January 04, 2019

Why Bormio is one of the greatest Italian Ski Resorts

January 04, 2019/ Kristie Prada

Why Bormio is one of the greatest Italian Ski Resorts

I wrote about why we love Bormio a year ago now and nothing has changed. We will be off there again in February to take both our children, one who can now ski. Partly from learning in Bormio and partly in the UK at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

My youngest is too little being only 3, although the Swiss start at 2 years old! However a good ski instructor friend of ours told us the perfect age is 4 years old.

December 13, 2018

How to find quality childcare on holiday in Italy

December 13, 2018/ Kristie Prada

How to find quality childcare on holiday, in Italy

I’m sure people think that because I have an Italian Husband, back in Italy there is an army of ‘nonni’ or grandparents waiting to look after our children!

I wish this was the case! Sadly we have just one Nonno (Grandad) and he’s in his 70s and still outraged that he has to cook his own meals! So leaving him to look after a 6 and 3 year old is not really ideal.

November 12, 2018

Christmas vs La Befana: Festive Traditions

November 12, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Christmas VS La Befana: Festive Traditions

With the most joyous time of year approaching for family occasions, festivities and fun. Some of the cultural differences for the merriest time of the year vary between England and Italy. If you have an interest in visiting either country, here are some of the cultural traditions you can expect or may even wish to use on your stay. Alternatively, you may also decide to use the below as inspiration for your own Christmas traditions.

November 12, 2018

Bilingualism: The Best Gift of All

November 12, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Guest post by by Martha Miller

This week the wonderful author Martha Miller has shared her Italian story with us. Martha and her Husband, John sold everything and moved to Italy! How many of us would be that brave?

They were searching for adventure, but also the desire to feel settled in their community. To have a truly authentic experience not touristic one. So off they went!

I love this story and am slightly jealous we haven’t done this yet!

November 05, 2018

Family friendly days from Florence to Yorkshire!

November 05, 2018/ Kristie Prada

Guest post by Gemma, Yorkshire Mum of 4.

This week I'm delighted to welcome Gemma who blogs about parenting and lifestyle over at Yorkshire Mum of 4!

Gemma and her gorgeous family have ventured round Italy and loved it, but their hearts are well and truly rooted in beautiful Yorkshire. Read all about it here

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

Locanda Sant Anna: 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.