From the Colosseum to the Forum, Vatican City to mighty Circus Maximus, Rome is like a museum if museum’s are busy, lively, noisy, colourful and determined to feed you – constantly. Pizza, pasta and gelato are food groups here and all distinctively Roman. Every Rioni is thrilling in its own, unique way. And, if you want downtime, hire bikes at the gates of Villa Borghese and go cycle through the trees, visit the zoo, see the museums or catch a show at Teatro Piccolo: the smallest kids’ theatre in the world.

• The best area for reasonably priced 3-4 star family hotels in Rome’s Centro Storico is round about Termini Station. Just over the Tiber, Trastevere is the cool, characterful and pretty Rioni for aparthotels.

If Rome is a living museum, Venice is a real-live fairy tale for children whether they’re spellbound by glassblowers, voyaging on vaporetto or joining in Carnival. It’s not the best city for very young kids: it gets crowded and moving around is a bit of an art. But over 8s will love the high drama of the palaces, piazzas, towers and cathedrals, the haunting buildings and eerie little islands, canals everywhere and, of course, the lagoons.

• Stay on the Lido with kids for a balance of beachy freedom and city excitement a short sail away – you have the best view of Piazza San Marco over the lagoon.

Florence is the world’s greatest Renaissance city and packed with art, architecture and treasures. So far, so not very kid-friendly you might think. But gardens and rivers, big squares and the rolling Tuscan countryside are all part of the Florentine spell and it works its magic on everyone.

• Fiesole is the pretty, almost rural district just 20 minutes north of the city and a great area for charming family hotels and country resorts – cool for kids in the hot Tuscan summer.

All the Italian Lakes are beautiful, but Garda is perfect for active families. It’s the largest of the lakes, halfway between Milan and Venice and the one with aqua-parks, theme parks and masses of outdoor adventure on and off the water.

• Self-catering is the best value way to enjoy this area with kids.

Naples is a huge, sprawling Mediterranean city and Vesuvius alone is reason to visit. It’s also the best base for Pompeii and the lovely Amalfi Coast.

• From mountain villas overlooking the ocean to resort hotels and apartments, nowhere else in the south west competes with Naples for family accommodation.

Island ease and hours of sunshine make Sicily a perfect choice for families. Spring is festival season here and kids play a huge part in the celebrations. Visit for dazzling Infiorata di Noto in May.

• Self-catering apartments and family villas are a good choice on Sicily.

Sardinia has three of Italy’s national parks and the stunning Caves of Neptune, just for starters. Come once and it could turn into a family tradition.

• Island of contrasts, places to stay on Sardinia range from exclusive spa retreats with kids’ clubs to beach houses and holiday villages.