My eldest is starting to make her own money with side jobs. So I want to give her financial tools that will help her grow her money all the way into retirement (spoiler alert: it’s not a regular savings account but a custodial ROTH IRA!) So the path to helping children to become millionaires is a long but straightforward one.

I may teach them good values, how to travel to luxury locations on points, but am also trying to teach them how to grow their money. I love my parents but but they didn’t teach me good financial and investment strategies. But I am trying to change that with my kids and create the best financial foundation for my own kids. Now it is easier than ever helping children to become millionaires, without starting with a million dollars.

Mindset Shift towards Investment

A millionaire mindset is the first step towards helping to create more millionaires. I took an investment course once which challenged me with the line I started off with here – when you receive money, start with an investment mindset.

Teach your kids to think longer term. Shift their thinking to an investment, rather than spending mindset. This is a harder concept to grasp. But it is an important perspective to have. We started explaining to my eldest how she also owned shares in companies she is familiar with like Apple. Kids are definitely excited when they feel like they have ownership in a company. They may ask more questions and be curious about how they can be owners in more companies. After they understand basic concepts, they will understand why investment can help them to truly grow their money.

Teach your kids the difference between keeping money in a bank account vs. in an investment instrument. While investments can be risky, investing in a variety will earn greater returns than a regular savings account.

Savings account vs. Investment account value in 25 years

Savings – $500 saved today at 3% interest rate = $1,044.51

Investment (S&P index) – $500 saved today at 10% annualized returns = $5,500

Financial Education

Why do schools teach math, science, and English but not teach basic financial concepts? Financial education is often just picked up through experience and maybe external courses. But a solid financial education helps to sow the seeds not just for financial stability, but to build wealth. Private organizations and even governments are starting to share the importance of financial education for kids. Maintain and use this education and the path to millionaire status is certainly within reach.

Teach your kids financial education consisting of:

– Percentage to save/spend/invest

– Budgeting for specific goals

– The importance of investing

– Savings towards the long-term

– Types of healthy debt

Look out for free courses (this Khan Academy one looks great but donate if you can!) to apps that teach kids everything from budgeting to the importance of insurance.

Adopt the right investment tools

Adults that use the right investment tools can both save (on taxes) and increase their wealth sooner. Help your kids understand different types of financial investment tools as well as their purposes. As your child picks up more financial education, you can choose the types of tools that would work for her including:

– Savings account

-Custodial brokerage account

-Custodial Roth IRA account

Once kids learn financial education and adopt the right tools, they will well be on their way to becoming millionaires.

Setting your kids financial futures and not having to worry about their financial stability is true luxury.

The post Helping Children to Become Millionaires appeared first on little luxury list.

Why not do both! Eat art at Silk’s Palace Taiwan.

Silk’s Palace is located next to the National Palace Museum and its dishes pay homage to some of the museum’s famous artifacts. The plating was beautiful and elegant, like a fine art presentation itself.

The main dishes echo the famous jadeite cabbage (翠玉白菜) and meat shaped stone (肉形石). The jadeite cabbage is a single, carved piece of jadeite shaped into a napa cabbage head with a locust and katydid perched on top. While our dishes didn’t have the bugs, they were the most delicate pieces of cabbage (this cabbage shape makes a reappearance at dessert!) The single piece of pork belly really emulates the meat shaped stone.

The beef noodles come in quite a large portion (definitely enough for two!) as well. I preferred the darker version which was bolder. But the beef in both versions was very tender and plentiful.

The dessert is also beautifully presented in a multi-tiered shelf reminiscent of an ancient Chinese shelf. My favorite was a mochi textured roll rumored to be the favorite of a former empress as well.

Prior to your meal you can take part in the lady bun activity. Decorate a steamed bun painting the bun and make accessories (a red doughlike substance). This is a fun, interactive activity you wouldn’t expect from lunch. You’ll get to eat your own creation at the end of your meal as well.

