The Talking Suitcase

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Destinations

Finding Inspiration at Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny, France

November 23, 2017 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

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

Visiting Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny, France is a must. We stopped as part of a 2 week roadtrip through Northern France, but it would also be a perfect day trip from Paris. Escape the busy city and find inspiration at Monet’s House and Gardens. Visitors can tour the two gardens, as well as the house, to gain a sense of the daily life of the complex painter.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations Tagged With: Paris France, Normandy France

Sesame Place Amusement Park Must See Attractions

August 1, 2017 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

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

Sesame Place Amusement Park

Sesame Place Amusement Park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania has 11 dry rides plus a clubhouse and play areas as well as 9 wet rides. The park is fairly small, so it’s possible to see everything in one day, assuming the lines aren’t too long.

Since Sesame Place is designed with little ones in mind, most of the rides are gentle enough for toddlers. However, there are a few rides that will please older kids as well.  We’ve listed all the rides below and put asterisks next to the rides your children won’t want to to miss.

[Read more…]

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

Discovering the Best Coffee in Nice, France Sip By Sip

July 20, 2017 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

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

best coffee in Nice

With so many cafes and restaurants in Nice, it’s hard to separate the good from the bad, the worthy from the unworthy. Vacation time is precious, money should be well spent and I’m here to help you with that, at least where coffee is concerned! I’ve drank A LOT of it in Nice, usually going out at least once per week, if not more. There are some spots I go back to repeatedly with friends, and other places I’ve vowed never to set foot in ever again. To help visitors to my city, I put together a list of favorite coffee spots in Nice.

And it’s not just my opinion that went into the compilation of this list, but also the opinion of friends whose nationalities include Aussie, Nigerian, British, American, and French. I also searched online to find spots to try that other travelers and locals recommend.

For this list, I’ve targeted the Old Town and surrounding areas. Besides location, price was also a factor. You shouldn’t have to overpay for a good cup of coffee in France – unless the view is worth it. And even then, it better be good!!

Before sharing my favorite coffee spots, I want to share a few types of coffee in France.

  • Un Café is an espresso. This is a shot of espresso in a small cup.
  • Une Noisette is an espresso with a little bit of milk. It’s served in the same size cup as a café.
  • Un Café Crème is essentially a cappuccino but the word Cappuccino is actually Italian. In Nice you’ll typically see cappuccino listed on the menu (we are right next to Italy). If not, look for Café Crème. Café Crème is an espresso with foamed milk on the top served in a large bowl cup.
  • Un Café Americain is the closest you will get to typical American style filter coffee but they won’t just bring you milk or cream with it. Occasionally, a pot of hot water is delivered to your table with the cup to allow you to further dilute the espresso.  Also note, there are no free refills.
  • Un Café au lait is a large coffee with milk added.
  • Un déca is a decaf espresso.

The French typically only drink a milky version of coffee (such as Café au lait) with breakfast. For the rest of the day, it’s a café.  You also won’t find a lot of places offering coffee to-go or à emporter. The French like to sit and relax while drinking their coffee.

I still have more cafes to visit, but for now, these are my picks for the best coffee in Nice.

cappuccino

Brulerie des Cafes Indien
35 Rue Pairolière

Here they roast their own beans and the delectable scent of coffee wafts through the streets of Old Town. They also serve huge croissants, so it’s a nice spot for a quick and tasty breakfast to go with your coffee as well.

Closed Sunday and Monday.

cappuccino at Déli Bo

Déli Bo
5 Rue Bonaparte

Good coffee and tasty treats makes Déli Bo a great coffee spot. Sometimes we even buy a bag of the mini cookies that are served along side the coffee.  If you’re hungry, the mini croissants are also yummy.  I’ve heard it’s a good spot for lunch as well, but I haven’t eaten here yet.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Foodie, Destinations Tagged With: Travel in Nice

The Perfect Florence, Italy Holiday with Kids

June 18, 2017 by Dana Zeliff 5 Comments

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

Family Travel Florence

From the very first glance, Florence lay claim to the title of “my favorite European city”. It might actually be my favorite city – period.  While the Renaissance city may not seem like an ideal family destination, kids will be awed by the art, architecture, gardens and food.  And it’s no wonder, Florence is simply magical- the light casting a warm golden glow on the decorative buildings, the tantalizing smell of traditional Tuscan cuisine wafting through the air and the laughter of children as they romp about the square.  It all sets the stage for a fabulous Florence, Italy holiday with kids.

When visiting a destination such a Florence, with kids in tow, it’s particularly important to not jet off on a whirlwind cultural tour of the city. Plan a slower paced experience mixing in cultural, kid-friendly attractions with plenty of downtime to roam unhurried.  Even include unexpected stops for pizza and the ever important gelato!

Our family-friendly Florence itinerary should provide a wide range of options for kids of all ages.  Chat about the vast history and have kids point out interesting things they see.

Florence, Italy Holiday

View from above

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Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Italy

See the Best Nice, France Attractions in One Day

June 14, 2017 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

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

Nice France in One Day

Nice, France is the perfect spot to experience the French Riviera lifestyle.  As the 5th largest city in France, it has the small city charm but with big city amenities. If you only have one day, you’ll be able to explore a great deal of the Nice, France Attractions.

While one day isn’t nearly long enough to explore everything in Nice and the surrounding areas, our list of what to see in Nice in one day will ensure you hit the highlights. We tried to leave enough time for you to enjoy a leisurely lunch, stop at a café, browse the shops, relax in the park or swim at the beach. A few extra ideas are also included just in case you breeze through our list quicker than expected.

Keep reading to see how to fit in the best Nice, France attractions in one day.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations Tagged With: Nice France, Travel in Nice

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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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