road trip tips - Pitstops for Kids

Airport hotel tip: Red Roof PLUS+ review

January 25, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

While destination resorts and luxury properties may be fun to write about (and read about), it’s just as important to know about quality hotels for road trips and airport layovers. We have our go-to brands we trust, which now includes Red Roof PLUS+.

You’ve heard of Red Roof Inns…the Red Roof PLUS+ category is just that…a Red Roof Inn with more. They include amenities you won’t see at many economical hotels, like high end bedding and mattresses, enhanced lighting, spacious bathrooms, and extra seating…basically upgraded everything.

Even more important to me when I travel, the PLUS+ category always has min-fridges and microwaves in their premium rooms. Ditto for free WIFI. Basically, seeing the PLUS+ sign is an easy way to be sure of quality before you arrive at the hotel property.

Our reviewer checked out the Red Roof PLUS+ property at Boston Logan airport after an international flight. She found all the amenities listed to be as advertised, but the best part of her stay was the guest service. They came into the hotel lobby tired and travel-worn, and were grateful for a seamless check-in experience. It could be argued that every hotel brand should strive to have the best possible service in all their hotels, but for what it’s worth, Red Roof PLUS+ promises enhanced costumer service at their PLUS+ properties.

Right now, Red Roof has PLUS+ properties in 20 states, but they’re expanding quickly. If you decide to try a PLUS+ property during your next layover or road trip, check out the promotion below:

Red Roof has opened their 500th inn and 50th Red Roof PLUS+ location in the U.S.! To celebrate, they are offering travelers some great incentives including 500 RediCard bonus points. Here’s how it works: sign up for Red Roof’s loyalty program, RediCard, and register for the 500^th Property Promotion to get rewarded. Guests will earn 500 bonus points on their first stay when staying at any Red Roof location from January 15 to February 28, 2017.

Harry Potter road trip: UK filming sites worth visiting

July 22, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s are many filming locations for the Harry Potter movie franchise scattered over the UK and Scotland, but frankly, not all of them are visit-worthy. For instance, the campsite Harry and Hermione find themselves in during the last book and movie is really more of a sewage treatment center with some grass outside. Other sites, however, have been destinations in their own right for years, and a few gems were virtually undiscovered by visitors until Harry Potter put them on the map. We’ve compiled our favorites. All you need to do is grab a flight and rent a car to check out these stops along a Harry Potter road trip of the UK.

Start in London:

King’s Cross Station: Visiting King’s Cross, the site of famous Platform 9 3/4 is a must for most Harry Potter fans. The wall that witches and wizards run into to access it is actually located between platforms 4 and 5. You can check out the location, then enjoy the decidedly Muggle ambiance of the busy station.

London Zoo: The Reptile House where Harry first learned he could talk to snakes on Dudley’s birthday looks just as it appears in the movie. Plan to stay and enjoy the rest of the London Zoo for at least the better part of a day. The zoo has an excellent lion exhibit and ‘sunset safari’.

Whitehall: The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in Londonfrom 1530 until 1698. While filming the Harry Potter series, the Ministry of Magic was set between Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Drive to Oxford:

From London, take A40 to M40 to Oxford. Once in the area, there are numerous Harry Potter sites to visit.

Oxford Library: The Hogwarts library, pictured numerous times, including when Harry researches Nicholas Flamel, is located in Oxford’s Duke Humphrey’s Library, which is one of the special collections reading rooms at the Bodleian. Hermione also reads about Polyjuice Potion there, and Harry and Hermione discuss who to take to Slughorn’s Christmas party here.

Divinity School: The Divinity School at Oxford is the setting for the Hogwarts infirmary. Even if you know nothing of Harry Potter, stop in here. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.

From Oxford, continue on A40 to Gloucester:

Gloucester Cathedral: The corridor that leads to The Fat Lady and Gryffindor’s common room is located in the cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral, beautiful to visit whether a Potter fan or no. You may also recognize it as the corridor where Ginny writes “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened” in blood on the walls.