This was one of the most elegant, yet fun dining experiences I’ve had and proof that you can ear art at Silk’s Palace Taiwan.

The post Eat art at Silk’s Palace appeared first on little luxury list.

The Regent Taipei, a luxury urban hotel in the capital, embodies these different influences. It is similarly elegant to the Wellspring by Silks Beitou but has a much different energy.

The service, food, rooms, and activities are among the best I’ve experienced and at a relatively affordable price point too. You can truly have an accessible luxury stay at Regent Taipei.

Room

The rooms are spacious and comfortable with full baths as well. The rooms on the executive floor, in particular, also come with the loveliest amenities.

It’s not just the candies at turn down. But you are welcome with a full treat tray with local candy and several types of small cakes (packaged so you can take it home). They also present you with their signature sparkling tea as well.

During the last day, our room on the executive level even got Kavalan whisky as well.

The hotel is a part of the IHG network as well as American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts enabling members to redeem credits from those respective programs.

Facilities

This is a large hotel with extensive facilities as well. I only stopped by the pool but enjoyed the extra misting from sprays surrounding it. The gym itself is a good size accommodating around 10 guests when I visited. There was ample room and machines.

One of the best parts of the Regent Taipei is its large spa. Each private room is large with its own steam shower, changing room, tub, and spa table. The traveler’s massage was welcome after visiting a few other cities in Taiwan and we got small treats after our treatments.

Food

The dining establishments at Regent Taipei are quite different – teppanyaki to sustainable foods to traditional Taiwanese breakfast. But they are all excellent.

A good breakfast sets the tone for your stay. The restaurant is huge and selection wide as well. I saw sizeable Taiwanese, Korean, and Western sections along with notable wellness dishes (acai is always a good idea!)

Robin’s Teppanyaki was one of my favorite restaurants in Taiwan. We had a private chef fixing us a meal with fresh lobster, snapper, and A5 wagyu. But what sets the experience apart is the bartender that comes by to fix drinks of your choice, including excellent non-alcoholic drinks. The tiramisu is one of the best I’ve ever had and made with whisky (is that the trick?)

The Balcony Lounge is a nice alternative to the extremely popular Regent Taipei Sunday brunch. The sustainable brunch is quiet and the menu is more curated. The salad bar has healthier options though there are a few treats and Haagen Dazs ice cream as well. A few of us added sides like lobster and caviar which elevated the experience. I also enjoyed my mango matcha chia drink as well for a healthier meal.

The lobster and chicken bau were tasty and the iberico jamon with melon was a great savory treat.

Activities

A luxurious experience continues with one of the oldest names in luxury fashion – Louis Vuitton. A curated Louis Vuitton store specializing in luggage is located near the front entrance of Regent Taipei and is one of the few Louis Vuitton stores in hotels. They even make a Regent Taipei purse!

Nearby is a standalone Louis Vuitton store with a full selection of jewelry, clothing, and accessories. They have a station there that allows you to personalize your bags. My personalized luggage tag is definitely a nice momento of my stay ay Regent Taipei.

The Regent Hotel is also known for the Regent Galleria. This shopping area includes both fashion and food establishments. It’s definitely convenient to just pop downstairs to shop!

Service

The service at Regent Taipei was thoughtful, efficient and helpful. We encountered helpful staff from the reception at the gym to the servers at Robin’s. It felt like they were proactive and anticipated our needs on a few occasions. It truly felt like they embodied the spirit of “to serve as we would like to be served (將心比心、待人如己).”

The post Accessible Luxury at Regent Taipei appeared first on little luxury list.

Beitou is a mountainous and green region in Northern Taipei and a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of central Taipei. If you are looking for some of Taiwan’s famous hot springs, you are in the right place!

When you enter the hotel, you feel a very calm vibe from the neutral colors and staff who may be dressed in Japanese traditional wear. The wellness and quiet aspects are felt throughout the hotel.

Room

The rooms were tranquil, spacious, and have large stone tubs perfect for soaking in the neighborhood’s hot springs.

