Candice Criscione

Candice, a mamma of three, is an Italy trip planner and travel guide who has been living, traveling, and working in Italy for over two decades. She uses her extensive experience in Italy to help travelers plan their first (or tenth!) trip to bella Italia. She lives in Tuscany with her husband and three boys and when she's not writing for Mom in Italy or The Tuscan Mom, you can find her cycling the Tuscan hills and exploring Italy with her boys!

View of buildings on the hillside of Taormina in Sicily.

TAORMINA – All You Need to Plan Your Trip to the Chic Resort Town

Located in Eastern Sicily and perched atop Monte Tauro, Taormina is Sicily’s fashionable, luxury resort town.  It’s got stunning views of the Bay of Naxos and the Ionian Sea, a main drag full of glamourous shops and boutiques, gorgeous hotels, and plenty of restaurants to keep you well-fed during your visit. If you think it

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Morning view of Mount Etna from the terrace of Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, Sicily.

WHERE TO STAY IN TAORMINA (2026) – Areas, Recommendations, Map & Tips

Things to think about when deciding where to stay in Taormina; which neighborhood is best for your Taormina stay; where to park your car in Taormina; recommended Taormina, Sicily hotels and apartments for couples and families Are you planning a trip to Sicily’s chic cliffside town but you aren’t sure where to stay in Taormina?

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Boys play on the beach in Puglia, Italy on a sunny October day.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ITALY BEACHES – The Best Italian Beaches for Kids (+ Map & Tips!)

Updated on January 15, 2024 A family beach vacation in Italy is a perfect opportunity for your kids to spend time outside, play in the sand and sea, and meet other children.  And, Italy has almost 8,000 kilometers of coastline! My kids love going to the beach here, and I always try to find beaches

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Workers packaging chocolate bars in a chocolate shop in Modica, Sicily.

MODICA, SICILY – How to Spend an Afternoon in the Small Town with Big Chocolate!

Modica, Sicily – how to spend an afternoon (or morning!) visiting the town, the best things to do, where to park, what to eat, and what to do near Modica. I won’t lie.  I don’t visit Modica to see its churches or explore the town center.  I come for the chocolate!  I love Modica’s unique

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Two boys hiking on the Alpe di Siusi. You can see mountains in the background and wooden trail signs on the left. It's a sunny day with puffy clouds.

DOLOMITES ITINERARY WITH KIDS – 7 Day Itinerary (Well-Used by Our Family!)

Updated on January 20, 2025 A family-friendly Dolomites itinerary that’s tried and tested by our family; the best things to do with your kids if you’ve got seven days in the area; ideas for itinerary variations and tips for using this Dolomites with kids itinerary Intro – visiting with other families since 2004, with my

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ITALY WITH A BABY OR TODDLER – A Mom in Italy Explains It All

Are you thinking about visiting Italy but wondering if it’s doable with a baby or toddler? Don’t hesitate – book the tickets!  Italy is a wonderful place to travel with babies and young children.  How do I know?  I’ve lived and traveled extensively in Italy with my babies and toddlers.  I’ve also guided family cycling,

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A room filled with models of knights and horses in armor in the Stibbert Museum in Florence, Italy.

STIBBERT MUSEUM IN FLORENCE – Tips for Visiting with Kids (+ Printable Scavenger Hunt)

Updated on January 15, 2024 The Stibbert Museum (Museo Stibbert) in Florence is often overlooked for its more popular neighbors like the Uffizi Galleries and the Accademia Gallery.  But I think it’s one of Florence’s best museums – especially for kids and for knight and armor enthusiasts. Frederick Stibbert (Federico Stibbert) had a passion for

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