Drive to Wiltshire:

Drive the A417 out of Gloucester to the A361 to Wiltshire. Continue out of town to Lacock.

Lacock Abbey: Lacock Abbey is a treasure trove of Harry Potter sites. Professor Snape’s classroom is located in the Lacock Abbey Sacristy. Also located in the Wiltshire Abbey is professor Quirrell’s classroom. Of note: this room houses a genuine cauldron. The room where Harry views his deceased parents in the mirror is also in Lacock Abbey. In Chamber of Secrets, professor McGonagall uses the same room for her lesson on how to turn animals into water goblets. Horace Slughorn’s house is nearby in Chapel Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire.

Return toward London:

12 Picket Post Close, Martins Heron: Better known as 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, this is the exact home depicted as the Dursleys’ house in the films. Martin’s Heron in en route back to London, but it’s fairly close to the city, so this stop can certainly be done as part of your London itinerary as well.

Going further afield:

To continue your Harry Potter tour through the north, start by driving up A120 toward Suffolk.

Lavenham: This charming village is the filming site of Godric’s Hollow. A wonderful medieval village worthy of your visit, Lavenham may not be covered in snow during your visit, as it was during Harry’s Christmas pilgrimage, but you’ll still find plenty to occupy yourself here.

Goathland Station: The station that serves both the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts is actually Goathland Station, on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

More to see in Scotland:

Alnwick Castle: Known as a popular filming location (it was featured in Downton Abbey, Robin Hood, and more), Alnwick Castle, Northumberland is the location for Madam Hooch’s first flying lesson. You’ll need to walk to the Outer Bailey (courtyard). Harry and Ron also land the Ford Anglia here in Chamber of Secrets.

Loch Shiel, Glencoe: The setting for the Hogwarts Lake (most of the time, anyway), Loch Shiel is located near the Glenfinnan Viaduct. You can definitely see both in a day.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber: One of the most recognizable settings from Harry Potter, this viaduct is the one the Hogwarts Express is crossing when Harry and Ron almost crash the Ford Anglia. During the summer months, you can take a ride along the track through West Coast Railways.

Bonus stops:

Wales: In scenic Pembrokeshire, Dobby’s tragic death takes place at Freshwater West.

Ireland: The well-known Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast of County Clare are featured when Dumbledore takes Harry to find the Horcrux in the sea cave. If you also want to see the rock on which Harry and Dumbledore stand, however, that’s 90 miles away off Iveragh Peninsula.

This post was written in partnership with Alamo Europe. Photo credit

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Tips for planning winter travel: SnowCast review

February 8, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

This post brought to you by SnowCast. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Pit Stops for Kids.

We love winter trips at Pit Stops for Kids, but traveling during the winter months to and from most North American destinations requires more trip planning and preparation than the average vacation. We recently returned from a long weekend ski trip to Colorado, and used the following tips to have a safer and easier travel day on both ends of the trip.

Predict snowfall with SnowCast:

We recently checked out the SnowCast app, available for iOS, which can show users how many inches of snow may fall in any location. Once the app was downloaded to my phone, I was able to choose the ‘now’ option to see how much snow to expect immediately, or the ‘later’ option to see how much snow was predicted to fall up to 48 hours later. Because I was departing from a wintery location as well as arriving to one, I used the app to see how much snow to expect both at home on our departure day as well as at our destination.

With this information, I knew if I needed to wake up earlier than planned to get to the airport (the answer was no, I would not need to shovel out my car) and if I could expect a longer commute to the ski resort once I landed (the answer was yes, unfortunately!). I found the SnowCast app to be easy to use, with a clean interface, and I love that it gets its predictions from NOAA, which is where I turn for snow forecasts already.

