The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah

NORMANDY, FRANCE

I began reading this book in Normandy and was stunned when I realized that I was in the exact region where the book takes place. This story of two sisters during WWII is incredible. Whether or not you’re a history buff, you will be entertained!

Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

AFRICA, U.S. SOUTH, NEW YORK CITY

This novel spans 300 years of a family’s story from Ghana all the way to New York City. I spent a whole day in bed reading this book and only wished that each character’s story was longer.

Crazy Rich Asians - Kevin Kwan

SINGAPORE

In a rare occasion, both the book and the movie are equally amazing. I will take any medium possible to be transported to Singapore. And I just love Kevin Kwan’s writing style and sidebar notations.

Clap When You Land - Elizabeth Acevedo

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Two half-sisters share a summer together in the Dominican Republic after a family tragedy. I had never read a novel-in-verse before this book and initially I wasn’t sure I would like it. No surprise, I loved it and devoured this book in a day. Acevedo’s book With the Fire on High is another favorite of mine and I’m saving The Poet X for a rainy day.

State of Wonder - Ann Patchett

AMAZON RAINFOREST

Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors and this is my favorite book of hers. Set in the Amazon rainforest, a pharmaceutical office administrator sets off in search of her former mentor, a researcher developing a new drug. Scenes from this book still make a regular appearance in my day dreams!

The Vacationers - Emma Straub

MALLORCA, SPAIN

Emma Straub is a genius at writing dysfunctional families and this book is no exception. Family antics amongst tapas, beach visits, and tennis games is my kind of genre.

One Day in December - Josie Silver

LONDON

I read so many books set in London. And I’m not complaining since they remind me of a city close to my heart and my best friend who lives there. This story of fate and love is my favorite novel set in one of my favorite places.

Sex & Vanity - Kevin Kwan

CAPRI

Another Kevin Kwan book because he can write a destination as a main character like no one else. Crazy Rich Asians but set in Capri is the best description for the book. He’s got a style and sticks with it. And I love that!

Beautiful Ruins - Jess Walter

ITALY

The book opens on the Ligurian Coast in the 1960s, with an American actress and a young Italian innkeeper who meet for the first time. The story unfolds over a 50 year timeline. I always gravitate towards books that span decades and this one is easy to love.

The Wedding Date - Jasmine Guillory

SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES

Another of my favorite authors, this is the first book in her loosely tied together series. The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco is the star of a handful of the first scenes. (We spent our first anniversary there!) Other guest stars? Tacos from LA and San Francisco, San Francisco parks, the list goes on and on.

Wild - Cheryl Strayed

PACIFIC COAST, U.S.A.

The last two recommendations are not novels… but you will forgive me, right? I love a memoir!

Do you love to read books about adventures you would never take? I do! I loved taking in every detail of Cheryl Stayed’s journey from Mexico to the Bridge of the Gods. Especially since my sister was just about to start off on the same journey.

Garlic and Sapphires - Ruth Reichl

NEW YORK CITY

I love New York and I love food. This book was a dream. It gives you a glimpse into life as a local in New York. Something I always enjoy reminiscing about since I went to college in the city.

What are your favorite destination-centric books? Share them below. I LOVE a book chat and, while my library holds can’t handle another book, you know I’m happy to add more to the TBR (To Be Read) list!

Imagine that I could jump in a time machine and re-visit Southeast Asia for the first time but with what I know now. This is how I would spend my first visit to the region. There’s a major SEA city (Bangkok), a not quite off the beaten path destination (Siem Reap), time to relax (Thai Islands), and the lure of a one of a kind city (Singapore). 14 days brimming with incredible food to eat and activities to enjoy with enough downtime to actually feel like a vacation from life back at home.

14 Days in Southeast Asia:

• Siem Reap (4 Days)

• Bangkok (2 Days)

• Thai Islands (4 Days)

• Singapore (3 Days)

To find out more about each destination, check out our Destination Guides: Singapore, Siem Reap, and restaurants of Siem Reap.

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA (4 DAYS)

Day 1 - Arrival

Head into town from the airport via tuk tuk for a true welcome to Southeast Asia! We recommend a stay at either Banana Resort, a tiny, 6 villa accommodation or Villa Wat Damnak, a hotel walking distance into town.

Day 2

The best way to beat jet-lag is to get moving and sightseeing! Hire a tuk tuk driver/guide and head out to Angkor Wat. Purchase 3 days passes (or 2 day passes if they begin to sell those again) and make your first visit to the complex the main temple, Angkor Wat. Don’t forget to pack some snacks and waters. Or pick up a coconut water along the way. Before heading back into town, have your drive stop at one or two smaller, less crowded temples near Angkor Wat.

Stop for lunch at Sister Srey Cafe and fill your bodies with veggies, a smoothie, and plenty of water. Another jet-lay fighter! Take a swim in the pool during the heat of the day and maybe a short (45 minute) nap. Only if you need it to get you through the rest of the day. Take an evening stroll through Psar Chaa, Old Market, chat with the vendors, and buy some souvenirs. Head across the street to the Night Market and do the same. Taste some street food and take in how beautiful the city is at night. Then set out to find great Khmer food. We love the food at Villa Wat Damnak, the hotel that we first stayed in because it feels like your eating in someone’s home. The food is truly so good.

Day 3

You still have a lot of trip ahead of you, so take the day to relax. Walk around town and maybe take a yoga class at Navutu Resort or a lotus flower arrangement class (this flower arrangement is so popular in Siem Reap and beautiful!). Maybe have lunch at Little Red Fox Cafe or seek out new places to enjoy Khmer food. Relax by the pool and, if you have kids in tow, treat them to a trip to Kid’s Park, the indoor playground at The Heritage Walk. Then treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Siem Reap Brewpub.

Day 4

This is your main Angkor Wat complex adventure day! Many visitors take in Angkor Wat at sunrise. You’ll be well-rested if this is on your list. Two must-see temples for the day: Ta Phrom (a temple overtaken by trees) and Bayon (the “face temple”). Have your guide take you to other smaller temples that are their favorite. Then head back into town for lunch. Schedule time for a massage, a dip by the pool, dinner, and a early bedtime.

(If you have an extra day in Siem Reap, take a day trip to Phnom Kulen to see some historical sights and a swim under a waterfall.)

Click image for source

BANGKOK, THAILAND (2 DAYS)

Day 5 - Siem Reap to Bangkok

(Full disclosure we never made it to Bangkok though we did visit the airport three times! These are recommendations from friends of ours and other travelers!)

Stay at The Pattern Boutique Hotel or if you want to spend those hotel points, stay at Riva Surya Hotel. If you arrive early enough, visit a few of Bangkok’s sights like Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew) before they close in the afternoon. Eat dinner at Rot Fai Market Ratchada (only open Thursday-Sunday), a large night market with many street vendors to choose from.

Day 6

Your one full day in Bangkok, make it count! Head out on a tour of the floating markets. You can find amazing, well priced tours on Airbnb. (This is my one and only must-see item on my future trip to Bangkok!) In the afternoon, squeeze in visit to the temples on Day 5 if you didn’t make it yesterday. Visit Wat Arun for a massage and JJ Market, to take in the largest market in Thailand.

(If you need to cut out any leg of this itinerary, I would pass on Bangkok. You will get the big city experience from Singapore. Although Singapore and Bangkok are wildly different.)

THAI ISLANDS (4 DAYS)

Day 7 - Bangkok to Thai Islands

The Thai Islands! A dream destination for so many people. Deciding where to stay is all about your travel style. So I’m giving you two choices. First, is staying in Krabi and using it as a home base. Sure, Phuket is so popular. But Krabi is less expensive, more family friendly, and it still gives you the accessibility to take day trips to nearby islands. We loved our stay at Krabi Resort. There’s also Koh Lanta, which many people visit on a day trip. It’s the perfect island to stay on if your main goal is to relax and spend long days on the beach. Our stay at Green Pepper Boutique Hotel was perfect and truly embodied the spirit of the island.

Either way, after two flights in 3 days and a whirlwind trip to Bangkok, you’re going to want to take your arrival day easy. Enjoy the beach or the pool, get a massage, and have dinner at or near your accommodation.

Day 8

Beach day to do whatever your heart desires. Snorkel, kayak around limestone formations, drink delicious beverages by the pool. Oh, maybe even a swim up bar. Extra points if your accommodation has a kid’s club so that you can enjoy some quiet time.

Day 9

You’re well rested enough and have drifted into island time. Today is adventure day! Hire a boat out to the islands for the day. Visit the Phi Phi islands or Phang Nga Bay. Don’t forget to pack snacks and take some dramamine. The waters can be very rough!

Day 10

Tackle a morning activity like rock climbing in Krabi or a hike around the island. Then relish in an afternoon of nothing to do by the pool or beach. Eat your weight in pad see ew, papaya salad, satay, and tom yum.

SINGAPORE (3 DAYS)

Day 11 - Thai Islands to Singapore

A two hours flight and you’re in a whole other world! Stay in Little India or Tiong Bahru. Both areas are less expensive than other areas in the city yet close to the main sights. Drop off your bags and head to the nearest hawker center for lunch. (Want a beginner’s guide to Hawker Centers? Read our post!) With a belly full of prawn noodle or duck rice, you will officially feel like you’re in Singapore! Head over to Gardens by the Bay to walk through the botanical gardens, play at the Children’s Garden, and let the fresh air rejuvenate you. Visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. End the evening in Chinatown, take in your surroundings, visit the Buddha Tooth Relic temple and Sri Mariamman, a Hindu temple, and end with dinner at Maxwell Food Centre, a famous hawker center with over 100 stalls.

Day 12

Start the morning with an easy hike through MacRitchie Trail and the Tree Top Walk. Head over for lunch at Adam Road hawker center to fill up on roti prata and other Indian dishes. Then spend the early afternoon in the Botanical Gardens. Go back to your accommodations, take a swim (Singapore is notoriously hot and humid!), and then head to the Marina for the evening. Take in the giant, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the Merlion, the ArtScience Museum building, and the Esplanade building, which curiously looks a lot like a durian fruit. The skyline is truly unique here. Then head back to Gardens by the Bay to watch the Supertree Grove light show (shows are free and at 7:45 and 8:45 PM). There’s also a light and water show at the Marina Bay Sands at 8 and 9:30 PM. Then head over to Din Tai Fung for their famous soup dumplings.

Day 13

Explore Little India, visit the Sultan Mosque, head out to see the Peranakan Houses and visit East Coast Park. Or maybe take a trip over to the beaches on Sentosa. Enjoy your last full day in Southeast Asia and, of course, end it with a great hawker center meal.

Day 14 - Singapore to Home

Head home! Don’t forget to leave extra time to explore Changi Airport. The movie theater, cactus garden, swimming pools. It’s a one-a-kind airport! At a minimum don’t miss taking an extra 10 minutes to see the RainVortex, the famous indoor waterfall just outside of the terminals at the Jewel shopping mall.

You’re time is done and you have that feeling only a vacation can give you. So, so tired and yet so, so full of life. Memories have been made. Delicious meals will haunt you with cravings for years to come. It was all worth it!

Trent (T) is a big fan of London, it’s parks, food, and museums. When I asked him which city he wanted to review next, he couldn’t wait to share all of his favorites from London.

PLAYGROUNDS & PARKS

Highbury Fields Playground (Islington) - “I like that you can climb a lot here. The park was near our friend’s house. It was really big so that you can run around. It also had a humongous slide and a zipline.” We usually stay in Islington and our family has a three-park rotation that we love. This is one of them!

Paradise Park (Islington) - “Another park that I like is Paradise Park because it had a big wheel that you could run around on and it spins. I never saw anything like it before.”

Princess Diana Memorial at Hyde Park - “I remember there was a big circle and it had water running through it. And you can walk in it.” Hyde Park is full of fun, boats to rent, gardens to see. But the kids loved splashing in the water at the Princess Diana Memorial most.

Hampsted Heath - “This park was so busy but pretty fun.” A large, wild space set within the city of London. Spend some time in its 800 acres to enjoy nature and a break from city life. During the summer, you can also swim in the lido.

For next time: Crumbles Castle Adventure Playground - An amazing space filled with places to climb and create set in the ruins of an old castle. So unique and at the top of our park list on our next visit.

PLACES TO SEE

Harry Potter Sights - “I went to the station (St. Pancras) where Harry goes onto the Hogwart’s Express. It was really fun seeing it! And we saw Platform 9 3/4”. Another great Harry Potter sight for older kids who have seen the 6th movie is Millennium Bridge.

Regent’s Canal - “I don’t remember it, but I do remember that it wasn’t much fun.” I could wait to show T the locks and houseboats in the canals, but we didn’t make it far and he was over it. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

Buckingham Palace - “We went by Buckingham Palace. It was fun because we got to be right in front of the gates.” T’s sister, Liv, loves to talk about the queen of England and this was a real delight for her! Now that they’ve read the BFG they both think it’s pretty cool that they’ve visited this landmark.

Big Ben - “Seeing Big Ben wasn’t as fun because the clock tower was covered up.” Peter Pan flying around Big Ben sure made T and Liv want to see it in person. But this iconic landmark has been under construction for four years. Another great movie landmark to see is St. Paul’s Cathedral from Mary Poppins.

