LATEST ARTICLES

Grandfather hugs his grandson and smiles in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

ITALY WITH KIDS & GRANDPARENTS – How to Plan Your Multigenerational Trip

Italy is a special place to visit with multiple generations. Bella Italia is overflowing with…

Boys drive go-karts and scooter toys down a path at Das Grafenstein Family Suites near Merano in the Dolomites, Italy.

DAS GRAFENSTEIN FAMILY HOTEL REVIEW – A Kid’s Paradise Near Merano (Dolomites)

Are you researching family hotels for your trip to the Dolomites? If so, I’ve got…

The Sciliar mountain range as seen from Fie allo Sciliar in July

3-DAY DOLOMITES ITINERARY – Using Fiè allo Sciliar as a Base

If you’re planning a visit to Italy and want to visit the montane più belle…

Entrance to the pharmacy inside the Pisa airport in Itlay. Displays of baby products, bandaids, and medicines. Ads on either side of the large doorway.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD GETS SICK ON VACATION IN ITALY

QUICK GUIDE:Emergency – call 118 or 112.Non-Urgent Doctor Visit – ask your accommodation or search…

A child runs through the snow on a large alpine plateau. Large mountains in the background. This is Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, Italy.

FAMILY PACKING LIST for the Dolomites in the Winter

Are you heading to the Dolomites in the winter? Do you need some help brainstorming…

Boys walking the trail toward mountains in the Dolomites.

VISITING THE DOLOMITES WITHOUT A CAR – It’s Possible, & Sometimes Preferable

Are you trying to decide if you should rent a car for your visit to…

Two children read books from the Who Was? series - Who Was Galileo? and Who Was Leonardo da Vinci. Their faces are hidden behind the books and they're sitting against a white wall.

‘WHO WAS?’ BOOKS FOR A FAMILY TRIP TO ITALY

If you’ve got kids, you’ve likely heard of or read many of the books in…

Boy makes a snow angel in snow on Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, Italy. Trees and mountains in the background.

A WINTER VISIT TO THE DOLOMITES WITH KIDS – All You Need to Know

Are you thinking of planning a family trip to the Dolomites in the winter? Wondering…

Small children take ski lessons with instructors on a gentle slope on Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites. The Alpe is covered in snow and there are large mountains in the background.

ALPE DI SIUSI WITH KIDS – Winter Edition

I’m all about visiting Alpe di Siusi during the summer with kids, and that’s when…

Christmas trees surround a statue at the Bolzano Christmas market in the Dolomites, Italy. The cathedral is in the background. It's nighttime.

DOLOMITES IN THE WINTER – 7 Activities For Non-Skiers

Do you want to visit the Dolomites in Italy during the winter but have no…

Boy sits on wooden bench at bus stop in the Dolomites (Castelrotto) in Italy. Mountains and village buildings behind him.

VISITING THE DOLOMITES IN WINTER WITHOUT A CAR – How We Did It

Ciao! Are you wondering if it’s possible to visit the Dolomites in the winter without…

Inside the Bari airport. A high-ceilinged area with car rental desks and people walking around.

CAR RENTAL AT THE BARI AIRPORT – From Pickup to Drop Off

If you’re heading to Puglia and are thinking about renting a car – smart choice! …

Boy in red sweatshirt sits next to window on a train in the Dolomites, Italy. Out the window are low mountains and winter vineyards.

FLORENCE TO BOLZANO BY TRAIN – My Quick Guide

If you’re heading up to Bolzano from Florence, it’s easy to arrive by train. You…

Boy in brown coat walks down via dei Portici in Bolzano. It's a cobblestone street with porticoes on either side. Small Christmas trees line the street and people are walking in either direction.

A WINTER VISIT TO BOLZANO WITH KIDS – Yay or Nay?

Are you trying to decide if you should visit Bolzano with your kids during the…

Cobblestone street with view of shop entrances under a portico. Bicycle and Christmas tree in front of the portico. Street lit up in evening in Bolzano, Italy.

BOLZANO IN WINTER – Well-Worth a Visit!

