2-Week Munich to Venice Family Road Trip Itinerary (With a 4 & 2-Year-Old)

If you're trying to decide whether to choose Austria, the Dolomites or the Italian coast for your next family holiday... my advice? Don't choose. Do them all.

When we first started planning this trip, we couldn't decide what sort of holiday we wanted. Mountains? Lakes? Hiking? A relaxing beach holiday? Somewhere the boys could run wild, but that A and I would love too?

Then we realised... we didn't have to choose.

Looking back, it was one of our favourite family holidays yet. Every stop offered something completely different, so just as we were ready for a change of pace, it was time to move on. It genuinely felt like three holidays in one.

If you're wondering whether this route is worth doing with young children, I'd say absolutely. In this guide, I'll share the itinerary we followed, where we stayed, what we'd do differently and all the tips we picked up along the way, with links to more detailed guides for each destination.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Before you start planning this road trip, here are a few things I'd recommend based on our experience.

Book a one-way hire car - Flying into Munich and home from Venice meant we never had to retrace our steps, and I'd absolutely do it that way again. One-way car hire does come with an additional fee, but for us it was worth it for the time and flexibility it gave us.

Don't overpack your itinerary - It can be tempting to try and squeeze in every viewpoint, hike and attraction, but one of the reasons this trip worked so well was because we didn't rush. We built in plenty of downtime for swimming, playgrounds and simply enjoying where we were staying.

Break up the longer drives - The longest drives were between destinations, so we planned a few stops along the way to let the boys stretch their legs. Even a quick playground or an ice cream stop made a huge difference and kept everyone much happier.

Expect changing weather in the mountains - We travelled in June and found Austria was generally sunny all day, whereas in the Dolomites we'd often get cloud building up or a thunderstorm later in the afternoon. We quickly learnt to plan our hikes and bigger activities for the morning whenever possible.

Book popular attractions in advance  - If you're visiting in peak season, don't leave everything until the last minute. Tre Cime parking needs to be booked in advance, and parking at Lago di Braies also requires pre-booking during parts of the summer. Even if you arrive early, don't expect to have these places to yourself!

Mix your accommodation styles - One of my favourite things about this trip was staying somewhere different in each destination. We loved having a self-catering apartment in Austria, being completely spoilt at our half-board hotel in the Dolomites, and then finishing at a family-friendly campsite by the beach. It made every stop feel completely different.

Pack for flexibility - Layers, waterproofs, swimming costumes and comfortable walking shoes all got plenty of use. We also found it helpful to keep snacks, drinks and a change of clothes easily accessible in the car, especially on driving days.

Give yourselves permission to change plans - Some of our favourite moments weren't the ones we'd planned. Whether it was spending longer at a mountain playground than expected or heading back to the hotel for an afternoon swim, being flexible made the holiday far more enjoyable for all of us.

Our Day-by-Day Itinerary

🏔️ Stop 1: Wilder Kaiser - 6 nights

Our first stop after flying into Munich was the beautiful Wilder Kaiser region in Austria, and it couldn't have been a better way to start the holiday. Just under a two-hour drive from Munich Airport, it was close enough that we weren't faced with a long journey after our flight, but far enough into the mountains to immediately feel like we'd escaped everyday life.

We based ourselves at Haus Rabl (Kodahof), a peaceful apartment that gave us the perfect base for exploring the area.

Arriving in Austria

After landing in Munich, we collected our hire car and headed straight for Wilder Kaiser. The drive itself is stunning, with mountain views appearing before you know it, making it one of those journeys that's just as much a part of the holiday as the destination itself.

Once we'd checked into our accommodation, we kept things simple. Travelling with two young children has taught us that you don't need to pack every day full of activities. Instead, we settled in, explored the local area and enjoyed our first evening surrounded by the Austrian Alps.

We also stumbled across a small museum that the boys really enjoyed, complete with an indoor egg run and even cows outside, which quickly became another holiday highlight for them. It's these unexpected discoveries that often end up being the most memorable.

Lunch at Alpengasthof Hochsöll was another great find. The menu had plenty of options for the children, and there were gluten-free choices for my husband too, making it an easy recommendation for families with different dietary requirements.

One of the things we loved most about Wilder Kaiser was how relaxed everything felt. There are plenty of mountain lifts, gentle walking trails and beautiful viewpoints, but there's never any pressure to rush from one attraction to the next. It was the perfect introduction to our road trip.

Top tip: If you're visiting in summer, pack towels and spare clothes for the children. Many of the mountain attractions include water play areas, and it's almost impossible for little ones to stay dry!

⛰️ Stop 2: The Dolomites - 4 nights

Leaving Austria behind, we crossed into Italy and headed for the spectacular Dolomites. The scenery somehow became even more dramatic, with towering peaks, emerald lakes and winding mountain roads around every corner.

We stayed at Hotel Rainer, which proved to be an excellent base for exploring this part of South Tyrol.

Journey into the Dolomites

The drive itself is one of the highlights of this itinerary. Rather than simply travelling between destinations, you're constantly surrounded by breathtaking scenery, making even the journey feel like an adventure.

After checking into Hotel Rainer, we spent the rest of the day relaxing, swimming and soaking up the mountain views.

Being out on the water gave us a completely different perspective, and it quickly became one of those unforgettable family travel moments. It was expensive, but for us, absolutely worth it.

We also spent time at Monte Elmo, which turned out to be another favourite with the boys. The mountain is packed with family-friendly activities, making it much more than just a cable car ride. It's a fantastic place to let children explore while still enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites.

Over the following days, we continued exploring the region, stopping at viewpoints, enjoying mountain walks suitable for young children and simply taking our time. One of the things we appreciated most about this part of the trip was that we didn't feel the need to rush. Sometimes the best memories came from slowing down and enjoying the scenery.

Top tip: Arrive early at the Dolomites' most popular attractions, especially Lago di Braies, to enjoy a quieter experience and make parking much easier.

🏖️ Stop 3: Camping Ca' Savio & Venice - 5 Nights

After several days in the mountains, it was time for a complete change of scenery.

Driving down to Camping Ca' Savio felt like starting a second holiday. Swapping hiking boots for flip-flops, mountain lakes for sandy beaches and cable cars for swimming pools gave everyone a chance to properly relax.

We booked our accommodation through Eurocamp, and the campsite proved to be an excellent base for both beach days and exploring Venice.

The drive from the Dolomites to the coast was straightforward, and arriving at the campsite immediately brought a different atmosphere. The boys couldn't wait to explore, and before long they were in the pool making the most of the sunshine.

We caught the ferry from Punta Sabbioni, which made visiting Venice surprisingly straightforward. Travelling with a pushchair and two young children had been something we'd been slightly nervous about beforehand, but the city was far more family-friendly than we'd expected.

Rather than trying to see everything, we focused on wandering through the canals, soaking up the atmosphere and letting the boys enjoy the experience at their own pace. It made for a much more enjoyable day than trying to tick off every major landmark.

Looking back, finishing the holiday here was the perfect decision. After active days in the mountains, having time to relax by the sea meant we returned home feeling like we'd had both an adventure holiday and a beach holiday in one trip.

Top tip: If you're planning a day trip to Venice during peak season, catch an early ferry from Punta Sabbioni to avoid the busiest crowds and make the most of the cooler morning temperatures.

Where We Stayed

One thing we always prioritise when travelling with young children is choosing accommodation that makes life easier rather than more complicated.

What This Trip Cost

Pending - I am still breaking this down in the background so I can share this accurately

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