We Go With Kids!

Tag: local culture

  • Things to Do in Kauai with Kids

    Things to Do in Kauai with Kids

    Kauai has long been high on my list of destinations to visit. Having just moved from the East Coast to the West Coast last summer, a trip to Kauai suddenly became much more feasible for our family of four when it was no longer a 12+ hour journey. When time came to plan our spring break, I did some quick research and within hours had my family of four booked (flights + hotel) for a week long stay in Kauai for next to zero dollars out of pocket.  A busy work schedule coupled with two kids in different schools prevented me from doing as much research as I would have liked, prior to our trip to Kauai. Thus, we ended up embarking on a relatively unscheduled and unplanned week in Kauai, with just broad notions as to what we would like to do, but not actually having activities scheduled in prior to departure. We ended up having a ast in Kauai and I would say it is one of my Top 5 Family Vacations – perhaps even Top 3!  Here’s my list of things to do in Kauai with kids!

    1. Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

    Shaka Guide offers guided GPS tours on four Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. In 2013, my family visited Maui with our then 4 year old and did purchase a guided CD tour of the Road to Hana. I don’t believe Shaka Guide was available at the time, but given the rave reviews online, I decided to download the Shaka Guide prior to our trip to Kauai and it turned out to be a great decision. The Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour provides three hours of audio guidance and although my husband was skeptical at first, it ended up introducing us to some of the highlights of our trip, including the “Gilligan’s Island” Beach and our hike down to “Secret Beach,” all of which we likely would not have found had it not been for the Shaka Guide.

    Gilligan’s Island Beach; likely my favorite beach on the planet.

     

    The walk down to Secret Beach; we followed a woman carrying a surfboard on her head because, of course we did.
    Secret Beach

    The beaches we experienced as part of the Shaka Guide were so great that we ended up planning a whole day around a return trip to one of the featured beaches, Gilligan’s Island Beach. Our Shaka Guide tour ended up being approximately 3.5 hours, including numerous stops and hikes down to various places, like Secret Beach, so for $10, it was money well spent. Our kids enjoyed it as we were definitely off the beaten path in Kauai.

    2. Kayak Hanalei Bay

    One of the fun memories I have of my pre-college years is kayaking with my brothers. When I was in high school, we had some crazy kayaking adventures in Catalina Island and San Diego. Suffice it to say, kayaking is high on my list of things to do, anywhere we are, and my husband and kids have become accustomed to my building in kayaking time wherever we are.

    Kayaking Hanalei Bay was one of the kayaking adventures I was really hoping to experience in Kauai. Although my four year old has kayaked with us before (usually as the middle person on a two person kayak), I didn’t know if he’d be able to go the distance as part of a larger kayaking excursion. Kayak Hanalei offer double kayak rentals at $60/day for pre-1pm rentals and at a reduced price of $45 for post-1pm rentals.  After a morning spent exploring the North Shore, I decided that we might as well see how my four year old would do on the kayak. Given that it was after 1pm, we paid $90 for two, double kayak rentals, which came complete with wet bags.

    He was so comfy, he fell asleep on the ride down to the confluence and had to be shaken awake

    To my surprise, we had a fabulous time! We barely made it back by closing time, 5pm, as we decided to extend our little kayaking excursion from the bay to the confluence; but long story short, we saw sea turtles, disembarked to enjoy a snack (and beer for the adults),  and just overall enjoyed being out on the water. I highly recommend this adventure with kids.

    3. Spend the Day at the Beach

    My husband and I are busy people who like to be on the go when we are on vacation. Our kids, however, can happily spend the day at the beach. We made sure to build in plenty of beach time and Kauai’s unspoiled beaches were the perfect backdrop.

    To get the most of our beach days, we actually spent a few dedicated beach days going from beach to beach. Some beaches offered protected areas for snorkeling and others were just good for general lounging.  We simply packed a picnic lunch, stocked up on towels from the hotel, and took off for the day. Apply sunscreen as I definitely got a bit singed one day!

    4. Coffee Plantation

    Lyndgate Farms chocolate farm on Kauai offers a three hour “branch to bar” tour and tasting. Knowing full well that tour wouldn’t hold my kids’ attention, we skipped right to the important part: the chocolate tasting. Lyndgate Farms offers free tasting of all its chocolates and my kids each got to pick their favorite.  We purchased a number of bars and I was glad to see they came with complimentary cooler bags to keep them from melting. My kids also enjoyed swinging on the giant swing in the parking lot, before getting back in the car.

    5. Attend a Luau

    Although I’ve been to Hawaii a handful of times, I never attended a luau until this trip. Although hokey and probably not worth the money to experience again, I’m glad we did it this time. As an added bonus, my kids loved the fire dance.

    6. Take a hike!

    There are a number of great hiking opportunities in Kauai and we took full advantage of these great adventures. On a rainy morning, we took a short hike near our hotel in Kapaa, and the boys not only managed the whole thing on their own two legs, but had a great time as well.

    Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme song here?

    7. Hawaii Shave Ice

    No trip to Hawaii is complete without Hawaii Shave Ice. We happened to stumble across Jo Jo’s, a Kauai classic, after a long hike up Waimea Canyon, and were happy to partake.

    8. Miniature Golf

    Mini-golfing at Kauai Mini Golf, located at Anaina Hou Park is a wonderful way to spend a few hours with kids. Not only is the course littered with native plants, but my kids really enjoy mini golfing, something that we rarely get to do in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

    9. Visit Waimea Canyon

    We spent a full day hiking Waimea Canyon and absolutely loved the experience even with our four year old in tow. But, for those who aren’t up for the day long hike, know that there are plenty of ways to experience Waimea by car. There’s not only a great lookout near the main parking area, but we took a tour down a road (that ended up leading to a restricted military base) and climbed a random hill (yes! all four of us) where we were treated to some amazing views. Do it. You won’t regret it.

    10. Sunset Cruise of the Napali Coast

    Experiencing the Napali Coast was a non-negotiable item on my list of things to do in Kauai. I’m glad we were able to find a vehicle in which to do it — Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise.   Click here for my review of Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise.

     

    Our family trip to Kauai was such an amazing experience that I really think I’ll be hard pressed to ever be persuaded to go on a beach vacation somewhere else. I hope our list of things to do in Kauai with kids will help inform your trip to Kauai!

  • Old Town Alexandria With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Old Town Alexandria With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Old Town Alexandria is a historic neighborhood located just a few miles south of Washington, DC. Having called Old Town Alexandria home for six years, I can say, without a doubt, that it is not only an amazing place to live, but also a fabulous place to visit. Over the years, I have encouraged many friends/family visiting from out of town to spend a few hours exploring Old Town with kids! Not only is it an incredibly family friendly place, but it is literally dripping in history and architectural design AND also incredibly dog friendly. Old Town is home to the only coffee shop I’ve ever heard of that freely allows dogs into its establishment. So, even on a crummy day, Old Town is a great place to bring your kids and furry pups for some window shopping and good eats.

    How to Get to Old Town Alexandria:

    Getting to Old Town Alexandria is not difficult. It’s a short drive down the GW Parkway from Washington, DC and if you’re flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) and planning on using public transportation, the King Street Metro station is just two stops south of the DCA stop. Once at or near King Street (the “main drag”), you can easily take the free King Street Trolley, which travels along King Street from the metro station to the waterfront every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. There is absolutely no charge to ride the Trolley, you don’t even need to be in possession of any passes, you can simply keep an eye out for Trolley stops along King Street and hop on and off as you see fit! The Trolley also carries free copies of the Alexandria’s Visitor’s Guide as well as a map of the main business area, so it really is a great starting point for learning your way around Old Town Alexandria.

    The King Street Trolley!

    If you find yourself driving to Old Town, the cheapest parking option is simply to park 2-3 blocks north of King Street. On or in the immediate vicinity of King Street, the parking spots are metered and/or you can look for lots that provide day parking. But, if you’re looking for free parking options, just park a few blocks north of King Street and take the short stroll down. Pro Tip: If you park close to the Potomac, you can simply walk due east until you hit the waterfront and then enjoy the gorgeous scenery on your way down.

    Top Five Things to Do:

    #1: Explore the Waterfront

    Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria is the perfect spot to enjoy the serene waters of the Potomac River. There are so many ways to enjoy the water, including water taxis and boat cruises, but my personal favorite way to experience the waterfront is to visit one of the many waterfront parks located along the Potomac and throughout Old Town.

    View of the Potomac from the north end of Founders Park

    My personal favorite waterfront park is Founders Park, which is located just three blocks north of King Street. Not only does it provide an amazing, shaded opportunity to enjoy the Potomac’s serene waters, but it also has an unleashed dog park for my four legged child AND a beach volleyball court.

