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Our family vacation to Italy this summer was, in a word, sublime. Growing up partly in Italy, and having roots there, it was beyond special to introduce my kids to a country I love so much– but it was particularly incredible to watch my kids really explore and enjoy a vacation right alongside us. The four of us were in heaven! There is nothing more chic than “La Dolce Vita”, and being in Italy was so inspiring, reinvigorating, and got my wheels turning for other trips we can take as a family! We were there for ten days total, before heading to Croatia. Today I thought I would share the photographic album of our trip, along with some of the highlights. Feel free to comment below if you have additional questions that I didn’t answer!
Our trip started off in Rome. The we took a night time flight to arrive early in the morning, and surprisingly the kids did GREAT. I’m going to write a longer blog post about international travel with kiddos, but if you want some basic travel tips check out this post about travels with toddlers! Rome is where I grew up (besides NYC), and I have family there that my kids had never met! I was excited to introduce them to my Grandmother (Nonna) who is their GREAT grandmother, as well as my Aunts Valentina and Roberta. My brother Leone was also in town, who my kids adore, so that was a treat too! It was so fun to see everyone, and especially to watch my kids interact with my grandmother. She was in heaven, too. Major was giving her big, wet smooches, and Marlowe was snuggling in her lap nonstop. She cooked an insanely delicious lunch for us the day we got in, which I was really looking forward to. Her Tiramisu is the best in all of Rome!
The city was insanely hot when we were there, so I didn’t want to push the kids too much to sightsee. I decided that the two places I really wanted to take them were the Pantheon (one of my all time favorite sites ever), and Piazza Navona– where I had spent a lot of time growing up. We even went to the toy store at the corner of Piazza Navona where I used to go as a little girl!
Next up was the Amalfi Coast. We stayed in the most beautiful rental house called Villa Luisa, right outside of Maiori. It was built in to the cliffside in the sixties, and had the coolest indoor-outdoor floor plan. My favorite part was the patio with a line of chairs overlooking the mediterranean. The mornings and evenings there were insanely beautiful. The house also had a pool, which was amazing because the days were HOT! The kids did so well with their swimming, and Marlowe even learned to float on her back. We would walk down stairs built in to the rocks to reach these really cool swimming holes where we could take a dip in the ocean. Since Kyle and I both love exploring, almost every day we would venture out to explore the neighboring towns. We went to Cetara, Ravello, Minori, Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. Each town was beautiful and special in its own way, but my favorites were probably Positano and Cetara. The beach in Positano was beyond picturesque, and I loved the winding streets and little squares we found. And Cetara was the biggest surprise! It’s the cutest town ever, with really cool, hip restaurants and bars, and a sweet playground right near the water. I had never heard of it before, so I wanted to make sure to mention it here for those of you exploring! I spent a lot of time as a child in Ravello, at an estate called La Rondinaia, as the owner (Author Gore Vidal) was a dear friend of my Mother’s. We had the pleasure of going back to visit La Rondinaia on this trip, just to see and relive the memories, and it was so super special! Gore passed away several years ago, but they kept his study exactly as it was and you can totally sense his spirit and energy there. It was beautiful.
Kyle and I got a little day date in one day to Capri! We took the ferry there, and it only took an hour and a half from Maiori. Once there, we walked around, ate lunch, and got cocktails at the most beautiful boutique hotel EVER, J.K Place. Kyle and I are already planning our return to that hotel with the kids– it was heaven.
All in all, I feel like we all embraced the Italian inside of us on this trip! LOL. My kids ate every single thing offered to them, like total champs. Marlowe even shelled her own shrimp, and both ate squid and clams almost every day. I told them that the chefs in Italy don’t know how to make pasta with butter…LOL. Marlowe also got really in to the topless beach culture. Once she saw that none of the little girls her age wear the tops of their bathing suits, there was NOTHING I could do to get her to keep one on. Thankfully, I can report that she has returned back to customary American beach bathing with top included. Ha! I think everyone’s favorite vacation mode detail, though, was the fact that the kids stayed up late with us to eat every night, and slept in also! I found that the European schedule worked really well with them, and we napped them as needed for extra busy days. Overall, the logistics were much more chill than I was expecting! I’m adding my highlights below, but please add to it in the comments below if you have great recommendations!
Highlights…
- Hotel Manfredi Suites. We loved this boutique hotel in a great neighborhood in rome!
- The Coffee Granita at Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona, Rome
- Al Sogno Toy Shop, Piazza Navona, Rome
- Villa Louisa, Maiori. This was the villa we stayed in on the Amalfi Coast!
