international travel - Pitstops for Kids

Plan your next family vacation in Ecuador

November 16, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Is it a good idea to go to South America with kids? No – it’s a great idea! Ecuador, a geographically diverse little equatorial country on the Pacific coast of Northwestern South America, is an ideal destination for a family vacation. With its temperate climate, fun activities, breathtaking wildlife, and access to the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and historical colonial cities, Ecuador offers sights, sounds, and experiences that kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

Family vacation in Ecuador: Start in the highlands

The whole country of Ecuador is about the size of the American state of Colorado, but it offers beaches, mountains, jungles, and the world-famous Galapagos Islands, where visitors can see evolution in action. It’s a good idea to begin your Ecuador vacation in the highlands, because altitude changes between the islands or coast and the mountains can be hard on the body over the course of a short trip. That’s not to say it can’t be done, of course; and you could just as easily begin your trip on the islands and at the coast and work your way inward toward the mountains and the jungle, depending on what works best for your family.

The colonial city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see. A few days in Quito will give you the chance to tour the historic Old City, as well as explore some of the surrounding sights. Two hours north of Quito on the Pan-American Highway, you’ll find the town of Otavalo, with its famous indigenous market, scenic hiking and biking, and boutique hotels operated out of colonial-era haciendas. Otavalo offers the country’s best shopping, with plenty of locally-made goods, including things kids will love, like dolls and painted wooden toys, jewelry, fluffy toy llamas, musical instruments, and CDs of local music.

If you have older kids or teens that enjoy outdoor adventuring, don’t miss Baños, a town in the Ecuador highlands famous for its thermal baths. Other activities in Baños include bungee jumping, rafting, kayaking, and biking. From Baños, venture into the Amazon, where you can take a day trip into the wilderness or stay at one of the area’s eco-lodges located smack-dab in the middle of the jungle.

If you have time, travel the 300 miles south of Quito to visit Cuenca. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Cuenca is another colonial city that is quieter and cleaner than Quito. It offers numerous cultural attractions, including the Museo Pumapungo and the Old Cathedral of Cuenca. Outdoorsy types should visit the nearby El Cajas National Park, known for its cloud forest trails and home to giant hummingbirds and Andean Condors.

Don’t miss the Galapagos

No trip to Ecuador would be complete without a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Strict local laws have managed to keep the Galapagos Islands relatively pristine, and the lack of local predators mean that Galapagos wildlife has no fear of humans. The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles from the mainland, so you’ll have to catch a flight, and experienced Ecuador travelers recommend flying between islands, too, if you can afford it; transportation by boat is available, but it’s slow and the boats often break down, resulting in longer trips. If you can’t afford to fly between islands, boat travel is still feasible; book locally with companies who can give you information about the condition of specific boats, and add about 50 percent to the stated travel time to account for disruptions.

Make some time to visit each of the three main islands, Santa Cruz, San Cristobel, and Isabela, so that you get a chance to spot as much wildlife as possible. Santa Cruz is the best island to see the Galapagos tortoise, but San Cristobal offers many opportunities to watch sea lions. Go snorkeling off San Cristobal to swim with Galapagos sharks and sea turtles. Isabella sports stretches of pristine beach inhabited only by Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas; snorkeling here is great, as well.

Traveling with kids is always intimidating, but a vacation to Ecuador could end up being your family’s best vacation ever. One thing’s for sure – a family vacation to Ecuador is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you and your kids will remember fondly together for years to come.

Photo credit: John Solaro

Destinations in Sydney to visit with your kids

May 17, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Lots of people say that as parents, you should always try to make time for yourself. Go to places alone, recharge, and experience new things without the kids by your side. But there will always be that nagging feeling, making you feel guilty that you should’ve have brought the kids with you as you see such view you are looking at, or this street performance. Simply because you just miss them everyday.