The elegant decor reminded me of Silks Place Tainan. But this didn’t have the same urban feel on the outside. The hot springs contain sulfur and the minerals are supposed to improve your circulation, relax your muscles and decrease your stress. The water is also supposed to minimize your eczema as well. It is certainly luxurious and convenient to have your own private hot spring in the room!

Facilities

The facilities all give an air of tranquility with a strong Japanese influence. The hot springs at Wellspring Resort by Silks Beitou are at multiple locations throughout the hotel. Some rooms may have private hot spring access as I mentioned above but you can also book a private hot spring. There are also larger public hot springs separated by sex. This hot spring area is also by the pool area as well.

If you’re not soaking, you can also choose a room that has lounge access. This lounge is by the welcome area and served snacks in the afternoon and has happy hour from 17:30 – 19:00. We were welcomed with the loveliest tea and small tea cake in this area.

Food

Freshness and wellness influence the food as well. The breakfast has a few traditional Taiwanese options, but also heavily features healthier aspects too. There is a large salad bar, acai bowls, and Japanese dishes.

Dinner has healthy dishes but is playful as well. It incorporates Japanese elements once again with a stunning sashimi boat and excellent seafood starters. Taiwanese food is kicked up a notch with a Taiwanese roast duck fixed 6 different ways. Duck sushi with cheese and duck wraps with fresh vegetables are so fun and innovative.

Of course a meal in Taiwan is incomplete with 礤冰 or shaved ice. Here it is slightly healthier served simply with 豆花 tofu pudding, a simple syrup, and tapioca pearls. The food was fresh, tasty, and executed very well.

Activities

Luxury is having access to privacy but also the ability to explore your surroundings as you choose. The hot springs at Wellspring by Silks Beitou are definitely a big focus. I loved being able to indulge in my own hot spring, but also loved participating in a few activities organized by the hotel too.

The walking tour is a great way to see Beitou itself. This includes passing by the Beitou museum as well as Hot Spring Museum. Then you’ll end up at the source of the hot springs which can be quite beautiful, but as you can imagine hot in the summer and filled with a sulfurous smell.

If you’d rather stay indoors, then stay and take part in a wellness experience you can take back with you. The DIY herbal ball activity for you to create your own herbal sack. You can use this as a light massager, aromatherapy, and even to ward off evil spirits! Our group had fun making this and I love having a few multi-purposes herbal balls that remind me of my lovely time in Beitou.

Service

The service at this hotel is uniformly excellent. We always had staff members warmly greet us when we entered the lobby to sitting down to a meal at breakfast. When I realized I had a small cut, several helpful people got me medicine and bandages right away. I felt welcome and supported and everyone I met acted “to serve as we would like to be served (將心比心、待人如己).” This is the true testament of a luxury hotel.

The post Hot Springs at Wellspring Resort by Silks Beitou appeared first on little luxury list.

It helps to have a convenient location starting with an elegant stay at Silks Place Tainan. This centrally located hotel is walking distance from some of the city’s major museums and sometimes more importantly good food and snacks! This heartfelt but elegant handmade mug set the tone for our visit.

Room

The rooms are large and understated. In addition to a traditional living room with coffee table and arm chairs, there is a section with a tatami mat, table, and low chairs. This could even double as a sleeping area for those traveling with family. There is also a nice, large tub to soak away a day walking around Tainan. The neutral colors, large size, and furnishings certainly make for an elegant stay at Silks Place Tainan. Also face masks as a welcome gift is brilliant!

But if you are staying with young kids, you have your pick of adorable rooms with a different feel. A teddy bear motif runs throughout the hotel too with a large one welcoming all visitors in the lobby. You can select a room with a travel teddy bear theme – we saw Paris and London ones with the cutest decorated rooms and souvenirs for kids. It’s a tough choice between Silks Place Tainan and Just Sleep Tainan Hushan for kids!

