After a round of the Cannobio Market, we set down on the stone wall of the harbour to relax with the kids while their grannies finish their mission. Soon we discovered a path between two line of bushes leading to the beach. This post highlights the things we sensed on this new place we discovered by accident.
Today we made a pit stop before going to Wonderwood early in the morning. The kids and I walked around the food stands to find something appetising. Although there were lots and lots of sausages and cheese on offer, we were looking for a quick bite this time.
But most of all we were looking for some play area to kill the time while grannies finish their rounds on the market.
5 – Five things we SEE with our eyes
Shiny waves rippling on top of the lake Colourful flower 🌺 garden around the playground hand trampoline park
Crazy orange 🍊 slide 🛝 on the kids playground that has no sides
Bagnino setting up the umbrellas 🏖️ and day beds on the beach 🏝️
We think this place is great because you can combine a half market day with a beach / playground day. It seems like a win-win opportunity for our three generation family.
Do you play a similar game when the kids are bored or not feeling confident to join other kids on the playground? I am all ears, share in the comments please.
Boredom had settled in early this year. Hiding from the rain at home with all three kids and hubby.
What can we do around kiddies’ nap times and in between food and Christmas movie??? 🎥
On the first day of Christmas My true love gave to me A partridge in a pear tree
Well… it’s a good time to go through all the photos we took this year. Twelve days of Christmas means a month for each day. Let’s start with January.
…. 11 days later.
I am finally back at the keyboard BUT all the romantic ideas about posting each day of the 12 days of Christmas had passed. Here I am a day before Epiphany, contemplating if I should make one big post about 2025. Is it too late? Probably it is, but this is life and I am so ready to kick off 2026 on a high note. But first lets review 2025 :
B turned seven and invited everyone to his party after school
Lego expo
Halloween Party at Palagnedra
November
trip to Italy
Night of Story Telling – Notte del Racconto (Swiss-wide initiative)
another outdoor birthday party
surprise friends’ visit at the end of November
exploring the Winterland in Locarno – B’s class decorated a Christmas tree
ice skating
Advent brunch in Intragna
December
winter craft for teacher’s gift
San Nicolao
Christmas concert, where B and M both participated and sang
trip to look at the Lucini di Natale in Italy
Christmas break for M
New Years celevration in Palagnedra: disco on ice
The one and only plan for the year of 2025 was to spend at least 1000 hours outdoors with the kids. Aaaand… we smashed this goal. Totalling 1004 hours outdoors in temperatures between -5 and 40 degrees Celsius. I call this a success.
And to celebrate we kicked off 2026 with a trip to Monte Tamaro for some sledging and Fondue.
This year I ask for at least the same amount of hours outdoors, for less screen time and more laughter if that is even possible. It’s time to stick a fresh tracker on the wall to record our time in the nature. I look forward to more adventures with my loved ones.
Finally, it’s time to pack up the crew and set sail—well, more like buckle up the kids, load the snacks, and hit the road! 🚗✨ For the past two years we’ve been dreaming about returning to South Tyrol, and this summer the Dolomites are calling us back.
Last time, we only had a taste of what the region has to offer: emerald-green meadows, turquoise mountain lakes, and adventure parks where kids can play for hours. We left with happy memories but also the feeling that we’d only just scratched the surface.
This time, we’re not going alone. Between us and our friends, we’ve got 5 kids, 6 grown-ups, and an entire car full of snacks and strollers—ready to trade daily routines for mountain trails, playground forests, and alpine adventures. It’s going to be messy, loud, and unforgettable… in the very best way.
🛣️ Road Trip Planning with Kids (6, 3, and 1-Year-Olds)
Normally, the drive from Ticino to Sillian takes about 5.5–6 hours. With kids, though, we plan at least one stop along the way. This time, we’ll pause at Riva del Garda for a picnic and a play break—giving our youngest travelers some much-needed time outside the car.
On road trips, we always pack our picnic basket with whatever the fridge and pantry can spare. Eating on the go helps us keep nap schedules intact and saves time compared to wrangling everyone out at a restaurant.
For entertainment, we rotate between CoffeeBreak Italian podcasts, car games like “I Spy” or “Word Chain,” and plenty of storybooks for the little ones between naps and snack times.
🧳 Packing with Kids: Our Family Checklist
When traveling with a 6-, 3-, and 1-year-old, packing can feel like moving house. Over the years we’ve learned that a little planning goes a long way—especially when you’re heading into the mountains where weather and needs can change quickly.
