1. A Serene Beginning: Arriving in Taranto with the Family
Taranto greeted us with a calm sea breeze and the kind of golden sunlight that makes everything look like a postcard. After a long journey that started with a connection through Rome, we finally arrived in this southern Italian gem, nestled along the Ionian Sea. Traveling with two young kids and a suitcase full of snacks and coloring books, I was cautiously optimistic. Cities can sometimes be chaotic for families, but Taranto felt different from the moment we arrived.
From the train station to our accommodation, the city already showed signs of being incredibly accommodating to families. Wide pedestrian paths, parks dotted with fountains, and the kind of laid-back pace that makes it easier to travel with kids who want to stop and look at every stray cat or seashell.
Our taxi dropped us off in Borgo Nuovo, the more modern part of the city. We were staying at Relais Histò San Pietro sul Mar Piccolo, a luxury hotel located just outside the center, about 15 minutes’ drive from the historic core.
2. The Perfect Choice: Staying at Relais Histò San Pietro sul Mar Piccolo
Relais Histò San Pietro sul Mar Piccolo (Via Santandrea Circummarpiccolo, 74100 Taranto TA, Italy) is not your typical hotel. Built into a beautifully restored 14th-century monastery and surrounded by olive trees, the property sits above the Mar Piccolo, offering panoramic views of the bay. It’s a place where you can sip espresso under an ancient stone archway while your children are safely playing in a nearby garden.
We booked our stay through Booking.com two months in advance. I’d scoured reviews looking for a balance of elegance, comfort, and family-friendliness. The total cost for four nights in a Deluxe Family Room (which had a spacious living area, king-sized bed, and a convertible sofa for the kids) came to €1,130, breakfast included.
While not the cheapest option in town, it quickly proved to be worth every euro.
3. Check-In Experience: Warm, Professional, and Family-Oriented
We arrived just before sunset, and the staff welcomed us with fresh lemon water and warm towels. They were ready for us, including the two little ones—who were immediately handed small travel journals and colored pencils, courtesy of the concierge. These small touches can mean the difference between a hotel that tolerates children and one that truly welcomes them.
Our room was located in the main building, facing a central courtyard with a small fountain. Inside, we found not only a baby cot already set up for our toddler but also a small welcome pack of fruit, cookies, and juice boxes.
The room itself had thick stone walls that kept it naturally cool, a large bathroom with double sinks (very handy during the morning rush), and elegant furnishings that balanced rustic charm with modern comforts.
4. Meals with a View: Dining at Relais Histò
The hotel’s in-house restaurant, La Lanternaia, was a revelation. While it offers a refined dining experience, it also features a flexible children’s menu with pasta, grilled chicken, and fresh vegetables.
We opted to dine there twice during our stay. The first evening, we sat at a table on the terrace overlooking the water. The kids had their meals served first—pasta al pomodoro and homemade gelato—while we enjoyed slow-roasted sea bass and a glass of Primitivo di Manduria.
Breakfast was equally memorable. Served buffet-style in a vaulted hall that once housed the monastery’s wine cellar, the spread included fresh pastries, fruit, cheeses, and a made-to-order egg station. Our children became fast fans of the cornetti filled with apricot jam.
5. Facilities That Truly Cater to Families
One of the standout features of Relais Histò was the outdoor saltwater pool. Surrounded by lounge chairs and shaded areas, it provided a safe and relaxing spot for all of us. The pool had a shallow zone that was perfect for the kids to wade in while we sipped cappuccinos from the poolside café.
There was also a small playground tucked among the olive trees. It wasn’t large—just a slide, a couple of swings, and a climbing structure—but it was enough to keep the children entertained in the evenings while we watched the sunset.
The hotel also offers babysitting services upon request, which we decided to take advantage of one evening. For €20 per hour, we had a professional English-speaking sitter who stayed with the kids in the room while we went out for a short walk and gelato in the city.
6. Exploring Taranto: Family-Friendly Attractions Close By
Despite the allure of the hotel’s peaceful grounds, we did venture out to explore. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto (MArTA) was a short drive away and turned out to be one of the highlights. With interactive exhibits and stunning artifacts from Magna Graecia, it kept both adults and children captivated.
We also visited the Old Town, with its narrow winding streets and quaint cafés. The kids loved crossing the Ponte Girevole, the city’s swing bridge, and watching ships move through the canal.
For beach time, we headed about 25 minutes south to Lido Azzurro. It had gentle waves, clean sand, and sun loungers for rent. There were also showers, shaded snack areas, and even a playground on the beach.
7. Practical Details: Getting Around with Ease
We didn’t rent a car for this trip. Instead, we used local taxis and a rideshare app called ItTaxi, which was efficient and reliable. Most of our rides within Taranto were under €15, and the hotel staff were always happy to call a taxi for us.
Relais Histò also offered a shuttle service for €10 per person, which we used twice when we went to the city center with all our beach gear and snacks.
8. Room Comforts That Made a Big Difference
After long days of sightseeing and playing, it was the room that made our trip feel truly comfortable. The blackout curtains helped the kids sleep soundly, and the high-quality bedding ensured that we did too.
There was also a small espresso machine, which I used every morning while watching the olive trees sway gently in the wind outside our window. The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, which came in handy during our downtime.
We also made good use of the in-room mini fridge, stocking it with yogurts and fruit for easy snack access. Small conveniences like this turn what could be a hectic family trip into something far more manageable.
9. Staff That Went the Extra Mile
From the front desk to housekeeping, everyone we encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely helpful. One morning, our son had a mild fever, and the concierge helped us locate a nearby pharmacy, even calling ahead to make sure they had the medicine we needed.
The cleaning staff were thoughtful, often organizing the kids’ scattered toys and leaving little notes or folded towels in animal shapes. These gestures brought smiles to our faces daily.
10. Staying Connected to Nature and History
The grounds of Relais Histò are filled with ancient stone paths, citrus trees, and the remnants of Roman aqueducts. The children had the freedom to explore in a safe environment, often leading us through olive groves and pointing out lizards sunbathing on stone walls.
We also discovered that the hotel runs guided garden tours, which we joined on our second evening. It lasted just under an hour and included historical facts about the property, which once served as a monastery and later as a noble villa.
This connection to history—present in the architecture, in the gardens, in the air—was something we all felt. It gave the children stories to imagine, and gave us, as parents, a feeling of grounding in a place that embraces both its past and its future.
11. Departure Day: Leaving with Gratitude
When our final morning came, we had a relaxed breakfast in the courtyard. The staff brought out an extra plate of our son’s favorite pastries “for the road,” and even printed a Polaroid photo they had taken of us at check-in. It was enclosed in a small paper frame that read: “Grazie e a presto.”
As we rolled our bags toward the entrance and waited for our taxi, the children were already asking if we could come back. That’s the real sign of a successful family trip—not just that the parents could relax, but that the kids felt safe, happy, and inspired.
Relais Histò, with its blend of elegance and authenticity, had offered us something rare: a luxurious experience that never sacrificed warmth or practicality. The memories we made there are now woven into the fabric of our family’s story, and I have no doubt that we’ll find our way back, one day, to the olive groves of Taranto.
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