Mermaids

Lately my two little ones are very into "becoming mermaids". To the point where, they are both packing towels in their school backpacks just in case someone sprinkles water on them and they begin to sprout a tail! Miss Pudding is assured that, if this should happen, the teacher will plop her into a tub of water. Petite is afraid she will be made into sushi should anyone find out.

Zell Um See - from Lake to Mountain

Zell Um See, Austria Beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. Drive up to the glacier, enjoy a beerfest, beautiful lake with beach and play areas for kids, friendly people and very "family oriented". We stayed at Da Claudia Pensione. A lovely family B and B with larger rooms for folks with kids.

Searching for Playgrounds across Northern Italy

Since we spent 99% of our non-hosting-at-the-villa time, occupying the kids in other parts of Italy this summer, I have become an expert on playgrounds. Other people visit Europe to sip wine, shop, see historic sites. Since we live there much of the time, most of my time (with kids) is spent looking for ways to occupy them. Since my two are not going to go for strolling through Venice (or hiking with me in the mountains), we divided our time away from Bonvicino between mountains (for me) and beach (for hubbie and the kiddos). Italians really know how to relax - and everyone takes vacation. Even in the current economic crisis, people still take time away from work. Most vacation time is spent with family (grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles). People don't often travel out of the country, or even out of their region, but most families take a holiday nearby either in the mountains or the seaside. Picnicing, camping, swimming in the ocean. A holiday doesn't need to be expensive. Many families own a small apartment in the mountains or ocean. It is completely usual for three generations to squeeze into a one bedroom apartment for holiday time. Sofas convert to beds, futons are pulled out. Everyone has a place to sleep and everyone is together. Vacation time = family time. Hubbie had fantasies of driving us all south, to explore the most southern regions of Italy, but once the air conditioning in the car blew and temperatures began to soar in our northern region, I vetoed the idea and suggested we head for cooler terrain, in the mountains. Our highlights traveling with children are: For mountains: Canazei, Dolomites Bardonecchia Gressoney-la-Trinite, Val d'Aosta For ocean: Elba Noli, Liguria

Mountains for Mama, Playgrounds for Kids

Gressoney la Trinite, Val D'Aosta, Italy A little piece of mountain heaven. Hiking, climbing, mountaineering for beginners and expert. Gondola and tram runs all day to take you up to the top with beautiful views. For families: playgrounds for kids with gorgeous views for parents. The lake in St Jean nearby, is a virtual family playland with horseback riding lessons, pony rides, bouncy slides, trampolines, fishing, and of course gelato. The town of St Jean is adorable. Enjoy strolling around or running the kids from toy store to gelateria. #val d'oasta #travel with kids #Italy #29VSL #ClayPix #mountains in Italy #hiking #children #motherhood

Bologna, Italy

Bologna, Italy #Bologna, #Italy