We Go With Kids!

Author: wegowithkidsguest

  • Visiting Malaysia With Kids: A Sabah Family Blog

    Visiting Malaysia With Kids: A Sabah Family Blog

    Guest Blogger: Melanie, her husband, and two kids are traveling the world from South Africa to Vietnam. Together, they’ve visited eight countries, with many more planned. Accompany them on their adventure on Instragram and YouTube.

    Sabah is a Malaysian state, located in the northern portion of Borneo Island. Sabah shares a land border with the Malaysian state of Sarawak as well as Indonesia’s Kalimantan and shares maritime borders with Vietnam and the Philippines. Sabah’s earliest human settlement can be traced back 20,000-30,000 years, and its trading relationship with China dates to the 14th century. Because of its location, Sabah is notably diverse in both ethnicity, culture, and language.  We recommend a Sabah family trip to anyone visiting Malaysia with kids.

    photo credit

    My family and I already planned to be in Malaysia, so we decided that no trip to Malaysia would be complete without spending at least a few days in Sabah. Intra-Asia flights are relatively inexpensive, thus making travel so much more affordable. We flew from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, into Kuching where we relied almost entirely on public transit and the ride hailing service Grab (a car service similar to Uber) to get around. Although the rules vary depending on which passport you hold, we were granted 90-days visa-free entry to Malaysia, which was also valid for traveling to Borneo, the island on which Sabah is located.

    With limited time and a limited budget, we narrowed our trip down to four primary destinations to add to any Sabah family trip itinerary.

    #1: Kota Kinabalu

    Picture from Kota Kinabalu family trip blog

    Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah and where we chose to start our journey. Known by locals as “KK,” we loved walking from the marlin statute to the KK Central Market, which is located on the busy waterfront. The Central Market is lined with displays of the most amazing fresh seafood, which can be prepared at the onsite restaurant. My family and I were able to do this, and we highly recommend it.

    The marlin statute that marks the entrance to KK Central Market.
    KK Central Market

    The Central Market graduates into a Handicraft Market, formerly known as the Filipino Market. The Filipino Market is extremely busy and full of activity, but can be claustrophobic when extremely busy. Overall, this was a wonderful stop for us and we loved experiencing the true culture.

    The KK waterfront

    The KK Waterfront itself has a variety of upmarket restaurants to pick and choose from. Although not as local an experience as the Central Market, we enjoyed the lovely view from the waterfront with a sundowner.

    If you are in KK on Sunday, the Gaya Street Sunday Market is not to be missed. The market closes early (13h00), so go early for the best selection of cheap buys and good food.

    Gaya Street Market

    KK BUDGET ACCOMMODATIONS:

    Hotel Tourist – great location, close to Gaya Street and within walking distance to the waterfront.

    Switz Paradise Hotel – set in an old shopping mall, but clean and close to the waterfront.

    We stayed at both the Hotel Tourist and the Switz Paradise Hotels. The rooms are very basic, but clean and comfortable and located in the town center (thus minimizing the need for walking and car sharing services). Our entire family shared only one room, but since we were out and about most of the time, we only needed a comfortable and clean place to sleep. I was happy to be able to book our reservations in advance online.

    #2: Mount Kinabalu

    Mount Kinabalu is a world heritage site and the highest mountain in Malaysia with a height of 4,095 meters! We made the trip to see Mount Kinabalu by renting a car and driving about one hour from Kota Kinabalu. If you are able to spend the night, wake up EARLY to see the mountain in all her glory as the mist sets in around 10am, thus obscuring the view. The weather gets chilly at night, so pack jackets. Although a hike up the mountain is challenging and NOT suitable for kids, we were able to take advantage of the surrounding jungle around the base of the mountain, and took a morning hike on one of several trails. If you are not comfortable renting a car, there is a tour bus that will take you on a day excursion.

    MOUNT KINABALU BUDGET ACCOMMODATION:

    Crystal Hill: We were able to book a room with a balcony and the most amazing view of Mount Kinabalu. Our reservations were booked online in advance of our arrival and the hotel provided free WiFi and also had a serviceable restaurant. It was approximately 15 minutes driving time away from the entrance of Mount Kinabalu and the main hiking trails.

     

    #3: Kokol Hill

    From Mount Kinabalu, we did a road trip to Kokol Hill, a city set on a hilltop with the most amazing views of Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu. Kokol Hill was approximately 2.5 hours away from Mount Kinabalu by car, but it is a beautiful place to stop and enjoy the view.

    KOKOL BUDGET ACCOMMODATION:

    Our balcony at Kokol Haven Resort

    Kokol Haven Resort – We spent one night at the Kokol Haven Resort, which is set on a hilltop with the most spectacular views.  They have the best pizza that we have had in the whole of Malaysia and a lovely restaurant overlooking Kota Kinabalu on one side and mountains on the other side. The hotel was very secluded, with no other shops or attractions nearby.

    #4: Kinabatangan River

    The Kinabatangan River is Malaysia’s longest river. There are cabins nestled in the woods amongst pygmy elephants, orangatuns, and proboscis monkeys. There are a number of attractions available – guided night walk in the forest, overnight camping in the forest with the sounds of the jungle. You can also take a river cruise during the day and see the proboscis monkeys fall from branch to branch as well as the airborne flying lizards. This is definitely a place for nature lovers and adventurers but be forewarned: no hot showers! Our kids absolutely loved the rainforest, which was very kid friendly and save – we encountered no snakes! We used the public bus system to get to Kinabatangan from Kota Kinabalu and the trip took about 7 hours. We were able to book our bus tickets online, but hotels are also very helpful in assisting with bus schedules and bookings, so ask if you have questions!

    KINABATANGAN RIVER BUDGET ACCOMMODATION:

    Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp – The camp offers numerous packages that you can tailor to your liking. There are several different activities to choose from and a guide can be included during your stay. The food at the camp was fantastic and our guide provided us with a lot of information about Sabah’s wildlife.

    Travel Tips:

    • We typically relied on public transportation, including the bus system, which is extremely organized and easy to use and can also transport you to nearby national parks. While in Kota Kinabalu, we used Grab to get to places that were not near our hotel, but did rent a car to travel to the mountains when we wanted to escape the crowds.
    • For currency, we found it best to withdraw money from ATMs, which we found nearly everywhere.
    • Of the Asian countries we have visited, Malaysia is the country with the best English and thus, we had no language barriers whatsoever.

