Author: PagingRealLife

  • 🇮🇹 Sicily Cruise Port: Exploring Taormina & Messina with Kids

    Our stop in Messina, Sicily quickly became one of the highlights of our Mediterranean cruise. With a private tour booked through Viator, we spent the day exploring the gorgeous hilltop town of Taormina and the historic streets of Messina — and yes, we finished with the most perfect cannoli in Italy.

    🚌 Shore Excursion Details

    🌋 Taormina: Cobblestones, Views & Granita Dreams

    Our day began with a scenic drive from Messina to Taormina, complete with a photo stop overlooking Mount Etna in the distance. Even our kids were wowed!

    Mount Etna overlook on drive to Taormina

    Mount Etna in the distance — a breathtaking start to our day in Sicily!

    We were dropped off at Porta Catania, one of the two iconic entrances to Corso Umberto — the charming pedestrian street that cuts through town. Along the way, we stopped to see:

    • Fontana dei Quattro Fontane (Fountain of the Four Horses)
    • The peaceful Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of San Nicola)
    • The breathtaking views from Piazza IX Aprile

    Before leaving Taormina, we made a must-stop at the iconic Bam Bar, famous for its refreshing granita served with a soft brioche roll. It was hands-down one of our favorite treats of the trip — and totally kid-approved!

    Bam Bar granita in Taormina

    Granita with brioche at Bam Bar — a cold, sweet, Sicilian tradition!

    ⛪️ Messina: Clock Towers & Cannoli

    Back in Messina, we visited the Cathedral of Messina, home to the largest astronomical clock in Europe — an absolute showstopper when it chimes at noon (though we missed the action this time).

    Messina astronomical clock

    The famous astronomical clock in Messina’s cathedral square.

    We ended the tour on a sweet note: a visit to a local pastry shop for authentic Sicilian cannoli. Crispy, creamy, and totally unforgettable.

    Family eating Sicilian cannoli

    Chris and I approved! These cannoli were the real deal.

    Close-up of Sicilian cannoli

    Look at that filling. Perfection.

    💡 Would We Return?

    Absolutely! This stop gave us a great taste of Sicily — both literally and figuratively. We’d love to return and spend more time exploring Mt. Etna, the beaches, and maybe even take a cooking class in the future. For now, this was the perfect first introduction to the magic of Sicily.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you!

  • ✨ How We Add Extra Magic to Our Disney Trips – Tinkerbell Gifts 🧚‍♀️

    One of our longest-running Disney traditions is something we call Tinkerbell Gifts. ✨ Each morning during our trip, our girls wake up to a little surprise by their bedside—a special gift left by Tink herself.

    It started when Maddie was 4 and Paige was 2. Over a decade later, we’re still doing it… just with slightly more advanced gifts (lip balm and mascara sometimes replace princess stickers now 😅).

    These surprises add magic to our mornings, eliminate our “Can I have this?” moments in the parks, and let me grab fun things ahead of time—much cheaper, from home, with no pressure.

    And yes, sometimes we even sprinkle glitter from a little shaker around the gift—because clearly, Tinkerbell came by in the night. ✨ Are we extra? Absolutely. But that little trail of sparkle makes the magic feel real.

    Tinkerbell dropped some PIXIE DUST

    Below is our massive list of Tinkerbell gift ideas—all Disney-themed, travel-friendly, and kid-approved. Many of these we’ve used, gifted, or packed ourselves. Feel free to pick and choose to match your travel crew!

    🎀 Hair Accessories

    Minnie Mouse Sparkly Ear Scrunchies (2-Pack)

    Disney Princess Confetti Hair Clip Set (6-Pack)

    Sparkly Minnie Ears Headband (Pink Sequin)

    Mickey/Minnie x Kitsch Hair Claw Clip (Cream)

    💄 Makeup & Beauty

    My older girls love their Disney makeup palette!

