In the modern era, families find themselves increasingly spread over vast distances. You might have cousins, aunts, and uncles thousands of miles apart – and even if everyone is based in the UK, you might not see them more than once or twice a year.

There’s a simple antidote to all of this, and that’s to arrange a family reunion. And what better place for such a thing than Italy: a country whose culture remains heavily rooted in family?

Let’s take a look at some of the destinations ideal for family holidays in Italy.

Certosa di San Martino in Naples Italy

Certosa di San Martino in Naples

Naples

Naples is a city best known for its famous bay, and for its most famous culinary export: the amazing pizza. During your stay here, you’ll also be able to pay a visit to nearby Pompeii. If you’re entertaining children, there is also a range of other distractions to consider including the underground city, museums and ancient medieval castles.

Make sure you take the children for some authentic Italian cuisine, I’m yet to find a child that doesn’t love pizza, pasta and gelato. There is plenty of fresh seafood available in the numerous restaurants too.

Manarona Cinque Terre

Manarona in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre

If the idea of spending some time sightseeing in the Italian Riviera appeals, then the Cinque Terre coastline is worth considering. These five little fishing settlements are the crown jewels of the region, thanks to the iconic, many-hued buildings and the array of amazing hidden beaches.

Just one of the five settlements, Monterosso, comes with its beach. You’ll also want to check out Bonassola Beach, Albana Beach, and the various beaches of Corniglia. In many cases, the best beaches are the ones not marked on any map – so ask the locals for recommendations and directions.

houses on mountainside in Sicily

houses on mountains in the countryside of Sicily

Sicily

This island is known as the volcanic crossroads of the Mediterranean, but it offers a great deal of natural and cultural treasure to enjoy in its own right. You can spend much of your time hiking through the central hills and mountains, or you can take it easy in the seaside cities.

There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sicily to explore including the archaeological area of Agrigento which includes the well-preserved ruins of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, the Temple of Concordia, Temple of Heracles, and Temple of Juno.

And the ancient city of Syracuse, which was once a powerful Greek city-state and the necropolis of Pantalica, which features thousands of tombs carved into the limestone cliffs.

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano and the highest volcano in Europe. It is known for its frequent eruptions and unique lava formations. The surrounding area is also home to a rich biodiversity.

For fans of late Baroque architecture, Val di Noto has eight towns worth a visit in Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli.

Cala Luna Beach on Sardinia island

Cala Luna Beach on Sardinia island is ideal for a relaxing break

Sardinia

Behind Sicily, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and renowned for beautiful beaches, turquoise sea. It’s a place that naturally lends itself to the family activity holiday. You can go out onto the waters in search of dolphins, and snorkelling opportunities. Alternatively, you can soak in the series of amazing caves that sit just beneath the city. It’s very family-friendly,

The best beaches in Sardinia include La Pelosa Beach (Stintino), Cala Goloritzé and Cala Mariolu (Golfo di Orosei), Cala Brandinchi (near San Teodoro) Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Porto Giunco and Spiaggia di Is Arutas for white sand.

Direct flights from London are to Cagliari if you are wanting luxury villa overlooking the ocean. And for those that prefer all-inclusive food and drink, there are package holidays in family resorts which cover hotel accommodation and airport transportation, etc.

 

Verona Italy

Fair Verona, Italy

Verona

Verona is a city that matches well with literature-loving tourists, thanks largely to its use as the setting for Romeo and Juliet. For the same reason, it’s earned a reputation as the ‘city of love’. It comes with its own uniquely Italian architecture and plenty of hidden Easter eggs that provide clues to the background of the play.

The Capulets in Romeo and Juliet were based on the Da Cappello family, whose crests can be seen around the city. You can also find the balcony where the world’s most famous doomed romance first came to be!

There are plenty of other options of course, Lake Garda, Sorrento on the Amalfi coast and the enchanting vineyards of Tuscany are a personal favourites, but I’ve talked about them before.