international destination - Pitstops for Kids

Spain with kids: What not to miss in Seville

November 15, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Seville is a region in Spain that has something for just about anybody. From the great Catholic and Moorish monuments and buildings to the iconic historic bullring, delicious tapas bars and enchanting old towns and neighborhoods plus giant wooden mushrooms, the Andalusian capital has plenty for any tourist to enjoy. If you’re considering visiting Seville, read on for some of the most gorgeous sights that will surely make you want to visit as soon as possible.

The Most Gorgeous Sights That Will Make You Want to Visit Seville:

Royal Alcazar Palace:

Alongside the famous cathedral, the Royal Alcazar Palace is the key architectural attraction in Seville and it’s been around since work began on it all the way back in the tenth century, when a Moorish fortress was built attached to the Roman city walls by the Umayyads. But, it wasn’t until two centuries later when the first royal palace was constructed on the site by the Almohad Dynasty who ruled at the time. The palace was renovated and added to all the way until the 19^th century. Today it is a gorgeous combination of Moorish, Mudejar and Renaissance architecture and the oldest continually used palace in Europe. Make sure to include the palace if you’re using this customized trip planner for your Seville itinerary.

The Cathedral:

The greatest Catholic monument in Seville; you’ll be in awe at the sheer size of the cathedral. It is the largest Gothic building in the world and houses eighty chapels along with Spain’s longest central nave. Work began in the 1400’s on this former mosque site and continued for over one hundred years. The cathedral was finally completed in 1507 and certainly achieved the design team’s goal of creating something so magnificent and beautiful that anyone who sees it ‘will think we are mad’. If you’re visiting Spain and want to make sure that you see this cathedral before you leave, why not get from Malaga to Seville by high-speed train?

Casa de Pilatos:

One of the many hidden treasures in Seville, this stunning 15-16^th century mansion comes complete with beautifully exquisite gardens that match everything you can see in the Alcazar but on a smaller scale. Begun in the late 1400’s by the then Mayor of Andalucia, it’s one of the major Mudejar structures in the region and is built around a central courtyard in traditional Andalusian style. And the amazing scenery at this palace has earned it starring movie roles – you will see it in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Knight and Day (2010).

Bullring:

The Real Maestranza bullring is one of the most important and attractive plazas in the entire country. It was built in 1761 on the city’s old rectangular plaza de toros site with construction taking over one hundred years. The main entrance, known as the Prince’s Gate, is a particularly attractive feature of the bullring, along with the ornate black iron gates which once belonged to a convent. For matadors, being carried through these gates on the shoulders of the public and fellow matadors is a symbol of great triumph and one of the highest honors attainable. For tourists, the excellent museum is a must-visit if you want to learn all about the rich history of bullfighting.

Maria Luisa Park:

In 1929, the southern part of Seville was in need of a costly facelift in order to prepare to host the Iberian-American Expo, and the Maria Luisa Park was at the center of this redevelopment. Today it is a stunning botanical garden that’s proudly the largest, most attractive green area in the region. If you’re visiting in the spring or summer it’s a gorgeous place to stroll with many beautiful species of plants in bloom.

These are just some of the most stunning must-see attractions for anybody visiting Seville.

Gift-free holiday: Why we opted for no presents at Christmas

November 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

When we decided the best time for our family’s bucket list trip to Europe was Christmas break, we, as parents, realized how unrealistic it would be to buy Christmas presents on top of the cost of the trip. While we would be budget traveling through Europe, we would still spend far more than the average amount we set aside for holiday spending. In addition, it simply wouldn’t be practical to try to haul Christmas gifts across the Atlantic to open Christmas Day, only to haul them back.

The idea of a gift-free holiday focusing on the wonderful gift of travel and experiences appealed to us greatly.

We went to the kids (ages 16, 14, and 11), and asked them what they thought of having our European trip be their Christmas gift. And their only Christmas gift. Their answer (in September), was a resounding YES. Whatever it took to get us all to Europe, they were onboard.

I was proud of them; I’ve never considered us to be a particularly materialistic or consumer-driven family, but let’s be real: my kids like presents. And like most families in middle class America, a big part of the Christmas holiday is centered around gifts, for better or for worse. None of my children still believed in Santa Claus, but they definitely still believed in making a list.

With the kids on board, we continued with our plans for Europe, spending all our Christmas gift fund on our travels. I knew we’d be celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Florence, Italy, and started making plans for that time period in particular. I knew I wanted to make it special, despite the lack of gifts.

Because many parts of Italy celebrates the Epiphany more intensely than Christmas Day, I found that many local celebrations would have ended before our arrival in Florence. This disheartened me a little, but I forged ahead, asking our AirBnB host for restaurant recommendations that would be open and checking museum hours. By the time I was done planning, we had a lovely Christmas Eve meal reserved at a cafe recommended by a local, a Christmas morning self-guided walking tour, and plans to shop for and cook a Christmas Day dinner in our rented apartment.