    Lip Smacker Disney Belle Emoji Lip Balm

    Lip Smacker Frozen II Makeup Set

    Lip Smacker Princess Glam Bag Makeup Set

    Disney Princess 7-Day Makeup Eraser Set

    ColourPop x Beauty and the Beast Eyeshadow Palette

    The Crème Shop Disney Eyeliner + Freckle Stamp

    Stitch 10-Piece Lip Gloss Set

    Minnie Mouse All-in-One Beauty Compact

    Touchland x Disney Mickey Hand Sanitizer Spray

    Touchland & Disney Special Edition Hydrating Hand Sanitizer + Case

    Tinks Pixie Perfection Under Eye Patches – Aloe & Hyaluronic Acid

    The Crème Shop x Disney Macaron Lip Balm – Mickey Red Watermelon

    Disney Frozen 7-Piece Makeup Brush & Blender Set

    💍 Jewelry & Accessories

    Stitch charm bracelet

    Minnie Mouse Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings

    Disney Stud Earring Set (16 Pairs)

    Staligue Initial Stud Earrings with Bow

    Minnie Mouse Mommy & Me Necklace Set

    Disney Minnie & Daisy Charm Bracelet

    Disney Princess Charm Bracelet

    LUV HER Kids Adjustable Rings (4-Pack)

    LUV HER Lilo and Stitch Charm Bracelet

    Chenille Initial Letter Bow Mouse Fanny Pack

    Minnie Mouse Rainbow Cat Eye Sunglasses

    🧃 Water Bottles

    Great to stay hydrated at parks

    THERMOS Funtainer Mickey Mouse Bottle (12oz)

    Simple Modern Disney Princess Bottle (14oz)

    Zak Designs Princess Water Bottle 2-Pack

    🎨 Travel Activities & Sticker Books

    Fun for both young and old!

    Magnetic Puzzle Book – Princess/Mermaid/Unicorn

    Disney Princess Necklace Activity Case

    Create-A-Scene Sticker Activity Pad

    Ultimate Disney Sticker Book

    Wikki Stix Travel Pack

    Disney Princess Stow & Go Activity Kit

    Toy Story Colorforms Travel Set

    Disney Princess Mad Libs

    Disney Spirograph Cyclx Mickey Clip-On

    Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Minnie Set

    Make-a-Face Sticker Pack – Disney Gang

    Color Wonder Disney Princess Coloring Set

    🧸 Toys & Sensory Items

    Koosh Disney Ariel Backpack Clip

    JA-RU Disney Princess Water Ring Game

    JA-RU Minnie Mouse Stretchy Toy

    Disney Squishy Fidget Toys – Stitch & Alien

    Rubik’s Cube – Stitch Edition

    Pop Fidget Toys Fast Push Game – Mouse Design

    Pop It! Pets – Disney Edition Blind Bag

    Star Wars Squishy Balls Set – BB8 Box

    JA-RU Disney Squish Ears – Mickey & Minnie

    Disney Crystal Surprise Series 1 Blind Bag

    Disney Mickey & Friends 10-Piece Finger Puppets

    Disney Stitch Squish-a-Stitch Collectibles (3-Pack)

    Disney Doorables Squish’Alots – Blind Capsule

    🎲 Games & Cards

    Skillmatics Guess in 10 – Disney Edition

    Spot It! Disney Edition

    Bicycle Mickey & Friends Playing Cards

    🍬 Snacks & Candy

    Disney Junior Lollipop Rings (18 ct)

    Disney Mickey Mouse Goldfish Crackers

    Disney Mickey & Friends Fruit Snacks

    PEZ Disney Pixar 12-Pack

    🛍️ Bubble Wands & Extras

    Glitter Mouse Ear Bubble Wands – 24 Pack

    📚 Disney Books with Hidden Magic

    The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, 3rd Edition

    Weird But True! Disney: 300 Facts to Celebrate the Magic

  • 🥕 Paige’s Produce Project: How Our 11-Year-Old Prepped a Week of Fruits & Veggies (All by Herself!)

    Summer means fresh fruit, busy days, and trying to keep healthy snacks stocked in the fridge. And this week, our 11-year-old Paige took charge of it all by herself.

    While I was at work, Chris was at the gym, and sisters were otherwise occupied — Paige decided it was the perfect time to tackle our Costco produce haul. She washed, chopped, and packed everything into mason jars for the week. Total star move. 🌟

    Mason jars filled with fruit

    We stocked up on:

    • 🍓 Strawberries
    • 🍇 Grapes
    • 🫐 Blueberries
    • 🥕 Baby carrots
    • 🌶️ Bell peppers
    • 🥒 Cucumbers
    • 🍍 Pineapple

    Pro tip: letting kids choose their fruits and veggies gets them excited to prep and eat them too.

    🧼 Step 1: Wash & Sort

    Paige rinsed everything. Then she set up her prep station with bowls for each type of produce. No one else was around — just her, some background music, and a kitchen full of fresh food.

