Planning a trip to Italy, especially for the first time or with your family, can be both exhilarating and daunting. Despite Italy's compact size, comprising just 3% of the land area of the United States, the country is brimming with an abundance of cultural treasures and picturesque landscapes to explore. However, in such a small country, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of trying to cover too much ground in one go, leaving you exhausted and feeling like you've barely scratched the surface of what Italy has to offer.

My recommendation is to stay a minimum of three nights in most places, maybe two in a smaller city and limiting yourself to a particular area. As many families fly into Venice or Milan, in this blog post, we will stay within the North-East of Italy which offers huge variety. This itinerary is suitable all times of the year although your experience will vary in winter (eg. Skiing instead of hiking in the Dolomites and allow time for Christmas Markets in Milan!)

The ideal 10 day Itinerary starting in Venice with restless kids who love the outdoors.

Trip map created with Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

Day one to three

Three nights in Venice or Padua

There is a reason that Venice sees so many tourists each year. It’s a magical city offering something for all visitors and where every corner is a postcard.

If you have the option, fly into Venice Airport, but consider basing yourself in Padua for your first three nights in Italy. Accommodation is cheaper and restaurants cater to locals instead of tourists so you’ll get affordable, authentic food. Oh and the market is wonderful if you’re looking for a light dinner. From Padua it’s just a 20 minute, cheap train ride over to Venice each day!

Day one will be lost in transit and maybe a walk in Padua. You’ll then want to allocate a day to the islands of Murano- famous for glassblowing, and Burano- known for it’s lacework and coloured homes. You’ll want another entire day for wondering Venice and perhaps doing a learn to row experience or mask workshop.

Alternate port of arrival: Fly into one of Milan’s three airports. From there you can train to Padua/Venice.

What to eat in Venice

Venice is literally built on water, so it’s no surprise that the diet is heavily seafood-based. There are numerous traditional dishes to try, from squid ink risotto to preserved fish. But if you’re traveling as a family and trying to make the most of your time, you might be aiming to avoid sitting down for three meals a day. Venice has you covered! The typical street food is Scartosso, fried fish served in a paper cone, making it the perfect snack to enjoy as you walk along the canals.

Another must-try, which also works really well with kids, is Cicchetti. These are small plates ideal for sharing, giving you an opportunity to try a wide range of Venetian bites. They’re the Italian version of Spanish Tapas and you’ll find options available from breakfast until dinner, but they are most popular for aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks).

Entry Fee

The new entry fee for Venice comes into effect from April 25th, 2024. The €5 fee will be required for peak days and weekends during high season for all visitors over 14 years old entering between 8.30 am and 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

Hiking in the Italian alps | © *2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits.*

Day four to six

Three nights in the Dolomites

Pick up hire car from just outside Padua or Venice and drive two hours to the Dolomites.

The vast contrast between Venice and the Dolomites is exceptional. While Venice is below sea level and distinctively Italian, the highest peaks in the Dolomites reach over 3000m, making you feel as though you’ve crossed into Austria.

Despite being annexed from Austria in 1918, German is still widely spoken in South Tyrol, and the architecture still reflects its past. A visit to the stunning mountain region is an opportunity to bring history to life, pointing out the impact of WWI to your children as you explore The Lagazuoi Open Air Museum. If you’re not up for hiking or trying the Via Ferratas, you can take the cable car up to Museo Marmolada Grande Guerra (Museum of the Great War in Marmolada).

Although the history of the region can’t be ignored, the natural beauty is likely what has inspired you to head further north. No doubt your picture of the Dolomites is of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Be sure to allow a day for the 10km (6.5 miles) circular loop or even just take on the first part. If that’s your plan, then you’ll likely want to base yourself somewhere near Cortina.

Other activities in the Dolomites include horse riding and luxury spa experiences (with kids clubs available!). You’ll also want to have time to simply walk through the town and probably take a drive to Lago di Braies.

