The Importance of Traveling With & Without Kids

Duomo in Florence

As parents, we cherish traveling with our kids—seeing the world through their eyes, creating lifelong memories, and exposing them to new cultures. But we’ve also made it a priority to travel without them. Taking time as a couple strengthens our partnership, reminding us that before we were parents, we were partners in adventure. Our recent trip to Italy reinforced just how important it is to balance both types of travel.

Exploring Italy as a Couple

On our kid-free getaway, we explored Rome, Florence, and Milan, embracing experiences we wouldn’t necessarily do with young children. We relied on EuroRail for easy and efficient travel between cities, allowing us to maximize our time and soak in the scenic countryside along the way.

Rome: We indulged in long, leisurely meals at hidden trattorias, sipping wine without worrying about early bedtimes. We took a cooking class and took tours of the Catacombs and Vatican City. We wandered the city at our own pace, without mid-day meltdowns or snack breaks. A highlight? Wandering through Trastevere at night, enjoying the lively atmosphere and late-night gelato.

Florence: Art and wine lovers at heart, we spent hours in the Accademia, marveling at masterpieces without distractions. We climbed to the top of the Duomo, savoring breathtaking views—something we’d think twice about doing with little legs in tow. Our boutique hotel, tucked away in an intimate, historic building, wouldn’t have been the best fit for a family, but it was the perfect romantic escape. In Florence, we also took a wine tasting tour through the Tuscan countryside, savoring local Chianti and learning about the region’s rich wine making traditions —an experience we wouldn’t have fully enjoyed with little ones in tow.

Milan: This fashion-forward city gave us a taste of luxury, from high-end shopping to museums and rooftop aperitivos overlooking the Duomo di Milano. We enjoyed a guided food tour, sampling dishes that might have been too adventurous for our kids. And because we weren’t on a family schedule, we could take our time exploring the city’s vibrant nightlife.

A Future Trip With the Kids

We know we’ll return to Italy with our little ones, but the itinerary will look very different. Instead of boutique hotels, we’ll choose family-friendly stays with space to unwind. Museums will be balanced with parks, interactive exhibits, and gelato breaks. And while we may not linger over a five-course meal, we’ll introduce them to simple yet delicious Italian cuisine.

The Takeaway

Traveling as a family is priceless, but so is making time for just the two of us. Strengthening our relationship through travel makes us better parents and partners. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an international adventure, carving out time for each other is something we’ll continue to prioritize—because happy parents create happy families.

Have you ever taken a kid-free trip? Let’s chat about finding the right balance between family travel and couple getaways!