Download the app

Prepare your car for winter trips:

If you’re driving instead of flying for your winter trip, use a weather tool like SnowCast to prepare your car as well as plan your route. We absolutely always have the following items in a tote at the back of our car during winter weather trips:

snow chains (that fit our car…check tire size)
collapsible snow shovel
extra gloves, a head lamp, and a small tarp (fold the tarp to use if you must kneel or lie on the snow to put on chains)
a blanket or two
one case of bottled water

I like that I can use SnowCast mid-trip, checking conditions as I go. We’ll have it at the ready on our next winter road trip, which will be in a few weeks.

Pack carefully for winter trips:

I hate over-packing almost as much as I hate checked luggage fees. However, it’s very hard to pack light for a family trip in winter. Here’s what we do:

On ski trips, bring ski or snowboard boots in a boot bag as your ‘personal item’, and rent skis or boards at your destination.
Wear bulky winter items such as boots or jackets on the plane to save room.
When headed to warm-weather destinations, utilize airport coat checks…you can leave your winter coats at the airport, and retrieve them before heading back out to the cold parking garage!
Roll thinner winter items, such as thermals and wool socks, to save space.
Use packing cubes to store like-items that may only come out once or twice during a trip, such as extra sweaters or winter gloves.

What are your best tips for winter trips?

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness in Children When Traveling

October 16, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

You’ve just booked the perfect trip. You and your family are about to experience the adventure of a lifetime. But if you have small children, motion sickness might put the breaks on your travels. Whether you’re traveling by boat, car, plane or train, small children are prone to nausea, light-headedness, and fatigue while traveling.

Motion sickness is usually brought on by mixed signals in the brain, usually when our eyes experience something different from our bodies. If a young child is traveling at high speeds for the first time and they’re situated in the back seat of a car or the passenger cabin or a plane where they can’t see where the vehicle is headed, their bodies might have trouble adjusting. Motion sickness is usually more common in children under the age of 10. Follow our tips to prevent motion sickness in kids and don’t let nausea and upset tummies interrupt your family’s vacation.

Provide a Distraction

A fun distraction is one of the best ways to prevent motion sickness is kids. You can focus their minds on other things by reading them a story, playing their favorite song, or engaging them with a fun game. You can also talk to them about the trip and explain the ins and outs of traveling. Encourage them to look out the window to help them understand how and why they’re moving.

Let Them Breathe

If you feel a bout of motion sickness coming on in your child, give them more room to breathe. Roll down the window in the car, open any vents nearby while turning up the cool air, or step outside when possible. Fresh air and an increase in oxygen will help settle your kids’ aggravated stomachs. Also get rid of any strong smelling foods, scents or odors that might make motion sickness worse.

Naptime

Use naptime to decrease your child’s sensory input. Fast-moving video games and movies can make things worse. Instead, give them room to rest their head and help them drift to sleep to lessen the effects of traveling. Some well-deserved peace and quiet can also help move things along.

Choose Pre-Trip Meals Carefully

Make things easier for yourself as a parent by feeding your children bland, easy-to-digest foods. Vomiting and upset stomach are much easier to avoid if your kids have had a mild meal before traveling. A peanut butter and jelly, crackers, or a grilled cheese can make for an excellent pre-trip meal.

Cool Them Off

If your child starts to feel sick while traveling, try combating the effects of motion sickness by cooling them down. A cold wet towel on the forehead can help with sweating and fatigue. Cold water can help reduce nausea and upset stomach.

When trying to prevent motion sickness in kids, a gentle touch is usually the most effective. Your child will slowly learn to adapt to the side effects of traveling with age. You can also talk to your doctor about certain medications used to relieve the effects of motion sickness. If you’d prefer more natural options rather than synthetic medications, you can try ginger pills before you travel or many stores carry topically applied essential oils that are applied behind the ears and help calm the nerves in the ear that cause motion sickness.

When in doubt, help you child relax and give them a chance to catch their breath. Now you can play some travel games in the car! Happy travels!

About the Author: Megan Gallagher works with Motioneaze, an all-natural, over-the-counter remedy for motion sickness symptoms.

Five budget travel hacks you thought you’d outgrown

March 20, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

You traveled extensively as a young adult, but now you’ve settled down with a job and kids. Think your budget travel days are behind you? Think again! The following budget travel hacks can still be implemented with kids in tow. All that’s needed is a little flexibility, nostalgia, and sense of adventure!

