Exploring Italy: A Family’s Intentional Itinerary

Why Italy, Why Now

A slow travel experiment with two littles, a wedding, and a whole lot of pasta.
When my husband’s cousin announced he was getting married in Italy, we didn’t hesitate. We packed up our crew—me, my husband, our almost-three-year-old, our six-month-old, and my sister-in-law—and committed to three weeks abroad. Not just a quick trip, but a full-on immersion.

It wasn’t exactly perfect timing. I was just wrapping up maternity leave, and the wedding landed two weeks after I’d returned to work. We had no official time off, no buffer—but we decided to take the leap anyway. To pause the grind, embrace the chaos, and say yes to something bigger than routine.
Thanks to the rare privilege of staying in a family home tucked away from the tourist-heavy cities, we got to experience Italy differently. Instead of rushing through landmarks, we slowed down. We explored quieter corners, leaned into local rhythms, and let ourselves imagine what it might feel like to live in Italy, not just visit.
Our goal? To find beauty in the everyday, to travel light (emotionally and literally), and to see how Italian life—its rituals, its pace, its priorities—might shift our own. Spoiler: it did.

Packing Smart for Two Littles
Before we even booked flights, I started building a packing list. Not just a “throw it all in and hope for the best” kind of list—but a real, tested, sanity-saving plan for traveling with a toddler and a baby. If you’re prepping for a similar adventure, grab my printable family travel checklist—it’s designed for real life, not Pinterest perfection.

Here’s what we prioritized, and why each category mattered:

🧳 Lightweight Stroller | Momcozy ClickGo Lightweight Stroller
We needed something compact enough to gate-check, sturdy enough for cobblestone streets, and light enough to carry up stairs. A travel stroller is non-negotiable—and the right one makes all the difference.

🤱 Baby Carrier | Momcozy Baby Carrier – Ergonomic, Cozy and Lightweight Carrier for 3-24 Months
From airport security to sleepy city strolls, a good carrier was our MVP. It let us keep our hands free and our baby close, especially in places where strollers weren’t practical.

🛏️ Travel Crib or Sleep Solution
Sleep is sacred when you’re crossing time zones with littles. We brought a travel crib that was easy to set up, cozy enough for naps, and light enough to toss in the trunk.

🎒 Diaper Bag Backpack | Freshly Picked Classic II Diaper Bag Backpack
I wanted something that didn’t scream “diaper bag,” but still had room for snacks, wipes, passports, and a change of clothes. Bonus points for a design that worked from plane to piazza.

🍎 Toddler Snacks & Travel Toys
We packed a mix of fidget toys, reusable sticker books, and clean-ingredient snacks to keep our toddler entertained without relying on screens. These little lifesavers helped us survive long flights and even longer layovers.

I’ve linked a few options in each category—only the ones I’d pack again. If you’re prepping for your own adventure, I hope they help you travel a little lighter.

Navigating Flights and Jet Lag
Spoiler: You can’t hack it—you just have to ride the wave.

When it comes to flying internationally with kids, there’s really no magic formula. You just embrace the chaos and do your best. Leaving from the East Coast, most flights to Rome are direct or one-stop. On our last trip, we opted for a layover, but it dragged things out and added stress. This time, we went direct—and it made a world of difference.

One thing we’re lucky with: our kids are low-maintenance and pretty go-with-the-flow. For our toddler, we always pack a few trinket-style fidget toys [insert Amazon link] to keep him busy. The Amazon Fire Tablet for Kids is our last resort, but it’s a lifesaver when needed. For our baby girl, who was still nursing at the time, my travel nursing pillow was everything. The overnight flight meant we aimed for sleep—and while it’s never easy, we did our best to create a calming environment with white noise apps and the Hatch Restore 3.

Navigating Rome’s airport with kids in tow is its own kind of adventure: juggling luggage, customs, rental cars, and sleep-deprived decision-making. (Pro tip: renting gear from local providers can seriously streamline the process.) Thankfully, there’s a family lane at customs that’s quick and painless—no long lines, no drama.

Once we cleared customs, we headed straight to the rental car area. We’d brought our infant’s bucket seat—the kind that installs without a base—so setup was simple. For our toddler, we rented a car seat through Babonbo, and it was one of the best decisions we made. The local host met us right at the terminal with the seat, and within minutes, we had everything loaded and ready to go. No extra stops, no scrambling.

By the time we hit the road for our three-hour drive to Lucca, both kids were ready to crash—and honestly, so were we.

We booked through Babonbo, a platform that connects you with local families renting out baby gear. It was simple, affordable, and made arrival so much smoother. You can use my code JULIAXGABKTAEQH to take 10% off your first rental!

Jet lag? Surprisingly manageable. Their sleep schedules were off for a day or two, but they quickly settled into a new rhythm. And honestly, part of that was embracing the Italian flow of life. In Italy, kids are out and about well into the evening—7 p.m. bedtimes just aren’t a thing. The piazzas are alive, gelato shops are bustling, and families linger outside long after sunset. It felt freeing to let go of the schedule and lean into the moment.

Itinerary Highlights
For this trip, we skipped the typical Rome–Florence–Amalfi loop and chose a slower, more intentional route. We spent five days in Lucca, a walled ZTL city (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which means no cars inside the center. When traveling with kids, that’s a huge win—one less safety concern and way more freedom to roam.

Lucca was everything we hoped for: quiet, beautiful, and steeped in history. We rented an electric surrey bike and did an evening ride around the city walls—easily one of our favorite memories. The pace was slow, the piazzas were lively, and the kids had space to play while we sipped espresso and watched the world go by.

