The Talking Suitcase

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Kids Travel Picks

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

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

Scavenger Hunt Adventures Series Book Review

May 28, 2015 by Dana Zeliff

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

Scavenger Hunt Adventures Review

As anyone that travels with kids knows, keeping the little ones interested and engaged while sightseeing can be a daunting task.  My kids enjoy architecture and exploring the twists and turns of new cities, but like most kids, their attention span is limited.

When I was approached about reviewing the Scavenger Hunt Adventures series, I was intrigued but a little skeptical.  Could a book really help keep my kids excited about sightseeing?

What are Scavenger Hunt Adventures?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Kids Travel Picks, Giveaways

Carnaval Nice 2015 – Your Ultimate Guide to Nice Carnival, France

March 29, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 29 Comments

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

Nice Carnival Tips

The Nice Carnival or Carnaval de Nice is one of the largest carnivals in the world. Each year, approximately 1 million visitors flock to this winter event along the Côte d’Azur.  During the 17 day’s of Carnival,  Nice is brimming with people from all over the world enjoying the parades, beach and great food.

History:

Carnaval de Nice can be traced back to 1294. Before fasting for lent,  the people of Nice would celebrate by attending masquerades and indulging in rich cuisine. The celebrations also included mocking of everything and everyone while hiding behind disguises of masks and costumes.

In 1873, the 1st parade was introduced along with “Ymagiers” (image producers), a structured production and paying stands.   Just three years later, the 1st Flower Parade or Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers) emerged.   Although the Nice Carnival has changed over the years, it still retains some of it’s original grandeur, big head construction and peculiarity.

Each year,  the modern carnival boosts a new theme. The 2015 theme was King of Music and the 2016 theme will be King of Media.  I’m anxious to see updates as the Carnavaliers create new floats for the upcoming Carnival.  The attention to detail on the floats is phenomenal!

Where:

The Carnival Parades and Parades of Lights take place around Place Masséna.  The Flower Parades take place on the Promenade des Anglais. These locations are in the city center,  near Old Town.  As a tourist, it’s easy to find the locations – just look for the bleachers!  You can find a map of the parade locations through the Tourism office or online. This is a handy map to pick up, and will help you stake out your parade spot in advance.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Festivals/Carnivals, Destinations, Europe Travel with Kids, Kids Travel Picks, France Tagged With: Travel in Nice, Nice France

Visiting Monaco Aquarium with Kids

March 12, 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.

Visiting Monaco Aquarium with Kids


The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Monaco Aquarium) is a fun activity for kids when visiting Monaco.

Dating back to 1910, the Museum Aquarium is one of the oldest in the world. Prince Albert I created the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to study the collections brought back from his expeditions. It has evolved into an aquarium for visitors to interact with live fish and invertebrate specimens as well as a museum to learn about early oceanographic research.

Monaco Aquarium
Look down when you enter the museum

 

aquarium monaco net

Entering the Monaco Aquarium, you are immediately standing in a massive foyer with regal staircases on each side. Keep walking forward and enter a room enclosed in a huge metal net. You kind of feel like a little fish trapped inside a fishing net.

Aquarium Monaco Presentation

Don’t miss the presentation on Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystems to the right on the main floor. It’s a nice video with vivid depictions of underwater ecosystems on a huge screen. We were lucky enough to walk in near the beginning of the English presentation. You know, understanding what they are saying is pretty important if you want to actually learn something 😉 It was a nice way to start the tour of the museum and to rest for a bit after having spent the morning wandering around the village.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Kids Travel Picks, Europe Travel with Kids, Monaco, Aquariums, Museums & Zoos, Destinations Tagged With: Day Trips from 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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