One of my favorite things to do when I go back home to Toronto, Canada is visit Canada’s Wonderland with my whole family. I have so many great memories of going as a kid, but even better memories of going as an adult. Sometimes, there is nothing like spending the weekend riding a roller coaster, playing games and unwinding completely.
I find that when people plan their vacations in Italy, there is so much focus on seeing the important sites, going to all of the cultural attractions and churches that the FUN factor is left out. If you are traveling to Italy with kids, a day trip to one of Italy’s many amusement parks is a great way to relax, have some fun and feel the Italian wind in your hair!
Surprisingly They Don’t SUCK!
I know what you’re thinking, will an amusement park in Italy be any good?
YES! Even if you are used to the North American style of amusement parks with games areas, big rides and entertainment you will find that the Italian Amusement Parks are up to par, PLUS they have delicious food!
Throughout all of Italy you will find over 200 amusement, water and theme parks, which just goes to show that italians like having fun too!
How can I find an Amusement Park in my Area?
A great place to start your research is on the Italian Amusement Park site ParchiOnline.it. They have a full list, organized by region, that you can search. The problem with their list is that it is only in Italian, but none the less it is very easy to navigate if you understand the terms they use.
A Glossary of Terms
To help you find what you are looking for I’ve compiled a list of some search terms to help you navigate the vast array of offers that the Italian amusement park scene has to offer. Even better than your standard fare, Italians offer a chance for the whole family to go to the spa, spend the weekend skiing in a luxury chalet or have an adventure zip-lining through the forest.
Parco Acquatico – Water Park
At a Parco Acquatico you’ll find all of same things you would find in any North American water park! Huge water slides, wave pools, rivers and sprinklers galore. This fun option for the whole family should not be over looked if you are visiting in the summer time when the crushing Italian heat is at its worst. Instead of feeling like a tourist by going to a water park, you should think of the experience as “living like an Italian!” since they will all be there! There is a reason the cultural attractions and city centers are empty in the summer….IT IS HOT!
So, be sure to pack your bathing suit, a towel (I find that micro fibre works best when I travel since it is so compact) and your flip flops (this is one occasion in Italy where you are permitted to wear them!) and head to a Water Park!
Parco Avventura – Adventure Park
Just like the name suggest the Adventure Park is filled with just that…..ADVENTURE. Many of these are located in Italy’s hills and mountains and often they feature tree top adventures like zip-lines, above ground ropes and bridges for the whole family to explore.
You’ll want to check their website to ensure they have appropriate activities for the whole family, especially little ones under three. Check their website or call if you plan on staying for lunch or dinner, since not all are equipped with a restaurant and may only offer a picnic area.
I highly recommend visiting an Adventure Park the next time you are in Italy, it is a great way to experience Italy’s incredible forests up close and personal, and the trees provide the perfect amount of shade from the summer heat. ***PACKING NOTE, bring bug spray and a light sweater so you don’t get bitten or cold! You’re going to Italy, not paradise, there are still bugs here!
Parco Benessere – Wellness Park
By far one of my FAVORITE OFFERS in the Italian Amusement Park landscape is the well-being park for the whole family. Italy is filled with natural hot water springs otherwise known as “terme”. These terme have many healing and beneficial properties associated to them, and Italians love to spend long weekends rejuvenating themselves in this holistic way.
The only problem is that after you become a parent it becomes difficult to manage these types of getaways with kids, which is why they invented – Terme for the Whole Family! More than anything else these wellness parks and terme are designed to cure through the natural properties of hot spring water that has high concentrations of iodine, magnesium and sodium. So if you have a child suffering with asthma this is a great getaway.
To find this type of vacation you’ll want to search google with the words “terme bambini” with the name of the region you are visiting.
Parco Faunistico - Safaris & Zoo Parks
Along with a few traditional zoos (you can read here about my visit to the Rome Bio Park) there are also many Safaris available in each region of Italy.
Under the “Fauna” amusement park category you’ll find parks dedicated to observing animals, whether they be local or exotic.
Parco a Tema – Amusement Parks & Theme Parks
What North Americans typically call an Amusement Park, in Italy is known as either Parco a Tema (Theme Park) or Parco Divertimento (Fun Park). Surprisingly, in the long list of family parks these are the minority, but there are still PLENTY throughout Italy.
The quality of the rides and thrills is on par with any other amusement park, and more importantly you’ll break up your cultural vacation with a little bit of down time and fun! Bring cash though because fun isn’t cheap!
Parco Didattico – Learning Park & Parco Paleontologico – Paleontological Park
Italians love combining the chance to learn with the opportunity to have a good time. In Italy, you will find many hands-on learning parks dedicated to archeology, animals and nature (there are also Parchi Floreali – Floral Parks and Gardens).
A while back I wrote about the Fattorie Didattiche – Learning farms in Italy, these Learning Parks are based on interactivity and having fun while getting involved.
Family Park
In Italian they use the words Family Park to describe, well….a Family Park! Specifically for families with young kids. At these amusement parks everything is pint sized and you’ll find plenty of change tables, high chairs and all of the facilities families with small kids need.
These pictures were taken on a recent visit to a park in the Riviera Romagna (read about the Riviera Romagnola with the series I did on my trip here) dedicated to little kids but filled with big experiences for the whole family! We went on ROLLER COASTERS not kiddy rides with our 2 year old and he had a great time!
Have you ever gone on a “cultural” vacation but managed to work in some amusement park fun? What do you think? Is an amusement park visit while you’re on vacation a “waste” of a vacation day?
Follow Reasons to Dress through Bloglovin’ & get 1 email a day with all the most recent posts from the blogs you love.