    We really enjoyed our stay in Sabah. We were welcomed with open arms, and we learned so much about the culture and the food. We would definitely recommend visiting Sabah with kids. There are so many more places to explore in and around Sabah, which we did not get to this time, but hopefully will another time!

    We hope you enjoyed Melanie and her Sabah travel blog as much as we did!

    Pin it to Pinterest!

     

     

  • Tropical North Queensland With Kids!

    Tropical North Queensland With Kids!

    Guest Blogger: Cris, her husband “J,” and their four kids live in Europe, but have spent the last year traveling the world and have visited over 21 countries. They can be found on Instagram.

    “Hey honey, we’re going to Australia for five weeks!” – J

    When my husband first told me we were going to Australia for five weeks in October, I began researching the best places to visit with our four children, ages 8, 7 (twins), and 6. J had appointments in Noosa, Sydney, and Melbourne on specific dates, but the rest of the time would be dedicated family holiday time. As I started researching Noosa, I realized quickly that it would be a sin not to visit Tropical North Queensland.

    The Itinerary:

    During our five weeks in Australia, we spent one week exploring Tropical North Queensland. Our itinerary was as follows:

    Day 1 – Fly into Cairns and hire rental car

    Day 2 – Tour of Green Island National Park

    Day 3 – Four hour drive, overnight in Townsville

    Day 4-7 – Airlie Beach, including tour of Whitehaven Island

    Day 7 – Depart via Proserpine Airport (also known as Whitesunday Coast Airport)

    What We Did:

    Tropical North Queensland is home to several world heritage sites, including the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world. Queensland itself is a land of white sandy beaches, boasting year round summer temperatures and incredible wildlife. Home to crocodiles, sharks, deadly snakes, kangaroos, cockatoos, and sweet wallabies, my biggest concern was whether I would be able to keep my four children safe! We all know children have selective hearing when it comes to “dos and don’ts” and my worries haunted me even as we landed in Cairns.

    The Cairns Esplanade has been a focal point for locals and visitors in Cairns city since the region was founded in the late 1800s.

    Upon landing in Cairns, I immediately fell in love with the warm breeze, tropical vegetation, and the sweet sound of song birds. After checking into our hotel in Cairns, we took a walk around town in an effort to stay awake until an acceptable time for dinner, thus helping us adjust quickly to jet lag. Beaches are off-limits in Cairns and there are crocodile warnings everywhere, but the town compensates with the most family friendly promenade we’ve ever visited. The boardwalk is elevated above the beach and a perfect place for children to run along and play. There is plenty of free entertainment and, within walking distance from the town center, we found a skate park, BBQ areas, and the Cairns public swimming pool, which is a fantastic amenity for locals and tourists alike.

    The crocodile warnings!
    Walking along the beach in Cairns.

    During our visit, we loved stopping for snacks at Muddy’s café, a nice beach front coffee shop with great food and an incredible playground, complete with a splash area for children. J and I sat outside and enjoyed coffee, while watching our children play on the gigantic hamster wheel!

    My husband and I joked that we need one of these for our yard at home!

    Our stay in Cairns was sadly shortened by a flight mix-up in Bali, so we only had one full day to explore. To maximize our time, we decided to take a boat tour to Green Island National Park.

    Green Island National Park

    Green Island National Park consists of powdery white beaches and tropical trees, thus making it the perfect castaway vacation destination. After being assured by no less than five different people that there was no danger of crocodiles, we set off to explore the deserted white sand beaches. We enjoyed a packed picnic lunch on the beach and also enjoyed a glass bottom boat excursion to the coral reef that my children absolutely loved. They went wild looking at corals, different species of fish, giant starfish, and even a turtle – all without getting wet!

    Glass bottom boat ride.

    Back in Cairns that evening, we did what we always do when traveling abroad: sample the local cuisine! The excitement was sky high when we ordered kangaroo and crocodile skewers – so yummy we had to order more!

    Early the next morning, we headed off to our next destination, Townsville. To get there, we drove for four hours along the infamous “Bruce Highway,” which was lined with mango and avocado trees and banana plantations. Along the way, we pulled into one of the many farm stalls to sample some fresh melon. It was delicious, but also a little expensive! Our decision to spend the night in Townsville was entirely motivated by our desire to give the children a break from being stuck in the car. We spent the night at the Mercure Townsville, after receiving an offer from Emirates and Rocketmiles that would earn me 3,000 miles for a one night stay.

    After our overnight in Townsville, we headed off to our next destination, Airlie Beach. I had tried to get a cabin at the BIG4 Resort, which has water slides and great reviews, but because late September is a popular holiday time for Australians, the resort was fully booked and we ended up staying at the Airlie Beach Eco Cabins nearby, which was an ideal location for my family. Because we had our own transportation, it did not matter that we were located in the middle of an Australian forest/bush as we could get anywhere we needed. The cabins were well-equipped, and included washing machines, WiFi, and small torches that we used to see wild animals at night. The only thing missing was a dishwasher, but we remedied that by purchasing paper cups and dishes when we got tired of washing dishes by hand.

    Our first night at the cabin, as I was unpacking our bags, the owner knocked on our door and asked if the children wanted to see the wallabies! We all wanted to see the wallabies, so we grabbed the torches and dashed out into the gardens. It was pitch dark and we had to be silent so as not to scare the animals away. The owner instructed us to direct our lights towards the bushes, where the wallabies were hidden. The light caused the wallabies to freeze momentarily, so we were able to see them up close before they unfroze and disappeared into the woods.

    Airlie Beach night outing.
    Airlie Beach Wallabies!

    The Airlie Beach Lagoon is located in the town center. The Lagoon is an immense public swimming pool surrounded by sand and patches of grass that are perfect for laying down and sunbathing. What started as a splash break for the kids quickly turned into a whole day of lounging and swimming. The Lagoon has a shallow end, a shaded children’s area, and public toilets and water fountains at every corner. Our children could not get enough of it and J and I took the opportunity to relax and read a book under a tree!

    Airlie Beach Lagoon

    During our stay in Airlie Beach, one activity we signed up for was a guided trip to Whitehaven Beach. If you have older children in their teens, an ideal trip would be an overnight sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach. Our children were too young for an overnight stay, so we booked a day trip on a tour boat instead. The tour company collected us in the morning from the BIG4 resort and drove us to the port. Our tour boat then took us through the Whitesunday group of islands, a collection of continental islands located off the central coast of Queensland. The islands are in varying states of habitation, with Daydream Island still undergoing construction following a hurricane and Hamilton Island being a VIP island where you can stay in a villa that comes equipped with a four person golf cart that you can use to explore the island.