Thinking of visiting Bolzano in the inverno (winter)? Stop thinking about it and make it…

Boy in brown coat runs in the Bolzano Christmas market, passing wooden stalls on the left and lit Christmas trees on the right. He's heading toward a large Christmas tree up ahead.

BOLZANO’S CHRISTMAS MARKET – Our Family’s Favorite Mercatino di Natale

Whether you’re trying to decide if you should hit up Bolzano’s Christmas Market on your…

VENICE WITH A TODDLER – A Mom in Italy’s Complete Guide

Hi! Are you planning a trip to Venice (or trying to decide if you should…

Bright orange sunrise and view of rooftops and bird flying in Venice, Italy.

MY FAVORITE VENICE CLIMBS & VIEWPOINTS – With or Without Kids

We all know that Venice is unique, so why not see if from a unique…

View of St. Mark's Basilica and bell tower and Venice rooftops from the top of Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice, Italy.

HOW TO ‘CLIMB’ ST. MARK’S BELL TOWER IN VENICE – My Quick Guide

Are you heading to Venice for the first time and thinking about heading up to…

View of Venice, Italy rooftops and the Scala Contarini del Bovolo. The top of the St. Mark's bell tower and basilica can be seen in the distance.

SCALA CONTARINI DEL BOVOLO – A Kid-Friendly Tower Climb in Venice

One of my favorite things to do in Venice is see the city from above. …

Burano Island's playground set against the Venice lagoon and Mazzorbo Island. The playground has colorful play structures including tubes, slides, swings, and spring toys. The ground is grassy.

VENICE PLAYGROUNDS & PARKS WE LOVE – Get Your Wiggles Out in Venice

Ciao! If your kids are like mine, your trip to Venice will need to include…

Two stone statues (the Moors) hammer onto a large bell on the top of the Clock Tower in Venice. In the back is the rooftop of St. Mark's Basilica and the lagoon.

CLIMBING THE VENICE CLOCK TOWER – A Unique Way to See Venice from Above

If you’re planning a trip to Venice, don’t miss a chance to see Venice from…

Boy in red sweatshirt walks down a gravel trail with volcanic stones on right and rope railing on left. Whispy clouds and brush covered hills in front of him.

MOUNT VESUVIUS HIKE WITH KIDS – Our Experience + Tips from a Mom in Italy

Mount Vesuvius is one of the most imposing sites in Italy and if your kids…

Boy walks down cobblestone street in Rome. A few others are on the street but it's not crowded. Shops on either side of the street (the one on the left is a leather shop). Sunny skies.

HOW TO AVOID CROWDS WHILE TRAVELING IN ITALY – My 2025 Guide

If you were in Italy in 2024 and were put off by the intense crowds…

Boy pushing brothers along cobblestone street in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Church and flags in background. People with bikes on left.

WHERE TO STAY IN CORTINA D’AMPEZZO WITH KIDS – Areas & Hotels

Are you heading to Cortina d’Ampezzo (or thinking about it) and aren’t sure where to…

Display of mosquito repellent products at a pharmacy in Italy.

MOSQUITOES IN ITALY – How to Prevent Bites (& Treat Them)

Ah, mosquitoes. I’ve been dealing with them here in Italy for over two decades. I…

Laundry drying on a metal rack on a terracotta terrace with the Tuscan countryside in the background.

DOING LAUNDRY IN ITALY – A Traveler’s Guide

Are you packing for your Italy trip and wondering if you should try to do…

HOW TO VISIT THE TERME MERANO (Merano Thermal Baths) with Kids

A thermal bath complex probably isn’t at the top of your list of fun things…

Boy walks on pedestrian street in Merano, Italy. Buildings on either side of the street, people sit under umbrellas at outdoor cafes on the street. People also walk on the street. Sunny day with puffy white clouds.

ONE DAY IN MERANO WITH KIDS – Summer Edition

Are you trying to figure out how to spend your summer day in Merano as…

Wooden chairs and tables are set up outside Panini e Vini da Babbo in Venice, Italy. People sit at the tables and others walk by on the wide, pedestrian way. The window displays cicchetti for sale. It's a sunny day with no clouds.

WHERE TO EAT IN VENICE WITH KIDS

Are you in Venice, with hungry kids, looking for a family-friendly place to eat? Perhaps…