Planning a two-week trip to Italy with three kids ages 10 and under felt exciting, yet also terrifying. I remember staring at the mountainous pile of clothes we were somehow supposed to fit into five backpacks, wondering how we were going to manage jet lag, picky eaters and toddler meltdowns in a foreign country.

The trip went better than we expected, and I quickly learned a few valuable lessons so you don't have to. Here are five simple ways to make family travel easier, so you can enjoy la dolce vita (the sweet life) together.

1. Pack Smart

It’s tempting to overpack for every situation. The night before we left, I was still debating outfits for each child and packed too many clothes. Because our Italian Airbnbs had washing machines, we ended up rotating the same pieces and didn't wear some of what we packed.

Pack clothes the kids will actually wear and stick to their current favorites. Travel compression bags kept each child's clothing organized and condensed.

TRAVEL TIP: Pack fewer outfits than you think and prioritize comfort over a stylized vacation look.

2. Set Expectations

No matter how much planning you do, certain aspects of family travel will be harder than expected. Before our overnight flight to Rome, we told the kids the goal was simple: sleep on the plane and no movies. Once we landed, we pushed through the temptation to nap and stayed awake until evening. By late afternoon, everyone was running on fumes and cranky. But that initial push helped us beat jet lag fast.

Long travel days require preparation, too. Pack quiet activities like mess-free markers, activity books and gummy snacks. Having movies downloaded ahead of time was essential, since Wi-Fi wasn't always available on trains or flights.

TRAVEL TIP: Set expectations early and assume you'll need snacks and distractions for the inevitable waiting periods.

3. Prepare for Cultural Differences

Speaking of expectations, nothing prepares you for a toddler discovering a bidet for the first time. Letting her know it wasn't a fun water table before she found it would have been helpful.

Authentic dinner in Italy typically starts much later than we were used to, and many evenings we sat on our patio watching neighbors just begin their dinner as we put our kids to bed. Strollers were a struggle too—my husband often ended up carrying ours up flights of stairs through museums and churches. And what feels modest at home isn't always appropriate for religious sites overseas; most require shoulders and knees to be covered.

TRAVEL TIP: Expect late dinners, a workout if you bring a stroller, and pack light layers for religious sites.

4. Make Gelato Stops Non-Negotiable

After hours of touring churches and museums, it's not unusual for kids to lose interest. We quickly learned gelato wasn't just a reward, it was a major part of the itinerary. While viewing Michelangelo's David, the kids hit their breaking point. The moment we promised a gelato stop afterward, they calmed down and were able to enjoy it.

We also used a travel app to pin gelaterias and restaurants near us before the kids got hungry. Hunting for food with three starving children in a crowded piazza is a recipe for disaster.

TRAVEL TIP: Build predictable rewards into long sightseeing days, and find good food spots ahead of time.

5. The Best Memories Aren't Always the Famous Attractions

Before our trip, I assumed iconic landmarks like the Colosseum or the Sistine Chapel would be the highlights for my kids. Instead, they still talk about the moment our toddler dropped her gelato, the climb up a tower in San Gimignano and a pesto-making class in the Cinque Terre, where they rolled up their sleeves and joined in rather than just watched.

Looking back, my favorite moments weren't the carefully scheduled ones either: hiking up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset over Florence, getting lost on winding roads in Tuscany searching for a row of cypress trees and watching my toddler happily slurp spaghetti at a tiny table.

TRAVEL TIP: Don't over schedule your days. Leave space in your itinerary for getting lost and slowing down—those are the moments you'll remember most.

Why It's Worth It (Even When It's Hard)

Traveling internationally with young children isn't effortless. There are meltdowns, logistical hurdles, motion sickness and days that require more patience than you think you have.

But I wouldn't trade those two weeks for anything. Family travel isn't about checking landmarks off an itinerary. It's about sharing experiences, building lasting memories and helping your children grow in flexibility and appreciation for other cultures.

Buon viaggio!