Italy with Kids

Several people, including my colleague Teresa Plowright on Family Vacations, have told me that the hill towns of Umbria were a favorite of their kids when they traveled in Italy. Umbira's hill towns are generally small enough to not be intimidating and kids enjoy exploring the stone arches and alleyways and the medieval atmosphere. The Umbria region also has a large lake, waterfall, and an unusual mummy collection that older kids might find fascinating.

Rome is one of Italy's most popular cities to visit. With ancient ruins, parks, spooky places, and even a museum for kids, Rome is a good family destination.

Lake Garda, in northern Italy, is a good lake for family vacations. The southern part of the lake has good sand and pebble beaches and the lake's clear water is nice for swimming and boating. Ferries are a fun way to explore the lake where you'll also find small villages, medieval castles, and walking paths. And if your kids just have to go to an amusement park there are several nearby, including Gardaland, probably the best amusement park in Italy.

Bomarzo Monster Park, an unusual park with statuary in the shape of mythological creatures, is a delight for children. The park is north of Rome in northern Lazio (see map), near the border of the Umbria region. You'll need a car to get there.

Visiting a castle can be lots of fun for kids where they can imagine themselves in the role of knight, princess, or even king. Castles often have interesting medieval towns around them, too, but remember that they are usually on a hill so may require a little climbing.