    Whitehaven Beach

    Our tour stopped on Whitesunday Island, the main island around which the Whitesunday group of islands are centered. There is no resort on the island, but Whitehaven Beach will make you blink twice in disbelief. The white sand stretches as far as the eye can see and words cannot describe the way the sand twists into the turquoise sea. While I was hypnotized by the magic of the beach, my children ran along the infinite stretch of white beach. We learned that because the sand is so full of silica, it makes a squeaking noise as you walk!

    Our children playing on Whitehaven Beach.

     

    Picnic lunch on Whitehaven Beach.

     

    The tour boat provided a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed on the beach. There was a bit of friction between the children and the free-roaming iguanas, which resulted in my children choosing to have lunch on the table/bench instead of on the actual beach! We also encountered a small group of starving backpackers who had spent the night sleeping in tents on the island and our guide was kind enough to share food with them. No one is really prepared for how deserted Whitesunday Island can be with no fresh water, no coffee shops – nothing. I guess sleeping under the starry sky on this unspoiled piece of paradise requires sacrifice!

    After lunch, our tour boat took us snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef. All snorkeling gear was provided, including flotation tubes. Unfortunately, my children found the water to be too cold and were nervous about snorkeling in open sea. Luckily, the guide was prepared and took the children on a smaller boat to look for stingray. Although I also found the water to be cold, it’s not every day that you get to snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, so I held my breath and braved the frigid waters.

    Looking for stingray.

    Whenever I think of North Tropical Queensland, a heart will always appear next to its name. It truly was an ideal family destination. The towns we stayed in had great facilities for children (including toddlers!), and the tour companies are able to accommodate all ages. Because it is summer all year round, the beaches are simply stunning and listed as the best in the world. What makes North Tropical Queensland truly special, though, is how man and nature coexist.

    Travel Tips:

    • The island trips get booked up very quickly, so book in advance, especially if you are traveling during Australian school holidays.
    • We purchased a mobile SIM card for one of our phones and for $50 AUD, we had 3 GB of internet and free local calls for two months. This allowed us to use our phone’s map app instead of paying for an expensive GPS rental.
    • Although there are many islands to visit in North Tropical Queensland and options range from expensive villas and luxury resorts to camping, we chose to stay on the mainland and visit the islands as part of day tours. This was not only a logistical lifesaver, but it was also lighter on the budget.
    • Sailing is an ideal way to explore the Whitesunday islands.

    We hoped you enjoyed the beautiful white sand beaches as much as we did!

    Pin it to Pinterest!

  • Breckenridge With Kids: Five Fun Family Winter Activities

    Breckenridge With Kids: Five Fun Family Winter Activities

    Guest Blogger: Leslie Stranathan is an educator from Windsor, Colorado. After teaching public school for 10 years, she began homeschooling her two children and has written an activity guide for families interested in exploring and learning about Colorado. Leslie’s family recently began a traveling adventure and they are on a mission to explore all 50 states in their RV. You can find them on YouTube and Instagram.

    Nestled in the mountains at 9,600 feet is Breckenridge, a small town with big charm. With beautiful ski slopes covered with snow, a quaint main street draped in holiday lights, and plenty of spots to stay warm, Breckenridge is the perfect winter destination for families. Located just an hour and a half west of Denver, Breckenridge is easily accessible to locals and those traveling to Colorado from out of town. Our extended family has met up in mountains for a week every winter after Thanksgiving for many years. My husband and I have skied for over 20 years and enjoy all of the amazing ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, but this year was the first time my kids got on skis!

    Here are five fun family activities for all ages to enjoy in Breckenridge!

    #1: Explore the Mountains!

    My family, exploring the mountains by snow shoe!

    Even if you’ve never stepped on snow, the experts here can teach anyone, of any age, to get down the hill safely. Lessons are available daily, with options for private or group instruction at the Ski and Snowboard School. For kids, the Kids’ Castles provides ski rentals, drop off care, meals and fun activities to make the experience that much more special. My kids (aged 5 & 9) loved meeting new friends and learning to ski with other children their age. By the end of the first day, they could control their turns and stop using their “pizza” wedge. Most importantly, they were excited to come back the next day. The EPIC SchoolKids Pass provides up to 4 days of lift tickets in Breckenridge and includes one full day of lessons with ski or snowboard rental all for free if your child is in Kindergarten – 5th grade (not limited to Colorado residents).

    #2: Ride the Gondola

    source

    Breckenridge is known for its excellent transit system. Free shuttle buses get you almost anywhere you’d like to go and are accessible from most lodging locations. The Breckenridge transit center acts as a hub for the shuttle system and is also home to the BreckConnect Gondola. This completely free 10-minute ride will whisk you from the town of Breckenridge to the bases of Peaks 7 and 8. At the top you can enjoy watching the skiers on the slopes, warm up with hot chocolate, or enjoy lunch in the lodge. On the days we skied, we took the shuttle from the door of our condo to the gondola, which carried us right up the mountain, all while in our ski gear. It was the perfect way to travel. The ride and beautiful views make this a fun activity for any age.

    #3: Play at the Children’s Museum

    Kids aged 0-10 will be entertained for hours with all there is to explore at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum. Located in the heart of downtown, the exhibits  include a Wonder Lab, Creation Station, Kidstruction Zone, Tot area, Medical Center, and a Rocky Mountain wildlife section. The museum is packed with hands on toys and games, and encourages imaginative play. Several evenings a week parents can choose to drop off their children and enjoy a night out on the town while the kids are supervised and entertained by the incredible staff at the museum.

    #4: Savor a Crepe!

    Breckenridge is home to so many amazing restaurants! Family friendly and full of character, your biggest dilemma will be trying to choose just one place to eat each evening. There is one spot you can’t miss though. Crepes A La Cart has two locations in town. The main street food truck stand nearly always has a line – and it is well worth the wait. Crepes A La Cart has a huge menu of both sweet and savory options that will satisfy everyone in your family. It is always fun to watch the friendly staff members cook delicious fresh crepes while you wait. Ask ahead, and they’ll cut your crepe so it’s easier for hungry kids to share.

