Mom in Italy - Italy Travel Ideas, Tips & Advice

15/01/2025

Come play in the snow and explore the small villages of the Dolomites in the winter!

Photos: Alpe di Siusi and Castelrotto

You can even visit the area by public transport: https://mominitaly.com/visiting-the-dolomites-in-winter-without-a-car/

22/11/2024

On the ground:

Here's a photo from Monday in Florence's Piazza del Duomo at 4:00pm.

After a busy and crowded summer, it feels empty!

While November can be cold, wet, and windy, we've had plenty of sunshine this year. It may be the perfect month for you to visit!

Read more about Florence in November:

https://thetuscanmom.com/florence-in-november/

13/11/2024

If you'll be in Italy any time soon, be sure to try the 'new' olive oil! Drizzled on freshly-toasted bread (fettunta), salad, cooked greens, beef... or anything else you like!

Photos: Our freshly-picked olives, ready to be pressed!

28/10/2024

If 'avoiding huge crowds' is on your Italy bucket list, I've got you covered:

If you were in Italy in 2024 and were put off by the intense crowds on your visit, don’t worry – there are ways to have Italy ‘more to yourself.’ And, if you’re planning your

21/10/2024

Heads up: You no longer need to validate your electronic ticket for regional trains on Trenitalia. This rule lasted for less than a year, and I'm glad! So many travelers didn't even know about the rule, and fines on trains like the Leonardo Express (to and from the Rome Fiumicino airport) were common.

Now, your regional electronic ticket is automatically validated at the time of departure. So, you don't need to do anything!

16/10/2024

Buongiorno from Tuscany!

This morning we heard something huffing and puffing outside our house.

It wasn't the big, bad wolf. It was a hot air balloon landing in our yard!

Hot air balloon flights in Tuscany often include breakfast in a vineyard or even an early wine tasting.

Would you like to float above the Tuscan countryside?

14/10/2024

On a visit to Italy, my dad's friend woke up early to do his laundry in the hotel sink. He was so proud, until he realized the powdered laundry detergent he'd washed his clothes in.... was actually Gatorade powder. :)

Here's my guide to doing laundry while you're traveling in Italy... just remember to use soap!

Realistic ways to get laundry done in Italy (serviced or by yourself). I've also included helpful Italian laundry vocabulary and tips!

17/09/2024

September is one of my favorite times to explore Sicily... the scorching heat has passed but it's still warm enough to swim and wander towns in short sleeves!

Scicli (SHEE-klee) is a 'don't miss' town in southeastern Sicily. Have you been? If not, add it to your itinerary! Here's how I'd spend a day in town:

Scicli in a day - what to see, where to eat, where to park, and more. My top things to do, based on visits since 2004.

10/09/2024

Is Venice on your itinerary? If so, check out my top tips for your first trip to Venice (they're also good reminders even if you've already visited).

Enjoy La Serenissima!

I've been to Venice many times, and made many mistakes - so you don't have to! From gondola tips to suggested things to do, read to make the most of your first visit!

08/08/2024

If you're packing for your Italy trip, don't forget plug adapters (or converters) for your electronics!

Which adapter(s) you should bring on your trip to Italy. How to determine if you need a voltage converter. Where to buy adapters at home and in Italy.

28/07/2024

Many Italian beaches are taken over by 'beach clubs' (aka bagni), and you can recognize them by their perfect rows of beach umbrellas and lounge chairs.

If you're coming from a country with lovely wild beaches, these bagni can be a bit of a shock. However, they're a nice way to soak up Italian beach culture, and they often have handy amenities like:

-changing rooms
-bars or restaurants
-showers and bathrooms
-kids play areas
-lifeguards

Have you been to a bagno in Italy? And if so, what did you think?

Photo: Bagno Carlo Marina in Marina di Pietrasanta, Tuscany.

17/07/2024

Is there anything worse than digging into a cup of sub-par gelato?

Don't let it happen to you! Check out my favorite places to get gelato in Florence:

Looking for the best gelato in Florence? Check out these top picks for 2024 from a local who's eaten her body weight in Florentine gelato.

12/07/2024

If you ask for water (acqua) at a restaurant in Italy, the waiter will ask if you want still (naturale) or sparkling (frizzante).

You can also ask for tap water (acqua corrente or acqua del rubinetto) and it's free! But you need to ask specifically for tap water because bottled water is the norm for Italians.

Buon appetito!

Photo: My meal (risotto) with a bottle of still water at Ristorante La Loggetta in Cortona.

03/07/2024

On my walk in Florence this morning, I spotted this advertisement for... saldi!

'Saldi' are our big sales here in Italy, and they only come twice per year, in January and July.

If you're a shopper, these are great months to visit and sn**ch up good deals!

28/06/2024

Are you old enough to remember using traveler's checks? :) You won't need them in Italy, but I would recommend having some cash on hand.

You can use your ATM card here (we call the ATM a 'bancomat) - just make sure you've notified your bank at home and that you have a 4-digit PIN (longer PINs won't work here).

Most of the time you'll be able to pay with your credit card (or even with your contactless method like your phone or watch), but there are moments you'll want/need cash.

Real Example: We were returning our rental car in Sicily and we drove to the gas station to fill up before returning it. The gas station was closed, so we used the machine. My credit card wouldn't work (it happens sometimes), so I needed to pay with cash.

So, always have some Euros with you!

PHOTO: A bancomat (ATM) here in Italy. Don't worry, you can set the language to English (you'll see 'English' or an icon of a US or British flag).

16/06/2024

If you see this while you're driving, remember to drive the speed limit!

With most speed traps in Italy, you can slow down just before it and you won't get a fine.*

With the 'safety tutor' (aka 'sistema tutor'), your average speed is measured between two points. This digital sign was in a tunnel on our drive from Tuscany to the Dolomites. 'TUTOR ATTIVO' means the safety tutor is turned on and measuring your average speed.

You can read more about the safety tutor if you search 'driving in Italy' on my site.

*I'm not encouraging speeding here - drive safely!

22/05/2024

Avoid getting side-eye from Italian shoppers when you're picking out your produce at the grocery store in Italy...

Wear one of the disposable plastic gloves available next to the produce bags.

And, you'll need to weigh your produce before you arrive at the cashier. Use the small machines in the produce section. Enter the code (found on the sign where you get your produce), take the printed ticket, and slap it on the bag you put your fruit or veg in. Fatto (done)!

19/05/2024

Flying out of the Florence airport (FLR)? The check-in lines can be LONG and SLOW!

Tip: Check-in online and go to the bag drop machines in front of the check-in counters (red area in the photo). I know, it looks like you're doing something wrong because no one uses them. But then you can go straight to the bag drop (ask a staff member where to go for your flight's drop) and skip the insanely long lines! And, if you weren't able to check-in, there are also a few machines available for that, but I haven't had success with them.

In short: Check-in online, use the bag drop kiosk, drop your bags, done! Sounds simple, but no one uses them so it almost looks like you're not supposed to (or that they're out of service).