I also enlisted the family’s help making a single family gift, which we would open together on Christmas morning. I ordered an AwesomeBox. This innovative gift allows families to add custom photos, stories, and messages to special cards for a lucky recipient. In our case, the recipient was us! Everyone filled out simple information online, such as ‘favorite family memory’ or ‘what I like most about this person is…’. AwesomeBox prints the cards, and ships them in a memory box. I had the box shipped to our house before we left, then brought the cards, unread, with us. They took up no more room than a deck of playing cards, and when we opened them on Christmas morning, it would be both a gift and a family event.

Lastly, we decided to do a family Secret Santa during our trip. We always budget a small amount of money for souvenirs, and for this holiday trip, we opted to purchase souvenirs for each other instead of for ourselves. Each family member drew a name, with the plan to buy three souvenirs for that person before Christmas Day. Souvenirs were to be $5 or less each. This way, we’d still be ‘buying things’ and everyone would still have something to ‘open’.

Here’s how it turned out (the good and the bad):

The first problem we had with our excellent gift-free holiday plan was with me. A few days before our departure, I started to panic. Maybe it was classic mom-guilt, but it just suddenly seemed terrible that I didn’t have gifts purchased for my kids. I even tried to talk my husband back out of our plan, and wanted to spend any amount, to purchase anything, for the boys. Needless to say, this was ridiculous, and I was talked down from the ledge.

The second problem we had was with our youngest. Despite agreeing to our plan, he apparently thought we didn’t really mean it, because in the days leading up to our trip, and even once on the trip, he referenced Christmas presents several times. Each time he said something about his anticipation of gifts, we reminded him gently that we’d decided our trip was our gift. And each time, he agreed, but seemed to continually ‘forget’. Needless to say, this did not help my guilt. What saved us was our Secret Santa plan. Our youngest loves buying things for others, and doing so brought him so much joy (and distraction) that he stopped wondering about ‘big’ gifts. It also helped that he knew someone was buying small items for him, too.

As it turns out, kids simply love the process of buying things for others and opening gifts, no matter how small.

At times, the souvenir shopping got to be a chore or a point of stress (as in, “I still need one more thing for so-and-so, and I can’t find anything!”), but for the most part, it was very satisfying. And our AwesomeBox was, well, awesome.

What our Christmas Day ended up looking like:

We arrived in Florence via train on Christmas Eve, and walking through the historic city center to our apartment was nothing short of magical. If the kids had ‘forgotten’ it was Christmas, they quickly remembered. On every corner, violinists played, and every street was adorned with holiday lights and decorations. Every church had an intricate cache out front. The bells chimed the hour, and we were entranced.

After settling into our apartment, we ventured out to the grocery store, where we purchased the makings of our Christmas morning meal. We bought a traditional Italian panettone (like a coffee cake), my kids’ favorite peach juice that’s abundant in Italy, and coffee. Then we walked to the small restaurant where we had a reservation, and had our first Tuscan meal. We ordered sparkling water and a bottle of wine, and toasted to our European Christmas.

That night, I reminded the kids yet again that ‘Santa’ had already gifted them with this trip (“Yeah, we know Mom!”…by this time, they’d heard it many times) but that we’d exchange our Secret Santa souvenirs and open our AwesomeBox with breakfast. For the first time ever, everyone slept in Christmas morning. We awoke to more church bells and a fun, special breakfast complete with a lace tablecloth I found in the apartment kitchen. We ate the panettone and exchanged our $5 gifts. Some were silly and some were thoughtful, and all made us feel loved.

We opened the AwesomeBox and took turns reading cards that expressed our gratitude for each other and our funniest/silliest/most important family memories. We took our time with this, and I think it was very special. The kids still keep their cards tucked away in their rooms.

We went out around noon, taking our historic walk of the city to learn more about Florence. The kids tolerated this with only some enthusiasm. I even heard things like, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore.” Then, we turned a corner to find a tiny Christmas carnival in a small square. There was an ice skating rink, kiddie carnival rides, and a hot chocolate (cioccolata calda) stand. We stayed for the better part of an hour. Then we hiked to the best city views at Piazzale Michelangelo, where a large Christmas tree stood sentinel. It felt like Christmas again!

We ended up at a sidewalk cafe serving pizza for a late lunch, and never ended up making dinner! We ended our day with a nighttime stroll amid the city lights and an early bedtime in anticipation of museum hopping in the morning.

Today, the kids say they have no regrets about missing out on presents. After all, they’d be hard-pressed to remember what they’d gotten for Christmas, but still remember this trip like it was yesterday.

