road trips - Pitstops for Kids

The ultimate family road trip through Spain: coast, city, and country

August 10, 2021 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Guest post written by Katie Belle.

Road trips and relaxation may seem like an oxymoron when travelling with kids. But, in fact, our two were so caught up with the sense of adventure, there wasn’t even one cry of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’. From the arid hills of Andalusia to the ultra-safe waters of La Manga, and vibrant Valencia to the mild green province of Girona, our brood covered just over 1200km. But not once did the journey seem laborious. Here’s a road map of our itinerary, easily duplicated!

Day 1-2: Andalusia

Malaga is the perfect starting point for a Spanish road trip as the airport offers plenty of international connections and has a range of car rental companies on site. All the hot spots of the Costa del Sol are within easy striking distance.

We head off for a little r and r in the rolling Andalusian hills. The villages of the Axarquia region are without doubt some of the most picturesque in all of Spain and our first stop is a sugarcube-esque villa just outside Comares. Our little ones are happy splashing about in the pool, which overlooks mile upon mile of orange groves and farmland. But, we do venture out to drive further up the Montes de Málaga foothills until we reach Comares itself.

Sitting atop a cliff some 725 metres above sea level, it’s not for those with a fear of heights. But the views are nothing short of spectacular, stretching down to Lake Vinuela and beyond. We hire donkeys for the children and follow the walking route of ceramic footprints which guide you around the narrow village streets.

But, no visit to the Costa del Sol would be complete without sampling some of this region’s bustling beachlife, so we’re soon back on the open road, heading down to the Mediterranean coastline to Nerja. It’s often referred to as the jewel of the Costa del Sol, and we can see why. The promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants, with musicians and mime artists keeping families, taking early evening strolls, entertained.

Day 3: La Manga

From Nerja, it’s a straightforward journey along the A7, which skirts the coastline, to our next destination, La Manga. After a week with only parental company, our kids are longing for other children to play with, so this is the perfect stop-off.

With a myriad of swimming pools to choose from, we opt for the complex at Los Molinos (the windmill), where the toddler pool is safe enough for our little boy and the bigger pool is challenging enough for our elder daughter. There are restaurants a plenty in the resort, but our favourite is the tapas bar in Bellaluz Square, where our daughter discovers a penchant for Spanish meatballs.

My last night is spent horse riding with my daughter on a trek from the on-site stables at La Manga through fields and down to the beach. We can’t ride on the beach in the summer season, but you can in winter so we’re determined to come back. We meet up with my other half and our youngest for a meal at La Canela, in a laid-back setting next to the riding centre. As dusk fell, the candles were lit and our prawns with garlic sauce, accompanied by a chilled bottle of white wine arrived. The children were able to run around beside the stables in safety. It truly was a magical evening.

Day 4: Valencia

Our shortest visit during our road trip to Spain was to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. But, while it was short, it was certainly sweet, with impressive family friendly attractions. The Bioparc Valencia is the best zoo any of us have ever visited, with enclosures which faithfully recreate African habitats but allow visitors to get as close as can be to the animals. We walk within touching distance of the Madagascan lemurs – although there is a park warden there to make sure you don’t – before lunching in full view of the zoo’s resident giraffes.

The city’s Aquarium, the L’Oceanográfic, is no less impressive – on a par only with Cape Town’s Two Oceans. The biggest aquarium in Europe, it is home to 500 species from the world’s main marine ecosystems, with a dolphinarium containing a staggering 24 million litres of water.

Day 5: Girona

From city to country, our road trip is almost at an end, as we’re dropping our hire car off in Girona airport. But we’ve just time to squeeze in a few days at one of the country retreats surrounding Girona’s centre. With a grown-up vibe, there’s also a playground and mini-farm to keep our little ones happy. And, we can think of no better end to our journey as we enjoy Catalan specialities overlooking the swimming pool and the farmland beyond as the sun sets on our Spanish road trip.

Image credit: Bart & Co and elyob

Guest author Katie, a food and travel blogger from the UK, took her family on a road trip through Spain last year and is currently planning this year’s adventure. You can connect with her on twitter @delightsomeblog.