    Beach volleyball at Founders Park

    On any nice day, you can find the park filled with local residents simply enjoying the outdoors. And, if you happen to be in town during Alexandria’s annual birthday celebration and firework spectacular, which always happens the weekend after the Fourth of July, it’s a perfect spot to lay down a blanket or towel and enjoy the show.

    There are a number of fenced in walk ways that are perfect for young duck feeders!

    #2: Visit Artists’ Galleries at the Torpedo Factory

    The Torpedo Factory is presently home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. On the day after Armistice Day, the official end of WWI, the US Navy began construction on the Torpedo Factory which was truly intended to be responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the Navy. For five years, the factory was fully operational until work stopped during and the building became a munitions storage area. During WWII, production picked up again, but eventually, the factory’s production came to a grinding halt due to the end of WWII and the United States continued to use the building for storage. For years, the factory held congressional documents, dinosaur bones, art objects, and other records.

    During a tour of the Torpedo Factory, I learned that the building really became something of a liability for the United States government and so it was “sold” to the City of Alexandria for the hefty sum of $1 in 1969. It took a few years for the city to develop a plan, but eventually the Torpedo Factory opened to the public as a working studio for artists.

    The Torpedo Factory is presently home to a large number of open artist studios and, on any given, day, its a great spot to enjoy a reprieve from the elements. Whether it’s summer or winter, the Torpedo Factory’s central location directly at the intersection of King Street and the Potomac River is a great place to seek some shade or air conditioning and to use the facilities. Pro Tip: Free, clean bathrooms available!

    My personal favorite part about the visiting the Torpedo Factory (aside from the free, clean bathrooms and air conditioning) is the local “water musician,” who can be found nearly every weekend playing his tunes just outside of the factory’s main entrance.

    If you happen to visit the Torpedo Factory, be sure to stop by and say hi to my friend Katy who runs EatsPlace Cafe & Market, a great place to grab a sandwich and cold drink (including beer)!

    #3: Experience History

    I cannot begin to do justice to the City of Alexandria’s history without turning this post into a thesis. The short story is that Native American artifacts dating to 13,200 years ago and as late as 1,600 AD have been found in Alexandria. The city has served as a tobacco trading post, one of the ten busiest ports in America, a part of the District of Columbia, the hometown of Robert E. Lee, George Washington, and a Civil War supply center for Union Troops, among others.

    In my opinion, the city has done a wonderful thing of honoring the past by preserving it for the future. There are a number of historical sites and attractions available for visiting and the city runs most of them, with available tours and special exhibits and attractions. While by no means an exhaustive list, some of my favorite sites are:

    Carlyle House Historic Park:

    This 18th century home is located one block north of King Street and is a beautiful example of Georgian residential architecture. John Carlyle was a wealthy merchant and a founder of Alexandria and the home has served as not only a private residence, but as a hospital during the Civil War and is now a museum.

    Lee Fendall House:

    The Lee Fendall House was constructed in 1985 and has housed 37 members of the Lee family, served as a convalescent home for Union soldiers during the Civil War, and has also been the price residence of many wealthy Alexandrians during its 200 year history. The home is located on the National Register of Historical Places and is a wonderful place to visit. Tours run regularly throughout the week and the museum also offers a number of special events. The home also runs an annual “candy free” Easter egg hunt, which we visited one year with our young son. I totally got a kick out of knowing that my four year old was freaking out over the Easter bunny at home that Robert E. Lee likely visited and stayed at while in command of the Confederate Army.

    The Churches:

    This may come as a surprise to many, but Alexandria is home to a surprising number of “first churches.” The historic Christ Church is located in the center of Old Town and George Washington was a founding member and rented a family pew and Robert E. Lee was a later member of the church as well.

    In addition to Christ Church, Alexandria is also home to the Basilica of Saint Mary, the first Catholic parish in Virginia/West Virginia. Legend has it that George Washington made the first contribution for the creation of the parish in the late 1700s. The Basilica is also the first to have been designated as such in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first in the Diocese of Arlington, and the 84th in the United States.

    Last but not least, Alexandria is home to St. Joseph’s Church, the oldest black Catholic church in Virginia. Located only two blocks from our home, we frequently attended St. Joseph’s and found it to be a vibrant and welcoming parish. My husband attended an African Methodist Episcopal Church throughout college and loved the choir and worship at St. Joseph’s, which definitely had a lot more to it than our typical mass.

    Gadsby’s Tavern:

    Built in 1785, Gadsby’s Tavern was an essential part of the fiber of the City of Alexandria. George Washington visited the Tavern frequently and other prominent guests include Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and yours truly, of course.

    Although the food is truly nothing to write home about, the experience of dining at Gadsby’s Tavern is a real treat. Workers still dress in period clothing and the food is designed to be “authentic” – including some of Virginia’s famous peanut soup.

    Even if you don’t have time to dine at Gadsby’s, be sure to stop by and visit the recently renovated Icehouse, which can be viewed for free from the outside rain or shine.

    The Farmer’s Market:

    The Old Town Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously held farmers’ market in the country. Any Saturday morning, rain, sleet, or shine, you can find local farmers and artisans with their booths. Not only is it a great place to purchase fresh produce, but there are a number of local bakeries, eateries, and artisans also out selling their products.

    There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!

    #4: Walk the King Street Mile

    King Street is a walkable mile of over 160 independent shops and boutiques. As you may have gathered by now, King Street is the heart of Old Town and no visit to Old Town is complete without popping into at least some of the shops that make up the Old Town Boutique District.

    source: Old Town Boutique District

    Some of my favorite stores are:

    The Hour: a shop dedicated entirely to cocktail hour! Although many of the items sold here are way outside of our budget, it’s a great little place to get ideas for hosting your next cocktail hour or dinner party.

    Red Barn Mercantile: my favorite home goods store, hands down. Not only does the shop offer an great collection of candles, pillows, and other assorted home decor, but it’s a fabulous place to get Alexandria inspired items for home or gifting. I’ve purchased many candles, mugs, and other related items to give as housewarming gifts.

    Handmade and DIY Shops: Alexandria happens to be home to a number of do-it-yourself shops. My favorite store in this category is fibre space, which is hands down the best local yarn shop I have ever visited. Owner Danielle has the most amazing vision and all of the employees are not only seasoned knitters and crocheters, but are also fabulous people to boot. If yarn isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for a sewing lesson, painting lesson, jewelry making and design course, or just a good old fashioned pottery painting session. Be sure to check out the handmade and DIY shop offerings for your next visit to Old Town!

    Pro Tip: I’ve affectionately renamed Old Town “Dog Town USA” and it’s no surprise as Alexandia is incredibly dog friendly. If you’re also traveling with your four legged child, The Alexandria is an ideal place to stay. Not only is it located in the heart of Old Town, but it offers a weekly “Yappy Hour” that we have visited with both our two legged and four legged children. Many of the shops in Old Town are pet friendly, just keep your eyes peeled for this blue sign indicating that even Fido is welcome! The dog friendly aspect of Old Town really makes this an ideal family vacation destination as there’s no need to leave your furry friend behind.

    source

    #5: Eat, Eat, and Eat some more!

    Old Town Alexandria is filled with amazing restaurants and eateries. As a rule, the further from the waterfront you get, the better the quality of the food is. That said, if you’re only in town for a short time, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal at Vola’s Dockside Grill or The Chart House. I wouldn’t say that either are particularly kid friendly, though. The Chart House is definitely pricey and Vola’s is hard to manage with young children simply because it is always swamped. If you’re looking for tried and true kid-friendly dining options, our favorites:

    Eamonn’s: Amazing fish and chips. Be sure to add some extra sauces to your order.

    Pizza Paradiso: Great pizza and beer selection. I’ve maneuvered a double stroller through this place, so don’t hesitate to bring your kids!

    Virtue Feed & Grain: One of our favorite places for brunch!

    Hank’s Oyster Bar: We love the seafood, there’s a great kids menu, and my kids love that every meal starts with goldfish crackers and ends with dark chocolate chunks.

    Red Rocks Pizza: If you find yourself further away from the water when it’s chow time, Red Rocks offers great pizza and we even prefer it slightly to Pizza Paradiso.

    Bread & Chocolate: A great place for breakfast or a light lunch.

    La Madeleine: A french bakery & cafe that is also a great option for a causal breakfast or light lunch. Also a great place to pick up pastries to enjoy at home later!

