Italy for Families
Italy truly does have it all for families. Each region offers something unique and exciting. Whether you’re soaking up the Mediterranean landscape of the Amalfi on a road trip or learning about ancient culture and fascinating history in Rome, there’s something to keep every member of the family thoroughly entertained. At Scott Dunn, we can customise any region of Italy to suit your family’s interests and needs. If you can dream it, we can do it.
Seriously Special
Italy is steeped in antiquity and culture, and we know how to make history fun and engaging for your little ones. We’ll get your family out from behind your guidebook to experience and recreate it. We can arrange for your kids to learn the art of gladiatorial combat at the legendary Gladiator School (this also includes a tour of the Museum of the Roman Invincible Army) or you can explore Florence’s secrets, legends and landmarks through an exciting scavenger hunt. These will surely be learning experiences that will beat any school text book. All of the ancient ruins and world-class museums are made even more thrilling by our inventive and knowledgeable guides. We’ve handpicked the best in each city for you.
One-of-a-kind experiences
If you want to expose your children further to cultural pursuits, Italy is the perfect place. In Rome, your family can discover the art techniques that the city is famous for with a fresco or mosaic making masterclass. This is the perfect opportunity for children to show off their creativity and pairs well with a visit to the fresco covered Sistine Chapel. Even the youngest members of the family will be inspired by following in the footsteps of the great Italian artists of the past.
A family holiday to Italy isn’t complete without indulging in one of the most delicious cuisines in the world. Discover the traditional art of gelato making in one of Florence’s gelaterias. Under the guidance of an expert, your family can get imaginative combining fresh ingredients to make your favourite ice cream flavors. This will surely to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. And what kid doesn’t love pizza? Explore the narrow streets of Naples, where we can arrange for you to meet a professional pizza maker (pizzaiolo), who will teach your family the secrets of pizza in the city of its creation. It doesn’t get more authentic than this.
If your family is in the mood to be active and burn off some of that pizza, pasta and gelato, Italy has tons of fun outdoor adventures. Whether it’s volcano hiking, hitting a tree-top rope course, or geocaching in the Dolomites, nature in Italy offers something for every age range and activity level. So drink in the fresh air, eat all the fabulous food and look at the many incredible sights, Italy is a feast of entertainment for your family.
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The colours of the Italian flag represent the virtues of hope (green), faith (white) and charity (red).
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To beat the crowds in Rome, take an early morning private tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel before the doors open to the public!
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Pizza was invented in Naples around 1860.
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The Dolomites at dusk is a must see – the mountains glow a beautiful soft pink in the reflection of the evening sun.
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When in Venice, take the Vaporetto to the surrounding islands. Visit Torcello’s historical Basilica and admire Burano’s array of lace markets. Lastly, uncover Murano’s secret of glass blowing and explore the fascinating studios where the craft originated.
Younger Kids
Italy is a treasure trove for younger kids with tons of accommodation and experiences that cater to children under 12. Hotels will welcome your children with activity packs, kids clubs, pint sized bathrobes and gingerbread men at turn down. Days can be spent dressing up as gladiators, making (and tasting!) gelato or letting their creativity flow with fresco making. We know how to plan a holiday to excite and entertain even the fussiest little ones
Borgo Egnazia has been designed based on a traditional Apulian village all set within 20 hectares along the Puglian coast of Southern Italy. The biggest draw for families at the hotel is the fantastic custom designed space for children. The Trullalleri children's club for children aged eight months to eight years is a bright and airy club that has been cleverly divided and designed for each age group. Each day there is a varied and interesting activity program which makes the most of the facilities and activities available in the resort. The resort also features one of the largest and best play areas in Italy. The impressive adventure playground includes wobbly walkways, spring bridge, slides, nets to climb and a fireman's pole. While your children are being thoroughly entertained you can golf, visit the local fishing village of Savelletri, take a cooking class or relax in the spa.
The elegant, family-friendly Hotel Savoy is stylishly designed and provides the highest standards in cuisine and service. Your family’s every whim will be catered for here. The Hotel Savoy’s philosophy is that some of their most important guests are also the smallest. For the youngest members of the family, the ‘Families R Forte’ programme aims to pamper kids as much as their parents. From the Pinocchio-themed items presented to them upon arrival to dedicated kid-friendly guided tours and an arts and crafts workshop, children will never have a dull moment. The hotel also offers 24-hour babysitting, extra beds, interconnecting rooms, and all the bathrooms are set-up with rubber ducks and kids’ bathroom products.
