While Italy may conjure up images of endless glasses of red wine and plates of pasta, adults aren’t the only ones who can have fun throughout the country. Bring the kids along and you’ll discover there are plenty of options in Italy for visitors of all ages. Here are five family-friendly things to do on your next trip to Italy.
Adventures by Disney
If any place can show kids a fun and entertaining time, it’s Disney. For the ultimate family-friendly experience in Italy, consider Adventures by Disney’s nine-day trip to Rome, Florence, Venice and Tuscany. You’ll get special tours of iconic sites like The Colosseum and the Vatican City Museum, plus the kids can get hands on with classes in everything from how to make authentic Italian pasta to how to decorate your very own Venetian mask. A private gondola ride in Venice is another one of the tour’s highlights.
Parco di Pinocchio
Wooden puppet Pinocchio is forever immortalized in his creator’s hometown village of Collodi, Tuscany, at Parco di Pinocchio. Statues of the puppet who wanted to be a real boy, as well as his storybook friends, fill this whimsical garden, and a theater holds puppet shows. Don’t miss the nearby Garzoni Garden, set at the historic Villa Garzoni castle.
Perugina Chocolate Factory
If the little ones have a sweet tooth (and we’re betting they do), why not spoil them with a trip to a real working chocolate factory? Get a taste for Perugina’s history with a quick tour of the museum, then sample some chocolates before checking out the massive machinery that turns cocoa beans into decadent perfection. You can even get the whole family in on the messy fun with a chocolate-making class held on Saturdays.
Bomarzo Monster Park
Somehow, monsters aren’t quite as scary in the bright light of day, and your little ones will likely have a blast checking out the bedrock creatures that dot this grand outdoor sculpture garden in Bomarzo. This family-friendly park is perfect for an afternoon of picnics, leisurely strolls and photo ops.
Museo di Palazzo Vecchio
This grand town hall in Florence looks more like a fortress than a museum, but regardless, this historic building offers some of the most family-friendly experiences in the city. You can take a child-friendly tour of the museum, take a hands-on fresco or wood painting class, sit in on an interactive storytelling session or learn to live like a royal during a guided experience. What’s your favorite family-friendly experience in Italy? Let us know in the comments! (Main image: MLekas)
