The Talking Suitcase

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Our Summer Travel Plans {European Summer Itinerary}

June 2, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 2 Comments

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

European Summer Itinerary

We have HUGE plans for the summer.  My family of 4 will be traveling Europe visiting a total of 8 countries in 11 weeks.  We tried to plan our trip, so we could somewhat leisurely enjoy the destinations.

Each of the 12 cities listed will be our home base for the trip, but there are so many cities and villages that are just a short ride away that we will get to experience many more areas.

Most of our journey will be by train with one road trip to see a bit of the countryside.  If you’re not used to traveling by train, the train systems in Europe are extensive and are a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to travel.

I’ve listed the dates we will be in each city.  If anyone is planning to be in the same area, send us an email and maybe we can meet for a coffee.

Annecy, France 5/31 – 6/10
Chântel, France 6/10 – 6/17 (spending time in Switzerland too)
Strasbourg, France 6/17 – 6/27
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 6/27 – 6/29
Bruges, Belgium 6/29 – 7/6
Amsterdam, Netherlands 7/6 – 7/11
Cologne, Germany 7/11 – 7/18
Heidelberg, Germany 7/18 – 7/25
Munich, Germany 7/25 – 7/31
Innsbruck, Austria 7/31 – 8/2
Verona, Italy 8/2 – 8/8
Venice, Italy 8/8 – 8/15
Nice, France 8/15 – …..

Where are you traveling this summer?

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids

Can Segura Hotel Restaurant – High Quality at a Reasonable Price

May 30, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 17 Comments

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

Can Segura Hotel Restaurant review

Can Segura Hotel Restaurant in Sant Feliu de Guíxols

We continued moving North along the coast in our quest to experience all that Costa Brava has to offer.  Our next meal was lunch at the Can Segura Hotel Restaurant in the village of Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

The restaurant in the Can Segura Hotel has an adorable beach vibe. The striking blue table cloths and beach decor made for a relaxing dining experience.  We sat in a cozy corner booth with colorful pillows surrounding the walls creating the perfect ambiance for eating great food and enjoying great conversation.

The kids sat together along the back wall laughing and chatting away while the adults discussed which of the tempting foods to try.

Salmon Salad at Can Segura Hotel Restaurant

Fish Soup at Can Segura Hotel Restaurant [Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Foodie, Spain, Destinations Tagged With: Costa Brava Spain

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

Restaurant Aradi in Platja d’Aro {Don’t Miss the Paella}

May 24, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 21 Comments

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

Aradi Restaurant Review

Restaurant Aradi – in Platja d’Aro

The second stop on our mission to experience Costa Brava through our taste buds was Restaurant Aradi for dinner.

Restaurant Aradi is located in the heart of Platja d’Aro. The restaurant has an elegant feel without being stuffy. You can dine inside or people watch on the outdoor patio.

[easy-image-collage id=1331]

Aradi offers many dining choices. You can order a variety of seasonal dishes, select from a fixed “Fruits of the Sea” menu that looks absolutely divine,  order off a menu of the day, the Fave menu, a special cuisine Jornades or  a standard menu.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Foodie, Spain, Destinations Tagged With: Costa Brava Spain

El Ventall Restaurant – Experience the Gourmet Side of Blanes, Spain

May 22, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 25 Comments

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

El Ventall Restaurant Review 1

El Ventall Restaurant in Blanes

During our time in Spain, we toured the Northeastern coastline along the Mediterranean which is named Costa Brava for it’s rugged landscape.  Over the coming weeks I will share our experiences at the seven family friendly restaurants we dined at during our travels.

Join me in our quest to experience Costa Brava through food…

Let’s start our culinary journey with the Southern most village of Costa Brava, Blanes. El Ventall Restaurant is conveniently located between Blanes and Lloret de Mar, serving high quality food using seasonal, local ingredients.

[easy-image-collage id=1329]

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Foodie, Spain, Destinations Tagged With: Costa Brava Spain

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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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