international destination - Pitstops for Kids

A week stay at Three Bars Ranch, British Columbia

July 27, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

There are beautiful resorts and vacation properties all over the world. The best start with a stunning destination, then add experiences, dining, and activities in a way that feeds both a sense of adventure and the need for relaxation. Then there are a few truly special, tucked-away places that manage to do all of the above, plus add a certain something that take them over-the-top for family travel. What is this secret sauce? It’s hard to say, but you know it when you experience it: it’s genuine, organic, and rooted in excellent guest service. These magical places make our top 1% of destination reviews.

The Three Bars Ranch in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia is one of these places. One of the top 1% ones. One of the cream of the crop ones. They don’t get this rating from us by offering the most luxurious accommodations we’ve ever seen (we’ve seen nicer). They don’t get it from serving gourmet food. They don’t get it with a Michelin rating or a bunch of diamonds after their name in the guidebooks. They get it by being themselves, which is an authentic guest dude ranch with a long-standing family history, and by doing for guests: if it’s on your bucket list and can be done in the Rockies, they’ll make it happen.

We’ve now reviewed multiple dude ranches, and our standard advice continues to be: know what you want before you book, then book accordingly. Some dude ranches we’ve experienced focus almost exclusively on their riding program, and are best for experienced riders. Others are more like B&Bs or farm stays. Three Bars Ranch wins in the ‘all-round best for everyone’ category, but after staying for a week, I urge families not to think of it as a dude ranch.

Instead, think of Three Bars as an all-inclusive Canadian holiday, or as a family camp. With rafting, mountain biking, sport shooting, tennis, swimming, fly fishing, hiking, and golf in addition to its riding program, Three Bars truly does have something for everyone. But it’s more than that: remember the secret sauce? Three Bars manages to offer all of the above, and do so seamlessly, in a way that makes families feel relaxed, welcome, and comfortable both with the ranch staff and with each other. Trust us: not all dude ranches achieve this.

What to expect at Three Bars Ranch:

Like most dude ranches, families typically book at week at Three Bars. We arrived on a Sunday in late June, pulling up to the ranch house, barn, and other structures at about 4 pm. We were greeted by two of our wranglers at the main lodge, and shown to our cabin, one of about 20 circling the lodge on a grassy court. We settled in, and explored the grounds.

Three Bars is situated on over 1200 acres of pasture, forests, and mountainsides, plus uses an additional 60,000 acres of leased land in the heart of the Canadian Rockies along the St. Mary’s River. The ranch property includes the main lodge where we checked in, the cabins, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, an activities barn with mountain bikes, and the horse padlocks and barns. Right away, it was clear that we were to consider this property ‘ours’ during our stay, and immediately, the kids felt comfortable wandering (as did we). They found the ping-pong and foosball tables, the pool table in the bar (open to youth players), the cozy gazebo, and the petting ‘zoo’, which is a true manaserie of animals all in need of lots of petting and holding (including a donkey, pigmy goat, pony, chickens, kittens, and goats).

After a Sunday evening meet-and-greet, welcome dinner, and orientation, daily life at the ranch settles into a routine. Every day, a bulletin board will list the day’s schedule, which will always include a morning and afternoon horse ride, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an evening activity. Alternative afternoon activities are always offered: whether it be a scheduled rafting trip or a specifically arranged fly fishing trip, ATV ride, or mountain bike trip. Every morning, head wrangler (and ranch owner) Tyler Beckley comes around to each breakfast table to arrange the day’s activities for each family. This is the time for families to choose which type of ride to go on, or what alternative activity to schedule. As the week wore on, we, like many families, met friends and arranged to ride and play together, asking for teen rides, group rides, and ladies only rides. All were easily arranged.

Our typical day (Mon-Fri at the ranch) started by barely waking up in time for 8 am breakfast (unheard of for us, early-risers!), taking a morning ride of our choice (usually a fast ride while the kids rode with friends, or a family ride), coming back for lunch and a little break, an afternoon activity, which alternated between another ride or a different activity (one afternoon we went target shooting, another we went rafting), then down time in the late afternoon.

We filled this time by swimming in the pool, playing ping-pong or tennis, riding a bike along the trails, or just sitting on the porch of our cabin with a glass of wine.

Our family especially love riding bikes along the single track horse trails and many dirt roads and ATV trails around the ranch; bikes are available in the activities barn (the smallest being 17″ during our visit…a good size for a 10-year-old or up). From the barn area, trails can be accessed easily, either from the pastures or the trails past the large reining barn. We also swam and played tennis, and other families went fly fishing (equipment is available to use) and ATV riding (extra fee).

