The Talking Suitcase

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Destinations

Things to Do With Kids in Costa Brava, Spain

July 2, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 19 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Things to Do with Kids in Catalunya, Spain

Several villages in the Costa Brava region of Spain have worked hard to obtain the Family Tourist Destination seal of the Catalan Tourism Agency.  This designation means you will find accommodations, eating establishments and services tailored for families.  This makes traveling to these family tourist destinations easier and more enjoyable for both parents and children.  Kid’s club on the beach anyone?

We visited seven Family Tourist coastal destinations during our tour of Costa Brava.  There are many activities for families in the area and we just touched the surface of the things to do with kids.

The Official Family Destinations in Costa Brava are:

  • Blanes
  • Lloret de Mar
  • Sant Feliu de Guíxols
  • Sant Antoni de Calonge
  • Platja d’Aro
  • L’Estartit
  • Roses

Things to Do With Kids in Costa Brava, Spain:

Blanes

Our tour started at the southernmost coastal village of Blanes. Blanes is the gateway to Costa Brava, situated between Barcelona and Girona.  The picturesque landscapes and fishing boats dotting the cove make it the perfect spot to start a family adventure in España.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Kids Travel Picks, Europe Travel with Kids, Spain, Destinations Tagged With: Costa Brava Spain

Best Places to Visit in Scotland with Teens: Ultimate Roadtrip Guide

March 26, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

It’s difficult for me to find the right words to describe the rugged beauty of the Scottish countryside, the friendliness of it’s people and the power of countless looming castles to transport you straight into the past. It’s a country where movies and photos can’t accurately portray the way the light shines through the trees, the way the rain glistens off the grass or the excitement of finding puffins nestled on the cliffs.  The best way to experience Scotland and truly see the lush and changing landscapes is by car. We’ve put together the ultimate road trip guide and include the best places to visit in Scotland. While I could definitely return again and again, we covered a lot of ground in our 2 week journey and hope to inspire your visit.

Best Places to Visit in Scotland

Our favorite area of Scotland is the highlands.  The landscape is rugged, green, boundless and most of all, stunning. It’s a sharp contrast to the bustling city of Edinburgh where modern and old world charm merge.

If you find yourself limited on time or just want to relax and enjoy some of the countries unique heritage, we’d suggest not missing the following:

  • Edinburgh
  • Inveraray Castle
  • Oban – pretty seaside village and tasty fish and chips
  • Edinbane – see Fairy Pools on the way
  • Durness – you can’t miss the puffins!
  • Glamis Castle
  • Stirling Castle

While these aren’t the only spots on our list of the best places to visit in Scotland, they are our top picks.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe Travel with Kids, Road Trip Planning Tagged With: UK, Scotland

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

December 18, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 12 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
{Pin It}

Whether your visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the first time or you’re a local, making the most out of your Busch Gardens trip will help you see and experience all the park has to offer.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is more than your typical amusement park. It has been voted the “World’s Most Beautiful Park” every year since 1990.   Take time to enjoy the landscape or you’ll miss out on what sets Busch Gardens apart from other theme parks in the US.

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Arrival:

First, don’t wait in line to purchase your tickets.  Buy your tickets online before you go, redeem at the kiosk (when required) and head right into the park.  Even better?  You can take advantage of Busch Gardens discount coupons to help you save more on your trip.

If you’re planning to visit for multiple days, you may want to consider a seasons pass, at least for one adult.  The hefty parking fee of $15 can add up quickly if you don’t have a seasons pass!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Virginia, Amusement & Water Parks, North America, Destinations

15 Things To Know Before Visiting Rome

November 24, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 46 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Tips for Visiting Rome

Rome was once the largest, wealthiest, most powerful city in the Western world. It’s no wonder that today Rome is packed with countless historical landmarks, museums and over 900 churches.

While I loved the history and culture of Rome, I will admit that the city takes some getting used to.  Rome is loud, dirty and seems to be bursting at the seams with the mass of people living in and visiting the ancient city.

I needed a lot of downtime to adjust to the hustle and bustle.  We would venture out to see the fascinating historical sights then pull back to decompress in a quiet quieter spot like a small piazza, park or even back at our apartment.  I think I needed the breaks just as much as the kids did on this trip!

If you’re planning to visit the highly popular capital of Italy, I’ve put together a list of 15 things you should know before visiting.

Things To Know Before Visiting Rome:

Rooftops of Rome
Rooftops of Rome

1. Kids under the age of 10 ride the metro for FREE. If you’re traveling with children, you don’t need to pay for them to use public transportation!  This can add up to a nice savings when traveling with children.

2. Speaking of public transport, you need to purchase tickets prior to boarding.  Purchase from the tabacchi (tobacco shop), select supermarkets or kiosks at the metro and train stations. We purchased tickets at the same time we grabbed an Italian SIM card. You can’t purchase tickets while on the bus or metro.

Since tickets aren’t considered in use until validated, you can purchase tickets in advance, then validate them (in the yellow machines) when you need to use the transportation.  Tickets are valid for 75 minutes, so you can change buses within that time frame.  You can also use the same ticket for the metro and bus.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Italy Tagged With: Rome Italy, Italy

Sesame Place Tips & Tricks – What to Know Before You Go!

September 15, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Sesame Street Place

The family-focused amusement park, Sesame Place, is located just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The entire park is based on the popular Sesame Street television show (currently on season 47!)   Sesame Street Place is home to a variety of dry and water attractions, shows, food, character meetings and shopping.  It’s a hit with young fans of the lovable characters such as Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

For those experiencing the joys of Sesame Street, come to life, for the first time, we’ve put together some Sesame Place tips & tricks to help make your trip a success.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Pennsylvania, Sesame Place, Destinations, North America, Amusement & Water Parks, Kids Travel Picks

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. Planning a great trip shouldn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling travel forums, watching videos, and sorting through conflicting opinions online.

I've spent years exploring the world with my husband and our two kids, and those experiences shape how I help clients plan their own vacations. Together, we've visited 48 countries across four continents and spent nearly four years living in France.

Whether you're planning a European itinerary, a cruise vacation, an all-inclusive resort stay, or a family getaway, I'll help you sort through the options and create a trip that works for your travel style, interests, and budget. Read More…

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