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!

Panorama of Cefalù, Sicily from the Rocca di Cefalù park.

CEFALÙ – How to Spend One Day in the Delightful Beach Town

Updated on November 19, 2023 Quick guide to everything you should see and do on a one-day visit to Sicily’s coastal village of Cefalù.  Cefalù, a lively beach town on the northern coast of Sicily, has it all – golden sand beaches, ancient ruins, a hilltop castle (La Rocca), a glittering cathedral, and excellent dining.  […]

CEFALÙ – How to Spend One Day in the Delightful Beach Town Read More »

Sampieri sandy beach with the village in the background. Sunny day at the beach in southeastern Sicily, Italy.

SAMPIERI, SICILY – A Family-Friendly Beach Town on the Southern Coast

Updated on January 15, 2024 If you’re in southeastern Sicily and your children (or you) are craving a day at the beach, Sampieri is your place! Sampieri’s calm, sandy beaches are perfect for small children, and the small fishing village has all of the services you need as a family (stroller-friendly, places to change diapers,

SAMPIERI, SICILY – A Family-Friendly Beach Town on the Southern Coast Read More »

Piazza Sant'Antonio as seen from above in Castelmola, Sicily, Italy.

CASTELMOLA – How to Spend an Afternoon in the Tiny Village Above Taormina

Castelmola is one of Italy’s Borghi Più Belli – Most Beautiful Villages.  It’s one of our favorites too!  If you’re in Taormina – for a few days or just for an afternoon – it’s worth making your way from busy Taormina to this tiny village built around the ruins of a 16th century Norman castello

CASTELMOLA – How to Spend an Afternoon in the Tiny Village Above Taormina Read More »

Car driving on countryside roads in Tuscany.

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT FOR ITALY IN 2025 – Why and How to Get One

Updated January 31, 2025 Are you ready to zip through the Tuscan vineyards on a day trip in your FIAT 500?  Daydreaming about driving in the Dolomites? Perhaps you’re vacationing in neighboring France but want to pop into Italy for the afternoon. Or maybe you drew the short straw and you’re the official van driver

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT FOR ITALY IN 2025 – Why and How to Get One Read More »

Santa Croce Christmas Market in Florence, Italy

2024/2025 CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ITALY – Classics & Lesser-Known Gems

2024/2025 Italian Christmas markets with details, dates, and locations.  Last updated on January 6, 2025. Traveling to Italy in the winter of 2025/2026? If so, you can still use these dates as a guideline for planning your trip to Italy’s Christmas Markets. I’ve yet to see a Christmas Market decrease the period it’s open. A

2024/2025 CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ITALY – Classics & Lesser-Known Gems Read More »

PHARMACIES IN ITALY (FARMACIE) – A Traveler’s Guide

Updated January 21, 2025 Like it or not, there’s a chance that you’ll need to visit a pharmacy while you’re visiting Italy.  But it’s important to know that Italian pharmacies (farmacie) likely aren’t exactly the same as those in your home country.  I’m writing this article as an Italian resident and someone who’s used pharmacies

PHARMACIES IN ITALY (FARMACIE) – A Traveler’s Guide Read More »