The ranch bar opens each day at 5 pm, and families tend to gather there to compare notes on the day. Kids order smoothies and play pool, and adults relax over a beer or cocktail. Dinner is at 6:30, followed by an evening activity, always with the wranglers, who also eat meals with guests and socialize naturally with everyone.

Evening activities during our stay ranged from a reining horse demonstration by horse trainer Jessie Buckley to a volleyball match and a cowboy guitar entertainer. Because it doesn’t get dark in summer in this part of the world until almost 11 pm, the kids tended to play on the lawns or soak in the hot tub until well after 9 pm, with lights out for our crew of school-aged and teen kids well past bedtime.

The Three Bars riding program:

If I had to pick one part of the Three Bars Ranch that is at the heart of the stay, it would be the riding program, though I want to emphasize again that this ranch is about so much more than riding. That said, compared to riding programs at dude ranches we’ve visited that have more of a ‘riding is everything’ attitude, Three Bars is still very much on par.

The riding is incredible. The horses are very well trained and responsive, and to a person, the wranglers were friendly, competent, and helpful. During our visit, there was a very even mix of ability level on horseback, with about 1/3 of the riders considering themselves novices, 1/3 experienced riders who don’t ride often, and 1/3 frequent riders. On Day 1, everyone was introduced to their horse, pre-selected based on a questionnaire asking for experience level. Every one of the 30+ guests were happy with their horses during our stay.

The first day, everyone I spoke to began by walking only, with wranglers keeping a careful eye on ability level and horse/rider compatibility. We didn’t mind, even though we were eager to trot and lope our horses, because the first ride was a great opportunity to get to know the area and see some of the scenery away from the ranch proper. By our second ride (afternoon of Day 1), our family was trotting, and by Day 2, we were loping (by request…this is not necessary). At another ranch we’d visited, rides started out fast and furious…great for experienced riders but uncomfortable for those who ride only occasionally.

On subsequent days, we verbalized what type of ride we wanted during the morning check-in with Tyler, whether it be a walking ride, ride with plenty of breaks and play time for kids, medium ride (with trotting and some loping), or fast ride (with more bouts of loping). We rode with our family unit and also with new friends. I absolutely love riding, so I greatly enjoyed the riding program, but individuals who would rather pursue other actives could absolutely do so. My kids loved having their ‘own’ horses for the week, and bonded with them quickly. In fact, even though 13-year-old Calvin, who liked riding fast, ended up with a very slow horse, he didn’t want to switch…he’d learned to love slow Chico!

Dining at Three Bars:

Meals are served at 8 am, noon, and 6:30 pm at Three Bars, and the food is always good. Occasionally during our stay, it was only ok, and sometimes, it was amazing. Full disclosure: I’m not a foodie. Especially during a vacation where we work up such an appetite, I’d honestly rather have good food, and plenty of it, than great food, in tiny, fancy portions.

At Three Bars, you get the former. We had no complaints, and always had our fill. The dining staff did an excellent job accommodating my pescetarian dietary needs, as well as others’ gluten-free needs. They can accommodate any type of need, with advanced warning. Breakfast included staples such as egg dishes, hash browns, pancakes, and granola, and there was always cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Coffee was average (if you’re a coffee connoisseur, bring your own!) and water, tea, and coffee was always set out during the day.

Lunch ranged from sandwich fixings to make-your-own-burrito bars, always with freshly-baked cookies and side salads. Dinners ranged from ribs to herb chicken to Italian pastas, always with something for everyone. If you come expecting gourmet fare, you’ll be disappointed, but if your primarily goal is to be served hearty fare, you’ll go away happy. We had brought snacks for our room, but never needed them.

Lodging at Three Bars:

The cabins at Three Bars are very comfortable, visually beautiful, and convenient. Each has a TV with plenty of channels (though we hardly ever turned ours on), coffee service, a full bathroom with tub, WiFi (a godsend since I had to work during the stay), and very cozy beds with high-end linens.

There are different cabin configurations, but we ended up with two connecting rooms (one with three beds for the kids and a queen bed for me), giving us two bathrooms. Rooms have mini-fridges and cabinet space for snacks, plus plenty of closet space for riding gear and outerwear. Each cabin has a porch with table and chairs out front, all overlooking the main lawn and lodge.

