With a name like Ciao Bambino, it’s no secret we log many hours sharing not-to-be-missed insider information on how to best travel to Italy with kids. Families from around the world have been relying on our portfolio of thoroughly vetted Italy family hotels, resorts, and villas for close to 10 years now! There are a few Italy family travel tips we share continually with those who use our booking service that help families plan the best trip possible.

I only know of one hotel in all of Tuscany that offers a proper supervised kids’ club with a dedicated facility, instructors, and full activity schedule: Hotel Adler Thermae in Bagno Vignoni. The reason this amenity is rare is that parents don’t really seek out kids’ club facilities while traveling in Tuscany with kids as there is so much to see and do together.

Adler Thermae, however, is the exception, as it offers a wonderful thermal spa and wellness center, i.e. parents have good reason to make use of childcare.

The medieval tower that sits atop the castello seemed to beckon us as we drove up the mile-long path from the entrance gates of Tenuta di Spannocchia to the main house of this centuries-old agricultural property, which lies just outside of Siena. This property offers something special to families traveling to Italy in high season, education programs designed specifically for them around history, sustainable agriculture, and cooking.

If you are looking for an authentic, cultural experience in Italy with kids on a working farm, Spannocchia is a fantastic experience for all ages.

Last year during our family vacation in Tuscany, Italy, we took a kid-friendly cooking class at our beloved agriturismo recommendation, Al Gelso Bianco. Amazingly, the class included kids from ages 2 to 13, as well as a set of adults seeking new skills. Everyone had fun! The secret? Hands-on engagement, good conversation, and a talented teacher. We had all three …

2013 is upon us and it’s time to plan family trips for new year! To support this effort, Anne Taylor Hartzell — aka Hip Travel Mama — and I put together a list of our top 10 family trips for those New Year’s resolutions.

In short, dare to experience new destinations with your kids, not just return to tried-and-tested favorites!

Located on the banks of the Arno River, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, Gallery Uffizi, and Via de Tomabuoni, Lungarno Suites may be the best-located hotel in Florence. With studios to two-bedroom suites, all with kitchen areas and luxury appointments, this is a gem for families visiting the Tuscan capital.

Lungarno Suites is part of the Lungarno Collection, owned by the famous Ferragamo fashion family, committed to sharing the style and craftsmanship of their native city of Florence.

The mountain scenery in the Dolomites, located in the northern Italian Alps, is off-the-charts spectacular. If there’s a place where “skiing isn’t just skiing” and the trek to get there is worth the time and expense, this is it. UNESCO-protected, the region’s distinctive limestone cliffs are the backdrop for over 1,200km of pistes, including the unbelievable 36km Sella Ronda loop that can be covered in a single — very focused — ski day.

We spent our ski break here last winter and discovered the Dolomites is a family ski holiday …

Two of the most famous seaside villages in Italy are Positano and Portofino. It’s easy to confuse the names, but these are very different places. Positano is on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy, while Portofino is part of the Italian Riviera in Liguria on the northern coast adjacent to the border with France. Both cities are breathtaking and must be on every Italophile’s bucket list.

One of the best parts about living in Switzerland was our easy access to the best skiing in Europe. And yes, I do think it’s worth the time and expense to travel across an ocean for a family ski holiday. Ski experiences vary greatly from country to country and just like any travel adventure, the fun is in understanding and appreciating a different approach to this beloved winter sport.

Dreaming about a ski trip to Europe this season? It’s not too late! Here’s what you need to know:

There’s no shortage of spectacular villages in Tuscany. When it comes to choosing the best Tuscan hill towns to visit with kids, I recommend prioritizing those with the biggest bang in a small area so logistics and walking are minimized. Located in the heart of the Unesco-protected Val D’Orcia region, Pienza tops my favorite list and we revisit this architectural gem whenever we are in the area. Here’s why: