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Destinations

LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort in Germany {Tips & Adventures for LEGO Fun}

September 4, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 24 Comments

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

LEGOLAND Deutschland Tips

Just a two hour train ride from Munich lies the town of Günzburg.   Here you will find LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort, one of six LEGOLAND locations around the world! It’s a child’s dream adventure in the playful world of LEGO’s.

The German LEGOLAND Resort offers more than 50 attractions catering specifically to children ages 3- 12.  Not that older kids and grown-ups wouldn’t love it, too! There are plenty of rides, attractions, shows and LEGO models to please all age groups.

Fun Fact: The park used more than 55 million LEGO bricks to assemble the thousands of unique models throughout the park!

LEGOLAND Deutschland

After getting off the train, we boarded a shuttle bus to take us to LEGOLAND.  It’s only a 9 minute ride from the station.  As we rounded a bend, the LEGOLAND entrance came into view. There were collective ooh’s and ahhh’s from all the kids onboard.  I wish I had my video camera out to record their moment of amazement!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Kids Travel Picks, Europe Travel with Kids, Amusement & Water Parks, Destinations, Germany Tagged With: Munich Germany, Germany

Savoring International & Dutch Cuisine in Amsterdam with Kids {Amsterdam Food Tour Review}

August 13, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 25 Comments

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

Where to Eat in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a melting pot, home to 176 different nationalities. With all this ethnicity, it’s no wonder the food is incredible.  You can taste authentic Dutch cuisine or sample dishes from around the globe without the hassle of another plane trip.

While it’s true that Amsterdam is a hotspot for food enthusiasts, it is also a tourist mecca. This influx in tourism means that a significant number of dining establishments are sub-par and cater to the ever present flow of travelers. Having been in Amsterdam for several days before our food tour, I can attest to the wide range of mediocre dining establishments.

Navigating the great food spots in Amsterdam is best left to the professionals. That’s why I was pleased to hook up with Eating Amsterdam Tours, to learn the ins and outs of where to dine and what to eat while visiting this bustling city.

History of Amsterdam
Old warehouse in Amsterdam. A pulley on the top of the building was once used to haul up goods.

Our local guide led us through the Jordaan neighborhood, commenting on local sights and history, then delivering us to our  food rendezvous. We were filled up with both tantalizing dishes and knowledge that you just can’t get on your own.  Did you know the Dutch used to eat tulip bulbs?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Netherlands, Destinations, Foodie Tagged With: Netherlands, Amsterdam Netherlands

Soaring Through the Sky in Châtel, France {Fantasticable Review}

July 20, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 3 Comments

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

Fantasticable Review Chatel, France

If your travels take you anywhere near Châtel, France, give this means of transportation a try! Take a flight with Fantasticable.  Of course you won’t be going far, but strapped comfortably into a harness,  you’ll soar over the hamlet of Plaine Dranse at a height of more than 200 meters, seeing the sights from a different perspective.  It is a exhilarating experience with breathtaking views that should not be missed.

As part of K’s 11th birthday celebration, my family went on Fantasticable rides.  K and Derrick each rode alone while Lucy (8) and I rode double.  She was just at the weight mark to ride by herself, but we wanted to experience the thrill together and, to be honest, we were a little chicken to fly solo!

Kids all geared up and ready to soar.
Kids all geared up and ready to soar.

The first line is 1257 m (4124 ft) long and 150 m (492 ft) high.  Adventurers go between 80 and 100km/h (50 – 62 mph), depending on the weight of the passenger and the wind conditions.  Since Lucy and I rode tandem, I figure our combined weight had us going closer to the 62 mph mark!

The second line is the longest and highest of the two – 1323 m (4341 ft) long and 240 m (787 ft) high.  The maximum speed is 120km/h (75 mph).

Derrick getting locked into his harness waiting for the countdown.
Derrick getting locked into his harness ready to fly.

It’s an incredible experience!  The ride is smooth, but the wind whipping by your ears as you fly through the air will keep your heart pumping.

K made a video of his adventure.  Watching him soar over the mountain beats the written word at describing this thrill.

Can’t see the video? Click HERE

Rates:
36€ per person

Restrictions:
Weight must be between 35 and 120kg but can vary depending on wind conditions.

Access:
Use the Pierre-Longue then the Rochassons chair lifts.  You will see the building to get weighed and your gear to the left once you exit the final lift.  Make sure to purchase your tickets at the base of the mountain.

Website:
http://www.fantasticable.com/chatel_anglais.php

Mom and Lucy on Fantasticable
Mom and Lucy on Fantasticable

 

K flying with Fantasticable
K flying with Fantasticable

We would love to hear about your experience with Fantasticable or similar zip line companies.

Don’t miss our article on things to do with kids in Châtel, France for more fun ideas.

Where to Zip Line in Chatel, France

Disclosure:  Our experience was courteous of Châtel Tourism.  As always, all options are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe Travel with Kids, Kids Travel Picks, France Tagged With: Châtel France

Best Places to Eat in Costa Brava, Spain – A Gastronomers Paradise

June 29, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 19 Comments

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

Best places to Eat in Costa, Brava Spain (mussels image)

We spent 2 weeks in Costa Brava and dined on some of the most incredible food – EVER!

Costa Brava  covers 2,272 square miles and is comprised of many different villages.  Each village offers a unique coast and gastronomic experience for tourists.  It’s not surprising that many of the dishes come from the sea, but the greater Catalunya area is also famous for vegetables, beef and wine.  This gives the chefs plenty of local ingredients as a palette from which to create their culinary masterpieces.

We visited the seven Official Family Holiday Destinations along the coast and ate at a restaurant in every village and sometimes two. Each restaurant has the Family Tourist Destination seal of the Catalan Tourism Agency, so you know that the restaurants you wish to dine at welcome children, have children’s menus and have highchairs for the little ones.

Now, that is not to say these restaurants are like Red Robin in the states, teaming with screaming toddlers.  All of these restaurants would be perfect for singles or a couple.  They all just welcome children and make accommodations for families.

Best Places to Eat in Costa Brava, Spain:

I initially intended to do one large post and write about all seven of the restaurants at which we dined.  As it turns out, that made for an extremely long article.  Click the links below to read a dedicated article on each restaurant.   Be prepared, you will be drooling after reading the first one!

El Ventall Restaurant in Blanes

We started our culinary journey from the Southern most village of Costa Brava in Blanes.  El Ventall Restaurant is conveniently located between Blanes and Lloret de Mar serving high quality food using seasonal, local ingredients.

scallops at El Ventall

Read all about our experience at El Ventall Restaurant in Blanes.

[Read more…]

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

Restaurant Sódemar – Cooking, Tasting & Learning About Catalan Cuisine

June 26, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 12 Comments

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

Restaurant Sodemar Review

Restaurant Sódemar in Roses

For the last meal of our Costa Brava food extravaganza, we dined at Restaurant Sódemar in Roses.  Roses is the Northern most village that is part of the Costa Brava family holiday destinations.  Keep a look out for the “Family Tourism” logo displayed in the entrance of establishments.  You know these locations have services that are especially designed with families in mind.  It just makes traveling with kids a little easier!

[easy-image-collage id=1439]

Restaurant Sódemar is located at the water’s edge in the village of Roses.  It’s the perfect location for dining with a view. If you have a boat, you can dock at the pier and enjoy a waterside meal.

We were treated to a superb meal and an excellent wine selection as we concluded our culinary journey.  We learned all about the local food and libations and were were given a lesson on cooking paella as we watched the chef prepare our meal.

[Read more…]

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

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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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