For anyone who can say, “I’ve seen the major sights of Rome, what next?” the answer is Walks of Italy’s Hidden Gems and Ancient Wonders tour. Perfect for adults and teens, this 3.5 hour tour dips in and out of the city and suburbs or Rome to hit upon a somewhat arbitrary yet completely fascinating bouquet of small stops. None of the sights on the tour take more than thirty minutes to view, and … [Read more...]
Where to eat in Paris with kids…if you’re not a foodie
February 24, 2016 By
I will admit that before we arrived in the City of Lights, I was intimidated by the Paris dining scene. We don't speak much French, we're not foodies, and we don't like snails (sorry). After spending five days in Paris with kids, well, I’m still intimidated by the Paris dining scene, but we ate there happily anyway. Here’s where to eat in Paris...and how. Hit up patisseries for … [Read more...]
Touring Paris with Fat Tire Tours
February 1, 2016 By
While planning our itinerary for Paris with kids, I kept hearing about an English-language, Paris-based tour company that goes around on bikes. My family loves exploring cities by bike (you may remember how we gushed about Bike 'n Roll in the States), so we contacted Fat Tire Tours and set up a morning with them. We chose to try their Paris Day Bike Tour, which has been a staple at the … [Read more...]
Tips for touring the Eiffel Tower
January 29, 2016 By
Whether you think of the Eiffel Tower as cliched or iconic (or both!), it’s undoubtedly a must do on a family trip to Paris. We actually loved the time we spent at this most famous landmark, especially since we made a day of it. We started our morning with a bike tour with Fat Tire Tours, enjoyed the afternoon playing soccer and pursuing food stalls at the base of the tower, then went to the top … [Read more...]
Where to stay in Paris on a budget with kids
January 25, 2016 By
When we planned to spend five days in Paris with kids, we knew we'd be on a budget. To make it possible for us, we chose to book a HomeAway apartment rental in an outer arrondissement. This arrangement allowed us enough sleeping space for our family of five, a kitchen to cook some meals in, and a washing machine for our laundry. We already trusted HomeAway, as we use this site for ski vacations in … [Read more...]
How to plan a Paris itinerary with kids
January 13, 2016 By
With its 20 arrondissements connected by a busy metro system, Paris can feel intimating at first. The key to planning a Paris itinerary with kids is to plan your days ahead of time, grouping destinations by proximity and utilizing walking tours to bridge the gaps (figuratively and literally). When planning our five days in Paris, I started by making a list of our must-do’s, which included … [Read more...]
Pompeii or Ostia Antica: Which to include as a day trip from Rome
January 4, 2016 By
Click on just about any message board or forum about Roman travel, and you'll see the question, "Should we go to Pompeii or Ostia Antica during our trip to Rome? After debating the question for ourselves last month as we planned our own Roman holiday, I can tell you there's no easy answer. For those in the early stages of planning, here's the scoop: Pompeii is, of course, the site of the … [Read more...]
Scotland barge cruise tips: Seeing Scotland by waterway
July 15, 2015 By
Scotland barge river cruises are gaining in popularity by the minute, and it's easy to understand why: these itineraries allow for all-inclusive convenience and luxury without sacrificing the intimate look at local scenery and culture lost when booking a larger ocean cruise. Scotland barge cruise tips: Scotland, with its canals and locks, is an especially ideal country to explore by waterway. A … [Read more...]
Children-Friendly Activities around Lisbon
February 16, 2015 By
If one had to choose a single word to describe Lisbon, the amazing capital city of Portugal, chances are that, that word would be “charming”. There are many other words that spring to mind, such as romantic, picturesque, sunny and striking, with this city looking like something straight out of a Disney fairy-tale. Thanks to the fact that this is one of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon … [Read more...]
Europe with Kids: Free things to do in Stockholm
January 22, 2015 By
Northern Europe is notoriously pricey. Countries like Sweden enjoy excellent standards of living, but for visitors, this can mean that things like transport, hotels and eating out can come at a premium. However, there are ways to off-set the costs of your trip to Sweden. Plan well in advance; it will afford you the opportunity to take advantage of dining out deals, learn the layout of the city in … [Read more...]