Facilities

The hotel itself is large, modern, and yet nuanced; this is a delibrate marriage of Western and Eastern aesthetics (as evidenced as well by the rooms as described above). There are models of Tainan and sculptures on the ground floor which give you a better sense of Tainan itself. The lobby is wide and welcoming and if you need anything, a friendly robot assitant will bring it to your room.

The hotel also has a large outdoor pool giving a city view and a welcome respite during hot summer days. The kids club and gym are on the same level so you could definitely drop your kids off and head off to a workout next door.

Food

Silks Place Tainan has an excellent set of restaurants and we were lucky to them them all!

Silks House serves both Cantonese and Taiwanese/Tainan local food. We tried a wide variety of dishes from roast duck to lobster rice and the best shaved ice or 礤冰 I’ve had in Taiwan. The egg custard tart with mochi was also excellent. I am not normally one for sweets but they really prepare fabulous desserts. The presentation and execution were all refined and excellent.

Robin’s is both the location for the breakfast buffet and also hosts private teppanyaki sessions at night. The breakfast buffet was excellent with a wide selection of options from pastries (including Taiwanese pastries!) to charcuterie, fruit, and local Taiwanese favorites like beef soup. Do not miss the slightly spicy egg pancakes with pork 打拋豬起司蛋餅 which are so tasty!

The teppanyaki itself is befitting of an elegant stay at Silks Place Tainan. The chef explained everything well and the plating was beautiful. The seafood and steak were cooked wonderfully. It was also nice to have access to the buffet outside for salad and dessert. But definitely have bananas flambé at Robin’s first!

Travel tip: You can choose from breakfast at two locations here! There is a smaller Cantonese style breakfast restaurant on level 4 with Cantonese dim sum, roast meats, and a wide variety of cooked food (mostly Cantonese). It’s great to have dim sum from the cart!

Round out the night with drinks at the Glass House at level 4 by the pool. This is perfect if you’re with a group because you can play a drinking game that allows you to choose from different tea infused mini liquor shots. This accompanied by traditional savory bar foods from roast beef to sliced chicken. The staff here patiently explained the game and tried to help us give away our (untouched) drinks when we couldn’t finish them! They truly represented the spirit “to serve as we would like to be served (將心比心、待人如己).”

Activities

Do you want to explore the neighborhood or stay inside?

If you opt to explore, book a free walking tour with the hotel 3 days in advance. Professional tour guides accompany you Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons. It was lovely to see sites from the local art museum to Hayashi department store – the second department store in Taiwan open 1932. Since we visited in the summer, we were happy our tour included a shaved ice stop too!

If you stay in, you have to book a perfume and coffee tasting experience. T-Bar is an unassuming spot in the corner of the lobby of Silks Place Tainan where you can experience this.

First, you try the different types of coffee offered. I am one of the few people who do not like coffee, but found these palatable because the flavors were light and included fruit undertones. Tainan is starting to grow its own coffee beans so this is pretty cool to taste. 
Then, you are presented with a base perfume scent and a variety of other perfume notes including coffee scented ones similar to what you tasted. It was fun to do this (coffee!) perfume making activity at Silks Place Tainan. Don’t worry, you don’t have to add much coffee perfume if you’d like another scent!

The wild part is then making perfume that could incorporate some of these same coffee flavors. The flavors are infused into perfume and you could add them to your own custom perfume. This also includes the hotel’s own signature scent as a base layer. It was so fun experimenting with this!

Service

Service across Silks Tainan was great. We just had wonderful experiences from the chefs at Robin’s to the tour guides and perfume making host. Everyone was always helpful, informative and kind. It may have helped that we had such great food experiences associated with the hotel and staff too! I would definitely return to Silks Place Tainan when I’m in the city again!

The post Elegant stay at Silks Place Tainan appeared first on little luxury list.

