Expat Travel Mom

It's always been a dream to come to Italy and experience as much of it as we can, by car, with three kids in the back! Haha, seriously though, since we don't have a car in Singapore, we've missed the concept of a road trip with kids, and take up every opportunity we can. I honestly don't mind the bickering here and there for the window seat, the "I can hear her music through her AirPods", nor the fact that the car lulls them to sleep and they miss half of the countryside drive. Because I love the car games we play, the music lists we share, and the conversations we have in small spaces.

Lake Como, Lugano and Bellagio

This trip started off with a bang, as my youngest was celebrating her birthday, the longest birthday day ever, as it seemed never ending! It started in Singapore, as we boarded our Emirates flight where she got special treatment from the flight attendants, and it continued all the way until we arrived at our first stop, Lake Como, where our Airbnb host had balloons and cake waiting for her. This is why we Airbnb...the personal details some hosts think to include to make your stay all the more special. 

My husband does all the driving on our road trips, as I'm tense behind the wheel in new places! We picked up our car from the Milan airport and drove straight to Como. Como is everything you see in movies...picturesque, tiny roads leaving you white knuckle gripping the steering wheel, a breathtaking lake, delicious food, and just...relaxed. 

During our stay in Lake Como, we visited both Bellagio and went around the other side to step into Switzerland for a bit...Lugano, where I enjoyed a coffee with George Clooney. He was such a good listener! The town of Lugano was quaint, and made even more perfect by hosting an antique car show during our visit. There we some steep walkways which challenged us, but overall, worth driving to and walking around. Make sure to pop in to the church, Chiesa di San Rocco, as it was really worth a moment of exploration, taking in all it's beauty. Bellagio, back on the other side of the lake, was equally worth an afternoon of walking around, enjoying a bite to eat, and walking along the water. 

Milan to Cirié

On our way to our next stop, we detoured through Milan as rest stop, allowing the kids to stretch, while also taking in some interesting sights we felt they'd enjoy. We didn't stay in Milan on this trip, simply because we felt it wasn't going to meet the kids' interests as much as the other hands on experiences we had planned. So, we'll come back one day, either when they're older, or as a couple. However, what we did do here for the day was walk along the amazing Il Cavallo di Leonardo graffiti wall. It was absolutely worth it! So vibrant, so eclectic, so beautiful. The kids really enjoyed taking it all in, and it was a perfect walk. And you can't miss the massive horse next to it! We also made it to the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)...no words and no pictures will do it justice. You just need to stand in there and soak it all in. And while you're in Milan for a quick visit, hop over to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and take a walk through, not for the shopping, but for the architecture...and a museum that may interest your kids...Leonardo3. We spent way more time in here than we had planned, as my son was fascinated by all things Leonardo, and it was well worth our time, keeping the kids entertained and walking before getting back in the car.

Our plan was to stay in Turin next, but upon driving into the city, we just weren't feeling it (so sorry to all of those who are in love with Turin!). So, as we sat in our car outside the Airbnb we were supposed to check into, we found an option and turned into a more than idyllic situation. The host accepted our request immediately, and off we drove, already approaching nightfall, to outskirts of town, to Cirié. 

We immediately fell in love with the countryside, the home, and our Italian hosts (unfortunately, since writing this, they no longer host, but you can still find places in the area). The kids were excited to see their massive yard, including a garden and animals to play with. It was great for stretching legs and getting some pent up car energy out! Now, we had not idea, but they also owned the pizza place next door. So, what do you do? Walk over with your hose and bring some pizza back for the night! We shared two bottles of local wine and dinner with our new family, making the best of English, Italian and Spanish, then followed them to the local dairy farm at 9pm for freshly made soft serve and some time with the cows at our host's friend's farm. At 11pm...we were finally home and in bed. 