WHERE & WHAT TO EAT

Pubs - “I love to eat Fish & Chips in London.” We love to duck into a pub for some comfort food. Especially on a chilly, rainy day. Pubs seem to become even cozier. We also love that their more casual and big booths give our kids a place to relax.

Coal Drops Yard - We loved visiting this new spot in London during the summer. There are many places to eat, including food stands and small food trucks. They also have a splash pad to play in and during Wimbledon there was a huge screen to watch the matches outdoors. An easy place to find a delicious lunch with the kids.

The Spaniards Inn - I’ve shared my love of this restaurant on the blog before. Most of my favorite places to eat in London are not a place I would bring the kids. Either because they don’t love the food or it’s pricer and I don’t want to spend the money on a meal they won’t enjoy. But the Spaniards in the perfect spot to take them. Especially during the summer, when we can eat outdoors and even order hamburgers straight from the grill.

THINGS TO DO

Double Decker Bus - “The double decker bus was fun because you got to see a lot of things and there was a audio guide.” A great way to see so many landmarks and also to rest your feet. But if you don’t want to fork over about $100 for a family of four to ride the hop-on-hop-off bus, the public bus is a perfect alternative. For about 1/10 of the price, you can still ride a double-decker bus to sightsee. Here a few, great routes to try. Route 24 will take you pass Westminster Cathedral, Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square. Route 11 is great for Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

London Eye - “When we were waiting in the long line to go on the London Eye, I was getting really upset. A lady got us out of line and gave us a slushy. She also let us skip the line.” Jet-lag plus hunger made for quite the first outing on our travels. T’s mini-meltdown led to the sweetest ticket attendent treating us like royalty. If we hadn’t promised our kids a trip on the London Eye, we would have skipped it. It really isn’t that impressive for the money. But, a promise is a promise and they did love it.

Next Time: London Zoo in Regent’s Park - Trent and I loved running around Regent’s Park. It’s a great space in its own right. But we also need a trip to the zoo because we need to see the filming location of one of the most iconic Harry Potter scenes: when he talks to the Boa Constrictor!

MUSEUMS

Natural History Museum - “It was so fun to go here a lot and there are so many cool things to see. When you walk in you see a skeleton of a whale. And it looks like a castle and there are so many rooms to explore in. One of my favorite rooms was the jewel room.”

Science Museum - “The science museum was pretty fun because you got to see how a lot of things work. Like a train. But the Natural History Museum is better.” And you know what makes up for an expensive trip on the London Eye? Free museum visits! Many museums are free to visit, although donations are welcome.

Pennies as souvenirs - “Getting pennies is fun. You put them into a machine that you turn. At first it’s easy and then it’s really hard. Then you see it flatten with something on it. I’ve gotten pennies from a lot of different places.”

For our next visit: Tower of London - We didn’t make it to the Tower of London on our last trips, but it is at the top of our sightseeing list for a future visit. A castle, the Crown Jewels, armor and an infamous prison. What more could you ask for?

Another one for our next visit: London Transportation Museum - I have had so many people recommend this to me. And we loved the train museum in Kyoto, so this one is a must for next time.

“My favorite part is that it has fun playgrounds, good food, and usually good weather”. Ditto, T, ditto. Except maybe for the “good weather” part but we love London so much that we don’t mind!

Want to see more of what I love in London after 6 visits there? Read our Destination Guide: London and our posts on our favorite London restaurants.

Have you taken your kids to London? What are your favorites?

Singapore’s cultural diversity can be experienced through a trip to the nearest hawker center. Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities make up the majority of the population. Food from these cultures fill hawker centers and even though we ate every meal (but one!) in hawker centers, we still had so many dishes on our list left uneaten.

Not only is hawker center food delicious but multiple stalls have been recognized for their culinary talents and awarded Michelin stars. Food & Wine has a guide to the hawker centers with Michelin stars. But awards aside, your success rate of finding a delicious dish anywhere in the city is high in Singapore!

Hawker Centers are their own world and can be a bit of a dizzying experience for first-timers. In this guide, I’m going to break down the experience step-by-step so that you can visit like a local, or at least not upset the local next to you during your meal!

HAWKER CENTER TO TRY

Zion Riverside Food Center - this was our favorite. We must have eaten about 9 meals here! It’s very popular with locals as well. Every Uber or taxi driver that drove us home would comment on how great it was and then stop by for a meal after dropping us off.

Maxwell’s Food Center - one of the most famous hawker centers. Popular with locals and tourists alike. If you’re visiting Singapore’s Chinatown, this needs to be on the list for your meal.

Adam Road Food Center - best selection of Indian food. Across the road from the Botanical Gardens.

Lau Pa Sat - We had the best satay here. In the evenings, they set up tables in the street and the satay stands provide table service. Very different from most hawker-style dining which you’ll hear more about below. If you’re staying downtown, this will be your go-to hawker center.

Newton Food Center - Made famous by the mouthwatering food scene from Crazy Rich Asians. This hawker center is known to be great. Perfect if you’re visiting the Little India area of Singapore.

Satay by the Bay - We don’t recommend the hawker center in the Gardens by the Bay because the food was mediocre and more expensive.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. Chope - Save yourself a seat. Pick a table, or more likely hunt one down if you’re dining at rush hour. To reserve your seat, place a packet of tissues on the table. You can use a packet that you already have, buy them at 7-11, or from someone in the center who is selling them. Side note! The origin of the word chope is such a reflection of Singapore’s history. “The word ‘chop’ was originally from the Malay word cap, which is from the Hindi word छाप ćhāp (stamp).” (says Angmohdan.com) You know I love a side of etymology with my meal!

2. Pick a stall - Hawker centers can have anywhere from 15 to over 100 places to eat. Most stalls specialize in one dish with variations on the dish to choose from. So you’re going to want to visit many different stalls during your meal. Best plan of attack? Split up from your group, order different dishes, and then share!

3. Have your cash ready - Many vendors take credit cards, but save everyone the time and hassle and pay with cash. Most meals are in the $2-5 range, so have small bills on you.

4. Self Service? - Note if the stand you’re ordering from has a “Self Service” sign. If so, you need to stand by for your meal. If not, you will need to give your table number and the dish will be brought out to you.

5. Drinks - Usually one or two stalls in the center will sell only drinks (soft drinks, beer, and tea). We usually opt for the juice stand to enjoy with and after our meal.

6. Enjoy - Now dig in and enjoy that delicious food.

7. Clean Up - Hawker Centers have people on hand to maintain the dining area, but it’s best to do your part and return your tray before heading out. Note: there are two different types of tray returns, halal and non-halal. If you didn’t eat from a halal designated stall, then make sure to return your tray to the non-halal tray return.

MUST-EAT DISHES

Hainanese chicken rice, prawn noodles (my favorite!), roti prata, laksa, char way teow, carrot cake (nothing like carrot cake in the U.S.), oyster omelette, roast duck (Trent’s favorite), satay, dumplings, and, of course, chili crab. Plus, a fresh juice! Mandatory addition for our kids. See what I mean! Singapore is full of never ending delicious meals.

Have you ever dined in Singapore’s hawker centers? What’s your favorite dish? How about your favorite street food anywhere in the world?

Most food images via TasteAtlas (click through image to head to website.)

Let’s cheer ourselves up by planning (even if only in our heads) our next long weekend adventure!

What makes a great long weekend destination? For us it’s these three criteria. 1. Within three hours from our home (or main destination). 2. A smaller, walkable city/town. 3. A destination where we can visit our top sights all within 2-3 days and leave content. This means that most major cities that offer endless restaurants, landmarks, and attractions are off the list and saved for a longer visit. These destinations are meant to be enjoyed as a short break from your home or to tag onto a trip to your main destination.

For all 22 destinations, I’m going to give you the top 3 things I would do with my 3 days there!

LOS ALAMOS, CA - (One of my favorite places in the world!) Tacos from Babi’s Beer Emporium, a beer at the 1880 Union bar, and shopping at Depot Mail, the antique store.

SAN DIEGO - A day at Balboa Park, dinner at Station Tavern in South Park, and a trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

PALM SPRINGS - Pool days at the Ace Hotel, vintage shopping, and a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

SANTA BARBARA - Lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria, dinner at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, drinking and shopping through the Funk Zone.

SAN FRANCISCO - Lunch in the Ferry Building, ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery, and the afternoon strolling Golden Gate Park.

SANTA FE - See the cliff dwellings of Bandelier National Monument, dinner and margaritas at the Shed, and a soak in the onsens at One Thousand Waves. (See our entire Destination Guide : New Mexico here.)

PORTLAND - Pick up a new book at Powell’s Books, a visit to the Japanese Gardens, and quick pop into the Yo Store.

BEND - (Our new hometown!) Lunch at Worthy Taps & Tacos, walks along the Deschutes River, and hikes out at Smith Rock.

LAKE DISTRICT, UK - Lunch at the Mill Inn, hikes through the countryside, and beers from Hesket Newmarket Brewery. (You can read all about our 7 day England Road Trip here.)

EDINBURGH - Hike Arthur’s Seat, a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, and an afternoon spent on a Harry Potter Tour. (Our full Edinburgh guide is here.)

COPENHAGEN - Eat smørrebrød at Cafe Norden, a day at Tivoli Gardens, and a stroll in Nyhavn. (All about our Copenhagen layover.)

LJUBLJANA - A visit to the castle, lunch at Vino & Ribe, and pizza and a Loo-Blah-Nah beer at Foculus. (Our Ljubljana Guide details so many other great places in the city.)

SPLIT - Explore Diocletian’s palace, lunch at Bokeria, and an afternoon at Marjan Park.

CHIANTI, ITALY - A stay at Villa Bordoni, lunch in Greve with a great glass of wine, and a cooking class with the hotel’s owner. My moto: less is more in Tuscany.

POSITANO - All day at the beach (Fornillo Spiagga to be exact), dinner at Chez Black, and lemon sorbet at Hotel Covo dei Saraceni.

PAROS - Gyros at Souvlakia Kargas, afternoons at Lolandonis beach, and dinner at Siparos Seaside Restaurant.

MARRAKECH - Lunch at Cafe Clock, shopping through the Medina, and a visit to Le Jardin Majorelle. (Our Destination Guide : Marrakech!)

SINTRA - Long walks along the coast, lunch at Bar do Fundo, and a visit to Quinta da Regaleria.

SIEM REAP - A visit to Angkor Wat (Ta Phrom and Bayon too), lunch at Sister Srey, and dinner at Villa WAt Damnak. (We love Siem Reap! Here’s our favorite restaurants and all the details about this great destination.)

HOI AN - Banh mi from Bánh Mì Phượng. Repeat for step 2 and 3. Just kidding! Heart of Darkness beers from Tap House Hoi An and a trip to An Bang beach.

SINGAPORE - All meals from a hawker center (especially prawn noodles and duck rice), the afternoon at Gardens by the Bay, and a hike through MacRitchie Park. (Destination Guide : Singapore!)

NARA - Feed the deer, a visit to one of the largest Buddha’s at Todai-ji, and a hike up Mt. Wakakusa.

Do you have a favorite go-to destination for long weekend? Any family traditions that you have made for President’s Day weekend?

In our Kid Approved column, my kids (and hopefully other kids in the future!), share their favorite destinations, things to do and eat, and of course playgrounds perfect for other traveling kids!

Here is the best of Paris from a, very lucky, 5 year old’s perspective. Enjoy!

WHERE & WHAT TO EAT

BOULANGER - “It was really fun going to the bakery because I got to pick out what we wanted. My favorite thing to eat was croissants and elephant ears (palmiers). They looked like a giant pretzel and it was the size of my head!”

MACARONS - “I always wanted a macaron. I want one now! My favorite was strawberry, chocolate, raspberry, and lemon. I saw them on The Great British Bake-off when she made the strawberry ones. Also, Ladybug always feeds them to Tikki in Miraculous. We watched that show in Paris in French. Sometimes I watched it on the TV and then I watched it on the iPad (in English) so that I knew what they were saying.”

LUNCHES ON THE GO - “I love the sandwiches.” (Me too, Liv. Me too. A Jambon-Beurre eaten on a picnic bench or along the Seine is a perfect Paris lunch. And what kid actually loves a restaurant? My kids will always vote for a quick picnic lunch so that they can get back on the move faster.)

CREPES - “I liked the chocolate crepes best.” (Crepes also make great picnic food. Of course, Nutella and banana crepes are delicious, but the savory crepes are perfect for a quick lunch or a snack to share.)

THINGS TO DO

EIFFEL TOWER - “It was really fun because we got to go to the top. Well, actually just the middle. (The top was closed for renovation in February of 2020.) We got a flat penny. We get them so that I can remember where and when we got them. They are my favorite.”

CAROUSELS - ”I always picked the horse on the carousel.” (She went once. Paris is known for its many carousels. There’s even a hand-crank carousel in the Champ de Mars. Even the worst carousel in Paris is still pretty magical.)

PLAYGROUND - “The park was really fun, especially the rope climbing. It was all swirly!” (Our favorite playground was Aire de Jeux. Which shares a park with a Roman amphitheater. Only in Europe. I also have a special place in my heart for Le Jardin du Luxembourg, a garden near my apartment when I studied abroad. The LudoJardin is the children’s playground. While it has a 3 euro entrance fee, it is a spectacular, modern playground and seems worth it.)