Fun destinations in Sydney to visit with your kids

So a trip with the family should always be in the to-do list! The only question is, where would be the next stop? Well, Sydney is one of the best places to go to when you are traveling with kids. It is a city jampacked with different kinds of places to go to — from museums to beaches, children with different interests will always have something to do. Not to mention, it offers some of the best food destinations and top-notch hotels like The Star accommodation in Sydney, so you will never hunt for anywhere else.

To help you build your Sydney itinerary, here are places you can go to with your kids during your trip.

Wild Life Sydney

Australia has always been known for its ravishing wild life where animals roam freely and well taking care of in a way some cities would not. Wild Life Sydney has an indoor zoo called Wild Life World that houses Australia’s native animals like snakes, kangaroos, spiders, emus, and koalas. You will also find a butterfly garden that lets you approach these insects. There is also a rooftop koala encounter that lets you get up close to them so you can take a picture.

Balmoral Beach

Another Australian experience you should not skip is going to any of their beaches. The Balmoral Beach on the North Shore of Sydney is a very popular destination for both locals and tourists. It has the best view of the clear ocean and offers lots of activities that both you and your kids will enjoy. There’s a footbridge you can cross to see the breathtaking views of the harbour.

Madame Tussauds

Looking at figures of iconic people in history and pop culture is a good art and culture lesson your family can have by visiting Madame Tussauds. This is an exciting way to show your kids the people who have been pivotal in history and celebrities they do not recognise yet. Aside from the educational side, visiting Madame Tussauds is also a unique way for them to appreciate talent and art. Despite being a popular destination around the world, not a lot of people have been in any of the Tussauds museums, and including it in your itinerary means your kids can take part in something completely exciting and extraordinary.

Grounds Keeper Cafe

You can cap off a fun day with a couple of burgers at Grounds Keeper Cafe in Ryde Park. They have an extensive menu of food your kids will love munching like chicken tenderloins and cheese burgers. But one of the things that make it such a popular place to go is its location. It’s strategically located in the middle of the park where a playground can be found.

Sydney is truly one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Traveling here with your family will be awesome, and with an itinerary like this, you and your kids will definitely have an amazing time touring around Sydney.

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Travel Gear We Use: Best day pack for international travel

February 10, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

I’ve been conducting travel bag reviews here and at Practical Travel Gear since 2009 and 2011 respectively. That’s a lot of reviews! I’ve tried crossover bags, messenger bags, backpacks, totes, and roller bags. Finally, I think I’ve nailed it. I think I’ve found the best day pack for international travel, especially with kids in tow. That’s right…

Best travel bag for international travel: we reviewed it!

The Eagle Creek Catch All Courier Pack RFID

What is it: The Catch-All Courier is a courier bag (with shoulder strap) that converts to a backpack with the ease for just two clips. It weight just over one pound, and the capacity is 12L. It’s made of tough poly ripstop, and has several compartments, or zones. The first zone is the outside zippered pocket, which is pretty straightforward. The next is a zone under the flap. This zone is the main organizational section, with several sleeves, a key fob, and slots, plus a passport-sized RFID paneled pocket. The zipper on this compartment is lockable in two ways (more on that below). The largest zone is the central interior of the bag, which is roomy enough for some layers, a large camera, snacks, and a 13″ laptop (in padded sleeve). To convert the bag to a backpack, unzip the backpack straps from the back panel (they’re zippered in when not in use), and snap them by a simple clip to each side of the bag. You’re done.

What makes it great: It’s exactly the right size (and no bigger) for day use while city touring, with just the right amount of pockets and organization panels. We appreciate the security of the RFID panel when we’re traveling with important documents and credit cards, and I love the way the zippers lock. In addition to being lock-ready (with your own small padlock) like most bags, they also have a built in toggle which you can slip into a slot, ensuring the zippers cannot be pulled by anyone around you while you’re wearing the pack. The front panel additionally locks with two snap closures. You can access the ‘zone 2’ panel really easily without opening the main section of the pack, which is nice when you need to get out a wallet or cell phone. There’s a water bottle sleeve, too (though I wish there were two!). There’s a nice handle at the top for easy grabbing, and the bag fits under airplane seats nicely, and isn’t too heavy to wear around a city.

