Tips For A Family Visit To Sicily
Sicily with Children
The Mediterranean island of Sicily is an outstanding place for a family holiday. From water parks to climbing the smouldering Mt. Etna, there are enough activities to keep your children busy for a week.
The easiest way to find Sicily on a map is to think of it as the ball the boot of Italy is kicking. Finding it on a map is the easy part, getting there with as many kids as 5 can turn out to be the real challenge. It’s rarely enjoyable dealing with airports, flights and taxis as a couple, but put 5 children in the mix and you end up at check-in with a pile of luggage that would put a Rolling Stones world tour to shame and a folder of travel documents that is in danger of needing its own seat on the plane. If you can keep everybody occupied, providing there aren’t any delays, it will all be worth it once you arrive.
Head for the beach.
You can’t beat a day at the beach and Sicily has a lot to choose from. If you like a bustling atmosphere then Lungomare di Cefalù is a great place to visit. The clear water means it’s ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Playing in the sea and on the golden sands all day will be sure to leave the kids wanting an early night. If you want somewhere more secluded then why not head to Vendicari Nature Reserve. Here you will find 8km of sandy beaches, cliffs and hidden bays. The only drawback is that there are no amenities, so you will have to take everything with you. The stunning scenery is well worth the extra effort and if you’re in luck you may even spot a flamingo.
Hot rocking.
If one thing dominates Sicily more than any other, it’s Europe’s biggest volcano – Mt. Etna. Even the most relaxed child will be amazed by the sight of flowing lava and the liquid hot magma. There are organised tours so you stay to the safe areas and even a cable car for some incredible views.
Cooling off.
After a roasting at the volcano, nothing can really beat cooling down in a pool. Most hotels are fine for this, but with a family as big as ours, it might be worth saving up enough money to rent one of the villas in Sicily – most of which come with a pool included. With your own temporary, family villa you can enjoy more of your holiday together than if you stayed in separate hotel rooms or in an air b n b apartment.
Looking for adventure.
If the children want more than a villa pool can offer, you are never far from a water or adventure park. Aquapark Monreale has a good range of slides and pools for the kids but if you fancy staying on dry land for the day, head for Madonie Adventure Park. An adventure playground in the woods with rope ladders, tree climbing and mountain bike hire. Mum and Dad should enjoy it as much as the children.
Those are just some of the delights for kids in Sicily. Once you have decided which activities would be best suited to your family you can start choosing the most convenient location for your stay!