PLACES TO SEE

MUSEE D’ORSAY - “It was cool. I liked the sculptures and pictures. It was in a old train station and I brought my Raffi. I fell asleep there.” (A five star review if I ever heard one. Her 8-year-old brother had a better time at the famous museum. He loved the audio tour that we downloaded from Rick Steve’s podcast Paris Audio Tours. He also loved using the museum brochure as a scavenger hunt and would match the pictures to the paintings. A museum attendant noticed our sleepy little one and let us know that the museum offers free strollers to visitors.”

WALKING AROUND - “I liked walking around. There were so many places. I liked that place (Sacre Coeur) but I forgot why.” (Our kids don’t love to stroll. But Paris worked its magic and they were happy walking around from sight to sight. With stops along the way like to chase pigeons in the square of Place Dauphine while we enjoyed a beer. They also loved all of the bridges and fountains to see along the way.")

“I want to go back to Paris. I want to live in Paris!” Don’t we all, Liv! She’s a fan and we hope your kids are too.

Have you traveled to Paris with kids? What are your favorite places to take them?

Before your flight, the number one question to ask yourself, how long does it take to get from the airport into the city. Once I knew that it took less than 15 minutes to get from the airport to Copenhagen’s city center, I knew that my plan was a go. Plus, it only cost a little over $6/person. Not bad for airport metro prices.

Between travel time and checking in for our next flight, our 7 hour layover actually meant that we only had about 4 hours in the city. I knew that we needed a plan. No wandering from restaurant to restaurant, contemplating if it was good enough for our one and only Copenhagen dining experience. I remembered this Copenhagen post from Hither and Thither. (A blog that I’ve loved for 10 years!) I trust Ashley’s recommendations since I’ve used them all over the world (Italy, San Francisco, St. Lucia, New York, and more). We picked out a restaurant to eat lunch and a neighborhood to wander.

And that’s just what we did! We headed to Strøget, a pedestrian-only shopping street, that stretches almost a mile long and ends in the popular, Nyhavn waterfront. The area is touristy but in a very Danish way, still cool. (Why are Danes so cool?) We ate at Cafe Norden, a restaurant just off of a busy square, yet it was so delicious and we loved the space. Inside is perfectly designed, soft and modern at the same time. But we chose to soak up the sun while we could at one of their sidewalk tables. My mind was set on having smørrebrød and it easily lived up to my expectation. We enjoyed a beer, and some milks, and the kids took turns playing near the fountain during lunch. Even with worn out kids, it was still pretty idyllic.

After lunch, we had time for a stroll back to the metro stop and a detour for a crepe. A delicious, Nutella crepe from a bicycle crepe stand. So Copenhagen, of course! I had wanted to take T to the LEGO store, but in the end, we were worn out and happy to take it slow on our way back to the airport.

Photos by my sister, Julie Rose

Here are a few other things that you could do with your layover, especially if you have more time or older (faster walking) kids!

• See the colorful waterfront of Nyhavn - iconic, 17th century houses, yes please! I do wish we would have taken a stroll (with our luggage, cringe!) to see this area.

• Tivoli Gardens - Ok, totally different itinerary? You eat the crappy airline food, survive off of snacks during your layover, pick up a coffee at Joe and the Juice, and then only head to Tivoli Gardens for your 7 hours! Race around from ride to ride, speed walk to each area of the park. I mean, it was an inspiration for Disneyland. It would be worth it!

• Dragør - Don’t want to head into the city? A visit to Dragør is another great option. Even closer to the airport, this small, fishing town would be perfect for a quick stop to eat and enjoy the sea air.

In hindsight, I would have dropped off our luggage at Luggage Hero. My sister used and loved them. It would have freed us up to see more sights.

In the end, I think the real joy of this layover was that we kept our expectations low and just enjoyed being outdoors after a 12 hour flight with a 3 and 6 year old. Some non-airport food in our bellies and some sunshine on our faces. We were refreshed and ready to head back to travel onto Italy! 5 star recommendation for this side trip.

Have you ever traveled into the city on a layover? Where?! Share in the comments below.

It was also the first place that we visited that was a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” according to the U.S. State Department. Seeing that warning shocked us a bit. We did some research and realized that was an advisory for the entire country of Turkey. And while areas near the border of Syria are unsafe, travel to Istanbul was considered relatively safe at the time we visited. Istanbul has unfortunately had a number of terrorist attacks in the past decade. It’s important to do your research to understand the current climate in Turkey before traveling.

All of that being said, we absolutely loved our time in Istanbul. We visited beautiful, historic locations. Ate meals full of spices. And the kids attracted so much attention. Turkish people love kids. T couldn’t walk down the street without getting his hair ruffled by locals.

Here are our favorites from 8 days in ISTANBUL!

STAY

First, did you know that Istanbul straddles two continents (Europe and Asia)? It’s one of only a handful of transcontinental cities. Pretty cool! Ok, geography nerd rabbit hole complete.

I highly recommend staying in Karakoy, a neighborhood that is a great mix of traditional and modern. Karakoy is located directly across the Golden Horn from the historical center of Istanbul, still on the European side of the city. We stayed three nights at a great Airbnb in Karakoy that had a view of Galata Tower. Unfortunately, the owners no longer have it listed. The owners were so sweet and their hair salon was only a few doors down from the Airbnb. T got his pre-Japan haircut there!

We spent the other five nights at Hotel Alilass, a boutique hotel located in the Sultanahmet district and walking distance to many of the city’s most popular tourist sights. We loved this hotel for the decor and the friendly staff. It’s owned by two sisters and chatting with them and getting their recommendations each morning was a highlight. Also, their breakfast was my favorite! Simit, a bagel-like bread, yogurt, fresh fruits, and vegetables. And of course, delicious Turkish coffee and tea. Our kid’s favorite part? The hotel had cats, and kittens, in their courtyard. Our kids spent a minimum of an hour each day playing with the kittens. They even named them (Pandy, Hunter, and Facepaint) and Olivia will still occasionally burst into tears because she misses them!

GETTING AROUND

The ferry is hands down the best mode of transportation in Istanbul. You can take the ferry across the Golden Horn to and from Karakoy and Eminonu (the tourist sight filled side) and also across to Kadikoy, the Asian side of the city. We also took many taxis and Ubers. Warning: the driving norms in Turkey are wild! Drivers switch lanes often or, simply, just drive in two lanes. We also had two mishap filled taxi experiences with drivers getting lost and flat tires. (One day I will share them in a Travel Mishaps post.)

THINGS TO KNOW

If you’ve traveled to a predominantly Muslim country, you will be familiar with many of the “new-to-us” practices. In Turkey, 98% of the population is Muslim. It was the first predominantly Muslim country that we visited, but not our last! It’s important to remember to dress appropriately, especially when visiting landmarks. Appropriate dress usually means shoulders covered and pants or full-length skirts. Istanbul is a big city and you will see people in all kinds of dress. But, in our opinion, it’s best to dress respectfully.

Unlike in Morocco, you are able to visit the mosques in Istanbul as a non-Muslim. Mosques are closed during prayer times and make sure to brush up on the dress code before visiting. The Blue Mosque, for example, has a strict dress code and they will provide women with a head covering before you enter.

You will also hear the adhan, the call to prayer, five times each day. While you don’t need to do anything special when the call to prayer is occurring, it’s best to remain respectful especially during these times. But generally, you will see people carry on with their day. Throughout our travels in Turkey and Morocco, we came to really appreciate the routine of hearing the call to prayer. We would pause to listen to it and note what time it was. Our kids would hear it and say “oh it’s lunch time!” or “it’s the getting dark one now!”.

Drinking Alcohol - In addition to dressing appropriately, alcohol is limited throughout Istanbul, especially in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and near mosques. But compared to Marrakech, alcohol was much more abundant in Istanbul.

EAT

FOOD IN THE SULTANAHMET DISTRICT - During our five night stay on the Sultanahmet district, we ate basically the same dishes every meal. We love kebab, so we definitely weren’t complaining. But in this neighborhood it is really hard, impossible maybe, to find restaurants of other types of cuisine. The traditional dish to try is Testi Kebab, a kebab dish cooked and served in a clay pot. In dramatic flair, your server brings over the clay pot and cracks it open at the table. The kids loved this! We also enjoyed pideler, a boat shaped pizzaesque dish similar to Greece’s peinirli. And every meal began with Turkish Lavas puff bread. We all loved this bread that balloons while baking to the size of, well, a balloon.

We ate at a handful of restaurants with, essentially, identical menus. Rumeli - a cafe down a small, very popular street filled with sidewalk dining (Ticarethane). We also had similar meals from Mihiri and Divella. Most of the time with small kids, we would just order takeout from these two spots and eat dinner at our hotel. We also enjoyed a lunch at Kybele Hotel and Restaurant.

Easily the best food in Istanbul can be found in Karakoy and Kadikoy. You have not truly seen Istanbul until you venture to these two areas.

GUNEY (Karaköy) - Recommended by our Airbnb host, we ate at least two meals here and enjoyed both. Their spinach pideler was especially delicious. We also heard great things about Helvetia and Karakoy Lokantasi in the same neighborhood.

CIYA SOFRASI (Kadikoy) - Turkish food in a great setting and a menu that strays from the standards fare of the Sultanahmet area.

I also visited a series of restaurants on a food tour of Istanbul’s Kadikoy neighborhood. It’s was a whirlwind tour, so I can’t remember what I ate at each but I know that they were good. We visited the following restaurants:

• Semsur Cigkofte - Cig kofte is made with raw beef or lamb and wrapped in lettuce. It is full of spice and flavor. Served to go in this takeout only spot, it makes for a great snack or appetizer before heading off to your next place to eat.

• Lokmata - bite-sized fried dough with a big history. As the story goes, the Sultan’s palace cooks were ordered by his mother to make thousands of these to announce the birth of his son. Traditionally, Turkish families also make a salty version of these to pass out to neighbors after the death of a loved one.

• Kanca - a small, neighborhood cafe. A local, off the beaten path spot.

• Among a handful of other food spots, we also visited a store only selling fermented foods traditional to Turkey (so delicious!) and ate mussels from the Bospherous. Midye Dolma is a popular street food of mussels, rice, and lemon juice. You can find them sold as a snack all over Istanbul. But my guide, and anyone who has studied food safety, recommends not to eat them from a cart because they can easily make you sick. I’m fairly certain that the restaurant where we ate mussels from was Kadikoy Midyecisi.

And, of course, you have to snack on a Simit as you walk from site to site.

DO

FERRY & SHOPPING - I could spend all day riding the ferry to each area of the city, exploring neighborhoods, and shopping at small stores. Istanbul, especially the Karakoy area, is made up of blocks of the same type of shop. There will be a stretch of electrical stores. Maybe 5-8 all on the same street. Then you find a stretch of pharmacy and medical supply stores. The retail layout is so different from the U.S. where typically stores are established away from their competitors. It’s so convenient to shop for a specific item in Istanbul. Need an electrical item, you know exactly what street to head to! There are also so many wonderful book stores and home stores to peruse in the Karakoy area. Definitely carve out a day or at least an afternoon to stroll and shop here.

GRAND BAZAAR - And, of course, the mother of all shopping in Istanbul happens at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. While we didn’t buy anything at the Grand Bazaar, we definitely needed to wander through this maze of a market and take in the experience. If you want to learn about our favorite haggling tips that we learned from locals, head to this post of ours.

TOUR - There is so much history in this city, it would be the perfect place to join a Free Walking Tour or hire a guide. My food tour guide, Burcu, also does a local guides of the Kadikoy area where she is from.

BOSPHORUS CRUISE - Our hotel set up this cruise so I’m not sure of the company name, but we enjoyed it, mostly. Seeing the Great Horn (an estuarial inlet) was exciting. From the boat we could see little neighborhoods and it made us want to return to Istanbul and stay further out from the city for a long stretch of time. But mostly the kids lost interest pretty quickly and we had no idea that the cruise would be over three hours. We didn’t prepare for the chilly weather once the sun went down and definitely didn’t bring enough snacks. Also, we didn’t spot any of the famous Bosphorous dolphins. In the end, a simple ferry ride might just have done the trick to be able to see Istanbul from the water.

UMBRELLA STREET - Totally Instagram worthy, yet as you bypass so many selfie takers, you will find some unique restaurants to dine.

HAMAM - For us, a visit to the hamam is a must-do experience in a Muslim country. Head to our blog post that outlines the hamam experience, here.

WHIRLING DERVISH - We didn’t see the show, but I would have loved to have seen the Whirling Dervishes and their mesmerizing spins. Next visit!

SEE - There is truly so much to see in Istanbul. I didn’t do much research before booking our stay here and I was overwhelmed, in a good way, by the number of places to visit. We only hit the main tourist attractions so we left Istanbul wanting more!

We actually splurged on the Istanbul Muze card which gives you access to 10 museums over the course of 5 days. The price was steep (right now it’s $49.50) but it does mean that you don’t need to wait in lines at each site. Also, at most places children 8 and under were free which means we didn’t need to pay an entrance fee for both kids. We did need to show our children’s passports as verification. (In Turkey, you need to carry your passports and visas on you at all times anyways.) So was the Istanbul Muze card worth the price? In the end (at least for 2019 prices), I realized that we could have bought a Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia combination ticket and just bought individual tickets for the other places as needed. Overall, we would have saved money.