✨ Two Days Before Departure
Clothes: lots of layers (valley vs. mountain temperatures can differ hugely).
Shoes: slippers, trekking sandals, sturdy hiking shoes, and wellies for rainy days.
Comfort items: soft toys, blankets, or bedtime must-haves.
Kid input: we let the kids choose a few toys, books, or games for the trip—it gets them excited and involved.
✨ One Day Before Departure
Electronics & gear: phones, cameras, drone, action cam, night lights, and all chargers.
Bug protection: plug-in mosquito diffuser or spray.
First aid: a full medical kit for the car + a small trail kit.
Sun protection: hats, sunglasses.
Documents: wallets, passports, and any medical papers.
✨ Day of Departure
Snacks & drinks: a packed picnic basket for easy, on-the-go meals.
Entertainment: podcasts, simple car games, books.
Quick-access bag: wipes, spare clothes, small toys, and comfort items within reach.
🗺️ The Route: From Ticino to Sillian
Leaving Ticino means waving goodbye to lakes and palm trees and slowly climbing into alpine scenery. The kids love spotting changes along the way – high mountain peaks, cows grazing in meadows, and tunnels that seem to go on forever.
Family Tip: Plan longer stretches of driving during nap times and keep shorter ones for awake periods. This helps everyone’s mood (parents included!).
🏡 Destination: Arriving in Sillian
Sillian is a small, cozy village that feels made for families. It’s quieter than the big Dolomite resorts but still close to everything. Accommodation options range from family-run hotels to farm stays and holiday apartments with kitchens—perfect for cooking quick meals when kids get hungry outside restaurant hours.
The best part? Sillian is a central base for hikes, cable cars, and family adventures while offering plenty of playgrounds for downtime.
🏔️ Family-Friendly Activities in & Around Sillian
Croda Rossa (Rotwand)
Giant cable car rides that kids love.
Wide-open meadows.
Brand-new Family trail chasing the lost spirits of the mountains.
Buggy-friendly trails, easy for the whole family.
Monte Elmo (Helm)
Barefoot adventure trails with child-friendly themes.
Panoramic views without long hikes.
Petting zoo playground near the mountain station.
Panoramic bar terrace for a well-deserved Aperol Spritz or Mountain Ginger.
Baranci (Haunold)
A summer toboggan run and an adventure park.
Toddler-friendly trails and safe play areas.
Wooden ball track and tubbing.
Parents can relax while kids cool down in the Giant’s footsteps pools.
Assling Wildlife Park
The ultimate forest wildlife park on the mountain.
Grandpa’s model train collection.
Playground with water play, slides, swings, and climbing.
On the mountain with pram-accessible walking paths.
Funbob side by side with the park.
Galitzenklamm
A dramatic gorge with waterfalls and wooden walkways.
Kid-friendly paths (but better with carriers than strollers).
Adventure climbing park nearby for older children.
👨👩👧👦 Tips for Families Traveling this Route
Dress for all seasons: mountain weather changes fast—layers are your friend.
Balance big days and rest days: mix cable car + hike days with simple playground afternoons.
Bring the right gear: a sturdy stroller or carrier makes life easier.
Keep small distractions handy: sticker books, cards, or a tiny toy can save a wait at a mountain hut.
Embrace the unexpected: some of the best memories come from unplanned moments, like watching cows or splashing in streams.
✨ Closing Thoughts & Inspiration
As parents, we sometimes wonder if big trips like this are “worth it” with little ones. The packing lists are endless, naps don’t always line up, and someone always needs a snack just as the trail gets steep. But the Dolomites reminded us that adventure doesn’t have to wait until the kids are older.
Here, mountains meet playgrounds, hikes, and family memories are made in the small, unexpected moments—giggles in a gorge, a picnic by the roadside, or ice cream after a cable car ride.
We came for the scenery, but we’ll leave with something even better: a reminder that family travel is less about ticking off sights and more about collecting little moments of joy. And those tired, happy smiles at the end of each day? That’s the real treasure of traveling with kids. 💛
Hosting Challenge – Finding Things To Do in November
Hosting guests from abroad at the end of November presents challenges when it comes to selecting places to visit. Choosing an outdoor location that both toddlers and adults can enjoy in any weather is not easy. The limited number of days to make it happen adds to the pressure of the decision-making process.