What to know before you go:

Everyone will need riding boots. The good news: boots can be rented from the ranch for $30/stay. This is a great value if you have older kids, as boots are expensive.
Everyone will want a cowboy hat. They have them for sale in the store for a reasonable price. We had our ahead of time.
Kids under 12 must wear a riding helmet. I felt great about this rule.
Remember you’ll need passports or copies of the kids’ birth certificates to get across the Canadian border.
Once at the ranch, you don’t need cash other than gratuity. All extra charges will go on a room charge. Tip should be 5-10% of the cost of the vacation, and can be given at the end of the stay.
The activities that are not all-inclusive include ATV-riding, shooting, fly fishing, golf, and alcohol from the bar.
All riding levels are accommodated. Don’t worry about lack of experience, or having too much experience.
The wrangler staff are primarily young people from Canada and Australia. All are wonderful, and will make your kids feel special.
Activities such as mountain biking, fishing, golf, and ATV riding can be scheduled at any time. Shooting sports and rafting are scheduled for set times.
Kids can participate in shooting sports, regardless of experience. As non-gun-owners, we felt the experience was very safe and positive, with an emphasis on respect for guns.
Bring several pairs of jeans per person, and plan to do laundry!
Expect to miss your horse when you leave!

We experienced Three Bars Ranch as guests of the ranch, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Scotland barge cruise tips: Seeing Scotland by waterway

July 15, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Scotland barge river cruises are gaining in popularity by the minute, and it’s easy to understand why: these itineraries allow for all-inclusive convenience and luxury without sacrificing the intimate look at local scenery and culture lost when booking a larger ocean cruise.

Scotland barge cruise tips:

Scotland, with its canals and locks, is an especially ideal country to explore by waterway. A Scotland barge cruise should hit a varied mixture of must-sees, including plenty of lochs, castles and ruins, quaint villages, and countryside sporting that unique blend between domestic and ruggedly wild only Scotland can quite pull off. Adult and solo travelers have plenty of outfitters to choose from,

Pick an itinerary that travels the Caledonian Canal

Most barge cruise operators float this canal, which runs between Banavie in the south to Inverness in the north. The Caledonian is actually a series of smaller canals connecting four natural lakes: Loch Lachy, Loch Oich, Loch Dochfour and Loch Ness. Along the way, cruises float directly past multiple castles, battlefields, and lochs, including Urquhart Castle and the infamous Loch Ness. Highlights include Neptune’s Staircase at Corpath, a stop for all barges, and Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Expect luxury

All small ship cruises are on the higher end of the vacation pricing scale, but Scotland barge cruises are especially expensive (and luxurious). Because of the narrow size of the canals in Scotland, barges must be smaller than even industry standard for small ship cruises, with passenger lists as small as six and large as 15. The smaller, more intimate the cruise, the more luxurious you can expect it to be. For the best value, consider European Waterways or Cruising Holidays. On the higher end of the scale, go all out with A&K or Hebridean.

Cruising with kids

Scotland barge cruises make for incredibly kid-friendly vacations by their very definition: this type of European holiday is all about exploration, activity, and new sights and sounds daily. Parents can leave the itinerary planning and meal preparations up to the cruise operator, a godsend when on the go in a foreign country with kids. All this said, while looking to book a barge cruise, be prepared to book the entire barge for your family alone, should you be bringing school-aged kids. Due to the small size of barges, this is a requirement of every cruising company I’ve found (and was a requirement when our family cruised). At first, the idea of booking an ‘entire barge’ for a single family seemed over the top, until I realized that with even a family of 8-10, you’d be booking your own barge anyway. Invite the grandparents and cousins, and you’re set.

Barge cruise add-ons

Once on the canal, your itinerary will be set. Most barge cruises stop for the majority of a day at major sites along the way, giving visitors plenty of time at lochs and villages. Look for a barge operator that stows cruiser bikes onboard; you’ll want these to explore village streets and cycle paths. For almost all stops, it will be easy to navigate the area on foot or bike, but after arrival at Inverness, plan to stay a few extra days at this gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Rent a car, and spend 2-3 days exploring the greater region. See more of the Urquhart area, including 4,000-year-old Corrimony Chambered Cairn, in Glen Urquhart, and take a Loch Ness Monster tour. See Plodda Falls, six miles from Cannich Village, and the Culloden battlefield, the final battle of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. All these sites are a short drive from Inverness.

This post is written in partnership with Enterprise. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit: Dave Conner and Lacegna, Flickr

The family guide to Australia’s East Coast

June 9, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

The Australian East Coast is vast and diverse, with something to offer for every member of the family, even the moody teenager. From Melbourne to Cape Tribulation, from Sydney to Cairns, the east coast is packed with exciting holiday destinations for the whole family. The best and most fun way to discover all there is on offer is by taking a road trip. This is the family guide to Australia’s east coast:

The big cities

Ask most people doing an Australian East Coast trip and they are bound to tell you they are visiting the three east coast capital cities: Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. All unique and beautiful in their own way, these three cities are well worth the visit.

