Summer Travel | Ciao Bambino!
Laurel Perry

Summer vacation is what childhood dreams are made of. The days are longer; the sun shines warmer; even the ice cream tastes sweeter. And with the longer breaks from school, it’s the perfect time to make memories as a family by getting out of your daily routine at home and into brand-new destinations with your children.

Just like the fruits and veggies growing in fields and gardens, the world in summertime is truly ripe for exploring with children. The weather lends itself to bike rides through city parks or country lanes, hikes through mountains dotted with colorful wildflowers, and afternoons by the pool or on the beach.

The key to a successful summer vacation as a family is marrying a kid-friendly hotel or resort with age-appropriate activities that keep everyone happy. This is the hallmark of our professional travel planning service — our Family Travel Advisors are exceptionally knowledgeable about great places to stay and experiences around the globe. Combine that with our agency’s renowned feedback loop from the hundreds of traveling families we help each year, and you have all the components needed to ensure your summer vacation is one for the memory books.

Summer destinations that suit families are truly limitless. Many people have longer breaks from school or work during the season, making it the perfect time to venture far from home and get deeper into the world. For others, summer travel means easy-breezy days on the beach or by the pool. Parents of toddlers love cities with great playgrounds and pedestrian zones for evening walks, while families with teenagers seek resorts that offer the kids some independence. Regardless of your family’s priorities, we can help! A few of our proven family summer vacation ideas include:

Alaska

If America’s 49th state is on your family’s travel wish list (and it should be), summer is the ideal time of year to experience this Arctic region. Whether you witness the stunning scenery of Alaska by ship or by land, it’s mesmerizing for every age. Book early, as the limited tourism season means staterooms fill up fast.

Tuscany

Time and time again, our clients return home from a summer trip to Tuscany and say that it actually felt like a real vacation. Spend a few hours biking, horseback riding, walking through amazing towns and cities with a friendly guide, or shopping in colorful markets for fresh ingredients each day. Then let the kids splash in the pool while the adults sip local wines as the sun sets over the Tuscan hillside. It’s family travel perfection!

Safari

Once children reach school age, the question becomes not whether you should take them on safari, but when. Our clients who visit Africa tell us that their safari experience was life-changing for every member of the family, and having traveled to all the major safari regions ourselves, we agree.

Cape Cod

This coastal Massachusetts region is quintessential Americana — a beach vacation at its most charming. Colorful cottages, kid-friendly inns and miles of sand and surf ensure smiling, sun-kissed faces. It’s easy to see why families return to Cape Cod year after year, generation after generation.

Canada

America’s northern neighbor emerges from frozen tundra winters to become an evergreen playground in the warm summer months. Vibrant, multicultural cities like Vancouver and Toronto, or cities with a European vibe such as Montreal and Quebec City, hold plenty of appeal for families, as do the remote wilderness regions found across Canada’s provinces.

Dude ranch

If your family is searching for something really different for your next summer vacation, consider a dude ranch stay. Kids love the opportunity to be real-life cowboys and cowgirls, while parents love the variety of activities offered. Dude ranches are the ultimate summer boredom buster … kids will actually want to ditch their devices.

Scandinavia

There’s a reason the world’s happiest people call the Scandinavia region of Europe home. Cities like Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm come alive in the summer, with bike lanes galore, bustling cafes and fun museums. Rural regions provide lakeside retreats, breathtaking fjords and forests, and even a chance to see the Northern Lights.

There’s no more precious commodity than time with our children before they grow up. Knowing we only have 18 summers with our kids before they go on to lead independent lives means the time to start planning your family’s summer vacation is right now. Let us help create a unique, personalized timeline of summer travel options for your family.

Travel Planning

Experience the Best Summer Travel Vacations

Let Ciao Bambino! Plan Your Dream Trip

Our expert Family Travel Advisors are passionate about exploring the world with children — and empowering you to do the same. From handpicked accommodations to insider experiences, we can craft a custom vacation that’s uniquely suited to your family’s needs. Click to get started!

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Our Happy Travelers
"Katie planned the perfect trip. We all agree it was the best trip we've had, and the hotels were some of the best we've stayed in. We found that with a baby, it was only possible to get through about half of the suggested itinerary each day, which was great because it gave us options. We took time each night to debate what we would do the next day, and really enjoyed having those possibilities laid out for us.​"

–Beck Family Trip

"We have only good things to say about our entire trip and the planning process. You are a dream to work with! I especially appreciated how you narrowed down my options for each decision, so I wouldn't be overwhelmed. I haven't worked with a travel agent before, but you really surpassed my expectations. We will call you first the next time we travel!"

–Caldeira Family Trip

"We had an amazing time, and really appreciate all the work that you did for us."

–Clar Family Trip

“I have been blown away with the services you provide. I first contacted Barbara last summer on a recommendation to Ciao Bambino from a friend. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had not used this type of service before. We were beyond impressed with everything Barbara set up for our family.”

–Detter Family Trip

"We had a fantastic trip. So many thanks for your help in putting this together."