Tips for planning your own gift-free holiday:

Prepare kids well ahead of time. This goes without saying, but remember that kids may need frequent reminders as well. Weave your gift-free holiday plans into the fabric of your itinerary, if you will. We said things like, “Because we’re not doing gifts, we’ll be able to rent Segways in Rome,” or, “With the money we’re saving on presents, we’ll be able to go out to that expensive restaurant as a family.”
Have a Christmas Day plan. (Or whatever day is most important for your family, whether that’s Christmas, Christmas Eve, Three Kings Day, Boxing Day, or a day of Hanukkah.) Book a special restaurant reservation, plan a tour, or schedule a special family event. In other words, still mark the day. Don’t pretend it’s just like any other. Remember that many things may be closed on Christmas; ask ahead.
Encourage kids to think of the entire trip as ‘Christmas day’. Maybe that one special day won’t be chock full of events and celebrations, but remind kids that every day of your trip, you’re doing special things, eating fun foods, and seeing amazing sights. Organize a family ‘white elephant’ gift giving, or have ‘secret Santas’ to facilitate smaller-scale gift giving and thoughtfulness.
Bear in mind the ages of your kids. Honestly, I would not consider a gift-free holiday with kids who still believed in Santa. During family trips with kids this age, we’ve certainly scaled back presents for the sake of travel-ease, but we’ve always ‘delivered’ on the Santa promise.
Start small. If you’re not ready to commit to a completely gift-free holiday, consider buying your kids experiences instead of physical gifts for some birthdays or holidays. Buy them memberships, tickets to that special show, or lessons. Make the gift of experiences a regular thing in your family.

Traveling the Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail

October 24, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Overnight passenger train travel can be more expensive and slower than air travel today. So why should you go? And where?

Train across Canada: after spending two nights traveling the Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail‘s Canadian, the ‘why’ is easy to answer: in an age when traveling to a destination has become only about getting from Point A to Point B in a rushed, often stressful manner, a few days (or more) aboard a passenger train is a vacation in itself. The pace is relaxed, the scenery can be fantastic, and the service is friendly. After my experience aboard The Canadian, I would venture to say passenger train travel is in fact the sole remaining mode of idyllic transportation from the golden age, outlasting air and cruise travel.

Incorporating a VIA Rail journey into a Canadian vacation itinerary will greatly enrich your trip. There are many routes to choose between, the longest being the four day journey from Vancouver to Toronto on the Canadian. We opted for a fraction of this trip, embarking in Vancouver and departing in Jasper, Alberta (then returning on the same route after days of sightseeing in the Canadian Rockies). The 20-hour one-way trip was spent taking in the scenery from one of several observation cars with 360 degree views, dining in the relaxed yet elegant dining cars, getting to know fellow passengers, and sleeping, reading, working, or napping. We found that the ‘rail level’ views and relaxed pace afforded a more intimate experience with the British Columbia and Alberta wilderness.

Who to take with you:

If you’re bringing kids, I wouldn’t recommend this trip for kids under age six (though as always, parents know their own children best). During the rail trip, passengers are definitely confined to a series of train cars, and young kids would certainly get restless. Is there enough for older kids to do? Here’s what we found: a variety of board games in the ‘activity cars’, on-going snacks and juices in the lounges, and interesting sights out the window, whether it be scenery whizzing by or temporary stops at stations or through towns. In other words: not a lot of on-board entertainment.

If you travel with kids, we recommend downloading a few movies onto a computer, iPod, or iPad, and bringing plenty of reading material, activity books (such as coloring books) and card games. Plan on several hours between each meal that you’ll need to fill. Expect a primarily-adults-only passenger list: during our October trip, we saw only two children aboard the Canadian. This is not to discourage families from bringing kids: rather, know you’ll need to bring diversions and entertainment as needed. WiFi was not available aboard our train, though 3G and 4G service could be found via roaming off and on.

Which fare to book:

Determining which fare is right for you can be tricky. On the Canadian, there are two basic options: sleeper or economy. In economy, you’ll get a seat that reclines, access to an observation car with upper deck, access to a lounge with tables and chairs, and the option to buy food at the Starlight Cafe, serving meals and snacks to go. Passengers sleep in their seats, and share bathroom facilities. Economy is obviously the more affordable option, but quite frankly, didn’t look too appealing (despite the fact that VIA Rail seats are considerably more comfortable than airline seats).

Sleeper fare offers three bed configurations (each a different price) in the Sleeper Plus category. Passengers can opt between a one-passenger or two-passenger private cabin, or a semi-private upper or lower berth (closed with curtains). We experienced Sleeper Plus in a two-passenger cabin. We had a tiny-yet-functional cabin space with two chairs and a large window, a private bathroom with toilet, and a sink. Also included: a small amount of storage space and two outlets (yay!). In the evenings, a train steward comes by to lower your beds, which in the two-passenger cabin is bunk-bed style: upper and lower single beds. Beds are fully made-up each evening, and very comfortable (provided you’re not quite tall).

The one-passenger private cabin features one bench-like seat that flattens to accommodate a bed, plus a sink and toilet (the latter of which features a cushioned cover to become an ottoman during the day, but is covered up by the bed at night…a definite downside). Both the two-passenger and one-passenger cabins share one shower per car.

The last sleeper option is to book an upper or lower berth. These compartments feature bench seats (two facing each other) during the day, which fold out to become a lower berth bed at night. The upper berth bed folds out from the wall by the ceiling. These berths are made up at night and feature thick curtains for privacy. They share a public toilet and shower (one per car).

All Sleeper Plus fares include meals in the dining car (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, depending on when you’re onboard), snacks in the lounge, access to several observation cars and lounges, and complimentary champagne and appetizers upon embarkation.