Take Brisbane, the smallest of the three. What Brisbane loses in size, it makes up for in charm. The pride and joy of the Sunshine State, Brisbane has plenty on offer for young and old families. Whether you’re taking a dip at Southbank, or doing some shopping in trendy West End, Brisbane will not disappoint.

Next on the list is family favourite, Sydney. Australia’s largest city features tourist attractions including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and much more.

Then there´s Sydney´s eternal rival, Melbourne, it’s not just for hipsters! Melbourne has plenty on offer for families too! From spending the day at St. Kilda’s Luna Park, to strolling through the array of world-renowned art galleries and museums, there is always plenty to do in Melbourne. It is also extremely easy and cheap for the whole family to catch trams around the city.

Coast

Any Australian East Coast trip is guaranteed to involve lots of beach time. So which beaches are the best? Starting from the top, there’s the pristine resort town of Airlie Beach. Here you’ll have the chance to take the kids sailing, swimming, or just relax by the pool at your resort! Close by are the Whitsunday Islands. The Whitsundays provide the perfect opportunity for you to set sail on one of the many yacht tours that sail through the breathtaking group of islands, allowing you to spend a few days scuba diving and soaking up the sun.

Around Brisbane, you and the family will have plenty of opportunities to hit the surf. Take a ferry to Fraser Island and camp out in comfort, with excellent facilities at hand. Drive along the beach, throw some snags on the BBQ, go fishing, or take a dip in Lake McKenzie. Or, perhaps you’d prefer the Gold Coast? The Gold Coast, just an hour drive from Brisbane, is home to fantastic surfing and swimming beaches, as well as a handful of amusement parks that the kids are sure to love.

For a more relaxed vibe, drive down the coast to Byron Bay and take a yoga lesson, go sea kayaking, or simply relax with some fish and chips on the beach. Northern NSW and Sydney also have some excellent spots for surfing, or just enjoying the view.

What else?

So, now we’ve covered the big cities and the fantastic beaches of the Australian East Coast. But, that’s not all there is! Don’t forget the gorgeous country towns, valleys, and outback destinations scattered along the coast! For example, just outside Sydney you will find a charming little town called ‘Nundle’. Taking the family to Nundle Sheep Station for the night, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a shearing demonstration and learn about sheep farming from an expert shearer. You can even stay the night in the shearer’s quarters. Not far away, you can taste the wine of the Hunter Valley. For the kids, take a drive to Bingara, here you can try gold panning at a historic gold mine, go horseback riding, or take a swim in the local waterhole.

These are just a few of the highlights of the Australian East Coast. With hundreds of destinations and a million ways to do it, you’re sure to find an Australian East Coast holiday that will satisfy the whole family. So what are you waiting for? Book your flights and start planning for the road trip of a lifetime.

Photo credit: Cory Leopold, Jodie Wilson and Ari Bakker.

Road Trip Through Spain: Madrid to Barcelona

June 3, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ask GoogleMaps how to get from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be taken in a direct shot along the E-90. But take the road less traveled on a road trip from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be rewarded with fewer tourists and a more authentic local scene. Starting in Madrid, take the E-901 from Madrid through Cuenca and Aragon before meeting up again with the E-90 or A-2 into the seaside city of Barcelona.

Rent a car in Madrid, then set out from the city by mid-morning. You’ll want to budget at least an overnight for this road trip, but you could certainly stretch it to two nights if you really want to linger.

Cuenca:

The medieval town of Cuenca is less than two hours from Madrid, on E-901. Cuenca’s famous ‘hanging houses’ are located here; the walled town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built by the Moors, Cuenca has Spain’s first Gothic cathedral, thanks to the Castilians who conquered the city in the 12th century. With kids, stop at the Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca, where everyone can get out of the car for some hiking in this beautiful and visually interesting countryside. The narrow roads are steep in some parts of the park, but this just adds to the thrill for kids.

Before driving on, see the Casas Colgadas for a lesson in unique architecture; these houses seem to hover over the cliffs, with layers of balconies and gables. You can see them best from the old town, past the Puente de San Paulo footbridge.

Teruel:

Continuing on from Cuenca, head toward Teruel on the N-320 (connecting to the N-420). This section of the drive is about two hours and 45 minutes, but I recommend continuing on to Aragon for an overnight stop. Stop in Teruel for a break, however, taking in the gorges rising up from the Rio Turia in this industrial city. During this part of the drive, you’ll enter the mountain valleys and vineyards of the Aragon region. The villages tucked away between earth-colored hills are ancient, and look sunk into their surroundings. When I went through, I had to remind myself I was still in modern-day Spain.

