Bologna – a town of towers

Bologna – a town of towers

Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower, but Bologna is known as a town of towers. In the past, there were about 180 towers. It sounds like almost every family had a private one. We wanted to climb the top of the highest tower in the city center made up of 498 wooden steps (Torri Degli Asinelli e Garisendabut), but the tower was temporarily closed. Anyway, it would take us a few years to climb up there with the kids.

Ferrara is not about Ferrari

Ferrara is not about Ferrari

When I first heard about Ferrara, I thought that it was famous for Ferrari cars. Ferrara – Ferrari! It sounds logical, but there is no connection at all between the luxury cars and renaissance town. Ferrari is produced in another Italian city, Marinello, and Ferrara is a bike town. What makes Ferrara really special and so different from any other Italian city are its bicycles. 90 percent of the population rides bikes, like in Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

The Child President

The Child President

Today’s children are raised to be presidents one day. Their days are full of activities from morning until late evening. Since the time they are a few months old, it is difficult to find a gap in their schedules. One grandmother told me she tried many ways to fit in with the weekly protocol of the future president of the state, her four-year-old granddaughter.

Modica – the chocolate kingdom

Modica – the chocolate kingdom

Sicilian people actually must be grateful to their Spanish invaders because they brought from Mexico the cocoa beans and a recipe for this chocolate from the Aztecs in the 16th century. This ancient Aztec technique of making divine chocolate is still used by generations and generations of families in Modica.

Etna: Another planet!

Etna: Another planet!

We are among those people who live with their head in the clouds, but this time it wasn’t just metaphorically. We were literally in the clouds while we stood on the craters of the active volcano of Mount Etna. Fortunately, the lava was sleeping peacefully that day. We told the kids to be quiet so they would not wake it up. They took it pretty seriously, so we had a peaceful and relaxed time on Etna. We were amazed by the power and magic of this place.

Seven days in Palermo

Seven days in Palermo

We have heard that Sicilians often get angry when tourists mention them in the context of the mafia, even in the joke. We didn’t joke about it.  We spent seven adventure days in Palermo without meeting mafia, but we had to deal with police in one situation 😉

The city of Gods: Agrigento

The city of Gods: Agrigento

The famous valley includes the remains of seven temples. The Temple of Concordia is one of the best preserved from the Greek age in the world. The children didn’t value the fact that these temples resisted earthquakes and weather over many years. Instead of admiration, they complained that these ‘old buildings’ have no roof. To invoke some interest for the roofless temple, I told them that people were bringing all kind of things to the gods to please them.

Catania – a city made of lava

Catania – a city made of lava

Located beneath the Etna Volcano, Catania was destroyed by several volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and finally rebuilt in the luxurious Baroque style. They used lava for building the city, so it is mostly in dark grey. I admire people who still live beneath volcanoes knowing that it could activate?!

A Family adventure in Noto

A Family adventure in Noto

Noto is one of the most famous film locations in Sicily. One scene in Antonioni’s famous movie, ‘L’avventura’, takes place on the terrace of the San Carlo’s bell-tower in Noto. Gabriele Ferzetti and Monica Vitti. It was a fantastic place to see things; literally and emotionally.

10 reasons why children should play chess

10 reasons why children should play chess

My father played with the best chess players and won many games, but that is not the most important thing. All chess players do not have to become world champions, as all ballet dancers will not dance in Swan Lake, but chess can bring the features and habits that can be applied in other areas of life.

Cefalù – a perfect family holiday destination

Cefalù – a perfect family holiday destination

After the hyperactive week in Palermo, we arrived in Cefalu with an idea of doing nothing, just have some lazy time on the sandy beach. But Cefalu is like little kid; it is a town that doesn’t let you sit down. City beach is just a few minutes walk from the vibrant historical center, so Cefalu is an excellent destination for travelers with children: swimming, history, art, and culture in one package.

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