Italy Family

Located on the shore of Lake Garda, this family-run, modern hotel has a large, lakeside garden, kids pool and playground. Some well-priced apartments are also available. Kids will enjoy the pool while adults make arrangements for water sports activities.

Small, friendly, beautifully decorated and reasonably priced, this is the most conveniently located (though slightly more expensive) of five similar bed & breakfast properties with a homey feel. Think six cozy bedrooms with hardwood floors, silk-canopied four-poster beds, and colorful upholstery. Guests with small children can request a cot, bottle warmer and even toys. For further comfort, the hotel offers 21st-century amenities like air conditioning, WiFi, mini-fridge, and flat-screen TVs.

Agroturismos are increasingly popular across Tuscany – and Barbialla Nuovo is a stylish option. Set amongst idyllic woodland overflowing with wild boar, deer, cypress trees, and prized white truffles, three farmhouses have been turned into seven apartments and one villa. Staying here is a rare treat and the ultimate escape from modern life. Contrary to popular opinion about agriturismos, you don’t necessarily have to help out with chores, but taking a tour of the farm and going on a truffle hunt are both highly recommended. After you’ve spent enough time relaxing in your spacious, rustic-chic apartment, sample the host’s homemade fig jam, olive oil, and honey, take a dip in the pool, or explore nearby Siena, Pisa, or Florence.

For a laid back experience, check out one of the six country-style rooms at this farmhouse overlooking the coast. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the private terrace or participating in farm life.

Recently restored and centrally located (it’s within walking distance of the Duomo, Via Montenapoleone, and the railway station), this successful two-star hotel is known for its family-friendly atmosphere.

This quirky, 12-room B&B is a short walk from Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. A special family room with a Walt Disney video library can be booked, along with an ensuite sitting room with a climbable wall and two beds.

This lovely, slightly more modest version of Il San Pietro offers cliff-side rooms set among lemon trees, and a glass elevator that leads to a seaside pool and sundeck.

Budget-minded travelers will be in paradise at Casa Person, an 11-room family-run albergo in the historical center, but only a 10-minute walk from Piazzale Roma and the railway station. For prices this low, the rooms are predictably spartan. Still, the beds are comfy, the rooms are clean, and the service is friendlier than you might find at a grand hotel. Some rooms have bathrooms in the hall (you’ll pay a bit extra for in-room toilets). Be sure to say “ciao” to Pierino, the resident parrot.

The perennially popular Flora offers moderate prices in exchange for quasi-luxurious ambience. Located in San Marco and housed in a 17th-century palace, the hotel sits next to the reputed home of Desdemona, the heroine of Shakespeare’s Othello. The hotel’s 43 rooms, light and airy, are decked out in period furniture. Wood beams cross the ceilings. Ancient chandeliers and views across the ancient rooftops of Venice will certainly bewitch even the most hardened traveler. All rooms have a private bathroom and wi-fi access.

This big resort, part of the Rocco Forte Collection, opened in summer 2009 in an idyllic area of Sicily’s southern coast, a short distance from ancient Agrigento and the fishing port of Sciacca. There are 203 rooms, including 49 suites, all with sea views and private terraces. Flavio Albanese’s contemporary design uses traditional materials such as volcanic tufa, cane and timber. The rambling property features a private beach, two championship 18-hole golf courses, a spa with 11 treatment rooms (some treatments use seawater and Sicilian citrus), several bars and restaurants and a gelateria serving homemade ice cream.