    And, of course, it is nearly impossible to go to Old Town without enjoying some of the amazing desserts the town has to offer. There’s the Ben & Jerry’s just by the water, but also a number of mom & pop ice cream shops. If liquid nitrogen ice cream is your thing, be sure to check out one of the more recent additions to the Old Town dessert scene: Nicecream. There are also quite a few cupcake and chocolatiers littered throughout town, so definitely save room for dessert.

     

    We are so lucky to have called Old Town Alexandria home for six years and we hope you consider popping in for a visit on your next trip to Washington, DC. Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids and make sure to visit Old Town Alexandria with kids!

  • Icelandic Weekend Getaway With Kids: Family Budget for Iceland

    Icelandic Weekend Getaway With Kids: Family Budget for Iceland

    Traveling to Iceland with kids? With airfares as low as $99 one way from many cities to KEF, a trip to Iceland sounds like a bargain… until you factor in the price of accommodations, food, and attractions. Although Iceland is filled with natural beauty and waterfalls that are free to view from the Ring Road, other costs and expenses can come as a surprise to those who were expecting a “cheap” getaway. One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is “just how expensive” Iceland is and “how much should a family budget” for Iceland. With that in mind, I’d like to share with you the cost of my recent trip to Iceland over Memorial Day Weekend with my nine year old son.

    Airfare + Transportation + Gas = $1053.54

    Wow Airlines round trip airfare for two + one checked bag for each leg of the flight (added at the time of booking for $49.99 each way) = $567.06

    Route1.IS four day rental car = $359.36 (booked via holiday autos)

    Gas = $127.12 (1.25 tanks diesel gas used)

    Accommodations = $700.99

    Cottage at Reynisfjara Beach (two nights) = $515.99

    Nina’s Guest House (one night) = $185

    Excursions = $253.50

    The Blue Lagoon (admission for one adult, children under 13 free) = $70

    The Lava Tunnel (admission for one adult, children under 12 free) = $64

    Hallsgrimskirkja (admission for one adult and one child) = $10.50

    Jokulsarlon Glacial Boat Ride (admission for one adult and one child) = $77

    The Viking Museum (admission for one adult and one child, including buffet breakfast) = $32

    Food: $298.01

    Food was a surprisingly expensive part of our trip. I don’t mind spending money on food and we love dining out and do so frequently, but I was a bit taken aback by a simple pizza that cost about $30. Nevertheless, we didn’t end up spending all that much on food because we had access to a grocery store and a kitchen at both locations. We only ended up eating out on a few occasions. On the first day, we had a large, late lunch of burgers and fries for lunch and then opted to just snack on cheese and crackers for dinner. Our second day, we spent a grand total of $19.89 at the Glacier Lagoon cafe but otherwise, ate items that we picked up at the grocery store and made spaghetti for dinner. On our third day, we shared a small snack at the Reykjavik Fish Market and then splurged on our most expensive meal – pizzas and wine at Endofninn. Our final morning, we enjoyed coffee and baked goods at a bakery in Reykjavik and then, due to timing, did not eat again until we found ourselves at the airport (although we did enjoy some refreshments at the Blue Lagoon). At the end of the day, we saved quite a bit of money because we were able to purchase and store groceries at our accommodations. Our dining expenses are as follows:

    Smidgen brugghus (one kid’s meal, one adult burger, one beer) = $42.42

    Kronan (local grocery store chain where we purchased light snacks, breakfast supplies and spaghetti materials for dinner) = $45.54

    A small jar of pasta sauce that was just enough for the two of us costs nearly $4.
    A $3 baguette at the Kronan in Vik.

    Sandwich and soup at the Glacier Lagoon = $19.89

    Endofninn (two pizzas, one soft drink, two glasses of wine) = $62.59

    Reykjavik Fish Market (one entree of fish and chips) = $28.03

    Breakfast coffee and pastries = $16

    Blue Lagoon Cafe (one beer, one slushy) = $16.44

    Bonus (local grocery store where we picked up food souvenirs to bring home) = $21.27

    Nord (our pre-departure dinner of one pizza, one soup, and one beer at KEF airport) = $45.83

    To be honest, I wish I had the opportunity to spend more on food. I happen to love dining out and my husband and I are very adventurous eaters. My nine year old, while a wonderful traveling companion, isn’t one to enjoy fish or lobster stew and he can also be particular about his meat. That said, I glanced at many menus and simply decided that it wasn’t worth trying to eat a nice dinner with my son as there was very little, if anything, that he would enjoy on the menu. This ended up saving us quite a bit of money, even if it left me a bit disappointed that I did not get the opportunity to explore the Reykjavik dining scene or the local cuisine. I guess I’ll just have to wait for my next trip to experience the hot dog and fish soup!

    As for grocery store prices, I found grocery items to be more expensive than in the US, but not astronomically so. A $3 baguette costs more than the $1.50 baguette at my neighborhood grocer and one kg of oranges cost $3.50 (so ~$1.65/lb), but it was still such a significant cost savings over dining out.

    Grand Total = $2,306.04

    Our grand total for flights, transportation, accommodations, food, and gas was just over $2300. Yes, we spent a bit more than that on incidentals, such as the $12 travel adapter I had to purchase when I realized I had neglected to pack one from home and the $70 vase I purchased as a souvenir for my mother-in-law, who was graciously babysitting my three year old back home. But, for non-negotiable items, we managed to stay within a reasonable budget. Of course, your own travel patterns and practices will dictate what your trip ends up costing. I was fortunate that we found a nice balance between free activities and paid experiences and that my son was more than content to eat items we picked up at the grocery store for a number of meals.

    I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to Iceland! Planning your own Icelandic adventure with kids?  Be sure to check out our listing of all Iceland posts or join our Facebook group We Go To Iceland With Kids, a forum to ask questions and share ideas about family travel to Iceland

     

  • Costa Rica With Kids (Part VIII): Diamante Eco Adventure Park with Kids

    Costa Rica With Kids (Part VIII): Diamante Eco Adventure Park with Kids

    For Spring Break 2018, my family of four traveled to Costa Rica and spent one full week at the Andaz Papagayo. To read about why we chose Costa Rica with kids and booking logistics, visit Costa Rica With Kids (Part I): Why Costa Rica and Booking Logistics. 

    Our trip to Costa Rica with kids did not involve much by way of pre-planned activities. Although our vacations are typically scheduled down to the minute to maximize experiences, our stated goal in traveling to Costa Rica was to spend time together, relaxing as a family. That said, there was one thing that we knew, with absolutely certainty, had to be done: ziplining.

    Ziplining is so essential to any Costa Rica experience that I knew we had to do it. Admittedly terrified of heights, I had no interest in ziplining, but my almost nine year old is a bit of a daredevil and I knew he could persuade his dad into nearly anything. That said, the difficulty with ziplining as an activity was that we also have a very active not quite four year old, who very much so believes that he can and should be able to do whatever his big brother is doing. After a bit of poking around online, I settled on an outing to Diamante Eco Adventure Park with kids!

    My best description of the Park is that it is essentially a Costa Rican amusement park/zoo all tied up into one. The Park offers a number of activities, including ziplining, horse back riding, and ATV rides, to name a few. The Park also offers numerous animals, a butterfly conservatory, and even a hot buffet lunch, if you’re so inclined.

    The cost of admission is not cheap and varies depending on what activities you want to participate in. The plan was for my husband and oldest son to zipline, while my younger son and I visited with the animals, so we knew we needed to at least have those two options available to us. After perusing the various passes, I decided that the Adventure Pass made the most sense, as it includes ziplining, admission to the animal part of the Park, access to the beach, and a buffet lunch. The plan was to spend the day there so even though it was seemingly rather expensive at $118 for an adult and $95 for my older son (children under 5 are free), we went ahead and purchased our tickets.

    The drive from our hotel to the Park took about one hour. About 20 minutes from the Park, we started spotting large and colorful signs that pointed us in the correct direction. Upon arrival, we confirmed with the security guard posted at the bottom of the driveway that we were visiting for the day, at which point we drove up to the parking area outside the main entrance.

    After parking, we spotted the shuttle bus and quickly climbed on. The main entrance is located at the top of the hill directly above the shuttle bus in the above picture. I had some difficulty during the ticket purchasing process in terms of trying to figure out exactly how the day would go. Specifically, the online ticket purchase requires you to select a time for your zipline adventure. We were running slightly behind schedule and so we arrived 10 minutes after our selected time. I was quickly assured this was not a problem as we were checked in and queued for zip lining.

    There are five ziplines at the park, but unfortunately, my son was just shy of the 85 pound minimum required to go on the Superman, which the Park claims to be the longest biplane in Costa Rica. Because he was unable to do the Superman, there was one other zipline he could not go on, as he had to return via the Superman. Although this meant that he was only able to go on three ziplines, his spirits were not dampened as he got weighed and outfitted.

    waiting in line for the first zipline
    The Superman zipline, complete with photographer hanging out in a shaded spot to capture a photo for later purchase.
    Lockers for storing items.