Grab your own for around $70 on Amazon.

Honorable mentions:

Fjallraven Tote 2: This tote is really pretty, and functional, too. You can read a full review on Practical Travel Gear, but essentially, the selling points are the waxy, weather-proof material, the classy canvas look, and the ease of converting between tote and backpack. The downside: the backpack straps are not comfortable enough, leading to a sore neck if the pack is pretty full.

Osprey FlapJill: I really love Osprey packs, and the FlapJill delivers with a nice grab handle, a secure flap opening, and a roomy interior. The best thing about Osprey packs…the comfort of wearing them. The shoulder straps are the best of any of these picks, by far. The only reason the FlapJill is an honorable mention: it’s just a bit bulkier than the Catch-All, lacks RFID, and is more expensive.

Travel Gear We Use: GoTenna review

July 8, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

When we visited Paris last winter, we spent a wonderful day in the Louvre. At least, it was mostly wonderful, except for the two hours we spent looking for each other. My husband had our two older sons in one section, and I had our youngest in another, and our plans to ‘find each other later’ went woefully sideways. We both had phones, but had put them in airplane mode to save on our international data plan. When I turned my phone on to contact him, he had his turned off, and vice versa.

Months later, I was introduced to GoTenna. The minute I saw what it did, I knew we could have used it in Paris. And in Rome. And in Costa Rica. And so on and so forth. GoTenna is a thin, 2-ounce wand that connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth low energy (LE). It creates a low-frequency radio wave network for its iOS and Android app that reaches about 1 mile in skyscraper-filled urban areas, and, supposedly, up to 9 miles in most open outdoor areas (even longer on mountain tops).

How to use GoTenna:

When you buy GoTenna, it comes in a pack of two (for $199). I had ours set up in about two minutes. You just take the wands out of the package, and pull the little tab on each to extend the stick. When it clicks, you can see whether the GoTenna wand is charged by waiting for the light to blink. If it does, you’re in business. If not, charge the wands first using the included USB cords.

Once they’re ready, turn them off, and download the free GoTenna app. It will walk you through the activation steps, which, again, took me only a minute or so. You turn the GoTenna back on to pair it with your phone via Bluetooth (one wand per phone), add your phone number and name, and you’re in business. You can import your contacts, so it’s easy to find other people when you need to contact them (more on that in a minute) and download maps to use off-line (more on that, too).

Once you and a partner both have the wands paired to your phones, you can use them offline to contact each other. Each GoTenna has a nylon loop so you can attach it to a backpack, jacket, or hat. You don’t hold it; you need it to have a clear path to get a signal. Think of GoTenna like a messaging app: it has the capability to send messages and location, but not much else. You cannot use GoTenna to send photos or video, make phone calls, or scroll through social media. It’s like a walkie-talkie, only much better.

You do everything you want with GoTenna from the app.

Send one-on-one messages: this is the primary thing we’ve done with it. You can send messages to anyone in your contacts who also has a GoTenna (this is the reason for the pack of two).
Send Shout messages to everyone in the area with a GoTenna: A ‘shout’ message is basically a general message that will go out to everyone with a GoTenna within range. Not many people have these, so it’s not much of an issue right now, but in theory, you could use this feature to send out a general invite to meet up at a location at a concert or festival to meet other users, or send an ‘all call’ as an emergency.
Send emergency messages: this feature is deceiving, because GoTenna cannot actually connect with emergency services (a con to using it, for sure). It can only connect with other GoTennas (not satellites), so this emergency feature is just a ‘shout’ set in priority mode. If anyone nearby is also using GoTenna, they’ll get a message that someone needs assistance. I guess it’s better than nothing.
Use maps: I love this feature. While online, you can download tons of pre-existing maps in GoTenna’s app. (This feature is under ‘location’). Then you can use the maps while offline. We could have used this in Paris, and we will be using it in Central America this fall.

