Italy
Italy has a special place in my heart. I am from Rome and I have called Italy home for over 40 years. I have experienced it as a local, I had the privilege of studying its history in University (I am a Roman history graduate from the University of Rome) and I have traveled Italy extensively on my own, with friends and now with my husband and kids. As you can imagine, this means I have quite a lot to say about it! So much so, that I have now this large section on this website about it, but also two dedicated websites: MamaLovesItaly.com and MamaLovesRome.com with even more guides!
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How to Take a Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre: Best Towns to Visit and Practical Tips to Help You Plan Your Perfect Day
How to Take a Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre: exact itinerary and travel tips based on real experience from our travels. Taking a day trip to Cinque Terre from a base in Florence is a popular choice for travelers on a tight schedule. For many, it’s the only way to squeeze in a glimpse of the iconic, cliff-hugging colorful villages that have become Instagram favorites and indeed, the charm of this area is such, it is hard to resist! I absolutely love Cinque Terre (If you know this site, I have many guides about the area, I am Italian and we go often. The area is one of…
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The best area to stay in Florence: neighbourhood and district guide + top hotel picks you’ll love
An insider’s guide to the best area to stay in Florence: expert, Florence neighborhood guide to help you pick the best place to stay in Florence on your first visit. Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy and offers a staggering array of accommodation options suitable for all types visitors: hotels, apartments, campsites… no matter what your favorite type of accommodation is, there is a chance Florence offers it! This variety is a boon and a curse for the traveler: a boon, because it means you have a high chance of finding somewhere suitable; a curse, because too much choice can quickly become overwhelming. With infinite hotels…
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San Candido Italy: what to see and do in this pretty mountain town
The best things to do in San Candido Italy and tips for visiting this stunning mountain village in the Italian Dolomites. San Candido / Innichen is a delightful small town in the Italian Dolomites and a wonderful home base for a hiking family vacation. The town is in Val Pusteria, a beautiful Alpine valley in the province of Bolzano, and its simply breathtaking. Nestled on the valley floor, San Candido is surrounded by green slopes, running brooks and it is overlooked by Mount Baranci, a breathtaking Alpine Peak towering over the town like a mighty, otherworldly guardian. There is plenty to see and do in San Candido area. We have…
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The Dolomites with kids: the very best places + travel tips
The best places to visit on the Dolomites with kids and travel tips for the perfect family vacation on the Italian Dolomites. The Dolomites, the stretch of Alps in the North East of Italy, are one of the most beautiful places in Italy for natural beauty and a one of my favorite places in the world. The area has stunning mountains, picture-perfect villages with balconies adorned with cascading flowers that seem out of a fairy tale and a plethora of hiking options for adventurous families and also for families who don’t want crazy hikes but enjoy nature, relaxing time at the playground and fresh air. The place is just special…
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Italy in October: all you need to know
All you need to know to plan a trip to Italy in October: weather, what to pack, best places to visit in Italy in October, recommended booking timeline, travel tips.
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Italy in September: trip planning guide by a local
All you need to know to plan a trip to Italy in September: weather in Italy in September, the best things to do, when to book what. September is a lovely month to visit Italy, one of the best. The last month of the warmer season, September in Italy still feels like summer, but the heat starts to lose its bite, making the days warm but less oppressive. Tourism is still heavy in September in Italy, especially during the first two weeks of the month, but prices start to come down and, from the middle of the month, when local schools resume also, prices start to go down. I love…
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5 places to visit in Italy in June with kids you’ll absolutely adore
June is one of the most popular times to travel to Italy, so I am well aware I am not the only one who picks their favorite time of the year for an Italian vacation. June in Italy is, usually, simply a delight. The timid beginning of proper summer, June tends to have weather that is mild but not hot, the sun warm but not scorching and the beaches appealing but not packed. It is a time of bougainvillea flowers, sparkling blue sea, green countryside and starry night. For kids, it is the time for the first swims in the sea, the chill of pre-summer water thrilling and uplifting, a…
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What to see in Siracusa Sicily: a beautiful itinerary to see Siracusa in one day
Our guide to What to see in Syracuse Sicily. Tips on where to stay, how to plan your time and how to get around to make the most of your time in stunning Siracusa, Sicily. Bellissima. This is the word to describe Syracuse, in Sicily (Siracusa, in Italian), a city of superlative beauty. Located in the Eastern part of Sicily, close to Catania and famous Taormina, Syracuse/ Siracusa is a big enough city with a stunning ancient centre, an important archaeological park and beautiful coastline. We visited the city this past April, on a sunny day that made the sea sparkle and Syracuse’s stunning architecture beam against the clear Sicilian…
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Enchanting places to visit in Puglia for a perfect Italian escape
A handpicked list of the dreamiest, most beautiful and best places to visit in Puglia, Italy. Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot, is a place even Italian always mentioned with a sense of wonder. Tell anyone you have been to Puglia and the reaction invariably is ‘Ah, Puglia. Bellissima!”, usually accompanied by a slight sense of surprise, as if this was a secret place, once they did not expect you to know about. Puglia is no hidden gem (it is a gem, but it is not hidden!), however, it is true that compared with other parts of Italy it tends to see less international tourism and retain a more…
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Painted dreams: where to see colorful houses in Italy, the most vibrant villages and colorful Corners
Italy colorful houses: the best places to see them. Discover the most colorful villages in Italy and where to find Italy’s rainbow towns.
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Dreamy Tuscany itinerary ideas for a perfect Italian escape
All you need to know to plan a perfect Tuscany itinerary: best places in Tuscany, where to base yourself in Tuscany, practical tips for a perfect trip
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The best places in the Dolomites for spellbinding views
A handpicked selection of the most beautiful places on the Dolomites for jaw droopingly beautiful mountain views. The Italian Dolomites are one of the most beautiful places in Italy and the world. You may think I am letting emotions carry me away with this sweeping statement. After all, I have spent my entire childhood vacationing on the Dolomites, so I am indeed biased. However, even just a glimpse at those towering mountains will prove my point. The Dolomites are simply stunning. If you love beautiful landscapes, outdoor pursuits and want to experience a corner of Italy like no other, they will be the perfect destination for your next trip. In…