We used Lucca as our home base and chose just one major tourist spot: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was a quick drive and easy to navigate with little ones. Most days, we planned one key outing and let the rest unfold naturally. Jam-packed sightseeing days just aren’t realistic with toddlers, and honestly, they’re not our style either.

Downtime was built in—naps happened in the stroller, on the go, or back at the Airbnb depending on the day. We didn’t stress it. And one unexpected perk? We even snuck in a date night at Trattoria da Giulio thanks to my lovely sister in law for staying with the kids. Italy really does romance well—even when you’re traveling with kids.

Before leaving Lucca, we surprised our son with a day at Acqua Village Water Park—a Hawaiian-themed splash zone just outside the city. It was the perfect break from sightseeing: slides, wave pools, and plenty of shade for downtime. He was in heaven, and we loved watching him soak up every moment.

From there, we made our way south to Mirabello Sannitico, my husband’s parents’ hometown just outside Campobasso in the heart of Molise. It’s one of those places that feels untouched by time—narrow streets, sweeping views, and a quiet beauty that’s hard to describe. We stayed in his family’s second home, which also happens to be his father’s childhood house. Not grandiose, but absolutely perfect in its simplicity and sentiment.
We timed our visit to coincide with a pre-wedding serenade, a beloved Italian tradition where family and friends gather to sing, toast, and celebrate the couple before the big day. The piazza was alive with music and laughter, and the kids danced until well past bedtime. It was one of those moments that reminded us why we travel—not just to see new places, but to reconnect with old ones.

From Molise, we made our way to the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo—a stretch of Adriatic shoreline known for its dramatic cliffs, pebbled beaches, and the iconic trabocchi, wooden fishing platforms that now double as seafood restaurants. We stayed in the small beach town of Marina di San Vito Chietino, and it was everything we needed: peaceful mornings by the sea, lazy afternoons at the Airbnb, and cool evening walks for dinner and gelato.

The beach here is tucked beneath cliffs, with clear, calm water perfect for little ones. We didn’t over-plan—just let the days unfold. Some mornings we swam, others we wandered the promenade or {name of the overlook thing}. The town has a quiet charm, and the pace felt like a deep exhale.
After five days of beachside bliss, we packed up and headed back to Mirabello Sannitico for the wedding festivities. It was a full-circle moment—returning to my husband’s family home, re-exploring the surrounding countryside, and soaking in the traditions that make this region so special. The final week was a blend of celebration and reflection, with long meals, late-night laughter, and the kind of memories that only happen when you slow down and stay awhile.

Lessons Learned + What You’d Do Differently
From rookie moves to rhythm-finding: what we did differently this time.

This wasn’t our first time traveling internationally with kids—but it was the first time we felt like we really got it right. After our earlier trip with just our son, we knew what worked, what didn’t, and what needed adjusting. This time, with two littles in tow, we leaned into the lessons and gave ourselves permission to do things differently.

Here’s what we learned (and lived by):

One major outing per day is enough.
We used to try and squeeze in multiple sights, but it always led to burnout. This time, we chose one anchor activity—whether it was the Leaning Tower of Pisa or a beach morning—and let the rest of the day unfold naturally.
ZTL cities are a dream with kids.
Staying in car-free zones like Lucca gave us peace of mind and freedom to roam. No traffic stress, no constant hand-holding—just piazzas, playgrounds, and stroller-friendly streets.
Downtime isn’t wasted time.
Lazy afternoons at the Airbnb were just as valuable as sightseeing. They gave us space to reset, nurse, nap, snack, and just be. That rhythm made everything else more enjoyable.
Pack light, but pack smart.
We brought fewer clothes and more essentials: trinket toys, white noise apps, travel pillows, and snacks that actually travel well. The Kindle stayed tucked away until needed, and it was a lifesaver.
Embrace the local flow.
Italy doesn’t run on rigid schedules—and neither did we. Bedtimes stretched, dinners lingered, and the kids adjusted beautifully. Letting go of our usual structure made room for connection and spontaneity.
You don’t need to see everything to feel everything.
We skipped museums, passed on guided tours, and still came home full. Full of memories, full of joy, full of stories we’ll tell for years.

Final Thoughts: Why It Was Worth It
This trip wasn’t flawless. There were meltdowns, missed turns, and moments when we questioned why we ever left home with two kids and a suitcase full of snacks. But it was worth it—because it reminded us that intentional living doesn’t mean perfect planning. It means choosing presence over pressure, connection over control, and joy in the middle of the mess.

We didn’t chase every landmark or curate every moment. We let the days breathe. We followed the kids’ lead. We made space for slow mornings, spontaneous detours, and gelato before dinner. And in doing so, we found something deeper than a checklist—we found rhythm, laughter, and the kind of memories that feel like home.

This is what Curated by JLS is all about: beautifully practical living that honors real life. The kind with crumbs on the stroller, sand in the shoes, and hearts full from doing less—but doing it with intention.

Here’s to more trips like this. More chaos embraced. More beauty found in the everyday.

💬 We’d love to hear from you.
Every family travels differently—and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’ve mastered the art of packing light, discovered a game-changing travel hack, or simply survived a long-haul flight with toddlers in tow, your experience matters.

Drop your favorite tips, tricks, and lessons learned in the comments or tag us @CuratedbyJLS. Let’s build a space where real families share real wins (and real chaos) together. Because when we travel with intention—and share what works—we all go a little further, a little lighter, and a lot more connected.