Treetop Walkway Neckertal
I was searching for a new outdoor adventure when I stumbled upon a place in Neckertal with an unpronounceable name. I had heard a lot about forest detox trips and nature tourism, and I would definitely categorize this attraction within that realm. It’s also educational!
Reading up on their website, I got immediately intrigued. It is a truly a unique project. Should you wish to know more about the architecture of the attraction, click on the link here.
Take a look at their map to see all the aspects it has to offer.
We arrived on a rainy day in November. We almost had the whole place to ourselves, with just a handful of other families wandering around the site.
We parked the car and followed the signs to the entrance. Along the way, we passed a few houses and a self-service souvenir shop. It is quite common in Switzerland to find a self-service shop near attractions, whether they are natural, like the mountains, or man-made, like our destination for the day. Personally, I am still amazed by this cultural tradition and have a greater admiration and respect for Swiss culture. I don’t think this concept would last long in many other countries.
The receptionist recommended that we visit the treetop walkway track first before exploring the ground trail. The view from the walkway was stunning, even on a gray, rainy autumn day. The upper path was filled with activity stations, balancing games, and even a few marble runs, which kept our little ones entertained while we browsed through the information boards. Along the path, we found snippets of interesting facts tied into the games, making it easy to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed by the end.
The ground trail took us beneath the treetop walkway, following the wooden marble run stations. Between the stations, we spotted several wooden carvings of animals with their babies. Although we haven’t visited it yet, the lower part of the trail features a playground and a relaxation area for visitors.
Both upper and lower trails are filled with large wooden benches.
Once we tested out all the marble run stations, we opted for a warm soup at the cafe.
Why We Loved Baumwipfelpfad
First and foremost, the attraction is fully accessible. We visited with a double stroller and small toddlers and encountered no issues accessing all areas. The treetop walk is wide and spacious, making it easy to navigate. Additionally, the path below has smooth terrain, which is perfect for stroller wheels.
Secondly, the balancing games along the walkway were a fantastic way to draw our attention back from the magnificent view of the treetops. They not only helped us balance our bodies but also engaged our senses. We shifted our focus from the vast expanse above the forest to our own small selves within nature.
Thirdly, it features its own wooden marble run track and playground. Wooden balls can be purchased at the café and souvenir shop. The playground is located in the forest, providing cool shade on hot summer days. For adults, there are plenty of benches available to relax while the children play.
Lastly, I loved that all the activity stations were presented in three languages: German, Italian, and English. As an expat mom, I really appreciate places where information is available in English. Although I speak Italian, I prefer to read in English when it’s an option. Would I visit this place again? Absolutely, no matter the weather!
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of early spring sunshine warming both your soul and your body. I absolutely love this sensation! I often wish there were a word or expression that could capture the intensity of this experience. It’s so full of hope for the warmer and longer days that lie ahead in the coming weeks and months..
Here in Ticino, the sunshine plays on our senses every day… almost every day! This mood-lifting phenomenon is exactly what I needed after 3 months of no-sunshine in the valley of Centovalli.
Carnevale in Ticino
Last month, we “scared” the winter away at Bandi Gianee by dragging tins along the ground and making loud noises throughout the town. February and March in Ticino are dedicated to Carnevale. Even the typical “ski holiday” is referred to as Vacanza di Carnevale, which translates to “holiday of carnival.” People greet each other with “Buon Carnevale” when they depart. Are you going away for Carnevale? This question is mainly to find out if you have any plans, particularly for skiing, during this specific week.
Tiny Trips
Ascona
Ascona is my current favourite place to visit. I am very lucky to live 10 minutes drive away. I end up visiting this place at least twice a month and each time I discover something new.
Ponte dei Salti – Lavertezzo
This double arch stone bridge is a renowned destination for adrenaline enthusiasts. Built over 400 years ago, it serves as a popular jumping spot for anyone looking to plunge into the turquoise river below. The river is slow-moving yet cold. From the bridge, you can see the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Lavertezzo. If you’re adventurous enough to climb the large, river-worn stones, you can capture a beautiful reflection of the church in the water.
Verzasca Dam
This was my second visit to the majestic dam in Valle Verzasca, and it did not disappoint. This time, the kids were awake, and we took the opportunity to explore the area thoroughly. We walked along the entire path on top of the dam, which leads to the opposite mountain where a hiking trail begins. The rocks had a way of playing tricks on our eyes. As we explored, the kids effortlessly climbed on the rocks, making it look like they had completed a challenging hike. The vastness of the space and the distance we covered suddenly felt much greater compared to our usual daily surroundings.
