Theme Parks, Italy and Children

You might be wondering if Italy is the appropriate vacation venue for your kids, and rightfully so. Many children simply cannot yet appreciate the beauty and scenery Italy offers (although even the pickiest of eaters will be overjoyed with the food!) Don't fret -- there's plenty of entertainment for your children within Italy, so if you're planning to bring the kids, here are a few tested-and-true kid-pleasers -- and they might even prove fun for mom and dad, too.

Before you head off to Italy: Preparing the kids

It might not seem like much, but read books about Italy, show your kids pictures and read fun travel articles to them. The more they understand about the country and the very different Italian culture before they go, the less surprises they'll have. And they'll appreciate the smaller things on the trip as well.

If you're planning any kind of train, car or plane travel with your youngsters, keep snack foods and boxed drinks available -- preferably those low in caffeine and sugar. Cereal, crackers, raisins, pretzels and low-sugar beverages will satisfy your kids and keep them happy (and hopefully keep them from screaming and kicking the back of the seat) throughout your journey. Bottled water might be heavy, but it's especially helpful in preventing stomachaches in your little ones -- especially if they have sensitive tummies.

If you're looking to hit one of the theme parks and you're worried about rain or other nasty, inclement spoiling your day, call 045-644-9777 in advance to get a complete weather report. With these tips in mind, hit the fun stuff with the kiddies and don't look back.

The Italian Brand of Disneyland: Gardaland

Gardaland is clean, safe and well-organized theme park -- most "grown-ups" are actually as excited as the children, and if you're on Italian art overload, you'll appreciate a break from the culture crowds.

The characters are Italy's version of Disney, so be prepared to explain to your children, should they ask, that in Italy, this is their most popular cartoon family. Also be prepared for the souvenirs, as they cost a pretty penny (a stuffed animal can reach 40,000 lire -- more than the price of admission!

If you're looking to schedule this into an already strict itinerary, your best bet is to plan the trip when you're already headed to Venice. On your way, you'll pass the rococo palaces along the Grand Canal -- a site so breathtaking that even the youngest of your brood will gasp in delight. And with awe comes silence, allowing mom and dad to take in a deep breath of sea-fresh air and reflect on their good fortune.

To get to Gardaland, take the Milan-Venice autostrada and get off at Peschiera del Garda (if you're eastbound.) If you're westbound, take the Milan-Venice autostrada and get off at Sommacampagna. Then, all you do is follow the signs for approximately eight miles. (The signs are frequently missing, so if you don't see one for awhile, don't panic. You'll find it -- it's a fairly straight shot once you're off the autostrada. The park, which has an enormous parking lot, is open daily from March 27 to October 4. After their open season, you'll find the parks open only on weekends until November 1, when it closes for the season.

The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but getting there around 8 to get tickets is advised -- lines get extremely long, especially in October. If you're looking for a late night at the park, go between June 27 and September 13 the park's hours are extended from 9 a.m. until midnight. Tickets (as of May 1999) cost 35,000 lire for adults and children 11 and older (about $22 in American currency.) Children under three feet tall are free and children as old as 10 (and seniors, which is generally defined as over 55 in Italy) pay 31,000 lire. Admission is free to handicapped visitors (the park is handicap-friendly) and one guest or companion.

For more information, visit the Gardaland Web site or the Travel Tips Web site.