Planning a family road trip from Munich to Venice? Here's our honest 2-week itinerary, taking in the mountains of Austria, the breathtaking Dolomites, beachside camping on the Venetian coast, and a day exploring one of Italy's most iconic cities—all with our two boys aged almost 4 and almost 2.
At a Glance
Duration: 14 days
Route: London → Munich ✈️ | Munich → Wilder Kaiser → Dolomites → Camping Ca' Savio → Venice ✈️ London
Who it's for: Families with young children looking for a mix of adventure, nature and relaxation.
Best time to visit: June to September
Total driving: Approximately 10 hours over two weeks
Accommodation:
- Haus Rabl (Kodahof), Wilder Kaiser
- Hotel Rainer, South Tyrol
- Camping Ca' Savio (via Eurocamp)
Why We Chose This Route
When we started planning our summer holiday, we knew we wanted more than just one destination.
We wanted dramatic mountain scenery, peaceful lakes, easy family adventures, a few days to completely switch off by the sea, and somewhere exciting to finish the trip before flying home. It sounded ambitious on paper, especially travelling with two energetic little boys, but after plenty of research we realised we didn't have to choose just one.
Instead, we planned a road trip.
Flying into Munich and home from Venice allowed us to create a route that combined some of the very best of Austria and northern Italy, without ever spending hours and hours in the car. Most driving days were manageable, leaving plenty of time to explore, find playgrounds, stop for ice creams and let the boys burn off some energy along the way.
Looking back, it turned out to be one of our favourite family holidays we've ever done.
Our 2-Week Road Trip Itinerary
One of the biggest reasons this itinerary worked so well was the variety. Every stop felt completely different from the last, so the holiday never felt repetitive. Just as the boys were ready for a change of scenery, we were packing up and heading somewhere new.
Why This Road Trip Works So Well for Families
Road trips with young children can sound daunting, but we've found they're actually one of the easiest ways to travel as a family.
Instead of constantly packing and unpacking for one-night stays, we based ourselves in three different locations, giving everyone time to settle in before moving on. It meant less rushing, fewer early mornings and far fewer "Are we nearly there yet?" moments than we'd expected.
We also loved having the flexibility that comes with your own car. If we spotted an incredible viewpoint, a playground or somewhere that looked worth exploring, we could simply pull over. If one of the boys needed a nap, we adjusted our plans. Travelling this way felt much more relaxed than trying to stick to train timetables or organised tours.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was just how different each part of the holiday felt.
The peaceful mountain villages of Austria couldn't have been more different from the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Then, just when we felt we'd had our fill of hiking boots and cable cars, we swapped them for swimming costumes and beach days at Camping Ca' Savio before finishing with the unforgettable atmosphere of Venice.
It genuinely felt like four holidays rolled into one.
Where We Stayed
One thing we always prioritise when travelling with young children is choosing accommodation that makes life easier rather than more complicated.
Haus Rabl (Kodahof), Wilder Kaiser
Our first base was Haus Rabl, a traditional alpine apartment in the Wilder Kaiser region. It gave us plenty of space after travelling, easy access to the surrounding villages and mountains, and a peaceful setting to ease ourselves into the holiday.
Why we'd recommend it
- Spacious family accommodation
- Quiet location
- Great base for exploring Wilder Kaiser
- Easy parking
Hotel Rainer, South Tyrol
For the Dolomites, we stayed at Hotel Rainer, a family-friendly hotel in a fantastic location for exploring some of the region's most spectacular scenery.
This turned out to be the perfect base for visiting Lago di Braies, Monte Elmo and the Tre Cime area, while giving us somewhere comfortable to return to after long days exploring.
We'll share a full review soon, but it's safe to say we'd happily stay here again.
Camping Ca' Savio (via Eurocamp)
For the second half of the holiday, we swapped mountain views for sandy beaches.
Camping Ca' Savio was exactly the change of pace we needed after several active days in the Dolomites. The boys absolutely loved the freedom of camping life, whether they were splashing in the pool, playing on the beach or simply exploring the site.
One of the biggest reasons we chose it, though, was its location. Staying here meant we could enjoy a relaxing beach holiday while still taking an easy day trip into Venice.
It's a combination that's surprisingly hard to beat.
Our Day-by-Day Itinerary
Coming soon
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