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!

  • View of Saturnia hot springs
    Italy

    Tuscany hot springs and thermal baths in Tuscany you will love

    Tuscany hot springs: Free hot springs in Tuscany and thermal baths in Tuscany you will love: a handpicked selection of the best destinations in Tuscany for hot springs lovers If you love hot springs and thermal baths, then Tuscany can be the perfect Italian destination for you. Famous for its rich cultural history, rolling hills and stunning food, Tuscany is often associated with hittlop villages and wineries however, tuscany also have lovely hot waters, that visitors can enjoy in the form of free hot springs or well equipped thermal stations. We love a good soak in thermal water and always make sure you had a stop to a local hot…

  • My kids in Pisa, Italy
    Travel Inspiration

    9 reasons why Italy is perfect for a family vacation

    What makes a destination family friendly? How do you choose the location for your next family holiday? Is it the availability of cots in hotels and high chairs in restaurants, the amount of children entertainment available, the attitude of the locals towards families with kids? I believe the answer to this questions is different for each parent and changes with the age of your kids. When you Travel with Children specific equipment is more or less useful depending how young or old the kids are and so is the availability of children friendly activities or establishments. In this post, I have written 9 reasons why I think Italy is family…

  • Italy,  Trips with kids

    Venice with kids: our itinerary for 3 days in magical Venice (+ our travel tips)

    Our recommended itinerary for two nights / three days in Venice with kids. Hotel recommendations, child friendly actives and restaurants we loved. I am very fond of Venice. I find it to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world (for me, only Rome competes with it for beauty) and while I know this statement may sound like a cliche’, I promise you in this case it truly comes form the heart. I have been to Venice more times than I can count and every time my heart skips a beat: the city has a type of unique beauty and pensive atmosphere that I simply cannot get enough…

  • Locorotondo, Puglia
    Italy,  Trips with kids

    4 days in Puglia and Matera with kids: the family road trip we loved (and how you can do it too!)

    Our exact family itinerary to spend 4 days in Puglia and Matera with kids and see some of the most beautiful and unique sites in Italy. One of the best and most pleasant family trips we have taken in In Italy, is a short road trip we took between Puglia and Matera. Puglia is a first family favorite for us, a place we have visited many times and tend to go back to over and over again. So we knew this part would be fun! Matera, on the other hand, was new to us. I had been dreaming of going to Matera for years, but the distance from Rome (where…

  • Cute street in Bellagio, lake como
    Europe Travel Guides,  Italy,  Trips with kids

    9 Awesome day trips from Milan for families with kids

    Expert round-up of the best day trips from Milan for families with kids based on our family’s experience. Milan features on the itineraries of many families visiting Italy, both as a destination in itself (the Milan Duomo! The Last Supper! The shopping!) and a convenient place to fly in and out of. I have talked before about the best things to do in Milan with kids and how I recommend you spend one day in Milan. Today, I want to move beyond the city’s boundaries and recommend family day trips from Milan that will enhance your experience of this area and give you a wonderful family time! In true Learning…

  • sperlonga italy with baby and stroller
    Italy

    Summer in Italy with a baby or toddler: how to deal with the heat

    How to deal with the heat when traveling to Italy in summer with a baby or young child. Summer in Italy is hot, sometimes unbearably so. The months of July and August see temperatures that easily go above 38/40C – 100/104F in cities and low areas and and the last couple of years have seen Sicily literally burning up, because of the relentless sun. Such heat must never be underestimated and especially with a baby it calls for extra precautions. Here are some ideas on how to fend off the heat if you are planning to spend the summer in Italy with baby. You can see details on what to…

  • Fortress of Montalcino
    Italy

    Montalcino: all you need to know to visit this stunning wine town in Tuscany

    Montalcino travel guide: best things to see, wine tasting addresses, restaurant recommendations, tips for visiting Montalcino with kids Montalcino is a historic, beautiful hilltop town in Tuscany famous for the production of delicious wine: the famous Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino. It is also and is a lovely destination for a day out in Tuscany. In Montalcino, you find a beautiful medieval center, stunning views over the surrounding countryside and, of course, lots of restaurants and wine shops where to taste what the town does best: wine! We have been to Montalcino several times. Val d’Orcia is one of our favourite destinations for a family vacation in Tuscany and we love to pop…

  • girl sitting in summer outfit with the backdrop of Fjord of Furore in Italy
    Travel Packing Lists

    What to wear in Italy in summer: complete packing list and tips

    What to wear in Italy in summer: complete summer packing list for Italy and style tips to be comfortable and stylish while travelling in Italy Deciding what to wear in Italy in summer is often less straightforward than people realise. First, Italy has cities, beaches and mountains, each requiring slightly different gear for type of holiday and weather patterns. Second, some locations in Italy require a specific dress code, which you need to be aware of to avoid embarrassment or disappointment. The Vatican is well known for being one of these locations (you can read about the specific dress code here), but similar rules apply to most churches. In this…