Episode #331: Traveling to Italy with Kids

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Planning a family adventure to Italy with kids in tow? Discover practical tips, honest insights, and firsthand experiences on navigating Italy's family-friendly culture – from stroller logistics and toddler tantrums to the joys of gelato and travel games – so you can create magical memories together.

Contents

Summary

Thinking about taking your kids to Italy? In this episode of Untold Italy, Katy welcomes Untold team members Liv and Cassie as the experienced moms dive into the joys and challenges of family travel in Italy. Discover why Italians’ love for children makes visiting with little ones surprisingly easy, get practical advice on strollers, restaurants, and accommodations, and hear how to structure your days for a relaxed, memorable trip. Whether you have babies, toddlers, or teens, join us for essential tips, funny stories, and inspiration for your next Italian family adventure.

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What you'll learn in this episode

Why Italy is one of the easiest destinations for family travel. Discover how Italy's family-focused culture makes travelling with children less stressful, from welcoming restaurants and helpful locals to a genuine love of kids that helps families feel at home
For traveling smoothly with babies and toddlers, learn which gear is worth bringing, how to manage cobblestones, trains, changing facilities and accommodation choices, plus practical advice for feeding, naps and making the most of each day
To keep young children happy while sightseeing, find out how to balance sightseeing with downtime, choose kid-friendly destinations, stay near parks and piazzas, and use agriturismi, pools and beach clubs to create a relaxing family holiday
Tips for getting around Italy with children of all ages include understanding the pros and cons of trains, rental cars and private drivers, what to know about car seats and booster laws, and simple ways to make journeys easier for both parents and kids
How to adapt your Italy itinerary as your children grow. Get ideas for planning trips that suit toddlers, older children and teenagers, including involving kids in choosing activities, embracing their interests, and using simple strategies like games and gelato to keep everyone engaged

Timeline Overview

07:52 Practical realities of getting around Italy as a family, from transport and pacing to what makes travel easier (and sometimes harder) with children
12:57 How feeding routines evolve while travelling, including the shift from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and the practical adjustments families make to stay flexible on the road
15:17 How families structure their days in Italy, balancing sightseeing, downtime, meals, and flexibility to keep travel manageable and enjoyable
21:41 Why agriturismo stays work so well for families, offering space, nature, animals, and a slower travel rhythm that suits both parents and kids
29:10 The value of involving children in travel planning, and how letting kids choose destinations helps increase engagement and makes family trips more enjoyable and personalised

About our guest – Olivia Windsor

Olivia, an Australian who moved to Italy in May 2019, explored Italy from south to north, working in agriturismi and organic wineries before settling in Turin, Piedmont, after meeting a local Piemontese, Andrea. Having explored her home region and continued to travel all over Italy, she then settled in Rome for a few years before a recent move to Denmark. Olivia, Untold Italy's Chief Experience Officer, has created and hosted various Untold Italy Tours, as well as offering trip consults for clients all over the world.

She also runs the Italian wine site Italian Wine Tales with her husband Andrea, where you'll find not only the best wines to try, but also information on all the Italian wine regions, the best wine tours and wine clubs you can join.

FIND OUT MORE: Book a trip consult with Olivia

Follow Liv here

About our guest – Cassie Tresl

Cassie, her husband Alex, and their daughter Emmy make up ACE, a Seattle-born family proving that adventure doesn’t stop when you have kids. After moving to Europe in 2019 and traveling across the continent by car, they’ve embraced life on the road – from short getaways to months-long journeys.

Now based in Abruzzo, Italy, the family continues to explore hidden corners of their new home through budget-friendly road trips, giving Emmy the chance to grow up immersed in Italian culture and language while creating unforgettable travel memories together.

Living in a small town in one of Italy’s lesser-known regions, Cassie has become an expert in navigating the country’s travel logistics and uncovering hidden gems – expertise she now shares through her trip consultations and building content in the Untold Italy app, super-useful for independent travelers.

DISCOVER MORE: Book a Trip Consult with Cassandra

Follow Cassandra here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Rome – capital city of Italy, known for its ancient ruins, museums, and vibrant city life
Tiber Island – small island in the Tiber River in Rome, home to hospitals and scenic views
Kythira – island in Greece, accessed via a long road trip from the Czech Republic, known for its natural beauty
Venice – iconic city in northern Italy built on canals, noted for its many piazzas, gondolas, and unique geography
St. Mark’s Square – the most famous piazza in Venice, center of local activity and landmarks
Colosseum – ancient amphitheater in Rome, popular with families for morning sightseeing
Vatican Museums – renowned museums in Vatican City, noted for being a long and crowded visit; features the Egypt Room for young Egyptology enthusiasts
Emilia Romagna – region in northern Italy, known for culinary delights such as tortellini and balsamic vinegar
Acetaia Sereni – the agriturismo and balsamic vinegar makers they stayed at in Emilia-Romagna
Florence – Tuscan city famous for Renaissance art, fashion, and architecture
Villa Borghese – large public park in Rome, recommended for families needing green space and playgrounds
Dolomites – mountain range in northern Italy, highlighted for outstanding playgrounds ideal for young children
Campania – southern Italian region along the coast; site of Mediterranean beaches and sea rescue anecdote

Food / Drink

pasta al sugo – pasta with a simple tomato sauce, often made for kids even when not on the menu, often pasta pomodoro
gelato – Italian-style ice cream, available in many flavors and used as a fun treat or even travel bribe
tortellini – ring-shaped stuffed pasta typical of Emilia Romagna, beloved by children and adults alike

Words / Concepts

agriturismo – working farm accommodation found throughout rural Italy, popular for family stays, animal encounters, and legendary breakfasts
masseria – traditional farmhouse, primarily in southern Italy, often converted into countryside accommodations
Lido (Italian beach club) – seaside establishments found along the Italian coast offering family-friendly amenities, umbrellas, and lounge chairs for beach relaxation

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untold italy founder katy clarke and olivia windsor in piazza navona rome

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Episode #331: Traveling to Italy with Kids – From Babies to Teenagers