When and why to use GoTenna:

GoTenna is touted as a solution for communicating in the outdoors, when traveling without coverage, and during natural disasters other situations when off the grid. I initially thought I’d like using the wands while backpacking and camping, but in practice, we leave GoTenna at home during outdoor trips. Why? The range isn’t long enough for hikers or campers to communicate with family back at home (reason #1 I’d use it), and to use it hiker to hiker, we’d also have to carry multiple cell phones in the wilderness, which would require bringing solar chargers. While we might do this occasionally (I love the Waka Waka solar charger for this purpose), most often, we’re tech-free in the wilderness.

So what DO we use GoTenna for? International travel. We’re also glad to have it in case of a natural disaster when we may need to communicate off the grid, but primarily, it’s a wonderful tool for travel. When we travel internationally, we pay for limited service plans, so more often than not, we’re in Airplane mode and offline. With GoTenna, we can continue to communicate when we separate during the day, and we can use the maps. The teens and I used GoTenna last month in the Caribbean, when we were doing different service projects a few miles apart, and we’ll use it again in Costa Rica and Panama later this year. The only place we’ve used GoTenna where it’s only worked so-so was on a cruise ship. I think all the metal walls and doors messed with it.

Pick up GoTenna for $199 or look for it at REI. If you travel even a few times per year off the grid (or in Airplane mode), it’s well worth the investment.

Disclosure: We were given a GoTenna to test, for the purpose of review. As always, all opinions are our own.

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The best countries for family vacations: where to go now

January 27, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

The best gift every parent can gift to his child is the ability to travel. But to travel anywhere without much of the thought giving is not really considered being an excellent way to do it. To gift your children all the best, you should, at least, try to consider visiting these countries I am going to mention below.

The team behind the Travel Ticker helped me to find these countries, and I can’t wait to share the list with you. All of them are truly amazing, and just perfect for a fun, educational and pleasant family vacation!

Greece – for better history knowledge

This is nothing surprising – Greece is the mother of the whole western culture. From architectural to philosophical traditional and Greek mythology – everything originated in this amazing country thousands of years ago. So logically, the best place to learn all about what Greeks gave to us is in Greece!

The best destinations to visit with children definitely can be in Athens, the historical center of the whole civilization, also Crete and Rhode Island’s too. In Greece, you can even get into a tour about Troy war and visit all the exact places ancient Greek consider being holy. For example – a birthplace of the love goddess Aphrodite!

Tip: Hostel Bay Greek island hopping ferry routes are a great way to visit the Greek islands.

Belize – for the chance to meet exotic animals

Belize, a small country in the Caribbean should also be worth considering if you want to travel somewhere not that far away and full of interesting activities you can do with kids. The island is pretty isolated, so wanderings around here won’t be interrupted by tons of cars. And that also means that here you won’t meet millions of tourists too – so it can be a perfect place for relaxing and pleasant vacations with children for sure.

Kids here can meet real exotic animals like monkeys, crocodiles or turtles and have a blast while diving, snorkeling or just biking around this small country. Just don’t forget to apply the sun cream because you are definitely going to spend your whole time outdoors!

Bali – for another chance to meet animals and amazing local culture

Bali, a tropical paradise, can also be an amazing holiday destination for families of any size and age. Many hotels even offer special packages with events to entertain the little ones while you can enjoy yourself somewhere light and warm.

Kids here can also enjoy surfing, hiking, museum seeing, biking, sailing, animal visiting, elephant safari-ing, water slide riding or just hanging on the beach building castles. In Bali, you can also visit some traditional festivals and celebrations which all welcome kids too. So, Bali really has it all to make a perfect time with your family!

Japan – for unusual and exotic culture

As foreign visitors to Japan know, sometimes the locals will keep their distance. But not so when you are traveling with babies or children! In fact, everywhere you are going to visit you will always hear a silly Japanese word “kawaii” which literally means “cute!” And that always means friendly locals and a great place to be, am I right?