1. Take the bus or train:

Train travel is admittedly less convenient in the US than many points abroad, but great deals and experiences can still be had. Get out of the ‘road trip by car’ mindset and save on gas money on your next trip by booking Amtrak or VIA Rail (in Canada). Reserving sleeper compartments is a blast, but often more expensive than flying to your destination. Instead, use the Amtrak Fare Finder to locate Saver and Value coach seat fares for day time rail journeys. Stay the night in cities in-between for a road trip on rails. On VIA Rail, rail passes can be bought for youth, perfect for regular routes (such as to Grandma’s house). Plus, the scenery on VIA Rail cannot be beat. Grab a seat in an observation car and soak in the views for a fraction of the price of airfare. Read an entire post on affordable rail travel.

2. Stay in a KOA:

Have you visited a KOA Campground recently? They’re no longer you mom’s budget campground. KOAs are designated as Journey, Resort, or Holiday campgrounds now, making it easier to discern before booking what might be in store. What’s a Journey campground? It’s a pit stop…a place to stay near major roads and interstates while you’re traveling. Given the choice between a basic roadside motel room or a campground with a cabin and plenty of outdoor space, we choose the latter every time. Want to ‘glamp’ instead of camp? Try a KOA Destination or Holiday property. They’ll be located near major attractions and have plenty of on-site activities. We think there’s a time and place for both types of KOA resorts, and you’ll save money every time.

3. Eat at farmer’s markets:

Remember your bohemian days, when you ate and drank your way around new cities, soaking up the culture and learning about its people and history through tactile experiences and carefree exploration? You can still do this with kids…er, sort of. While the ‘carefree’ aspect of your trip may be lost to nap time schedules and early bedtimes, families can still find the heart of any city’s personality in farmer’s markets and street fairs. Instead of stopping at a fast food restaurant en route, seek out the area’s farm-to-fork offerings. On weekends in cities and agricultural areas, this will likely be in the form of a farmer’s market. On weekdays, look for food trucks or natural grocery stores. Buy the makings of a picnic, and eat at a public park, historical site, or designated nature area. The food is likely to be fresher, healthier, and cheaper, and everyone will burn off energy.

4. Stay cheap on a farm or ranch:

Farm stays are the very definition of family travel chic…they’re adventurous, ultra-local, and an absolute blast for kids. The nightly rate at most farm stays may not be cheaper than your standard B&B or hotel, but all those extras you usually have to buy when traveling with kids will disappear, like entertainment and food. Kids are content to roam the farm, help with chores, and play in a hayloft instead of requiring expensive admission tickets to museums and attractions. Farms and ranches offering stays range considerably, so do your research before pulling in. While some farms offer complete cabins or condos for families, others provide single guest rooms. The best will cater to families with included interaction with any animals on premises.

5. Backpack:

Have you been reminiscing about that summer you backpacked around Europe? Kids can certainly accompany you, though in some cases, hostels that charge a price per ‘head’ won’t be as economical as they were when you were single. Instead, look for European campgrounds located just outside major cities (some of the best we’ve seen are located in Croatia and Slovenia). If you’re craving a wilderness adventure, don’t shy away from backpacking in national parks or national forest service land with kids. Families who are prepared for a backpacking trip, and remain flexible en route, can have a very rewarding and low cost adventure the kids will remember for years. Learn how to plan a multi-day backpacking trip.

What are your best budget travel hacks? What ways does your family save money while traveling?

Winter driving tips for holiday road trips

December 3, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It can happen in an instant, and last February, it did: one moment, we were making the turn from an icy highway onto a ski resort access road, and the next, we were sliding into a snowbank, nose first. Luckily, everyone was ok, but our car suffered upon its impact with the wall of snow. After rolling into the parking lot, we spent valuable ski time accessing the damage and making sure our car would be able to deliver us back home safely. Our brush with the snowbank turned out to be only a minor inconvenience (and the cost of our deductible), but it served as a good reminder to always be prepared.