Here’s a photo depicting 1. a two-passenger cabin made up for bed, 2. a lower berth made up for day, 3. coach seats:

Which to book will depend on your comfort level (how much privacy do you need?) and your meal needs. We absolutely recommend the all-inclusive dining: if you opt out of this, you can buy meals a la carte in the cafe, but this option would get old (and expensive) if traveling more than one night. We enjoyed the privacy of a cabin, but could have been comfortable in an upper and lower berth as well. Keep in mind that only up to two passengers fit in a cabin: families of four or more will need to book two (or more) cabins or opt for two or more upper/lower berths in a row. (The latter option will allow for more freedom of movement between beds as needed, but you’ll only have access to a shared bathroom.

View our VIA Rail experience video:

Tips:

1. Carry-on sized bags only are allowed onboard. Full-sized bags will need to be checked, so plan accordingly. Cabins have space for up to two carry-on bags, but if you opt for a berth, you’d be better off with only a large tote or backpack.

2. Bring a water bottle to refill. While coffee, tea, and juice is on offer at all times, I found the need to also keep a water bottle filled to prevent dehydration. If you like to sip coffee or tea all day, bring a small thermos or insulated mug.

3. Bring a hair dryer if you’ll need one: in cabins, towels, shampoo, and soap are provided, but not hair dryers.

4. Be prepared for plenty of motion and some train noise at night. We slept surprisingly well onboard, but you’ll definitely feel the movement.

Date last visited:

October 2013

Fare cost:

Calculate Via Rail fares here. Definitely plan early and check for fare discounts, offered several times per year. What we found: VIA Rail is not more economical than flying, so you need to consider the fare cost a part of your vacation experience, not part of your transportation costs.

Directions:

If embarking in Vancouver on the Canadian, you’ll depart from Pacific Station. Located next to Science World, it’s easy to get here from SkyRail from either the airport or the Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced The Canadian as guests of the VIA Rail, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own, and we hope our experience inspires and equips other traveling families to make great decisions about rail travel.

Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica

July 29, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Manuel Antonio National Park (or Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio), is about a three hour drive from San Jose, Costa Rica, an hour from Playa Jaco, and only a short distance from a number of the coastal towns that serve it. We arrived via the Pacific Ocean, on our Uncruise ship, the Safari Voyager, but once in the park, the same tips apply to cruise passengers and other visitors.

Manuel Antonio has a well-earned reputation for animal spotting, and during our day there, we were rewarded with sightings of capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, white-tailed deer, raccoons, quatis, and more types of birds (including macaws) than we could keep track of. It’s small in size at only about 1,700 acres, but it packs a big punch, with expanses of white-sand beaches, jungle hikes, and wildlife viewing platforms. Because this national park is so popular, it has a daily cap of visitors, which helps with the flow of pedestrian traffic.

You can definitely spend a whole day here, alternating between the hiking trails and the beach; we recommend setting up a beach base camp after your morning hike so people can come and go to explore. Just remember to keep someone ‘manning the fort’ as it were, or monkeys will steal all your possessions!

Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park: Top trails for animal viewing:

We absolutely loved the Punta Cathedral Point Trail, which winds from one beach to the next, elevating through the jungle via many series of rustic stairs to prime viewing areas. We saw monkeys here, but the prime sloth viewing is on the aptly named Sloth Trail, which is shorter in length and flatter. Ironically, we ended up seeing a sloth in a tree near the beach. Playa Espadilla Sur Beach and Playa Manuel Antonio appear on the map to be on opposite ends of the park, but are in fact only separated by a matter of yards, making it easy to explore both sides.

Tips for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park:

First off, start early! The park opens at 7 am, and since it fills up fast (and many animals are most active in the morning and evening), we recommend getting there when it opens. Start with a morning hike while it’s still relatively cool (ha!) then head to one of the beaches for a post-hike dip. In our experience, most visitors tend to settle in at the beaches of Manuel Antonio, and it’s hard to blame them; this park has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world many times for a reason. However, getting off of the sand and into the jungle will reward you with animal sightings.
Take precautions around the capuchin monkeys (white-faced monkeys) and the raccoons, as they have become so accustomed to humans, they have no fear and will blatantly try to steal your food, backpacks, hats, and just about anything else. Staying on the trail helps somewhat.
Consider hiring a guide. We had naturalist guides included in our Uncruise visit, but anyone can hire a guide for the day, who will walk you through the park. At the time of our visit, they were about $40 US for three hours, and from what I could see from observing them with many families, well worth it. (Note: you can bargain.)
Bring a picnic or sack lunch and lots of water. While some vendors are outside the park, no food vendors are inside the park boundaries. We also recommend bringing a few beach towels in a backpack.
Wear swimsuits over sun and insect-protectant clothing, such as trekking pants and long-sleeve sun shirts. You WILL want to swim, and you WILL sweat a lot!
The entrance fee is $16/pp US for foreign visitors, so plan accordingly.
Beware the Beach Apple trees. These highly poisonous trees are (mostly) marked, but even sitting under them and touching their leaves can be dangerous. Eating beach apples is highly dangerous, and usually results in a hospital stay. Take the warnings seriously.

