UK and Europe - Pitstops for Kids

Germany with kids: Five Bavarian cities not to miss

December 9, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If the Germany of your imagination is storybook towns, medieval villages, vineyards and church steeples, you need to include the region of Bavaria (and its subsection of Franconia) in your European trip plans.

Germany with kids: 5 Bavarian cities not to miss!

After touring Germany with Vantagetravel.com, I compiled a collection of not-to-miss destinations throughout Bavaria that will satisfy kids’ need for fun and exploration and parents’ desire for history; good food, wine and beer; and shopping. Here’s where to go:

Heidelberg:

This university city is bustling with students and industry, but a compact yet vibrant old town (Altstadt) can be found at its center. This oldest part of the city is filled with historic buildings, market squares, and views of the Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle).

In the center of the marketplace is the Heiliggeistkirche, or Church of the Holy Ghost. Nearby, the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) spans the Neckar River, joining the two sides of historic Heidelberg. A visit to the Heidelberg Castle is a must, and getting there is half the fun: a funicular delivers travelers to the castle walls (ticket sales for both the castle and the ride up are at the base).

If there’s time, families can also see the Philosopher’s Walk, named by poets in the age of Romanticism in literature in the early 1800s. Also be on the lookout in the shop windows for the Studentenkuss, or Student’s Kiss, a popular chocolate candy.

Würzburg:

Located on the Main River in the heart of the Franconian wine region, Würzburg wows with the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and palace of a prince bishop. Comparable to Europe’s other great Baroque palaces, the residence was constructed in 1720 and tours are available indoors and outside (don’t miss the gardens).

After touring the residence, head to the Marienkapelle, the chapel that is the gateway to the city’s pedestrian-friendly downtown. On Saturdays, a farmer’s market offers food stands and samples, and year-round, shopping is abundant.

Parents won’t want to miss the Alte Mainbrücke, or pedestrian bridge across the Main. Look for the walk-up wine bars, where you can grab a glass of Franconian wine to take to-go. (You’ll be given a token with your glass of wine, which you can use to get a refund on the cost of your wine glass if you opt not to keep it.)

Above the bridge, a pedestrian walkway winds up the hill through vineyards to the fortress of the bishop, which affords fantastic views of the city, plus ice cream and refreshments in the summer months.

Bamberg:

The fairytale charm of Bamberg is hard not to fall for, as its entire town center is a UNESCO site. The Bamberger Dom is the central cathedral, open to the public, near the Neue Residenz, or palace of this town’s prince bishop.

Families can stroll through town enjoying the quaint shops and arched bridges leading through clocktowers (yes, it looks like a Disney set), but you definitely must stop for a smoked beer at Schlenkerla Smoked Beer Brewery, dating back to 1405. The hops are smoked over a beechwood fire, and the beer is still tapped directly from wooden barrels. Pub food is available too, if you can get a table.

Regensburg:

The charm of Regensburg, which lies on the Danube, is in its abundant shopping amid medieval streets. St. Peter’s Cathedral dominates, but is sometimes outshone by the Old Stone Bridge crossing over the Danube. Visit the town hall, which once served as the seat of parliament with an original torture chamber during the middle ages.

It’s easy to lose track of time window shopping or dipping in and out of small stores while exploring the narrow streets and alleyways of Historic Old Town, but you’ll need sustenance. The Sausage Kitchen by the old stone bridge boasts the best sausages in town, but we recommend the German tapas at Gravenreuther.

Nürnberg:

While Nürnberg has its own medieval castle and a charming old town with centuries-old city walls, it’s best known for it’s WWII history. This is the place to teach kids more about the Nazi Party and the damage it inflicted worldwide, starting at the Documentation Center and Nazi Party Rallying Grounds, which can be viewed with ticketed entry. There’s a great museum on-site, and while all exhibits are displayed in German, audio guides are available. The subject matter can be difficult at times for sensitive or young children, and I encourage parents to prep kids ahead of time for images and content involving the Holocaust.

You can also see Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg Trials took place after the war. It’s located in the Palace of Justice in a neighboring city (only about 15 minutes away from the Documentation Center), because Nürnberg was so severely bombed during the war.

When you’re ready for some brevity, head to old town Nürnberg, where you can visit the Toy Museum and Lebkuchen Schmidt, one of the cities best bakeries selling their specialty, gingerbread (in season). And be sure to try a late lunch at Wirtshaus Hütt’n, just off the main square, for an authentic Bavarian meal!

