After nearly three years of living in Southern Italy, we finally made it to Sicily—and I’m already planning our return. We spent a long weekend exploring Western Sicily, basing ourselves near Trapani with highlights including a dreamy boat trip to the Aegadian Islands (Favignana and Levanzo), a beach day in San Vito Lo Capo, and wandering the hilltop medieval village of Erice. From where to stay, what to eat (including Trapani’s best arancine and gelato), and tips for planning your Sicily itinerary with kids, I’m sharing our favorite moments, local recommendations (grazie di cuore Tony!), and everything you need to know to plan a memorable family trip to this stunning corner of Italy.

Looking for a kid-friendly summer escape in Scandinavia? We spent 11 days road-tripping through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway — chasing fjords, exploring colorful cities, and discovering some of the best family-friendly activities in the Nordics. From Copenhagen and Oslo to Bergen, Billund, and beyond, this guide shares budget-friendly accommodations, top sights, and kid-approved adventures like Liseberg Park and LEGO House.

Looking for an easy summer escape from Naples? We booked affordable, direct flights to Tirana, Albania for Memorial Day Weekend and explored the stunning Albanian Riviera. With pre-season pricing on a dreamy coastal apartment in Himarë and delicious food with sunset views, it was a quick getaway packed with beauty. That said, with long drives and only two full days, it felt a bit rushed. If you’re planning a weekend trip from Naples to Albania, this post covers travel tips, what to expect, where to eat, and why we’re already planning to come back—this time, for longer.

We have been wanting to do a longer trip to The Netherlands ever since we moved abroad. We visited the small town where my partner’s grandparents are from on a day trip from Cologne, Germany but hadn’t spent a significant amount of time exploring the country.

We ended up with a four day weekend over Easter and found decently priced flights into Eindhoven, the airport in the south. I will say: this was not the best time of year to plan a last minute trip. Not only was it a holiday weekend, but it was peak tulip season. The prices of things like AirBnB’s and hotels…made me want to cry. But we made it work!

We had an impromptu 3-day weekend in Malta, flying in from Naples for some much-needed relaxation. We stayed at the Hilton in St. Julian’s, which had amazing views, a fantastic pool, and great service. We spent Friday by the pool, then wandered around Valetta before heading to Mdina the next day. The highlight was definitely our private boat tour around Comino and Gozo—swimming in the Blue Lagoon, exploring sea caves, and just soaking in the beauty of the islands. Malta was such a surprise, and we can't wait to go back!

With its rich history, stunning architecture, and abundance of kid-friendly activities, Budapest proved to be the perfect destination for a long weekend. From soaking in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to exploring interactive museums and breathtaking city views, we found something for every member of the family. Check out this post for travel tips, hidden gems, and lessons learned (including the realities of traveling with a toddler!).

Vienna completely took me by surprise with how quickly and easily I fell in love with it. We were only there for a four-day weekend (as per usual), but I’d go back in a heartbeat to keep exploring. After a quick flight from Naples and an easy train ride into the city, we checked in, grabbed a bite to eat, and started getting ready for the main event—the Officers’ Ball at the Hofburg Palace. It’s been on my Europe bucket list since moving here, and thanks to my mom flying in to babysit, we got to experience every magical moment.

We spent an incredible 4 day weekend in Greece to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary and as our “Labor Day” weekend trip. The way things work for my partner’s command, he has a four day weekend for almost every US federal holiday. We are able to travel within Europe without taking leave, or PTO, over those weekends. On this trip, we managed to squeeze in Delphi, Meteora, and Athens.

We spent Thanksgiving in Andorra and it took us by surprise how much we loved it! We were definitely there in the shoulder season because there was no snow and the ski season hasn’t started so it was quiet, but the scenery is unreal. Andorra is a tiny principality (non-EU) tucked away between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains. It was about a 2.5 hour drive from Barcelona. 

Looking for the perfect long weekend staycation in Campania? Here's how we spent a relaxing four-day break at Cala Moresca in Campi Flegrei—with wellness terrace access, poolside lunches, local summer camp for our kiddo, and sunset aperitivi with a view of Monte di Procida. From tapas in Bacoli to pizza from Café Miseno and lunch at Il Cetrangolo, this guide is full of family-friendly tips and local gems for a slow, beautiful weekend close to home.

After a whirlwind few days in Marseille for the Olympics, our travel plans shifted and we found ourselves with 36 unexpected hours in Paris. With a toddler, last-minute hotel points, and zero expectations, we squeezed in river views, croissants, Eiffel Tower sparkles, and just enough magic to fall in love with the city.

Join us for a family-friendly adventure to the 2024 Paris Olympics—without the Paris crowds. We spent three unforgettable days in Marseille attending Olympic sailing and football events, exploring charming Endoume, swimming with official Paris 2024 floats, and taking a 4x4 safari with Camargue Autrement to see flamingos, wild horses, and local wineries. This travel blog covers where we stayed, what we ate, and why Marseille was the perfect home base for our Olympic experience.