Venere Travel Blog - It's our business where you sleep!

Travel can be one of the most important learning experiences a family can have, and in a country as rich in history as Italy, a family vacation can really be taken advantage of for its educational value.

When helping families plan their trips as part of my work at Context Travel, I often find several things parents should be aware of as they embark on their adventure.

1. Be prepared

Do some advance reading with your kids so they’ll be prepared for what they are about to see. It will make them more interested when they arrive (which will help you in the end as well!). Whether it be gladiators, mythology, or the technique of painting/sculpting….find something that catches their imagination and run with it!

 2. Think logistics

You will most likely be walking more than you would normally, so be prepared with the basics (water, sunblock, hats, etc). A push stroller is a must for kids under 6, just imagine walking the city for hours a day. It makes you tired as an adult, never mind a child! If you are coming in the summer months, plan your outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the summer sun. Also remember that Italy is not well known for its air conditioning, whether in restaurants or museums. Public restrooms and outdoor benches, etc are not always available in abundance, but a quick pit stop at a café can solve that.

3. Get creative with lodging

Look for a hotel or B&B that will let kids be kids. Remember that even if you are in a cultural center such as Italy, the choice to have a dip in a pool can be a lifesaver. Many hotels offer babysitting services or activities for kids to give parents some needed alone time.

4. Remember your audience when planning activities

The most important thing to remember is that even the brightest and most well behaved of children still cannot be pushed to do as much sight seeing as one could do in a group of just adults. Shortened visits to sites punctuated by stops for gelato are always great. Also trying to combine one cultural activity a day with something more hands-on is a good way to keep your kids from activity overload.

Over the past year at Context, we’ve actually worked with an arts education specialist to put together a whole series of activities for families. Walks are normally 2 to 3 hours, which is a good length of time for keeping energy and interest up. All the scholars who lead these walks have been trained in VTS (visual learning techniques), which is a questioning method to get the entire family involved in sharing their knowledge and enjoying the experience together. Activities range from a Lion Hunt orientation through the streets of Venice, a treasure hunt style exploration of Florence’s history, and a Mythology Workshop in a Renaissance villa in Rome.

Photo of family visiting Venice, Italy originally posted by Haycarrieanne