If you need lodging and food recommendations outside the park, check out this post.

Three great family campsites in France

July 26, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

France is known for its romantic getaways filled with twinkling lights, iconic landmarks, and plenty of wine and cheese. But there are also plenty of family-friendly activities to be found as well. In fact, one timeless outing that is hugely popular for families in France is camping. Many European parents take their children to spend some quality time outdoors in the summer sun in France. This summer staple has become a great family bonding experience for citizens from numerous different countries and continents.

As with any type of travel, though, there are certain complications that could occur; ensure that you’ve packed the proper clothing for unexpected weather, brought emergency equipment along, and that you have your necessary documents if you’re traveling in from outside of France. This is especially important when traveling with kids. In addition to passport requirements for minors, make sure you check out if there are any visa requirements, and if you need to bring a birth certificate for your kids. If you’ve planned your trip and are running out of time to secure visas, then check out services like Favisbook appointments to see if you can get a meeting with the French consulate in your area as soon as possible.

Once you’ve decided to take your family on a one-of-a-kind camping tri, consider these 3 amazing French campsites that will provide memories your children will never forget!

Family campsites in France:

Le Village Parisien

This campsite is open to families from April to September and has so much to do that is all included in the price. The camp is located really close to Paris, allowing you to have a day trip, without paying a fortune for accommodation in the capital! That also means it’s a reasonable distance to Disneyland Paris, so you can always get an adrenaline rush there, too!

Family campsites in France have so many activities for adults and kids that you’d find it hard to get bored. There’s also a range of accommodation options, so this isn’t like camping in the wilds of the forests. Here you can find whatever type of home away from home you’re looking for, whether that’s a VIP experience, or something a bit more rustic.

You can play any number of sports on the sports grounds, and swim indoors or outdoors, have a BBQ, cook for yourself in your accommodation or grab a bite in the bar. You don’t have to hunt and forage for your meals… unless you want to!

Ty Nadan, Brittany

Brittany has so many beautiful beaches that it’s worthwhile visiting regardless of whether you decide to camp or not. However, this campsite is particularly great if you have older kids, who are looking for a bit more adventure. The campsite itself is right by the river, while the beaches are only 20 minutes away.

The campsite has stuff happening all the time, day and night, so you won’t have to worry about your kids complaining about being bored! There’s an outdoor pool with water slides, beautiful scenic walks and basketball tournaments running all the time. Of course, for older or more adventurous children, there’s archery, paintballing and kayaking.

No matter what you’re interested in, Ty Nadan campsite will probably have something for you to enjoy. Even if you just want to sit back and relax, or maybe have a few chats, then you can rest easy knowing your kids are off having the time of their lives! This is camping, but not as you know it.

Les Méditerranées Beach Garden, Languedoc

The Languedoc region of France is absolutely stunning and is always guaranteed to have great weather during the summer months as it borders with Spain. The main city of the region is called Montpellier, which is a perfect combination of historic and modern.

This campsite is perfect for a great vacation, where you can sit back and relax on the beach, or explore the town of Montpellier to sample a slice of life from the South of France. For families, the accommodation is spacious enough that siblings shouldn’t fit, and the air conditioning makes it super comfortable no matter how hot it gets in the sun.

There’s a variety of restaurants and bars in the complex, along with an onsite spa, where you can really relax and unwind with a holistic treatment or a massage. Camping is such a welcome change to poolside hotels or city breaks, making it a great compromise for everyone!

Best budget-friendly destinations

July 17, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Traveling is a wonderful notion, as you get to spend some time at your favorite place(s). You can refresh your mind, and eliminate all the stress that a normal lifestyle leaves on you. It is certainly a great activity to stay creative, constructive and healthy. But traveling does require a lot of money, and it is very difficult to plan and execute a trip on a budget. However, my travel advice to the esteemed reader will be to visit destinations that are budget-friendly and offer exquisite getaway. In this blog post, I am going to tell my readers which holiday destinations they can visit in a budget, and enjoy a great time. So read this article and learn about different budget-friendly holiday destinations.

Best budget-friendly destinations for holiday:

However, before I present my best budget holiday destinations, I will like to tell my readers about a great way to save their valuable money. Whenever you want to travel, you can find cheap flight tickets offers from the platform of a renowned travel agency. They will not only find cheap flights for you to your destination, but also find cheap hotel accommodations, travel transfers, and local transportations. This is the best way to travel, and when you have a budget to follow, there is no better way.Best budget friendly destinations for holiday

Laos

Located in South East Asia, Laos is truly a fun destination. Although this country is massively overlooked due to its location, it is still an amazingly beautiful place to visit with friends, family or loved one. This landlocked country is sparingly populated with mountainous terrain and a forest landscape that covers 70% of the total country’s area. With such an amazing terrain, Laos is a perfect getaway for some amazing activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, kayaking, hot air ballooning, zip-lining, and much more.