Traveling with children can also open some doors for you. It can be easier to negotiate the price in markets or even to hunt geishas in Kyoto to take some pictures with you. Every Japanese person will love to come by and check out your cute baby for sure. And that will actually erase the borders and let you experience a bit of the real Japan easier.

Netherlands – for active fun

And finally, Netherland should get an honorable fifth place in this list too, since this amazing country is super family and kids’ friendly. Filled with kid-friendly food such as French fries and pancakes, tons of kids’ parks and museums specially made for children to be able to touch and fell it is a real dream come true! You can really say, that both the capital Amsterdam and the whole country is just one giant playground for your little ones.

If that is not enough for you, then I can also add the fact, that here renting a bike and biking throughout the city and the whole country if you wish, is a piece of cake. Netherlands government really worked hard to develop one of the best bicycles infrastructures in the world, and it would be a sin not to try that out with kids too!

What terrorism won’t take from me

November 19, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

As many readers know, we plan to travel to Paris next month. I’ll be very honest: current events have us unsettled and saddened on many levels, including, of course, the impact on our trip plans. Here is why we’re still going.

Terrorism won’t take my love of travel. A few, cowardly, misguided, damaged people won’t steal the joy I feel researching trips, complete with Google Maps and Rick Steves guidebooks scattered across my dining room table, TripIt open on my screen. Terrorism won’t take my children’s excitement upon holding a boarding pass in their hands, or their view of clouds and city lights and oceans and sunlight from their window in 32B or 18A. It won’t take our enthusiasm to try that talked-about Parisian cafe or our laughter when we stumble over new words and order the wrong thing. It won’t succeed in keeping our passports locked in a filing cabinet at home.

Terrorism won’t take my kids’ global citizenship. It won’t stop them from feeling wide-eyed awe at the sight of the Eiffel Tower or their amazement at glimpsing a Rodin or a Monet. It won’t take the smiles from their faces as they meet kids who are just like them, except that they dress differently and speak differently and eat different foods. It won’t stop my boys from joining pick-up games of soccer in Manhattan parks or conducting paper airplane-making sessions over the seat back of an international flight. It won’t stop them from making that mind-blowing connection that the kid in the school uniform in Costa Rica is just like all the kids they know, scrambling to get his homework done on the bus. Or that the mother stopping to comfort her fussy baby in a cafe in Brussels is just like their mother, and the mothers of all their friends back at home. And that the fathers are like their fathers, the brothers like their brothers.

Terrorism won’t take my optimism that people are good and the world is beautiful. It won’t succeed in polarizing my family; we will not see terrorist acts as foreign problems or regional problems, but as global problems. We won’t hide at home, pretending we’re safer here than anywhere else. Terrorism won’t make me hate or suspect or fear based on a person’s religion or looks or language.

Terrorism won’t take my compassion. It won’t harden my heart to the suffering, the hurt, and the struggles both in my city and in my world. It won’t succeed in making me circle the wagons. It won’t stop me from saying ‘yes’ to my teens’ service trip to build homes for those who sleep on the ground, or my child’s desire to send aid money to those who are hungry or displaced or in the wrong place at the wrong time. It won’t stop me and mine from realizing that families are families everywhere, parents do their best everywhere, and children have the right to feel safe and healthy everywhere. Not just here. Not just me.

Terrorism won’t take our memories. It won’t take our round-the-dinner-table stories of past trips, like the time we saw a glacier calve in Southeast Alaska or the time Dad fell asleep on the bus in Spain or the time Mom saw someone try to pee on Stonehenge. It won’t make us look back on seeing the wonders of the Washington Monument cast in the glow of Independence Day fireworks or the twinkle of holiday lights on Champs Elysées or the Statue of Liberty against a perfect blue sky glimpsed from the deck of a ferry. It won’t take cozy pubs in Dublin or family photos at Mt. Rainier or tours of Pompeii. It can’t have the taste of pastel-hued macarons or chocolate crepes or poutine. It doesn’t get to take local wine or medieval castles or orca sightings or museum openings or cenote rappelling.

