Hi,

My husband and I and our two kids (boys) usually go to visit our family in the Naples area of Italy. However, now that we have have our two children (5 and 3)who are out of diapers and no need of strollers but are still a little uncontrolling at times (I admit LOL!), we would like to stop somewhere in italy on our way to Naples to add some excitement to our trip this time around. I'm debating between Rome and/or Almalfi coast. We visited Capri once when our children were 2.5 and 6 months, and it was a nightmare. They didn't accomodate children whatsoever. Someone forgot to tell us that the island sits on a mountain!!! and they had no elevator. We were the only ones who had small children with us.

Anyway, we don't want to make the same mistake again. Can someone please give us some advice onto where to stay or do in either Rome or Amalfi coast with kids? I am imagining visiting the Vatican and my boys running all over the place. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks.

Rose.

We too haqve experenced the culture shock of holidaying with children. Tuscany and NYC are now off the list in favour of anywhere with a beach and sun!

Try a stop over in Sardinia (a short flight from the mainland). The beaches are the best in Europe and unless you go in August are relatively quiet. The area round the Costa Smerelda can be very expensive but it is beautiful. We have a 2 year old and stayed in Cala Di Volpe. This headland is around 4 miles long and must be unique in the world. It stretches East / Westish and has FIVE beaches. The layout of these means that which ever way the wind blows you nearly always have a flat calm sea for the children. The beaches slope gently and the sea is very warm. You can use Ryanair to get in and out of Sardinia very cheaply and as alwasys the Italians love children. We have also stayed in Santa Teresa and near the Forte resort in the south - all the areas had supurb beaches, good restaurants and were child friendly. I would suggest Residence Capriccicola on Cala Di Volpe simply because it is 2 minutes away from the best beaches but does not charge the ridiculous prices of the nearby hotels. (up to £5000 a night!). The rooms are simple but stylish and you will pay around Euros 800 a week. The owners have pet dogs that kept my son entertained for half the holiday and they also have piles of beach toys for the children to use.

We had a great time.

Many of the towns on the Amalfi Coast, especially Positano, have the same problem as Capri--built on the side of a mountain. Lots of steep steps to go anywhere. Amalfi itself isn't so bad and neither is Sorrento. But you could visit either as a daytrip from Naples. If you want somewhere different, I'd try Rome or Tuscany. Go into museums and churches sparingly and let them run around the beautiful piazzas.

I've done bth with my 6yr old...he actually prefers Rome...but he's big ini Gladiators, etc. at this point ;-)
Pompeii and Paestum are always HUGE hits....but if you have family in S.Italy you have probably already been, there, done that or will do it as a day trip.

You are good to go now that you're out of strollers but...unless you like the beach, I'd skip Positano...nothing really to DO...and also...like you said, Capri...would be very difficut walking with a 3 yr old (!) I'd probably pick Sorrento if want to be on the soast (note though - my husband would disagree...he hates Sorrento and thinks it's too tacky and would pick Amalfi any day!! I like it )...lots of gelato and casual dining options...boat trips...you can take the train to Pompeii (although, I would asume you have a car anyway!!) or we like Amalfi...enough beach for a kid (or a short bus to Maiori for a better beach and boardwalk)...and mostly flat...but really depends...again...not many things for kids to DO in Amalfi...if your 5yr old is an ancient Rome fan...do that our only problem there is getting out of the gift shops and stands with all the gladiator "stuff" all over the place!! but...a lot of walking for the three yr old...and on and off busses, etc. If you have a car, you could stay somewhere off the coast and explore...if your kids are into Castles, you could plan visits around them my son is here right now he says watch out becasue many of the castels are now turned into museums of pots hahah...yes many ceramics displays...we sometimes skip the museum parts of the castles now of course..don't know where your relatives are...you may have already done all that

ok...just want to say sorry for the BAD spelling/typos (trying to do too many things at one time!)...and ALL the smiley faces...I forget they show like that on this page...and I'm a bit of an addict!!

Id say someplace that is not crowded would be the best place with small children. Its nightmarish to always have to be looking for them in a crowd, especially in a big city where they can get SO lost.
To me that leaves Rome out. took our kids there (one 5 one 18 mo)and it was hard to enjoy, for example getting through a restuarant meal. except for the time we had them in a daycare place. Rome just does not register on little ones (except they WILL like the trams, metropolitana, cats, gelati etc)
Amalfi is not great - too many people, little corners, passageways and steps.

Id go for truly small towns, hill towns etc that are not too heavily touristed where the kids can run and you can see them and people are friendly and not overstressed.

Good luck.