Argentina

Argentina is one of the cheapest countries to travel in the world. This fact will make it one of the most ideal places for anyone who wants to travel on the budget in 2019. As Argentinian currency is massively devaluing in comparison with any Western currency, it is becoming much easier to explore this place. You can visit the highest mountain in the world outside the Asian continent in the Andes, which is known as Aconcagua. You can also visit Patagonia for some elite trekking and mountain climbing experience. The famous cities include Cordoba, Salta, and Buenos Aires. You can also visit the infamous waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu. Enjoy every bit of this country in a budget and post all the pictures on social media.

Georgia

Georgia is a Caucasian country on the borders of Asia and Europe. This country is quite inexpensive to visit, and a truly beautiful place to visit. You can visit this place in the lowest bucks, and get amazed by all the sceneries and serene cities. This place has all the potential to become your first love for all the good reasons. The mountains of Caucasus are truly beautiful and unique, as well as never-ending grass plains, cultural cities, and villages. You can also visit the black sea that touches the shores of Georgia.

Nepal

Nepal is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world. The best thing about this country is that it can be visited on a very low budget. This country has the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, along with some other highest peaks of the Himalayas and the world. For this reason, Nepal is a tourist magnet for everyone especially mountain lovers. This country has other places to offer to such as wildlife parks, cultural cities, temples, markets, and much more. Plan a trip to Nepal and you will never regret it.

Romania

Romania is a very beautiful country in Europe, and it has great potential to exceed all the limits of expectation of any visitor. This Transylvanian country has some of the most cultural medieval towns, cities, churches, food, and an amazing Carpathian mountain range. Little is known or marketed about this country, but once you visit it, it can become your favorite destination. The legend of Dracula originated from Romania, and the Dracula castle is still a place to visit for all the tourists.

Mexico

Mexico is known all over the world for all the bad things. However, it is not exactly the case. This country is a very naturally gifted place and opens to all the tourists for exploration. The best part about this country is that it is quite inexpensive. There are a lot of high altitude plains, beaches, mountains, hill stations, historical places, resorts, cultural cities, and much more.

Turkey

Traveling to Turkey is every traveler’s dream, and with the recent economic crisis, visiting this country in a budget is quite easily possible. Turkey is a transcontinental country, and it is rich in culture. There are many Roman ruins, as well as Ottoman remains that you must visit. There are also other amazing landmarks and significant places such as Cappadocia, Anatolia, Pamukkale, and much more.

Philippines

The Philippines is one the first choice for any visitor for an amazing tropical beach holiday. This country has more than 7000 islands, and this provides an amazing chance for everyone to choose which island he or she will prefer to visit. The Philippines is also culturally very rich, so you can expect to see some unique stuff in its cities and towns. Above every other feature, this country can be visited in a limited budget.

Morocco

Located in the northern part of Africa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is one of the primary choices for all budget travelers. This country is rich in white and beautiful beaches, as well as cultural cities that can amaze you beyond any description. One of the best destinations in Morocco in Tangier, which is influenced a both modern, and ancient cultures. The old city is full of stalls and streets, with people selling food items, drinks, different stuff such as electronic items, computers and much more.

Iran

Located between Middle East Asia, and Central Asia, Iran is an oil-rich country. But due to Western sanctions, the economy is always struggling, which makes it one of the cheapest traveling destination in the world. With serene beaches on its coasts, as well as great access to the Caspian Sea, this place is truly magnificent for every traveler. There are also cultural cities such as Tehran, Qom, Bandar Abbas, along with historical places such as Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, and much more for everyone to explore. You can also visit the mountainous region of this country, and be amazed at nature’s marvels.

Five stops along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper and Banff National Parks

April 25, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re visiting both Jasper and Banff national parks on your Canadian Rockies vacation (and you should be!), you will drive the Icefields Parkway connecting the two parks. This 3 hour stretch has been described as one of the most scenic highways in the world, and after our fall 2013 visit, I concur. The parkway takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive, but families will definitely want to stop along the way. Where to plan you pit stops:

Sunwapta Falls:
About 30 km from Jasper, you’ll come to Sunwapta Falls. Signage clearly marks this point-of-interest, but you can also spot it by the resort and restaurant sitting roadside. Stop for a snack or trip to the restroom, but definitely drive beyond the resort to the falls, which can be viewed from above next to the parking lot or from a footbridge a few yards down. The falls are impressive (yes, even if you’ve been to Jasper’s Maligne Canyon), and even though this isn’t a hiking location, it’s a great place for photos and to let kids stretch their legs.

Icefield Centre:
Athabasca Glacier lies at the approximate halfway point of the Icefields Parkway, as visitors steadily climb up into the mountains from either direction. At the glacier you’ll find the Icefield Centre, a huge building run by Brewster’s Canada. On-site is a restaurant and cafe, plus hotel rooms and a large observation deck. On the ground level is Brewster’s Glacier Adventure.