1000 Hours Outside Challenge
Longer days provide us with more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. We spent just over 43 hours outside this month, which is 8 hours more than last month. Unfortunately, the flu continues to be prevalent in our neighborhood. From what I’ve read on social media, it seems to be lasting longer than usual this year, often extending beyond a month. This aligns with our experience; between the five of us, we end up passing the illness around. Despite being ill or not, we strive to get outside whenever we can.
We have completed 88 out of 1,000 hours by the end of February, which makes me doubt that we’ll reach our goal. Fortunately, the summer break lasts over two months in Ticino, and I expect to fit in the majority of the hours needed for the year 2025 during that time.
Hello March
“Vacanza di Carnevale” means a week off from kindergarten. We are in the midst of potty training, which begins with three days at home. After that, we can start taking short walks before we attempt a longer trip. Fingers crossed that we figure it out quickly! 🙂
San Giuseppe day is an official public holiday in the Italian part of Switzerland. On this day, all fathers are celebrated, just like in Italy.
Three kids, two grown ups, and many stuff squeezed in an estate set off to Poland Monday morning.
We romanticised to leave around 8 am, although we felt it might be too ambitious. By the time we packed up it was almost 10 am.
We had to make some last minute shopping on the way and fuel the car. We left Ticino in 12 degrees Celsius, just to arrive in -4 degrees Celsius at 9 pm. We called it a day around Leipzig and booked a room on the way.
Day 1 Golino – Leipzig
The kids had better sleep in the clean and fluffy bedding then they have at home. It was hard to wake them up. Second day we set off at 9 am. We had breakfast in the car as we brought plenty of left overs with us.
Day 2 Leipzig – Elblag
We stopped along the way for lunch in a McDonald. The usual small kids play area was designed into a kids gym. It had two spinning bikes, a basketball loop with many balls and an maze with obstacle course incorporated in it. It felt like we were in an indoor playground.
1650 km in two days. But we made it to Elblag by 4 pm New Year’s Eve.
New Years Eve
After driving most of the day, we couldn’t wait to get our bodies moving. The old town is lit up with various light compositions at this time of the year. We knew as we visited it two years ago when it was just the three of us.
New Year’s Eve at Elblag
Keepsake Huge Bauble
After a brief walk the little ones were ready to be tucked in. Our eldest stayed up with us to welcome the new year. 2025 arrived with a spectacular firework display which we could watch from the dinning room. I could barely keep my eyes open but it was worth every second of it.
Baltic Sea
Snowy seaside
Seaside splash and dash
After two years we have finally returned to the seaside in the winter snow. It is such a surreal sight when sea meets ice, ice meets sand, and sand meets snow.
It was a brief visit as the first large wave knocked M off her feet and she got soaked in ice cold water. We picked her up and managed to dry her quickly at our friends nearby apartment. Seemingly it did not shook her up too much. It all happened so quickly, that I am not sure how much she noticed at all. On the way home we visited more family members. Unfortunately, all three kids fell asleep at the danger nap zone time. So when they woke up, the two elder were crying (like babies) while the baby enjoyed all the attention he could get. M and I tried to console the kiddies but waking up from the late nap is hard on their bodies. They were too disorientated to be bothered about any manners they usually have when we are visiting family and friends. By the time they calmed down we had to move on and get back to M’s parents for dinner. Of course all is good when they have food. 🙂
Friends & Family
Four full days were just right to meet all the friendly relatives and friends. There is a lot to catch up when you meet once a year. But honestly with three tiny kids it gets a bit ‘hit and miss’. We can only move with their rhythms and it’s often unpredictable how much catching up we can actually have 🙂
Overall, they make every reunion much sweeter. Their curiosity and niceness is welcomed by everyone.
To Switzerland
We decided to leave half a day early, after lunch on Sunday. The idea was to make the same journey as on the way to Poland. But nature had a different idea.
About 3 hours into our road trip we found ourselves in a snowstorm on the motorway. The traffic slowed from 140 km/h to 80 km/h. The motorway was covered in snow and the temperature was dropping sub zero.
Snowstorm in Poland
We quickly made new plans and booked a room near the German border.