Aragon:

Approximately six hours’ drive time from Madrid (but more like eight hours after a few stops en route), you’ll arrive in Aragon. Stay the night, then get up with the sun so you have time to explore this city before getting back on the road. Start with the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the baroque cathedral where Catholic believers say Santiago saw the Virgin Mary. It opens at 7 am, so this makes for a nice pre-breakfast sight if you have early risers.

About 30 minutes drive away, in Zaragoza, is the Museo Pablo Gargallo, as well as rafting trips and float trips down the Ebro River. Spending most the day in the area to combine a bit of culture with some outdoor adventure is a great way to go; head out toward Barcelona in the mid-afternoon.

The remaining drive is just over three hours. Arrive in Barcelona as the sun is setting!

This post was written in partnership with Enterprise rental cars. Itinerary is my own.

Photo credit: Felipe Gabaldón, Andrew Gould, Jorge Correa

How to See a Family-Friendly Italy on a Budget

April 29, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

First off, I want to thank Amy and Kate for hosting me on this blog. There’s a ton of great information on here for everything from summer trips to ski vacations, and I love that. Hopefully this post is a good complement to Amy’s post on day trips around Rome—Rome has some neat history for sure, but so do so many of the nearby towns!

Travelling with your family has its challenges, but it’s a great bonding experience and a great way to instill a love of travel in your children. Italy is a special country chock-full of history, food, and fun—but as you probably know, a visit to Italy typically comes with a pretty hefty price-tag. Footing the cost as even a single traveler can be rough, so how can you do it with a family? Don’t worry—it’s entirely possible! Here are some tips:

Getting There

Flights and accommodation will typically be the most expensive parts of your travel. Start cutting costs before you even arrive in Italy by shopping around for the best deal. Try to pack light so you don’t have to pay as much in baggage fees. Also remember that your cheapest option may not always be to fly directly to Italy—even though Rome is a huge city, you might find that it costs less to fly first into another city in Europe, like London or Paris, and then take a separate budget flight to Italy from there.

Of course, if you have a layover to kill, you’re going to have to keep the kids occupied. The thing is, an airport is just another world for your kids to explore; take a walk and look out the windows. When they get bored of that, sit them down with your smartphone or tablet and get them watching movies using the airport Wi-Fi. If it’s a foreign airport, you may have to use a VPN to circumvent Netflix’s geo-restrictions, but with a VPN hiding your true location, you’ll be good to go!

Figuring Out Where to Go

In general, the further south you head in Italy, the cheaper the prices are. And although many of the northern cities of Italy are beautiful, there’s no lack of charm in the southern parts of the country either. You’ll find plenty of fascinating ruins, sweeping landscapes, and wonderful glimpses into the culture of the country—and by sticking to one region of the country, you’ll also minimize your transportation costs. It is entirely possible to do a grand tour of Italy on a budget, but you won’t lose anything by staying south.

If you do decide to travel around, you may want to look into taking the slower trains rather than the faster (and more expensive) Eurostar trains. If you’re a bit flexible on the days, you may even find that budget airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair offer flights that are cheap enough for your budget.

Sightseeing

Many cities in Italy offer free walking tours, which can be a great way to get oriented and learn something about the history of the cities. However, children will often get bored during these tours, especially during tours with longer stops and more detail. Instead, it may be worth grabbing a guidebook or getting a map and printing off information from online. Have your kids take turns navigating to the next stop and being the tour guide (reading out the information from the sheet).

Once you’ve chosen your cities, do a web-search for something like “free things [CITY]” and you’re sure to come up with a list of activities that you could do on a budget. Seeing museums will add up, so if you plan to see a lot of them, you may want to look into getting a museum pass. Be realistic about how many museums you’ll see, though: if your kids get bored with the museums, you’re not going to learn much about the history anyway as you’re trying to keep them from going bonkers.

One way to keep kids occupied is to play a scavenger hunt game throughout the trip. Make a board with things they’re likely to find and see and do along the trip (eg. “Eat a slice of pizza”, “Hear an Italian man singing”). Have a competition to see who can collect the most “Italian experiences” throughout the course of the trip.

Eating

Eating out for every meal can get expensive, but there are a couple tricks you can employ. First of all, look for accommodation that offers a complimentary continental breakfast—even if you’re stuck eating boring cereal or toast for the whole trip, at least it’s one meal a day that you don’t have to worry about. You can also look for cheap bakeries that offer breakfast goods to cover you on that front. As for lunches, many Italians frown on tourists eating wherever they like in the cities, but find a park or a spot in the countryside and you can have a nice family picnic. You might also want to pick up some snacks and drinks from the local supermarket to keep you going throughout the day.

