The Italian economy may be in shambles but Italy still puts on a good show albeit an expensive one. Museums, architecture, archaeology ruins. Beach resorts, amusement parks, natural spas. Hill towns, art cities, alpine villages. Hiking trails, ski slopes, bicycle touring. Agriturism, villas, rifuggi. And while the Italians may be laughing less they still take time for food and wine. What's more, kids are king in Italy. Italians take their children everywhere and pamper them obscenely. So what's the catch? Apart from the price tag, the biggest challenge to planning a family trip to Italy is likely to prove choosing what to skip. For every boat trip, restaurant and borgo that travelers' rave there are hundreds of other fun things to see and do that are just as good if not better.