Four days in the Canadian Rockies: Jasper and Banff National Park road trip

May 10, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s very hard to plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Why? No matter how ambitious your itinerary, there’s always one more place to visit just a few kilometers down the road. But if you do have to scale your trip to under one week, here’s how to spend four days in and around Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, during a Jasper and Banff National Park road trip.

Start in Jasper:

The small town of Jasper is a gateway to outdoor adventure in every season. From late spring through early fall, hiking and lake visits reign, and in winter snowshoeing, skiing, and ice climbing can be found throughout the area. We visited in October and loved the beautiful scenery to low crowd ratio.

Maligne Canyon:
Head just a few minutes outside of Jasper on Highway 16 to Maligne Canyon. In winter, this is where you’ll see ice climbers navigating the frozen waterfalls, but in all other seasons, the flowing water of the Maligne River bubbles and falls over rocks and through gorges before disappearing underground (just to emerge again in blue pools). The trail loops with several options for return, allowing families to choose how long they hike. We hiked for approximately one hour and made it to five of six bridges that traverse the river.

The water is fast-flowing, but railings are in place to keep kids from getting too close. The incline can be steep and slippery at times, but the scenery is absolutely worth the effort.

Town of Jasper:
You don’t have to leave town to see wildlife and enjoy trails. Take the Discovery Trail through town, which includes interpretive signs throughout to teach about the history of the area. Look for elk strolling town in the early evenings and mornings; they often stop traffic! And when you’re back from your hike, stop for ice cream or shop for souvenirs or hiking gear in the easily-navigated 2-3 block downtown.

Where to stay:

The Tonquin Inn is located just a few blocks from downtown and has everything parents with kids need: a large indoor pool and hot tub, additional outdoor hot tubs, a comprehensive complimentary breakfast buffet, and comfortable rooms with scenic views.

Make the most of driving the Icefields Parkway:

The Icefields Parkways has been rated as one of the most scenic drives in the world, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a pit stop for two. Break up the four-hour drive from Jasper to Banff with a stop midway along the Icefields Parkway. Located at the border between the two national parks, the Columbia Icefields Centre is hard to miss. Here’s what to expect:

The Columbia Icefields Centre is where you can stop for a meal and clean bathrooms, plus a great view of the Athabasca Glacier. Kids (and parents) will immediately notice the ‘Ice Explorers’ navigating the glacier surface…and want to ride in one. This attraction at the Centre is Brewster’s Glacier Adventure, and tickets can be bought in the lower level. The tour takes you on a short bus shuttle to the edge of the glacier, where you transfer to specially-designed Ice Explorers (souped up ATV-bus hybrids, for lack of a better description). The Ice Explorers take you on a short but exciting drive out onto the ice, where they stop and let you get out and walk around in a very contained circle. Because the space where visitors can stand on the ice is so small (and feels much like a parking lot with multiple Ice Explorers parked), most kids will find the ride out the most exciting part. Guides do a very good job of educating you on the glacier in an entertaining way, but the actual ice walk can be a let-down.

Closer stops to Jasper include either the Athabasca or Sunwapta falls. Both scenic falls are located roadside, necessitating only a short walk to the view points. At Sunwapta, a restaurant and other roadside facilities make for welcome additions. Closer to Banff, Bow Lake is an easy stop, and can include swimming in summer and short hiking options.

Up next, continuing your road trip to Banff National Park! Click on the button below to continue.

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Travel Gear We Use: Must-have products for road trips

March 23, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

The family road trip really is where the rubber meets the road. And this year, summer road trip travel will be bigger than ever. When it comes to the best products for road trips, we prefer useful items to flashy ones, the tried-and-true over the new-fangled. There are many, many items to bring on your next road trip, but these must-have products for road trips are ALWAYS in the car.

1. A full-sized first aid kit:

This is crucial, folks. You can assemble your own first aid kit, or you can opt for a quality pre-made kit, like we do. We just tried out Surviveware’s large first aid kit , which comes with over 200 essentials, with room for your own additions. (Tip: remember to add an emergency ration of any over-the-counter or prescription meds you or a family member needs regularly.)

I am impressed with the organization of the Surviveware kit; every item has a place, and is tucked away in water-resistant compartments. There’s even fever strips, sting relief pads, and gloves. A smaller section can be removed to come with you on shorter excursions, and the main pack is designed to fit over your car seatback if desired.

