Bibione with kids: family-friendly Italy
It’s rare that I start the year with only one trip booked – but what a trip to look forward to, a long overdue return to Italy… child-free. But it’s also a reminder that somehow I still haven’t taken my daughter to the land of pasta, pizza and gelato, with its wonderful cities and culture as well as that fabulous food.
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Venice in particular has been on my family travel wishlist for a while, since she’s been old enough to wander by canals without too much chance of falling in. And along with the magical historic centre and bright colours of Burano, there’s even a beach to keep her happy, at nearby Bibione, an hour away by train.
With its own lagoon and canals, fishermen’s homes dotted alongside, there are plenty of tempting things to do in Bibione itself. Natural hot springs mean there are thermal baths and a spa, plus special treatments for kids and an indoor and outdoor pool surrounded by trees.
Or hire bikes and head out along the easy paths which take you to pine forests and inland, while if you venture a little further you’ll discover the area’s vineyards and amusement parks like Aquasplash.
There are watersports, games and activities on the beach at Bibione for kids too; it’s one of Italy’s biggest at 8km long – not to mention the Blue Flag seal of approval.
If you’re worried about snagging a sun lounger, the Imperial ApartHotel has got that covered as well with sunbeds and umbrellas on a private spot for each apartment, not to mention its own three outdoor swimming pools.
Plus, of course, it solves the dilemma of where to stay with young kids in Bibione – all the flexibility of an apartment with the facilities of a hotel, including a kids’ club and entertainment, nursery for babies from newborn up and a restaurant with a kids’ menu that changes every day, including baby food and dishes for various allergies and intolerances.
This being Italy (and the white asparagus capital of the country incidentally), it goes without saying that it’s not chicken nuggets and chips either!
Add a microwave in the apartments, and it’s perfect if you’re travelling with babies – plus changing tables, bottle warmer, high chairs, potties and strollers free to rent, and baby beds, anti-fall guards and step stools too. There’s also a laundry on site and bikes with child seats on offer.
And the most practical thing of all? Space… The family apartment has three rooms, sleeping up to six, with sun beds looking out to the sea from the terrace, WiFi and living room with kitchenette.
The smaller family suite still has two rooms, so no spending your holiday cowering in the dark waiting for little ones to fall asleep.
Which only leaves me to wonder one thing. Exactly why haven’t I haven’t taken my daughter to Italy yet…?
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN BIBIONE WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Images: beach and lagoon courtesy of Depositphotos; all others courtesy ET Group hotels.
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Have fun! I love the umbrella picture at the top of the post!
Thanks!
It looks like a great way of combining the beach with the city, Cathy, and those apartments look really family friendly. I can sympathise with your travel dilemmas – we haven’t got anything booked at all apart from a little UK jaunt over half term. I’m already jealous of your Italy trip! Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
I’m being uncharacteristically indecisive this year – I blame not having quite as much time to plan and dream. One idea is finally taking root for half-term…
OOh thanks for introducing this to me!! I need a beach trip and this is actually not thhhat far for a long weekend road trip! I haven’t heard of this beach before! #FarawayFiles
I love the idea of being able to pop to Venice for a weekend road trip! Definitely think it’s a fun combination though.
This looks like a fabulous getaway! I’ve got a few child free trips planned this year, and I’m thinking it might be my theme for 2018! #farawayfiles
Now that is a fun theme!
Wow, that aparthotel sounds amazingly well equipped and unusually spacious- normally Italian properties like to squeeze lots of people into one room! Great way to see Venice with kids too. #FarawayFiles
Absolutely – close enough to visit, but you can escape the crowds as well
I could go to Italy again and again. It really is in my opinion the best country for family travel. But I can understand the solo trips as well! I don’t know anything about this specific place and beach but looks pretty fantastic. Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
It is so perfect for families – I really need to find a way to take her soon.
That’s a bit of a coincidence. We were considering Venice (not so much the city centre but islands and beach), then Verona and onto the lakes. Just at the ‘considering’ stage but we love Italy. Children enjoyed Piedmont area so lots going for it.
There is always just so much to tempt families to Italy – I have a long list of places I’d like to go with my daughter, along with Venice and the Veneto.
We took our son to Venice when he was about 10 and had an amazing time. As you say, Italy is wonderful for children with its food and general welcome for families.
I do fancy another trip to Venice, this time as a couple – so we can do the romantic thing!
#farawayfiles
Definitely a city to return to again and again – I’ve seen it as an impoverished student, and again for a bit of romance, so family must surely be next
We love Venice area, prosecco lands have been historically by far the favourites and we will attempt at some point taking the kiddies beach side included – Go Jetter series in Venice fired the imagination of our 4.5 years old 😉 For sure this year we are also heading back to Sicily with for another friends wedding and more exploring – with 2 Italian godfathers our kids got to love properly Italy #Farawayfiles
Go Jetters is great for firing the imagination! Means my daughter already knows about Rome and Pisa for starters (and why she has Japan and Easter Island on her wishlist). Fantastic to have two godfathers to introduce them to the country too.