    🔪 Step 2: Chop Like a Pro

    Using kid-safe knives, she sliced strawberries, diced cucumbers, and chopped bell peppers all on her own. She’s been helping in the kitchen for a while, but this was her first solo mission — and she crushed it.

    Paige with pineapple head

    (Also… every great chef deserves a goofy break. 🥴🍍)

    🧻 Step 3: Pack the Jars

    Each jar got a folded paper towel on the bottom to help absorb moisture, then she layered in the prepped produce. Everything was bright, colorful, and snack-ready.

    🔒 Step 4: Seal for Freshness

    To finish the job, she used our one-button electric vacuum sealer to remove air from each jar. The seal helps everything last all week — and Paige said it made her feel “like a scientist.”

    Fridge drawer full of jars

    💡 Why We Love This

    • Healthy snacks for the whole week
    • Zero waste on produce
    • Huge confidence boost for Paige
    • And this mama didn’t have to lift a finger

    🛍️ Paige’s Favorite Tools

    🔗 Ball Mason Jars (32 oz)

    Ball Mason Jars

    🔗 Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer

    Vacuum Sealer

    🔗 Kid-Friendly Knife Set

    Kid-Friendly Knife Set

    🔗 Non-Slip Cutting Board Set

    Cutting Board Set

    Want more kid-powered kitchen ideas? Or just need snack prep that actually works? Follow along at Paging Real Life 💛

    Let us know if you try this method — and don’t forget to tag us with your mason jar fridge lineups!

  • 🇮🇹 Rome With Kids: 3 Days of Ancient Ruins, Gelato & Magic Before Setting Sail

    After soaking up Florence, we wrapped up the land portion of our Italy adventure with a whirlwind few days in Rome—a city bursting with ancient history, delicious pasta, and (of course) so much gelato.

    🚄 Arrival: We took the Frecciarossa train from Florence to Rome, then used the FreeNow app (like Uber) for a quick taxi to our hotel.

    📍 Hotel: Grand Hotel Palatino
    We had two adjoining rooms that were super spacious and luxurious—there were even chocolates and macarons waiting for us! (Don’t worry, we told the girls not to get used to this kind of treatment.)

    Trevi Fountain Abby and Chris

    Abby and Chris at the Trevi Fountain—our first evening in Rome started with a classic wish toss.

    🏛️ Day 1: Walkable Wonders + Our First Gnocchi

    After settling in, we walked to the Pantheon, seeing several iconic sights along the way. From there we made our way to the Trevi Fountain, threw in our coins, and stopped at The Quirinal Palace and Palazzo della Consulta.

    🍝 Dinner: Benso Ristorante – The gnocchi was a standout.

    🍨 Gelato: Gold Ice – Cute spot, but not a favorite. Rome has better!

    🎨 Day 2: Vatican Marvels, Pancakes & a Golfcart Tour

    🧇 Breakfast: Complimentary at the hotel
    🖼️ Morning: Private Vatican Tour with Liv Tours
    This tour was great for families. Chris would have stayed in the museum all day (so many Roman artifacts!) but the crowds kept us moving. Highlights included the Sistine Chapel (no photos!) and St. Peter’s Basilica, where we explored freely afterward.

    Vatican tour

    Our Vatican tour ended at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we were able to explore at our own pace.

    🥞 Lunch: The Loft – Pancakes with fresh fruit = a major hit with the girls.

    🛍️ We wandered Rome, visited Sephora (because teenagers), and had one of our favorite gelato stops:

    🍨 Amorino Gelato – Creamy, fun flavors with macarons on top.

    Golfcart tour

    Our golfcart tour gave us front-row views of Rome’s icons—with a guide who knew how to make history fun for kids.

    🛺 Evening: 2-hour Golfcart Tour with My Best Tour
    One of the girls’ favorite activities of the trip. Our guide was engaging, funny, and showed us:

    • Colosseum (lit up at night!)
    • Pantheon (again!)
    • Trevi Fountain (again!)
    • Spanish Steps
    • Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary (preview for tomorrow!)

    Spanish Steps

    Evening views at the Spanish Steps during our golfcart tour—beautiful and surprisingly peaceful.

    She even stopped at her favorite local gelato spot—
    🍨 Essentia Gelato near Trevi — definitely a top contender!

    🍝 Dinner: Osteria Maracuja – Another win, and conveniently right where our guide dropped us.

