When we visited Paris last winter, we spent a wonderful day in the Louvre. At least, it was mostly wonderful, except for the two hours we spent looking for each other. My husband had our two older sons in one section, and I had our youngest in another, and our plans to 'find each other later' went woefully sideways. We both had phones, but had put them in airplane mode to save on our international … [Read more...]
Trip planning with Momaboard Family Trip Planners
April 6, 2016 By
I have a confession: I love planning trips. For me, it's like a puzzle to put together or a painting to outline and fill in...first you choose your family travel destination, then you book airfare and hotel rooms, then finally, you fill in the details of what you'll do, where you'll eat, and what you'll see. It's this last part that can be tricky, however, especially in a brand-new-to-you … [Read more...]
Tips for AirBnb Italy: Where to stay in Florence and Rome
March 16, 2016 By
Originally thought of as only a step up from couch surfing, Airbnb has caught on with family travelers in the US. But what about using Airbnb while traveling abroad? We used Airbnb exclusively throughout Italy, and found the process to be just as secure and convenient as in the states. If anything, Airbnb Italy owners were even easier to work with, and the lodging savings were even … [Read more...]
Hitting the road with a pint-sized co-pilot: Safety tips for single parents
February 8, 2016 By
Just because you are a single parent with small kids doesn’t mean you can’t – or shouldn’t – get out there and see the world! It does, however, mean that there are some safety considerations particular to your situation that you should think about before hitting the road. Join a car club If you aren’t already a member of an auto club such a AAA, now is a great time to sign up. Should … [Read more...]
Where to stay in Paris on a budget with kids
January 25, 2016 By
When we planned to spend five days in Paris with kids, we knew we'd be on a budget. To make it possible for us, we chose to book a HomeAway apartment rental in an outer arrondissement. This arrangement allowed us enough sleeping space for our family of five, a kitchen to cook some meals in, and a washing machine for our laundry. We already trusted HomeAway, as we use this site for ski vacations in … [Read more...]
Booking a family travel rental with Kid & Coe
January 18, 2016 By
In multiple posts, we've recommended booking vacation rental homes when traveling with kids. We've had nothing but good experiences doing this, and have always appreciated the savings and local feel. There are a lot of vacation rental companies out there, and we thought we'd tried them all. When Kid & Coe approached us, we were intrigued. We decided to book a short family trip with Kid … [Read more...]
How to plan a Paris itinerary with kids
January 13, 2016 By
With its 20 arrondissements connected by a busy metro system, Paris can feel intimating at first. The key to planning a Paris itinerary with kids is to plan your days ahead of time, grouping destinations by proximity and utilizing walking tours to bridge the gaps (figuratively and literally). When planning our five days in Paris, I started by making a list of our must-do’s, which included … [Read more...]
Holidays away from home: Tips for preparing kids
December 16, 2015 By
At least every other year, we travel during the holiday season. This means my kids are pretty accustomed to celebrating holidays away from home, and as a parent, I'm pretty good at making Christmas special...wherever we are. This year, we'll be celebrating Christmas Day in Italy. In the days leading up to the holiday, we'll be renting a HomeAway apartment in Paris. Here's how we'll celebrate the … [Read more...]
Best travel experiences of 2015: Our top family trips
December 7, 2015 By
In the travel industry, there are a lot of articles and advertising messages that tell parents to hurry up and see it all. Go before they grow up. See it before they're out of school. You only have X number of years left. While I appreciate the effort to get families out their front door, I urge parents to remember that primarily, travel is about time together, sharing experiences and new places, … [Read more...]
How to plan a stress-free family holiday while pregnant
November 25, 2015 By
Welcoming a new arrival to your growing family is an incredibly joyous occasion albeit with one small exception; planning your family holiday! During this time it can seem daunting to plan a relaxing vacation abroad which will accommodate for all of your pre-natal needs. To help rectify this issue, here are some helpful hints that I've found can reduce the stress that often accompanies planning a … [Read more...]
