Category: Italy Travel

🇮🇹 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
- Tour through Viator: Taormina and Messina Private Tour with Sicilian Cannoli Tasting
- Guide: Sonia – fantastic with kids and incredibly knowledgeable
- Port: Messina, Sicily, Italy
🌋 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 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!

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).

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.

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

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!
June 27, 2025
🇮🇹 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.)

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.

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.

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!)
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.

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

➕ Related Posts:
June 18, 2025
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.

🍝 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.

🌆 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!

👉 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.

👉 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.

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
June 13, 2025
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.

📍Exploring the charming medieval streets of Lucca—such a photogenic town with so much character.

🍦 A must-stop: Gelateria Anfiteatro for refreshing popsicles and classic scoops in the heart of Lucca. Read our full gelato rankings here →

⏳ Climbing 207 wooden steps to the top of Torre delle Ore—the tallest tower in Lucca.

⛪ Basilica di San Frediano, with its stunning golden mosaic façade shining in the midday sun.

🌳 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.

🌀 Twisting our way up the Leaning Tower of Pisa—it’s a dizzying but iconic climb!

🔔 Victory at the top! The views (and bells) from the Leaning Tower were unforgettable.

📸 Because you can’t leave Pisa without the classic Leaning Tower pic—nailed it?

🎨 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

June 10, 2025
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!

June 9, 2025
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
June 9, 2025