San Clemente Palace is a stunning Venetian retreat across the blue lagoon and St Mark's basin from Piazza San Marco. Great for adults and children alike, it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxing summer holiday. You kids will be entertained by the supervised playroom, where activities include necklace making, painting, crafts, balloon games, traditional Venetian mask making, picnics in the garden and pastry lessons with the chef. There is a small playground and a mini-golf course for those kids wanting a little fresh air. The hotel also offers a whole range of child specific goodies, like a special welcome kit, DVDs, disposable bottles, cribs, high chairs and a kids pool. For parents, the hotel has tennis courts, a large swimming pool, a gym, offers spa treatments and has a huge garden space to enjoy some peace and quiet in.
Older Kids
There’s no denying that Italy is an excellent destination for tweens and teens. All of the art, history and culture that they’ve been studying jumps off the page to become a reality in Italy. Tours of ancient Roman ruins and world-class museums, led by our expert guides, make the country’s past fascinating for older children. The food, the art, the sights and the shopping are legendary in Italy, teens won’t be able resist the allure of experiencing it all. A trip to Italy is one that will surely make every one of their friends jealous.
Ideally located between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, families will be charmed by Hotel de Russie’s to-die-for location, pretty gardens and inimitable style. Your family will quickly learn why French poet Jean Cocteau described the hotel as “paradise on earth.” The Vatican City, with St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, is just a ten-minute walk away, the Piazza Navon and Trevi Fountain are also within easy access. This is an excellent base for safely and easily touring and experiencing Rome’s attractions. The hotel also has an extensive health club and spa with a hydropool, jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish steam bath and beauty treatments, perfect for unwinding after a day spent on your feet exploring the city.
Situated within private, lush gardens the Belmond Hotel Cipriani provides a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Venice. The city is just a few minutes away by complimentary shuttle, giving your family the best of both worlds, and offering easy access to iconic sights such as St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Sure to delight any teen is Cip’s Club, an Italian pizzeria, that serves pizza from a wood-burning oven. After experiencing the sights of the city, spend some bonding time with your teens at the Olympic sized swimming pool, the spa with incredible massages and manicures, or take a private cruise around the lagoon in the hotel’s boat, “Shirley.”
Multi-generational Families
Has it been a while since the family has gotten together? Have you been searching for a place for you all to spend some quality time? Well, we have the perfect place for you. Italy is a multi-faceted country, with something to enthrall every member of your family. And we know how to plan a holiday to accommodate every taste and age range. For culture junkies, there’s endless museums, art, fashion and architecture. For foodies, there’s incredible bars and restaurants as well as authentic cooking classes where you’ll learn all the tricks to whipping up traditional Italian food. For those looking for relaxation, there’s indulgent spas and relaxing wine tastings. And for the energetic little ones, there’s fun-filled child-centric activities in every region. We know the best places that can be taken exclusively for your entire family, ensuring privacy while still being located near all the attractions.
Staying at Castiglion del Bosco is a rare opportunity to enjoy Tuscany the way it is meant to be experienced - on a magnificent country estate nestled among rolling hills, sweeping vineyards and centuries-old farmhouses. While staying at Castiglion del Bosco, you can relax by the fabulous outdoor heated stone infinity pool or enjoy one the treatments offered at the beautiful CdB Spa. For those wishing to be more active, there is a state of the art fitness centre, tennis courts and the Tom Weiskopf designed 18-hole private golf course. The Estate features miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails (bikes are complimentary) that hug spectacular ridges and meander past streams, waterfalls and hidden historic sites. Handsome Maremma horses lead guests through a network of riding trails extending to the far-reaching corners of the property.
Villa F is a stunning hotel and perfect for the more discerning guest, looking for privacy and space as well as proximity to all that Venice has to offer. While here, your family will live as the noble Venetian families once did (Villa F dates from the 16th century when it served as a country retreat for a noble Venetian family). Nowadays, the island still retains an air of calm, tranquillity and greenness you won’t find across the lagoon in Venice's tiny streets. The decor is sumptuous with gorgeous antiques, silk fabrics and personal touches. The villa can be booked exclusively providing enough space for the entire family. Your family will be looked after by a butler, and will have access to 24-hour room service, and a shuttle to the pier at il Palazzo. This type of flexibly guarantees that every member of your family will be kept happy at every moment throughout your stay.
