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Danielle From Ciao Family Travel

Ciao! I’m Danielle!

 

I’m an American mom raising my 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy.

After traveling to over 48 countries, I’ve figured out how to make family travel meaningful and rewarding! I spend hours on hours researching my trips and am ready to pass all that along to you!

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There are 3 keys to a great day in Milan. 🔑 1. There are 3 keys to a great day in Milan. 🔑

1. A fantastic walking tour with a local @gaido.app (This is what most people skip!! 😭)
2. Seeing Da Vinci’s The Last Supper
3. Walking on the rooftop of the Duomo

🇮🇹 Milan is one of those cities whose soul is hard to grasp in just one day. To really understand the metropolis, you NEED someone to show you the hidden corners and unveil the history. 

The best walking tour I’ve ever had in Milan was through @gaido.app ✨ Unlike other platforms, this app has a smaller selection of high-quality, curated tours led by locals. 

Emanuela spoke incredible English, taught me so much about the city (that I thought I already knew well!), and even gave me great tips for where to eat and shop. 🍝

But hands down, the most moving thing she showed me was Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà. It’s an unfinished sculpture and a rare glimpse into the artist’s process. Mary actually has two faces, letting you see how he changed his mind mid-creation! 😮 You can also see that even the position of Jesus’ body has been changed, as there is one arm jutting up out of nowhere. 

The statue is unique, but the way Emanuela explained it honestly made me emotional. 💛 I think it’s now one of my favorite pieces of art ever.

Of course, no day in Milan is complete without walking among the spires of the Duomo rooftop and seeing The Last Supper. (The story of how the painting survived the bombs during WWII is incredible.)With the addition of a fantastic tour from @gaido.app your day in Milan is sure to be a success. 🙌

Last tip: before visiting the city, you need to read Beneath the Scarlet Sky!! WWII books based in Germany and France get all the attention, but this one tells the Italian perspective and it’s unforgettable. 🇮🇹

P.S. Emanuela also offers a “Milan Through the Eyes of Leonardo da Vinci” tour on @gaidoapp, and it sounds amazing!

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #lifeinitaly #expatinitaly #learningthroughtravel
And this isn’t even the best view! (Those tables And this isn’t even the best view! (Those tables were occupied when I was filming.) 

Believe it or not, this was taken from the McDonald’s.🍟 😮 Go upstairs, grab a window seat, and you’ve got yourself a terrific view of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. 

I actually discovered this spot through a friend’s WhatsApp profile pic. 😂 She looked so elegant in a wool coat and hat, holding a cappuccino and gazing dreamily out of the window at the Duomo. I immediately texted her “Where did you take that?!” When she told me McDonald’s, I couldn’t believe it. 🤯

So, instead of paying €10 for a drink on a fancy rooftop terrace, you could be sitting here for the price of a small fry (or a McFlurry). 😏

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #lifeinitaly #expatinitaly #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #backgroundknowledge #intentionaltravel #raisingcuriouskids #girlstrip
We’re saved thousands over the years!! Airbnb We’re saved thousands over the years!! 

Airbnb is a great platform (especially for families who want accommodation with a kitchen!) but there are SO many listings. 

And, without the price filter, I can guarantee you’re not seeing all the affordable options. (They usually get buried under all the fancy and expensive ones. 😅)

BUT, here’s the thing…Don’t just use the filter to fit within your budget! ‼️ You need to start ridiculously low! (Like 50 euros a night!!) Check out everything at that price and then move it up to 75 euros and so on until you find what you’re looking for. 

💡Another tip: Don’t be afraid to look just outside the city center. If your budget allows, I love staying downtown, but in places like London, Paris, or Edinburgh that can get pricey fast. 

Using Airbnb’s map feature 🗺️ allows you to look a little farther out and rent a place at a better price. (Just make sure there’s an easy train or bus into the center. Plop the address or neighborhood into GoogleMaps to check this!) 

For example, last April in Edinburgh, we found an apartment for one-third of the price and just a five-minute walk from a short train that took us straight downtown. It was perfect. ☀️

For even better deals, use the price filter AND map together to discover new locations!! ✈️ 😮

This is how we discovered our now favorite little lake in the Dolomites…all because of a 45 euro a night listing on Airbnb. 🤩 

Little tweaks like this can make a big difference when you’re traveling as a family. You still get the adventure…just without the scary price tag! 

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #lifeinitaly #expatinitaly #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #backgroundknowledge #intentionaltravel #raisingcuriouskids #girlstrip
This might just be the coolest bike path in Europe This might just be the coolest bike path in Europe. 🇮🇹➡️🇦🇹

✨ Start: San Candido, Italy
🏁 End: Lienz, Austria
🌲Distance: about 40 km (mostly downhill!)
🚲 Bike rental: Papin Sport in San Candido 

I recommend starting this bike ride early in the morning (we arrived around 8:30 am), so the path will be less crowded! You can park and rent bikes at Papin Sport in San Candido (no need to reserve bikes in advance because they have plenty!) The entire trail is well marked…just follow the signs to Lienz! 

