Is Italy worth visiting? I’ve had mixed reviews and that was one of the reasons why I hadn’t really put it at the top of my list. That and the fact that the country is pretty expensive on a daily basis especially when you travel as a family of four.
This year both my children had a class theme on travel where they traveled (imaginary of course because they are still small) through different countries in Europe. Italy was one of the countries. Since they were so enamored by it, we decided to put Italy on our bucket list.
Since we were not sure whether we would be in Europe for much longer, we packed our three weeks in Italy a lot. We had a number of different cities to see and it is noteworthy that we were traveling from the Netherlands by car. Yes! That’s right! As usual, we drove with two children in tow all the way down south. Here’s our takeaway of the whole process. As usual, I’m going to break it down into both the positive and the negative points so you can make an informed choice.
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Table of Contents
Is Italy Worth Visiting – The Pros
I’ll be honest. I have a lot of pros on this question because I really believe that Italy is worth visiting for more than just the hype. Here’s why it should be on your bucketlist.
1. Italy Is HUGE
I’m not even kidding. If you want to explore a huge country then Italy is definitely the place to go. Because it is a super long land mass, you will find that the terrain changes from north to the south. This means that everything from the weather, the activities and the food changes. Even the dialects change as you head from the North down to the South.
We felt this a lot since we were driving. Every time we crossed into a new region, there were a lot of subtle changes that took place where the food and culture were concerned.
2. The Food Is Divine
Speaking about the food in Italy, I have to say that it is one of the main reasons why I would travel back. The food culture in Italy is beyond doubt one of the best in Europe. Almost everything that we ate was a treat to our sense. I thought that I knew what Italian food would be like but truth be told, the real deal is so much more than what I expected.
I’m not just talking about pizza and pasta. I’m talking about all the cool other dishes that were layered with fresh vegetables, the soups, the pastries, the coffee! Oh the coffee! The coffee in Italy is a whole new level of heaven.
3. Let’s Not Forget About The Ice Cream
If you asked my kids whether Italy is worth visiting, they would have stated that the gelato made everything better. Though they did enjoy the other food too. Another dessert that they loved was the tiramisu.
Gelato in Italy is definitely something that everyone indulges in. I prefered all the natural flavors and chocolate.
4. The Cities Are Beautiful
Italy has some of the most beautiful cities that I have seen in the world. They are huge. Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona and Bologna were just a few of the ones that we covered during our trip. While we definitely had our preferences between the cities, I have to emphasize that despite being in the same country, each city had its own allure and charm.
5. There Is So Much History
If you are a history nerd like me, Italy will be stuff of your dreams. There is so much history entangled in all parts of the country. Every city has a lot of museums but the downside is that most of the museums are very popular. So being spontaneous doesn’t always work. You need to book your tickets in advance. We found places like the Colosseum extremely confusing online when it came to booking the Colosseum tickets.
My recommendation is to not try and do everything. Break it up into things that you want to see, things that you would like to see and things that don’t interest you a lot. It’s easier to book the museums and monuments that way.
Despite doing this, I found that we were very tired and exhausted. The next time I visit, I will space out the
6. The Beaches In Italy Are Amazing
We visited Italy during the shoulder season so we decided to try our luck with the beaches close to Ravenna. We were very fortunate because the days that we spent there were warm and beautiful with a few scattered showers. The beaches are clean with a wide expanse of soft sand. There are both public and private beaches so you can take your picnic blanket and plunk down to enjoy the view. I do recommend a parasol or some shade because there is nothing that will cast a shadow on these beaches.
7. People Are Super Friendly
People have always given me mixed reviews about traveling to Italy and how the locals react to them. I was nervous because many people talked about racism and given that our skin is brown, we could have potentially had a bad time.
Our experience was far from this. We were welcomed into most of the places we visited. People were super friendly and they made such an effort to help us overcome the language gap. I think knowing a couple of words in Italian and actually making an effort as a tourist also plays a huge role.
The hospitality of Italians is awesome. Even when you head into a restaurant, you aren’t rushed. They come and chat with you but it isn’t intrusive. I liked this a lot.