    #5: Glide on the Ice

    There are a few winter activities that always pop into my mind when I picture a mountain vacation. Ice skating is always at the top of the list. Fun for all ages and great exercise, the indoor and outdoor public ice arenas at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena are easily accessible from town. The facility has a variety of skates available to rent, and provides helmets free of charge. There are also support slides in both child and adult sizes for those that aren’t comfortable yet on the ice to use to stay upright. If skating isn’t for you, try hockey, curling or broomball!

    We hope you enjoyed Leslie’s list of Five Fun Family Activities in Breckenridge!

    Pin it to Pinterest!

     

  • Top 8 Gift Ideas for Young Explorers!

    Top 8 Gift Ideas for Young Explorers!

    Guest Blogger:  Ophélie is originally from France but moved to Belgium from McLean, Virginia five years ago.  She and her husband have found that kids didn’t have to stop them from doing what they love.  Instead, they shared their passion for travel and the outdoors with their young son and daughter. Ophélie can be found on Instragram and Facebook. 

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, We Go With Kids will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Opinions are the author’s.

    Let’s face it, buying gifts for kids is not the easiest especially when you feel like they have absolutely everything already. Do you know a little traveller or a budding adventurer? Here are 8 gift ideas for this holiday season!

    #1: Camera

    I love that my kids can capture their own memories! Although hundreds of pictures consist of their feet and favorite teddy bears (hurray for the digital era!), having their own camera has become a big part of my kids’ discovery process. Either at the museum or in the forest, the camera stimulates them to look around to find the most beautiful mushroom, painting, flower, etc.  They also love to take pictures while travelling, and a camera is a great way to keep them entertained during long road trips! We even dedicate a few pages of our vacation photo albums to their pictures and it is a lot of fun to look back at them.

    For our 6 and 8 years olds, we chose the Nikon Coolpix W100 and are thrilled with it. The camera is easy to operate, robust, dust and waterproof. The selection of buttons is simplified to keep things basic, which is helpful for those just learning. Available in multiple colors, including pink, blue and yellow, they are very attractive to children!

    Kid’s review: “I love to take pictures when we are outside, and I love even more to watch them again once we get back home. Especially pictures of my sister when she is being silly. ”

    Budget: $100-$180

    #2: Microscope

    There is a mysterious and marvelous universe beyond the Earth that draws the attention and imagination of many children. However, there is also a fascinating world much closer to us: the microscopic world. Everyday objects when viewed close up reveal a new and normally invisible world that captivates children from a very early age. A microscope enables children to peer into this world! Flowers, leaves, bugs, their hair, our dog’s hair, piece of paper, saliva, dust: name it, probably they have looked at it. A microscope is more than just a toy, it really nourishes a child’s curiosity and helps them learn a great deal while having fun! My kids are fond of their microscope! Nerds for the win 🙂 !

    The National Geographic Microscope is a good device for a first insight into the microscopic world. It comes with a kit so that you can prepare your own thin section. A set of dissecting instruments or a separate eyepiece are available so that you can expand the beginner´s model. However, for a first dive into the world of microscopy, the Ravensburger SmartScope is definitely our favorite! The SmartScope uses your smartphone or tablet to magnify objects! No special preparation is needed – we simply place the object under the Smartscope and activate the camera function on our smartphone or tablet. And the significant advantage of the Smartscope is that kids can carry it around with them, as the mounted device only measures about 15×20 cm.

    Kid’s review: “I love to use the Smartscope because it’s easy and fun. The microscope is cooler because we see things even bigger and better. However, I would like to see bacteria, but we can’t with that one. But still I like it a lot.“

    Budget: $50-$150

    #3: World Globe

    Having a globe is a great way to let your children explore the geography, countries, and oceans of the world without having to turn on the television or a videogame. My kids love having a cool, decorative item in their bedroom that they can also play and learn with. They enjoy looking for the countries they have already visited, as well as planning their own travel bucket list. I would definitely recommend an illuminated globe, which would be much more fun for kids!

    source

    Kid’s review: “I love to learn the names of countries and cities I don’t know. I love to look for all the places I want to go. I want to visit the desert in Australia. Also, I want to go to Patagonia to watch penguins and do dog sledding in Alaska”

    Budget: $30- $60

    #4: Binocular or Monocular

    Kids love nature, and providing them with fun discovery tools definitely increases their engagement. A great set of binoculars for kids does exactly that. Capable of eight times magnification, the LuWint Kids Binocular is designed for children, and available in many colors. You should be able to find them in your kid’s favorite, making it that much more likely he or she will actually like and thus use them. For our daughter, who is visually impaired and has trouble finding the focus on a binocular, we purchased a Eyourlife Monocular, which turned out to be even more practical. Although the binocular is not designed for children, its small size makes it suitable for a tiny 6 year old hand. Requiring less adjustments than a pair of binocular, it also is significantly lighter, which is very convenient to carry on while traveling.

    Kid’s review: “It’s great! I don’t see very well and with the monocular I can see the squirrels and the birds like they are really close”

    Budget: $15-$30

    #5: Compass

    Do you know that compass needles spin because of the Earth’s magnetic field? No matter where you are in the world, your compass needle will always point north. How cool is that? That’s probably why kids love the compass, a tool every young explorer should have. There are tons of options when it comes to choosing a compass. For my kids, I purchased compass clips, easy to hook on a backpack but not so accurate, and a real compass. There are many good quality compasses out there, such as the Suunto.

    source

    Being able read a map or use a compass is a valuable skill in multiple outdoor activities (hiking, boating, etc). Map and compass reading is fun and easily taught to kids, but also provide skills that will prove useful for years.

    Kid’s review: “I like to have a compass, so I always know where the North is.”

    Budget: $5-$50

    #6: Flag of the world game

    If you have a child who is interested in flags, you need this game! Flag of the World includes a card for every flag, which also tells you the capital of the country, along with a map and some interesting facts about the country. There are many ways to play this game, but the cards by themselves are already great. My son plays a lot by himself with the cards: sorting them by continents, visited countries, or color of the flags! The small size of the game makes it perfect for travel.

    source

    Kid’s review: “I love flags, I learned a lot of them with this game. We play with the cards a lot when we are in the car for a long time. But my sister is always complaining because she loses.”

    Budget: $10-$15

    #7: Knife

    source

    A knife may be a controversial gift, but my kids are very happy with it and so am I. A knife is the adventurer tool par excellence. My children are not allowed to play with their knives and are not even allowed to keep it in their own rooms. But, when we go on one of our micro-adventures they are very proud to carry it in their backpack, and use it when needed and under supervision. Because we are French, we chose the traditional Opinel folding knife, which is now offered in a junior edition with rounded-tip and a wide choice of colors. Another great option for your little adventurer would be a classic Victorinox Swiss Army knife, which includes a large blade, small blade, corkscrew, bottle opener with large screwdriver, and can opener with small screwdriver.