Active Families
No matter the season, or activity level of your family, adventures abound in Italy. For outdoorsy families, there’s cycling in Puglia, climbing the notorious Mount Vesuvius volcano, and watersports off the coast of Sicily. And for the ultimate way to experience nature in Italy, families must head to the Dolomites. In the winter, ski or snowboard in some of Italy’s best family-friendly winter ski resorts, while summer ushers in hiking, geocaching around Val Gardena and a thrilling Adventure Park in Alta Badia with a tree-top ropes course. The cities also offer plenty of adventure for families, whether that’s scavenger hunts around Florence, art outings in Rome, tasting tours of Naples or canal expeditions around Venice, the museums, galleries, restaurants and landmarks of these diverse regions have something to keep any family amused.
The Hotel Rosa Alpina is a beautiful family run hotel, in the quaint village of San Cassiano nestled in the Italian Dolomites. This is the ideal place for a winter break family ski adventure. The Rosa Alpina is conveniently located near the Dolomiti Superski which consists of 460 lifts and 760 miles of runs. Apart from downhill skiing, the area offers some of the most beautiful settings for those who enjoy cross country skiing, excursions with mountain guides, snow shoeing, ice climbing or simply sledding. The hotel offers a specially dedicated family wellness area, with a swimming pool, saunas and relaxation area. It’s the perfect place for your family to unwind after a hard day’s skiing, hiking or biking.
The Verdura Resort has a wonderful sense of space nestled within 230 hectares of gentle rolling Sicilian countryside with nearly 2km of private coastline. The facilities here are exceptional and every family member will be well catered for. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses, six floodlit clay tennis courts, a full-size soccer field, an infinity pool and a fully equipped gym. Bicycles for adults (some have baby seats) and child bikes are available for guests to use all over the resort on a complimentary basis. And the Water Sports Club offers a number of activities from kayaking, standup paddle boarding and snorkelling to the more adrenaline fuelled activities such as waterskiing and wakeboarding. Children of all ages, from newborn up to 16 years are looked after and entertained in Verdura's own dedicated children and teens club. Verdù the hedgehog host, will look after you children in a specialised space with a heated pool, TV room and activity zones designed to keep even the most active child busy.
Time to unwind
With glamorous stretches of coastline, world-class spas and endless rolling vineyards, Italy is the perfect place for your family to relax. With a glass of wine in hand, soak up the picturesque landscapes, dine on indulgent food and treat yourself to a leather handbag, you deserve it. Turn off your alarm and kiss meetings goodbye, because your family will have a luxurious, peaceful break from the everyday on your holiday to Italy.
Nestled in the hills of Tuscany, as you drive up the Cypress-lined lanes towards Castello di Casole looking out over vineyards, orchards of olive trees and rolling countryside dotted with stone farmhouses, you’ll truly feel in a world of your own. The hotel offers a combination of luxury and yet charmingly rustic comfort within the restored Castello and original buildings of the hamlet. Most suites have stunning views of the Tuscan countryside, and all have complete access to the estate’s services and amenities, including the Essere luxury spa, pools, fitness centre, and casual and fine dining options. At Ristorante Tosca you can head out to the dining terrace for an al fresco meal overlooking dramatic vineyards and valleys. The estate’s expert sommelier advises on every course, making for memorable food and wine pairings. The food features endless fresh bread, local produce from the hotel’s gardens, seasonal fresh game and seafood and estate-grown extra virgin olive oil.
Lefay Resort is a beautiful and tranquil hideaway overlooking Lake Garda. Based on a philosophy of a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, this family run resort offers spacious accommodation set in beautiful woods and olive groves. Wide spaces, natural fabrics, precious local materials including Italian marbles, olive tree and Italian walnut woods combined with attention to detail and advanced technologies provide your family with the ultimate comfortable, rejuvenating and luxurious experience during your stay. The spa is second to none and is divided into three areas, each dedicated to the elements: water, fire, earth and air. As well as a comprehensive assortment of treatments to choose from, there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the lake, five kinds of saunas, a large gym and fitness studio and a range of classes including Pilates, yoga and t'ai chi.