What to eat in the Dolomites

Like all mountain food, expect heavy dishes in the Dolomites. Buckwheat and corn traditionally replace wheat as a staple, so the typical dishes are not quite as kid-friendly as pizza and spaghetti. However, the menu has evolved, and even in the most traditional restaurants, you should be able to find something simple on the menu if your young ones are less adventurous at dinner time. If you are up for trying new things, here are a few local dishes:

Canederli, usually served as a starter, are a kind of bread dumpling served in a broth. Schlutzkrapfen is the most typical pasta dish of the region and consists of buckwheat ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta. Polenta is a staple and traditionally served with butter and cheese, ragu, or mushrooms.

Hint: If you’ll be here at the end of summer, check out I Suoni delle Dolomiti, a music festival in the mountains!

Public Transport Alternate: While the Dolomites are best explored with a car, you can take the Cortina Express from Venice and base yourself in Cortina d'Ampezzo. From Cortina, there are summer buses that will take you along the base of Tre Cime. There’s also a bus to Lago di Braies from Cortina.

Driving in the Italian alps — © *2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits. Driving in Italy!*

Hiring a car: What is it like to drive in Italy?

In Italy we drive on the right side of the road so if you’re coming from Australia like me, (or Singapore, Hong Kong, India, U.K. and so on) that’s the “other side”. If you’re coming from Europe, the U.S. or Canada though- you’re in luck since it’s the same for you.

Driving experiences in Italy vary a lot depending on the location. For example, despite now being a confident driver here in Umbria, I still will not drive in Puglia (my husband’s home region) where it seems that road rules are barely a guideline, or any big city. But I also come from a small town in Australia!

Speaking of road rules, keep in mind that road signs are of course in Italian, speed limits are in kilometres and many cities have ZTL (limited traffic zones) which you can only enter and leave during certain times, or sometimes not at all unless you’re a resident).

While reading all of this may have you reconsidering hiring a car, I do have a few tips to help you feel more confident in your Fiat 500 so you can explore North-East Italy more thoroughly!

Hire a car with a pickup point that is outside the city. Some places may offer to pick you up or, you can choose a pickup point that is near a train station or the airport if that suits your itinerary best. Just be sure to check their opening hours.
Opt for full insurance coverage. The peace of mind is worth it, plus it makes drop-off much faster.
Select the smallest car that is suitable for your travel group. Car parks are small (and often hard to find) in Italy, as are many streets. A smaller car is your friend here!
Only a few car models available for hire tend to have automatic transmission so if you’re not used to manual/stick, be sure to check the description.

Couple visit a winery in Italy | © *2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits.*

Day seven

Verona via Bolzano or Soave

After two big days in the Dolomites, it’s time to make your way back south. I’d recommend taking the longer route and detouring via Bolzano and then Verona before arriving at Lake Garda, but if you’re exhausted, you could skip one or the other depending on your family's interests.

The main reason I recommend Bolzano is for the South Tyrol Archeological Museum, home to Otzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the region in the 1990s. While you’re in town, unless it’s a Sunday, pick up picnic supplies for lunch at the local market, Piazza delle Erbe, which has been continuously running for over 500 years!

Hint: You could also consider visiting Bolzano as a day trip from Cortina. If that’s the case, you’ll pass right by Soave from Cortina to Verona. If you’re into wine, I highly recommend stopping at Pieropan for a tasting, if not a tour too. It’s not the most kid-friendly activity, but this is your trip too!

The next stop is the small, walkable city of Verona. If you haven’t been to Rome, the Arena of Verona is your opportunity to see a “Little Colosseum”. Built in 30AD to host entertainment events, it’s still used for the same purpose today (without the gladiator fights), and in summer, you can attend open-air operas or other performances. Just near the arena is the tourist information point, which offers a free scavenger hunt map of the city for kids. Before leaving Verona, you can join the long line to see the famous Juliette’s courtyard, which has her statue and the balcony. Entrance to the courtyard is free. You can also pay to enter the house.

Coeliac’s tip: If you or a member of your family are coeliac, there is an amazing Gluten-Free patisserie just outside Verona. It’s called Bacio Di Cioccolato, and they easily make the best Gluten-Free Cornetto (croissant) I’ve ever had.