Read on for winter driving tips for holiday road trips

Keep snow chains in your car at all times:

I’m embarrassed to say we had our chains with us the day we got up close and personal with the snowbank, but hadn’t taken the time to put them on. If you’re not familiar with their installation, practice at home (this can be a good activity to do with school-aged kids and teens). If you really don’t want to hassle with it, consider winter snow tires.

Travel with extra supplies:

In winter, we have two extra blankets, a few flashlights (with batteries), and a jug of drinking water in the back of the car at all times. You never know when you’ll be caught on a pass that closes or stuck roadside. If you’re not already packing these items, also pack:

a pair of winter boots
gloves
a small shovel

You’ll be very glad to have them if you need to get out to install chains or dig yourself out of snow.

Know your comfort level:

In our winter driving experiences, we’ve seen it many times: a driver slows past the point of caution and to the point of danger to others. When climbing a steep, icy hill or navigating a windy winter road, slowing too much can cause traffic behind you to lose momentum…and then traction. To avoid causing a mess behind you, only drive a road you feel comfortable navigating at a steady, safe speed, in a vehicle that’s up for the challenge. Of course, this is easier said than done. If you do feel overwhelmed in a white-out or ice situation, wait until you reach level ground, and pull over when safe. Better yet, consider paying for a shuttle from your resort to your ski area or even from the airport. The price may be worth the peace of mind.

Check tire pressure and windshield wiper fluid levels before leaving home:

We learned this tip the hard way, when forced to search everywhere for an open garage on a holiday weekend in December, while road tripping to Canada. Tip: ask for recommendations at local gas stations. Attendants there can often point you in the direction of shops that remain open. It’s far easier to deal with mundane maintenance issues while you’re still at home. Using precious vacation time to inflate tires gets old very fast. Also make certain you replace older tires and have the proper tires for your car, in all seasons. Tyre-Shopper is a good place to start for UK readers.

Have roadside assistance at the ready:

Whether you opt for a pay-as-you-need-it service like Allstate’s Roadside Assistance, which you can learn more about in this post on road trip tips, or subscribe to AAA, have a plan in place for roadside emergencies.

Top travel apps for winter road tripping:

You’ll need plenty of pit stops during your winter road trip! In addition to utilizing the hundreds of reviews on Pit Stops for Kids (did you know your smart phone will automatically load our mobile app?), check out the following for indoor play spaces and museums, low cost gasoline, and road side help.

Trekaroo app: Leave your own reviews of the restaurants, hotels, and attractions you visit on the road and help out other parents. The Trekaroo mobile app works much like TripAdvisor, allowing you to help out others (and read real parent reviews while on the go).

Pillows and Pitstops (UK): For my UK readers, Pillows and Pitstops is like the Pit Stops for Kids of Britain! I love that parents can plug in their beginning and ending locations, and get ideas for their route.

Fuelcaster: Gas prices tend to go up during peak car travel periods, such as winter holidays. With Fuelcaster, we can check on fuel prices as we go, predicting what we’ll pay. This way, we can know whether it’s best to ‘top off’ or wait. Just don’t run out of gas trying to find the best deal!

Department of Transportation: There are plenty of traffic apps out there, but dot.gov should be your starting point for road conditions in every state. We like to check the desktop site before we leave, then have the mobile site loaded on at least one phone during any winter trip.

Do you need more winter driving tips? We have our best all-season road trip advice at the ready!

Photo by: Flickr/miguelb

Car seat safety reminder and convertible car seat review

June 23, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s road trip season! Early summer is a great time to make sure your kids’ car seats are installed correctly, and don’t need to be replaced. Pit Stops for Kids got the latest scoop in car seat safety and car seat requirements from Safety1st Consumer Safety Expert Julie Vallese. Even those of us who are not new parents could use some reminders as we head into road trip season!

