Beautiful Italy

🇮🇹 La Dolce Vita on Wheels: An Indian Family’s Epic Italy Road Trip

Prologue: The Italian Dream

For years, Italy had been a country of dreams for us—art, history, fashion, and gelato all rolled into one. As an Indian family of four—my wife, our 12-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son, and I—our hearts yearned for a European adventure that was flexible, immersive, and family-friendly. So, we decided on the ultimate way to explore Italy—by road, self-driven.

We were joined on this journey by our dear friends, another couple in a second SUV. Together, we mapped out a route that would take us through the heart and soul of Italy—from the Roman ruins and Renaissance cities to coastal cliffs and Tuscan vineyards—all while navigating vegetarian food, kids’ moods, and the thrill of driving on foreign roads.

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Day 1–2: Rome – The Eternal City

We landed at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Rome, picked up our SUVs (spacious and automatic, great for families), and checked into a family-friendly Airbnb apartment near Vatican City. The infrastructure was impressive: wide roads, clear signs (though in Italian!), and GPS saved our lives more than once.

Must-Sees:

• Colosseum: The kids were wide-eyed hearing tales of gladiators. Pre-booking the tickets saved us from long queues.

• Vatican City: The Sistine Chapel ceiling left even our 8-year-old speechless.

• Trevi Fountain: Our daughter made a wish with a coin toss—a classic!

Vegetarian Tip:

We dined at Ristorante Krishna 13, an Indian restaurant tucked away near Termini. Samosas in Rome—heaven!

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Day 3–4: Florence – The Cradle of the Renaissance

From Rome, we hit the A1 Autostrada (Italy’s highway) toward Florence. Driving was a pleasure—scenic views, clean rest stops (called “Autogrills”), and orderly traffic. Florence charmed us instantly with its cobblestone lanes and artistic vibe.

Must-Sees:

• Duomo & Baptistery: Climbing up for the panoramic view was worth every step.

• Ponte Vecchio: Our son loved the musicians playing on the historic bridge.

• Uffizi Gallery: Even the kids enjoyed spotting paintings they’d read about in school.

Real Moment:

We took a gelato break every day—flavors like pistachio, dark chocolate, and mango won our hearts. Vivoli Gelateria became our go-to!

Food Hack:

Florence has vegetarian pizzas and pasta at almost every corner. We also found an Indian joint, Haveli, where we enjoyed a comforting dinner of dal, roti, and sabzi.

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Day 5: Pisa – A Quick Tilt

On our way to Cinque Terre, we made a pit stop in Pisa. The Leaning Tower was more magnificent in person than in pictures. The kids had a blast taking funny perspective photos—pretending to push or hold up the tower.

Parking Tip:

There’s paid parking about 10 minutes away by foot. Try to arrive early to beat the tour buses.

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Day 6–7: Cinque Terre – The Colorful Coast

Driving along the Ligurian coast to reach Cinque Terre was breathtaking. We parked at La Spezia and took the local train that connects all five villages—Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Highlights:

• Hiking Trail (Sentiero Azzurro): We hiked a short stretch suitable for kids.

• Manarola Sunset: Like a postcard—pastel houses stacked over the cliffs.

• Pesto Pasta: The regional specialty—easily available as vegetarian and molto delizioso!

Accommodation:

We stayed at a charming guesthouse in La Spezia, 2-bedroom unit, kitchenette equipped—perfect for early breakfasts and making masala chai.

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Day 8–10: Tuscany – Vineyards, Villas & Villages

Next, we ventured into the heart of Tuscany—rolling hills, cypress trees, and endless vineyards. We rented a countryside villa near San Gimignano shared by both families.

Unforgettable Experiences:

• San Gimignano: Medieval towers and world-famous gelato.

• Chianti Wine Region: While we skipped wine tasting, the scenic drives were unforgettable.

• Local Market: Bought fresh produce and cooked a full Indian meal one evening—rajma chawal never tasted so good!

Cultural Touchpoint:

The slower pace of Tuscany was perfect for family bonding. Our kids picked wildflowers, played soccer in open fields, and enjoyed stargazing from the terrace at night.

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Day 11–13: Venice – The Floating Fantasy

Driving into Venice is not possible, so we parked at Tronchetto Parking and took a Vaporetto (water bus) to our hotel near Rialto.

Must-Dos:

• Gondola Ride: Touristy? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.

• St. Mark’s Basilica: Stunning mosaics and square filled with pigeons.

• Murano Glass Factory: Our daughter was fascinated by glass-blowing.

Food Find:

Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant in the Jewish Ghetto served delicious vegetarian options.

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Day 14–15: Lake Como – Bollywood Meets Italy

Lake Como—where Bollywood dreams meet Italian elegance. Our son asked, “Is this where Ranbir Kapoor danced?” referring to Tamasha. We stayed in Bellagio, which offered the best lakeside views.

Highlights:

• Ferry Rides: Hopping between towns like Varenna and Menaggio.

• Villa Carlotta: Art and botanical gardens.

• Chilling by the Lake: Skimming stones, picnics, and pure relaxation.

Food Tip:

A local pizzeria made a special no-egg vegetarian pizza just for us—with spinach, mozzarella, and roasted peppers.

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Day 16–17: Milan – Fashion, Ferrari & Farewell

Our final stop was Milan—a sharp contrast to the slow, rustic pace of the previous towns.

Must-Sees:

• Duomo di Milano: Walking on the rooftop was a surreal experience.

• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Kids gawked at Gucci, while we sipped espresso.

• Ferrari Store: Our son was thrilled to sit in a Ferrari simulator.

Last Supper:

At Saravana Bhavan, we enjoyed a fitting farewell dinner—dosa, sambar, and filter coffee in the fashion capital of the world.

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Road Trip Highlights & Family Reflections

Driving in Italy:

• Roads are well-maintained, especially highways.

• City centers have ZTLs (Restricted Zones)—watch out! We got one fine unknowingly, so always check signage.

• Fuel is expensive—factor that in.

• Toll booths are automated and mostly hassle-free.

• Renting an SUV gave us the space we needed for luggage and comfort.

With Kids:

• Carry snacks (fruits, biscuits, dry Indian savories).

• Mix history with fun (museums + gelato + parks).

• Let them choose one thing a day—it keeps them involved.

• Encourage them to journal or vlog—it becomes a keepsake.

For Vegetarians:

• Italy is vegetarian-friendly, especially with pasta, pizza, risotto, and paninis.

• Supermarkets offer fruits, breads, cheeses, and microwave meals.

• Indian restaurants exist in major cities—Google Maps + reviews are lifesavers.

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Cultural Insights:

• Italians are warm, expressive, and family-oriented—just like us!

• They love kids, and our children often got free candies or extra scoops of gelato.

• English is understood in tourist spots, but learning a few words like Grazie (Thank you) and Buongiorno (Good morning) goes a long way.

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Budget Tips:

• Airbnb apartments with kitchenettes helped save on meals.

• Train + car combo (like in Cinque Terre or Venice) works well.

• City tourist passes can save on museum entries.

• Public transport in cities like Rome and Milan is efficient and economical.

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Final Thoughts: Arrivederci, Italia!

As we returned our SUVs at Milan’s airport, hearts heavy but full of stories, we realized this wasn’t just a vacation—it was a journey of togetherness, discovery, and cultural exploration. The winding roads of Italy gifted us not just scenic views, but shared laughter, deeper bonds, and a renewed appreciation for travel as a family.

Italy, you were more than a destination—you were a dream come true. Arrivederci… until we meet again!