    🏟️ Day 3: Gladiators, Cats & Chocolate-Dipped Cones

    🧇 Breakfast: Complimentary again at Grand Hotel Palatino
    🗿 Morning: Private Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour with Liv Tours
    Our guide Chiara was fantastic—she kept the kids fully engaged while giving Chris plenty of deep historical details.

    Colosseum tour

    Gladiator energy! The girls loved exploring the Colosseum with our Liv Tours guide, Chiara.

    🍕 Lunch: Antico Forno Serpenti – Fast, large portions, great prices.

    🐱 Afternoon: Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
    We arrived before their posted closing time but couldn’t go in—still cool to peek in and learn it’s the exact spot Julius Caesar was assassinated. Paige declared we have to come back to actually pet the cats.

    🍨 Gelato: Gelateria Artigianale Corona – Great texture and flavor.

    🍝 Dinner: Bernini Ristorante near Piazza Navona
    Fun atmosphere, and the food was great.

    🍨 Final Gelato: Frigidarium – Possibly the best of our whole trip! Don’t miss the chocolate hard shell dipped cones.

    Frigidarium gelato

    Frigidarium’s chocolate-dipped gelato cones might have won our “best of the trip” award.

    ➕ Related Posts:

  • Excited to Get Back to Premier Athletics: New Teams, Big Energy & All the Feels

    Despite an incredible summer of travel — including two magical weeks in Italy — Paige and Olivia couldn’t stop talking about one thing they missed most: Premier Athletics.

    Yes, even while we were walking through the streets of Rome, eating pasta in Florence, or climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa… they kept saying how much they missed their gym family, their coaches, and the feeling of being on the mat. We even practiced some tumbling on the Disney Fantasy and streets of Italy!

    We found out their team placements right before we left, and now that we’re home, the countdown is officially over. Their first practices start tomorrow and the excitement in our house is at an all-time high. New teammates to meet, new routines to learn, and that fresh season energy you can feel in the air.

    We may still be shaking jet lag, but these girls have already packed their gym bags and are ready to get back to the grind.

    First day back to Premier Athletics

    Why They’re So Excited:

    • Premier truly is their second home (we’re pretty sure they know every square inch of that building)
    • They love their coaches and teammates like family
    • New season = new goals, new friendships, and lots of mat time

    Paige with her Owala water bottle

    Want to see what we pack for every practice?

    We pulled together a list of all the gear, snacks, shoes, and random stuff that makes gym life smoother.

    👉 What We Use for Cheer Practice

    We’ll be sharing more soon once we dive into choreography weekends, team bonding, and competition prep — but for now, we’re just happy to be back where the sparkle spray lives and the energy never stops.

  • 2.5 Days in Florence with Kids: Cooking Classes, Leather Markets & Day Trips

    🛤️ Getting to Florence

    We took the Frecciarossa train from Venice to Florence and grabbed a quick breakfast from the train station coffee shop. From there, it was a short walk to our Family Apartment Ca Lina – Annex Hotel Santa Maria Novella. This place was perfect for our crew — three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen made it feel like a home base.

    Family Apartment in Florence

    🍝 Pasta, Gelato & Pizza

    We kicked off our time in Florence with lunch at Ristorante Pizzeria Ginori — simple, delicious, and kid-approved.

    That afternoon we joined a Pasta & Gelato Cooking Class at Towns of Italy Cooking School. This was a highlight of the trip — a 3-hour, hands-on experience where everyone got to make tagliatelle, ravioli, and sauces from scratch. Maddie took charge of the pesto, and Paige and Olivia whipped up some amazing vanilla gelato.

    Family Apartment in Florence

    🌆 Exploring Florence by Night

    In the evening, we explored the city starting with the Mercato del Porcellino (Leather Market) and Piazza della Signoria. We saw the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Vecchio, Michelangelo’s David replica, and the open-air sculpture gallery.

    We wandered down to the Ponte Vecchio, admired the luxury stores, caught street performers, and made a quick stop at Sephora Firenze (of course). We wrapped up the evening with gelato from Edoardo Gelato — a recommendation from our cooking instructor and a new favorite!

    Evening in Florence

    👉 Link to Gelato Favorites Post

    🌄 Day Trip to Lucca & Pisa (6/3)

    We booked a private 9-hour tour with All Tuscany Company, led by Euan MacKa. He was so personable — sharing history and stories the whole way.

