October 16, 2018

Our hilarious travel mishaps and how to avoid them (#Dolcevitabloggers)

October 16, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Our hilarious travel mishaps and how to avoid them (#Dolcevitabloggers)

Pre-children Hubby and I used to travel A LOT! We do it much less now but there was a time when we would rather travel than do much else with our spare time.

I remember 2010 it got to Christmas and I said to my Husband that I didn’t want to go anywhere, I was so exhausted. He agreed we would do nothing for Christmas and New Years Eve. Then at the last minute we booked a quiet trip to Cornwall. I guess this is what people now call ‘FOMO’ meaning - Fear of missing out!

Of course this is what life can be like when you’re young, spritely and both earning a salary without any kids in tow.

But that doesn’t mean we always got things right then, or now!

This month on the Dolce Vita Bloggers linkup we are all writing about ‘Hilarious travel mishaps’.

September 26, 2018

The trials of raising a bilingual child in small-town Italy

September 26, 2018/ Kristie Prada

The trials of raising a bilingual child in small-town Italy - Guest post by Rochelle Del Borrello

This week I'm delighted to welcome Rochelle Del Borrello from the wonderful blog Sicily Inside & Out Rochelle is an Australian with Italian heritage and lives in Sicily. She is married to an Italian and has been raising her little boy with her native English from birth. I love that she explains so well the real daily challenge of raising a bilingual child. You do need to be persistent but the rewards are immense! I’m very excited to look for podcasts for children as well!

Have a read of her lovely insights into raising a child in the minority language but in an area of Italy where English is not widely spoken.

September 21, 2018

Why Sicily is the ultimate family holiday destination

September 21, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Why Sicily is the ultimate family holiday destination

If you’re planning your next trip for you and your family, and are unsure of where to go, Sicily has your name written all over it. The perfect place for families, Sicily has different activities for every family member. Thanks to its sprawling nature that includes both beach and mountain options (including the famous Etna volcano), the infinite culinary options that are great for family meals, and its many different monuments, you will hardly be bored on this vacation.

August 13, 2018

Italian culture shock (#Dolcevitabloggers)

August 13, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Italian culture shock (#Dolcevitabloggers)

This month for the #Dolcevitabloggers link up we're writing about our experience of 'Culture shock' in Italy.

You may think that being married to an Italian is plain sailing and you just gaze into each others eyes while your partner gesticulates, talks loudly and cooks you heaps of pasta.

The pasta part is quite true! However there have been many times over the years when I have wondered if I could have taken an easier route.

July 30, 2018

10 Unusual gelato flavours to try this Summer

July 30, 2018/ Kristie Prada

10 unusual gelato flavours to try this Summer

We all think about ice cream as soon as the sun arrives. It seems to be a food whose popularity crosses all age groups!

Gelato the Italian version is made with milk and sugar, not cream. It's usually lower in fat because of this and is softer due to being churned slowly. This decreases the amount of air getting into the mixture, it becomes more dense. It's isn't stored at such a low temperature as ice cream so there are no ice crystals.

July 22, 2018

7 Language learning hacks for holidays

July 22, 2018/ Kristie Prada

7 Language learning hacks for holidays

Are you off on holiday soon and not sure who to keep up with your child' language learning? Or maybe you're around this Summer and would love to begin or continue the momentum you've created?

If so I've gathered together 7 products which can be used at home or away without taking up too much space.

July 11, 2018

5 Ingredients for a 'Dolce Vita' (#Dolcevitabloggers)

July 11, 2018/ Kristie Prada

5 Ingredients for a 'Dolce Vita' (#Dolcevitabloggers)

This month our #Dolcevitablogger topic is to describe our 'Dolce vita'. What does it mean for each of us?

While the famous film, Federico Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita' shows us a frivolous, carefree life with a dark undercurrent. My version of 'a sweet life' is something much simpler and more transparent.

June 29, 2018

Top 5 tips for expats - Guest Post by Emma of Wanderlust and Wet Wipes

June 29, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Top 5 tips for expats - Guest Post by Emma of Wanderlust and Wet Wipes

This week I'm delighted to welcome Emma from the superb travel blog Wanderlust and Wet Wipes! Emma has traveled more and further than most of us and is now an expat in Doha. We're delighted to have her on Mammaprada this week and I hope you enjoy her tips... there isn't much she doesn't know on this subject!

June 14, 2018

Which is the most beautiful Italian lake of them all?

June 14, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Which is the most beautiful Italian lake of them all?

I wish it was that simple to look in a magic mirror and be told which Italian lake is the most stunning and should be your next holiday destination!

I've been to many of the Northern Italian lakes. Como, Garda, Trasimeno, Lugano. They all have a certain beauty to them. Their own personality.

June 10, 2018

An Italian Hidden Gem (#Dolcevitabloggers)

June 10, 2018/ Kristie Prada

An Italian Hidden Gem (#Dolcevitabloggers)

There are some places you want to keep for yourself. But then you can't believe somewhere so wonderful exists and really want to share!

So I'm going to be sharing a restaurant and hotel. Except it's not just any hotel, to us anyway. As this hotel is where we ended up having our wedding reception.

