea of what to expect. But my main motive was that this part of Italy offers a nice balance of tourist attractions, as well as beach and other fun opportunities.
At the end of the day, my kids, like most children, have a limited capacity for visiting natural, cultural, or historic sites. That means I have to actively build in time for them to unwind through other fun leisure activities. This is particularly helpful during the grueling heat of the Italian summer.
Below are some ideas and recommendations to help guide you as you plan your own family vacation to the west side of the Italian peninsula.
All Roads Lead to Rome
You’ve heard the saying. It was quite literally true in the days of the Roman Empire. But, I believe it is still applicable when designing a family vacation to Italy. Regardless of whether you are using Rome as a starting point for a trip along the Italian peninsula, a visit to the Alps, or a stop at the fashionable city of Milan in the north.
Bottom line, there is a high probability that your child will study the Roman Empire at school. Visiting Rome, in person, can help make past and future learning come alive – thanks to the abundance of historical sites scattered throughout the city. There is certainly enough to see and do to keep you entertained for several days. Read my Rome blog post for tips on how to visit some of Rome’s most famous attractions with your kids.
The easiest way to see Rome is by foot. Walking also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the city. However, for slightly longer distances, the Metro is a great option. With only three lines, the subway system is the smallest in Europe. This makes it one of the quickest and most straightforward to navigate. Line A (orange) will take you within walking distance of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Line B (blue) will take you to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Failing the subway, and your own two feet, it is easy to grab a cab when you are in a pinch.
However, one thing you should seriously consider when planning a trip to Rome, is the time of year when you will visit. The summer months can be extremely humid. This can make walking and outdoor sightseeing a little uncomfortable. Likewise, tourist attractions can become very crowded in July when Europe’s schools break for summer.
If you do visit in the middle of the year, try and sightsee early in the morning, and make sure to take plenty of water everywhere you go. Battery operated pocket fans (while they sound silly) can be life savers for overheated kids too. As is an ongoing supply of gelato! I also highly recommend staying at a hotel with a pool. I can’t emphasize how much my boys enjoyed cooling off in our hotel pool, after each daily excursion.
Pastena
Pastena is a name you may not have heard of, but I’m including it on my list of Italian peninsula places to visit because of Le Grotte di Pastena. It is an amazing series of caves with a history that goes back to prehistoric times. Located within the Monti Ausoni and Lago di Fondi Regional Nature Park, the caves are about halfway between Rome and Naples. More importantly, they provide a perfect pit stop for kids looking for a change of pace from all things Roman Empire.
The tour takes about an hour, and moves you through spectacular spaces filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns and ponds. The pathways are well maintained and safe for children, and the lighting in the caves is absolutely spectacular. However, please keep in mind that your tour is likely to be in Italian, so just soak up the visual delights and refer to your printed guide for specific information.
Pompeii
Much like the colosseum in Rome, a visit to Pompeii is an absolute must when you are touring the Italian peninsula. You can easily travel to Pompeii by train, car, or tour bus, from Rome. Or you can hire a car in Sorrento and double back.
Give yourself a full day to explore, and try and stay at a hotel within walking distance from one of the three entrances to the archeological site. We stayed at a hotel that was a two-minute walk from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, which is easily the most scenic way into the ruins.
In the summer, Pompeii can be very hot and crowded. It is therefore best to start early in the morning. You should also take a water bottle, which you can refill at one of the original fountains inside the ruins. Other items to bring include sunscreen and hats, but don’t overpack. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed, and you will be asked to check them at the gate. You also cannot bring in lunch. For food you will need to grab something from the cafeteria.
Once inside there is much to see, thanks to the sheer size of Pompeii’s ruins, as well as the high quality of architectural preservation. You can wander at your own leisure with a self-guided tour, using an audio set or an app on your phone. Or you can arrange for a guide. I am a big proponent of booking private kid-friendly tours in advance for highlight events, like Pompeii. For our visit, I settled on Tours of Pompeii. They were able to edit and customize their Pompeii KIDS tour to exactly meet our needs. Not only were we able to skip lines, and see the locations we wanted, but the English-speaking guide brought various tools with her to help foster learning. More importantly, she was able to verbally convey the historical importance of Pompeii in a way that my kids understood and absorbed.