Here are the landmarks that we recommend seeing (in this order of priority):

TOPKAPI PALACE - A harem from the 15th century? Yes, we want to see that! Topkapi Palace is large and grand and everything that you hope the headquarters of the Ottoman sultans to be. My favorite spot? The elaborate kitchens!

HAGIA SOPHIA - What a tale this building could tell. The Hagia Sophia was once the largest Christian Church of the Eastern Roman Empire. (There are still mosaics of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other Christian figures.) Then the building became a mosque after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire. Then, it became a museum in the 1930s under the presidency of Atatürk. And in 2020 (after we visited), it became a mosque again, officially named the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque. From the year 360-2021, this building remains a point of controversy. (Both Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia made our 41 Tourist Attractions that We Actually Loved.)

BLUE MOSQUE - This was the only active mosque that we visited during our travels. We visited the Blue mosque during our last morning in the Sultanahmet area and I’m so glad that we didn’t skip it. Especially since we weren’t able to visit mosques while visiting Morocco as non-Muslims.

ISTANBUL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM - Archeological museums (and ethnographic museums) are our family’s favorite type of museum to visit. This one is wonderful yet after just visiting the National Archeological Museum in Athens, we wished that it had more collections to see. (Athens’ National Archeological museum is one of my favorite museums in the world. You can read about it in our Destination Guide : Athens.) They have a few pieces that history buffs will be impressed by, including the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Sarcophagus of the Crying Women.

MOSAIC MUSEUM - I was so excited to see these mosaic pieces. They are beautiful but the museum is very small and we only spent about 10 minutes total here. This is easily a pass if you’re looking to save money.

PLAY

One day I look forward to returning and venturing further outside of the city to other parks and outdoor landmarks. We loved visiting the gardens and playgrounds in Gulhane Park near Hagia Sophia. You could find us there most afternoons or on a break from homeschooling. There was also a playground in Karakoy across the street from Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam. Unfortunately, most of the equipment was in need of repair and there was broken glass around the playground. In hindsight, we needed to get further outside of the city to see some of the wonderful playgrounds of Istanbul. For our kids, some destinations are simply not playground destinations. Istanbul was one which for our kids meant extra ice cream trips.

Our kids would have loved a trip to the Rahmi M. Koc Museum, a collection of old cars, planes, and other transportation exhibits.

TREAT

Grilled corn eaten in the gardens of the Hagia Sophia, Turkish delight from a shopkeeper, street carts filled with Turkish pastries. Istanbul is full of treats! But, no competition, the best one is Turkish ice cream. Called Dondurma, this type of ice cream is made with mastic and salep, which gives it a chewy, harder texture. While the kids loved eating it, this type of ice cream is especially suited for ice cream tricks! Look up Turkish ice cream sellers on Youtube and I dare you not to laugh while watching videos. Pure enjoyment. Tip: watch the seller before you go. Not all are as amazing as our favorite guy (he was located near the Grand Bazaar). Head to our Instagram page where I will post a video of our favorite ice cream seller who we visited at least 5 times!

RUN

Istanbul makes for a pretty fair running city. Yes, there are stray dogs everywhere, but the major roads along the waterfront make for some easier running paths. Trent spent his solo time running around the city, sightseeing along the way.

DRINK

As I said before, alcohol options are a bit limited in Turkey. Although many places sell Efes beer, even within the Sultanahmet area. We put our regular beer and wine budget towards enjoying Turkish coffee and tea. Trent loved the coffee and I loved the decor at Tiyop Cafe in Karakoy.

We also celebrated 3 months of travel and the end of our time in Europe, with a cocktail, and some sodas, at Snog Roof Bar. They have a good craft beer selection and an even better view of all of Istanbul.

Have you traveled to Istanbul? If so, leave us your favorite places in the comments. Especially if you have a playground that your children loved. We gotta share those playground tips with this community!

Photos via my sister, Julie Rose

1. Learn to Say “No” Politely, Yet Firmly

If a seller is pressuring you in the beginning, politely ask for time to look. It’s much kinder than ignoring them.

2. Don’t Engage in Conversation Unless You’re Truly Looking to Buy

Our hotel hosts in Istanbul gave us the best insights on navigating our way through the Grand Bazaar. This tip applies, just like all of the haggling tips, to both the markets in Istanbul and Marrakech. Sellers will try to guess where you are from as a way to draw you into a conversation and their shop. But they always guess the wrong country - on purpose. Our hotel hosts told us, “They know you’re from the United States! But they will guess Canada or Australia, so that you tell them ‘No, we’re from the United States.’ and then you’ve entered into a conversation with them.” It’s best to laugh off their “guesses”, tell them “no, thank you”, and make your way down the street.

3. Don’t Sit Down for Tea

Don’t go into a seller’s shop at the offer of tea. Unless you’re truly interested in an item. Once you’re drinking tea, you’re going to buy something. And it’s probably expensive! If you do go this route, enjoy the process because it will take awhile. Listen to their stories, sip your mint tea, and after awhile make your choice on what item you will be taking home.

4. Don’t Take the First Price

Haggling is an expectation in many cities around the world, so don’t take the first price that the seller gives. Especially since they are sometimes astronomically high! I love the quote from this Telegraph article on haggling, “It’s a dance, not a fight.” When a seller offers the first price, counter-offer with a third or half of their price. They will probably laugh at your low price, but they expect it. And the dance begins. Continue to edge up the price in a similar ratio as the seller comes down in price. Also, if you like several of the seller’s items, grouping items is a great way to bring down the overall price.

5. Be Willing to Walk Away

This is the power move. If you are truly not happy with the price the seller if offering, walk away. Many times the seller will chase after you to offer a better price. If not, chances are someone down the street is selling a similar item.

6. Settled on a Price? You’re Committed

Remember, this is someone’s livelihood. So as thrilling as it can be to test your negotiating skills, you need to be respectful. Window shopping and asking about a price is always welcome. But once you’ve enter the haggling process and agreed on a price, be prepared to buy. It’s rude and a waste of the seller’s time to walk away at that point.

7. Maybe Just Pay Full Price

Are you haggling over a couple of dollars? Are you in an incredibly poor country and haggling over the price of a t-shirt? Sometimes paying full price is the best way to support the local economy.

Two additional notes on making your way through marketplaces:

In addition to all of the rules above, be aware of your surroundings while haggling just like you would be when traveling anywhere. While your attention is on the art of the negotiation, don’t lose sight of your regular awareness.

Please don’t buy from children selling items on the streets. More often than not, they are being made to sell by an adult and not receiving much, or any, of the money. Selling on the streets also means that they are not in school and learning the skills needed to survive in life. We learned this lesson in Cambodia through the Think Twice nonprofit organization. I wish more countries around the globe had the consistent, strong messaging like we saw demonstrated in Cambodia.

Want to learn more about traveling in Marrakech and Cambodia? Head to our posts!

Here are our favorites from 4 days on the road through New Mexico…

OUR ROUTE : Landed in Albuquerque and spent one night at Los Poblanos Ranch. Road trip from Albuquerque to Santa Fe via a quick trip to Los Alamos. 2 nights in Santa Fe. Road trip back to Albuquerque to fly home.

STAY : Hands down, our favorite stay was Los Poblanos Ranch in Albuquerque. I can’t wait to revisit this beautiful space. Set on 25 acres of a lavender farm, this inn has 50 guests rooms and a wonderful restaurant onsite. We only spent one night in Albuquerque and the remaining three in the capital. In Santa Fe, I found a small, guest house on the outskirts of town through Airbnb. We loved how quiet it was in the neighborhood. It also made for a great area to run through the hills for Trent. I, on the other hand, spent every childfree morning sleeping in!

GETTING AROUND : For a road trip through New Mexico, a car is obviously a necessity. But I would recommend getting a car even if you’re only visiting Albuquerque or Santa Fe. To be able to really see each city, it’s the easiest way to get around. Also, parking is relatively easy to find in each city.

THINGS TO KNOW : When I pictured New Mexico, I thought red rocks, deserts, and sunny days. But Santa Fe is in the high desert which means it gets cold, especially at night. Both Albuquerque and Santa Fe get snow. Also, Albuquerque sits at high altitude (over 5,000 feet) so if you get altitude sickness easily, be prepared. We visited in September during Fiesta de Santa Fe. As much as we loved to see the celebrations and shop in the festival’s street markets, it meant that Santa Fe was crowded, parking was hard to find, and many shops were closed. As when traveling anywhere, take a look at the destination’s holiday calendar before booking.

EAT

CAMPO - The restaurant onsite at Los Poblanos Inn was better than we imagined. And we had high hopes for it! We dined there for afternoon snacks when we arrived, dinner, and breakfast. We loved that our server invited us back into the kitchen to let us wander around and check out their operation. As restaurant directors, we loved this touch! Reservations are a must.

THE SHED - Possibly the most popular dining spot in Santa Fe. This place gets packed. Great Mexican food and margaritas.

MODERN GENERAL - Great breakfast spot in, you guessed it, a modern dining space.

CAFE PASQUAL’S - Mexican food in a colorful, “busy in the best way” setting.

CASA CHIMAYO - Sadly, Casa Chimayo is no longer around in restaurant form. The pandemic brought on a pivot for the company and they are now a market. Visit and support them in their new venture!

DO

TEN THOUSAND WAVES - During our drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, we made a pit stop at Ten Thousand Waves. This is such a special place! Japanese-style onsens, meditation areas, and massage rooms. They even have a restauarnt and hotel onsite. We opted for a soak in the onsens and a couple’s massage. Getting a massage while traveling really takes it from a trip to a vacation for us.

KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS - Hoodoos created by volcanic eruptions and shaped like cone tents. We hiked through these rock formations for a couple of hours on our way back to Albuquerque to fly back home. Our kids would love hiking here and it’s definitely easy enough for younger kids. One day! (Currently closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.)

BIKE RIDES - While staying at Los Poblanos, we borrowed biked (a complimentary activity at the inn) and road down river paths. It was a great way to get moving after our flights before we headed to the pool for a cocktail!

JEMEZ FALLS - The best of hiking. An easy, quarter mile “hike” and you are rewarded with a waterfall view! While it wasn’t quite the hike we were used to, it was a great road trip stop to stretch our legs.

LOS ALAMOS - Our resident history buff, Trent couldn’t wait to visit Los Alamos, the site of the Manhattan Project. We visited Bathtub Row, a street of houses where Dr. Oppenheimer’s home was located.

SEE

BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT - The cliff dwellings of Bandelier National Monument was the number one thing that I was looking forward to visiting in New Mexico. And it did not disappoint! I felt like a kid, climbing up the ladder and sitting crossed legged inside of the dwelling. Just another place that we cannot wait to return to with our kids.

CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - I have visited a lot of cathedrals. So it’s always a fun surprise when the cathedral decor is really unique and embodies the feel of its hometown. Pop in for a quick visit after lunch at The Shed.

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM - I was lucky enough to study Georgia O’Keeffe’s art throughout my elementary school art classes. We spent a couple of hours walking through this museum dedicated to her work and learning about her fascinating life. If you are a big fan of O’Keeffe, you can also visit her home, Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

DRINK

BELL TOWER AT LA FONDA - The most picturesque bar in town. Located on the rooftop of La Fonda, a historic hotel that is a destination in its own right.

ANASAZI BAR - Don’t have the cash to drop on a high end hotel room? Grab a drink at the hotel bar and check out the hotel’s property afterwards, like we do!

BAR AT HOTEL ST. FRANCIS - Easily my favorite hotel decor and the first place I would stay if money was no object (or I booked on points!). Their outdoor bar is a great place for a late night drink.

LOS ALAMOS BREWERIES - We enjoyed a beer while visiting the houses on Bathtub Row. Now, we don’t remember which brewery we visited. It was either Sidetrack Brewing Company or Boese Brother’s Brew Co. Either way, both look like a great option!

Have you been to New Mexico? What did you love there?

Here are, in our opinion, the best travel apps that I simply never want to travel without!

TRAVEL PLANNING

GOOGLE MAPS LISTS - A navigation app is obviously a necessity for travel. But for this post I’m specifically talking about Google Maps Lists. Before arriving at our destination, I will plug all of the places that we want to see, eat, do, etc. into Google Maps and pin them under my “Want to Go” list. Those little “Want to Go” green flag fill the map of our destination and help me understand what sights are near each other and how we will tackle everything that we want to see. The “Want to Go” flags are also great when your group is suddenly hungry and you don’t know where to eat. You can easily spot if there’s a place nearby that you wanted to try. We also loved that Google Maps are downloadable. You can choose an area to download so that your map is available offline.

LONELY PLANET - This app use to be my first stop to research the main tourist attractions in a destination. But about halfway through our travels, they started to make you pay for content and, well, I knew that I could go to their website to get the information for free. If you’re only going to one or two destinations during a vacation this app is perfect because, I believe, the content is still free or at least worth the price. We really vibe with Lonely Planet’s reviews more than other mainstream travel resources. Also, I loved reading from their museum guides during a visit to serve as my family’s very own tour guide.

CULTURE TRIP - It feels like Culture Trip came out of nowhere. Yet they’ve been around since 2011. Their articles are everywhere and on, seemingly, every destination! I never used them before our year of travel. I love a listicle and they provide a lot of them. It’s a great place to start your search of what to see in a city and also for detailed guides on tourist attractions.