    With my husband and oldest son off on their zipline adventure, my youngest and I set out to explore the animals. It was a quick shuttle bus ride to the zoo entrance and we were off.

    my little one loved the butterflies

    My little one and I enjoyed the various habitats, in particular the frog room. It was an open room with various frogs located around the room. We simply wandered around and tried to peek behind plans and leaves to find resting frogs/toads. We also loved the butterfly conservatory, but it was extremely stressful and it was completely packed with butterflies and I was terrified my little one would step on one. Luckily, we managed to spent quite a bit of time there, admiring the various species of butterflies, without causing any harm.

    My kids also enjoyed the scorpions, which they shined on with provided black lights.

    We were in the zoo for about 40 minutes when my husband and older son joined us. The last station on their abbreviated circuit of three ziplines conveniently dropped them off in the middle of the zoo. We spent about 90 minutes walking the zoo before deciding it was too hot and time for lunch.

    Back at the main entrance, we scoped out the buffet and sat down for a bite to eat.

    View of the ticket counter from our lunch seat. Although barely visible, the lunch buffet is set up to the left.

    The buffet options were modest, but there was plenty for everyone. The meat options included BBQ chicken and ribs, and plenty of rice and beans and fries. My kids also happened to love the pizza (of course).

    After lunch, we decided it was time to leave. Although we had planned to visit the beach, it was clear that the heat had gotten to my youngest son and that he was struggling to keep it together. A quick shuttle bus ride down to the parking lot and we settled in for the hour long ride home.

    Final thoughts?

    I enjoyed our visit to Diamante Eco Adventure Park and it was a good way to spend the day. My oldest got to experience the zipline and my youngest enjoyed seeing “Costa Rica animals,” as he affectionately called them. Every single employee at the Park was helpful – from the hostess that greeted us to the individuals scattered throughout the zoo, offering to give us a mini tour of the various habitats. In fact, my husband and oldest were so taken in by the “cats” habitat that the employee there ended up giving them a 20 minute tour and explanation of the animals and their daily routines.

    In hindsight, I did not have to pay for the full Adventure Pass and could have saved a few dollars by opting for the Discovery Pass (which does not include ziplining, lunch, or beach access) and is $76 cheaper. But, since we had originally planned to visit the beach and knew that we would be eating lunch at the Park regardless, we went ahead and purchased the more expensive pass just to have more options available to us. That children under five are admitted for free definitely helped ease the pain in that regard.

    If you’re thinking about visiting the Diamante Eco Adventure Park with kids, I can highly recommend it. It’s a clean facility and the employees are all top notch. From the extremely affable hostess to the focus on safety with respect to the ziplines, our family was able to enjoy a day outing with plenty of fun and entertainment for everyone.

    I hope you enjoyed following along on our Costa Rica With Kids adventure! 

     

  • Costa Rica With Kids (Part VII): Easter Sunday and Our Visit to Escuela Pacifica Garcia Fernandez

    Costa Rica With Kids (Part VII): Easter Sunday and Our Visit to Escuela Pacifica Garcia Fernandez

    For Spring Break 2018, my family of four traveled to Costa Rica and spent one full week at the Andaz Papagayo. To read about why we chose Costa Rica with kids and booking logistics, visit Costa Rica With Kids (Part I): Why Costa Rica and Booking Logistics. 

    As Catherine has posted before, attending Mass on vacation is one way in which we regularly immerse ourselves in the local culture when traveling. When traveling, I also jump at any opportunity to visit local schools or villages, such as our visit to the Ndebele homestead in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. During our recent visit to Costa Rica, I was thrilled to celebrate Easter at the local Catholic church and also to participate in a service project in conjunction with Crescendo Juntos, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to education and training in the Guanacaste district.

    Easter Mass at San Antonio Padua

    One of our first orders of business upon arriving in Costa Rica was to check with the Concierge regarding the nearest Catholic church and times for Easter Mass. As I mentioned in my review of the Andaz, the Concierge was extremely helpful. Not only did they have this information readily available, but they gave us advance warning that it would be an open air service.

    On Easter Sunday, we got dressed and drove to San Antonio de Padua in Playa Hermosa. Located approximately 30 minutes from the hotel, it was an easy drive and we arrived with plenty of time. I was delighted to see that the church was truly “open” – no closed walls. Although we’ve attended Mass in many different cities and even countries, I’ve never attended what was intended to be an open air mass (my unintended open air mass was Easter 2017, when I ended up outside the Carmel Mission with an angry toddler).

    The service was conducted primarily in Spanish and the Priest and servers were extremely friendly and welcoming, although it was clear that very little, if any, English was spoken. My favorite thing about the Mass was that they chose Easter Sunday to be a baptism day for infants and young children. Typically, the 40 days spanning Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday are very somber and the only celebration is the welcoming of catechumens into the Church. I’ve never, in all my years, participated in an infant baptism on Easter Sunday, but I really appreciated welcoming these young babies into the Church. My children, having seen many infant baptisms, were also familiar with the service and I was glad for the opportunity to be part of the larger Church.  Pro-Tip: Although the service was supposed to start at 10AM, it did not actually start until 10:15AM as one of the families who were participating in the baptism arrived late. Nobody seemed flustered or concerned, except for those of us who were clearly foreigners used to a rigid Mass start time.

    Our Service Visit to Escuela Pacifica Garcia Fernandez

    Prior to our stay at the Andaz, I learned that guests were welcome to bring backpacks filled with school supplies to donate to a local school. I immediately jumped at the opportunity and reached out to the Concierge at the hotel to schedule our visit.

    The night before our scheduled visit, I received an email with directions to the school. The Concierge also delivered a printed copy to our room, complete with full color map, which was greatly appreciated. We were told that we would be met by an individual from Creciendo Juntos, who would help facilitate the visit.

    The morning of our visit, we loaded up the kids (and our filled backpacks!) and drove the 30 minutes to the school. The individual from Creciendo Juntos met us at the front of the school and, unfortunately, she did not speak much, if any, English. The first 5 minutes or so of the visit did not go well, I’ll admit. My preschooler had fallen asleep on the drive over to the school so he was rather cranky at having been woken up, and my older son was mostly just shy and feeling awkward and unsure of why we were there. And, the language barrier was really preventing us from communicating in any meaningful fashion.

    After a few harrowing minutes of trying to communicate, the volunteer took us straight to the English teacher’s classroom – hallelujah! The English teacher took over and introduced us to the group of fourth graders she had in her classroom and had us exchange introductions with the students. We played a rousing game of hot potato and then the teacher suggested that we take the kids outside for some soccer. The soccer game really broke the ice and my son had a great time. The kids played soccer for about 20 minutes and my son was quickly red-faced from the heat and humidity. While my oldest played soccer, the Creciendo Juntos coordinator took my youngest to the kindergarten classroom, where he enjoyed playing with the classroom toys. When the kindergarten kids came back, we moved to the playground, which my son also enjoyed.

    At some point, the bell rang and I realized that recess was over. Not wanting to further disrupt the kids from their school day, we signaled that it was time to leave. The English teacher brought us back to the classroom where my kids had the opportunity to present their filled backpacks to two children who had been selected by the teachers to receive the backpacks. Check out this PDF on the Creciendo Juntos Volunteer Program for more information.

    We really enjoyed our visit with the school and my older son said, on a number of occasions, that he had a great time playing soccer with the kids. I wish we had been given more information prior to our visit. I learned, after the fact, that we could have prepared a short lesson or project to do with the kids. With the benefit of hindsight, I would have loved to have done a little presentation on Washington, DC and come prepared with photos or mementos to share with the children. It was awkward to just show up with our backpacks, but we really had no idea what to expect. Overall, the experience was a positive one and I am glad we did it. The Creciendo Juntos coordinator was extremely friendly, despite our language issues, and the school children and faculty were all welcoming and open to our visit.

    For the final installation of our trip to Costa Rica, check out Costa Rica With Kids (Part VIII): Diamante Eco Adventure Park…

  • Costa Rica With Kids (Part VI): Rincón de la Vieja National Park with Kids

    Costa Rica With Kids (Part VI): Rincón de la Vieja National Park with Kids

    For Spring Break 2018, my family of four traveled to Costa Rica and spent one full week at the Andaz Papagayo. To read about why we chose Costa Rica with kids and booking logistics, visit Costa Rica With Kids (Part I): Why Costa Rica and Booking Logistics. 

    Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano located just 15 miles from Liberia. As one of six active volcanoes in Costa Rica, Rincón de la Vieja last erupted in 2017 and forms the highest point in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a large conservation area.  The Park also has a number of fumaroles and hot springs, which we gladly explored on our day trip to the Park.

    Getting to Rincón de la Vieja National Park:

    The Park has two entrances, one at Santa Maria and one in Las Pailas. We drove our rental car from the Andaz Papagayo to the Las Pailas park entrance, which we knew in advance would take about 90 minutes. Although we had purchased the GPS map of Costa Rica for our Garmin, the map kept directing us through windy back roads in Liberia. At one point, we were clearly in a residential area, and the road transitioned from paved-but-in-rough-shape to dirt. I quickly decided at that point that we should turn around and head back to the main intersection in Liberia. Luckily for me, I had just enough cell reception to google “getting to rincon de la vieja,” and I was able to find this website, which provided us with the following set of instructions:

    To Las Pailas sector: Coming from Liberia International Airport, drive to Liberia city (turn left out onto the main road from the airport). At the main intersection into Liberia (Santa Rosa plaza on your right, Burger King on your left, McDonalds in front of you), turn left. Drive about 3.5 kilometers and you will see many signs for “Rincon de la Vieja National Park Las Pailas sector.” Turn right into the entrance after the Ebais clinic on your left and continue on this road for about 20 kilometers to the national park entrance and the trail heads.

    There is a parking lot where the administration office is, which is where you’ll buy the entrance tickets.

    The website is dated March 2016, but I can tell you that the Ebais clinic no longer exists and there are not “many signs…” There may have been one sign directing us to the Park, but it certainly was not at the intersection where we were supposed to turn right. Pro Tip: I wish I had looked up the GPS coordinates as others report having more success using that method than simply entering the destination. The approximate GPS map coordinates of Rincón Las Pailas are latitude 10.773, longitude -85.3499.

    Prior to entering the Park itself, we encountered a private road with an individual collecting toll to access. I was instantly thankful that my husband stopped at an ATM while we were trying to find proper instructions in Liberia because there is no way we would have been able to pay the private access toll to the gentlemen collecting the fee. Not only did he not speak English, but he also seemed a bit peeved that all we had were large bills (thanks to the ATM). The toll fee was 700 CR or approximately $1.25 USD per person. Note: he did not charge an access fee for the kids.

    Private road toll collector.
    I paid this 700 colon entrance fee with a 20 MILLION colon bill. I’m pretty sure the guy wasn’t happy with me.

    Once we were granted access on the private road, we continued the main road up to Park. Along the way, we passed a number of hotels and adventure outfitters, as well as quite a few podiums, which I quickly learned were for skydiving. We also passed a few groups of people clearly on a horseback riding tour.

    What to do at Rincón de la Vieja National Park?

    When we arrived at the Park, I was surprised to see this completely modern and beautiful building surrounded by a dirt parking lot with rather haphazardly parked vehicles everywhere. As we entered the building, I was pleased to learn that we could pay the fee via credit card in USD (which is what I did).

    Be sure to bring your passport!

    After paying the fee, I showed our tickets to a woman sitting at the desk, who wrote down our ticket numbers and time of entry. We also had to show these tickets when we left, which leads me to believe that this is how they track visitors to make sure they leave the Park.

    Once inside, we used the modern facilities (which we sincerely appreciated) and my youngest took the opportunity to gawk at the snakes displayed in jars of formaldehyde.

    There were fountains for filling water bottles and also hoses for rinsing off feet.

    My husband and I took a quick inventory of the hikes available. There are a number of hiking trails in the Park, and there are quite a few that are accessible from the Las Pailas, which is why we chose Las Pailas. One of the hikes is an 8 km hike to the summit of the volcano, which was closed due to recent volcano activity.

    Without any idea of what the hike to the La Canegra waterfall would be like, we decided that while 4.3 km (or 2.67 miles) might be a tad ambitious with our 3.5 year old, we should still give it a try and see how far we could get. Spoiler alert: we didn’t get very far.

    The deceptively mild beginning of the waterfall hike…

    The hike starts off easy enough with a wide open grassy path. Along the way, we passed the closed trail to the crater. Unfortunately, the path quickly turned hazardous and became not only rocky, but extremely steep and filled with branches. We were probably just 1/2 a mile in before I realized there was no way we were going to get down from the hike with our 3.5 year old intact, so we turned around.

    This was probably the fourth or fifth climb of its kind … and the point at which I decided we needed to turn back.

    Back at our original starting point, we decided to go on the third available hike: a 3 km (or 1.86 mile) loop around boiling mud pots. Having visited Yellowstone, my husband and I weren’t all too impressed by the boiling mud pots, but it was a first time experience for our kids and our 8 year old particularly loved seeing all the different fumaroles and volcanitos. Much of the path is paved and there are no steep climbs, so this was an easy walk for our family of four. Some portions of the path are shaded, which we appreciated, because it was very hot being out in the direct sunlight, especially whilst surrounded by active volcanoes.

    Final Thoughts and Tips:

    Our experience at the Park itself was slightly underwhelming, but I blame that largely on the fact that we could not hike to the waterfall or visit any of the hot springs due to having a 3.5 year old in our party. It was a nice way to spend the day, however, and my kids loved seeing the volcanic activity up close. Personally, I was thankful we had rented a car and were driving ourselves to Rincón instead of participating in one of the many shared tours offered through the hotel. The hotel’s prices for a trip to Rincon would have cost us $288 total ($98/adult and $46/child ages 3-10). While the tour includes roundtrip transportation, lunch, admission fee, and a bilingual guide, we would not have been able to do the hiking portion of the tour or would have had to split up because there’s no way my 3.5 year old could have lasted the entire hike. In fact, while on our less than 2 mile loop around the hot pots, we saw numerous family groups that were clearly on some kind of private tour similar to the tour offered through the hotel. Long story short, I was thrilled that our day trip to Rincón set us back only $37.50 out of pocket ($2.50 in private toll access and $35 for two adults and one child to enter the Park as children under 6 are free) and would recommend anyone traveling to Rincón consider renting a car and making the trip yourself as it is perfectly safe and manageable.

    If you’re traveling to Rincon de la Vieja with kids, be sure to:

    • pack plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, and mosquito repellent,
    • wear breathable clothing as it can be very hot (it was in the high 90s when we visited and we were all boiling by the end of our walk around the fumaroles),
    • bring your passport as it is required to purchase your admission ticket to the National Park,
    • use the facilities located at the entrance as there are no facilities later on, and
    • be prepared for anything. As we finished our walk around the fumaroles, we saw that the trail to La Canegra was closed without warning or explanation. It would be a huge disappointment to head up there hoping to climb La Canegra only to find the path closed.

    For more on our trip to Costa Rica, read about our Easter Sunday open air mass and our service visit to Escuela Pacifica, and our day trip to Diamante Eco Adventure Park. 

     

  • Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Guest Blogger: Vanessa and Sergio are high school sweethearts from Austin, Texas who love traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and traditions with their daughter. To keep up with this international trio, follow along on Instagram or visit their website, TravelChicFam.

    Our foodra truck ride outside the Musee d’Orsay!

    Paris, France has always been a favorite city of mine. This one city holds the best of the best in art, culture, breathtaking sights and French cuisine.  As the cherry on top, it’s also bursting with romance and, for those traveling with kids, children’s parks perfectly situated through the entire city!

    While pregnant with my daughter, I thought traveling would no longer be possible, but I was wrong! After a year of not traveling, I began experiencing “traveling blues” and decided to plan our first family trip to take place when my daughter would be 20 months old. I excitedly and anxiously began planning our 10-day trip to Paris: flights, transportation, hotel, sites and destinations, family photo shoot, and so much more! Before having a baby, we would have likely booked two or three cities as part of one vacation, but decided to stick to one city for our first family vacation and see how baby girl would travel. As an added surprise, traveling with a child reminded us to slow down, to visit family friendly sites, and to value each moment, laugh, and experience. We also took as many photos as humanely possible so that we could document the experience. Our visit to Paris with a young child was not without challenges, but overall the experience was amazing and life changing. I can confidently say that my now three year old absolutely loves to fly, thrives when she spends quality time with her parents, and enjoys the different sites and children’s parks that we build into our adventures.

    Without further ado, here are my Five Fun Family Activities for Paris With Kids!

    #1. Disneyland Parks

    In the many months I spent planning our trip to Paris, I knew that the one thing I wanted to do was to plan a stop at one of the most magical places on Earth: Disneyland Paris. It was the least we could do for our 20 month old, after dragging her to a different country.  We were visiting in early September, which is considered off-season, so the crowds were minimal and wait times for rides was short.