Herculaneum
While you have no doubt heard of Pompeii, my guess is that you may not be aware of its sister town, Herculaneum. Located between Pompeii and Naples, Herculaneum is a lot smaller than Pompeii. However, it’s ruins have been perfectly preserved. In fact, a lot of organic objects, including timber, roofs, mosaics, frescos, and skeletons, are in exquisite condition. Better yet, Herculaneum is far less crowded, and much easier to navigate using a self-guided tour. It is also a better alternative to Pompeii if you don’t have much time.
Mt. Vesuvius
My youngest child has always been a little obsessive about the things he likes. At the time of our Italian peninsula vacation, he was hot for volcanoes. That predisposition, combined with our visit to Pompeii, meant we had to make a stop at Vesuvius National Park. It would have been a shame to have come all that way, and not given him the chance to climb the infamous mountain.
Many people travel to Mt. Vesuvius by tour bus. However, if you have a car, I strongly encourage you to drive. While a little more complicated, because you have to park and then take a shuttle, you are safe in the knowledge that you can move at your own speed. And the shuttles are frequent and inexpensive.
The climb itself isn’t too bad. Pint-sized legs, aged six and up, should experience very little difficulty. Just take it slow and make sure that your kids are wearing sneakers with a good tread because the loose gravel and dirt can be slippery. The good news is that there are pit stops along the way, where you can seek shade, rest, and purchase refreshments. However, be warned, that there are no restroom facilities. The only toilets available, when we visited, were porta-potties at the start of the Il Gran Cono nature trail. These cost a couple of Euros to use.
All that said, I promise the views are worth the effort. Walking along the crater rim is a memorable experience, and you also get to enjoy great vistas from the top.
Sorrento
Sorrento is a good jumping off spot for an extended vacation that moves you further down the Italian peninsula, into the rest of the Amalfi Coast. The town is easily accessible by train, from Roma Termini, and you only have to make one transfer in Naples. Alternatively, you can hire a car and take the E45. Both options are a straight shot, with the train taking about 2 hours, and the car taking about 3 hours. However, when traveling by train, make sure to keep a tight hold of your belongings in Naples. The city is notorious for pickpockets.
Sorrento is an old coastal town that is known for its pottery, lace, and limoncello. While touristy, it is extremely friendly. For instance, my kids spent an exorbitant amount of time in a chocolate shop one day because the owner happily plied them with samples of every chocolate he made. However, there are very few beach options. For sand, you will want to plan a day trip to one of the many small beaches along the Amalfi Coast.
If you are looking for a more immersive experience, you may want to consider renting a house near to Sorrento, instead of staying at a hotel in town. We found a rental, through VRBO, that was located in the village of Sant’Agata sui due Golfi. It worked really well for our family and, with its own pool, it provided more space to unwind and relax. It also offered a cheaper alternative to dining out. Although I highly recommend Lo Stuzzichino in Sant’Agata sui due Golfi. The food is divine and the outdoor dining and entertainment give you a true taste of Italian hospitality.
Capri
The island of Capri is located about 3 miles off the Sorrento peninsula. It is a great day trip option if you have time to spare for a little lunch and casual exploration. There are many departure choices for the ferry during the summer. However, the main routes are from Sorrento and Naples. Of these, Sorrento offers the quickest journey time at just 20-30 minutes.
While you can stay overnight on Capri, I always recommend spending only a day on the island. The hotels can be extremely pricey. And, while window shopping is a great past time for moms, the designer shops won’t hold much interest for children. Instead, save your money for a private boat rental that takes you around Capri’s dramatic coastline. This way you can get up close and personal with some of Capri’s famous grottos. You can either book a boat in advance (we rented from Blue Sea Capri), or you can take your chances on the actual day by visiting the Marina Grande. Either way, I can promise that swimming in and out of the grottos will be a highlight of your Italian peninsula vacation.
Happy Travels!