    Kid’s review: “I have a red knife. I love it because it’s a really grown-up tool!”

    Budget: $15-$30

    #8: Head lamp

    source

    Head lamps are a great stocking-stuffer gift for pretty much anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Not only are head lamps useful, but they can help keep you safe. They are a must if you go family camping and the kids just love them. This summer, my kids played hide and seek in the garden at night, using their head lamps to look for their friends. There were TONS of fancy toys, but they were all fighting for their turn to wear that head lamp!

    Kid’s review: “My lamp is really cool. Once, we went wild camping with my mom and her friend. There were noises so they got scared, so we hiked back to the car in the forest by night. I was the one watching the trail with the headlamp. It was really cool.”

    Budget: $5-$25

     

  • New Zealand: Cruising With Kids!

    New Zealand: Cruising With Kids!

    Guest Blogger: Crisel, her husband, and her two year old daughter are Australian expats, currently living in the Soloman Islands, a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania. They are planning a world tour beginning in 2019, but in the meantime, are traveling to as many of the Soloman Islands and countries in the Pacific as they can. They can be found on Instagram.

    photo credit

    Our family decided to look into a cruise after a recent international flight that involved a screaming two-year-old. Our goals were simple: less plane, less car and less time stuck in a hotel. My husband and I love to travel as much as we can and explore different places, but as our daughter has moved past the infant stage into the terrible twos, it has become more difficult. The idea of boarding a cruise ship and having everything within reach – pool, restaurants, cafés, entertainment area, kids’ area, and spa – was intriguing. And on top of that, we would wake up with a new place to explore every morning!

    The cruise we booked was the Golden Princess Cruise Ship to New Zealand. Since we were traveling during the school year, the theme of the cruise was targeted to adults, but that didn’t deter us and, as an added bonus, our daughter got so much attention from the cruise staff because there were so few children on board. Our main goal was to have a relaxing holiday, which we did.

    Waving goodbye to Sydney Harbor.

    Our cruise to New Zealand began in Sydney with two days of straight sailing to Fiordland National Park. Once there, we spent a full day cruising along Milfound Sound and Doubtful Sound, where we experienced the most magnificent views of our lives. From the ship, we saw endless mountains and breathtaking waterfalls, including Mount Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland National Park. Mount Tutoko was surrounded by glaciers, which were stunning.

    Mount Tutoko
    Fiordland National Park

    After a day spent cruising along Fiordland National Park, we arrived at our first stop: Dunedin. Getting off the ship for the first time was very exciting and there was a shuttle bus that took us to the city center where we discovered shops, cafes, and local markets. The short bus ride to town was my daughter’s favorite activity and our first stop was at a local café to get our daily dose of caffeine.

    After getting our fill of caffeine, we took a short walk to the Town Hall. My daughter took advantage of a small park in front of a church to chase and feed pigeons. We also went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory while stopping, along the way, to play at a little maze garden in front of Dunedin’s historic railway station.

    Playing in the maze outside Dunedin Railway Station.

    From Dunedin, we re-boarded the ship and stopped at five other places: Akaroa, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Islands. Each morning, we would wake up and have a new place to explore. At every stop, we would visit the parks, markets, cafes, beaches, and generally look for places where our daughter could run around freely. We did make an effort to avoid touristy areas and shopping centers as our time was limited.

    Feeding and chasing pigeons in Auckland.

    Our favorite stop was Paihia, Bay of Islands. The beach was stunning, and there was an awesome kids’ park nearby where we spent quite a bit of time. The cruise ship did offer a shuttle bus ride from the ship to the center of Paihia, but we elected to walk to town instead, as that would give my daughter time to run around and also so that we could spend more time at the park and the beach. When my daughter got tired, I carried her on my back, and we continued to explore. While in Paihia, we enjoyed fish and chips at a local restaurant and ice cream for dessert. We also visited a local art market that had a lot of unique art from local artisans, including wood crafts, underwater creatures made of metal, and clothing made from organic cotton.

    Paihia Beach
    Carrying my daughter on my back after she got tired of walking!

    Our second favorite place was Tauranga. Unfortunately, my daughter did not feel well that day, so my husband and I took turns exploring Tauranga while the other stayed on the ship with my daughter. Tauranga was my personal favorite stop because the place is beautiful – white beach, boutique shops, funky cafes, and friendly locals. I also had the opportunity to climb Mount Maunganui, which, at 232 meters above sea level, took me about an hour to accomplish. There were many families with kids climbing the mountain at the same time and I would have loved to have experienced it with my daughter as the view from the top was superb.

    The cruise line offered day excursions and tours that we could pay extra to experience, but we decided even before we booked the cruise that we would not do any extra excursions because of our two-year-old. Although it would have been fun to experience some of the offered excursions, such as the glow worm caves and The Lord of the Rings film set, it would have been too much for our daughter. Instead, we had a great time exploring each stop at a leisurely pace with our daughter and, after a day of exploring, we simply went back on board the cruise ship to relax either by the pool, or by watching a movie in the room. The best part about the cruise was that we did not rush around and plan every single minute of our time, like we usually do, we just went with the flow.

    My daughter enjoyed the onboard activities.

    What we liked about the cruise:

    • Everything is on board. Pretty much everything we needed and wanted was on the ship. Although we booked an ocean view room, we were upgraded to a room with a balcony that gave us a little bit more room, especially with a toddler. We spent most of our time outside and away from our room, but it was nice to have the extra space.
    • Food was amazing. There were so many food options onboard. There was buffet, a la cart, or fine dining. We loved fine dining every night and tried so many different and delicious dishes. We chose anytime dining option that allowed us to have dinner whenever our daughter was ready. The staff was very accommodating and provided both kids’ menus and kids’ activity packs at meals.
    • Waking up in a different place every morning. Yes! You sleep in one city and wake up to a different one. This was great because we did not need to pack and unpack our luggage.
    • Everyone is so friendly. From housekeeping staff to waitresses to entertainers to guests. Everyone was so friendly.

