Episode #84: Florence to Lake Como: A Dreamy Italy Trip with Kids (and Carry-Ons)

Florence to Lake Como: A Dreamy Italy Trip with Kids (and Carry-Ons)

If you're dreaming about Italy with kids, think: fresh pasta, Renaissance art, gelato for lunch, and lakeside sunsets, this post is for you. In this leg of our trip, we explored Florence and Lake Como, all with just carry-on luggage and a good dose of flexibility. Here’s what worked, what we learned, and what we’d definitely do again.

✨ Florence: Art, Shopping & That Duomo View

Florence was magical, just as I remembered it from 20 years earlier. We stayed right in the heart of it all at Il Tornabuoni, a Hyatt property booked entirely on points. Think cobblestone streets, cappuccinos at the bar, and music drifting through the square at night.

Some of our favorite experiences:

• Visiting the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti (Birth of Venus a journey through fashion amazing)

• Climbing the Duomo with the kids—fear of heights and all

• Finding perfect sandals at a leather shop from Divas shoes and sharing a dress we both love

• Breaking the "no-English-menu" rule—and having a great meal, as well as grabbing smoothies and healthy bowls from Shake Cafe.

• A Tuscany cooking day trip that felt like being welcomed into family

  • Book direct here or stay in their charming home here

🌿 Lake Como: Slow Living with Stunning Views

We stayed in Varenna, just up the hill from the ferry stop. It was peaceful, walkable, and full of charm. Our Airbnb had incredible views, and while the hike up was no joke, the peace was worth it.

What we loved:

• Our Airbnb in Lake Como HERE

• Renting a boat from Rent a Boat Varenna and cruising past movie villas

• Late breakfasts, slow strolls, dips in the pool

• A sunset dinner just down the hill from our rental

• A photo shoot in the rain that gave us a few treasured family shots

• More gelato. Always more gelato.

🧳 Travel Tips That Helped:

• Pack light, but double-check EU carry-on sizes—they're smaller than in the U.S.

  • We opted for suitcases from American Tourister
  • My favorite Travel Safe Purse HERE

• Book museums directly and skip guided tours if that’s not your family’s vibe

• Leave room for spontaneity, some of our best meals were unplanned

• Lake Como tip: if your rental says it’s a “steep 20-minute walk,” believe them

• Renting a car isn’t necessary, but a driver from the train station can be a life-saver

This part of our trip was the exhale. The rest stop. The art, awe, nature and naps. The sweet spot where vacation started to feel like presence.

Next up? A quick jump to Paris and our strategy for Disneyland Paris.

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