Europe Travel with Kids

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.

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.

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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.

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Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

December 31, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 17 Comments

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

Christmas in Vienna is magical. Glittering lights are strung throughout the streets and Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city. During our visit we wanted a unique experience in the Imperial capital. After researching Vienna tours, we determined a Vienna Christmas Market Food Tour with Context Travel would be perfect for our family. I expected a Vienna food tour to be fun and educational for the kids, but eating our way through the Christmas Market turned out to be unforgettable.

Our tour took place on our last evening in Vienna. After warming up at the hotel following our morning explorations, we donned another layer of socks before venturing out in the snow to try Viennese cuisine. Some of these regional dishes are only available during the holiday season.

The Christmas Village in the Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH ended up being one of our favorites. The market is held in the green space of the former general hospital, now the campus for the social sciences & humanities of the University of Vienna. It’s a smaller market than some of the others in Vienna, giving it a cozy feeling and creating a perfect venue for families. I’m told this is also a great area to visit during the warmer months, with outdoor cafes dotting the grounds.

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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.

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:

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.

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Why Rent a Car in Edinburgh with Auto Europe Vs Other Forms of Transportation in Scotland

August 6, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 6 Comments

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

Road tripping around Scotland was a fantastic experience for the entire family! We started our 16 day adventure touring the city of Edinburgh before picking up our rental car booked through Auto Europe and hitting the open road. So why rent a car in Edinburgh with Auto Europe vs other forms of transportation in Scotland? The answer is easy – you get to see so much more of the country! While I love public transport in Europe and enjoy taking the occasional guided tour, having ultimate control over where to stop, how long to stay and what to do made the trip more enjoyable and relaxed. You can’t make an impromptu 2 hour hike to find puffins if a coach full of other travelers is waiting for you!

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