Because that’s ours. And yours. And all the other citizens’ of the world.

Don’t let terrorism take that from you.

Looking to help? Check out this post on Trekaroo with trusted donation ideas!

Facing serious concerns when traveling with kids: how to get past the ‘fear factor’

April 1, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Any parent traveling with kids off the beaten path has fielded questions from nay-sayers:

“Are you sure it’s safe to travel to Mexico?”

“You’re taking your kids how far along what trail?”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Solo, you say?”

As a parent who makes her living encouraging people to travel with their kids, I bristle at these fear-based inquiries. They are not grounded in research, but are rather knee-jerk, emotional responses to individualized worries. The good news: traveling parents need not listen to them.

However, we all know that as beautiful as the world is, terrible things do happen. They happen at home, they happen at school and work, and yes, they happen to families when they’re on vacation. Even though I believe strongly in the power and wisdom and sheer, live-altering joy of travel, my heart and stomach lurch just as quickly as any other mother’s when I read or see reports of tragedy while traveling.

There are risks we all assume when we step outside our front door, whether to go to the grocery store or another continent. Airplanes do crash. Cars do, too. Terrorists attack. Civil unrest, political strife, and diseases are sadly, alive and well on our planet, and awful things do happen. Which risks to assume and which to avoid can only be made on a personal level.

It can be hard to make these decisions with healthy perspective when tragedy strikes close to home. I can clearly remember learning of the death of a child on an amusement park ride days before visiting the same park with my own family, and of an accident on a cruise ship just before embarking. Most recently, I was made aware of this news story, in which 15-year-old Tyler Madoff was accidentally killed at sea during a Bold Earth trip.

A Pit Stops for Kids reader brought it to my attention, with the question, ‘why didn’t this story get more attention? What can we do to travel safely with our kids?’

My own 15-year-old son had just returned from a very smilier trip, an adventure service trip to Costa Rica, and the terrifying thought, familiar to all parents, passed through my mind: it could have been him. It sent a shudder right through me, and for weeks, I struggled with how to address this question and the larger issue of keeping our kids safe while traveling.

How do you accept tragedy, and keep exploring?

First, my heart and thoughts go out to Tyler Madoff’s parents, and all others who have experienced such a tragedy. And then, I do my best to separate logical safety concerns from generalized fear. Some accidents are just that…freak occurrences no one could avoid…abroad or at home. Was this the case in Tyler Madoff’s situation? I can’t be sure without knowing more details…more safety considerations may have been prudent, but the travel operation in question does have a good reputation. Things simply do happen which are out of our control. But what about the rest of the time? What about all the travel decisions we make or place in others’ hands which could factor into the overall safety of our trip?

My reader offered some guidelines, parent-to-parent, that she hoped would help. I saw wisdom in them, and would like to list them here, expanding where I feel I can offer insight. There are simple measures parents can take to make sure children are in the safest care.

1. Research destinations before you book a trip. There are no shortage of travel websites and handbooks. A few useful sites are TripAdvisor and Fodors, Camp Ratingz and Choice Camps. Checking out the travel company’s Facebook profile (and any related groups) is always helpful as well.

Certainly, it’s worth taking the time to check up on a tour operation or destination via social media. Poll your own friends or followers, or send a general inquiry into the Twittersphere. While reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor should not always be taken at face value, reading through at least a dozen reviews should give parents a general sense of guest satisfaction. Of course, the absolute best recommendations come from people you know. In the case of international travel, always—always—be up-to-date on the political temperature of a foreign country. Check travel advisories via your home government pages. If in doubt whether a fear is legitimate or not, talk to people who have traveled to your destination within the last few months, not people who have ‘heard’ something is unsafe via a friend of a friend or Fox news (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

2. Ask the right questions. Before booking a travel tour, ask what isn’t included in the cost, and why. Is there travel insurance, or should you purchase that on your own? What kind of risk management policies are in place? What are the training qualifications of the tour guides?