The next day, we spent time at a palace our hosts told us about, called Reggia di Venaria. This is a grandiose palace, sprawling over 50 hectare of gardens. My daughters felt like princesses, here, and honestly, there's so much to explore and see...candy for the eyes, that I'd recommend a day here with the kids. While we were there, it just to happened that there was an exhibition of Steve McCurry's photography...stunning. 

Can't express how wonderful that Airbnb stay was. The kids told our host they wanted to move there for school and live with her, which she graciously accepted. We're still FB friends today.

Genoa to Pisa to Tuscany

Back in the car, we decided to take a slightly longer route to our next Airbnb, so that we could eat lunch in the seaside town of Genoa for a stretch break. Genoa was lovely and a perfect stop. We walked out onto the beach, the kids dipped their feet into the sea, we walked a bit of the town before heading off toward Pisa. Now, Pisa is a must for kids, because they find it fascinating...who doesn't? But, be prepared for tourists, depending on your season. This was the first place where we felt like we we overrun by shoulder bumps, but, you make the best of it. It was fun for the kids to take all the photos supporting the tower, but I found it even more enjoyable watching everyone else trying to capture their loved ones supporting the tower! Lying on the ground, crouching, whatever they had to do to get the shot. I guess it's part of coming here. Wiggles out, we hopped back into the car, and made it the next Airbnb, in Rignano sull'Arno, Tuscany.

Agriturismo, Tuscany

Our next Airbnb, an agriturismo outside of Florence, was a purposeful pick. Firstly, we wanted to experience the agriturismo concept, but we wanted animals for the kids, and pure nature for them to run around in and be kids. Our hosts were absolutely salt of the earth, so kind, warm and welcoming, and loved having the kids. We enjoyed wine from their own small wine making facility, the kids played with animals, and we wound down each day with some water color painting out on the patio.

From this location, we enjoyed day trips to San Gimignano and Siena, both highly recommended (especially if you can load up on more gelato. And wouldn't you know, of all places, we ran into friends, virtual friends nonetheless, while walking through the twisty alleyways. Recognizing us from our online photos, I heard a "Heather!", and there you have it...the world really is small.

Bologna

Now for the long haul day. We're saying goodbye to Tuscany, and making our way over to Slovenia. but first, we're stopping in Bologna for our lunch. Partly due to the song stuck in my head from my childhood, but also because my guidebook told me too. We knew the drive from Tuscany to Ljubljana would be a long one, so the stop here was perfect. 

Sometimes guidebooks really do provide you with some hidden joys off the beaten path, and that was true for our day in Bologna. The first place we stopped was Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita. Stepping inside, you are completely whisked away to another time, another place, another feeling from what you had out on the street. Niccolo dell Arca's terracotta masterpiece, the Compianto sul Cristo Morto is filled with emotion, and I'm not usually an emotional person when it comes to art and sculpture. Sure, it's pretty, and I admire the work that goes into pieces, but I'm never consumed with emotion. 

And our lunch experience continued accessing my emotions, still to this day. Every so often I tear up out of pure joy and love, and today was one of those days, at Emanuele's restaurant, Drogheria della Rosa. It's a "you don't really know the price of anything" type of places, where the menu can change, but for 3.5 hrs. Emanuele talked with us, educated my children on wine, educated us on life, and fed us the freshest of fresh food. I would ask everyone of my friends, family, and readers to take an un-rushed moment in Bologna and enjoy the company here. Emanuele is mi familia now. I won't promise you'll have the same experience with him, but you'll appreciate the love he puts into his food and concept.

Our Italy side of the trip in a photo. This trip actually combined roadtripping through Italy and Slovenia (so make sure to check that post out). Roughly 1,400 miles (minus the many small back and forth to the market drives), 4 countries (because we stepped into Austria and Switzerland for lunches), and tons of memories. Best road trip ever, and so glad we did it by car. We saw places we might never have, had we not had the car, and we definitely bonded! Saying goodnight from the cutest, and final, Airbnb of our trip in Milan (after returning from Slovenia so we can fly home).