Have you been to Bavaria? What cities are your favorite and why?

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.

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!

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.

Why Ireland continues to be a favorite family travel destination

February 27, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Traveling with your toddler is a great way to enjoy a break and make amazing memories for you and your young family. However, the problem is that not all holiday destinations are child and toddler-friendly. Therefore, so many people will tell you if you have a baby that ‘you can kiss your traveling days goodbye’ or ‘you’ll not have the same freedom as before’.

While most people mean well when they say those kinds of things, they are not completely accurate. Planning a holiday vacation with kids in another country takes more planning. You need to consider where you go carefully, but it’s still possible. Ireland is one of the best places to travel with a toddler and in this post, we’re going to tell you why.

Irish People are Known for their Hospitality and Friendliness

Most places you go to Ireland, you will find that people are incredibly friendly and accommodating to children. At restaurants, there are special menus for kids, and many eateries supply child-friendly utensils. You may also find coffee shops give out things like miniature marshmallows to kids and shop assistants are patient.

Rural is Not Boring

Although you may be nervous about taking your toddler to more rural spots around Ireland. However, kids love seeing wildlife and farm animals in their element, and there are a lot of places to do that kind of activity in Ireland. So, while you and whoever you are traveling with can enjoy the scenery, your child can still have an enjoyable time too.

Trains in Ireland Are Great

If you don’t fancy driving or walking around all the time, you should take a train. Irish Rail offers a convenient transportation service. They also provide discounted seating for children, so they can have their place to sit by the window and look at the stunning countryside.

Small Cities Are Walkable

One of the great things about Ireland though is that many cities are walkable. So, you don’t have to use public transport and can walk with your child in their buggy. Even cities like Dublin, if you walk around the city centre, you can get everywhere quickly.

Easy to Drive Around

Ireland is very easy to get around if you have a car though, so don’t think you don’t have to walk or take public transportation all the time. However, if you are going to take the rental car or via train, you need to make sure you protect your family while on holiday with travel insurance. AA insurance has the right travel insurance for Ireland vacations at cheap prices. Some great features of AA travel insurance include coverage for multiple trips and medical coverage up to 10,000,000-Euros.

There are Lots of Places to Enjoy Live Music

Children love music, and in Ireland, where folk music is king, there are various places where you can find a traditional Irish folk band playing, whether it’s on a street corner or in a bar or café. Most pubs are strictly no-kids after dark, but many places have musical performances throughout the day.

Numerous Baby and Toddler-Focused Activities

Whereas with places like France and Italy, the most popular tourist attractions are sites of historical importance, museums and art galleries, where you need to wait in long lines and the atmospheres and layouts are less than flexible or suitable for younger children, Ireland is different. There are plenty of must-see sites, but a lot of what makes Ireland great is the lifestyle the people have.

Luxury stay in Crete: Marriott Luxury Collection Blue Palace

November 1, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The Blue Palace, a Marriott Luxury Collection resort, is located on the north side of the island of Crete, Greece, at Elounda, about one hour’s drive from the Heraklion airport. This side of the island is without doubt the more touristy side, but for good reason: its beaches are beautiful, the small towns hugging the coastline are inviting and welcoming, and the Blue Palace shines like a collection of polished stones overlooking the Mediterranean.

Comprised of bungalows, suites and villas, every room seems to have a stunning ocean view at the Blue Palace, thanks to its unique design, with rooms stacked in several floors tucked into the hillside, almost as though they have burrowed cozily into the earth. Because of this configuration, the main lobby area is at level three, with a large outdoor pool, patio space, and dining on that level. Additional dining is on level four (this is the place for your morning breakfast buffet), with more options throughout the resort, right down to the beach level. There are no fewer than seven restaurants and bars, in total. I recommend The Blue Door, which replicates a traditional Greek taverna, located right near the beach, with indoor and outdoor seating. Order an assortment of shared plates, like we did, with wine for the table, or opt for seafood dishes here.

Upstairs, the Arsenali Lounge Bar is another good place to gather in the evenings, with tables overlooking the pools and ocean as well as inviting indoor bungalow nooks with couches and lantern light.

