The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

Europe Travel with Kids

48 Hours in Innsbruck, Austria {And Why That Wasn’t Long Enough}

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Things to do in Innsbruck, Austria with Kids

I fell in love with Innsbruck within minutes of stepping off the train. My jaw dropped when the spectacular and imposing Alps came into view as we walked towards our hotel.

The stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings in the Old Town offer some insight into the diverse and prosperous history of the city.

We happened upon Innsbruck by chance. The stars must have aligned, so I wouldn’t miss out on such an incredible city. When planning our route from Munich to Verona, we noticed a train change in a city called Innsbruck.  Since we would be stopping anyway, why not check another country off our list?

We managed to squeeze 2 nights in Innsbruck into our summer journey.  Had I realized the love we would develop for the area, I would have allowed for more time.

Beautiful row homes located in the historical Mariahilf District (Mariahilfstrasse) along the Inn River
Beautiful row homes located in the historical Mariahilf District along the Inn River

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4 Questions to Consider When Visiting Paris with Kids

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Paris France Kids

Visiting Paris, France with kids can bring about several issues if you’re not prepared.  Paris isn’t about amusement parks, beach days and water sports. There is history, delicious food and museums.  While it’s definitely a great place to visit as an adult, kids can have a great time too.  Below are 4 things we had to consider when making the decision to take our 2 kids to Paris.

4 Questions to Consider Vising Paris France Kids:

How will you get around the city?

Paris is large, over 2 million people live in the city and the metro area is over 6,600 square miles – that’s a lot of territory! Paris is home to an extensive subway system, has countless bus routes, and is a central hub for commuter and long-haul trains arriving from all over France as well as other European countries. Taxis, tourist hop-on hop-off buses, river cruises, and rental cars are other modes of transportation available.

While it may be very tempting to rent a car, parking and driving in the city of lights is not always an easy task. When visiting some of the cities highlights you’ll likely have to pay quite a bit to park and still end up walking a long distance. If your plan is to remain in the city itself, public transportation is the best option. However, if you plan to visit other areas of France renting a car may make more sense if you’re not a fan of trains.

Where will you stay?

Taking a trip to Paris can be extremely costly and it might seem like a great way to save money by booking a hotel or apartment on the edges of the city, or even in a Paris suburb. If you have older children, are comfortable navigating public transportation, or have a car this may be a complete non-issue. But with smaller children who may need a nap in the middle of the day or for a short stay this could cause more headaches than it’s worth.

Map out what you would like to see and do first, and then select accommodations that are central to these things. It will make your stay more enjoyable and allow you to spend more time doing the things you want to instead of sitting on the bus.  This is one of the reasons my family chose a France Rental Apartment in the center of Paris instead of out-of-the-way lodging.

Is my child old enough to enjoy and participate in this activity?

There’s no shortage of things to do and see in Paris. From strolling through the Louvre to taking in the breathtaking architecture of Notre Dame, walking up the Champs E’lysses or wandering through Jardin Saint Germain, it’s impossible to be bored. Unless you’re a toddler.

Encourage your family to brainstorm together some ideas for things to do and see. If you’ve got little ones, go easy on the museums- after awhile the novelty will wear off for them. Keep in mind some “free time” like visiting one of Paris’ parks like Parc de la Villette that includes an enormous dragon slide! There are plenty of kid-friendly guided tours offered, loads of beautiful gardens to let them run, and a science and children’s museum that will keep them intrigued.

We made an agreement with my kids ages 7 and 10.  Mommy and Daddy get to do something we want to do then you get to do something you want to do.  It worked out well for us, most of the time.

What will they eat?

If you have a picky eater this is likely to be the number one question you’re asking. The French do not do child friendly menus of chicken nuggets and frite (fries). While you’re likely to be able to find something that appeals to them like a pizzeria or grilled chicken, this can be difficult.

Unlike in the United States where food is largely available only in large markets, in Paris you’ll find food shops around every corner. Fruit, fresh bread, yogurts, cheeses and everything in between is easy to purchase and make into a meal. You can gather the things you need and have an impromptu picnic!  That is the Parisian way after all.

Let the kids pick out fruits and other goodies from the market themselves. They may be more inclined to try something that they picked out.  You’d also be surprised how a simple “Bonjour!” from a child to the vendor can result in free cherries and cut up apricot!  The French are big on attempting to speak their language and they love kids (especially when they are polite!)

See the Mission Paris: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure book for more Paris France with kids tips.

Do you have other tips for visiting Paris, France with Kids?

Top 10 Tips to Save Money Visiting France

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

Save Money Visiting France

A visit to France, and specifically Paris, is the trip of a lifetime for many people. While it’s true that it is an expensive place to visit, there are several ways you can make your euro go further. Here are ten ideas to save money visiting France to get you started!

10 Tips to Save Money Visiting France:

1. Rent an Apartment. Hotel prices are sometimes exorbitant but there are plenty of people who rent their apartments out for visitors. This is a great way to save not only the initial cost of housing, but to also save money when it comes to food.  This is why we chose a France rental apartment instead of a hotel.

