By Josienita Borlongan
Any parent can attest that traveling with children is never an easy task, especially of the trip involves international travel, which can be an exhausting journey. Parents with little kids in tow have to find ways to keep them entertained so that everyone will have an enjoyable and memorable vacation. Fortunately, many international destinations can provide activities and entertainment for families with children to make their vacation a memorable one. Italy is one of those destinations where a young family can experience the beauty and wonderment of its culture.
Borghese Park
Rome
Italy is famous for its art museums and galleries. A visit to Italy is not complete without touring its famous museums. Families with young children, however, should limit their tour time when visiting popular museums to avoid overwhelming and boring their children. There is a place where parents can introduce appreciation for the arts to their children and is entertaining for everyone. Borghese Park is the largest public park in Rome. It features a lake, temples, fountains, statues and several museums. It is a great choice for families because its small size allows for a manageable tour. Parents can keep their children at bay as they learn about art pieces from all over the world, from Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio masterpieces. There is also artwork from great artists such as Rubin, Titian and Canova. Once the tour is over, kids can exit from the gallery into the vast park to run around, rent bikes, ride boats and pedal carts. Families can also enjoy having a picnic outdoors. Borghese Park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visitors should book tickets in advanced.
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5
00197 ROMA
0039-06-8413979
Gondola Ride
Gondola
When visiting Venice Italy, families can enjoy a ride on a gondola. Parents can bring children daily to enjoy a 40-minute ride from April through November. Families can take a short tour walk that takes them to the gondola dock, where they can enjoy a trip on a beautiful gondola along the Grand Canal. During the gondola ride, families will discover the unusual reality of this atypical city, while they relax on the boat gently floating on the water. A gondola ride costs 80 euros as of 2009; however, families can negotiate with a gondolier for a discounted price.
Departure location is at St. Mark's Square, Tourist Information Office (A.P.T. San Marco 71/F), close to the Correr Museum.
National Museum of Pasta Foods
Pasta
Families who enjoy good food can visit the National Museum of Pasta Foods (Museo Nazionale delle Paster Alimentari), which is a unique museum located near the Trevi Fountain. It is a museum that educates people about pasta-making and its history. The museum features 11 exhibition rooms that feature methods spanning eight centuries used to make pastas such as spaghetti, spaghettini, bucatini, linguine, rigatoni, penne, falfalle, margherite, risoni and stellette. It is open daily except holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. As of 2009, the entrance fee for adults is 10 euros and for children less than 18 years old it is 8 euros. For parents visiting with their children, they can get a discounted rate where both parents pay full price and pay only 1 euro for each child.
National Museum of Pasta Foods
Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari
Piazza Scanderberg, 117
06-699-1119
Resources
About the Author:
Josienita Borlongan is a full-time information technology manager and a writer. She writes for Business.com, OnTarget.com and various other websites. She is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Cisco Certified Network Associate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Saint Louis University, Philippines.