    In Lucca, we climbed Torre delle Ore (207 steps!), visited the Basilica di San Frediano, walked the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and enjoyed gelato at Gelateria Anfiteatro. Lunch at Dal Poderino was relaxing and delicious.

    In Pisa, we climbed the Leaning Tower, visited the Baptistery of Saint Giovanni (including an echo demonstration), and explored the Pisa Cathedral.

    Leaning Tower of Pisa

    👉 Link to Day Trip to Pisa & Lucca Post

    We ended the day with dinner at La Buchetta Food & Wine back in Florence — the blue cheese ravioli and liquid nitrogen gelato made table-side were amazing (make a reservation — they were turning people away!).

    🏛️ Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome (6/4)

    On our final morning, we climbed Brunelleschi’s Dome — 463 steep, narrow steps up to panoramic views of Florence. It took about 50 minutes and was such a fun challenge for the kids. Definitely buy tickets in advance — it was sold out for the day when we arrived.

    View from Brunelleschi's Dome

    After one last Nutella-filled breakfast at the hotel, we caught the Frecciarossa train to Rome.

    💡 Quick Tips:

    • Book Brunelleschi’s Dome and La Buchetta ahead of time.
    • Towns of Italy cooking class was kid-friendly and worth every euro.
    • Use a transfer company like All Tuscany for day trips — it made logistics a breeze.

    👉 Our Travel Gear Must-Haves

    👉 Day Trip: Lucca + Pisa

    👉 Best Gelato in Italy

  • Our Favorite Travel Gear for Families: Tested on a 2-Week European Adventure

    After years of domestic trips and Disney runs, we took the leap—an international family adventure through Italy and Greece. With three kids in tow, we needed travel gear that was functional, comfortable, and stylish enough to keep up with our pace. Below are the products that truly earned their keep—and made traveling smoother (and cuter) every step of the way.

    👜 Anti-theft Bags We Loved

    Four girls with travel bags in Venice

    🌬️ Cooling Must-Haves

    • Neck Fans – Hands-free and lifesaving during hot sightseeing days.
    • Handheld Fan – Compact and powerful for quick cool-downs.

    💧 Hydration on the Go

    👟 Shoes That Actually Worked

    • Veja sneakers — walked 20,000 steps in these and still felt great.

    ✈️ Luggage & Travel Accessories

    Luggage lineup with Cotopaxi and Away bags

    • Away Bigger Carry-On – Our go-to suitcase for flights: roomy, sleek, and fits overhead bins like a pro.
    • Luggage Strap – Great for holding backpacks to suitcases during airport transfers.

    Close-up of luggage strap on suitcase

    🧼 Packing Organization & Laundry

    Compression cubes inside suitcase

    😴 Comfort Items for Flights

    • Sleep Mask – Great for overnight flights or napping on trains.
    • Neck Pillow – Our youngest swears by hers.

    🔒 Security Must-Haves

    🎒 Backpacks That Worked

    🔌 Tech Accessories

    💊 Health & Medications

    • Travel Medication Pouch
      My favorite way to organize meds for the whole family. I pre-label each compartment with printed mini stickers (as shown!) and toss it in a soft drawstring pouch. Perfect for ibuprofen, allergy meds, and more.Travel medication pouch with labeled pill compartments

    🚉 Real Life: Gear in Action

    Dad and daughter at train station with luggage

    Train station shot of luggage and straps

    Family navigating station with gear

    This list isn’t sponsored—just real recommendations from a mom who tried all the things to make travel easier. We’ll keep adding favorites as we find them!

    Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we personally used and loved on our family travels.

  • Day Trip to Lucca and Pisa

    Day Trip to Lucca and Pisa

    We booked a day trip to Lucca and Pisa with All Tuscany Company, and it was a highlight of our Italy adventure. Our driver, arranged by owner Euan MacKa, was personable, engaging, and full of great stories and historical insight. He even gave us walking tours in both cities before letting us explore on our own. The entire experience lasted about 9 hours and was seamless from start to finish.

    Lucca

    We started in Lucca, a charming medieval town with cobblestone streets and peaceful energy. We wandered the old town, climbed the Torre delle Ore for sweeping views, and made sure to sample some of the best gelato around.