ROME TO RIO - What modes of transportation are available from point A to point B? When I was booking travel from Dubrovnik to Athens, I pictured us taking a long ferry or train ride. Nope! In my mind, the locations seemed much closer. Our options were a 21 hour bus ride (not happening) or a flight. After that experience, my first stop in booking travel was always the Rome to Rio app. The app lays out all of your transportation options between two points. While I don’t use it as a booking platform (I find that sometimes the pricing is off), it does help me understand the scope of what modes of transportation are available. Something travel engines like Expedia or Google Flights do not provide. 

TRAVEL TOOLS

XE CURRENCY - Sometimes currency translation is hard. A U.S. dollar to the euro? That exchange is easy to estimate in your head. Right now, it sits at 1 U.S. dollar to .84 euros. What about when you’re in Hungary? 1 U.S. dollar equals 303 Hungarian forints. Which is why one day I withdrew cash at a Hungarian ATM that equaled $600 U.S. when I only wanted $60. From that point on, I doubled checked my withdrawal amount with the XE app before proceeding with the transaction!

WHATSAPP - WhatsApp never really caught on much in the States (from my experience) but it’s the default mode of communication in much of the world. From Airbnb hosts in Croatia to tuktuk drivers in Cambodia, we communicated with most everyone through WhatsApp. It’s also great for texting (via wifi) with anyone back home who doesn’t have an iPhone (if you yourself are an iPhone user). 

GOOGLE TRANSLATE - This app saved us in many a confusing language barrier situation. But we actually used the app’s camera feature more often. You can scan text in another language and the app will translate it in real time. (This feature isn’t offered for all languages, like Slovenian for example.) This little app and I spent many hours grocery shopping together. Let’s just say that I accidentally bought non-dairy butter (or other random, mistake purchases) too many times before I started translating almost every item!

LOCAL FOOD DELIVERY / RIDESHARE APP - Hard to imagine but Uber doesn’t exist everywhere. Yet. Different areas of the world/countries/cities have their own food delivery/rideshare apps. Grab is the most popular app for these services in Southeast Asia. I had only taken one Uber before traveling long term and had never done food delivery through an app like Uber. (I know, now it’s unimaginable!) But I made up for lost time with the Grab app. Life on the road means that there are a lot of slow days. And while a goal of ours was to cook more, it was cheaper, and more delicious, to eat at restaurants in Southeast Asia. So we did what we must and ordered so many bahn mi sandwiches in Hoi An and never looked back.

AIRLINE APPS - Download your airline’s app pre-flight for easier check in and boarding pass access. Also, inflight entertainment is sometimes only available through the airline’s app, so it’s best to have it already downloaded.

LIBBY - It may not be a “travel” app, per se, but the Libby app made such a wonderful impact on our day to day life while traveling. Through Libby you can borrow books and audiobooks from your local public library. Trent and I read more in our year of travel than ever before. And it was great for our kids as well since they can blow through a Magic Tree House book in 2 days. No need to carry heavy books in your already bursting luggage. Oh and also, it’s free!

KHAN ACADEMY - I took a course on World War I from Khan Academy while in Europe and couldn’t believe how much I referenced what I had learned while visiting museums and landmarks. I love that Khan Academy has quizzes throughout the learning to make sure you are actually digesting the information along the way. Also, their lessons are downloadable. An important element for learning on the road!

LOCATION SPECIFIC APPS - There are some great location specific apps out there that can really increase the enjoyment and ease of travel. We loved the TDR App designed for Tokyo Disney. It’s not an official Disney app but you wouldn’t know it by how amazingly it works. Keep an eye out while you research destinations for other location specific apps that travelers love. There are so many helpful city metro map apps out there too!

What apps do you love? I never found a travel itinerary app that I loved. People love Google Trips and TripIt but they weren’t for me. Do you have a travel itinerary tracker that you use religiously? Share it all in the comments below.

SISTER SREY CAFE : Veggie packed menu with great vegetarian and vegan options. Juices and kombucha too! After almost a month in Japan, we happily ate up all of the fresh vegetables here. We loved the design of the restaurant. Their drink menu was pasted into children’s Golden Books. So we would always keep them on the table to read. Minimalist traveler hack!

SIEM REAP BREWPUB : Menu is a balance of Khmer and Western food. We tried a delicious curry and the frog legs here are actually pretty good too! And, of course, their beers are delicious, especially the IPAs.

DOLCE VITA : We ate at Dolce Vita no less than 5 times during our 20 day stay in Siem Reap. During our first dinner, we bonded with the owner, Chiara, and her husband. Both are from Northern Italy and after a couple of years in Krabi, Thailand, they have settled in Siem Reap. Their pizzas feel straight from Italy and they make for the perfect break from Khmer cuisine. Chiara presented our kids with gifts on our last dinner and the kids still think of her every time they see them.

VILLA WAT DAMNAK : Our favorite place for Khmer (Cambodian) meals. It’s located in our first accommodation, but you do not need to stay here to enjoy a meal. Cambodian peanuts to start the meal alongside an Angkor beer. Khmer vegetable soup with yellow squash and luffa gourd was my favorite. The luffa gourd tastes just like fresh cut grass in the best way possible. Fried rice was our family favorite as well. But the staff was the best part! We had the best time with them during our many, many meals there. Read more about our time in Siem Reap in our Destination Guide. Once again, our servers gave our kids gifts during our final meal. I think about the staff here often!

LITTLE RED FOX ESPRESSO : A sweet little spot for an espresso, kombucha, or lunch. Our cafe loving girl and I had a wonderful one-on-one lunch here.

POMME : Another spot that we visited often. We connected with Ollie, the owner, and his family quickly. The food was good, but we enjoyed the Khmer dishes more at Villa Wat Damnak. We did however love playing pool during dinner and the Kingdom IPAs that they serve. (Did you spot those barefeet above? T really made himself at home!). Ollie’s family even got our, slightly squeamish, Liv to hold a teeny tiny frog. So many great memories made here!

BANANA RESORT : Last and so memorable… our breakfasts at the Banana Resort. We enjoyed 16 breakfast at our accommodation and I still want more! Now, you can only eat here if you’re staying here. But this is just another plea for you to book a stay here. It is truly so special. Caroline, the owner, and her Khmer staff make breakfast per villa each morning whenever you decide to roll out of bed and head to a table near the pool. Fresh fruit, juice, strong coffee, eggs, and always a freshly baked bread. Her French roots make for delicious food and were very much appreciated!

Have you traveled to Siem Reap? If so, what was your favorite place to eat? If not, have you ever had Khmer dishes? Share in the comments below!

Here we go… My favorite snacks around the world!

ALMOST A MEAL

SIMIT - A staple in Istanbul and Greece (known as koulouri), this pretzel/bagel like bread is a common street food. Kids eat it as a snack at school, locals pick up one while commuting and it’s also served with breakfast. The sesame seeds on top really takes the flavor up a notch. I loved getting one to share to tide us over until our next meal. I recently came across this King Arthur recipe for Simit and I’m going to have to give it a try!

LANGOS - This is the drunk/hangover food of Budapest. Yet, it’s also delicious while sober! Or maybe with just one beer. I enjoyed a bit of an upscale version of langos that was topped with red bell peppers from a food truck at Karavan, a food truck lot right next to Szimpla Kert (another must visit!).

TAKOYAKI - Also known as “octopus balls”, takoyaki makes for great street food in Japan. We tried it, and so many other kinds of Japanese street food, at the street market outside of Fushimi temple.

SUSHI ROLLS - Sushi rolls and onigiri (rice balls with filling) from Family Mart or Lawson’s in Japan is the perfect, almost a meal snack. Paired with some pre-made salads from the convenience store and a tea or highball, perfection! Yes, that was a normal afternoon snack/dinner for us in Japan.

AJVAR - A roasted red pepper dip popular throughout Croatia and Slovenia. It’s perfect on its own as a side dish or as a dip paired with hummus and some crackers.

CHIPS

PRINGLES - I have definitely never eaten more Pringles in my entire life total than the amount I ate while traveling. We found Pringles all over the world and ate them so often that we could tell slight differences in them country by country! What can I say, we are a chip loving family.

CRUNCHIPS - We found these Paprika Crunchips all over the world. From Hungary to Cambodia to Morocco. They are so addicting and I got my sister hooked on them when she came to visit us in Croatia. When she came back to visit us in Morocco, I surprised her with a bag upon arrival. Keep an eye out for them.

SINGAPORE CHIPS - Before I tell you about these chips I need to warn you, I only found these in Singapore. And once I tried them, I was devastated that they don’t exist around the world. (If you have seen these somewhere in the U.S. then I need to be notified immediately.) Easily the best flavored chips that we had during our travels. Chili Crab, Mala Hot Pot, and Tom Yum chips. Ugh, worth the plane ticket back to Singapore alone! (More about our favorite Singapore eats in our Destination Guide : Singapore.)

BATATA FRITA - This chips in Portugal maybe the most perfect potato chip ever. Not greasy, but crispy. Perfect salt ratio. We loved buying these and a bottle of Rose from the market at Aldeia da Praia in Sintra to enjoy while watching our kids play at the playground. If anyone has ever questioned why we want to move to Portugal, I think that should answer your question!

M&S PRAWN COCKTAIL CRISPS - My first venture into “crisps” (aka chips) around the world during our year of travels. I wish I could shop weekly at M&S in England. These crisps would land in my cart on the regular. (More about our road trip through England here where we ate many chips along the way!)

OTHER “NOT CHIP” SNACKS

OLIVES - The practice of serving olives and little crackers or chips with your cocktail in Europe should be a worldwide tradition. Nothing makes your drink taste better than something salty. These marinated olives from Le Deux Magots was a perfect start to a special meal with my little boy. Plus, he doesn’t like olives so they were all mine!

POPCORN - Popcorn is great and all, but popcorn from Disneysea is a cult craze! Visit and you will see an hour long wait… for the popcorn line. The flavor selection is what makes this popcorn special - from savory: garlic shrimp, black pepper, or soy sauce & butter to sweet: strawberry, matcha white chocolate, or honey. (For all, and I mean all, about our two days at Tokyo Disneysea, read this post!)

CAMBODIAN SPICY PEANUTS - Roasted peanuts with lemongrass, lime leaf, and bird’s eye chilis. These were our favorite paired with a Angkor beer. We begged the cook at our accommodation to give us the recipe on our last meal with them. (Destination Guide : Siem Reap here!)

GREEK PRETZELS - Are they a grocery store version of koulouri? I don’t know, but they are delicious! Pretzel rods with a tahini/sesame coating. We were served them in bars and they make a great airplane snack! (More Greek food favorites in our Destination Guide : Athens.)

ROPI - A classic Hungarian snack. I tried them when we made our way through the Foodapest Bingo Card. And they were… pretzel sticks! Ha! But good ones at least. So they made the list.

GRIGNOT GOUT FROMAGE - Translates to “nibble cheese taste” and so our family’s name for these chips (“Cheesy chips”) was not too far off! Our daughter loved these and even made up a song about them.

SNACKABLE DESSERTS

JAPANESE CONVENIENCE STORE FINDS - Pocky sticks, little cookies, Kit Kats… these treats make for a great snack in our book! (You can find our Kid Approved : Tokyo guide here.)

CROISSANTS - There were a few foods that we found almost everywhere we traveled (fish and chips, Pringles) and add to that list: croissants. We ate them in our Cambodian hotel breakfast, bought them at grocery stores and at so many airports. But truly, they don’t lie, none could compare with the ones we ate in France.

CHIMNEY CAKE - During our two weeks in Budapest, we loved our tradition of walking up the hill to Fisherman’s Bastion to watch the sunset and eat a chimney cake. My kids laughed (and then repeated me mercilessly) when I said it was like a doughnut and a churro had a baby. But it’s true! They are so delicious. Get the cinnamon one.

PALMIERS - As someone who doesn’t love sweets, Palmiers are the perfect French bakery pick. Flakey pastry with just a hint of sweetness.

MACARON - A great, no too sweet treat, to get your kids to walk those last 20 blocks back home to your Parisian flat. Our kids will always pick the raspberry or vanilla flavors, while I love the lemon.

SLOVENIAN WALNUT ROLL - With a walnut filling similar to Potica, a traditional Slovenian bread roll, this cinnamon roll-equse pastry was always my first pick when visiting the “bread guy” in Lake Bled. (All about the “bread guy” and camping on Lake Bled in this post.)

Alright, favorite snacks around the world? Put them all in the comments below!

We spent 20 days in Siem Reap and towards the end of our stay we felt like locals. We ran into our IG-friends turned real-life friends at dinner. We heard a restaurant owner call our names while walking across the street. I attended my “regular” yoga class. After so many months of “newness”, we appreciated dining at the same restaurants and having a routine.

We loved our time there so much that we contemplated moving to Siem Reap. And we would not have been alone if we had made the move! We met so many expats who told us about how they traveled there once and then never left. Alas, we did not move there, but it’s at the top of the list of places in Southeast Asia that we want to return to.

Let’s dig into how we spent our 20 days in Siem Reap!

STAY : We won the accommodation lottery in Siem Reap! We divided our time between two stays and both were perfect for what they provide.