The three most important things when choosing a car seat are:

One that fits your child
One that fits your car
One that you will use correctly every time

You can accomplish this by:

Having the car you will be using the seat in with you and try it out at the store
Having your child with you at the time of purchase
Following information in both the car seat manual and vehicle manual for installation
Attending a car seat check for assistance in proper installation and use from a certified car seat technician

Read car seat requirements from Safety1st!

New rules for car seats using LATCH require understanding of your car seat’s weight and child’s weight:

Car seats manufactured after February 27, 2014 are required to carry a new label with guidance on maximum weight limits for LATCH
The combined weight should not exceed 65lbs
Look in the manual and label on the car seat to identify the weight of the seat
Look for a weight on the maximum weight for the child
Know your child’s weight
If the combined weight of the seat and your child exceeds 65lbs-install the car seat using the vehicle’s belt

Click to read more safety tips for car seats!

Review of the Safety1st Advance SE 65 Air convertible car seat

Car seats just keep getting more advanced! The Advance 65 Air+ Convertible Car Seat features technology designed to keep children from 5-65 pounds safer in the car. How so? The cushion system includes patented foam in hexagonal shapes for protection around the torso, allowing for better side impact protection. And the Advance 65 Air + uses a steel-reinforced frame for extra stability. You get a four position recline, which helps the seat fit optimally in your car, and color-coded belt paths take human error out of installation.

But let’s get to where to rubber meets the road: we had the Advance 65 Air + tested by a real Pit Stops for Kids mom and toddler. In addition to the safety features, our reviewer noticed the following perks while using the seat day-in and day-out:

Fully formed headrest, making the seat much more comfortable when the toddler falls asleep.
Easy buckling system, and easy to wash: our reviewer completely removed the cover and washed it (and put it back on) with no problems.
Carrying handle: need we say more? This car seat is heavy, and the handle makes it much easier to lug around.

Here’s the nitty-gritty:

Rear-facing 5-40 pounds
Forward-facing 22-65 pounds
Featuring Air Protect +
10-position headrest grows with your child
No re-thread harness
4-position recline for optimal fit to your car
LATCH equipped
Integrated cup holder

As we disclose whenever applicable, our reviewer received a Safety1st carseat for the purpose of review. Without review product tests, we’d be unable to provide real mom reviews on Pit Stops for Kids.

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Day trip from Dublin: Driving through the Wicklow Mountains Ireland

May 5, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Dublin, Ireland is a great city to explore by foot and public transit, but there’s so much beauty and history in the Irish countryside, families will definitely want to head out of the city limits at some point. We took the following day trip from Dublin a few years ago without kids, but due to the relatively short driving distances between stops (at least by Western US standards), this itinerary is ideal with kids, too.

It’s easy to rent a car for one day from Dublin. In fact, you can book with a company you already know and trust from the US, like Enterprise. We chose to rent (or hire) our car from Dublin Airport for as low as 32 Euros; the key to low fare is to always hire and return the car to and from the same location. We took the express bus from our lodging in Dublin to the airport (always a quick and direct route), rented our car around 7 am from the kiosk in the main arrivals terminal, and returned it around 7 pm. We were back ‘home’ at our Dublin hotel by 9 pm. Here’s where to head:

1. Wicklow Mountains to Enniskerry

Leave Dublin and head south into the Wicklow Mountains towards the village of Enniskerry (about 3o minutes from the city). This will be your first glimpse of Irish country life. Stop for a snack or coffee, or head through to nearby Powerscourt Estate and Gardens, with a waterfall and gardens to walk through.

2. Sally Gap to Glendalough

From Enniskerry, drive into Wicklow Mountains National Park to Sally Gap, stopping en route for plenty of photos and a short walk or two. The Wicklow Mountains are stark, windswept, and stunning in their simple beauty, and walking through them, it’s very easy to imagine ancient life in Ireland. Stop in Glendalough, one of the most picturesque glens of County Wicklow and home to sixth-century St Kevin’s Monastery. The national park has a visitor center in Glendalough, and families can find nine well-marked walking trails. The walks vary from short half hour hikes to ‘hill walks’ of half a day. Maps of the walks are displayed at the visitor center; all the walks start at the National Park Information Office near the Upper Lake.