    Walking through Lucca's medieval streets
    📍Exploring the charming medieval streets of Lucca—such a photogenic town with so much character.
    Gelateria Anfiteatro storefront
    🍦 A must-stop: Gelateria Anfiteatro for refreshing popsicles and classic scoops in the heart of Lucca. Read our full gelato rankings here →
    Inside Torre delle Ore
    ⏳ Climbing 207 wooden steps to the top of Torre delle Ore—the tallest tower in Lucca.
    Basilica di San Frediano exterior
    ⛪ Basilica di San Frediano, with its stunning golden mosaic façade shining in the midday sun.
    Family walking the Lucca walls
    🌳 Ending our Lucca visit with a peaceful walk atop the city’s historic Renaissance walls.

    Pisa

    From Lucca, we made our way to Pisa. The city was buzzing with visitors, and we made sure to hit all the highlights. We climbed the Leaning Tower, witnessed the echo trick inside the Baptistery, and ended the day inside the stunning Pisa Cathedral.

    Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
    🌀 Twisting our way up the Leaning Tower of Pisa—it’s a dizzying but iconic climb!
    Bell at the top of Leaning Tower
    🔔 Victory at the top! The views (and bells) from the Leaning Tower were unforgettable.
    Classic Pisa photo op
    📸 Because you can’t leave Pisa without the classic Leaning Tower pic—nailed it?
    Inside Pisa Cathedral
    🎨 The breathtaking interior of Pisa Cathedral—rich with mosaics, marble, and history.

    If you’re based in Florence and looking for a well-paced, family-friendly excursion, this Lucca and Pisa combo day trip is a perfect option.

    Want to see what we did before and after this? Our Venice itinerary kicks off the trip—and our Florence post (coming soon!) continues it.

    🚐 Transportation Tip:
    We highly recommend All Tuscany Company for private transfers and day trips in the region. Our driver made the entire experience seamless and special.
    Contact: Euan MacKa
    📱 +39 338 7731304

  • 2 Days in Venice with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary

    2 Days in Venice with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary

    Venice swept us off our feet—figuratively and literally. If you’re planning a short stay in this magical floating city, here’s our family-tested 2-day itinerary that mixes iconic landmarks, hands-on experiences, and plenty of gelato stops to keep kids happy (and parents sane).

    Arrival Day

    Transfer from Airport

    We booked a private water taxi through Consorzio Motoscafi and loved the direct ride to our apartment—such a magical way to arrive in Venice!

    📍 Where We Stayed

    We booked a charming Venice apartment on VRBO tucked into a hidden alley, with windows overlooking the canals. It was quiet, spacious, and central—ideal with kids and luggage.

    View from our master bedroom balcony

    🍕 Quick Lunch at Farini

    Perfect for tired travelers. We grabbed focaccia and slices of pizza—easy, fast, and flavorful.

    🚤 First Vaporetto Adventure

    The vaporetto (water bus) system is Venice’s main public transit. We bought ACTV travel cards at home and activated them on arrival, however it is easy to buy on site as well. Our ride to Murano was smooth and scenic.

    🛶 Vaporetto Tip

    Buy the ACTV Vaporetto 48-hour pass if you’ll be riding more than once a day — it’s the most economical and convenient way to explore Venice. You can purchase it:

    Online at Venezia Unica (credit card required) At automated machines or ticket counters near main Vaporetto stops (like Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia Santa Lucia train station)

    💳 To get the physical pass:

    If you buy online, you’ll receive a confirmation with a PNR code. At the airport or Vaporetto station, scan this code at a self-service ticket machine or give it to a ticket agent to print your actual card.

    🕓 Activation:

    The 48-hour countdown starts when you first scan the pass at a boarding dock, not when you buy or print it. Just tap the card at the white validator before boarding each time — look for the beep and green light.

    🧿 Murano Glass Workshop

    We booked a jewelry-making class at Ferro Toso. While our pieces cooled, we wandered the island, shopped for glass souvenirs, and of course—had Murano gelato.

    Hands-on fun in Murano! We made our own glass jewelry during a workshop at Ferro Toso.
    Our finished works of art!

    🌉 Rialto Bridge Stop

    Before crashing for the night, we made a quick detour to see the famous Rialto Bridge lit up at dusk. Beautiful!

    Catching the golden hour at the iconic Rialto Bridge.

    Day 2: Exploring the Heart of Venice

    Morning Café + Canal Views

    We started with cappuccinos and pastries at a café near our apartment. Venice mornings are magic.

    Italian breakfast approval from Olivia: flaky pastries and foamy lattes!