Our first 5 nights were spent at Villa Wat Damnak. At $43/night it was our cheapest accommodation of all of our travels! And for the price, it was perfect. Large rooms, breakfast each morning, and a pool. It’s located walking distance to many sights, including the Old Market and night markets. The restaurant onsite was one of our favorite places for dinner. Check out more about it in our Siem Reap Restaurants post (Wednesday’s post!). It serves some of the best Khmer (Cambodian) food in town. We ate dinner there often during our entire 20 day stay. And the people who work there are so delightful! We had long conversations with them over dinners. They’re so open to share about themselves, so curious about our travels, and they loved playing with the kids. We were sad when it came time to say goodbye.

Our second stay was one of our favorites during our travels. The Banana Resort is a small accommodation of 6 villas with a swimming pool in the center. The property is tiny but full of mango and banana trees. And Caroline, the owner, and her Khmer staff are so kind and welcoming. We loved getting to know her and her story throughout our stay. We savored her breakfasts each morning because we knew how much we would miss them. Fresh fruit, juice, strong coffee, eggs, and always a freshly baked bread. Her French roots make for delicious food and were very much appreciated! We spent so many slow afternoons around the pool, swimming, playing rummikub, and getting to know the other travelers. It was hard to want to do anything else with our time there.

GETTING AROUND : Transportation in Siem Reap equals one response… Tuk Tuk! We were initiated into life in Cambodia as soon as we exited the airport and saw our tuk tuk pull up. The hotel scheduled the ride for us (complimentary airport pick ups are very common with Southeast Asian accommodations) and we had no idea that we would be traveling by tuk tuk. We crammed ourselves and all of our luggage into the tuk tuk and sped down the streets. We all nervously laughed for the first 5 minutes, then Liv fell asleep and the rest of us settled into our new life in Siem Reap. Bumpy tuk tuk rides became a daily routine. We took them, and motorized rickshaws, throughout town and out to Angkor Wat. Rides were very inexpensive (usually $3-5) and we booked rides through the Passapp (the uber of Cambodia, although I’ve heard that the Grab app is available there too).

We also walked a lot in Cambodia, less with the kids, more when we were sightseeing solo. Sidewalks are inconsistent and crossing the street takes some guts (although it’s much easier than in Vietnam!).

THINGS TO KNOW : Traveling to a new country always takes a bit of research, and our first travels to Southeast Asia were no exception. We had done our research regarding not drinking the tap water and mosquito repellant care. Drinking water in almost all of Southeast Asia means bottled water only. That includes when you brush your teeth, cook food, put ice in drinks, etc. Our hosts were good about providing us with a lot of drinking water in our rooms. For mosquitos, don’t be afraid to use the strong stuff (DEET spray) when traveling in areas where mosquito-spread illness is rampant. We had a hard time finding any mosquito repellent when we were in Japan before heading to Cambodia. But once we were in Cambodia, it was easy to find the spray in all pharmacies.

Siem Reap mainly uses U.S. Dollars as their currency. Crazy, right?! They use the Cambodian riel for smaller amounts. Make sure to always carry small (U.S. dollar) bills on you to pay for tuk tuk rides. Many drivers don’t carry much change. If you don’t have small bills on you, your $3 ride could easily become a $10 ride!

EAT… After 20 days in Siem Reap, we just have too many restaurants to share with you! Siem Reap is getting its own restaurant post. Stay tuned!

DO : Siem Reap is a relatively small city but it is packed with things to see and do.

OLD MARKET - I loved wandering and shopping around the Old Market. Lots of touristy, Cambodian gift items. We filled up a box of little goodies and sent them home to our family for Christmas.

PHNOM KULEN - This mountain range is located about 2 hours outside of Siem Reap but worth the trip. We enjoyed seeing what life is outside of the city and the temple on the top of the mountain was beautiful. The temple is home to the largest reclining Buddha in Cambodia (25 feet long). But our favorite part, swimming up to a 60 foot waterfall! It’s one of our 41 Tourist Attractions that We Actually Loved!

NIGHT MARKETS - The night market across from the Old Market is fun to walk through at night. So much street food to eat!

PHARE - Cambodia’s version of Cirque du Soliel. The show’s mission to help the youth in Cambodia is so wonderful. T and I went to the show and were underwhelmed overall. The show that we saw didn’t keep his interest and was definitely not geared for kids (most of the time the cast just pretended to get drunk). For kids, this is a skip for us. Without kids, it makes for a fun evening event and you would be supporting a great cause!

MINI GOLF - We didn’t make it to Angkor Wat Putt but travelers love it! Miniature golf around mini Angkor Wat temple structures.

SEE : The number one reason why travelers head to Siem Reap? Angkor Wat, of course! The temples of the Angkor Wat complex are awesome, in the truest meaning of the word. I will be writing a full post on visiting Angkor Wat (would I really be a travel blogger if I didn’t have a dedicated Angkor Wat post?!).

PLAY : Our children’s only complaint about Siem Reap? There are no playgrounds! Playgrounds are hard to come by in the perpetually hot climates of Southeast Asia. Another traveling family told us about Kids Park, the indoor playground at The Heritage Walk, and our kids loved it. We visited twice and were happy to pay the $4/kid to enjoy some time in the A/C while our kids played their hearts out. (Don’t forget to bring socks.)

There might night be outdoor playgrounds, but our kids love time in the pool, so they were happy to swim each afternoon. An accommodation with a pool is a must in Siem Reap. After long, hot days visiting the temples of Angkor Wat, a beer and time in the pool is exactly what you will need.

TREAT : During the first months of our travels, our kids ate ice cream/gelato, daily. Time in Siem Reap finally broke that streak. Thankfully! Our kids loved snacking on fresh fruit and drinking coconut water. They, of course, still had gelato from Fifty-5 Kitchen Bar about one a week.

RUN : Running in Siem Reap is…. rough. There’s no other way to describe it. Want some insight on running in Siem Reap? Here’s what Trent has to say… “The roads are rocky and dusty, the tuk tuks and motorbikes blast fumes in your face, it’s hot and wet out here… But what makes it easy to get back out are the people. The little kids on the back of their parent’s motorbikes who smile and wave as they go by, the shopkeepers who holler out encouraging words, and the old men who jog alongside telling you you’re doing a good job.” To me this is the epitome of travel, and running, done right. Sometimes it’s rough and hard… and rewarding. Leaving you wanting more!

As inspiring as Trent’s words were, I put running on pause while in Siem Reap. Instead, I did more yoga that I ever had in my life! I signed up for a 10 day yoga pass at Navutu Dreams Resort. I loved my morning routine of breakfast, a walk down the dirt road to class, a quick coffee before rolling out the mat. My favorite yoga teacher would bring me coffee with a “No coffee, no prana” reminder.

DRINK : We loved falling into a daily routine in Siem Reap. And included in that routine… drinking beer! Angkor beer, made in Cambodia, is a simple lager perfect for the hot afternoons. Tiger beers are popular there too. But Siem Reap also has some great IPAs. We enjoyed IPAs and a couple of meals at Siem Reap Brewpub and Kingdom IPA at Pomme Restaurant, Bar, and Hostel.

One of our favorite “lost in translation” stories is when Trent asked our tuk tuk driver to stop for beer on the way home. Trent handed the store clerk $20 and asked him to give him $20 worth of beer. We had no idea that we would be walking away with two, filled bags of beer! (Luckily, we had 2 weeks left of our stay.) We joked with our driver that we were having a party. Thought nothing of it and then got WhatsApp message after message from him later that night asking to come to the party!

I can’t wait to re-visit our both favorite and new spots one day. It seems that Siem Reap has been hit especially hard due to the coronavirus. It broke my heart to research our favorite spots and see that are now temporarily closed. I’m hopeful for the future and keeping our favorite places and people in our hearts.

Have you been to Siem Reap? Share a favorite in the comments below! If you haven’t, do you have Siem Reap on our list of dream destinations?

Let’s dig into how we spent 7 days in Singapore!

STAY : Singapore is expensive! We scored a great (tiny) apartment through Airbnb. Our host, Kel, was so welcoming and gave us all of the best food recommendations. It looks like the Airbnb is not listed anymore (same as many of our stays) but hopefully it will be re-listed post-Covid times. The apartment was located directly across from the Zion Hawker center (more on that later) and the Great World City shopping mall. It wasn’t walkable to most of the sights, but it was a great location for us long term travelers who prefer to travel slower.

GETTING AROUND : Singapore is a city-state and tiny! It’s only 31 miles from east to west and 17 miles from north to south. Even though it’s small and we love to walk, we still took many Ubers around the city. It was hot. Even in January! A quick Uber ride made time there more enjoyable, especially since once we arrived at our destination we were usually doing more walking (like through the massive Gardens by the Bay or MacRitchie Park). Singapore was our strictest destination in terms of carseats for the kids. We made sure to carry our inflatable booster seats with us just in case.

THINGS TO KNOW : Yes, Singapore really is clean! Although we found Japan to be a cleaner country overall. Make sure to learn the many rules in Singapore. Chewing gum, smoking in public, and feeding pigeons are all illegal, as well as jaywalking, littering, and many other actions. Also, learning a brief history of our destinations is always important to us. This video was quick, yet thorough enough to watch with the kids and keep their attention, and ours!

EAT : Singapore’s cultural diversity can be experienced through a trip to the nearest hawker center. Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities make up the majority of the population. Food from these cultures fill hawker centers and even though we ate every meal (but one!) in hawker centers, we still had so many dishes on our list left uneaten.

A full guide to hawker centers is coming soon but until then, here are the must-try dishes. Hainanese chicken rice, prawn noodles, roti, laksa, char way teow, carrot cake (nothing like carrot cake in the U.S.), oyster omelette, roast duck (Trent’s favorite), satay, dumplings, and, of course, chili crab. Plus, a fresh juice! Mandatory addition for our kids. See what I mean! Singapore is full of never ending delicious meals. And, usually, a meal will only cost you about $3-5 at your local hawker center. Unbelievable!

Our favorite hawker center was Zion Riverside Food Center. It’s very popular with locals. Every Uber or taxi driver than drove us home would comment on how great it was and then stop by for a meal after dropping us offl. We also enjoyed meals at Maxwell’s Food Center (so popular with locals and tourists alike), Adam Road Food Center (more Indian food choices), and Lau Pa Sat (best satay). We don’t recommend the hawker center in the Garden’s by the Bay because the food was mediocre and more expensive.

DO - We barely scratched the surface on things to do in Singapore with even a week there! Our favorites were all outdoor activities. Singapore’s goal since their independence in 1965 has been to become a “garden city”. And it’s well on its way. About 47% of the city is covered in gardens and parks. It was hands down my favorite part of visiting this destination.

MACRITCHIE TRAIL - An 8-mile trail through the lush vegetation, this walk was easy to love! Especially the Tree Top Walk section (currently closed until May 2021 for renovation), a suspension bridge with great views of the park! Warning: there are a lot of monkeys near the Tree Top Walk and in the park in general. It was definitely the most nervous we had been around them since the monkeys were much more adventurous here. One was even “guarding” the entrance to the Tree Top Walk. But we luckily experience it all without any money business. (Sorry, I had to!)

CLOUD FOREST & FLOWER DOME - Follow anyone on Instagram who travels to Singapore and you will see pictures of the Cloud Forest. It’s a main attraction within Gardens by the Bay. We were unsure if it was worth the price ($15/adult & $7.50/children). It was! Our flower loving children enjoyed their time and so did we (Trent loves taking pictures of flowers).

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS - Endless gardens that you will need at least 2-3 hours to explore. Playgrounds for the kids. And it’s free to enter! Right up our alley.

SEE - Singapore is a great city to walk around and take in the sights. There are so many neighborhoods to explore and great buildings and landmarks to see with your own two eyes!

MERLION / MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL - The Merlion is the symbol of Singapore and the whole Marina Bay Sands area, where it is located, is a sight to see. Definitely has a Vegas feel (they are even gondola rides inside the mall, so Vegas!). It will give you the Crazy Rich Asians vibe you were looking for.

CHINATOWN - We visited during the Lunar New Year and Chinatown was celebrating! This area of the city is full of landmarks to visit. Sri Mariamman temple and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple to name two popular sights. Make sure to eat at the Maxwell Hawker Center just down the street.

GARDENS BY THE BAY - We made a few trips to Gardens by the Bay but it is especially fun at night. There’s a huge, light show amongst the Supertree Grove each evening. (One of our biggest mishaps was waiting for an hour before the show started, in the wrong spot! Don’t be mistaken by the smaller Supertrees near the McDonalds, like we did. The ones at the grove are much bigger where the show takes place.) The Marina Bay Sands Hotel also has a nightly light and water show on the bay. Both shows are free.

RAFFLES HOTEL - A beautiful, historic hotel famous because the Singapore Sling was invented there. And another filming location for Crazy Rich Asians.

OLD HILL POLICE STATION - I adore this colorful building. No photograph can quite capture it. A beautiful renovation to a historically important building.

SINGAPORE'S CHANGI AIRPORT - This airport is a destination unto itself! Free movie theaters, swimming pools, gardens, shopping malls. This is unlike any airport that you have ever seen. We arrived about 6 hours early for our flight just to check it out. But the best part, the Jewel, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It really is just beautiful to see.