    What we did not like about the cruise:

    • Entertainment shows took place every night after dinner, but because my daughter had to go to bed, we were unable to all attend. My husband was kind enough to let me watch entertainment shows every night while he put our daughter to sleep, but it would have been nice to enjoy as a family. The shows included stand-up comedy, concerts, and international talent shows. All shows were appropriate for children, so I would have taken my daughter if they had offered the shows during the day.
    • The Kids’ Club was for kids ages three and up. Because my daughter was not three, we could not use the Kids’ Club, and babysitting was also not available, so we had no date nights.
    • We gained a lot of weight on the cruise!
    • Our cruise had to end after 2 weeks!

    Additional Thoughts:

    • My daughter still naps once a day, so we usually walked her around in the pram or I carried her on my back until she fell asleep. Her naptimes provided my husband and me with an opportunity to recharge and unwind, either at a café or by continuing to explore quietly until she woke up.
    • Because we were traveling with a toddler, a full day (7-8 hours) of exploring the city was enough for us. We would definitely return to the Bay of Islands and Tauranga again for a family holiday if given the opportunity, but the cruise was a great opportunity to visit and get a sense of the location.
    • My daughter loved the cruise life! She enjoyed the elevators, the buffet breakfasts, and the opportunity to break up our day by visiting and exploring new places, playgrounds, parks, shops and cafes. My daughter also loved the entertainment on the ship, in particular dancing to the music that played in the Piazza.
    • I would absolutely recommend a cruise for families with toddlers as it is an easy way to have a relaxing holiday while exploring many different places. I suggest checking to make sure that the cruise you are interested in caters to families with children and would also check to make sure that you can take advantage of the Kids’ Club and the minimum age (most cruise lines offer Kids’ Club for ages 3+).
    Happy Cruising!

     

    Pin it to Pinterest!

  • Kids’ Blog: My Favorite Things I did in Alaska

    Kids’ Blog: My Favorite Things I did in Alaska

    Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, Steve, is an eight year old boy who loves Legos, Harry Potter, and Minecraft. Steve also loves to travel because it is fun to see new things every single day.

    Last summer, my dad, grandfather, grandmother, mom, brother, and I went to Alaska. It was a very cool trip, especially since we got to see new things every day. I am going tell you about my favorites things we did.

    #1: Glacier Walk

    My first favorite was that when we got to Alaska, we walked on a glacier. After we got past most of the glacier, we saw a big frozen over pond that we could walk on with crampons. It was a very long hike and while we were walking there, we saw my dad climbing on the side of a glacier. We also saw a little tiny stream with little pieces of ice floating in it. The stream led over to a different frozen over pond where the water would freeze over.

    #2: Flying in the Mini Plane

    I liked when we flew in a mini plane to a little town where we did the glacier hike. I liked what the plane looked like and we got little sets of headphones with microphones so we did not have to hear the big engine and so when we talked, other people could hear us.

    #3: Scavenger Hunting

    We went on a kayaking trip and stopped at a little island, where there were lots of trees that had been ripped up. We did a little scavenger hunt. We all needed to find mussels, a crab, and barnacles. After my mom found all of those, I started to look and I found lots of mussels and barnacles. The crab my mom found was just a big huge crab head, but the ones I found little tiny mini crabs. When I picked one up, the head was like a little hatch, with nothing inside. I think a bird pecked open the head and ate the brains.

    #4: Glacier Landing

    Close to the end of the trip, we took another plane ride. When we landed, snow covered the ground. My grandpa, dad, and I had a massive snowball fight. It was awesome.

    #5: Puffin Encounter

    We went to the aquarium and were able to do a puffin encounter. We were able to feed the puffins fish and we got to see them and go up really close to them.  At the end, they had these little tiny things of krill that they would toss all around the water. Only one family at the time can do the puffin encounter and everyone can watch you do it from the other side of the glass. A fun fact about puffins is that puffin eggs are basically about half as big as the puffin stomach.

    #6: The Boat Ride

    We took a big boat ride for several hours. We got to see a big whale and lots of puffins and other birds.

    #7: Dog Sled Ride

    We went to this place where we got to ride on these little tiny cart buggy things. Since it wasn’t snowing, we did not have sleds. In front, there were huskies pulling us. My brother fell asleep halfway through the ride. What was really fun about it was that you actually get to pet and hold a baby husky and see the dogs up close in real life, instead of in a movie, like Balto.

    #8: Panning for Gold

    There was a big water device, here water would flow through over bumps, and every few seconds you could take a big scoop of dirt, dump it on to the top of the device. The water would push the dirt, but the gold would get stuck in the bumps. You could use tweezers to get the gold out. Anything that was not gold would fly around in the water, but the gold would get stuck because it is much more dense than dirt. The guy who was running the panning for gold place would give you a little tiny bottle to drop all your pieces of gold in. Earlier that day, someone found a very small ruby and he gave it to me to put in my bottle.

    Alaska was an awesome trip and I had so much fun. My favorite thing about the trip was that we were all together all the time.

  • Kids’ Blog: Driving Across Country to Alaska

    Kids’ Blog: Driving Across Country to Alaska

    Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, Steve, is an eight year old boy who loves Legos, Harry Potter, and Minecraft. Steve also loves to travel because it is fun to see new things every single day.

    Last summer, my dad, grandfather, grandmother, and I drove to Alaska in an RV. It was a very long and fun drive that took 11 days, starting in Indianapolis, Indiana and through Canada. Along the way, we saw lots of animals, went fishing and biking, and I even got to visit my cousins in Wisconsin. I am going to tell you about my four favorite things and my four funniest memories.

    My Four Favorite Things

    #1: Campfires

    I liked traveling in the RV and having campfires outside. My dad would set up the campfires and we would roast hot dogs and marshmallows. I liked seeing how the campfires start off as regular wood and turn into fire and I liked being outside of the RV.

    #2: Mount Rushmore

    On July 4, we visited Mount Rushmore which was very very fun and cool. I took lots of pictures. I asked to go to Mount Rushmore because a friend had gone the year before and he said it was fun.

    #3: Biking through Tok, Alaska

    When we got to Alaska, the town we stayed in, Tok, we rode our bikes down to a restaurant that we ate at for dinner. It was a very fun bike ride because we got to ride through the whole town.

    Biking to dinner in Tok, AK

    #4: Playing Baseball

    At night, we would play baseball. My dad was usually the pitcher and me and my grandma were the batters.

    My Four Funniest Memories

    #1: The Monkey in Mount Rushmore

    At Mount Rushmore, I looked at the side of the mountain and it looks like the rocks made a monkey face.