My ‘standard’ king villa was anything but, with a large patio overlooking the sea (with comfortable furniture) and spacious main room. The en-suite bathroom had both a tub and a shower, with a frosted glass door that slid to offer privacy in the toilet area as well. Instant coffee and tea service was available, which surprised me, really…what about a Nespresso machine, perhaps? There is a stocked mini-bar, as well as an extensive room service menu with generous hours. Any time day or night, you can find food here.

On the grounds, there are tennis courts, a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ club, a game area with outdoor ping-pong and the like, and a full fitness center with ongoing group classes, yoga sessions and private training offered. The full spa is located nearby, with 23 treatment rooms, each featuring soothing water sounds and diffused calming lighting. The Blue Palace spa utilizes therapeutic Thalassotherapy with their spa services.

When to go to the Blue Palace:

The off-season is more affordable than one might think for such luxury, with some rooms for as little as approximately 250 EU per night. Go in early fall, while the ocean water is still warm and the air temperatures remain around 70-80 degrees F. If you go in peak summer, you can expect to pay more and to endure hotter weather, but without doubt, you’ll be comfortable at the Blue Palace. The full breakfast buffet (valued at around 40 EU per person) does come included in some room rates, so be sure to ask about this possibility when booking.

What not to miss on Crete:

Be sure to schedule at least two full days simply to enjoy this resort, perhaps checking out the spa and kids’ club or just enjoying the beach and pools. Then, take a day to explore the archeological antiquities of Knossos, about an hour away, and the small towns along the northern coastline.

How to visit Knossos Crete

October 25, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Knossos Crete, one of the most important archeological sites of ancient Greece and the one-time capital of Minoan Crete, is conveniently located just outside Heraklion. You will fight for room between crowds from bus tours here, but if you go early, you should be able to beat the heat and the worst of the lines. You can hire a guide right on-site, or you can opt for an audio guide, when available. You’ll want one or the other to make heads or tails of this sprawling palace ruins, the home of the most important of Crete’s kings: King Menos, son of Zeus and Europa.

This marks the spot of the center of Minoan civilization, and should be a must do on any trip to Crete. You’ll want to devote half a day to the site and the museum (more on that in a moment). Knossos’ heyday lasted a whopping two thousand years, until the 5th century AD. The first excavation of the site was conducted in 1878 by Minos Kalokerinos of Herakleion. This was followed by the long-term excavations 1900-1913 and 1922-1930) of the Englishman Sir Arthur Evans, who uncovered virtually the entire palace.

The palace has extensive buildings, workshops, and even an advanced water and sewage system. You can see the remains of a maze of rooms, clay pipes snaking through the ground, an innovative early air-conditioning system, and the oldest road in Europe, at the end of which animal sacrifices were once performed. The ancient theater hosted religious ceremonies, and reconstructions of frescos adorn the walls of the king and queen’s quarters. You can see the king’s actual wooden throne (though be warned, the line can get long, so don’t save this for last) and look out at the expanse of olive trees and countryside.

After seeing the ruins, you’ll want to see the rest of the actual artifacts excavated from the inside (aside from the throne which remains at the site). The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is located about 15 minutes away by car, and is regarded as one of Europe”s most important museums.

The most important collection is the treasures of Minoan civilization, which includes jugs, jewelry, frescos, and religious and everyday objects from Knossos. The address is Xanthoudidou 2, 71202 Heraklion.

You can find street-side dining (sit-down or to-go) in the square adjacent to the museum, and some souvenir-quality shopping.

Want to know the most epic place to stay on Crete, for a luxury vacation? Read on!

Greece history tour: Visiting Delphi with kids

October 22, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Located approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Athens, Delphi is like another world…a world tucked up in the mountains (yes, mountains!) of the northwest interior. According to mythology, Delphi is called ‘the navel of the world’, and it really does feel like the center of humanity while you’re visiting.

The sanctuary of Delphi, with its most famous oracle, is made even more mysterious and majestic by its stunning scenery. Literally hugging a mountainside, the ruins of Delphi feel otherworldly. Visiting, I can see why artists and creators draw inspiration from it. Side note: did you know that one of the settings for the new Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set here? The game creators studied the topography and history of Delphi extensively.

The story behind Dephi revolves around Apollo. During pre-history, the site was sacred to Mother Earth and was guarded by the terrible serpent Python, who was later killed by Apollo. Apollo’s sanctuary was built here by Cretans and dates back to the Neolithic period (4000 BC). People experiencing life problems from financial woes to health issues pilgrimaged here to consult the oracle (have their fortunes told) and find answers and balance in this proclaimed ‘center’. They first passed through the marketplace at the base of the slope, where (conveniently) they could buy the tokens and offerings they needed before entering the structure dedicated to Apollo.

