A road trip through Italy offers an exciting mix of scenic views, charming towns, and world-famous cuisine. We spent a month experiencing it firsthand with our toddler and wanted to share our itinerary, tips, and insights to help you plan your own Italian adventure! From Tuscany’s rolling hills to coastal towns with vibrant history, here are our favorite destinations and what we learned along the way.
1. Tuscany: Culture, Art, and a Family-Friendly Atmosphere
We’re usually beach people, but we found Florence and Tuscany as a whole to be our favorite destination in Italy! Florence is a Tuscan city known for its incredible art, history, and charm. While it’s a popular tourist destination, we found that with a little planning, it’s also quite manageable for families.
Things to Do
- Florence (Firenze):
- Art and culture: Visit Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze to see the statue of David (book tickets in advance!). We’re not usually museum people, but we couldn’t skip this one. While we knew it might be challenging with a toddler, we took turns exploring while one of us kept our daughter entertained (and kept her from touching the priceless art). We’re so glad we took the time to go see the famous 17-foot-tall statue of David! Fun fact: there are actually two other statues of David scattered throughout Florence. See if you can spot them all! (Hint: the Galleria is the only one you have to pay to see.)
- Food:
- Try the Italian/Asian fusion ravioli at Ravvin la fabbrica dei ravioli e vino. It’s a hot late-night spot but there was no wait during the day.
- Enjoy a sandwich at Black Bar near the Duomo (touristy but yummy!), or visit Mercato Centrale Firenze for various food-court-style artisanal food options, including La Schiacciata Firenze for incredible schiacciata sandwiches – one of the best meals I had in all of Italy! We told the chef how good it was and he made us a special off-the-menu dessert of warm schiacciata bread with nutella and lemon oil. So nice!
- For dessert, Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato is a must.
- Other highlights:
- Biblioteca delle Oblate for coffee with a view of the Duomo.
- Piazza della Signoria for statues, horses, and people watching.
- Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge with high end jewelry shops and LOTS of foot traffic.
- Giunti Odeon Libreria e Cinema, a bookstore in an old theater with movies playing on a big screen.
- San Gimignano: A charming hilltop town for a day trip outside of Florence.
- Food: Bar Ristorante Boboli for lunch and Pasticceria Armando e Marcella for pastries.
- Parking: We had good luck at Parcheggio Giubileo P1.
- Tips: Embrace the chance to wander and discover hidden gems. The best part of traveling with a toddler is being flexible and open to whatever comes your way!
2. Cinque Terre: Coastal Charm
Cinque Terre, a string of five colorful fishing villages along the Italian Riviera, is a feast for the eyes and one of the most iconic regions in Italy.
- Must-see towns:
- Riomaggiore: Known for its breathtaking sunset views. Enjoy a meal at La Conchiglia for those views.
- Monterosso al Mare: The beach town. Pack your swimsuit, grab pizza at Il Piccolo Diavolo, and spend some time relaxing on the beach.
- Vernazza: A small, cute town where you can indulge in affogato (gelato with espresso) at Gelateria Il Porticciolo. The best (and cheapest) affogato I had in all of Italy!
- Manarola: Offers a picturesque harbor and cliff jumping. However, avoid the “viral” take-away fish and chips; instead, try the pesto gnocchi from a take-away pasta place.
- Where to stay: La Spezia is a good base for exploring Cinque Terre, with options like the B&B Bellavista and easy access to the 5 towns via train. The B&B was incredible and felt so exclusive, we were the only guests and got to choose if we wanted our breakfast spread on the patio or in the sitting room each morning. We don’t recommend staying in Cinque Terre–cars aren’t allowed so you won’t have anywhere to park!
- Tips:
- Purchase the Cinque Terre Card for easy train travel between towns.
- Be prepared for stairs and hills, especially if you decide to stay in one of the 5 towns.
3. Rome and Vatican City: Worth the Hype
Rome, the Eternal City, is a captivating blend of ancient ruins and vibrant modern life. We visited in mid-September and the weather was perfect! Mostly warm days in the mid-70s (F) and a couple of gray rainy days (refreshing!).