3. Glendalough to Kilkenny

From Glenalough, head down to Kilkenny, one of the longer stretches of drive, but still very scenic. Kilkenny is worth the drive: Kilkenny is home to numerous historical buildings and landmarks, including stunning Kilkenny Castle. Take the tour inside, walk the grounds, and then grab food in any of the village pubs. If time allows, a visit to medieval St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower is fascinating, and another great example of period architecture for kids. Consider eating a meal at Blaa Blaa Blaa sandwiches before departing.

4. Return to Dublin via N7

The entire driving loop will take visitors under four hours, but with stops and meals, plan for at least 12 (a full day). Take your time: we made several road-side stops on the route back, including to an ancient cemetery, a local pub, and another short hike to a vista. By all means, if time allows, make this a two day trip with a stop overnight in Kilkenny.

Point-by-point Google map to plan your trip:

This post was done in partnership with Enterprise Rent-a-Car but they had no input on the content. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit: Sean MacEntee / Ivan Walsh

A family-friendly road trip through Scotland

April 26, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It may be small in size. But, what it lacks in stature, Scotland makes up in sheer variety. In just a short space of time, you can see rugged mountains, deep lochs, cosmopolitan cities and remote islands. Here are just a few of the best road trips in Scotland to see some of the most family-friendly attractions this small, but perfectly formed country has to offer.

From Berwick to Edinburgh

If you’re travelling from England over into Scotland, then taking in some of the spectacular Northumberland cost line before heading north over the border is the perfect way to start your trip. From Berwick, driving along the east coast, you’ll find two of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring castles. Don’t stick to the main A1 road, but dive off onto the A198, which will take you to Dirleton Castle and Tantallon Castle. Dirleton Castle has a pit dungeon, which is horrifically fascinating for little ones who love Horrible Histories, while Tantallon Castle is a dramatic semi-ruined mid 14^th century fortress. Kids will love to see the replica gun in the East Tower, which looks exactly like the one which was used to defend the castle against James IV and James V in the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

Drive time: 2 hours

Glasgow to Oban

It has a reputation as a grittier, more streetwise city than Edinburgh, but Glasgow also offers plenty to do with little ones. The Glasgow Science Centre, with its hands-on displays and interactive workshops, is a must-do, as is the Hunterian Museum, with its dinosaur, Egypt and meteorite displays. From Glasgow, the route along the A82 offers plenty of opportunities for breathtaking pitstops. Loch Lomond should be your first stop. You can cruise the loch on one of the ferries which take you to little islands and villages or you can hire your own boat to explore at your family’s pace, perhaps stopping off to enjoy a picnic. From here, head north and west on the A85 and the road winds dramatically through rugged terrain before you get to Oban and the surrounding coastal villages. Ganarvan beach is perfect for kids, with safe, shallow waters, swathes of sand and rock pools to search for sea creatures. From Oban, you can catch a ferry to the Isle of Mull, heading north to Tobermory, made famous by the television series Balamory. If you’re ready for a stop-off mid trip, then Parkdean’s Wemyss Bay site makes a great base for exploring Scotland’s west coast.

Driving time: 2 hours 15 minutes

The Scottish Highlands

Just about anywhere you drive through the Scottish Highlands is guaranteed to be stunning. But no road trip through Scotland would be complete without driving along the incredible mountainous route though Glencoe to Fort William. While the Glencoe Mountain Chair Lift was designed to carry skiiers and snowboarders in the winter season, it’s worth a diversion even if you’re here during the summer months as it stays open year-round, affording excitement for children and spectacular views for everyone. You soar high above waterfalls, admiring views across Rannoch Moor from 2200ft.