🍎Bring water and snacks! There aren’t many food options along the trail, so make sure you’re well prepared. There is however one delicious stop…about a third of the way in, you’ll hit the Loacker Factory. 😋 It has bathrooms, a tiny pastry workshop, a big store with every Loacker flavor imaginable (perfect for a taste testing as a family!!), plus a café, gelato counter, and a little playground outside.

As you continue, there are a couple places to pull over to wade or swim in the river. Toward the end of the trail, you’ll also pass an adventure park and a swimming pool, which are both great if your kids still have energy to burn. 

💡 Tip: If your kids are old enough (capable of driving bikes through traffic), don’t return your bikes right away! Ride them around Lienz, if you want to see the sites faster. Afterward, return the bikes to the Papin Sport drop-off point at the Lienz train station and catch the one-hour train back to San Candido. (You can book the train tickets literally last minute with the TrenItalia app.) 

Even with a minor tumble (bring bandaids! 😅) this day was pure magic.

Have you done this bike ride? 🚴‍♀️
Any other bike rides in Europe we should try??
The best part of our safari wasn’t just the wild The best part of our safari wasn’t just the wildlife…it was the people Sababu connected us with. 💛

When I started planning our safari, I spent hours looking at dozens of companies and personally interviewed several! 

Since this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us, I wanted to be absolutely sure it was everything I hoped for. Sababu Safaris stood out as the perfect balance of price, meaningful experiences, and personal connection. 

We weren’t disappointed. ✨

What made our trip unforgettable wasn’t just the wildlife (though that was breathtaking!), it was the people. 💕

Sababu is different because they go beyond the safari bubble. 🐘 They focus on locally owned lodges, so the money you spend actually stays in Tanzania. They also and connect travelers with the community in real, unscripted ways. 

I knew our safari included delivering water filters and solar lamps to a local Maasai family in need. And although I was exited to give back, I thought it might be a staged experience. 

It wasn’t at all! 😮

Our guide simply looked for a Maasai mud hut without electricity lines and we pulled over. The mothers and children were so surprised and excited by our spontaneous visit. My kids brought toys for and played with the children and I will never forget the look in the mothers’ eyes when we handed them the solar lamps. 😭 It’s an experience I’ll always cherish. 

This wasn’t just a safari. It was a chance to really get to know Tanzania, and that’s what made it extraordinary.

If you ever take your kids on safari, go with Sababu. It will change you life. ✨

Thanks for the experience of a lifetime @sababusafaris 

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #lifeinitaly #expatinitaly #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #backgroundknowledge #intentionaltravel #raisingcuriouskids #girlstrip
This totally fills my life with more spark and int This totally fills my life with more spark and interest on the daily. ✨

It started when I was pregnant with our first. I worried motherhood might swallow me up. (It didn’t. 💕 In fact leaning into it has been the best surprise 💛). But at the time, I decided to pick up a hobby. And I choose chocolate. 🍫 Not just eating it…I wanted to become a chocolate connoisseur. 

I read books, went to classes at local shops in Seattle, did tasting workshops, and even spent a year making chocolate. Every Saturday I’d open a new bar, jot down tasting notes (fruity? earthy?), and even grade the snap. It was so much fun. 😆

Around that same time, I hosted a weekly movie night with friends where we watched all of Audrey Hepburn’s films in order. I even read three biographies about her alongside the movies. 🎥

I’ve found that having a deep-dive project keeps life interesting. It makes me feel sharper, more curious, and genuinely excited.

A few of the best projects I’ve done are 
1. 📚 Jane Austen (I read all her books, watched and rated every film adaptation, listened to a Great Courses class, and then went to Bath where so many of her stories take place.)
2. 🎭 Opera (Studying and watching the top ten operas in the world.)
3. 👑 King Henry VIII (A deep dive into England at the time and all six of his wives was crazy! 🤯)

Here are my guidelines for a good project:

1️⃣ Go deep on one subject. The more specific, the more fun. Instead of learning to cook, master bagels. Instead of studying the entire Renaissance, focus on Michelangelo or Da Vinci.

2️⃣ Rate it. Books, movies, or recipes! Having a rating system makes everything more engaging.

3️⃣ Use a variety of sources. Don’t just read books! Listen to podcasts, take classes, watch films/documentaries, travel somewhere! 

4️⃣ Invite others to join. As long as it’s the right person, sharing your project with someone else can make it even more fun.

Next up I’d love to do Agatha Christie or Alfred Hitchcock films (but that definitely requires girlfriends who speak English! 😆).

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in Italy. 🇮🇹 I share our travel with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. 💛
Do yourself a favor and book one of these trips AS Do yourself a favor and book one of these trips ASAP. 🍁 You won’t regret it. 

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #lifeinitaly #expatinitaly #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #backgroundknowledge #intentionaltravel #raisingcuriouskids #girlstrip
I think this is the beginning of a major mindset s I think this is the beginning of a major mindset shift in our family. ✨

I’ve never been a helicopter parent, but after reading “The Anxious Generation” I feel encouraged to give my kids even more independence and responsibility. 