Depending on your plans for the next days, you may choose to stay in Verona for the night or make your way to your next location.

Days eight and nine

Two nights on Lake Garda (maybe)

Up until now, your trip will have been quite full on, filled with cultural experiences, natural beauty and history lessons. You may be ready for something a bit easier for your last few days! Lake Garda can provide a great place for that as it’s really set up for families on vacation. Footpaths not just exist but are stroller-friendly! The resorts have pools and kids clubs. The menu’s are simplified and modified to suit the preferred palate of tourists from Northern Europe and the U.S.

The clear water of the lake and its clean beaches are perfect for cooling off in summer, and you may choose to spend a day or two trying different water-based activities like kite-surfing, SUP’ing, or taking a boat tour.

Lake Garda is known for its theme parks, so you might like to allocate a day for one. Gardaland is the biggest, which is also home to Legoland, but there are others too like jungle adventure park (think zip-lining and ropes courses) and Caneva Aquapark (water slides galore!). Hint: The traffic around Gardaland can be insane, so allow time for that!

It wouldn’t be a trip to Italy without a visit to a castle, and Lake Garda has one of the most beautiful. At the end of a little peninsula on the southern tip of the lake, you’ll find Scaligero Castle in Sirmione. The castle alone is worth a visit to Sirmione, but honestly, skip the gelato in town (if you can call it that).

Other things to do on Lake Garda: Hire a bike to ride along the waterfront.

Alternate locations for days eight and nine: Food or Fast Cars

Lake Garda is great for a family-based vacation, but it doesn’t provide the most “Italian” experience, so if you’re wanting to immerse yourself further in the culture, you might want to skip it! My suggestion would be to head down to Emilia-Romagna for a food tour from Parma (Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto) or car museums and racetracks in the Motor Valley. Otherwise, spend more time in Milan!

Mum and daughter break from site seeing in Italy | © *2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits.*

Days ten

Depart from Milan

The final day of your trip will likely be spent making your way to the airport. Ideally, you’ll fly out of Milan and hopefully have time to check out the Duomo and the Last Supper in the city before your flight.

Hint: Train strikes are not uncommon in Italy, particularly in high season! They’re almost always announced in advance, but make sure you have time and budget to get to the airport another way if they happen to shut down the trains for a day.

Note: This trip can also be done in reverse if you fly into Milan and home from Venice.

Embarking on a 10-day journey through Northern Italy offers an unforgettable experience, blending cultural immersion, natural wonders, and family-friendly adventures. Whether you choose to follow this itinerary or create your own adventure, Northern Italy will surely leave a lasting impression on you and your family and a trip like this will be one your kids take life lessons from.

From the enchanting canals of Venice to the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, and the historic streets of Verona to the tranquil shores of Lake Garda, each of these destinations provide the perfect backdrop for professional family photography in Italy. I’d love to photograph these memories for you so your kids can hold onto these learnings and the family bonding you all experienced.

Framed photos of a family photoshoot in Italy | © *2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits.*

Hi, I’m Kirstie

Photographer and Australian expat living her best gelato life

Love of my husband (but mostly of cheese) brought me to Italy in 2020. He was desperate to be back with his Italian family. And honestly, what Aussie girl could pass up the chance to move to the land of pizza and gelato?! (Seeing a food theme here?)

My decade of photography experience was inspired by a trip of a lifetime. My grandparents took me on a trip to Europe when I was a teen, then gifted me an album so I’d never forget it. That album quickly became a staple of family visits and storytime.

When I moved to Italy, I was surprised how rare that type of printed keepsake is for the locals. It’s quite literally a foreign concept - tourists won’t find that type of session here.

It inspired me to recreate an experience for others as deeply meaningful to them as my grandparent’s infamous vacation album has been to me.

So that’s my mission with Classico Portraits: to provide the same timeless centrepieces for families like yours visiting Italy.

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Are you coming to Italy with your family? Let’s customise a photoshoot experience to suit you and your personality!

Northern Italy 10 Day Itinerary from Venice or Milan with Kids