Day 1 Elblag – Boczów
We had an early start Monday morning with the aim to get ourselves home by bedtime.
There was sun, snow, and rain along the way. The snowstorm after St. Bernardino was beautiful. I cannot remember traveling in such a snowfall before. It was exciting to descend from the mountain. Most of the cars were driving super slow with a few random daredevils flying past us. M drove the whole time and got us home safe.
Mom cooked us dinner and brought a Panettone. It was lovely not to think about feeding the family straight after arrival and to be able to relax after a two days journey.
The days are flying by super fast. We welcomed 2025 in Poland with the in laws. It’s been 3 days and many precious time spent with people who we rarely see throughout the year.
The year behind us
I never close the year that has just passed. But I would like to change that. I am thinking to start a new tradition this year with the kids, but more on that later.
For now, what made my 2024 are the following:
New Year’s Day trip to the Christmas Garden at Mainau Island near Konstanz
Meeting our son, Oliver
Grateful for all emergency services that helped to keep our family safe
Easter fun with the Puha family
Visiting the Lindt Chocolate factory near Zurich
Trip to Swiss Miniature in Lugano
Trip to Säntis with Mother’s Day breakfast at the peak
Random sightseeings around Bodensee
Testing out the first Rugelreise in Thurgau
Trips with the Andrusiewicz family
Moving to Ticino, leaving Thurgau
New kindergarten for B
Electric scooter purchase
Nature walks
Halloween party with Kindergarten friends
Visiting Brissago Island
Visiting family in Italy
Andrusiewicz fam visiting in Ticino
Advent Walks and kindergarten party
Cousin and family visited for Christmas
Trip to Poland
New Years Eve
We made it to Poland around 4 pm on New Year’s Day. Just enough time left for a brief stroll around the old town before tucking the little ones to bed. Then popped a large Prosecco and kept our eyelids open until the midnight fireworks had begun. It was worth the wait and the bonus that we got to watch it from the dinning table.
The year ahead of us
I have good feelings about 2025. I read that it is a very mathematical year and that the last time such year occurred was is 1936. (45 x 45 = 2025) The next perfect square year will arrive in 2116. I don’t think I am going to live 129 years to experience that.
So this year I would like to focus on three things mainly when it comes for parenting.
Being outdoors
Being present
Being grateful
Firstly, being outdoors as much / as often / as possible. Last year, I joined the 1000 hours outside challenge. But soon I have lost count. Although my vision did not change for the year, the circumstances did not allow me to focus on this objective throughout the year. This year, I would like to give it another go and involve my eldest son in the recording process. The attractive aspect of the challenge is the visual recording of the time spent outdoors. I am a sucker for hitting goals so I think this is a win-win situation. A nice recording sheet on the wall will be coloured hour by hour after spending time outdoors. There are a lot of trackers available online. Click on the link to see some of them!
Secondly, I would like to make a school day goal to spend time with each of my kids (at least on school days) individually. Weekends are for collective fun because there are no extra curricular activities yet in our lives. One ‘game’ per day per child. It is just too easy to overlook even though it is so so simple. Often it doesn’t take longer than 10-15 minutes due to their short attention span. However, it means a lot for them and even more for me. I need to stay connected to them all on a personal level. It is way too easy for me to find one more thing that needs to be done around the house with the endless chores and tasks to complete. These need to take a second place and stop running my days.
Thirdly, I may have mentioned it before that Alzheimer runs in the ladies side of my mom’s family. We talk about it with my mom from time to time. We are both terrified to end up one day not remembering all the nice moments of our lives. I am even considering to film our adventures for my future less attentive self. I think it will be nice to watch back the videos to help remembering better. I am not video maker but I feel passionate about learning this new skill. Keeping it private takes the perfection-pressure off my shoulders. Another activity I used to do (and I loved) was bullet journal. It kept me sharp on things that were happening around me and allowed me to be more present. This time my issue is that every time I sit down with some paper and pen, my effort to record things is being overwritten. My daughter does not yet understand the concept of having a notebook or paper for each of us. She will eventually get in my notebook and takes over the pages like she has to finish the whole book in one day 🙂 I tried digital trackers, but the complexity of the tracker makes the experience utterly non-enjoyable and after a few weeks of logging the program breaks down.
In summary there are two things to focus on. Creating memorable videos of our adventures (that are in the nature) for personal use and to get back to daily bullet journaling, which also ties in nicely with being more present rather than move with the tide.