    Can you spot the monkey face?

    #2: The Bear Butt

    While we were on the drive, everyone saw a bear, but grandpa saw only the other end. We all laughed.

    #3: Waking

    One morning, I woke up and saw my dad washing the front windows of the RV. I was still in my pajamas.

    #4: The Couch was my Bed

    The couch in the RV can transform into a bed. It was my bed and it was very comfy.

    Every night, we would turn the dining table/couch into my bed.

     

     

     

  • Kids’ Blog: Cuba Time, Fun Time

    Kids’ Blog: Cuba Time, Fun Time

    Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, TJ, is a cool, high energy, fun loving nine year old actor and artist! TJ’s adventures and exploits can be found on Instagram and Facebook.

    When my mom told me that we were going to Cuba I was excited, but I didn’t want to be too excited because I have never been.  I was also nervous because I was not always listening in Spanish class, and I was afraid that I would not be able to talk to many people or make friends, but I did! Cuba definitely beat my expectations!  It was different than usual – from experiencing a taxi that is shaped like a coconut to even playing in the streets, which I don’t get to do in Miami.  We had some plans, but even the things we didn’t plan were super fun, and we met a lot of nice people.

    Cuba is colorful and full of great art.

    So, you basically have a summary of Cuba, but here are the details.

    A cool view of the neighborhood.

    Day One:

    On day one, we got to the AirBnB, which was really cool because we had never actually stayed in an AirBnB before. The neighborhood was colorful, bold and unique.  The buildings were old, but they were fresh in color and they looked like they told a story.

    TJ, Samuel and David playing Simon Says.

    The owner of the place was really nice because she had someone meet us to give us a full tour of the apartment.  She also introduced me to my new friend, Samuel.  I was so relieved because he spoke English.  We got to play lots of games like red light, green light.  We also played hide and seek extreme with Samuel’s friends.  Samuel had to translate what I was saying to his friends who eventually became my friends. It was fun because we could play without getting in trouble for playing in the streets because it is normal in the neighborhood.

    When we were roaming around Central Havana, we unexpectedly saw a bouncy house, trampoline and more. The bouncy house was fun because I got to play and get some energy out – I was really hyper about Cuba and just had some mango juice that I think had a lot of sugar in it.

    The funniest thing is that my mom did not know how to use the money so the lady at the bouncy house thought she was crazy.  And that’s we learned a new thing – there’s two types of money in Cuba.  I recommend before you go on the trip, you learn more about the two types of money in Cuba.

    El Biky was delicious.

    The end of day one was delicious because we ate at a restaurant called El Biky, and we got the yummiest deserts. The line was long but worth the wait.

    Day Two:

    We loved El Biky so much that we went there for breakfast on day two.  We went to the beach at Santa Maria, and I made a village with coconuts, water bottles, sand and all that jazz.  Then, I climbed this big slanted palm tree, and it was a challenge.  I was scared to go all the way up, but my mom inspired me so I could do it.

    When we got back, we took a bike taxi to old Havana. Being on it was kind of like a tour of old Havana because the bike was not that fast, and I could see a lot of things on the ride. After roaming in Old Havana for a little while, we took this crazy coco taxi, which was cool because it has no sides and I like that it is the shape of a helmet.

    The Coco Taxi was fun, awesome, great and breathtaking.

    Day Three:

    On day three, we went to the mountains.  It was great because I got to jump of a water fall! Our driver said it was low because there was a drought, but it didn’t make a difference to me because I still had fun.  At first, the water was really cold, but I got used to it.  Did I mention that there were a lot of fish in there?  When I was in the water it was kind of like school (wink wink).  After playing on the waterfall for a little bit, I got to ride a beautiful horse.

    Taking in the mountain view.
    My horse ride.

    Day Four:

    Day four was the hardest day because we did not want to leave Cuba.  We moped around about having to leave.  But, I played with Samuel, and we found this cool stick that we used as a baseball bat and a microphone – we are thinking about going on tour!  The good thing about having an imagination is that we can do fun things without electronics and not get bored of it.

    This is not everything we did, but most of the best parts.  You should definitely go to Cuba no matter what time of year it is.

  • Kids’ Blog: Norway

    Kids’ Blog: Norway

    Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, 🙂 , is an eight year old boy who is a big dreamer. He loves outdoors, traveling, reading and climbing and is the sweet big brother to his six year old sister. More on 🙂 ‘s travels can be found on Instragram and Facebook.

    This summer, we went to Norway for one month. That’s the most northern country I have ever visited. For 10 days, we backpacked in the Lofoten Islands. They are northern Norway, above the Arctic circle. It was only mom, my little sister and me. The Lofotens were great because they were beautiful and also because we were a bit like adventurers. I am going to tell you about my four favorite things and my four funniest memories.

    My Four Favorite Things

    #1: Wild Camping

    Wild camping was really cool. We walked for two hours with our huge backpacks to find the best spot to camp. We were alone in the mountain. It was fun to wake up in the morning and to be in nature.

    #2: Munkebu Hike

    It was my favorite hike of all. The weather was great and sunny, we were even wearing only tee-shirts. We hiked along a lake and then there was a really long climb where we had to use chains and ropes to climb up. At the top, it was very, very beautiful.

    #3: The Midnight Sun

    When we were on Ramberg’s beach, we stayed up until midnight to watch the midnight sun. It was amazing. It is like a sunset where the sun goes down but then it goes back up before it sets, and there is no night. We took a lot of cool pictures under the sun, and it was fun.

    #4: Meeting other backpackers

    It was really cool when we met other hikers, and they talked with us. Once, we met two French women, and they shared a Norwegian dinner with us. We ate reindeer sausage, fishcake and caramel cheese (Brunost). It was very different, but very good anyway. After we played dices and cards with them. It was really cool!

    My Four Funniest Memories

    #1: Making Soup

    When we went wild camping, my sister and I went to the stream and fetched water. We brought it back to the tent to mom. But because the water was too muddy to make the soup, we filtered it in one of my sister’s socks. I must tell you it was a clean sock! It was really fun!

    #2: Finding Gas

    We looked for gas for the camping stove for 2 days. First, we went to a shop, we bought one, but it didn’t work. Then, a nice Norwegian man from the village gave one bottle to us. It was the right kind of bottle but it didn’t work. At the end, we exchanged bottles with another man on a campsite. People were really friendly with us, and after 2 days we could finally eat something warm!