As you make your way up just like the pilgrims, the views just get more and more spectacular, and you can see the valley below and even the port and sea. There’s a stadium with a track at the very top (worth the hike) and far below, you can glimpse the remains of the gymnasium and other training facilities of the athletes who came here to compete. It seems that Delphi was part sacred and part festival during its time.

Planning your trip to Delphi:

Get there early, before the sun is at its peak because the site is very exposed and you will get sunburned if you’re not careful. Bring plenty of water, too and allow for time in the small museum after touring the ruins. Make sure your guide, if you opt to have one, is licensed.

You can do Delphi in a day as we did, on one long day trip from Athens (2.5 hours each way, through very pretty countryside), but I recommend staying over at least one night and perhaps two. You can always hire a car with an international drivers license; Greece is easy to drive in. The town of Delphi is just beyond the archeological site, and offers quaint hotels and restaurant with amazing views where they sprawl from the hillsides. The narrow streets are lively with people and there’s plenty of shopping to be had.

You could also stay about 10 minutes back, at the ski town of Arachova. Yes, I said ski town. This region of Greece is situated at 800 meters above sea level, and they do get snow. Even in the off-season, however, Arachova is arguably the cuter of the two towns, with even narrower cobbled streets and upscale shops.

Luxury stay in Athens Greece: Hotel Grande Bretagne

October 15, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Athens is a sprawling, hot, and bustling city, and if you want to be pampered when you make your way to your accommodations after each long day of sightseeing, make your home the Hotel Grande Bretagne. A Marriott Luxury Collection property, the Bretagne is ideally located in the heart of Syntagma Square, right next to the Parliament. You’ll be wowed the moment you step inside the historic lobby with its high ceilings and elegant decor (this hotel opened in 1874, and oozes that old-style luxury travel experience). I experienced some of the best service I’ve ever had at the Bretagne, from impeccable housekeeping to a very helpful concierge and valet staff.

Standard rooms are on the small side, but they’re luxury all the way, with great views of the city, more high ceilings (only to be found in historic hotels these days) and bathrooms with deep baths as well as shower options. There are 320 rooms and suites, so you have your options. There’s a fully-stocked mini-bar, but I still found room for my bottle of water to keep it cool, and families can ask that the mini-bar be emptied if they’d prefer more space. You also get espresso each morning via a Nespresso machine and bottled water delivered daily, as well as turn-down service.

The landmark hotel has several restaurants on-site, including Winter Garden downstairs (which has a fabulous afternoon tea, if you need a mid-day break) and the Roof Garden Restaurant on the top floor, with open-air seating on the rooftop with stunning views of the Acropolis. Even if you don’t dine here at night, be sure to stop at the rooftop bar for a cocktail. The Roof Garden Restaurant is also the location for their fabulous breakfast buffet (opt for a room rate that includes this, or it will seriously set you back). The full-service buffet includes more continental and hot items than anyone could possibly try in several mornings, and there’s a menu of options as well.

The outdoor pool is located one floor down, with more great views and another bar with small plates and drinks (though I found that it tended to close earlier than its 8 pm posted time during my visit). There’s a large exercise facility and indoor pool on the bottom level of the hotel, which also houses the full spa and salon. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to try the spa.

The benefits of staying at the Bretagne went beyond the comfort of terry bathrobes and slippers laid out each evening: the location was convenient to everything in the city center, and the valet staff makes it so easy to get a cab and get directions to anywhere. The lobby makes for an instant respite each time you enter it, and a cool dip in the pool is exactly what’s needed after touring antiquities.

Room rates: Room rates hover at about 600EU per night, so this is definitely a luxury splurge stay. See below for additional options for other budgets.

Address: 1 Vasimeos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square

Other good hotels centrally-located for families:

Wyndham Grand: located about a 10-minute cab ride from Syntagma Square, further from the Acropolis but still with great views, and usually around 150-180 EU.

Royal Olympic: Directly across from the Temple of Zeus, in a very convenient downtown location, around 250 EU.

Both of these options have lovely rooftop restaurants with views of the Acropolis (and the Olympic also has great views of the Temple of Zeus, as well).