    ⛵ Row Venice Lesson

    Our girls loved this! We did a 90-minute Row Venice lesson, learning traditional Venetian rowing techniques. Educational, fun, and something totally different.

    Trying our hand at Venetian rowing with Row Venice — harder than it looks!
    Strong strokes through the canals — the girls took charge on the water!

    🍟 McFries Stop

    Yes, we swung by McDonald’s so the girls could try the fries and compare them to home.

    🍽️ Lunch at Trattoria Le Colonete

    We shared an enormous T-bone steak cooked tableside—a hit with everyone.

    🕍 Private Tour with Stefania Colecchia

    We booked a 2.5-hour private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs with Stefania (+39 347 435 1222). Chris and Maddie were in history heaven, and Stefania kept Paige and Olivia engaged the whole way.

    The dazzling gold mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica — photos barely do it justice.
    Exploring the impressive architecture and open courtyards of Doge’s Palace.

    🍨 Gelato at Venchi

    One of our all-time favorites in Italy!

    👉 Check out our full Best Gelato in Italy post for rankings!

    🎵 Gondola Ride + Pizza Window Dinner

    We wrapped the night with a gondola ride, then grabbed slices from a pizza window near the water. Simple, delicious, and such a vibe.

    Evening gondola ride with the family — the perfect way to end a packed day.

    Leaving for Florence

    We caught the Frecciarossa train from Venice to Florence, grabbing a quick breakfast at the station coffee shop.

    ➡️ Tip: Book your train tickets ahead through Trenitalia or Italo. Choose reserved seats if traveling with kids.

    Final Thoughts

    From jet lagged arrivals to gondola rides under the stars, Venice was an unforgettable start to our Italy adventure. The pace was perfect for two days — enough time to explore iconic landmarks, enjoy hands-on experiences, and sneak in plenty of gelato.

    🍨 Speaking of gelato — if you’re curious about our absolute favorites across Italy, check out our family-tested gelato rankings. Spoiler: we found some incredible scoops right here in Murano and near the Rialto Bridge.

    💬 Planning your own trip? Leave a comment or message — happy to share more info on anything we booked or did!

  • Best Gelato in Italy: Family-Tested Favorites from Venice to Rome

    Best Gelato in Italy: Family-Tested Favorites from Venice to Rome

    🇮🇹 Venice Favorites

    Venchi Chocolate & Gelato

    📍Near Rialto Bridge

    Smooth textures, deep chocolate flavors, and a brand our girls now recognize on sight.

    Kid pick: Stracciatella with chocolate drizzle

    Parent pick: Pistachio + dark chocolate

    Murano Gelato

    📍Murano Island, post-glass workshop

    After a jewelry-making workshop at Ferro Toso, we found this quiet local shop. Not flashy, just fresh and flavorful.

    Murano memories: Our first official Gelato stop in Italy

    🇮🇹 Florence Favorite

    🌿 Edoardo Gelato

    📍Across from the Duomo

    100% organic with rotating seasonal flavors. The strawberry and chocolate mix was unforgettable.

    Edoardo: best gelato in Florence, right by the Duomo!

    🇮🇹 Lucca Highlight

    🏛 Gelateria Anfiteatro

    📍Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

    Tucked into one of the most charming piazzas we visited. Also had amazing fruit bars which were a perfect mid-walk treat.

    Abby, Paige and Olivia with strawberry fruit bars at Anfiteatro in Lucca.

    🇮🇹 Rome Rankings

    🥇 Frigidarium

    📍Near Piazza Navona

    Chocolate-dipped scoops with hard shell topping, incredible flavors, and super affordable.

    Frigidarium: crispy chocolate shell perfection

    Essentia Gelato

    📍Near Trevi Fountain

    Artisan flavors and creamy texture. A hidden gem.

    Essentia: our golf cart guide’s favorite—and now ours too!

    💕 Amorino Gelato

    📍Near Trevi Fountain

    Rose-shaped scoops with macaron toppers. Tourist-heavy, but totally worth it.

    Almost too pretty to eat… almost

    ❌ Gold Ice

    📍Rome

    Our only letdown and only one my kids did not finish (which is unusual). Not super friendly staff which was unusual. Artificial flavor.

    💡 Tips for Spotting Good Gelato

    • Avoid high, fluffy piles—real gelato is stored flat and chilled.
    • Go for muted colors (pistachio should look natural). Mint should look white, not bright green.
    • Seasonal fruit flavors = a great sign