    Disneyland Paris is comprised of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can pay to visit one park or both parks. For this occasion, we chose to only visit Disneyland Park as our daughter loves princesses, and we knew that the big mid-day parade would be taking place at Disneyland Park. We arrived around 11am and were able to easily purchase tickets and ride a number of rides, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Le Carrousel de Lancelot, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.  We also visited Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, La Tinier du Dragon, Liberty Arcade, and Discovery Arcade. We made sure to stop and watch the famous Disney parade with all the princess characters, and we ate lunch at Au Chalet de la Marionette, which had a decent selection of food for adults and children.

    By the time we left the park at 7pm, we were beyond exhausted. Although we wished we had seen the fireworks, we had a great experience and of course, left with Minnie Mouse ears, a Mickey Mouse balloon, Disneyland souvenirs, and a number of chocolate treats. If I had to do it all over again, I wish we could have arrived a little earlier so that we could visit both parks and stay for the fireworks, but given the one hour distance from our hotel to Disneyland and my daughter’s age, we were just thrilled that she had an amazing experience.

    Pro-Tip: We took a taxi from our hotel to Disney, but you can also take the Metro. We chose a taxi because it was much faster and easier for our little family. Prices vary, depending on location and transit time, so be sure to price check all your options.

    #2: Jardin du Luxembourg

    The Jardin du Luxembourg is a true gem located in the center of Paris. It covers 25 hectares (over 60 acres) of land filled with beautiful gardens, open-air cafes, puppet shows, rides, slides, musical performers, and sailboats in the pond by the Luxembourg Palace. On a sunny day, you can grab lunch and relax on the green or in one of the many chairs sprinkled throughout the park as you watch your little one run around to release some much needed energy.

    Our favorite activity was the miniature sailboats, which are available for rent or purchase if you don’t happen to have your own to bring! There were many vendors located along the pond and we rented a miniature sailboat that came with a large stick, to use to push the sailboat out and onto the pond. My daughter could not push the sailboat on her own, but my husband was happy to oblige and help maneuver the boat. He had just as much fun playing as all the kids. This is a must visit family friendly park for all to enjoy. By the looks of the native French speaking crowd around us, this is local favorite and so a great way to experience real Parisian family life.

    #3: Parc Zoologique de Paris

    The Parc Zoologique de Paris a great place to visit with children, especially if they love animals. Admission is pricey at 20 € per adult / 15 € per child (ages 3-12) but well worth it. The zoo’s landscape is designed to showcase the animals in their native ecosystem and is home to around 180 species and over a thousand animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. During our visit, we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, fish, jaguars, zebras, and giraffes. And, judging by the crowds, this is another spot that most local Parisians take advantage of with their families, and we were again fortunate to have no trouble with crowds.

    #4: Musee de l’Orangeries & Musee d’Orsay

    When one thinks of a museum in Paris, I’m sure the Louvre comes immediately to mind. The Louvre is amazing, but also full of tourists and crowds. Although definitely a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, I was not sure that it was the best place to take a baby or toddler. For this special trip, we decided to visit the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay, which showcase fantastic works by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others, but without the tourist appeal of the Louvre.

    We visited the Musee de l’Orangerie first, where we viewed Claude Monet’s famous painting of the water lilies. The mural and all sides of the walls were so incredibly breathtaking, I had to stop and just enjoy the experience. While I was busy being awed by the beauty of the art, my daughter paced all the rooms of the museum with her daddy. We then went upstairs and enjoyed a quick bite to eat before heading to the Musee d’Orsay.

    At the d’Orsay, we saw Ballet Rehearsal by Edgar Degas, Blue Water Lillies by Claude Monet, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, and countless others. The museum is large, but we had an idea of what we wanted to see before arriving, which helped make our experience more manageable.

    Pro-Tip: It is 9 € to visit one museum, or 16 € to visit both, so we chose to visit both and save some money.

    #5: Eiffel Tower

    Last, but definitely not least, the most iconic site of all, the Eiffel Tower. Although you can pay to go up to the top of the tower, I personally think the best view is the free one from the bottom. There are two children’s parks at the North side of the tower that are fenced in for security and, happily, there are vendors nearby who sell an assortment of snacks and gelato for the children (and adults!) to enjoy a tasty treat.

    Picnicking on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower.

    While viewing the Eiffel Tower, we spied a carousel across the street, which many children enjoy riding, including my daughter who rode it up to four times! On a beautiful sunny day, be sure to take some time to have a picnic on the green near the Eiffel Tower. It’s easy to pick up a baguette or a tasty sandwich and a bottle of wine and enjoy the beautiful view, while the little ones stretch their legs running around outside. We have a wonderful time and will cherish our memories forever.

    Riding the carousel… for the fourth time!

    Final Thoughts?

    Paris has so many different things to see and do, but these are truly my top Five Fun Family Activities to take advantage of in Paris. As I continue to explore the world with my daughter, I learn more about her personality and try to incorporate her interests and wishes as well. My goal, as a mommy, is to take my daughter to one new country a year. Our first was Paris, and we also have Rome and Barcelona on the agenda. Traveling with a child has its challenges, but seeing their smiles and the memories we create as a family are priceless.

  • France: Alsace With Kids!

    France: Alsace 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. 

    Located only five hours by car (or two hours by train) from Paris, Alsace is a cultural region in eastern France, which, since 2014, has been part of the of the Grand-Est administrative region. Due to its location along the French/German border, Alsace has been the center of a centuries long tug-of-war.  Our visit to Alsace in winter was a lovely family vacation.

    source

    Today, when you visit the region, you can see how the influence of the two empires has affected the area in all aspects, including architecture, language, and gastronomy. Alsace is a land of transition, overflowing with history and half-timbered houses and ruins of medieval castles abound. While Strasbourg (the largest city in Alsace) and Colmar (the third largest commune in Alsace) may seem like obvious and attractive places to visit, there is so much that Alsace has to offer, and I highly encourage you to explore the entire area. Indeed, the Alsace Wine Route is located between Strasbourg and Colmar and offers a mosaic of landscapes, including vineyards, forests, picturesque villages, and old castles. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we decided to explore the region. With a mix of many of our family’s favorite activities, including hiking, small towns, gastronomy, and wineries, this was the perfect destination for a family trip.

    source

    THINGS TO DO IN ALSACE, FRANCE

    #1: Places to Visit in Alsace With Kids

    Many villages along the Alsace Wine Route are part of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France), a small association dedicated to promoting tourist appeal of small rural villages with rich cultural heritages. These charming and colorful villages definitely deserve to have their own title and the Alsace Tourism Center lists 18 iconic villages along the Wine Route. Because we were only there for a few days, we could not visit every single village. Instead, we visited fewer places but took the time to get lost in the small streets to immerse ourselves in the magical atmosphere of those small villages.

    Although the Christmas market season had ended, the Christmassy vibe of cheerful songs, festive decorations, and seasonal food was still present. We particularly loved Ribeauvillé, a medieval village steeped in history, Kayserberg, a fairytale village surrounded by vineyards with forested hills rising above the town, and Riquewihr, the must-see fortified wine-making village. From mid-November to mid-January, these villages offer treasure hunts with game booklets that are available at the Office of Tourism, which has an office in each village. This was such a fun, interactive, and entertaining way to visit these stunning villages as we were able to roam the illuminated streets of Riquewihr and Kayserberg on the trail of a Christmas treasure while also unraveling several riddles. Our quest brought us away from the main tourist streets and into small narrow streets, where we learned about the history of the place. After a 1-1.5 hour sightseeing walk, we had gathered all the clues and returned to the Office of Tourism with our “mystery word.” All “winners” were offered a reward, which included an Alsatian seven family game, an artisanal Christmas decoration, a wine glass, a local story book, and much more. It was so hard to choose! My kids loved the whole process from finding the clues to picking out a gift, and the treasure hunts are one of their favorite memories of the trip! We did not do the treasure hunt in Ribeauvillé because we were there for less time. Overall, I highly recommend you look into this as an activity if you find yourself visiting around the holidays.

    Pro Tips:

    • Most of the towns are closed to traffic, unless you are a resident. Luckily, there is paid parking outside of the villages and the parking is less than a five minute walk to the village.
    • The treasure hunts were FREE!
    • I highly recommend that you visit the tourist office website to check out the calendar of activities in each village as they tend to offer different activities and events through the year. You can also visit the tourist office desk when you arrive at the village. As a bonus, the tourist office is staffed with friendly people with handy tips to share and free public restrooms (my kids always need to go at the worst possible moment, so I thought this was worth mentioning!).