It’s surprising to me how often this last question is not asked by parents, especially when leaving children in the care of others.

I am a generally trusting person, but trusting a care giver or tour operation based on trust of a brand is simply not enough. Yes, reputable destinations and resorts will absolutely strive to have the highest standards and using a brand you already trust is a great start, but ultimately, the responsibility is the parents’ to check credentials and qualifications.

3. Make sure your kids are prepared! If your child knows what to do in case of emergency, you’ll feel a lot more confident. CPR training, swim lessons, or simply informing them where to go or to whom they should speak if they feel like they’re in danger can go a long way when they’re on their own, as this Daily Beast article displays.

I love this tip. While parents need to be empowered, kids do too. Because we spend a lot of time in the outdoors, and I have outdoor safety training, my kids are very up-to-date on wilderness safety. They know what to do if lost, when encountering wildlife, and if they need basic first aid. We’ve started to ski more aggressively in the backcountry, which means I’ve been researching avalanche safety courses we can take together. We will not be exploring in snow country until this is done.

When it comes to international travel, my kids know how to contact us and family at home in other countries, and we always go over safety rules and back-up plans before entering crowded areas.

Basically, all the suggestions above follow one key guideline. Use common sense. Take reasonable precautions. Keep valuables in a safe place, have copies of important documents at all times, and use reliable, reputable transportation and services while traveling. Follow signage and heed posted warnings, and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Will you be embarking on an excursion to a particular tidal pool, bay, trail, or landmark? Do your own research about this place, instead of relying 100% on guides.

I’m not suggesting going it alone…we believe strongly in hiring local experts…but don’t follow blindly.

Your safety, and the safety of your children, is ultimately your responsibility, in so far as this is possible to control. The example that comes to mind is the dangerous yet exhilarating Angel’s Landing knife-edge trail in Zion National Park. People die there annually, mostly due to not listening to their own internal guidelines, knowing their own abilities, and trusting blindly that if there’s a trail maintained by a government agency, it’s for them. Not always. Again, even in our lawsuit happy world, I believe parents are ultimately responsible for their own wellbeing and their children’s wellbeing.

As for the risks you cannot control, you’re every bit at the whim of fate while in your own home as while traveling. Explore this beautiful world, share its people and sights with your children, and enjoy life!

Many thanks to reader Sue J. for taking the time to email her concerns to Pit Stops for Kids. Photo credit: Amy Whitley, Flickr/xlibber, and Brisbane City Council.

Children-Friendly Activities around Lisbon

February 16, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

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

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

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

Sleeping with the fishes at Lisbon Oceanarium

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

Feel like James Bond on the amphibious Hippotrip tour

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

Pull Strings at Museu da Marioneta

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

Post written by Jason Swindon

Photo credit

Europe with Kids: Free things to do in Stockholm

January 22, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

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

Go for a dip:

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

See the changing of the guard:

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

Check out the underground art scene:

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

Have a picnic in Djurgarden:

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

Image by Hector Melo used under the Creative Commons license.

Educational Travel: Sending your child on a teen service trip

September 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Remember that post from a few months back, where I discussed our preparation for our teen Nate’s teen service trip with Adventures Cross Country? We’re back with a full trip report! If you’re considering sending your teen on a service trip next summer, read on! Spoiler alert: he loved it!

Last July, Nate embarked on Adventures Cross Country’s Costa Rica Classic trip, which comprised of 14 days of awe-inspiring jungle, cultural immersion, new friendships, and character-building insects throughout rural Costa Rica. Were we nervous when we sent him so far from home, without anyone he knows? I’ll admit it: yes. Even though we travel fairly extensively, it was harder than I anticipated to leave Nate solo at San Francisco International, en route to San Jose, Costa Rica (where he met his leaders and group). He had a rocky travel day, which turned into an overnight delay in Dallas/Fort Worth (which you can read about here), but thanks to stellar communication from the Adventures Cross Country (ARCC) team, he was quickly caught up with the group and off and running.