June 08, 2018

Where to stay on Lake Maggiore: Golfo Gabella

June 08, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Where to stay on Lake Maggiore: Golfo Gabella

As most of you know by now, we are huge fans of the Italian lake region. We've been holidaying and visiting family around Lake Como for 12 years. We were married there, our babies were baptised there and we really feel like it's a home from home.

However recently we were persuaded by Jo of Bookings For You to consider a different lake for our next holiday. Lake Maggiore.

May 23, 2018

Summer events in Italy - Turin Epicurean Capital

May 23, 2018/ Kristie Prada

What is Turin Epicurean Capital?

Turin Epicurean Capital is a 3 day event in Turin, Italy. The year 2018 marks the 5th edition of the festival and it will take place from 20-22nd June. I organize the event to help promote Turin and shed some light on our beautiful royal city that is still pretty much under the radar despite most famous Italian brands and products being born right here.

May 13, 2018

12 Perfect Italian Villa Holidays

May 13, 2018/ Jo Mackay

12 Perfect Italian Villa Holidays

Today we have a fantastic Guest Post from Jo Mackay, founder of Italian Villa rental company Bookings For You. Jo has kindly gathered together 12 beautiful villas which all suit different types of holidays. Have a read and find the perfect break for your family and friends.

April 20, 2018

10 Things to Do in Mevagissey

April 20, 2018/ Kristie Prada

10 things to do in Mevagissey

There’s something quite special about Mevagissey. It doesn’t get the unbearable hoardes of visitors of some more famous Cornish towns. Thankfully here you will find a proper working Cornish fishing village. Still filled with locals, artisans and no chain stores or cafes, just independent businesses.

April 18, 2018

Find Beautiful Cornish Gifts & Support Small Businesses

April 18, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Find Beautiful Cornish Gifts & Support Small Businesses

The Roberts Gallery - Mevagissey

If you're on the look out for some beautiful unique Gifts and preferably Cornish, I may have done all of your hard work for you!

Last week I met with June one of the artists who has founded The Robert's Gallery in Mevagissey, Cornwall. I always like to support small businesses while we're away and this one is quite unusual.

The Roberts Gallery is a gallery shop on Mevagissey, High Street. It's run by a co-operative of 7 artists. They all work one day a week in the shop in-between creating their unique pieces of craftsmanship.

April 12, 2018

Teacup Tearoom: Most Instagrammable Cafe in Cornwall

April 12, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Teacup Tearoom - Mevagissey

Quite possibly THE most Instagrammable cafe in cornwall!

Cornwall is full of quaint, cute cafes and tearooms. However it's hard to find one that offers everything. Bright and modern enough but with a nod to the tearooms of the past. Friendly enough but with a discerning clientele. All the usual Cornish fayre but fresh, light and delicious.

I’m sure you will want to find that perfect cream tea. The one which has been on your mind ever since you booked your Cornish holiday! I certainly did and I think I found all of the above in a newly opened cafe in Mevagissey.

March 30, 2018

4 Tips You'll Need For a Perfect Family Road Trip

March 30, 2018/ Kristie Prada

4 Tips You'll Need For a Perfect Family Road Trip - Guest Post by Brigitte Evans

Organizing the whole family to go somewhere, even if it’s just a short trip, can be a real hassle, especially if the kids are still quite small. But if you are planning a road trip where you will be spending the majority of the time in your car, you need to prepare twice as much. Don’t be scared: being in your own vehicle all the time can be an advantage as well, and here’s how to make the most of it.

March 23, 2018

Luxury Italian Villa Holidays - Try Award Winning 'Bookings For You'

March 23, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Luxury Italian Villa Holidays - Try Award Winning 'Bookings For You'

This week we're chatting to Jo Mackay of Italian Villa rental firm Bookings For You. Jo built her business from a love of her own family holidays in Italy to become a holiday specialist with beautiful villas available throughout the country and has now expanded into France.

If you would like your holiday organised by someone who realises how special those precious weeks off are and considers it of upmost importance that your time is memorable, read on!

February 16, 2018

Why You Need to Take Your Children to the Nutmeg State

February 16, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Why You Need to Take Your Children to the Nutmeg State

When it comes to travelling with kids, you have to take so many more factors into account. You need to keep their minds occupied at all times, immersing them in fun experiences from dawn till dusk. You also have to be a lot more prepared, packing carefully, choosing where to stay with comfort and ease at the forefront of your mind, and ensuring that you take plenty of supplies out with you on each day out. So when planning your next trip, why not consider Connecticut, the Nutmeg State? It’s home to a brilliant experience for both you and your little ones! Here’s everything you need to know about vacationing there.

February 13, 2018

5 Cities to Visit if You Want to Expand the Horizons of Your Children

February 13, 2018/ Kristie Prada

5 Cities to Visit if You Want to Expand the Horizons of Your Children

Travel can be a truly fantastic thing for young children who are still learning about the world. You should definitely look to take them on trips to cities around the globe if you want to expand their horizons and allow them to see how life is in other parts of the world. There are some cities that are better than others for culture and interesting sights. Here are the 5 cities that are must see places for you and your children.