One look out onto the glacier from the deck, and your kids will see what Glacier Adventure is, and probably want to do it: visitors board bus-sized all-terrain vehicles and drive out onto the ice, where they can stand out on the glacier. Sounds cool, but is it worth the $49/adults and $25/kids ticket price? That depends on what you want out of it: if you want to be able to say you’ve walked on a glacier or simply love cool vehicles, the answer is yes. If you expect an adventurous experience or a hike, the answer is no.

The vehicles, called Ice Explorers, take you along a short but steep road (the second steepest commercial road in North America, to be exact) leading onto the ice. Once there, they park in a snowplowed area the size of a small parking lot along with other Ice Explorers and let you out to walk on the snow. What we liked most about the experience: the interesting facts presented by our guide. Note: Expect to get your feet wet unless wearing waterproof boots, and bring gloves and a jacket.

Parker Ridge trailhead:
There are multiple trailheads along Icefields Parkway, all clearly marked (and most with parking areas and decent pit toilets). One of manageable length for a brief stop is Parker Ridge, which lies just beyond the Icefield Centre toward Banff. The 3 km round-trip hike offers views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and Mt. Castleguard on a clear day.

Peyto Lake and Bow Summit:
Peyto is a short road-side hike to the lake, with the option of hiking further toward Bow Summit for alpine wildflower viewing and meadows. This is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. Picnic tables make this a great place to stop and picnic and photographers will be happy!

Lake Louise:
Only 57 km from Banff, Lake Louise is a must-do stop, if not an overnight or all-day excursion. From the Lake Louise exit, the lakeshore is only a few kilometers away. Park in the large parking lot and walk to the lake to take in the views and snap some photos, gawk at beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and, if time permits, take a hike. The lake loop is an easy walk for kids of all ages, but if you have time, we recommend the 7 km round trip ascent to Lake Agnes (trail departs directly from Lake Louise). For your efforts, you’re rewarded with tea, coffee, or a snack at the picturesque Lake Agnes Tea House at the top.

See our video review of more things to do in the Canadian Rockies:

Tip: Remember that you’ll pass the national park ticket booth on either end of the Icefields Parkway. At the time of this writing, admission to the parks was almost $10 per day for adults (almost $5 for kids) or a family fee of under $20 per day. You only need to pay once, and display a receipt on the dashboard of your car.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we were hosted for some activities along the Icefields Parkway, for the purpose of review.

Where to stay in Banff National Park: Brewster’s Mountain Lodge

April 15, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

During a vacation in Banff National Park, visitors have three main lodging options: camping, hotels and lodges outside of the town center, or Banff town hotels. Because Banff can get crowded and parking and driving can be a hassle even in the off-season, we recommend a hotel in town to be within walking distance of dining, shopping, and tour departures. Brewter’s Mountain Lodge is located in the heart of town on Caribou Street, adjacent from the Banff Park Lodge and within a block of great restaurants, souvenir shopping, outdoor gear shops, and the movie theater.

Despite its location on a city block, Brewter’s Mountain Lodge has a very mountain lodge feel inside. The two-story lobby is light and airy, with wood plank and log fixtures and accents and a fireplace and seating. The entire lodge is clean and modern, and the front desk staff during our visit was friendly and helpful.

Amenities:

On the second floor landing above the lobby, Brewster’s features a small but well-appointed reading room with lending library and a computer for guest use (for a whopping $5 per 30 minutes). But don’t worry: free wifi for guests is available. Note: I had a hard time connecting at first; the desk staff kindly rebooted for me, which fixed the problem. Adjacent to the lobby is a sauna and whirlpool hot tub, perfect for use after a day of hiking, mountain biking, or skiing. Parking is in an underground lot directly below the hotel and free. The room rate includes a complimentary breakfast buffet located in a nice dining area at the bottom of the hotel, featuring cold breakfast offerings like yogurt, fruit, cereal, and pastries/toast. Coffee and juice is also available.

Rooms:

We had plenty of space in a standard room with two double beds and a large bathroom complete with jacuzzi tub. The bathroom configuration features a spacious main area with sink and counter space and tub, then a separate door to the toilet and shower. It’s nice to have the separate areas, but the toilet/shower space is quite tight. In the main room, there’s plenty of space for a table and chairs plus couch. Some rooms feature balconies, but even without, the large windows offer nice views of the street below. Rooms include 3/4 sized fridges, plus TVs.

Distance from the interstate:

Brewter’s is located just minutes from the TransCanadian Highway (1) in Banff.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, room rates for a standard room were listed at $151 to $171. Rates vary by season.

Directions:

From TransCanada Highway, take the exit into Banff town center. Take Banff Avenue to Caribou Street.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Brewster’s Mountain Lodge as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Kid friendly hotels in South East Asia for families

April 8, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Traveling to South East Asia with your family and children is indeed a unique experience. You can be sure that your family is going to have a whale of a time. It is an immeasurably happy experience to spend quality time with the kids in a region like the SEA. South East Asia is loaded with diverse neighborhoods, endless attractions and a myriad of adventurous activities for the whole family. However, the entire excitement can nose dip if you have not paid close attention to the kind of hotel or rooms you have chosen to stay at while you holiday. Many hotels rank high on popularity with families with children and hotels in Puchong is one of them.