Step back into Taiwan’s history when you visit Tainan – home to important river ports from the Qing Dynasty and a site where sugar played a deep part of history (sugar and sweetness represented wealth). Tainan’s food tends to be slightly sweeter as well and this is reflected in some of its dishes.We stayed at a family friendly hotel at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan which was a convenient spot to uncover Tainan’s sugar history (remnants can be seen in the decor here and at Ten Drum Culutural Village too!)

Room

The rooms are large and well laid out. We stayed in a corner room with two double beds, seating area, and large bathroom. I enjoyed having double sinks and room for my toiletries. The views from the room in the morning were really lovely to see the Chimei museum and to do a bit of train spotting. I found it therapeutic looking outside at the different trains.

Travel Tip: Book a corner room (ending in xx16) for great views of both the bridge and museum in the background.

Family rooms are available with up to 4 beds as well which is great for a group.

Facilities

Two aspects stood out that solidify for me that this is a great family friendly Tainan Hotel at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan. It is is the only Just Sleep hotel with a lovely outdoor pool. We saw families enjoying the pool in the morning or lounging poolside.

Another family friendly aspect of Just Sleep Tainan Hushan is the lounge on the second floor. This is an all purpose recreation room with plenty of seating, a foosball table and great vibes. Bring some snacks and hang out here.

Or if you want to do some laundry, you can easily do it in the laundry facilities here.

Food

There is one restaurant at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan – the Just Sleep Cafe. The cafe serves a full buffet breakfast.

The selection at the breakfast buffet is mostly geared towards Taiwanese selections. See this Instagram post for a few videos of the authentic breakfast foods!
Congee or savory porridge (with toppings like dried pork and salted egg) – xīfàn,稀飯

Pearl or sticky rice meatballs (love the outer coating!)- zhēnzhūwánzi, 珍珠丸子

Passionfruit (so fresh in Taiwan!) – bǎixiāngguǒ, 百香果 and other fresh fruits 

Lunch at Just Cafe has a few more international options including Japanese, Italian, and Taiwanese cuisines. There are options for donburis or rice bowls or sets with salad, entree and dessert. The food is all fresh and made to order.

Activities

Ten Drum Cultural Village is just next door from Just Sleep Tainan Hushan and deserves its own post. It is a great cultural park and amusement park that celebrates drumming but also so much more. I highly recommend visiting here with or without kids. We spent hours here and didn’t even go on all the rides.

Travel Tip: Remember my points and miles guide and be flexible to book a great stay at an affordable rate in Tainan.

Remember to get free cookies/biscuits from the 1st floor pantry. They also have several snacks from Tainan (mostly savory!) which has the most fun covers with Confuscious!

Service

The service at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan was prompt and efficient. The hotel definitely gets busy but I never felt I had to wait long to make a request or ask a question. It simply embodied “to serve as we would like to be served (將心比心、待人如己).

Overall, this was a casual, chic hotel and perfect for a group as well.

The post Family Friendly Tainan Hotel at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan appeared first on little luxury list.

But it is also home to some beautiful and free sites!

These are 6 favorite spots:
1. Gardens by the Bay – Supertree Grove

I adore the massive 25-50 meter super trees in the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay. The domes are great but you can also walk around the grounds and the Supertree Grove for free!

18 Marina Gardens Dr, 018953
Closest MRT – Bayfront

2. Buddha Tooth Relic temple

This temple is a historic temple in Singapore’s Chinatown.

Tip that most people miss: The huge Vairocana Prayer Wheel – the largest cloisonné enamel prayer wheel in the world – is inside the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda on the roof. It’s beautiful and peaceful turning the wheel. 

288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840

3. Jewel Changi Airport 

The world’s largest indoor waterfall – the  HSBC Rain Vortex at Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport is iconic. This 40 meter or 130 foot site is definitely striking and can be viewed from multiple angles, even underneath! Check out this video for some of the great views there. 

Changi Airport, 60 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819643
Closest MRT – Changi airport 

4. CapitaSpring Green Oasis

Head to this office building for a hidden gem and the best free view of downtown and Marina Bay Sands. Go to the 17-19 floor for a stroll or even do some work. Keep going to the 51st floor for wide open views of the city center. 

