Italy with a 4 year old

[Hardknocks]

Hello!

So DH and I have visited Rome pre-DD, loved it and want to go back to Italy but in a way that’s a bit more child friendly, with DD who will be just turned 4. We don’t plan on doing lots of cultural things, but a mix between sight seeing and ‘kid friendly’.

Our plan was to stay at the Eurocamp on Lake Garda, and do a few day trips to Florence, maybe Milan and Venice? Though not sure how child friendly they are. I have heard about Garda Land, but does that feel like the right base?

Thanks!

We’ve done similar several times, based at Lake Garda near Gardaland and Movieland and the train station.

Milan is pretty dull though, I’d do day trips to Venice, Verona and some nice towns around the lake.

Will you hire a car?

What town is your eurocamp in? Depending on which side of the lake you’re staying on, a trip to Florence would be at least 3 hours by car, and obviously more if you were staying on the northern edge of the lake. I would go with day trips to Verona and Venice (although Venice also potentially a good couple of hours drive away at least). Milan fine for a day trip for adults, but I’d think a little boring for a 4 year old.

if you’d like a good day out, I can recommend

https://parcodellecascate.it/en/
which is a beautiful natural waterfall park. It’s a decent bit of walking (steep walk back up to the car park at the end of the trail) but lots of points to stop off and rest, explore and dip your feet. There is a fab sort of zip wire (enclosed seat) and a swing in towards one of the big waterfalls. We loved it.

The lake Garda area is lovely.

Florence, Milan and Venice are all too far for day trips with a 4 yo, and too much to do in them for day trips anyway, things she'll appreciate more when she's older. Go to Florence and Venice separately rather than wasting so much time travelling and then barely scratching the surface when you get to them. Verona is near enough, the arena probably has more wow factor for a small child than all the wonders of Venice and Florence! (Skip the silly fake balcony imo).

Thank you everyone, really helpful replies. Our eurocamp will be in San Felice del Benaco so you’re right probably a bit too much to cram in. Although I read the train from lake Garda to Florence was only 1.5 hours but maybe I read that wrong.

Thank you for the suggestions, we will certainly do Verona and leave Milan!

From where you are staying on the west side of the lake, I would probably recommend hiring a car to get about. It is certainly possible to travel around by bus (or the lake steamer) but it will take a lot longer for you. Eg on public transport it will take around an hour to get down to Dezenzano to get the train, and a bit longer to get around to Peschiera and the theme parks. You should be able to get a ferry across the lake so you can get up to Malcesene and the cable car up to Monte Baldo .

Are you going to Weekend Glamping? Or is there another one round there? We went to Weekend and had a great time!

Yes I think we will probably hire a car, much easier to get about.

yes @Twoweeksandcounting that’s the one! So glad to hear you had a great time, it looks lovely 😊

Parco Natura Viva is a great day out. Mix between a safari park and zoo. Sirmione is lovely and has a castle and the roman ruins. It's lovely just to take the boat around the lake.