What to look for in a family-friendly hotel?

Before you travel, ensure that you have booked the right hotel or resort for your family. Develop an eye as to what to look for in the hotel you select. For example, the hotels that claim to be family-friendly means there won’t be any extra charges for kids sleeping in the same room. Ensure that the hotel has the amenities like an excellent location, a babysitting service, spacious hotel grounds and a mini-grocery or latte stand in the lobby. A refrigerator is a must in the room. Four Points by Sheraton Puchong is very popular with family traveling with children because of the family-friendly services and amenities it offers.

Family-friendly hotels in South East Asia:

Hilton Bali Resort enjoys a great location and overlooks the sea in the Nusa Dua resort zone. It pays extra attention to families traveling with children. There is a kids’ club with a jungle-style playground, trampoline, and tree houses. Children can enjoy a variety of activities like a variety of amenities like rock-climbing and a private beach with water sports. The rooms are large and spacious.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa offers impeccable, friendly services. It is located very near to the Airport and provides trampoline, video games, swimming pools and a pool table for the whole family. The rooms are well equipped and include mini-fridges, private pool, and balcony.

Karma Jimbaran in Indonesia  is a charming resort for the families. With a robust Balinese character, the hotel is super family-friendly. There are an extensive kids’ club and playground along with day spa and body treatments for all ages. Join cooking and yoga classes with your children. Each room boasts of romantic canopy beds and beautiful bathrooms.

The Four Seasons Resort in Malaysia Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi is an exclusive beachfront getaway. It is just perfect for a family stay as it offers amenities like outdoor terrazzo bathtubs and private pools. There are other activities for kids like ‘ pools, rock climbing, pony rides and an educational discovery center. The hotel appeals to families looking for a luxury getaway.

Discovery Shores in Boracay  is located on the northern tip of White Beach. Boasting of the most luxurious and spacious rooms, the hotel is just perfect for children. The spacious rooms come with a pleasant pool. There is a special kids’ area that makes for a high-end relaxing experience for the whole family. There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for kids under 12.

There are many more hotels across the SEA that Aare indeed family-friendly and ideal for families traveling with children. Just research before you make any bookings. Make your South East Asian holiday even more special for your family!

Amsterdam with kids: what to experience in Amsterdam

March 13, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

There are several cities around the world which are key traveler spots. One among them has to be Amsterdam which is the capital city of the Netherlands. When we think about the place the usual pictures do come in our mind that highlights its beauty. There are several popular destinations which are a must visit for all travelers. But along with that, we think that it is important to have some experiences that are solely local and will help you to know the city in a better way. So, we are here with some of the unique experiences that you can have in Amsterdam.

Visit Condomerie:

When we talk about Amsterdam, one of the things that strike us apart from the harbor is its red light area. So, one of the things that people need to think about is of safe sex. Condomerie is the shop that is dedicated to this and they do sell condoms. But apart from that the shop also lets you experience erotic art and it is operating in the city from 1987. They also provide information about safe sex which was derived from their need to win the battle against AIDS. They call themselves a specialist shop and we really like the interior of it.

Alternative Cultural Events at Vondelbunker:

It was the time of World War II and a lot of Atomic bunkers were built throughout the Netherlands. Vondelbunker is one of them that is present in Amsterdam. It was acquired by some of the artists and currently, they organize different events related to the place. If you are a fan of alternative and underground movements, then you will find your share of events over here. They have an interesting website that talks about the events that you can enjoy in the upcoming days. This spot will help you to know more about the youth culture that is an integral part of Amsterdam. To explore the culture of the city, the best is to have a guided tour of the city by a local and this can be done by connecting to Withlocals.

The Nine Streets:

If you are in Amsterdam, you will want to visit the local places that hold your attention. As you may already know the canals are an important part of the city. The nine streets crisscross the canals and make a beautiful site. You can easily walk to the place from the Royal Palace. There is everything from boutiques to art galleries to shops selling curios. One of the most interesting things that you should visit is the cafes present in this area. They brew fresh coffee whose taste will linger with you for a long time. Do try the bars to taste some amazing alcohol.

Visit the In De Wildeman:

When in Amsterdam, you need to indulge in tasting the beer. This is an amazing beer tasting bar which is found in the city. It was formerly a distillery so you can expect to find authentic beer over here. They sell 250 types of beer, so we are sure that the visitors will be overwhelmed. The place also has some options of the local Dutch brewers which is a must try for everyone. Do check their website to know more about the beers that they are currently serving. The place remains closed on Sundays and does find your way as it is hidden in an alley.

Check out books at Amsterdam’s Central Library:

When you are traveling you wouldn’t really think about checking out a library. But if you are someone who loves books, then do visit the central library. The OBA was first established in 1919 and the central library opened in 1979. The current building was established in 2007. The library is spread over 27,500 m². It remains open from 10 AM to 10 PM. As a traveler, you can go there for free and look at the different books that they have to offer.

So, here are some of the places that you can visit in Amsterdam. It is a really nice city and the inclusion of these places will make your stay even better.