- Rome:
- Must-see sites:
- Colosseum and Roman Forum (book tickets in advance!). We had a designated entry time and didn’t have to wait. We got special treatment and access to special areas for having a stroller/toddler!
- Pantheon & coffee at La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro
- Trevi Fountain (best visited in the late afternoon on a cloudy day to avoid crowds).
- Spanish Steps
- Food:
- L’antica pizzeria di Trevi
- Otello and Tonnarello in Trastevere
- Tips:
- Use the Rick Steves audio walking tour app.
- Be aware of crowds and potential for petty theft.
- Must-see sites:
- Vatican City: A separate country within Rome.
- Explore the piazza. Not much else to do unless you want to pay big bucks to go inside and see the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
4. Amalfi Coast: Scenic Beauty
The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and picturesque towns.
- Towns:
- Vietri Sul Mare: A town known for ceramics. Dine at Ristorante Sud Est.
- Maiori: Offers beach restaurants. I wish we had spent more time here, but we had to catch our ferry!
- Travel: Ferries are a good way to get around.
- Side trip: Pompeii is a convenient detour when traveling to/from the Amalfi Coast, but be prepared for toddler fatigue–it’s super boring for little kids!
5. Puglia: Southern Italy’s Charm
Puglia, in the south of Italy, offers a unique cultural experience and a slower pace of life. You’ll hear much less English spoken throughout this region, and get to enjoy a more authentic Italian vacation spot. We spent a total of 8 days exploring this region.
- Lecce (5 days): We used Lecce as a base for exploring the surrounding areas.
- Lecce itself has an old town with a playground, which was a hit with our toddler, and the local kids loved playing with her!
- Food:
- BonaSciana Caffè & Cucina for amazing sandwiches (especially the one with ham, burrata, and pistachio pesto).
- Signuria Restaurant & Caffè for good food and service, though portions were small.
- Pizza&Co for delicious pizza but not many tables.
- Shopping: Rosa Creazioni for ceramics, where we learned about the “Pumo,” a local symbol of prosperity.
- Gallipoli (day trip from Lecce): A seaside town on the Ionian Sea.
- We enjoyed walking around the town and having lunch and affogato.
- Punta della Suina, nearby, has beautiful sand dunes and shallow water, perfect for swimming with kids.
- Otranto (day trip from Lecce): This was a favorite!
- It features a castle, beaches, unique shops, and a beautiful church with painted ceilings and mosaic floors.
- We found the best affogato here, served in fancy glasses, and bought our daughter a handcrafted glass flower necklace.
- Monopoli (3 days): Located on the Adriatic Sea.
- Food: CibBell for carbonara.
- We enjoyed wandering the old town, which reminded us of Greece with its picturesque white buildings and blue accents.
- Ostuni (day trip from Monopoli): A hilltop town with white plaster buildings and marble streets.
- The drive to Ostuni offers beautiful views of olive groves.
- We explored a church, shops, and bought olive oil, enjoying the views of the olive tree valley.
Important Travel Tips for Your Italian Road Trip
- Traveling with a Toddler:
- Airports often prioritize families with young children, allowing you to skip lines.
- Balance sightseeing with downtime to avoid toddler burnout.
- Having a stroller can be helpful, but be prepared to carry it on stairs.
- Driving: Be prepared for tolls. It’s been about 6 months since our trip and we still haven’t gotten any tickets in the mail!
- Food:
- Don’t be afraid to try different restaurants; you can always find another if the first one doesn’t satisfy your cravings.
- Take advantage of food courts for variety and lots of seating. We found some of the best food in places like this!
- Coffee: Some places charge extra to sit at a table, so consider standing at the bar for coffee. Plain espresso with a dash of sugar is great, our favorite order was a little pastry with a macchiato: espresso with a splash of steamed milk.
- Technology: Rick Steves’ audio tour app is highly recommended for exploring cities, especially Florence and Rome. Such a fun and flexible way to learn the history, find fun food, and laugh together about how clever the script was!
This itinerary provides a framework for an unforgettable Italian road trip. With careful planning and a sense of adventure, you and your family can create lasting memories in this beautiful country. Stay tuned for our detailed day-by-day itinerary if you want to drive from North to South and back up North like we did!