Two places on my list that we didn’t see but I wanted to: Sultan Mosque in Little India and the Peranakan Houses.

PLAY

After over 3 months in Southeast Asia, our kids were thrilled to experience amazing playgrounds again! There are so many great ones around Singapore. Watch out for the monitor lizards though! We spotted one casually walking through the playground in the Gardens by the Bay. In addition to playgrounds, Sentosa islands is full of fun places for the kids, including beaches and a Universal Studios.

Our Favorite Playgrounds:

• Playground at Gardens by the Bay - complete with a large, splash pad area, slides built into the side of the hills, and so many mini suspension bridges.

• Tiong Bahru Playground - known to our family as the “crooked train park” is a great, standard playground

• Botanic Gardens - three different play areas for kids

• Jubilee Park - in the Clark Quay area, playground with multiple slides and a wooden climbing area

TREAT - After months eating not enough veggies during our travels, I would happily oblige whenever my kids asked for a juice at the hawker center. Juices filled with fruits, and veggies, were a real treat in the hot Singapore climate. The kids also enjoyed ice cream sandwiches with waffle cookies from a vendor in Chinatown. Pandan Cake is a famous dessert in Singapore but we never got around to trying it.

RUN

Singapore was a dream to run in. I loved running next to the Singapore river, stopping to take pictures of landmarks along the way. Trent had some great long runs in the city as well (see his routes above). Do be careful to watch your footing. The old, brick walkway along the river is quaint, but it’s also dangerous. I ate it big time along the path!

DRINK - While we found a lot of deals in this pricy city (hello, $3 hawker meals!), we felt the pain in the price of alcohol. Alcohol is heavily taxed in Singapore, plus the regular cost of living there makes for some expensive beer. We had read all about $10 beers before traveling to Singapore, so we decided to buy a bottle of whisky at the duty free shop before our flight there. In the end, most of the time the hawker beers weren’t too pricy. And, of course, it might be worth it to shell out some cash for a Singapore Sling at Raffles! I love when I can deem drinking a cocktail a “sightseeing experience”! In addition to a Tiger beer, made in Singapore, or a Tsingtao, chips from Cold Storage, a local supermarket, are a necessity. I loved the Mala Hot Pot, Chili Crab, and Tom Yum flavored chips! They really make a simple lager taste so much better.

Alright, we’ve done it! That was our time in Singapore. What makes you want to visit Singapore more - hawker food or exploring the green spaces? If you’ve been to Singapore, what are your favorite spots?

We spent a total of 7 nights in Marrakech and, honestly, it was perhaps too long. Marrakech is colorful and magical, and busy and loud. It was one of our toughest places to travel with kids. Although the kids did get so much attention and affection from the locals! After a week in Marrakech, we were ready to escape to Portugal. But as ready as we were to leave, Marrakech really stayed with us. We went from saying how ready we were to put the Medina streets behind us, but then only days later we were reminiscing about how it was unlike any other places that we had traveled to. And Morocco has reappeared on my travel list. I would love to road trip from Tangier to Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains and end with some time on the coast in Essaouira.

Until then… let’s see how we spent our week in Marrakech!

STAY

Our riad was hands down the best part of our time in Marrakech. It was a quiet, peaceful escape from the busy streets of the Medina. A riad is a traditional-style Moroccan home with a courtyard in the center and rooms all around the perimeter. It’s impossible to capture the felling of being in one through photographs. The riad that we stayed in through Airbnb was gorgeous. Located in the heart of the Kasbah, the oldest part of the Medina. Every detail was perfect and thoughtful and we couldn’t love it more. The selling point was really the rooftop patio. So many places to lounge for an afternoon nap and to talk late into the evening. (Which we did!) We practiced yoga at sunrise and celebrated with a drink at sunset. The French owners met us in person to give us a tour and Marrakech recommendations all over mint tea. If you can swing it, a stay in a riad is a must for your time in Marrakech.

We also stayed at an apartment outside of the Medina before my mom and sister arrived. The apartment was great and the location, while far from the Medina, was central to grocery stores and walking distance to sights like Jardin Majorelle. The apartment decor was straight out of an IKEA catalogue which was oddly comforting!

GETTING AROUND

When you’re staying in the Medina, walking is really your best way to get around. But warning, the streets are busy! Motorbikes, cars, donkeys, other pedestrians. It was tricky walking through the streets with small kids. I always needed to give myself a little pep talk before we stepped out the door. When I would venture out without the kids, it was much easier to navigate. I do think that our experience would have been more positive overall if we hadn’t been as concerned about the kids. Which is something I don’t say lightly. It’s honestly the only place that we traveled to that I felt that way.

Hiring a driver is very popular especially when traveling at night or outside of the Medina in general. Our riad hosts gave us the number of their driver and we used him often. He was so kind and gave us recommendations on where to go as well.

THINGS TO KNOW

Haggling - In addition to the busy streets, there are a lot of people who are going to try to sell you something as you walk down the street. Both of our hosts warned us to be aware of our surroundings, just like you would do in any big city. Also, when shopping in the markets, learn the art of negotiating before you begin. Haggling is an expectation in Marrakech, so don’t take the first price that the seller gives. I love the quote from this Telegraph article on haggling, “It’s a dance, not a fight.” Remember, this is someone’s livelihood. So as thrilling as it can be to test your negotiating skills, you need to be respectful. If a seller is pressuring you in the beginning, politely ask for time to look. It’s much kinder than ignoring them. Window shopping and asking about a price is always welcome. But once you enter the haggling process and agree on a price, be prepared to buy. It’s rude and a waste of their time to walk away at that point.

Dress & Other Islamic Customs - Morocco is a Muslim country and Islamic laws and customs are upheld in Marrakech. Remember to dress appropriately, especially when visiting landmarks. Appropriate dress usually means shoulders covered and pants or full-length skirts. In Morocco, you are not able to visit mosques if you are not Muslim, unlike in other Muslim countries (e.g. Turkey). But you will hear the adhan, the call to prayer, five times each day. While you don’t need to do anything special when the call to prayer is occurring, it’s best to remain respectful especially during that time. But generally, you will see people carry on with their day. Throughout our travels in Turkey and Morocco, we came to really appreciate the routine of hearing the call to prayer. We would pause to listen to it and note what time it was. Our kids would hear it and say “oh it’s lunch time!” or “it’s the getting dark one now!”.

Drinking Alcohol - In addition to dressing appropriately, alcohol is limited throughout Marrakech. Within the Medina walls, it is very difficult to find alcohol. Make sure to know the rules around alcohol and be respectful when drinking it. I cover more about where you can find a beer or wine in the DRINK section below.

EAT : We ate some wonderful food in Marrakech. But our best meal was prepared for us in our Riad! Our riad hosts set us up with a home chef to come and cook us dinner. While we only had her prepare dinner one night, from the reviews many guests have her prepare breakfast and dinner for them most days. In hindsight, we would have loved a second, or third, dinner cooked by her. We ate beef tagine, cous cous, a traditional Moroccan salad, and cake and cinnamon oranges for dessert. The tagine was the best that we had during our time in Morocco.

CAFE CLOCK - This restaurant was across the street from our riad and we loved it for its food and casual dining atmosphere. We ate breakfast, lunch, and went once just for dessert during our stay. The menu is much more modern than we had in other restaurants. We ate falafel and hummus bowls, berber eggs, and Moroccan tapas. There’s a camel burger on the menu as well, but no one in our group tried it. We loved the servers and their rooftop patio. They also have great storytelling and music events!

L’ADRESSE - We ate lunch at L’Adresse on their rooftop patio overlooking Jemaa el-Fna, the most popular open air market in Marrakech. Lunch was great and the setting could not be better.

DAR ESSALAM - This is the type of restaurant that I dreamed of visiting in Marrakech. Room after room of ornate decor, sofa seating around a circular table. The restaurant dates back to the 17th century and people such as Winston Churchill and Alfred Hitchcock dined here. Hitchcock even filed a scene from The Man Who Knew Too Much at the restaurant. We ate Moroccan dishes like lamb tagine, chicken pastilla, and chicken with lemon and olives. My favorite was the moroccan salads (or we would call them dips) that came at the beginning of the meal.

DO

GUIDED TOUR - Walking through the winding streets of the Medina is great on its own. But traveling with a guide really brings to light all of the details around you. Our guide Chafik was incredibly knowledgable and happily answered our many questions. We visited the souks, Jamaa El Fna, the public oven where bread is baked each day, and tried Panache, juice popular with locals. We also visited the synagogue and Jewish cemetery which was an aspect of Moroccan history that we didn’t know anything about. Because we had 6 people in our group, we had our own private tour which was great with small kids. Chafik found things that would interest them, especially treats to try from different vendors.

HAMMAM - After my experience at a hammam in Istanbul, I knew that I had to experience one in Marrakech with my mom and sister. We visited the hammam at the 5 Elements Spa near our riad. It didn’t compare to the hammam experience that I had in Istanbul but we all still had a wonderful time. Want to learn what it’s like to visit a hammam? Read my post Visiting a Hammam - My Experience, Step by Step.

SOUKS & JAMAA EL FNA - Souks are truly such a wonderful part of Marrakech. I don’t think that I bought more souvenirs anywhere else during our travels! Hand-dyed fabrics, spices, light fixtures, wood carvings. You could spend days wandering from shop to shop. Remember your haggling tips and bring your cash! Jamaa El Fna is a must-see market in the center square. It’s been featured in many movies and is a great place to people watch. Yes, there are literally snake charmers and monkey wranglers there. If you take a picture of the snakes, be prepared to pay money. Even if you’re not posing with one. We were told by many locals and travelers to only visit during the day with children. In the evening, the market is packed with people and not safe to visit with little ones. We kept our distance from the animals, a close eye on our belongings and children, and then enjoyed our 15 minutes in the market.

SEE

SAADIEN’S TOMB - Marrakech is full of historic landmarks to visit. El Badii Palace, Bahia Palace, La Jardin Secret. We kept our sightseeing to a minimum and instead spent more time wandering the souks and catching up on time with our family. But we did visit Saadien’s Tomb. There’s a small courtyard to appreciate the citrus trees and Zellij, Moorish geometric tilework. While there are a series of sepulchers and mausoleums, the centerpiece, of course, is Saadin’s tomb - the Hall of Twelve Columns. You can view it from a small opening, only big enough for about two people. Yes, you will need to stand in line. Yes, it is worth it to see the immaculate space filled with Italian Carrara marble and golden honeycomb muqarnas (vaulting).

JARDIN MAJORELLE / YSL MUSEUM- This was the highlight of our sightseeing. Everyone who had visited Marrakech recommended a visit to Jardin Majorelle. Lush, succulent gardens and, of course, the rich blue house in the center. We also enjoyed exploring the Berber Museum and learn so much about Berber culture. Our kids love anytime they can see traditional clothing, jewelry, and tools up close. The YSL Museum was also fantastic. (Yves Saint-Laurent owned the gardens for almost 30 years.) It was especially memorable to visit with my sister who is a designer and has always appreciated fashion. Don’t miss out: buy the combined ticket for both the gardens and the YSL Museum.

PLAY - Like I said above, Marrakech proved to be the hardest place to travel with our kids. In addition to the busy streets and crowds of people, there was also a lack of space for them to run and play. But we did find a few! Most playgrounds were rundown, missing swings and unsafe structures. There was one playground near our apartment at Parc El Harti. The kids loved the dinosaur slides, which you technically can’t slide down anymore but made for good climbing. Most of the equipment was in working order when we visited. The rest of the gardens are really beautiful and it was a great place to walk around. Entrance is free. The park did open and close randomly, possibly coinciding with the call to prayer. We were never sure. There’s also Parc Lalla Hasna, which doesn’t have a playground, but it is a beautiful space to let the kids run around with a view of Koutoubia, a 12th-century mosque, in the background.

TREAT : There is no lack of sugar in Marrakech! Delicious, sweet treat abound!

Another reason to visit Dar Essalam? Their pastilla of flakes with cream and almonds. It was the perfect way to end the meal. Our kids loved a meringue style cookie that we tried from a local street vendor. Ice cream at Cafe Clock was another favorite. The servers gave our kids free ice cream during our first visit. We also made a special trip there late one evening just for desserts on their rooftop patio. As a non-sweets person, I love that oranges with cinnamon are also a ubiquitous dessert in Morocco.

RUN : Running in Marrakech is not for the faint of heart. Traffic exhaust, dust, overall congestion. It was hard to find a route to enjoy. Trent and I had the best luck finding routes outside of the Medina on the west side. Find some large gardens and run alongside the outer perimeter. Generally that’s where the sidewalks are more well kept and usually there are more trees to provide shade.

DRINK : While alcohol is generally off-limits in Marrakech, there are a handful of places to enjoy (or buy) a drink. Overall, you won’t find alcoholic drinks on the menu at any restaurants in the Kasbah. And, for the most part, drinking alcohol in public or outdoors, rooftops and patios, is not done. None of the restaurants that I mentioned above serves alcohol. Most of the beer and wine that we tried was purchased at the local grocery store. Only one came from Morocco, Casablanca. Otherwise, it’s a lot of imported beers and they are not cheap.

Kosybar - This was the only spot within the Medina that we visited where alcohol was served. They have cocktails, as well as beer and wine. All served on their rooftop patio. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon after hours spent walking around the souks.

