After waking up in the peaceful town of Roche-la-Molière, we decided to spend one more day enjoying the area because Dotty wasn’t feeling very well, before continuing our journey. So we took a short trip to the Château de Bouthéon, and it was an absolute treat. The crisp, sunny weather made it the perfect day to wander around and explore everything the château had to offer.

The kids had the best time! Georgia loved visiting the small farm, where she got to meet the animals, while Dotty was completely captivated by the small aquarium inside the château despite not being very well. She spent ages watching the fish swim, her. The château itself, with its historic charm and beautiful surroundings, was a lovely stop for all of us. After an amazing day, we headed back to Roche-la-Molière for one last cosy night before moving on to our next destination.

Through the Alps to Parella

The next morning, we packed up and made our way to Italy, driving through the awe-inspiring Fréjus Tunnel. Passing under the Alps, we couldn’t help but marvel at the transition from France to Italy. The scenery on the other side was breathtaking, with the rugged mountains welcoming us into a new chapter of our journey.

We arrived in the quaint village of Parella on the 23rd, where snow from last Thursday (the 16th) still blanketed the ground. It was like stepping into a winter postcard! Georgia couldn’t wait to throw on her boots and play in the snow, building snowmen and tossing snowballs until she was rosy-cheeked and giggling. Meanwhile, Dotty preferred the warm indoors, happily exploring the house and peeking out at the snowy wonderland from the windows. Parella’s charm and the lingering snow made it a peaceful and memorable stop for our family.

Today, we’re heading further south into Tuscany. Our first stop will be Pisa, where we’ll visit the iconic Leaning Tower. Georgia is determined to perfect her “holding up the tower” photo pose, and Dotty is content to tag along and enjoy the sights at her own pace. After exploring the Piazza dei Miracoli and taking in the sights, we’ll continue to Lucca, a picturesque town famous for its medieval walls and charming streets.

Lucca promises to be the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring. We’re looking forward to strolling through its cobbled alleys, relaxing in its piazzas, and finishing the day with some delicious Tuscan food.

Follow Along on Our Journey

This trip has already given us so many unforgettable moments, and we’re only just getting started. If you’ve enjoyed reading about our adventures, dont forget to register for more updates, tips, and stories from the road.

Have you been to Italy, or have any questions let us know and stay tuned as we uncover more of Italy’s beauty and share it with you!

Learn more about Family Travel Adventure Italy!

Learn more about Family Travel Adventure Italy!

The post Our Journey from France to Italy: Farms, Fish, and Snowy Adventures appeared first on Tantrumming Trailblazers.

November snow? In France? Bonkers. We left Paris wrapped in a snowy wonderland and ended our day in Roche-la-Molière under clear skies. But let me tell you, the journey in between? Equal parts chaotic and hilarious.

November is supposed to be all about crisp autumn leaves and cozy scarves, right? Not for us. As we drove out of Paris, snow started falling like we were in a winter postcard. At first, it was magical—Dotty clapped every time snowflakes hit the window, and Georgia declared, “This is the BEST road trip ever!”

That enthusiasm didn’t last long.

The roads became slick, visibility dropped, and our car’s tires worked very hard to cooperate. The GPS kept recalculating, Ali took on the role of chief motivator (“We’ll laugh about this later!”), and Georgia yelled, “We’re in a snow race!” as if it were all a game.

The first flakes fell as we left Paris, and at first, it felt magical. Georgia pressing her face to the window, Ali declared, “This is going to be fun!” Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. The snow slowed us to a crawl, with every turn feeling like a game of “Will we make it?”

After a few hours as we got closer to Roche-la-Molière, the snow slowly cleared. It felt like stepping out of Narnia back into the real world—no more ice, no more sliding, just open roads and clear skies. I was thrilled to see the sun, and the fresh air was the perfect antidote to hours of tense driving. Even though the snow was stressful, it gave us stories to laugh about over dinner—and a few tips for anyone attempting a snowy road trip in November (which we didn’t even know was a thing!)

And finally our 4.5 hour trip, took nearly 6.5 hours and we were all exhausted by the end of it, but we survived and have some great stories now too!

Driving through France in winter? Be prepared for the unexpected!

My Tips for Surviving A Unexpected Snowy Road Trip with Kids.

• Pack Essentials: Bring snacks, water, blankets, and entertainment for the kids. A few extra snacks can work wonders during delays!

• Winter-Proof Your Car: Ensure your tires are suitable for winter conditions, wipers are working well, and you have enough screenwash. Carry a scraper and de-icer just in case.

• Take It Slow: Icy roads mean less grip, so reduce your speed and increase your following distance to stay safe.

• Don’t Rely Fully on GPS: Snow can disrupt routes. Carry a physical map or download offline maps as a backup.

• Break the Journey Into Sections: Plan rest stops to let everyone stretch their legs and keep spirits high.

• Keep Kids Engaged: Bring games, music, or even a road trip scavenger hunt to keep the little ones entertained.

• Stay Flexible: Expect delays and adjust your plans. Arriving safely is far more important than being on time.

• Capture the Chaos: These moments, however frustrating, make for the best stories later—don’t forget to snap some photos!

• Laugh When You Can: When the going gets tough, a little humor goes a long way in keeping the family mood light.

Have your own road trip chaos story? Share it with us in the comments—we’d love to hear how you survived!

The post From Snow to Sunshine: Our November Drive from Paris to Roche-la-Molière appeared first on Tantrumming Trailblazers.