Service, adventure, and fun:

I really like the structure of ARCC trips, which combines service projects with cultural interactions and fun outings. Nate’s trip was basically broken down into four sections of approximately three days each:

river rafting along the Pacuare River, including zip lining and a river lodge stay
teaching English at a rural grade school, which including play time with the kids
helping better a mountain community as they harvested crops and repaired buildings
learning to surf at a Costa Rican surf camp

During each of these travel segments, Nate’s team leaders, Sally and Bolo, built group community and bonds without the kids even realizing it was happening. They had fun everywhere they went, engaging local kids in soccer games, playing silly games among themselves, and taking side trips to waterfalls. So much was packed into their two weeks, in fact, that even now, over a month later, Nate is still remembering details and regaling us with tales of adventure.

Read about Nate’s day-to-day itinerary in his own words.

I’ve detailed what to look for in a teen service trip, and why we picked ARCC. But what I could not have known before Nate’s trip is this: teen travel changes lives. True, service trips may or may not change the lives of the local residents of the countries visited on a long-term scale, but one thing is undoubtably clear: it changes the life of the teen. Nate was a responsible kid before ARCC, but after, we noticed a quiet confidence in him that wasn’t there before (or at least wasn’t well established). He told us that while in Costa Rica, he observed other teens who “knew who they were, and were strong enough to be themselves,” a trait he decided he wanted to own himself.

In order to get himself to San Jose unaccompanied, he had to be strong, make decisions, and be responsible for himself in confusing airports, stressful situations, and sometimes, in a foreign language. He had to navigate customs solo, and meet a brand new group of people on the other side. Was he nervous? You bet! Did he come out of it stronger and more self-assured? Definitely.

Nate talks about his time in Costa Rica with a smile or a laugh as he tells antedates about snakes and bunkmates and funny jokes, and sometimes, with downright wonder. “I learned how different cultures can be, and how that’s ok,” he told me, “and I was so grateful how the Costa Rican kids accepted me and brought me into their world.” Will the service projects Nate helped with stand the test of time? Maybe. He hopes the beans he picked in the mountains can be sold for insulin for the farmer, Pepe’s, wife. Will the kids remember the English nouns and phrases he taught them? Perhaps. He’s optimistic, as he reports “all his kids were super smart”. But either way, the change in Nate is permanent.

Still not sure about sending your teen on a service trip?

Consider this: before Nate left, he knew no one (some kids arrived with friends from home), and had never been out of the country without his parents before. Even so, he was not homesick (they’re too busy!), and at the end of the trip, he said he’d recommend it to anyone and everyone he talked to. Check out his video:

Nuts and bolts of an ARCC trip:

I can’t speak for every ARCC trip, but on Nate’s, here’s how things broke down:

Nate’s Costa Rica Classic trip comprised of 13 kids (4 girls and 9 boys ages 15-16)
The trip lasted two weeks (14 days)
The trip cost was $3895, plus airfare, and included all meals, accommodations, projects, activities, everything
Nate had two leaders (check out ARCC’s leader criteria)
The kids on Nate’s trip were from all over the US, and lasting friendships were formed
The ARCC home office is quick with communication and assistance, professional, and competent
We were given a very detailed packing list, and offered everything we needed to prepare
cell phones were permitted for planned phone calls home only, and held by leaders otherwise
recommended spending was about $75 per week: Nate didn’t spend all of his
communication between phone calls came in the form of a private blog to parents, with updates

I felt very comfortable with ARCC at all times, and never questioned Nate’s safety or well-being. Yes, I worried about him so far from home (I told him I was homesick on his behalf!), but my worries were unfounded. Nate grew up profoundly in two weeks, and we highly recommend ARCC to others. In fact, Nate’s younger brother is now eying the catalogue!

Disclosure: Nate attended his ARCC trip as a guest of the company, for the purpose of review. Our opinions are our own.