There’s our time in Marrakech! How about you? Have you visited Marrakech? Is it on your dream destination list?

We only spent 3 days in Athens, but it was the perfect amount. Especially since we had 19 more days to follow on the Greek islands! Truthfully, it made us sad to look around Athens. There was so much graffiti, so many rundown buildings. It felt like the city was falling apart. When we left I said to Trent “well that’s one place we will never travel back to.” But our time there stayed with us. We thought about it often and after only being away for a couple of weeks, we were talking about someday revisiting Athens. Greece has been unstable for many years and it’s palpable in Athens that there is a lot of discontentment. I hope someday to revisit Athens to find a revitalized city.

STAY : While we didn’t love the apartment that we stayed in, we did love the neighborhood! Koukaki is full of great restaurants and bakeries and is walking distance to the Acropolis. This New York Times’ 36 Hour article on Athens was our main guide and it gave some great recommendations for the area.

GETTING AROUND : During our 3 day stay, we walked almost everywhere. Not that the city is all that walkable. I think it helps that we were centrally located. And after months of traveling, we were all happy to travel on foot. We did take the metro once to the Archeological Museum and the experience was easy and enjoyable.

EAT : We ate some great good in Athens! A mix of local food and modern spots. A perfect balance in my book.

KINONO : Delicious avocado toast in a clean, modern setting. I would come back just for the design of the restaurant.

O THANASIS : Our taxi driver gave us two restaurant recommendations and this was one. Souvlaki and kebabs enjoyed on the streets in Plaka. Warning: this is the most touristy area and people will try to sell you trinkets throughout your meal. But the meal will still be worth it. I promise!

TAKI’S BAKERY : The other recommendation from our taxi driver (and mentioned in the 36 Hours column), Trent brought us back delicious pastries from here one morning. You must try the Koulouri (sesame bread ring). My only regret is that we waited too long to go back and when we did we found out that they were closed on Sundays. (Many places in Greece are!)

BEL RAY : Super hipster place - great design and vegan, Mexican breakfast tacos. We ate here after our early morning trip to the Acropolis. Even when we’re in Greece with great food, we needed to mix it up and enjoy places like this. It was like a little piece of California in Greece.

CAFE DIOGENES : We didn’t love the food here but the setting was enjoyable. It was our first night in Athens and we wandered through Plaka. This restaurant sits a bit higher up from the street and we enjoyed people watching from our table under the beautiful patio overhang.

DO : Safe to say, the Acropolis is at the top of most travelers’ list for Athens. We all loved our time there. The kids enjoy any sightseeing that involves exploring a big space with things to see interspersed throughout (Angkor Wat, temples in Japan, Mount St. Michel). We didn’t go with a guide. In hindsight, it would have been a great way to experience this important sight. But we did have T, who recited everything he knew about the Acropolis and we eavesdropped on a few English speaking guides. We spent about 2 hours walking throughout the Acropolis. There is such much more to see than just the Parthenon (In case you don’t know, we didn’t!: Acropolis is the hill, Parthenon is just one of the structures.) Book a guide, bring a guide book, download a resource on your phone, or just follow the plaques, like we did. It feels like almost every step you take something historic happened there!

Important visitor tip: go early! We woke up late, but still arrived on the earlier side. (Maybe 15 minutes after opening.) There was still no line for tickets, but already a lot of visitors. But it was nothing like how many visitors were rolling in two hours later as we exited. Also, we skipped the museum to spend our time instead at the Archeological Museum. But if you have more time, and money, the Acropolis Museum has recently been renovated and is modern and gorgeous.

SEE : Rivaled with the Acropolis, the National Archeological Museum was our other favorite activity that we experienced in Athens. Our kids adored this museum. It was actually moving to see them get so interested in the artifacts around them. Tools and art from the Mycenaean civilization, Greek sculptures and vases of gods and historical figures, Egyptian antiquities. It’s all of the best parts of a museum visit rolled into one. We also loved the exhibit where you could smell oils that were re-created to smell like popular, ancient fragrances.

Another must-see is the Panathenaic Stadium. It’s the sight of the first modern Olympic Games, held in 1896.

Also! You must just wander through Athens’ neighborhoods. Beyond the graffiti and rundown buildings, there is just so much history. I’m not sure that we ever walked down a street that didn’t have some historically significant landmark. And it may be touristy, but walking around Plaka is still pretty great! It’s a rare moment when the most visited area still has charm!

PLAY : The best playground in Athens that we visited is located near the corner of Apostolou Pavlou and Akamantos. It’s not only a great park, but it overlooks the Acropolis. Incredible! Our children visited a few other parks during our time in Athens. One was located a couple of blocks from our apartment in Koukaki. But none of them were worth writing home about. Finding great playgrounds in Croatia, Greece, and Turkey was not an easy feat! When in doubt, climbing on ancient ruins (legally) is a pretty great way to spend time while you wait for dinner.

TREAT : Plaka is full of ice cream shops. Kayak Ice Cream, across from Cafe Diogenes, was just ok. But Arte Athens was much better (and “so fancy” as our daughter would describe it), also located in Plaka.

DRINK : While I sit out on most ice cream visits, I’m happy to test out any and all local beers! Greek beers are not my favorite (the best in our opinion was Mamoe). Lots of lagers which don’t have much flavor but were great on a hot day. I did find my favorite beer that I enjoyed in the UK, Brew Dog’s Elvis Juice at the Bel Ray. (I would find it again in Japan!)

We did surprisingly enjoy time at a bar, kids-free in Athens! Trent and I loved sitting at our local bar, enjoying a beer, and whatever snacks the servers would put in front of us. Luckily, our apartment bedroom window faced the bar across a tiny, side street. So the kids could watch the iPad on our bed and we could see them from our table. Our servers got a kick out of seeing the kids come out to say hello many times throughout our time at the bar. But without babysitters for a year, it was still so enjoyable to have a few moments alone.

RUN : Trent and I enjoyed running up Filopappou Hill which overlooks the Acropolis. Trent also spent runs sprinting from mountaintop to mountaintop! Between Mount Lycabettus, running around the Acropolis, to Filopappou, your hill days are never-ending! It would also be a bucket list moment to run the historical marathon course from Marathon to Athens. I’m sure if we were in Athens longer than 3 days, Trent would have completed the route!

Have you been to Athens? If so, thoughts on the city? What did you love?

Cusco has been on my list for the past 10+ years. Tucked high in the Andes Mountain range with its beautiful buildings and vendors selling colorful goods and fruits at the market. I can’t wait to visit one day.

Let the weekend wanderlust begin… CUSCO, PERU!

SLEEP : There might not be many Airbnbs in Cusco, but this one looks just perfect! Within the historic center and walking distance to the main square. Sign me up!

EAT : Ceviche at Morena. Or maybe Saralawa, a creamy soup from Cusco. Or snacks and fruit from the market. I can’t decide and won’t need to since I will try them all.

DO : Top three on my travel bucket list? See Machu Picchu with my own two eyes. It’s the only reason the town of Cusco came onto my travel radar. It looks magical and I can’t wait for it to happen one day.

PLAY : One look at the Rodadero Slides and I know my kids would love me forever for taking them there! Sliding down smooth slopes of the hills above Cusco sounds like something they would delight in and I would watch with my eyes half closed. But, I’m always a sucker for trying something new, so in the end, I’m sure I would try it!

TREAT : A trip to Choco Museo, a chocolate museum and factory, sounds like the perfect spot for parents and kids alike. Anytime we can sneak history and learning into a treat is a win win for us!

I love ending Weekend Wanderlusts with cookbook suggestions. I might not be traveling there just yet, but at least these cookbooks will bring a little of the town into my kitchen.

Have you been to Cusco? What did you love there?

Image sources available by clicking on the photo, top image via designlovefest.

Each destination, even the smaller ones, offer so many things to do, places to see, dishes to eat. Here are some strategies to decide how to spend your precious time!

KEEP A LIST

Keep an ongoing list of sights to see and places to eat. I have a list in my Notes app called “Travel Stuff” were I log anything that interests me by destination. I might have heard about an amazing landmark or tour on a podcast or was given a restaurant recommendation by a fellow traveler. All of these notes live in that one list.

I also do a quick scan of my Instagram saved posts and screenshots to find any other destination-specific inspiration that I’ve squirreled away over the years.

ADD ON THE MUST-SEES

Whenever I dig in and research a new destination, I take whatever list I’ve accumulated from my “Travel Stuff” list and then add the travel “must-sees”. To find these, I head to sites like Lonely Planet, Culture Trip, and many other sources with a good listicle. (Here’s a post of some of our favorite travel websites.) I love a “10 Things You Must See in …” post as much as the rest of the internet! Usually after reading a handful, I get the idea of what tourist sights were worth visiting. Remember these are general “must-sees” but in no way should you feel obligated to see them all. Travel is best enjoyed when you don’t feel compelled to take that Instagram photo and you’re spending time doing, seeing, and eating what truly brought you to the destination.

A non-listicle source that I always check out? My ultimate favorite, The New York Times' 36 Hours column. They do an amazing job of highlighting neighborhoods to visit which helps balance out time solely spent at tourist sights.

And! Once you arrive at your destination, don’t forget to gather recommendations from your Airbnb host or other locals. Our favorite, off the beaten path experiences usually come from these sources!

GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED

Get the kids and/or other travelers in your group involved. I love borrowing travel books from Libby, our library app. The kids would pour over books like City Atlas or Lonely Planet City Trails before heading to new destinations. I would take note when a landmark, museum, or activity would catch their attention. I wrote a whole post about our favorite Children’s Travel Books.

GOOGLE MAPS

Now, plug those spots into Google Maps and flag them to find later. I love watching all of those little “Want to Go” green flags fill the map of our next destination. The map also helps me understand what sights are near each other and how we can tackle everything that we want to see. The “Want to Go” flags are also great when your group is suddenly hungry and you don’t know where to eat. You can easily spot if there’s a place nearby that you wanted to try. We also loved that Google Maps are downloadable. You can choose an area to download so that your map is available offline.

BOOK AT LEAST ONE GUIDED TOUR

Guided tours can bring a destination to life and give you insight into daily life in the city/country that you just can’t achieve on your own. I can picture details of a city and recall facts about it with so much more clarity when we experienced it with a local guide. From free walking tours to Airbnb tours to local tours book through our accommodation, we loved them all!

BUILD A CHECKLIST OF MUST-TRY FOODS

We loved Offbeat Budapest’s Foodapest Bingo Card! We ate our way through the card and explored the food scene of Budapest beyond Goulash and Chimney Cakes. That experience made us get serious about create a food list for each of our destinations. Traveling to Singapore without eating Hainanese Chicken Rice or Prawn Noodles? Impossible! Visiting Chiang Mai without experiencing Khao Soi? Not happening! We love having a list of dishes to try in our back pocket when we’re ready to try something new at a restaurant. Tasteatlas.com is a great resource to start with to see what dishes are more popular in your next destination.

What about you? How do you decide what to do in a new destination?

Today, we’re sharing the 3 aspects of an Airbnb that takes it from a good to a great stay!

1. ONCE IN A LIFETIME STAYS

Sometimes Airbnbs are about so much more than a place to rest your head at the end of the day. We have stayed at some places where I have relished every moment there because I just felt so, so lucky. A riad in the middle of the Medina in Marrakech. An apartment with a private pool on the island of Paros. A glamping pod on a working farm in Great Britain’s Lake District. We promised ourselves that we would return to each of these stays one day. Only if it made leaving them a little easier.

2. THE PERFECT NEIGHBORHOOD

Some people check Zillow or the stock market for fun. I scroll through Airbnb! I may have spent hours upon hours digging through Airbnbs and reviews, but it was worth it. Reviews tell you so much more than information on the accommodation itself. They’re full of information on the neighborhood, what grocery stores are nearby, the stay’s proximity to great restaurants and the beach. Neighborhoods have been a make or break moment for our time at Airbnbs. Don’t skimp on knowing more about where you’re staying. Another great way to find our about the neighborhood? Google Street View! Check out, virtually, what the area is really like? We also love to use the “Want to Go” flags in Google Maps to identify what we want to see at the destination. It also helps us identify neighborhoods to stay in that are near the places we want to see and restaurant where we want to dine.

3. EXCEPTIONAL HOSTS

We’ve stayed in many good Airbnbs. But the number one reason that made an Airbnb great was its host! In Cambodia, we saw, and chatted, with our host daily. She made us delicious, French breakfasts every morning and let our kids jump on her child’s trampoline in the afternoons. During our stay on the farm in the Lake District, our host taught our kids how to send out their dog to round up the sheep in the evening. Even hosts that we quickly got to know in person through the check in process made the stay so much more special. We scribbled down notes on which hawker stands to try from our host in Singapore and picked up Medina tips from our hosts in Marrakech. We’ve had hosts pick us up from bus stations, coordinate tours for us, and one even set up doctor appoints for our kids! T even got his hair cut at the salon our host also owned in Istanbul. We are also always fans of trying local cheeses and wines when hosts leave them for us as welcome gifts! Make sure to leave glowing reviews to show your appreciation for amazing hosts. They deserve it!

OUR FAVORITE STAYS

Below are some of our favorite Airbnb stays throughout our long term travels. Click on the picture for the link to the Airbnb profile.