    #2: Vineyards and Wineries in Alsace With Kids

    The best way to discover the countryside is to hike it. We followed the “Grand-Crus” Wine Trail, which crosses several villages and is punctuated by signboards, explaining the work happening in the vineyards and the wine making process. Hiking through the Pays de Riquewihr, we were immersed in the heart of the vineyards and, along the way, we discovered the three castles of Ribeauvillé (the Saint-Ulrich, the Ribeaupierre, and the Girsberg) and witnessed the medieval way of life. The old castles truly are a great way to keep the kids motivated and excited while hiking!

    If we enjoy very much walking in the vineyards, it’s almost a certainly we will love the final product even more! Raised in a family of wine-producers, I adore traveling to wine regions to discover small producers and taste their wines, while learning about region specific wine making processes. Appellation d’Origine Contrellé (AOC) laws govern French vineyards to ensure consistent and highest-quality winemaking and Alsace has been designated four grape varieties that meet the Grand-Cru AOC designation: reisling, gewürztraminer, pinor gris, and muscat. Along the Alsace Wine Route, many small producers offer degustation (wine tasting) menus and, after trying the amazing Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Reisling at one dinner, we opted to try the Fux-Fuchs GAEC in Zellenberg, a small-family owned production. The tasting room happened to be located next  door from our hotel (the Au Riesling Hotel).  Although it is tempting to try out the region’s amazing wines at every pit stop, we don’t drink and drive so finding a wine tasting spot within walking distance of our hotel was great – a win-win situation all around.

    Pro Tips:

    • Most wineries are open for visiting and tasting Monday through Saturday (9am – 12pm, 2pm – 6pm) without prior reservation.
    • Access to vineyards is restricted during harvest season and the month beforehand. Check with the local Tourist Office before planning a visit during the harvesting months (August to October).
    • For the wine lovers among you, I highly recommend you check out the Winefolly page on Alsation wines.
    • Fux-Fuchs is a family-run wine producing company, with nine hectares (or 22 acres) of vines. They don’t have a website, but you can find their contact information on the Alsace tourism website. I highly recommend you try the Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Riesling!

    #3: The Haut Koenigsbourg Castle in Alsace With Kids

    The Haut Koenigsbourg Castle cannot be missed during any trip to Alsace. Built in the 12th century, this incredible monument has witnessed the course of European history – constant rivalry between lords, kings and emperors. At the beginning of the 20th century, the German Emperor Wilhelm II (Alsace was controlled by Germany back then!) decided to renovate the castle that had been besieged and destroyed during successive battles. From 1900 to 1908, the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg was restored to its original glory.

    Up on the heights of the village of Orschwiller, located a short 25-minute drive from Ribeauvillé, the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle is just a small detour from the Alsatian Wine Route. Perched on a rocky hill at an altitude of 757 meters, the Castle offers incredible views of the vineyards along the Alsatian Plains. A must see if you are in Alsace!

    Pro Tip:

    • Free parking is available along the road leading to the castle. There is then a two to 15 minute walk before you reach the castle.
    • Plan to spend at least 90 minutes visiting and exploring the Castle.
    • Because of stairs (and the terrible freezing air flow in the winter), I recommend you use a baby carrier rather than a stroller.
    • Entrance fees are: Adult 9 € (~$11USD), Child 5 € (~$6USD), Student 7 € (~$8.50USD). Kids under six are free.

    #4: Gastronomy in Alsace With Kids

    Alsace is a foodie heaven with countless culinary specialties. The symbol of Alsatian cuisine probably is the delicious choucroute: sauerkraut accompanied with pork meat. While my kids (who are usually not picky eaters) are not big fans of choucroute, they appreciated the flammenkuche (or tarte flambée), a thin tart covered with cream, fried onions, and bacon. Tradition Alsatian specialties also include street foods such as bretzels (fresh baked and soft pretzels, sometimes found with melted cheese on top or accompanied by smoked salmon or ham), and kougelhopf (a sort of brioche and leading symbol of Alsace), to name a few. We sampled as many specialties as physically possible after two days of Christmas family meals. Alsatian food is delicious, but definitely not light!

    WHERE TO STAY & WHEN TO VISIT ALSACE WITH KIDS

    We stayed at the Hotel Au Riesling, in the heart of Alsace’s vineyards, and we loved it. Au Riesling is a family-owned and run hotel located in the traditional village of Zellenberg along the Alsace Wine Route. Situated between Ribauvillé and Riquewihr, the hotel is ideally located to visit everything in the area. From the terrace, the hotel provides an unrestricted view of the vineyards and a glimpse of the faraway Black Forest and Vosges Mountains. The staff is very friendly and you can feel the warmth that is typical of family-owned and run hotels. The Hotel’s restaurant offers both classical French cuisine and Alsatian specialties, with a selection of local wines. We love our children to try new food and be sensitive to fine food, so we were really pleased that Au Riesling offers a “Children’s Menu,” which is actually half-portions of the regular menu! The time between courses was a bit long, but that is the French way and next door to the restaurant is a room with board games, books, and a television where kids can relax in between meal service.

    The Christmas season is really magical in Alsace and therefore is one of the busiest periods of the year in terms of tourism. Consider booking your stay during the week to avoid overcrowding. Between May and October, Alsace’s natural landscape is simply stunning. During this time, the vineyards display shimmering colors, from tender green to deep orange. Apart from the enchanting postcard villages, the Alsatian vineyards really are the charm of the Alsace Wine Route.

    Ophélie travels to some stunning locations and this post on Alsace has us wishing we could tag along on their next family adventure! If you find yourself similarly inspired, be sure to check out Ophélie’s other posts on WGWK!

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  • Tokyo Disney Resort

    Tokyo Disney Resort

    Guest Blogger:  David, his wife, and their five year old son, B, have lived all around the United States, but are currently stationed in Okinawa where David enjoys producing movies and eating pancakes in his spare time. You can find David’s videos of their Okinawa adventures on YouTube.

    Tokyo Disney Resort is a theme park and vacation resort located just east of Tokyo, Japan.  My family and I currently live in Okinawa and when winter break rolled around, we decided to plan a trip to Tokyo Disney. Although it is a short 2 hour domestic flight from Okinawa to Tokyo, I’m assuming most of you won’t be starting off in Okinawa and will instead be making your own personal journey half way around the world. Spoiler alert: it’s worth it.

    We planned our trip to take place over four days, three nights from Monday – Thursday, so we could take advantage of shorter lines. In reality, this left us with 2.5 days to actually spend at the parks, which was sufficient considering our focus was not to go on “grown up rides,” but to make our five year old son happy, while stuffing our faces with Disney treats along the way.

    Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

    There are plenty of options in terms of places to stay in and around the park, from Disney owned hotels on property to lesser ones just blocks away. We chose the Disney Ambassador Hotel, which was described as a “budget” option outside the park, but it would not be classified as a budget hotel based on our experiences in the USA! When I think of budget hotels, I think of run down, bare bones accommodations, with rooms out of a really bad Quentin Tarantino movie (cue seedy police or gunmen outside your motel room door!). The Disney Ambassador Hotel could not be further from what I had in mind.

    From the moment we stepped off the airport shuttle bus, we were greeted by smiling Japanese staff, willing to help us with every step of the check in process until we reached our room. Smiles abound and the staff was always ready to pose with you for photos, or hand your child a hotel sticker featuring Mickey Mouse. The lobby was palatial with a large sitting area, a walk down cafe with coffee and desserts, and a lounge complete with televisions playing Disney classics (in Japanese) on a loop. This was a genius component to keeping the kids entertained so the parents could complete the check in process!

    Pricing and Accommodations:

    We booked a standard room at the Disney Ambassador Hotel, but were upgraded to a superior room. We did not ask for the upgrade and, in fact, the regular rooms seemed more Mickey themed with Mickey comforters and such, but we took the upgrade because, well, upgrade. Although I am not a hotel snob by any means, I could be after this stay. The room was very spacious, with two slightly smaller than full sized beds. The bathroom came with a tub and a separate shower area. The water pressure was phenomenal – I could have power washed my home with the shower head, so that was a big plus in my book. There’s also a separate room for the toilet, complete with numerous buttons and options for your use and entertainment. Although we did not use any of the options, the seat was heated and stayed heated, which was a nice bonus.

    The rooms also came with small refrigerators, a safe, and included Disney themed pajamas for the adult guests. Yes! Free Pajamas! And I wore them! Because, Free Pajamas!

    The Disney Ambassador Hotel offers a lot for its money, if you’re willing to explore a bit. The hotel has the usual Disney gift shop, small mini Japanese grocery store and restaurants, but the biggest advantage is the location – just an 8 minute shuttle bus ride from the hotel to the parks. The hidden gem of the hotel is that it is connected to the Ikspiari Town Mall, which is a must see if you stay here. The mall has everything: a full grocery store, over 35 restaurants, a movie theater, a Disney store (of course), and many shops that are local only to Japan.