Pre-book tickets 2 weeks in advance.
88 Market St, Singapore 048948
Closest MRT – Telok Ayer

5. Singapore Botanic Garden

The Singapore Botanic Garden is a UNESCO world heritage site and a lovely and lush spot for family, nature lovers and anyone wanting a little urban escape. Check out the many animals including swans! 

469C Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259772
Closest MRT – Botanic Garden

The post 5 Free Spots in Singapore appeared first on little luxury list.

I saved ~$50,000 in free travel last year when I really started applying the guidelines below to my (and my husband’s) own accounts. Free travel and even free luxury family travel is accessible if you plan ahead and travel smarter!

So I wanted to share this points and miles guide for free travel.

I try to follow these basic guidelines when I am looking to use points and miles for free travel.

These tips taken together have gotten us everything from a gorgeous suite in Tokyo to free $10,000+ flights to New York.

Be flexible with timing

Timing is everything! This is especially true when it comes to points and miles. Try to be open with when you will visit a particular destination. There are generally two rules to follow:

a. Book 10-12 months out OR within 1 month

The best availability is truly within 10-12 months from your travel date. That can be REALLY hard to plan. But if you are going to a popular destination, e.g. Paris in June, try to reserve your hotel on points first. Then look for your flights on points.

I’ve also booked rooms on points last minute, e.g. a Waldorf Astoria Maldives (picture below) at the “standard” rate for which you can use a certificate. Last minute bookings are of course great if you have the flexibility!

*Tool Tip*

I do a lot of flight planning point.me. It has saved me over 300,000 miles and I would definitely recommend it as a good tool. Use my link for your first month free!

I also use award logic, which is convenient because it shows availability for several days at a time and Seats.aero for its more expanded search capabilities (more in another post!)

b. Plan for off-peak travel

I love traveling during off-peak or the quieter season. I enjoy going just before the busy season. You will have a better chance of getting hotels and flights on points, but also pay less for activities. e.g. We went to Cappadocia in late May/early June before the summer season. Our hot air balloon price was probably half the price of the summer season cost! 

Earn lots of transferable points

Transferable points unlock better options!

It’s that simple. I used to think that if I was very loyal to a particular airline and hotel chain, I would be set. I certainly was, but was limited to that airline’s routes/hotel chain’s hotels. So I started discovering I had few or expensive options for travel in certain cities.

My advice: diversify your points earnings!

Don’t keep earning just to one program (or just keep 1 or 2 cards that do this). Earn points to a program that transfers to several of your preferred airlines. Research the different ways to earn points which may include:

1. Using a travel credit card
2. Shopping on specific websites
3. Flying /staying with a specific partner
4. Transferring from a partner

There are a few programs that transfer to multiple partners. The top ones are:

1. Chase Ultimate Rewards – one of the most flexible programs with an extensive range of cards and the only one that transfers to Marriott. Get a 90k welcome bonus one one of two business cards (valid if you sell anything online) through Jan. 18!
2. American Express – also a large program with premium cards that have many individual credits
3. Capital One – on par with Chase and American Express but has exclusive travel partners like Turkish Airlines
4. Citi – transferable to many programs, though has a smaller range of cards

Get the right premium card (sometimes with annual fees)

I never would have considered a credit card with annual fees previously. Some of these fees may also range from $95-$695! But if you do the math, you can actually get PAID for using many of the credit cards with annual fees. So they are one of the easiest and most effective ways to earn points and miles. It really is that simple. I will also mention free cards that are great for travel in another post as well!