When eating at restaurants, you’ll want to head a little bit outside the touristy areas of the city and keep your eye out for cafés serving cheap Paninis and pastries—these are numerous all around Italy. And hey, your kids will never complain about another slice of delicious Italian pizza!

Despite its often-hefty price-tag, Italy is a bucketlist country for any traveler—and the younger you can expose the kids to some of the magic of this country, the better! You may not be able to see everything with them on the first visit, especially not if you’re trying to keep costs down and only visiting some of the museums and attractions, but hey, that just means you’ll need to go back again soon!

Hi, my name is Jess Signet. My parents were travelers since before I was born. Even in the womb, I was able to travel all over the place! Boy, did things NOT change as I grew older! Knowing there’s more to the world than the bubble I live in made me want to travel even further. Traveling is my drug and I’m addicted. (Please, no intervention!)

Adventures for Kids in Costa Rican National Parks

March 27, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Costa Rica has a landscape brimming with opportunities for active adventure. National parks provide safe and pristine environments for rambunctious children to explore. If your youngsters have exhibited interest in climbing, jumping, gliding, or bouncing, make sure to fit some of these activities into your Costa Rica itinerary.

You can usually find a tour that offers some combination of the following activities, and your tour guide can provide you with all the equipment you need.

Of course, family vacations in Costa Rica don’t only cater to visitors with boundless energy. If you get a moment to yourself, take a tour of a coffee plantation, or unwind on the beach, or go for a holistic soak in a volcanic hot spring.

But while you’ve got your kids along for the ride, take them on expeditions that will leave an indelible impression. For most kids, that means experiences that send them into totally new environments. Costa Rica’s National parks will invite them to explore their appetite for outdoor excitement.

Suspension Bridges

Look for hikes that will take you high up in the jungle canopy. Walking over a suspension bridge will add excitement to your hike, and offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. In Arenal National Park, the view will include the ancient, snow-capped Arenal Volcano.

Visit suspension bridges in Monteverde National Park to voyage into the heart of the park’s cloud forest – a rare environment that develops when high humidity combines with a high elevation. Cloud forests create a habitat for some of the world’s rarest plants and animals.

Tubing and Rafting

Tubing down a river in Costa Rica will let you see the lush landscape from your own tubular oasis. This is an especially good way to see the jungle – you’ll get to observe the wildlife on the banks of the jungle while you move at a leisurely pace.

Older kids can try something a little more advanced with a white water rafting trip. Your guide will make sure everyone has taken all the necessary safety precautions before you begin your rollercoaster ride down the white water rapids of the Naranjo, Pacuare, or Sarapiquí River.

Kayaking and Surfing

Kayaking allows you to get up-close to the twisted trees that make up Costa Rica’s exceedingly rare mangrove forests. You’ll see marine birds, like spoonbills and pelicans, as well as monkeys. There’s even a chance you could catch a glimpse of a crocodile. Guanacaste National Park and Marino Las Baulas National Park are both good destinations for kayaking around mangrove forests. Manuel Antonio National Park has mangrove forests as well as opportunities for ocean kayaking.

While you’re visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, sign up for surfing lessons. Beaches here offer easy-going waves and plenty of qualified surfing instructors. Even if your kids have never tried it before, they’ll be excited to get into the clear, blue waters of Costa Rica’s Pacific coat.

Rock-climbing

In the midst of the dense Costa Rican jungle, visitors can make an afternoon of rock climbing in a canyon. Surrounded by deep green vegetation, these rocky destinations serve as a habitat for colorful birds and plants. Gorgeous jungle canyons are the perfect place for your kids to push themselves to get to the top.

And as you scramble up the side of the rock face, you’ll have the noisy jungle to serve as the soundtrack to your expedition.

Rappelling in a Waterfall

Waterfalls are easily the most refreshing natural formations. And rappelling down a waterfall is, without a doubt, the best way to recover from a steamy hike through the jungle. Have your kids wear quick-drying clothing so they’ll be ready to spend part of their day conquering the cascade.

Zip-lining

No trip to the jungle canopy is complete without a zip-line ride through the treetops. After admiring the plumage of Costa Rica’s tropical birds, you can join your feathery friends on a flight of your own. This is a thrilling activity, and a good source of motivation for a youngster on a hike.

Molly Kendrick is a part-time traveler and freelance writer for Anywhere Travel. Anywhere can help you discover destinations in Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, and Guatemala, and will create your customized travel plan for free.