8. Italy Is Very Child Friendly
Italians love children. Our kids had so much fun everywhere talking to all the Nonnas and Nonnos around. They would wave their hands, try to communicate, laugh, share food or just show them their artwork. You will also find that the children are very welcome in all establishments. There are coloring books, games, colors, chairs etc. set aside for the children.
Is it Italy worth visiting with children? I think it is one of the best places in Europe for kids. It is also very inclusive.
9. The Cities Are Very Walkable
Like most countries in Europe, the cities in Italy are also very walkable. Our kids were 4 and 5 when we visited and we walked anywhere between 15-25 kilometers daily. Generally speaking my kids walk alot but they do cap out at around 10 kilometers with the younger one walking around 7-8. But with days on end of walking, I noticed that both of them were very tired. This was also because our itinerary was very packed.
Our solution was a scooter and a Joolz stroller. The scooter was one with three wheels so if the child was tired, they could just stand on it and we would push. When it was not in use, we strapped it onto the stroller. Made it super easy and they could nap in between.
10. Public Transport Is Awesome
Public transport is a great way to access all parts of the cities in Italy. This makes it easier to cover large distances especially if you have a short time in a city. The fact that it is less expensive than renting your own vehicle and paying for parking makes this a total no brainer. Plus many of the cities have limitations on where you can drive and timings when you can. This eliminates the problem all together.
11. Let’s Not Forget About The Art
Italy is one of the best places in the world if you art. Almost every place that you head to has some work or replica of an Italian artist.
I’m not talking just about the main cities. I’m talking about everywhere. There is always something and a lot of it is tied to history. I found that interesting. So yeah is Italy worth visiting for the art? I’m going to HELL YEAH!
There are so amazing local shops too. So worth checking out.
Is Italy Worth Visiting: The Cons
Moving on to the downsides of visiting Italy, let’s talk about all the things that make visiting the country not so pleasant. There are a few things that really put a crimp in our style though they weren’t enough to deter us from considering a second vacation to the country.
1. The Crowds
Italy suffers from overtourism. Despite visiting in the shoulder season, we found that every single place was crowded in the cities. Restaurants had to be booked in advance. Anything popular had huge lines. Even getting into a LEGO store could involve a wait.
There is a work around though. Avoid the popular tourist spots, head to the hills or the lesser known sites. You do miss out on many of the cultural attractions though. The good part is that the whole of Italy is beautiful.
2. The Cost
Italy is frightfully expensive. We thought that we had the budget under control until we didn’t. Luckily for us we are always prepared and have a back up emergency fund set up just in case so we weren’t over our head. The way I see it, the costs slowly sneak up on you. Every meal is just a little bit more expensive. It’s just one more museum. This is especially true in places like Rome and Venice. I found that Florence and Turin weren’t as bad but in case you need it I have a list of free things to do in Florence up on the blog too.
If you head off the beaten path, you will find that the costs are slightly lower but they are still not comparable to places in Portugal and Spain. I think even France was cheaper. Cheaper than Switzerland though. It isn’t something that should deter you but something that you should keep in mind.
3. You Have To Plan A Lot
I have evolved when it comes to traveling. I know what I want to do and I just book the accommodation. Generally, I go with the flow and the kids when we reach. That way we aren’t too tired or too bored. It’s easier. Unfortunately you can’t do that in Italy. You need to book things way in advance because they sell out. It’s either that or miss out.
This planning took a lot of time in the beginning and it was very hectic when we were there. I found this very frustrating. Is Italy worth visiting with all the planning? While I did find it super annoying, I’m still going to say that the benefits outweigh the cons here.
4. Language
Being Italy, Italian is the main language. Unlike the Netherlands, you will find that not everyone understands English. This is especially true when you head outside the main cities. We didn’t have much of an issue because we know a couple of the Latin languages so it was easier to communicate or at least translate. The people are super friendly and make a genuine effort. I think the warmth is something that just bridges that language gap.
While this wasn’t an issue for us, I know that it is something that many people would find a con. An easy way to overcome this is by making note of the popular phrases and using them. Duolingo and other language apps will take you through the basics.
As you can see, I’m totally pro Italy. Is Italy worth visiting? My whole being shouts YES! The costs and the planning are things that act as a deterrent for frequent trips. I think that every country has its pros and cons. It also differs from person to person.
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