The Surviveware kit is also great for boating (it floats!), camping, and RV life. It will come with us in our camper van this summer.

2. Car emergency kit:

We assemble this ourselves, packing jumper cables, a flashlight, road flares, winter gloves, and an emergency blanket in a duffel we always keep in the back of the car. During winter, we add chains.

3. Reusable ‘dining out’ ware:

We love United by Blue’s ‘Everyday Reusables‘ collection, including their straw kits, grocery bags, and utensil kit. We usually grocery shop and eat our own food for breakfasts and lunches while road tripping, and this way, we save on plastic waste every time we eat.

4. Small-item storage:

We always have an organizer over the back seat to reduce clutter (it can also stop your little one from kicking the back of your seat)! Want a low-cost alternative to the products you can find online? Buy a cheap hanging closet shoe organizer and hang it from the back of the seat. It may need to be cut to fit. Store smaller items, plus water bottles, books, and snacks within reach of older kids (and out of reach of babies and toddlers).

5. Water bottles and a water filtration system:

You can find our favorite bottles listed in our best water bottles for kids post, but really, as long as every family member has a water bottle they love, that’s the most important thing. Staying hydrated on the go can be challenging, but bringing your own bottles reminds kids (and grown-ups) to sip often. Plus, you can save serious dough at restaurants and attractions if you have bottles to refill.

In addition to water bottles, make sure you have:

Extra water in the car, perhaps in gallon jugs
A filtration system for emergencies (at very least, a Lifestraw, and at best, a Lifesaver jerry can)

What items are must-brings on your family road trips? Read about more travel gear we use!

Quick and easy guide to kids’ road trip snacks

October 5, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s a lot that goes into making a road trip happen. Your level of organization probably lands somewhere in between winging it and micromanaging every detail, and with kids, you always have to leave room for the unexpected. If there’s one thing you should get right, though, it’s snacks for the road.

Guide to road trip snacks:

A sick kid is the surest way to derail your plans, and packing some reliable grub can help you avoid this fate. There are plenty of recipes for crafting easy-to-eat fare from scratch, but if you’re looking for something simple and quick, choose carefully at the grocery store. Pay attention to ingredients, avoid foods with inflammatory additives, and look for fare that is natural or organic. Excessively sugary or processed foods take enough of a toll on kids’ bodies on a normal day, but when you’re on the road, the results can be even worse. With these tips, you can pull off the road trip of a lifetime and keep your kids well while doing so.

Keep it Light

If junk food is a road trip tradition, here’s to breaking tradition and living better! It’s been estimated that kids get up to 40 percent of their calories from foods such as pizza, cookies and soda. When you’re driving for extended period of time, kids are trapped in the backseat with no way to mitigate all those calories. In addition to its obvious unhealthiness, this combination of extra calories and lack of exercise can lead to sickness. If you don’t want to land yourself nursing a sick kid on the side of the road, uphold a no junk food rule.

Opt for Nutritious Options

Processed foods are to blame for a host of health problems affecting kids. As a parent, you’re probably well aware of the ways in which additives and GMOs can irritate young digestive systems and cause problems such as inflammation. Recent innovations by some companies have replaced these ingredients with plant-based ones. Hamptoncreek, for example, utilizes sorghum and pea protein in lieu of materials that are harmful to consumers and the environment. As you prepare for your road trip, find snacks that follow this principle and provide real nutrition for kids.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

Even if you aren’t up for handcrafting enough snacks to last the duration of your trip, you can make the experience easier by making a plan and sticking to it. Pack a cooler with sandwiches, wholesome juice and other easy eats. A sandwich with egg-free mayo and lunch meat can save you from succumbing to the beckoning of fast food. You will likely want to eat out and experience local cuisine during your traverse, so you need only prepare snacks that will fill the gaps. By simply doing this, though, you maintain control of meals and ensure everybody eats well.

Skip Greasy Temptations

The aforementioned temptation of fast food has been the downfall of many. Remember that there’s often a price to pay when kids don’t eat well, and keep snacks such as fruit, sandwiches and hamptoncreek cookies for occasional treats. So long as you can avoid greasy fare and stay focused on the road, you’re sure to have a trip to remember. When it comes to memories, keep those of sick kids at bay and make ones with happy, healthy kids instead. The food you choose will make all the difference.