Children-Friendly Activities around Lisbon

February 16, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

If one had to choose a single word to describe Lisbon, the amazing capital city of Portugal, chances are that, that word would be “charming”. There are many other words that spring to mind, such as romantic, picturesque, sunny and striking, with this city looking like something straight out of a Disney fairy-tale.

Thanks to the fact that this is one of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon does a fine job in bringing stunning old-fashioned buildings and modern architecture together in a way that is guaranteed to take your breath away. When it comes to admiring antique buildings, learning about their rife histories, this is usually about the time that the children switch off, pulling out their cell phones. Luckily for families hopping on a plane, train, car or boat to Lisbon, you’ll be glad to know that there is an endless list of amazing experiences that will be fun for the entire family.

Before one can even take a step out into the charming streets of Lisbon, it is important to find the perfect accommodation that will keep the family entertained. Hotels are all good and well, but they take away from that warm, cosy feel of travelling with your loved ones. With most of the best attractions a short bus or cab ride away from city centre, why not enjoy a comfortable housetrip at the many cottages, both self-catering and B&B-styled, that are scattered across the city.

Sleeping with the fishes at Lisbon Oceanarium

Don’t worry, we mean sleeping with the fishes in an educational way, rather than the Mafia way. The Lisbon Oceanarium holds the title as the second largest aquarium in Europe, with over 8000 different aquatic species to admire and learn about. Families are able to book sleepovers, allowing you to doze off with massive Grey Nurse Sharks swimming gracefully nearby.

Feel like James Bond on the amphibious Hippotrip tour

Tell a child that you are going on a city tour, and they will not feel excited, tell them that part of the city tour takes them into the River Tagus, and they will lose their mind! This land-sea excursion is a must for all families, allowing you to learn about Lisbon in a way that is exciting and memorable.

Pull Strings at Museu da Marioneta

Everyone knows that when it comes to families, it is usually the young ones that pull all the strings, and at this amazing puppet museum, they can do just that. Founded in 1987 and set in an ancient convent, this place is home to a massive number of puppets from around the world, spanning across several centuries.

Post written by Jason Swindon

Photo credit

Warm weather vacations to book now

February 6, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to get away from cold winter weather, but a ‘lie on the beach’ vacation isn’t quite your style? The following warm weather vacations at family-friendly resorts offer some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving for kids and teens. Stay active, be warm!

Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Key West, Florida:

Tucked away on Key West’s southern edge along the largest private beach on the island, Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort provides a family-friendly dive location with ease of access to a North American living barrier reef. Offering both a non-certified divers resort course and a full PADI certification course, the resort tailors to aspiring divers who do not yet possess scuba diving certification. Through the resort’s non-certified divers course, participants begin with a pool work lesson in the morning followed by a two-tank reef dive in the surrounding reefs with a certified dive instructor in the tranquil Gulf of Mexico waters. For an exhilarating escape for every family member, Casa Marina provides a large array of awe-inspiring activities in the stunning natural beauty of Key West.

Azul Beach Hotel, Riviera Maya, Mexico:

Families can’t go wrong with Azul Beach Hotel, which is an all-inclusive, luxury boutique hotel just 20 minutes from Cancun. The largest reef outside of Australia sits just feet from the beach at Azul, an easy water taxi ride away. Young kids will love snorkeling here, but everyone will find plenty else to do, including swimming at pools that span right to your suite, kids’ club activities, and beach games with Azul staff. Read more about Cancun-area activities.

El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Fajardo, Puerto Rico):

Dramatically set atop a 300-foot cliff on the eastern tip of Puerto Rico with its own private tropical oasis set off the mainland, El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort provides a waterside haven for families. And did we mention the private island? A luxury catamaran sweeps families off to Palomino, the resort’s 100-acre private island where snorkeling among rainbows of coral, or a scuba discovery program waits. After an hour scuba skills orientation practice, families who have never tried diving before can experience the thrill of breathing underwater in the clear waters of the Palomino reef among small reef fishes.

The Condado Plaza Hilton (San Juan, Puerto Rico):

Home to the stunning Condado Lagoon Reef, the lagoon-side setting of The Condado Plaza Hilton in Puerto Rico makes it the perfect plunge point for families to snorkel azure blue waters through a guided snorkeling reef tour. Led by a member of the Condado Lagoon Reef Restoration Project, the tour allows families to explore the nearby eco-friendly reef featuring more than 300 varieties of fish via the resort’s beach. As the only hotel to boast uninterrupted views of both the Condado Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean, The Condado Plaza Hilton provides countless opportunities for family fun including Puerto Rico’s only saltwater pool among three other oasis-style pools throughout the resort grounds.

Tip: Remember, families don’t need passports to visit Puerto Rico!