–Lange Family Trip

Hotels

Family-Friendly Summer Travel Hotels

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Hotel del Sol »

3100 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA

Omni San Francisco Hotel »

500 California Street

Hotel Zephyr »

250 Beach Street

Hotel del Sol »

3100 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA

Cavallo Point Lodge »

601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito

The Lodge at Tiburon »

1651 Tiburon Boulevard

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay »

One Miramontes Point Road

Omni San Francisco Hotel »

500 California Street

Hotel Zephyr »

250 Beach Street

Casa Montani »

Piazzale Flaminio, 9, 00196 Rome, RM, Italy

California Park Hotel »

Via Colombo, 32, 55042 Forte dei Marmi, LU, Italy

Borgo Scopeto Relais »

Strada Comunale 14 Siena-Vagliagli, 18, 53010 Castelnuovo Berardenga SI, Italy

Borgo Santo Pietro »

Località Palazzetto, 110, 53012 Palazzetto, SI, Italy

Albergo Villa Marta »

Via del Ponte Guasperini, 873, 55100 Lucca, LU, Italy

Albergo Santa Chiara »

21, Via di S. Chiara, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Punta Regina Positano »

Viale Pasitea, 224, 84017 Positano, SA, Italy

Al Gelso Bianco »

Via di Sant'Appiano, 50021 Barberino Val D'elsa FI, Italy

Internazionale Domus »

Piazza di Spagna, 20, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria »

Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, 80067 Sorrento, NA, Italy

Grand Hotel De La Minerve »

Piazza della Minerva, 69, 00186 Rome, RM, Italy

Colle San Paolo »

Vocabolo Muserale, 8, 06068 Tavernelle, Panicale PG, Italy

Casa Zorzi »

via jacopo da arquà, 23, 35032 Arquà Petrarca PD, Italy

Hotel Londra Palace »

Riva degli Schiavoni, 4171, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Hotel Flora »

Calle dei Bergamaschi, 2283, 30124 San Marco, Venezia VE, Italy

AC Palacio del Retiro »

Alfonso XII 14, Madrid

Marbella Club »

Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe

Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa »

Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

Hotel Ritz Madrid by Belmond »

Plaza de la Lealtad, 5

Parador de Nerja »

Calle de Almuñécar, 8, 29780 Nerja

Majestic Hotel and Spa Barcelona »

Passeig de Gràcia 68-70

Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza »

Plaza Jesús de la Redención, Sevilla, Spain

Parador de Granada »

Calle Real de la Alhambra, Granada

Aguilas5 Sevilla Suites »

Calle Águilas, 5, Sevilla, Andalusia, 41004, Spain

Hotel de la Tremoille »

14 Rue de la Tremoille, 75008 Paris, France

Esprit Saint Germain »

22 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris, France

Altapura »

rue du Bouchet
 73440 Val Thorens

Le Chevrefeuille »

Pechboutier, St Cyprien

Hotel Mas Des Carassins »

1 Chemin Gaulois, St. Rémy De Provence

Hotel Les Grands Montets »

340 Chemin des Arberons, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Hotel Brighton »

218 Rue De Rivoli

Domaine Des Hauts De Loire »

79 Rue Gilbert Navard, Onzain

Chateau De Ribagnac »

87400 St. Martin-Terressus

Saint James Paris »

5 Place du Chancelier Adenauer, Paris, France

Relais Christine »

3 Rue Christine

Pavillon De La Reine »

28 Place des Vosges

Les Fermes De Marie »

163 chemin de Riante Colline, 74120 Megève

Le Meurice »

228 Rue De Rivoli

California Park Hotel »

Via Colombo, 32, 55042 Forte dei Marmi, LU, Italy

Punta Regina Positano »

Viale Pasitea, 224, 84017 Positano, SA, Italy

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa »

2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA

Cheeca Lodge and Spa »

81801 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, USA

Fairmont Kea Lani »

4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, Kihei, HI 96753, USA

Hotel Esencia »

Tulum km 265 Xpu-Ha, Quintana Roo 77750 Mexico

Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort »

Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi, 41, 30126 Lido, VE, Italy

Hotel Continental »

Via Pagana, 8, 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure, GE, Italy

Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi »

Via Nicolò Cuneo, 34, 16032 Camogli, GE, Italy

Grand Hotel Miramare »

Via Milite Ignoto, 30, 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure, GE, Italy

Hotel Santa Caterina »

S.S. Amalfitana, 9,

Hotel Rufolo »

Via S. Francesco 1,  Ravello

Almyra Hotel »

Poseidonos Avenue

Masseria Torre Coccaro »

Contrada Coccaro 8, Savelletri

Fairmont Grand Del Mar »

5300 Grand del Mar Court

San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: 0-5, 13-18
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Tiburon, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Half Moon Bay, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
San Francisco, CA
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Rome, Italy
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Forte dei Marmi, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Chiusdino, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Lucca, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Rome, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Positano, Italy
Great for ages: 0-2, 13-18
Barberino Val D'Elsa, Italy
Great for ages: 0-5
Rome, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Sorrento, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Rome, Italy
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Panicale, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Arquà Petrarca, Italy
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-12
Venice, Italy
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Venice, Italy
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Madrid, Spain
Great for ages: 0-5, 13-18
Barcelona, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Marbella, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Marbella, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Madrid, Spain
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Nerja, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Barcelona, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Sevilla, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Sevilla, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Granada, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Sevilla, Spain
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Paris, France
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Paris, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Val Thorens, France
Great for ages: 0-2, 6-18
Saint-Cyprien, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Argentiere, France
Great for ages: 0-12
Paris, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Onzain, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Ribagnac, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Paris, France
Great for ages: All Ages
Paris, France
Great for ages: All Ages
Paris, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Paris, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Megève, France
Great for ages: Multi-Generational
Paris, France
Great for ages: 0-5, 13-18
Forte dei Marmi, Italy
Multi-Generational
Positano, Italy
0-2, 13-18
Carlsbad, CA
Multi-Generational
Islamorada, FL
Multi-Generational
Wailea, HI
Multi-Generational
Xpu-Ha, Mexico
0-5
Venice, Italy
Multi-Generational
Genoa, Italy
0-2, 6-18
Genoa, Italy
Multi-Generational
Amalfi, Italy
0-2, 13-18
Ravello, Italy
0-5, 13-18
Paphos, Cyprus
0-12
Savelletri, Italy
Multi-Generational
San Diego, CA
Multi-Generational
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