The research is clear: kids need to face challenges in the real world while they’re young! 👏🏻

Last year, my oldest biked 🚲 to school a dozen times. At the time it felt convenient, but now I see it’s actually crucial for building his confidence and should be a daily thing.

I’m also starting to notice the value in letting him meet up with friends without adult supervision. (This weekend he and his younger brother biked to the park to meet up with their cousin 🥰.) Even quick errands, like grabbing groceries or picking up school supplies at the “cartoleria”, are important steps toward independence.

In the book, Jonathan Haidt shares how his 13-year-old took the NYC subway home from a concert at 1 am and even hailed a cab when the last line was closed. 😳 I wouldn’t feel comfortable with my 13-year-old out on the streets of NYC at that time, but I do recognize the importance of teaching kids navigate public transport and gaining confidence in the real world. 

In November, when we head to London for this kid’s birthday trip, my son will be the one leading us through the airport and figuring out the Tube!! 😃

This book has been a game changer for me. Have you read it? 

What books have changed your family culture or shifted your parenting mindset?

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #travelhacksforparents #momapprovedtravel #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #familytravel
You can literally drive your car onto a train and You can literally drive your car onto a train and in 15–20 minutes you pop out the other side of the mountain. 😮

Here’s everything you need to know about riding one: 

🗺️There are four “car train” locations in Switzerland.
📍Lötschberg Tunnel: Kandersteg ➡️ Goppenstein
📍Furka Base Tunnel: Realp ➡️ Oberwald
📍Vereina Tunnel: Klosters ➡️ Sagliains in the Engadine
📍Simplon Tunnel: Brig ➡️ Italy

🚞 How it works: You line your car up at the terminal, pay at the booth (or online), and when it’s your turn you drive straight onto the train ramp. Cars park bumper-to-bumper in single file. Put the car in gear, make sure the emergency break is on, and turn your engine off. Then sit back and let the train pull you! 

⏱️ Timing: Some trains run once every hour (Simplon) and others about every 15 minutes (Lötschberg). You can plan your arrival and be just in time for the departure (allow extra time in the summer!), or arrive whenever and just take the next available train. Even with an hour wait time at Simplon, it’s still shorter than driving up and over the mountains. 

💰Cost: It’s about 30–35 CHF for a regular car, a little more if you’ve got a van or trailer. 

🤩 What to expect: The ride itself is dark (you’re inside a tunnel) and a bit rattly, but also SO exiting with kids and a unique experience for everyone. ✨

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, see if any of the driving routes have the option for riding the train! They save time and stress, (especially in winter when passes are snowy or closed) and are just plain fun! 

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #travelhacksforparents #momapprovedtravel #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #familytravel
This is my favorite parenting tip of all time. ✨ This is my favorite parenting tip of all time. ✨

I’m forever grateful to the podcast @readaloudrevival where I first learned this. 

Not only did it help me understand how I could best prepare my kids academically, but it also brought more joy and excitement into my motherhood journey.

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #travelhacksforparents #momapprovedtravel #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #familytravel
And here’s exactly what you should do.👇🏻 And here’s exactly what you should do.👇🏻

Dramatic peaks and turquoise lakes probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of Italy. But trust me, Trentino-Alto Adige is one of the country’s BEST regions. 🤩

🇮🇹 Rome, Florence, and Venice are classics, but adding a few days in the mountains gives your trip the perfect dose of contrast. (See my earlier reels on building the perfect itinerary!)

Here are a few must-see spots:

🐟 Lago di Braies – This is THE Instagram-famous lake, but it’s still absolutely magical in person! You now have to book a time slot, which keeps it from being too crowded. 👍🏻Walk the 1-hour loop or rent a boat for extra fun.
⛰ Tre Cime di Lavaredo – An easy/moderate hike with jaw-dropping views. It’s perfect for families! 
🌿 Seceda – You’ve probably also seen these jagged peaks on insta, but like Braies, they’re even more incredible in person. This is my favorite hike in the region. 💛

Here’s the thing though, don’t just stop at the famous spots! Literally everywhere here is stunning. Here are three of our favorite less touristy spots: 

🌲 Lago di Dobbiaco – Quieter than Braies, but just as beautiful.
⛵️ Lago di Ledro – My favorite family lake! WWI bunkers, waterfalls, hikes, and a gorgeous shoreline.
🏞 Val Fiscalina – Maybe the prettiest valley in the world with an easy yet dramatic walking path. 

You won’t regret adding the Dolomites to your Italy itinerary for even one second! ✨

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #travelhacksforparents #momapprovedtravel #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #familytravel
Literally one of the top experiences of my life! 🤯

The crazy thing is that I spent hours and hours on Google before I any information about Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe surfaced!!

It’s still quite “off the beaten path” and a unique thing to do on safari, but honestly, it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. 

Huge thanks to @sababusafaris for organizing this for us. It was something we’ll never forget. 

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Danielle, an American mom raising our 4 kids in my husband’s hometown in Italy. 🇮🇹

I share our family travels with an emphasis on unique and educational experiences. So glad you’re here! 💛

#familytraveltips #travelwithkids #travelhacksforparents #momapprovedtravel #learningthroughtravel #traveleurope #travelhacksforparents #familytravel

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