Throughout this guide, look for our kid-friendly icons. Sicilians may love bambini, but they don't offer a lot of special amenities for them. For example, a kids' menu in a restaurant is a rarity. You can, however, request a half portion (mezza porzione), and most waiters will oblige. Most Sicilian hoteliers will let children 12 and younger stay for free in a room with a parent. Sometimes this requires a little negotiation at the reception desk.
At attractions, inquire if a kids' discount is available; Italians call it sconto bambino. European Community youths under age 18 get a big break: They're admitted free to all state-run museums.
Babysitting services are available through most hotel desks or by going to the local tourist office in the town where you're staying. Many hotels have children's game rooms and playgrounds.
Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an award-winning site that offers travel features, deals, and tips; Traveling Internationally with Your Kids (www.travelwithyourkids.com), a comprehensive site offering sound advice for international travel with children; and Family Travel Files (www.thefamilytravelfiles.com), which offers an online magazine and a directory of off-the-beaten-path tours and tour operators for families.
