Family Holiday in Amalfi Coast

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Amalfi Coast for Kids  For those who do not want to drive, the lively Sorrento is the most convenient place to explore the area. However, the villages along the coast (Nerano, Positano, Praiano, Ravello) have a laid back southern charm which makes them unique. Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular destinations in Italy and is a good place to give the kids a taste of the Italian south – the Mezzogiorno. The Amalfi Coast can get very busy in summer and is at its best in the spring and early summer, so it's perfect for Whitsun, autumn half terms, and Easter holidays. Sorrento's Settimana Santa Easter processions are famous throughout Italy. With babies and very young children, come prepared. The coast is vertiginous, so bring a very light pushchair and a baby carrier. Be prepared if your children tend to be sick in the car: the street which runs along the coast has many curves and is quite narrow and there is not always a space to stop!

The Must-See Pompeii is a must with older children. The city is so famous it needs no introduction. It's north of the Amalfi Coast on the southern side of the Bay of Naples, 25km from Sorrento. Herculaneum nearby is smaller, better preserved, and easier to visit with younger children. Positano is a picturesque village with colorful houses and shops. Amalfi was one of the most important maritime powers in the Middle Ages until an earthquake sent much of the town into the sea. Be sure to visit the Museo della Carta. It's in a working paper mill that opened in the 14th century and is the oldest in Europe. Kids can have a go at making their own sheet of paper. Ravello offers the best views of the coast and you can admire them from two lovely leafy gardens, the Villa Rufolo, and the Villa Cimbrone, while the kids run off steam.

The Great Outdoors Explore the area by boat; ferries run up and down the coast. Take a boat tour, swim on the clean waters around the Li Galli Islands and discover the beauty of the Grotta dello Smeraldo. Older kids will enjoy fishing or hiring a kayak, as the waters are usually calm and warm. Along the way, you can swim in the beautiful coves. The Amalfi Coast is great for walking. There are good trials on the Sorrentine Peninsula. A must is a hike along the Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods, which is beautiful, with lizards and butterflies to spot, and breath-taking views. The densely forested Lattari Mountains are also great for family hiking.

The Big Day Out Capri has stunning scenery and great cliff walks as well. Visit the Grotto Azzurra. Kids will love this extraordinary cave with iridescent blue waters. See the Roman Emperor Tiberius's summer hideaway and take the chair lift up to the highest point on the island, Monte Solaro.

What to eat Kids will enjoy the food. Nearby Naples is the home of pizza. Try the classic wood-oven Margherita and also the delicious fried pizza and calzone, filled with mozzarella and salami! You will find pasta everywhere, served with fresh tomato and basil sauce, or with seafood, excellent! Snack with an ice-cream gelato or a pastry, like sfogliatella, a puff pastry filled with ricotta and candied peel. Take a food tour, visit a lemon farm and an olive oil mill, or enjoy a cooking class altogether!

Where to stay On holiday with children, choose a small family hotel,  either a place with a pool or one which has access to a beach. Try to avoid the big hotels that are often chosen by romantic couples on their honeymoon.

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