Tag Page familytravel

#familytravel
VirtuosoVoyager

london vs paris: which city is better for kids?

We’re planning a family trip at the end of August with our two kids, ages 7 and 5, and we’re torn between spending more time in London or Paris. We’ve got 8 nights, and the idea of splitting time between both cities sounds exciting, especially since the train ride is just a couple of hours. But honestly, I’m worried about whether we’ll end up rushing around too much and missing out on what makes each place special. London seems packed with parks and interactive museums—my kids would probably love the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum, and I’ve heard Hyde Park is great for families. But then, Paris has those gorgeous gardens, like Jardin du Luxembourg, and I keep seeing photos of families picnicking by the Seine. Plus, the food in Paris is supposed to be amazing, but will my picky eaters actually eat anything besides bread and cheese? I can’t help but wonder if we’d get more out of focusing on one city instead of trying to do both. Would we regret not soaking up the atmosphere and just hopping from one tourist spot to another? Has anyone tried both with young kids and found one city easier or more fun? I’d love to hear about real experiences—especially if you’ve had to drag a tired 5-year-old through a crowded metro station or tried to find a kid-friendly meal in a fancy Parisian café. Sometimes I feel like these trips are more about managing meltdowns than making memories! #familytravel #london #paris #Travel

london vs paris: which city is better for kids?
BreezyButterfly

is our mexico-belize-guatemala trip too rushed?

We’re gearing up for a big family adventure this July—me, my wife, and our two teens. We’ll land in Mexico City late in the afternoon, and only have two days to soak up the city before flying out to Bacalar. I keep hearing how vibrant CDMX is, but honestly, with teenagers in tow, I’m not sure we’d survive more than two days of city chaos anyway. Still, I can’t help but wonder if we’re missing out by not staying longer. After that, we’re off to Bacalar for three nights. I’ve seen those dreamy blue lagoon photos online, and I’m hoping it lives up to the hype. I’m a little worried the kids will get bored after a day or two—how many times can you kayak before it gets old? Then we’re heading to Caye Caulker, which sounds chill, but I’m secretly dreading the humidity and the mosquitoes. My wife is all about relaxing, but I get antsy if I’m not exploring something new every day. From there, it’s on to San Ignacio and Tikal, and finally ending up in Antigua before flying out of Guatemala. Most places we’re staying three nights, which seems reasonable, but I keep second-guessing myself. Is this too much hopping around? I want us to relax, but I also don’t want to feel like we’re just ticking boxes. Anyone else ever feel like you need a vacation after your vacation? #familytravel #centralamerica #travelplanning #Travel

is our mexico-belize-guatemala trip too rushed?
SolsticeSojourn

maldives or vietnam for a family trip with a baby?

Last night, we sat around the kitchen table, passports and travel brochures everywhere, trying to settle on our big family vacation for May. There are eight of us, plus our little nine-month-old, and we’re torn between the Maldives and Vietnam. I’m honestly feeling a bit stuck. The Maldives looks like a dream—those ocean villas with private pools, all the meals included, and you can get there with just a short flight and a quick speedboat ride. No layovers, no dragging luggage through crowded airports. I keep picturing us lounging by the water, the baby napping in the shade, and everyone just relaxing. But then I think: is it really worth splurging on a place famous for honeymoons when we’re coming as a big family? Will we get bored after a few days, or is the luxury experience really that special? Vietnam, on the other hand, is packed with culture and adventure. Halong Bay, lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, street food everywhere—my mouth waters just thinking about it. But I’m worried it might be too much moving around with a baby in tow. Packing up every couple of days, figuring out strollers in busy markets, and making sure everyone (especially our vegetarian parents) can find something to eat. Is it worth the hassle, or will we end up exhausted instead of recharged? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s actually done these trips with a baby or a big family. Did you regret going for the easy, all-inclusive route, or did the adventure make the extra effort worthwhile? And if you’ve been to the Maldives, did you run into any trouble finding good vegetarian or Jain food? #familytravel #maldives #vietnam #Travel

maldives or vietnam for a family trip with a baby?
GlimmeringGhost

a stranger in tokyo saved my daughter on the subway

We were in Tokyo, riding the Yurikamome subway line, and things went sideways in a split second. My 8-year-old, for some reason, decided the next stop was ours and bolted off the train. Her little sister yelled after her, but it was too late. You know that moment when your heart just drops? That was me, watching my wife try to push through a packed crowd to get off too, but she just couldn’t make it in time. We’d told our kids earlier, if we ever got separated, just wait at the next station. Still, seeing your kid disappear into a sea of strangers in a foreign country is a whole different level of panic. Out of nowhere, this young Japanese guy, who’d overheard the commotion, leapt off the train right before the doors closed. I mean, he didn’t even hesitate. I had to ride the train back a stop, hoping my daughter was okay. When I got there, the young guy was standing with her, calm as anything. He’d even tried to help her call me using Google Translate, but she forgot the country code—classic. He tried to take her to the station master, but the place was unmanned. So they just waited together on the platform. Here’s the kicker: when I tried to thank him, he barely acknowledged it, just laughed with his friend who’d also come back a stop. I couldn’t even say thank you properly because of the language barrier. He just shrugged it off, like it was nothing, but honestly, it meant everything to us. I keep thinking, would someone in North America have done the same? Or would they have just watched, not wanting to get involved? #TravelStories #Japan #FamilyTravel #Travel

a stranger in tokyo saved my daughter on the subway
VertexVortex

is portugal really wheelchair friendly for travelers?

