Anyone been to URBINO, Italy?

[cupofteaplease]

I didn't really know where to post this, but here goes:

I am going to teach in Urbino, Italy for 4 weeks, leaving on 22nd Feb. My mum has just told me that she is willing to bring my children out to stay with me for 3 of the weeks! I'm very excited, but I haven't looked into things at all.

I think I have found a suitable apartment for us, but will need to rent a car. Has anyone been to Urbino? What is it like? Is there anything to do with children?

I lived in Sardinia for a year, but that was pre-children, and I've never taken them both to Italy before. Took dd1 to Milan for a day trip and people were all over her, cooing etc! Are children this welcome everywhere in Itlay?

Any advice greatly received!

bump

Not been to Le Marche region, but it's not far from Tuscany where we have been with children and I would wholeheartedly recommend it. From what we saw over 2 weeks, then another 5 days, (small timeframe I know but convincing!) children are welcome pretty much everywhere in Italy and are so much more a part of adult social life than here. On our first night in Vinci we were lucky enough to be in a restaurant at 9pm with a huge local family party for a christening - the 20 or more children present were celebrated and enjoyed by all the guests - they took drawings around the tables, getting applause and sweets fpr their efforts, and it was an amazingly memorable evening for the gorgeous atmosphere.

This sounds like a fantastic opportunity, made even better by being able to be with your babies - I'm but hope that you relish it!

I live in Italy though haven't been to Urbino. However judging by elsewhere in Le Marche you will have to rent a car if only to access those lovely trattorie and agritursimi dotted around the countryside. For visting places further afield trains may be a better idea as quite efficient and very cheap, depending on whether there's a direct line to where you need to go.

Children are generally welcome everywhere, although you'll be hard pushed to find specific services (eg. changing facilities anywhere, highchairs in some restaurants, council run playschemes, especially for small children). You won't find chidren's meals either although many restaurants will do you a mini portion of an adult meal. Nowhere is pushchair friendly, even non medieval towns have steps everywhere and shop doors that open the wrong way. Ditto trains, there are usually 3 neck-breaking steps to get on them. I don't know how old yours are but if you do need to bring a pushchair then bring a super light one.

Is there something specific you need to know?