    Dining:

    The Ambassador Hotel has a Chef Mickey character restaurant where you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Chef Mickey. We had breakfast there on the second day of our stay. The buffet breakfast is divided into two sections: (1) traditional American breakfast of pancakes, toast, eggs, etc and (2) Japanese style breakfast area. I never ventured into the Japanese style breakfast area because the traditional American breakfast of pancakes comes in Mickey shapes! Chef Mickey is a character restaurant so the prices were high, costing the three of us about $80 USD for breakfast. But, the food was delicious, and Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy came to our table and were happy and willing to take as many photos as we wanted. The staff also helped us take family photos, so no one was left out. Unlike the character breakfast in Orlando at Walt Disney World where I felt rushed, the food was terrible, and the characters did not engage, the Chef Mickey experience at the Ambassador Hotel is a must do if you have children (and in particular, if you want to erase any previously horrible character breakfast meal experiences).

    A Happy Chef Mickey Experience!

    Pro Tip: Check into your room and, if time allows, visit the Ikspiari Town Mall and stock up on needed supplies. Just eating dinner at the Ikspiari will save you money from the higher priced Disney hotel/resort options.  I spotted three restaurants in the Hotel (Hana Hana, The Grill, Tick Tock Diner), which all looked appetizing, but the Ikspiari Town Mall was not only cheaper but allowed us to sample local cuisine at a much more reasonable price.

    Pro Tip 2: We have been told that tipping is not necessary or expected in Japan, so we have not tipped. Feel free to google and determine whether you’re comfortable with not tipping, but our experience is that it is not expected.

    Day #2: Full Day at Tokyo Disneyland

    Tokyo Disneyland is one of two parks that make up the Tokyo Disney Resort. Disneyland opened in 1983 and was the first Disney park to be build outside the United States.

    Since we were staying at a Disney resort, we were allowed to enter Disneyland 15 minutes prior to the general public. The Park opened at 8 AM, so we woke up bright and early to take advantage of the early entry. After our Chef Mickey breakfast buffet, we boarded the hotel provided shuttle bus to the Park. The shuttle bus was very retro, but way modern with wonderful hidden Mickeys from the outside taillights to the handrails on the inside. The ride to the Park took only 8 minutes and although Tokyo Disneyland is an extremely popular vacation destination for the Japanese, you won’t find people pushing or cutting in line to enter. Everyone is extremely polite and courteous, but I would still plan on arriving at least 30 minutes prior to opening, depending on where you are staying to avoid the rush and also to grab fast passes.

    Here are a few things we did to maximize our time at the Park:

    • Breakfast at the Park its terrible. Eat before you go, because otherwise, you won’t find anything other than coffee and pastries. Most food options open at 10AM, and we found ourselves freezing outside a coffee and pastry shop across from the Monster’s Inc ride, after discovering there was no indoor seating.
    • Stop dragging around all the stuff you brought into the Park and make use of the lockers! This came in handy as we stored our heavy winter jackets during the daytime hours and came back for them towards the evening when the temperatures dropped. This also came in handy for storing purchases.
    • Once you get past the security checkpoints, hang a right just before the Magic Castle and grab a fast pass for Pooh’s Honey Hut Ride. The ride fills up quickly and fast passes run out fast, so get them early on to ensure the opportunity to ride. Once you get the fast passes, circle back to the Monster’s Inc Ride, which should still be short.
    • We enjoyed great shows which had the added bonus of giving our feet a break, but make sure you check in advance which ones are Japanese only or you will end up sitting through a show without understanding anything that is going on.
    • Tokyo Disney has some amazing snacks, and the best one is popcorn. Buy the souvenir popcorn container (there are many themed varieties, including Star Wars and Cars 3!), because then you can get the container refilled throughout the day at a discount. Flavors we sampled include: curry, tomato basil, and honey. Flavors we did not get to sample include: blueberry, chocolate, caramel, and plain old salt and butter.
    • The Electric Parade lives on at Tokyo Disney, complete with original soundtrack! Be sure to bring a blanket, though. We noticed empty blankets along the parade route about 30 minutes prior to the start. The blankets turned out to be people staking out their spot of land to watch the parade. The staff will make you sit so others behind you can see, so don’t expect to put your kids on your shoulders either. Bring a blanket to reserve your spot and also to keep your bum protected from the freezing cold sidewalk!
    • Shockingly, we found the prices to be extremely reasonable – not a mortgage for snacks and water! Definitely try the Tokyo Disney snacks offered throughout the Park!
    • Food at the Park is plentiful, and one nice thing is that people tend to eat and leave, instead of lingering for a long time. The staff only let you order your food when there is a free table, which means that you will have a place to sit once you get your food! This is such a great system that I wish Orlando had something similar.

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    Day #3: Full Day at Tokyo DisneySea

    DisneySea is the companion park to Tokyo Disneyland and was opened in September 2001.  DisneySea and Disneyland are the only two Disney parks that are not wholly owned and managed by the Walt Disney Company (although Disney does have creative control).

    I had no idea what to expect from DisneySea, although we did know that it is more geared towards adults than kids. However, there are many hidden gems for young kids, and we were amazed by how much was squeezed into a relatively small piece of real estate.

    First, I must mention the Toy Story Mania ride, which locals go crazy for. Upon entering the park, there is literally a stampede to the Toy Story Ride. It’s so crazy that there are staff members with “please walk” signs, again with a smile!  Although many blogs that I read prior to our trip suggested skipping this ride, I personally had just as much fun as my son did.

    To maximize time at DisneySea, I recommend:

    • Snag a fast pass when you enter the park, or else you will end up waiting to ride at 10pm!
    • Once you get your fast pass, head over to Mysterious Island, where there are short lines for numerous rides, including 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Note that Journey to the Center of the Earth is not appropriate for children, “expectant mothers,” or “persons of advanced age.”
    • After Mysterious Island, walk over to Port Discovery, where you can ride the Nemo & Friends ride, which was one of our favorite rides there – a cross between the old Star Wars ride and Soarin. The line was short enough that we got to ride it twice. Port Discovery also has bumper boats and the line was so short that we also rode it twice.
    • A friend recommended that we dine at Vulcania in Mysterious Island, saying the food was amazing. We dined there for lunch, and it was great. The food was counter cafeteria style, but because they only let us in once a table was open, we had no trouble getting our food and sampling the delicious local fare, along with some American style options. If you brought your popcorn souvenir tub, now is a good time to get some popcorn!
    • When we visited in December, temperatures hovered in the mid-40’s during the daytime. It got breezy and we wanted a break, so we stumbled into Mermaid Lagoon. Mermaid Lagoon is all indoors so it is a perfect place to relax whether it’s warm or cold outside! A true hidden gem away from the outside world with rides that kids ages 4-10 will enjoy. There was also soft carpeting, pirate rope bridges to cross, and tons of seating for tired parents to relax and sleep (yep! We saw that!). This is the place to go when the outdoors is too much or your kids need to burn off energy while you relax. There are also shops, as well as a counter service cafeteria style restaurant.

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    The Whirlpool ride at the Mermaid Lagoon.

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    • Although we did not stay at the Disney Miracosta Hotel ($$$$), which is located onsite at DisneySea, we did enjoy the dining area and walked the lobbies. It is beautiful and I really recommend you do it. The hotel has been called the most beautiful Disney property in the world and if you can afford it, you should consider staying there.
    • Since DisneySea is geared towards adults, shows fill up quickly so if you want to see a show, make it a priority and check out times in advance.

    Day #4: Half Day at Disneyland

    On our final day, we had only a half-day to spend, which we choose to spend at Disneyland. We went back to buy gifts and ride Pooh’s Honey Hut (which was out of fast passes on our first day). We got our fast passes at 8AM that morning and rode it at 10AM – definitely worthwhile. Then we went back to the Ambassador Hotel, where our luggage was being held, and started our journey back to Okinawa.

    Although your trip will undoubtedly differ from ours, I recommend that you stick to the weekdays, avoiding weekends and festivals. Your kids will have a great time and so will you, especially if you keep an open mind and try out some of the local dishes! I promise you they are delicious!

    Our family of three had a great trip to Tokyo Disney and will be back to visit again. But, I must admit, that after spending four days in 40 degree weather, we were thrilled to land in Okinawa where it is 65 and sunny all the time!

    We can’t wait to make our own trip to Tokyo Disney and experience that amazing water pressure and stuff our faces! 

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  • 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!

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