The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

5 Unique London Experiences to Have with Kids

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

London is known for it’s history and famous landmarks, but there is more to the city than Big Ben and Tower Bridge.  We’ve put together a list of 5 unique London experiences to try on your next visit.  Encounter some of TV’s most lovable characters, take in sweeping views of the city, and enjoy delicious food and afternoon tea. Experience a different side of London with kids on your next holiday.

Take a Trip to the Kingdom of Far Far Away:

Lucy at DreamWorks-Tours Shrek’s Adventure

DreamWorks Tours: Shrek’s Adventure is a unique experience that combines live shows and special effects. Let Donkey take you on a 4D bus tour through London to meet Shrek, Pinocchio, the Muffin Man and the Magic Mirror. After escaping from witches and Rumpelstiltskin, have your adventurer pose for pictures with Shrek and play games with the Penguins in Madagascar.

*This experience is best with younger children and should be reserved in advance.

Afternoon Tea with a Kid-Friendly Twist:

Photo Credit: The Sanderson Hotel

 

No trip to London would be complete without afternoon tea. Typically served between 4pm – 6pm, this British tradition can make for a magical experience when visiting with children. A couple of fun recommendations for kid-friendly afternoon tea include:

Charlie and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea At The Chesterfield Hotel. This will be a delight for Willy Wonka fans. This chocolate themed tea features traditional finger sandwiches and scones plus children can enjoy their own special treats from the kids menu. Get your golden ticket and savor an afternoon of tea with a fizzy lifting cake.

The Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea At The Sanderson Hotel is an experience based on Alice in Wonderland. Guests can enjoy “Alice” China black tea, King of Hearts parmesan croque-monsieur stack and more.

*Look for special offers online before reserving at table.

Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Photo Credit: Visit London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is an experience no Harry Potter fan, young or old, should miss. Visit the sets of Diagon Alley and the Great Hall, find out how the special effects team created the films, and admire props such as Potions Class and Puking Pastilles. Visitors will want to take time to enjoy a Butterbeer and can even pre-order a souvenir tankard.

*Reservations required

Marvel at 360° Views:

Photo Credit: Up at The O2

Up at The O2 is a completely unique experience to share with older kids (ages 9+). Take a 90 minute climb over the Arena rooftop to see historic Greenwich, Olympic Park, and Canary Wharf. See some of the sights of London from above while the kids take selfies to impress their friends.

*Book online

Enjoy a Day Out with Paddington Bear:

Photo Credit: Visit London

The Paddington Bear movies rekindled our love of the children’s literary character from the 1950’s. Start your day at Paddington Station to pose with the bronze Paddington Bear statue, then follow the Pawprint Trail to find more Paddington statues. Even if you can’t follow the full itinerary, kids will love taking selfies and even getting their own bear at the Paddington Bear Shop, either at the station or the famous toy store, Hamleys.

London is one city that I can’t seem to stay away from. It’s constantly calling my name with something new and exciting to experience. While we love traditional sightseeing, it’s always great to get out and try something unique. Jump on a bus with Donkey, hunt down Paddington Bear, sip tea like Alice and see London from the rooftops. Kids won’t stop talking about their unique London experiences!

Do you have any unique London experiences to share?

See more top family attractions in London before planning your trip.

 

 

10 Things Not to Do When Boarding a Plane

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

It’s time for your holiday! You arrive at the airport, check your bags, make it through security and settle in at the gate to wait for your flight. Finally, boarding is announced. The queue forms and people start making their way down the gangway.

Suddenly, you’re stopped.

Stuck standing around outside of the plane, waiting for your chance to be greeted by the crew. You step onto the plane only to stand around again in the narrow aisle, just wanting to sit down so the plane can take off.  Sometimes things move fairly quickly and other times it seems like you will NEVER make it to your seat – even though you only need to get to row 9. Sound familiar?

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Things to Do in Châtel, France with Kids {in Summer}

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

If you’re considering a trip to the French Alps, Châtel must be on your list of destinations.  It would make a great home base from which to explore all that the spectacular Alps have to offer.

Chatel has the Famille Plus Accreditation, meaning that parents can rest easy knowing there are accommodations, restaurants, activities and hospitality services designed just for families.  This endorsement is based on continual examinations, so you know the  resort makes a concerted effort to uphold the high standards required.

If you want to stay connected in France and throughout Europe, eSIM cards will save money while allowing you access to call, text and browse the internet.

Things to Do in Châtel, France with Kids:

Summer Lifts in Chatel, France

Ride the summer lifts – In summer, the ski lifts are in operation to transport visitors up and down the mountains.  There are four lifts open, providing access to various points on the peaks.   Riding these turned out to be one of my kids favorite activities.  They loved the aerial views of Châtel and the surrounding countryside.  Plus I think it was just something new for them, so they wanted to ride up and down as many times as we would allow.  What kid doesn’t love rides?!

Ride the lifts (as many times as you want) for no additional fee with the purchase of a Multi Pass.

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10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France – Local Nice Specialties

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

Must Eat Foods in Nice, France

No visit to the French Riviera is complete without sampling some of the local Nice specialties.

In Nice, there is a mix of unique flavors only available in this region – traditional Provençal and Niçoise foods with a heavy Italian influence.  Being on the Mediterranean,  seafood and fresh ingredients play an integral role in the tasty regional specialties. From mussels and tuna to olives and eggplant, once you sample the local fare you’ll see why Nice is a favorite gastronomical city.

10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France

1. Socca – A quintessential street food of Nice, socca is thin, crusty chickpea pancake with a soft interior. It’s cooked in a wood oven on a large round steel plate. I like it with a bit of pepper, but the kids just dig right in. It’s one of their favorite after school snacks. It also pairs well with beer for those that want a break from wine. Of course it would pair well with wine if you wanted a break from beer!

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Beat the Boredom – 12 Tips for Surviving Airport Layovers with Kids

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

Airport layovers, as an adult, can be boring and frustrating, but airport layovers with kids can be downright distressing.  That’s why I strive to turn our inevitable layovers into an extension of our vacation.  Being prepared, getting some rest and turning wait time into game time can help reduce the stress.

Because the reality is that you will, at some point, experience layovers. Flights with layovers tend to be much cheaper than direct flights.  Sometimes it’s just not possible to get a direct flight between destinations.  Other times circumstances beyond our control, such as weather or aircraft delays, result in more time than expected hanging around the terminal.

Luckily, this does get a bit easier as kids get older.  At least they no longer need constant attention.  But being hungry, tired and bored can amplify emotion in an already moody teen.

Don’t land stressed and frustrated!  Gone are the days of sitting around at the gate twiddling your thumbs trying to keep the kids calm.  Here’s our 12 suggestions for surviving airport layovers with kids:

Know Your Gate Location: 

We like to find our gate right away, so we know where the aircraft will be located.   I don’t want any surprises when it’s time to board.  I can’t count the number of airports we’ve been in where it takes 30+ minutes to get from one side or terminal to another.  Recently, I swear we walked for 15 minutes down a never ending corridor before we even saw the first gate number.

Find a Deserted Gate

However, instead of waiting at our gate, I like to hunt down an empty gate.  You might find these closer to the end of the terminal.  Here, kids can be a little louder and more active without disturbing other flyers.  If kids are little, they can run around the chairs to get some of their energy out, spin in circles or have a mini dance party.

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