We recently came back from the best family holiday that we’ve had in a while, and in true Luxury Mum Guide fashion, I feel like I have to share where we went, what we did and why it was the perfect blend between a luxury experience and a practical, stress-free one. 

Location

We travelled to Sirmione- a charming town just outside of Verona, Italy, and it proved to be the ideal escape for our family. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, welcoming atmosphere, and positioning right on the foot of Lake Garda, Sirmione is an enchanting destination that caters to both parents and toddlers alike. 

One of the best parts of this location was the direct flight from London to Verona, which took just an hour and 45 minutes. This made our travel experience incredibly easy and stress-free. I didn’t have to worry about planning extensive entertainment for my toddler during the flight; he was quite content gazing out of the window and playing with a simple activity pack I had prepared.

We knew that we wanted to be able to travel easily and comfortably in and around Sirmione, so we also rented a car which was really easy to do at Verona airport. 

Upon arriving in Sirmione, we were immediately blown away by its historical charm. The town is renowned for its stunning castle, which looks over the waters of Lake Garda. As a bonus, the whole town is extremely well equipped for families! There are a few cobblestone streets but the majority of the streets are stroller-friendly, making it easy to navigate with a little one in tow. We found that many of the local restaurants were incredibly accommodating, providing high chairs and attentive service. Dining out was a pleasure, allowing us to relax and enjoy the local cuisine without the usual stress of traveling with a toddler.

Where we stayed 

We stayed in an Airbnb about 5 minutes drive from the town centre. It was very modern and spacious, and included a garage which was perfect for the rental car. 

However, I’m a little hesitant to share the link because for full transparency, we did have some teething pains. The hosts were not as helpful as we felt they should have been for that price point, and although the modern design was beautiful and luxe, there were aspects of this which made caring for a toddler in the space quite tricky. For example the concrete stairs were quite steep and there were no railings or opportunity for us to attach stair gates so we needed to keep a very close eye at all times. 

Having said that, it was wonderfully air conditioned, had brand new appliances and was spotless when we arrived. 

What we did

We chose this destination because we wanted a stress-free holiday. For us, stress-free means not needing to plan too much while still being able to entertain a 2.5 year old. Because there was so much history and culture in the town, we found that we could do one outing a day, coupled with one meal out a day and this was perfect.

Additional Recommendation

In addition to Sirmione, I would recommend visiting a town called Peschiera which was equally as stunning and equally as family-friendly. 

Our luxurious family holiday in Sirmione was a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and quality family time. With its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming atmosphere, Sirmione is a destination that truly caters to families seeking a luxurious yet child-friendly experience. For any luxury-loving mum looking to create lasting memories with her family, Sirmione is a hidden gem that should not be missed. 

Written by Frederika