The Talking Suitcase

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Europe Travel with Kids

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Lisbon, Portugal

April 10, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 2 Comments

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

Are you thinking of visiting Lisbon, Portugal? We loved our trip to Portugal’s capital city and highly recommend it as a destination for your next European vacation. The charming cobbled streets, brightly colored, tiled buildings, fantastic food and breathtaking views are just a few of the reasons Lisbon should be on your bucket list. If visiting for the first time, we put together a list of 10 things to know before visiting Lisbon.  We’re sure you’ll fall in the love just like we have.

Don’t miss our post on things to do in Lisbon.  We guide you though 16+ adventures such as where to find the panoramic view points, visiting a castle and palaces, eating delectable Portuguese tarts, and riding the famous wooden tram.  We also share some great restaurant recommendations.

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Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Portugal Tagged With: lisbon

Charles and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea: A Family Friendly London Tea House

April 5, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 1 Comment

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

London Tea House

Having afternoon tea is something that everyone should experience when visiting the UK and there are no shortage of places to indulge in the tradition. Our first family afternoon tea adventure was at the Chesterfield Mayfair hotel in London, England. After scouring the web for some of the best locations to have tea with kids, we decided the Charles and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea was the perfect family friendly London tea house. What kids (even “cool” teenage boys) don’t love all things Wonka?

We arrived at the beautiful Chesterfield Mayfair hotel and were immediately greeted by a smiling doorman and escorted to the restaurant. After providing our name, we were whisked to our table in the sunny conservatory. The Wonka fun started immediately as we were presented with mini bottles of fizzy lifting drink with brightly colored straws. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the drink (too sweet) but Derrick and the kids loved it.

London Tea House

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Filed Under: England, Destinations, Foodie, Europe Travel with Kids, Kids Travel Picks Tagged With: London

16 Awesome Things to do in Lisbon with Teens and Tweens Plus Lisboa Card Review

April 3, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 2 Comments

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

Lisbon, Portugal had been on our bucket list for years and we FINALLY got the chance to check it off a few weeks ago! This captivating city with it’s arched yellow buildings and perfect blend of modernization, history and tradition make it the ideal European destination. I can’t believe it took us so long to visit! As we discovered during our holiday, there were a ton of things to do in Lisbon with teens.  Taking selfies from panoramic view points, visiting a castle and palaces, eating delectable Portuguese tarts, and riding the famous wooden tram were just a few of the adventures that awaited us.

Originally we wanted do a 1-2 week roadtrip through the country, but couldn’t work it into our schedule.  Instead, we spent 5 nights in Lisbon and would return in a heartbeat. The city was beautiful with so much to see in the surrounding areas that our short visit didn’t allow nearly enough time. Good thing there are direct flights from the USA. We’re already talking about a return trip!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Portugal

Travel to Normandy, France & Teach Kids the Importance of D-Day

February 26, 2018 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.

You can’t visit Northern France and not take time to reflect on the history and sacrifices made during the Battle of Normandy. Codenamed Operation Overlord, 156,000 American, Canadian and British forces landed on five beaches of the heavily fortified Normandy coast on  June 6, 1944. During the October school holiday, we decided to travel to Normandy, France and let the kids learn more about the importance of D-Day than they could ever get from their history books.

It was difficult to stand on the beautiful beaches of the French coast and imagine the Allies landing along this stretch of pristine sand.  Walking along the shoreline after visiting the museums, bunkers and cemeteries helped put the battle into perspective.

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

Your Passport to the Nice Carnaval Parade of Lights Plus Fun Activities for Kids!

February 19, 2018 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.

The King of Space has come to Nice!

After the sun goes down, Place Massena comes to life. 17 decorated Carnaval floats light up the night sky, music blares, and over 1,000 dancers & musicians from around the world parade through the streets. This year, on day one, we joined in the fun at the Nice Carnaval Parade of Lights – always a spectacular event on the Cote d’Azur.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Kids Travel Picks, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Festivals/Carnivals 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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