*Please only open a credit card if you can pay it off every month! I use a credit card for every day spending and always pay off the balance.*

Here is an example with the American Express Platinum personal card:

– $695 – annual fee (ridiculous, but wait, it does get better)

– $200 Uber cash ($15 -$35 every month)

– $200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit

– $240 digital entertainment credit for select providers (Disney + is a good choice)

-$200 airline fee credit 

– $100 Saks credit ($50 x 2 times a year)

– $100 Global Entry credit so you can zip through the airport

– $189 credit to Clear to skip the line at the airport 

– $154.40 Walmart membership credit ($12.95/month)

So far, here are the current card cost details:

-$1389.40 in credits

+695 annual fee

= $688.40 in value (or how much the card PAYS you) 

This value excludes the points you would earn just by using the card. Even if you only use credits totaling $700, you’re still ahead!

This excludes the value of the points themselves (which are pretty valuable). American Express points themselves are valid at .02/point and transfer to most major airlines. 

I hope that this points and miles guide for free travel gives you confidence that you can definitely plan a luxury trip, even a luxury family trip, for much less with points!

I will detail how I would plan a luxury trip with points in an upcoming post! 

The post Points and Miles Guide for Free Travel  appeared first on little luxury list.

So I’ve learned to use a few favorite essentials when I’m out all day:

1.Comfortable Shoes

Good arch support is key! I like solid insoles like these Currex arch support insoles that will absorb shock and keep my feet comfortable when I am having a really active day. They are the best insoles for standing all day and really help relieve  foot pain.

2.Good Shoes

Good shoes are also key. I’ve worn my Atoms with insoles on days where I’ve walked 20,000 steps a day! I find them versatile enough for a casual office or a day exploring the city. This year, I’ll likely get another color as well because these really are such comfortable shoes.

3. Power Bank – phone charger

I always have a low charge by early after whether I’m at work on on a trip so need a quick way to charge my battery. I actively use phone for taking photos, communicating with people, or checking on apps. So this power bank is a great way to keep my phone battery full so I can keep using it for work or play!

4. A Great Water Bottle

I always have water with me! Good hydration is underrated and I try to always have my water bottle wherever I am. Even if I’m in a country where I need to purchase water, I tend to get large bottles and distribute the water among smaller reusable bottles. I have a variety from Starbucks to Contiki water bottles! This Takeya water bottle is my favorite now because of its durability, variety of options for drinking, and of course great colors!

This post may contain affiliate links or products for review. Thank you because your clicks help maintain this site! Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

The post What are your favorite essentials when you’re out all day? appeared first on little luxury list.

What should you expect?

I didn’t have much of an idea and also scrambled to book a hot air balloon days before taking it. It all turned out fine and I also wanted to share these tips as well.

Take not of the following factors when determining your hot air balloon in Cappadocia:

1. Takeoff time. The majority of companies take off a little before dawn so will pick you up around 5 am. Some, like the one we took, fly a little after dawn or slightly later in the morning which was fine too. 

2. Flight length. Most companies we saw offered 1 hour flights which IMO is more than enough time.  It is relaxing, but you will see everything in that timeframe.  My daughter was pretty impatient and done after 30 minutes though.

3. Cost. Cost is relatively comparable, but may differ based on number of passengers and any freebies offered at the end. Smaller, private baskets are more expensive. Some companies offer champagne at the end which is more expensive than companies like ours that offered sparkling juice.

4. Basket Size. We booked last minute and for one of the most affordable prices of $153.  It was a huge basket with 20 people, not including the pilot and crew.  But I actually was fine with it.  The basket was divided into 8 compartments and I felt there was sufficient space within ours. 

I didn’t mention company and reputation. If you book through your hotel or a travel agent, you may not even know the balloon operator company until you arrive! There are so many balloon companies in Cappadocia and this competition keeps tour operators and balloon companies safe and performing well. Thus, I felt safe going with the tour guide’s recommendation.

I ended up booking through an agent via Airbnb. He was responsive and the ride on Kaya Kapadokya was safe, timely and entertaining. This was also one of the most affordable options at $153/person. 

I’m so glad I took this epic hot air balloon ride with my daughter and it’s an adventure I will treasure!

The post Cappadocia, Turkey Hot Air Balloon Guide appeared first on little luxury list.