Keep the Whole Family in Mind

Though keeping the kids well is your top concern, you should also consider what you plan to eat. Don’t neglect to pack some grub for yourself and any other adults along for the ride. One of the best parts of bringing along healthy snacks is their appropriateness for every member of the group. When you’re making plans, consider favorite foods and eating habits of the whole family. It’ll make for a better experience, and with access to nutritious snacks, everybody will have the energy to grab the road trip by its horns. Whether they’re at school, at home, or in the backseat, your kids deserve the advantage of healthy and nutritious meals. By cutting out additives, GMOs, and other harmful ingredients, you are taking important steps towards investing in their long-term health. Don’t let a road trip be a lapse in this commitment when instead, you can plan for it by keeping a supply of healthy and natural snacks on hand for the whole family.

And now that you’re snack-ready, how about some tried-and-true road trip games?!

Auto Travel with your Pets: 10 approaches for safety and security

September 13, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

We can all agree that pets are part of the family for most people. They are always there curled up or trotting next to us when taking morning walks. They greet us happily in the morning or when we get back home at the end of a long work workday. That’s why when a holiday season approaches, we can’t bear the thought of leaving them behind. It can be stressful for many pet owners to travel with them without making travel plans.

You need to take safety and security precautions so that you can have a relaxing and fun time for both you and your friend.

Here are the best safety tips for auto travel with your pets:

1. Go for a Test Drive

It is vital to prepare your pet in advance, especially if they are not accustomed to riding in the car. Give them time to adjust to the motion and see how they react. Some of them act just fine while others suffer from anxiety. Take them with you when running short errands a month in advance leading up to your departure. Start with short trips and then slowly stretch to longer rides.

2. Know the Laws of Travelling With Your Pet

Before you set out to travel, you should acquaint yourself with the laws of traveling with your pet. They may vary in different places, so you need to do a proper research. After all, you don’t want to get stuck with a hefty fine.

Ensure they have the right identification tags. Also get them microchipped as it can help you get reunited with them in case they get lost. You might be required to show your pet’s vaccination records or a certificate of health from your veterinarian. You can schedule a checkup a week before your planned trip. It will give you ample time to obtain copies of any paperwork you might be missing.

3. Build an Emergency Kit

Be prepared for anything when traveling with your pets. The emergency kit should include:

First aid supplies
Necessary paperwork
Extra water
Extra food
Medications your pets might be taking
A leash for your pets
Treats or toys

4. Proper Restraints

If you have time to wear a safety belt, why don’t you give your pet the same respect? They can create a safety risk for both of you if they cause a distraction while you’re driving, resulting in an accident. They should be on their leash when you stop for potty breaks. There are places with strict leash laws, so you don’t want to get in trouble.

5. Avoid Locking Your Dog in the Car

Never leave your pet unattended under no circumstances in the vehicle. You might find your window smashed by a Good Samaritan trying to rescue your pet. Other reasons might be because of the different seasons. It can get scorching in the interior of the vehicle during summer which can suffocate your pet. Temperatures can drop during winter hence making them freeze.

6. Prevent Tummy Troubles

Just like humans, pets do get carsick, especially if they travel right after a meal. You can feed them say 4 hours before going. Carry their water before hitting the road as unfamiliar water might upset their tummies.

7. Reserve Pet-Friendly Accommodations

If you plan on staying overnight, research on pet-friendly places on your route. You don’t want to get charged with extra fees or denied entry.

8. Keep Your Pets Entertained

Your pets might wind up getting restless if it’s a long journey. You should bring along their favorite toys and objects to keep them busy and entertained. You can stop at various points to let them out to stretch, but they should be on their leash.

9. Water, Food and Bathroom Breaks

If going on a long journey, it is essential to take breaks along the way. Stop and let your companions out to stretch. Never try feeding or giving water to them while in a moving vehicle. If it’s feeding time, give them time to digest.

10. Prepare for Carsickness

If your pet, especially a dog, is not used to road trips, it can get carsick. Therefore, consult your veterinarian to get the proper medication to help calm nausea.

It is a big responsibility to follow your pet’s safety tips, but at the end of it all, they are worth it. It can be fun with our four-legged members around. So, follow the above steps to have a comfortable and safe journey for everyone.