- Sandali Tipici, Maiori. I got sandals made for our whole family here and love them!
- Aqua Pazza, Cetara. This seafood restaurant is delicious, and so fresh!
- Cameo and Coral Factory, Ravello. This little boutique has the most beautiful cameo jewelry. Kyle bought me a special ring as a gift to remember our trip!
- Cumpa Cosimo, Ravello. We loved this restaurant so much we ate there twice in one day! LOL.
- The Beach Club at Positano. You pay for the day, and the beach is so charming and picturesque. Amazing beach bar, too.
- La Sireneuse. Make a reservation for lunch here for a stellar view.
- JK Place, Capri. This hotel is the chicest of chic. I sat there with my mouth hanging open the entire time. A MUST! Amazing cocktails, too, if you just want to go for a bite and an ogle.
Shop the look…
Looks like a dream! How was traffic? Did you rent a car to get around Amalfi? Keep hearing traffic is worse than LA!
omg traffic wasn’t nearly as bad as LA! But the roads are pretty stressful because they are lots of curves and the roads are skinny! (we rented a car, or took cabs for dinner if we knew we were going to be drinking)
Gorgeous! Absolutely love it! Can’t wait to take my kids one day. Italy is my absolute favorite and I love Positano!
It will be so special when you do! xo
Ciao ciao, che bello leggere e guardare le foto della nostra (anche tua) Italia. Sono contenta che ti sia piaciuta. Torna presto, magari al Nord. Io abito vicino Milano
Hi Eva,
Loved reading this post about your amazing trip to Rome, the pics are beautiful and your family is just precious. There is something so magical about being in Europe, it feels like you are in a different world. You have given me so many stunning places to visit when I go next year 🙂 Does your dad still live in Rome? I am so in love with the crystal blue waters and beautiful chic colorful buildings.
Thank you so much for this.
Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Thanks, Kelley!!! 🙂 No he doesn’t, he lives in canada now!
OMG are you the most photogenic (and beautiful) family ever or what? Adorbs!! But I think it’s safe to say that Lowie is the little star posing like a supermodel in her precious outfits! She’s a natural 🙂 Thanks for sharing I might have to hurry up my next tript to Italy.
Aww thanks so much! xo
Hi! Love your blog and pictures. Love love love amalfi!!! Wondering if you noticed anything about gluten free options? Me and my husband have traveled there but not since I had kids. My 4 year old daughter has celiac and was wondering if it would be easy if I brought her on our next vacation?
Ooof, that’s so tough! I did notice some options at placed we went to in rome, but I think in the smaller towns like the Amalfi coast, it may be more complicated. You can always phone ahead though! I hope it works out for you guys! xo
What a special trip! So beautiful. Happy for you!!!
Thanks, Suzie!
Where did you get the pink floral dress that you’re wearing with the pink headband? I don’t think I see it linked and it’s so so gorgeous.
It’s a brand called Janet Russo, but isn’t available online, which is why I didn’t link it 🙁
Ah, bummer. But thanks! It’s so pretty on you!
I love that one too ?
What an amazing trip! Love how grown up your kids look! Did you take all the photos or did you hire a photographer out there for some of your outings?
We took them!
Hi Eva, we are planning a similar trip next year. Would you base yourself again in Maiori or would you choose sorrento or another town? Thanks
Gorgeous photos ! This vacation looks like it was perfect !
Love this post! Gorgeous pictures! So glad you had a great time. I love the black swimsuit with the belt-like thing at the waist 🙂 Could you share where it’s from please? And I’d love for you to do a post on what you keep in mind when packing clothes for travelling (I don’t think you’ve ever done one?) How do you pack a stylish suitcase without carrying an entire wardrobe? 🙂
These pictures are absolutely stunning, and this whole trip looks like a total dream! I lived in Rome for 5 years in my early 20s, and miss it everyday. This is giving me major FOMO, but also inspo for a long trip there next summer!
I just keep thinking how special it will be for your kids to have these incredible pics of their childhood, but especially of mamma looking so gorgeous and glamorous! I think we all love going back to look at these kinds of memories..it’s so cool yours are memorialized on your blog like this. ♥️
AMAZING!Photos.. What a beautiful trip! You all looked so relaxed and vacationed. Wonderful memories! XO Lisa
I have to say, all of these pictures are so dreamy, but the ones of you in particular are GORGEOUS!!
So sweet, thank you!
I loved following your trip online, but these photos all together are absolutely gorgeous! I hope someday I can go there and have even half the amazing trip your family has had. Also I love how photogenic you all are. Beautiful kids
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