    #3: Hitchhiking

    We hitchhiked 3 times during our trip, either to go to a camping site or a trailhead. It was funny because people driving by thought we were joking and were just waving at us! But each time, there was always somebody who picked us up. They were really kind.

    #4: The Heads of the Dead Fish

    In Norway, they dry fish outside, with the wind. We went to see the drying racks close up, but my sister didn’t like to see dry fish heads. When she saw that there were tons of dry heads on the floor and that we were walking on them, she sulked. It made me laugh a lot!

    It was the best vacation of my life. I was sad to leave Norway. Sometimes I still think about it when I am in class.

  • France: Hiking the Vosges Mountains With Kids!

    France: Hiking the Vosges Mountains With Kids!

    Guest Blogger:  Ophélie is originally from France but moved to Belgium from McLean, Virginia five years ago.  She and her husband have found that kids didn’t have to stop them from doing what they love.  Instead, they shared their passion for travel and the outdoors with their young son and daughter. Ophélie can be found on Instragram and Facebook.

    A hike in the Vosges in France with a donkey may not be a typical family vacation, but it was an absolutely amazing adventure that we encourage others to consider.  A decade ago (time flies), my now-husband and I went for a hiking trip in the Vosges mountains in eastern France. We loved the relaxing feeling of peace and freedom inherent to this region. Unlike the Alps and the Pyrenees, the Vosges are low mountains that culminate at 1,424 meters (4,672 feet) and are still exempt of any mass tourism. The mountains are characterized by the rounded shape of their peaks, called the ballons, which give them their peculiar softness. An immense forest covers 60% of the mountains and features mostly conifers. Yet, this quiet mountain offers a variety of landscapes, including lakes, wet and high altitude meadows, deep valleys, waterfalls, cliffs and rocks. The Vosges are the perfect place for a breath of fresh air and a paradise for outdoor and nature lovers.

    This summer we decided to hike in Vosges again and share this experience with our two children, who are 6 and 7 years old! To make the experience even more exciting and memorable, we decided to rent a donkey! More and more farms in France offer donkey-renting options. After some online research, we chose La Ferme Prés en Bulles, a few miles away from the city of Gerardmer. They offer many alternatives from half-day rentals to all-included tours with nights in country inns and half-board. Because we wanted to completely unplug from every-day life, we chose the bivouac, a temporary / wild camping option, that gave us three days of total freedom! Our trip included hiking, backpacking and wild camping through the Vosges forest as a family, with kids, dog and donkey (not talking about my husband this time)! It was a first for us, and we LOVED it! Here is our experience.

    Planning the Trip: an Adventure by Itself

    As always, packing is exciting! We involved the kids very much so that they were part of the whole adventure. We weighed everything to not overload our brave donkey! With only two small tents, four sleeping bags, camping stove, headlights, a small toiletry and safety kit, a map, limited clothing, food and water for 3 days – no toys or cosmetics, we were ready to go. It was both a fun and interesting experience for the kids to decide what were the essentials!

    D-day: Meeting our Donkey

    Hidden along the small, meandering roads of the Vosges mountains, we found the farm where we met Marie and Deil, the donkey owners. They introduced us to our donkey, Brimbelle (which means “blueberry” in the Vosgian dialect). For 30 minutes, the donkey-owners taught us how to take care of Brimbelle. They showed us how to gently curry-comb, brush, clean out the donkey’s hooves and how to place the packsaddle! They helped prepare the itinerary on the map and indicated the narrow trail sections that cannot be used. We saddled up Brimbelle, loaded the bags and were on our way!

    Hiking with Brimbelle was an awesome experience! We hiked about 10 kilometers (6 miles) each day, so 30 kilometers (18 miles) in total across forest, fields and villages. Donkeys are awesome travel companions, and Brimbell added a new dimension to the hiking adventure by motivating our children to hike along. Steady and gentle animals, donkeys bring a very relaxing and secure feeling. Our 6 year old daughter, who is usually super active, spent hours walking calmly alongside Brimbelle and cuddling her in the evening. Even our very energetic 1 year old Australian shepherd, Perle, seemed to be calmed by the presence of Brimbelle. Donkeys must have some magical soothing powers!

    Wild camping in Vosges

    The bivouac option offered us a lot of flexibility, so we did not plan in advance where we were going to spend the nights. We adjusted to everyone’s tiredness and began to look for a place to camp mid-afternoon, so we would have time to rest and play before the sun went down. We took time to look for a nice spot, so that each evening we could enjoy the sunset over the pine forest or the valley! We also looked each time for a place near a water source so that we could easily get water for Brimbelle and Perle. I loved to see how the kids felt responsible for the animals, taking care of them, bringing them water and always looking for the best spot of green grass for Brimbelle to graze!

    Wild camping with kids is an amazing experience for so many reasons. Being in the forest at night with no one else for miles around is exhilarating. Experiencing the total silence except from the wind and wildlife is priceless. Inevitably, it is a bit harder work than campsite camping. You have to walk in, plan more, pack enough food, and find a good spot – all the while staying safe, but it is a great family challenge. We made special memories that will last for a lifetime.

    Good to Know

    The law about wild camping in France is quite confusing (Article R111-33 and R111-34). However, in most French national and regional parks, free camping is tolerated from sunset to sunrise or from 19h to 9h (7 pm until 9 am) in a small tent in which you cannot stand. Fires are forbidden, but the use of camping stone is sometimes tolerated. Regulations are subject to change or interpretation depending on the region, the season, and the local habits. Make sure to check before going or ask the donkey-owners. They are amazing resources!

    Hiking with a donkey in numbers:

    • Donkeys can carry nearly 30-40 kilograms (65-90 pounds). They can carry small children of 3-6 years old if needed.
    • Donkeys walk steadily at a pace of 3 to 4 kilometers/hour (1.8 to 2.4 miles/hour)
    • Donkeys reasonably walk up to 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) per day
    • A 1/25,000 map of the area is a necessity, whether you buy one beforehand or purchase one from the donkey-owners.

    Renting a donkey costs 38€ ($44) per day. Prices may of course vary depending on the owners and the hiking region. Renting a donkey is becoming a popular added value of any family hike everywhere in France, with almost 300 professional donkey-owners registered. If you love animals and nature, that is an amazing way to discover the French countryside, slowly and peacefully! Either you choose the all-included option with nights in country inns, or the wild version with bivouac in the tent; travelling with a donkey is a truly unique family adventure, that your children are unlikely to forget!

    Pin it to Pinterest!