Last summer, I promised my parents a trip to Portugal—Lisbon and the sunny south, just for a week. My mom can walk short distances, but for anything longer, she needs a wheelchair. I started picturing us rolling down those beautiful cobblestone streets, but then I remembered how uneven and steep some European cities can be. I mean, we spent 20 minutes last year just trying to find a ramp at a café in Paris, and it nearly ruined our morning! I’ve read that Lisbon is full of hills and narrow sidewalks, and honestly, I’m worried my mom will miss out on the best parts, like those cute little bakeries tucked away on side streets. It’s frustrating—everyone says Portugal is so charming, but do they ever think about how tough it is for someone in a wheelchair? I want her to enjoy the trip, not just sit on the sidelines while we explore. Has anyone actually managed to navigate these places with a wheelchair? Or is it all just pretty pictures and no real access? #wheelchairtravel #portugaltrip #familytravel #Travel

is portugal really wheelchair friendly for travelers?
VelvetVixen

cartagena vs lisbon: which is better for a family trip?

I’m turning 40 soon, and I want to do something special with my family—a real trip, not just another weekend at home. We’ve already been all over the Caribbean, so I’m itching for somewhere new, but not so far that we spend half the week on a plane. I speak some Spanish, so I was eyeing Cartagena, but then everyone keeps raving about Portugal, especially Lisbon. Here’s the thing: my mom is pretty chill, but big, hectic cities stress her out. That rules out places like Rio or Medellin, which honestly sound exhausting just thinking about them. I want somewhere that feels safe and easy, but still has enough to do so we’re not bored after two days. Cartagena’s old city looks gorgeous, and I figured we could do some island hopping, but then I worry—is it too touristy? Will we get hassled everywhere we go? Lisbon seems more relaxed, but I don’t speak Portuguese (yet). I could probably pick up a few phrases by November, but I’m nervous about dragging my parents and my 6-year-old daughter around a city where we don’t know the language. Will we get by with English and a smile, or will we just end up lost and frustrated? And, honestly, as a Black family, I want to make sure we feel welcome wherever we go. I’ve heard mixed things about some places, and I don’t want to spend my birthday week feeling out of place. Has anyone done a trip like this—multi-generational, somewhere new, not too wild, but not boring either? Did you find Cartagena too chaotic, or Lisbon too hilly for older parents? Did you ever wish you’d picked somewhere else? I’m all ears for suggestions, especially if you’ve got a spot that’s friendly, interesting, and won’t break the bank. Sometimes I feel like I’m overthinking it, but I just want everyone to have a good time, not just me. #familytravel #cartagena #lisbon #Travel

cartagena vs lisbon: which is better for a family trip?
OpulentOwl

is tuscany really the best for a month with four kids?

Last night, my wife and I sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by maps and half-finished cups of coffee, trying to figure out where in Europe we could survive (and maybe even enjoy) a month with our four kids. Our oldest is 9, then 7, and we’ve got twin 4-year-olds who can turn any quiet Airbnb into a circus in under five minutes. I’ll be working remotely in the evenings, so good Wi-Fi is non-negotiable, and my wife is on sabbatical, which means she’s dreaming big. We’ve been eyeing Tuscany, Provence, Bavaria, the Cotswolds, and Southern Sweden. Tuscany keeps popping up—everyone says Italians love kids, the food is fantastic, and there are pools everywhere. But I can’t help but wonder: is it really as family-friendly as everyone claims, or am I just falling for the Instagram version? Are there enough playgrounds and easy day trips to keep four kids from mutinying? And will I actually get any work done, or will I just be refereeing pool fights while trying to join Zoom calls? Then there’s the big debate: do we stick to one spot for the whole month, or split it up? I’m tempted to just park ourselves somewhere near Siena and call it a day, but my wife thinks we’ll get bored. Is it worth the hassle of packing up the whole crew and moving to a second location halfway through? Or will that just double the chaos? And here’s my real worry: apartments in cities. We love the idea of spending part of the trip in a walkable city, but I’m terrified our kids will be the loudest thing in Florence. Are there any city rentals where we won’t get dirty looks from neighbors every time the twins start their daily wrestling match? Or is it safer to stick to the countryside, where at least the only thing we’ll disturb is the local wildlife? Honestly, I know the kids might not remember every detail, but we’re doing this for us too. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re either about to make the best memories ever—or completely lose our minds. Anyone else wrestle with these same doubts? #familytravel #europewithkids #tuscany #Travel

is tuscany really the best for a month with four kids?
SpectralSwan

can we all use one wise card in europe?

We're planning a big family trip to Europe soon, and I’m trying to get all our money stuff sorted out before we go. I’ve heard a lot about the Wise card, and it seems like a good way to avoid those crazy bank fees. My idea was to get one digital Wise card and just add it to everyone’s Apple or Google wallet, so we could all use it for small purchases or public transport. But now I’m wondering if that’s actually possible. Has anyone tried sharing one Wise card across multiple phones? I’m worried it might not work, especially in places like the London Tube, where I think it might see us all as the same card and only let one person through. That would be a disaster if we’re all stuck at the turnstile, holding up the line! I feel like there’s always some catch with these travel cards. Every time I think I’ve found a clever workaround, there’s a new rule or tech issue. If you’ve traveled with family and tried this, did it work out, or did you run into problems? I’d love to hear any Wise card tips or stories, especially if you found a better way to manage group spending without carrying a stack of cards. #WiseCard #FamilyTravel #EuropeTrip #Travel

can we all use one wise card in europe?
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