After enjoying many European cities, our family was ready to find a sandy beach with shallow water for our daughter to enjoy.
Nice France: Stunning Views, Deep Water
The beaches in Nice, France were stunning, but the ocean got deep quickly for a young toddler. Older kids and adults could easily enjoy it, but we needed something more suitable for our little one. As we planned the next part of our trip, my husband did some research and found a family-friendly beach in Italy—apparently where many Italian families go on vacation.
When Travel Priorities Shift: Finding the Sweet Spot
The things I wanted most at this point in our trip were easy, fun activities for our daughter while also enjoying new places. I think my travel priorities have shifted—I want to have fun, but I also want things to be family-friendly and enjoyable for everyone. There’s less pressure to constantly entertain my daughter when there are kid-friendly attractions that are genuinely interesting for adults too.
Alassio: Our Italian Beach Paradise
Location, Location, Location
When we arrived in Alassio, my husband had found a hotel near the beach. After arriving, we discovered we were directly across the street from a playground! This quickly became one of my favorite stops—so easy to take my daughter to either the beach or playground.
Beach Day Bliss Made Simple
We decided to get reserved chairs on the beach so I could focus on my daughter playing in and out of the water instead of watching our belongings. (There are public beaches available if you’d rather not spend the extra money.)
The Perfect Town Layout
As we explored the town that evening for dinner, we found we were actually on the edge of the cute downtown area, with lots of shops and an extended waterfront. I would stay where we did again—close enough to walk to food and shopping, but in a quieter area for peaceful sleep.
Alassio became one of my favorite places from our entire trip. It’s a super cute town that I highly recommend.
Lake Maggiore Magic: Baveno vs. Stresa
One of my other trip highlights was the town of Baveno. While nearby Stresa was also quite nice, we decided to stay in Baveno since it had adorable charm and more affordable lodging. We were able to enjoy time on Lake Maggiore as well as the hotel’s pool. There are also many ferries available to explore islands on the lake—we didn’t partake this trip, but we would definitely plan to on another visit.
Why Italy Wins for Family Travel
Overall, we really enjoyed our time in Italy. If you’re looking for a family-friendly trip, I highly recommend Italy for several reasons:
- Delicious food that even picky eaters can enjoy
- More affordable food and lodging compared to other destinations
- Family-oriented culture that makes traveling with kids feel natural and welcomed
- Diverse experiences: Take a swim in the Mediterranean or visit one of the stunning lakes
For more Italian recommendations, check out our previous trip blogs!
DISCOVERING PARADISE: A HIKE ABOVE LAKE COMO
UNEXPECTED PIZZA PERFECTION: A SERENDIPITOUS CULINARY ADVENTURE
A TASTE SENSATION: AUTHENTIC GELATO DELIGHTS AT GELATERIA ANAKENA
A Quick Note from Home
Sorry for the delayed post! We’ve been back home for a bit but recently moved. It’s been busy settling in and unpacking with the “help” of a toddler. Their enthusiasm for unpacking boxes is both adorable and wonderfully time-consuming.
Stay tuned for our next adventures!
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