Driving time: 30 minutes

Around the Isle of Skye

There’s not really any right or wrong route around the Isle of Skye, the most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides. Try the A855 road, which loops around the Trotternish Peninsula. You’ll pass the Old Man of Storr, a rocky hill made famous through its appearance in the opening scene of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus as the birthplace of the alien. From this otherworldly landscape, further north, you’ll find plenty of places to watch dramatic waterfalls tumbling into the sea. The best is the Kilt Rock and waterfall. Also worth a visit is The Skye Museum of Island Life, a quirky museum housed in a selection of thatched cottages, which gives an insight into life there in days gone by.

From the mainland and driving a circular route around the peninsula: Around 3 hours

Tarbert to the Isle of Islay

The road from Tarbert to catch the ferry to the Isle of Islay gives you incredible views of the Arran mountains. The little fishing village of Carradale is worth a stop. Impossible pretty, the village has a harbour and a broad sweep of sand, with shallow, shelving water. Just south of the harbour, there’s a herd of feral goats, which has thrived on the rough grass and seaweed here as long as anyone can remember. From here, you take to A83 to West Loch Tarbet, where you can catch the ferry to Islay. Here, you can try pony trekking, kayaking and paddle boarding, or just meander around some of the single-track roads on the island. Try the Port Ellen to Ardtalla circular route, which will take you alongside the appropriately-named Seal Bay, where you’re likely to be lucky enough to see seals resting on the rocks. If you want to stay for a while and immerse yourself in island life, then the Ballygrant Inn is a good option when travelling with kids as there are two-and-a-half acres of grounds to let off steam in.

Driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Wherever you drive in Scotland, you’re sure to be met with incredible scenery. As the old Scottish saying goes, guid gear comes in sma’ bouk’, or good things come in small packages.

Photo credit: Flickr

Home (Away) for the Holidays: Preparing for winter driving

December 10, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

During the holiday season, the Pit Stops family is often on the road, en route to Lake Tahoe, California or Central Oregon for a family ski vacation. If you’ll be traveling in winter weather as well, revisit our Home (Away) for the Holidays series, with tips on getting a holiday vacation rental, playing in the snow, and preparing for a winter vacation.

Our first challenge? Packing all the trappings of Christmas into our minivan. There’s really no good way to do this, especially if your kids are young enough that a visit from Santa is expected at your destination. We made it work with the aid of our roof bag and my husband’s natural packing skills.

Which led us to our second challenge: preparing our car for winter driving conditions. Like many parts of the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, our route from Oregon to Northern California has the potential to turn from dry roads sunny skies to snow, ice, and chain requirements. If you, too, plan to tackle winter roads this holiday season, consider doing the following:

1. Give your car a check-up. Get the oil changed, check the battery, brakes, and windshield wiper fluid levels before you depart. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and ready to go. Fill up on gas before tackling any summits or snowy highways where you may be delayed.

2. Find room for the essentials. I know your car’s already filled to the brim, but you absolutely want chains (made for your car’s model), a collapsible snow shovel, a flashlight, and winter gloves handy. I’m embarrassed to say we’ve been caught unprepared before, and there’s little worse than bumbling around in the dark without the right equipment. You’ll also want plenty of bottled water and snacks in the car in case of road closures or delays.

3. Stay updated on road conditions. Check road condition websites before departing (we’ve bookmarked CalTrans and ODOT), and receive updates on the AM dial of your radio. Be prepared for check-points for chain installation and removal.

4. Have a back-up plan. No one wants their travel day to end at a closed or hazardous highway or interstate, but it does happen. Have a few places in mind where you could spend the night if necessary. It’s always better to stop early and wait out a winter storm rather than get too far, just to turn around and head back.

Try to go with the flow, take your time, and take the opportunity to stop and play in the winter weather along the way!

Have a safe holiday, and be sure to follow our Tahoe adventures in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series.

Home (Away) for the Holidays: Dreaming of a White Christmas (pitstopsforkids.com)
Home (Away) for the Holidays: Introducing an Alternative to Hotels (pitstopsforkids.com)
Home (Away) for the Holidays: The rental process made easy (pitstopsforkids.com)