When to rent a car while on a Cancun vacation

February 2, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

During our latest Cancun vacation, we decided everyone in the family was old enough to ‘brave’ swimming with whale sharks. However, it turned out our $90 (one-way) taxi ride from our Riviera Maya hotel to the Cancun resort zone to find these gentle beasts was the only scary part of our experience. Note: always, and I mean always, negotiate cab fare before getting in the vehicle.

We should have known better (and magically, the return fare became half the price when we questioned it), but it wasn’t the only time during our week-long trip we wished we had our own car. Don’t get me wrong: we love staying south of the city on the Riviera Maya, happy to be along a quiet stretch of coastline. But with that lovely isolation comes difficulty with transportation. Here’s when to rent a car in Riviera Maya (and when it might not be necessary).

Consider a car rental if:

1. You’re not staying directly inside a Riviera Maya town (such as Playa del Carmen). Perhaps you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort along the ocean, miles from the next, but still want to explore Riviera Maya attractions outside resort grounds.

2. You know you’ll be zipping up and down the coastline often. Maybe you’ll be visiting Mayan ruins such as Tulum or want to visit a private beach club. Note: beach clubs are a hidden treat along the Riviera Maya…for a low fee (usually the cost of a meal on-site), whole families can enjoy pristine beaches with hammocks, snorkel gear, and even boogie boards. And they’re almost always crowd-free (unless there’s a wedding). Check out our experience at Blue Venado.

3. You have an excursion or night out planned in Cancun. The ride back up the coast can take as long as 45 minutes, and as we learned, the meter runs mercilessly!

You probably don’t need a car if:

1. You have booked a Mayan ruins tour or eco-tour with a private tour company. Most, including the eco tour company we reviewed, Alltourative, have their own vans or tour buses, which will pick you up at your resort. This can save time, and we found our tour guide to be very helpful and knowledgeable. Don’t want to be on a bus tour with the masses? Book a smaller excursion for only your family.

2. You plan to visit Playa del Carmen, or another attraction directly on the public bus line. Rivera Maya does have public buses which run between the resort communities and major towns. (Taxis are not very expensive between points of interest with Riviera Maya, either.) The major eco-parks, such as Xcaret, have bus stations right out front.

If you fall into the ‘don’t need a car’ category, ask the concierge or front desk staff at your resort for the best airport transportation solutions. Often, a private van or shared shuttle service will be more economical than a taxi. If you do opt to rent a car, enjoy the freedom you’ll have to explore the Yucatan!

As I disclose whenever applicable, this post was written in partnership with Alamo rental car.

Europe with Kids: Free things to do in Stockholm

January 22, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Northern Europe is notoriously pricey. Countries like Sweden enjoy excellent standards of living, but for visitors, this can mean that things like transport, hotels and eating out can come at a premium. However, there are ways to off-set the costs of your trip to Sweden. Plan well in advance; it will afford you the opportunity to take advantage of dining out deals, learn the layout of the city in order to get around by bike or subway and drive a hard bargain on your hotel room by shopping around when arranging Stockholm city breaks. As for entertainment, here are some of the best things to do in the capital that won’t cost you a krona.

Go for a dip:

It might seem preposterous to take an al fresco dip when you’re so far north, but the locals can’t get enough of outdoor swimming in summer. Paddle your toes in either of Stockholm’s swimming beaches; Långholmsbadet or Smedsuddsbadet are renowned for their clean, clear waters and are popular with tourists.

See the changing of the guard:

Bear witness to this prestigious ceremony that takes place every day outside the royal palace from 12.15pm. A convoy of guards marches through the city and into the palace grounds at Gamla Stan in a ceremony that takes a full 40 minutes, all to the rousing beat of a military drum. Stand to attention, and be sure to bring your camera!

Check out the underground art scene:

Not only is it a cheap and convenient method of traveling the city, Stockholm’s subway comprises over 100 underground stops, all of which have been decorated in a different theme. Carved, Renaissance-style statues glare from exposed rock walls, Pac-Man ghosts peep from gleaming, tiled walls and painted vines and lilies sprawl over arches in bright greens and blues. It’s enough to make you envious of Stockholm’s commuters!

Have a picnic in Djurgarden:

You can reach this popular island by foot or boat, and spend some time following the many scenic paths that sprawl over its parkland. Although it’s home to many of the city’s top museums, amusement grounds and an animal park, it’s also the perfect spot to relax and reconnect with nature, as Djurgarden was once a royal game reserve. Take a picnic, wear your running gear or just enjoy a romantic stroll with your significant other.

Image by Hector Melo used under the Creative Commons license.