2. Eat in. While it can be incredibly tempting to eat out every meal while you’re in such a food mecca, but the cost of feeding a family is high. If you plan to eat every meal in a restaurant you could easily spend 150E or more a day on meals. Instead opt for breakfast in or grab a few items for a picnic dinner.

3. Fixed Price Lunch. If you’re going to eat a meal out, make it lunch where you’ll be able to get more for your money. Most places offer a fixed price lunch & dinner (plat du jour), where for 12-15E you get a 3 course set meal (with wine included). Ordering ala carte off the menu will cost you a bit more but lunch is still the best value meal of the day.  This is also the freshest food – usually straight from the market!  And let me tell you, it’s fabulous!

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Current London Pass Promo Code {Plus Why Buy the London Museum Pass}

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

Looking to buy a London Pass online to save time and money?  We will continually update this page each time a new London Pass promo code is available.    We want to make it easy for you to save money while visiting one of our favorite cities.

This post is updated each time a new coupon is available.

London Pass Promo Code Offers:

Tower Bridge with Shard in the background

Why Buy the London Museum Pass:

The London Pass® is the ultimate sightseeing package that has been especially tailor-made for visitors to the city. It gives holders the ability to make the most out of their trip visiting top sights and attractions whilst saving time, money and stress.

There are 4 durations to choose from (2, 3, 5 or 7 credits package) and you have 60 days to use the credits. One attraction = 1 credit. The more you purchase, the more you save.

The key benefits of The London Pass are:

You’ll not only save up to 39% on attraction admission; you’ll also be able to skip-the-line at select attractions. All your entry tickets will be on one easy-to-download pass, making organizing your trip extra convenient.

Some of the included attractions:

  • Tower of London
  • Kensington Palace
  • London Zoo
  • Thames River Cruise
  • St. Pauls Cathedral
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition
  • Westminster Abbey
  • and more!

In addition to the attractions included in the pass, a great benefit of the London Pass is the Fast Track Entry privileges. This allows you to skip to the front of the queue at selected popular attractions to save hours standing in line!

Buy a London Pass online and save money and time!  Have your London Pass shipped to your home or choose to pick it up in London.

Looking for ideas during your visit?  See the top family attractions in London.   Many are even included in our London Pass.

Have you found another London Pass promo code we can add to the list?  Leave a comment.

At Thornbury Castle England You Can Be a Princess for a Night (Stay in a Castle in England!)

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

stay-in-a-castle-in-england

Have you ever dreamed of staying in a real-life castle?

When planning our road trip through England, I made it my mission to include spending the night in a castle. What little girl wouldn’t want to be a Princess for a day? Okay, and maybe her mom too!  It’s like a fairytale come true! During an extensive search on where to stay in a castle in England, I stumbled upon the Thornbury Castle England Hotel and knew it was the perfect place for my family.  We chose to spend two nights here.  I wanted us to experience everything the castle had to offer without being rushed for time.

Driving up, the entire family was alive with nervous anticipation.  Even my moody preteen had a hard time containing his excitement.   Coming through the gates and around the bend, the imposing castle loomed into view. You can almost imagine what it was like for the noblemen and commoners of the 1500’s.   It’s astonishing to think that a Duke built this as his home.

 

 

In addition to checking the big castle box, Thornbury Castle is an ideal luxury hotel for families. It boasts 15 acres of grounds and gardens, perfect for kids to run around. Youngsters can even try their hand at archery or croquet. Mine had a blast with the bow and arrow in the company of two other kids also staying at the castle.  K had done a bit of archery in cub scouts, so he hit the mark every time, once he got warmed up. Simply ask at reception to have the games set up. The staff was more than happy to accommodate the kids needs.

K & Lucy loved running around and playing hide & seek in the walled garden. The Yew trees made ideal hiding places. Had it not been so chilly at the time of our visit, the gardens would have been the perfect place to have a picnic. While in the gardens, take a moment to look for the holes in the stone wall. Bees used to be kept here as honey was the main source of sugar.

 

Our guest room, the Portleathen, was a quintessential castle retreat. The bedchamber included a massive four-poster bed – fit for a queen.  I could have spent an entire day just lounging around in it. I almost did, until Derrick forced me to get up, so we could explore. The brute!  The bed enveloped you like a cocoon with a downy soft mattress and fluffy pillows. The master also included a flat-screen TV, plenty of closet space, and a dressing table. Our window looked right out to the incredible ORIGINAL Tudor chimneys.  They are over 12 ft high,  still in working order AND said to be the finest in the world.

 

The bathroom was large and included a great tub that Lucy took full advantage of both nights. The provided shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion were lovely.  I would have liked a bit more water pressure in the shower, but getting to look at the lovely old faucet made up for it.  The bathroom had an old-world feel with modern conveniences.

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