Do you have more information you think we should include in the list? Feel free to share in the comment box below.

Road trips with teens

March 28, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Anytime you travel with kids, you can expect a bit of work. Things that worked on your last trip might not work on your next one, especially if you will be traveling with a teen. This is also especially true if your travel includes hours upon hours of being in the car. Fine tuning travel with teens can be something that is tricky but especially when that travel will be in the car. A little bit of preparation can go a long way.

Driving

Depending on how old your teen is, learning to drive, or driving might be a segment of your itinerary. Don’t forget about that. Learning the ins and outs of driving can go a long way toward making sure that your teen is engaged while you are going down the road. If your teen has their learner’s permit or their license, make sure that you let them get behind the wheel… at least for a little while. Before you do that, though, make sure that they are listed on your auto insurance policy.

Involve Them

We all know that the best vacations are the ones that have something for everyone. Before you plan the itinerary for your trip, talk to your teen and find out what they would like to do. Traveling across the USA with kids can be more fun for them if they are involved. That doesn’t mean that you need to let them have complete control over the planning of the trip, though. Maybe they can help with narrowing down some of the possible activities or tours, choose a hotel, or even choose what roadside attractions you might stop to see. Giving them a say in the planning of the trip means that it will be more difficult for them to complain while you are on the trip.

Food

When you are traveling with teens on a road trip, you can really rack up the costs when it comes to eating. Kids can be picky, and finding a place to eat that you can all agree on can be a trial, too. However, if you have room in your vehicle for a cooler, you can alleviate this issue. Pack a cooler with somewhat healthy food that you guys can make meals out of or healthy snacks. Then, when you stop, it can be to see the sights as opposed to having to stop just to eat. This can save you money while also saving you time on the road.

Keep Them Charged

You can find internet access even when you are in remote locations nowadays. It might make sense to request that your teens take a breather from their iPods, phones, and other electronic devices, but taking those things completely away can mean wreaking havoc on your peace.

Keep Them Connected

Going a bit further with keeping them charged… Most teens are constantly messaging people or on social media sites such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. If they do this at home, it wouldn’t be right to all of a sudden change the rules while you are driving down the road. Allow them to communicate with their friends. If you made sure to do your homework before your trip, the chances will be good that they will be bragging about their trip or sharing photos from the trip.

Space to Pace

When you spend an entire day in the car, you will need to have a bit of time to stretch your legs. This is something that applies to all members of the family, not just the parents. Try to choose resorts or hotels where there will be space to pace after you guys have spent a grueling day on the road. Learning about the grounds of the property before you get there will let you know how much freedom you can give your teen while you are there. There are even some locations where the staff will get to know your child by sight and name, and this can give them even more freedom because they will all be watching out for them wherever they might wander off to.

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

Road-trip troubleshooting: when things go wrong on the road

July 25, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

I’ll admit it: I’ve run out of gas on the road during a family vacation. (I’ve also had a U-Haul trailer break down on me in the middle of the night in the middle of Washington State, but that’s another story.) It wasn’t much fun, and I’ll tell you what I wish I’d had at the time (both times): Allstate’s Good Hands Roadside Assistance.

Now I do (which as the laws of the universe dictate, means I’ll probably never be stranded again, right?). But the best part is, this Murphy’s Law guarantee of stress-free travel comes completely free: you don’t pay a dime for signing up for Allstate’s Roadside Assistance, and you never pay unless you use it. Regular readers of Pit Stops for Kids know that when we find a product that we find beneficial (and use ourselves) for traveling families, we promote it. Traveling with kids can be challenging enough at times, and we’re all about making it easier, more fun, and hassle-free, which is why you can sign up right here in this post. It takes about two minutes, and doesn’t require digging into your wallet or looking up any complicated personal information, I promise.

Of course, even once you have roadside assistance, it’s good to take practical measures to be prepared while on the road with kids. To that end, we always toss a few blankets and a small case of water bottles in the back of our vehicle (they come in handy during picnics and roadside stops), carry a spare tire and jump kit at all times, and bring car chargers for our cell phones. And ever since that day we ran out of gas, we take signs like this one (near California’s Death Valley) seriously:

Enjoy your summer, and safe travels! See you on the road!