Canelli with kids
Castle gardens you can do with a stroller, gelato in the piazza, and a family-run restaurant that welcomes a table full of children — a relaxed Canelli day that keeps small legs (and parents) happy.
Canelli works surprisingly well with children: a flat central piazza, gardens with big views, and kitchens that don't blink at a table of kids.
Morning — gardens and a view
Start with the Castello di Canelli gardens. The guided tour is genuinely family-friendly — mostly stroller-accessible with just a short flight of stairs near the end — and the panoramic terrace gives everyone a big "wow" over the vineyards. Parents get a Moscato tasting at the finish; kids get room to run. Book online ahead (their booking works well) so you're not waiting.
Late morning — gelato in the piazza
Head down to the piazza for a scoop at Gelato Cafe — excellent ice-cream and good coffee for the grown-ups. The centre is flat and easy, so let everyone wander a bit before lunch.
Lunch — the family table
Go to Ristorante San Marco. It's run by a lovely family who genuinely welcome children — one family of 8 adults and 7 kids were made to feel at home, with high chairs ready and no fuss. The food is excellent and the prices reasonable, so the grown-ups eat well too. Ask for the simpler plates for the little ones and the tasting menu for yourselves.
Afternoon — keep it easy
Afternoons with kids are best kept light. Wander the old centre, peek into the Chiesa di San Tommaso (quick, cool, and quiet), and finish with a second gelato — nobody's counting on holiday.
Skip for now: long underground cellar tours and formal wine tastings — save those for a trip without the kids.