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christmas in france holidays

What it’s like to Celebrate Christmas in Paris France

It’s been said that Paris is always a good idea…and I’m here to let you know that Paris is a good idea at Christmas too. A couple of years ago John threw out the idea of heading to Paris for Christmas. Andy was on his mission and we were looking for a bit of an … Read more

christmas in france holidays
disneyland paris reviews

My Disneyland Paris Honest Review – Is it Worth it?

If you’ve been following along with the blog or on instagram for a while, then you probably have a pretty good idea of just how much we love Disneyland in our family. 😉 Living with Disneyland park just 20 minutes up the road for the last 20 years has turned us into slight fanatics.  This … Read more

disneyland paris reviews
thyme hotel southrop england

Best Hotels in the Cotswolds : Thyme Hotel Southrop England

Have you ever been to the Cotswolds? The Cotswolds are a region in central to southwest London comprising more than 800 sq miles of lush rolling green hills, ancient moss covered stone walls, roaming sheep, wandering rivers, and quintessential English villages with their stone buildings and thatched roofs dotting the landscape. In other words, it … Read more

thyme hotel southrop england
London at Christmas

Visit London at Christmas : Things to See & Do

Christmas Markets, incredible lighting displays, festive decor, amazing shopping and dining, seasonal shows and events, and lots of entertainment are just a few of the many reasons that visiting London at Christmas is a must. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in many world class cities at Christmas time – Los Angeles, New York, Paris…and … Read more

London at Christmas
11 cadogan gardens london

Staying at The Apartments at 11 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea, London

A trip to London always leaves me feeling inspired and like my cup is full. It’s always an absolute dream to be wandering down the bustling streets in this beautiful city lined with gorgeous townhouses and quaint shops and restaurants.  This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. On our last couple … Read more

11 cadogan gardens london
visit sleeping beauty's castle neuschwanstein castle

Visit Sleeping Beauty’s Castle : Neuschwanstein Castle Germany

It’s what fairytale dreams are made of…a princess castle nestled in the forest of Germany. Take one look at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and you can see how it inspired Walt Disney to create Sleeping Beauty’s castle. When we added Germany to our travel itinerary, driving out to see this gorgeous cliffside castle was a … Read more

visit sleeping beauty's castle neuschwanstein castle
prettiest afternoon teas London

The Prettiest Afternoon Teas in London

Ashley and I are headed on a little UK adventure in a few weeks so I’ve been researching (one of my favorite things to do when planning a trip!) for all the best of everything that London has to offer. I have been fortunate to spend a fair amount of time in London, but I … Read more

prettiest afternoon teas London
Dijon France Travel

Traveling to Dijon France : Dijon Hotels, Mustard & More

For Christmas last year we had the pleasure of traveling to France for the holiday break. As you know, if you’ve been following along with our travels for the last many years, we love to rent a car when we travel and drive all over creation. On this trip we started in Paris, where we … Read more

Dijon France Travel

The BEST Christmas Lights in London

Last December I had the pleasure of planning a trip to London at Christmas for some of John’s work colleagues…and lucky me, we got to join in on the fun! I had never been to London at Christmastime, but it was definitely on my list of things I needed to do. The best thing about … Read more

Hamyard bar featured

Destination Design: The Ham Yard Hotel, London

If you aren’t familiar with The Ham Yard Hotel, The Covent Garden Hotel, The Haymarket Hotel…well, any of the Firmdale Hotels for that matter, let me be the first to introduce you. 🙂  With eight boutique hotels in London, two in New York, and a handful of bars and restaurants, they are a growing company.  … Read more

Hamyard bar featured
Paris in the fall

Why You Need to Visit Paris in the Fall

Paris is always a good idea…especially in the fall! I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Paris during three seasons, and let’s just say it’s beautiful every time I go, but something about Paris in the fall is magical. John and I had the opportunity to visit in late September back before the pandemic hit, and … Read more

Paris in the fall
London in the fall

Things to do in London in September

John and I had the chance to spend a few days in London in September.  I love London…the hustle and bustle, beautiful architecture, history….so many things to see and do.  I’ve been fortunate to visit London on several occasions, but never without the kids and never in the fall.  I have to say…London in the … Read more

London in the fall
la petite venise

La Petite Venise : Visit Colmar Alsace France

There is no better time to travel than fall. Near perfect temperatures, reduced crowds and travel deals are just a few of the reasons to book a trip in September and October.  John and I put off celebrating our anniversary which falls in the heat of the summer, and instead opted for a celebration in … Read more

la petite venise
best places to stay in riva del garda

Best Places to Stay in Lake Garda & Things to do in Riva del Garda

The lakes region in Italy has become one of our favorite travel destinations.  Sparkling turquoise water, dramatic mountains jutting out of the lake, quaint villages and lots of activities for families and couples alike, it’s no wonder we love to visit!  Of all the lakes in Italy, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest. A quick 2 … Read more

best places to stay in riva del garda
Cinque terre villages

Cinque Terre Villages : Touring Italy

Cinque Terre quite literally means “five lands” in Italian.  Dotted along the Italian coastline these pretty little centuries old fishing villages have become a super popular tourist destination over the last several years.  Each of the Cinque Terre villages has it’s own charm, and each boasts colorful cliffside houses, steep rugged terraced land and quaint … Read more

Cinque terre villages
Bruges belgium

Bruges with Kids : Things to do in Belgium

Our time in Europe has taken us to lots of big cities.  I love big cities, but I also wanted to explore the small towns of Europe and really get a feel for what it was like to live in a smaller town. A while ago I mentioned a bit about skipping Brussels if you are … Read more

Bruges belgium
Fresh pasta to go venice italy with text

Pasta to Go Venice, Italy : Eating in Venice on a Budget

I like nice restaurants as much as the next guy, but sometimes when you are traveling…especially with kids and a family, you just want some good cheap street food or a hearty meal that is delicious and doesn’t break the bank.  Eating in Venice on a budget can be a bit of a challenge since … Read more

Fresh pasta to go venice italy with text
Luxury family resort venice italy

Best Family-Friendly Hotel in Venice Italy (2024)

If you are looking for family friendly hotels in Venice, Italy, look no further. The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa located on Isola delle Rose Venezia is the most incredible luxury hotel. Venice can be a hot and crowded place to visit during the summer, and I’ve heard many people say that it wasn’t … Read more

Luxury family resort venice italy
Visitor oyster cards

Visitor Oyster Cards : Tips for Getting Around London

If you are traveling to London you will, with out a doubt, need to familiarize yourself with public transportation while visiting.  Using the tube is the easiest and most cost effective way to get around the city. The endless system of trains, the Underground and buses make it simple to get all over Central London … Read more

Visitor oyster cards
how to get to Zermatt

How to Get to Zermatt : Our Matterhorn Adventure

As a little girl growing up in Southern California, the Matterhorn was always a symbol of Disneyland to me.  I would see it standing tall on the side of Interstate 5 and it seemed to tower above everything else.  As I’ve gotten older and buildings have gotten taller, it’s a little harder to spot the … Read more

how to get to Zermatt
Visiting the cotswolds travel tips

Broadway United Kingdom : Cotswolds Villages

I have always loved the movie The Holiday.  Have you seen it?  It’s on repeat at our house throughout Christmas. 😉 The idea of spending the holidays in a cozy little thatched roof cottage in the Cotswolds is so appealing!  On a recent trip to Italy we found flights that made it cheaper to stop … Read more

Visiting the cotswolds travel tips
Hotel elefant salzburg austria

Best Family Hotels in Salzburg: Hotel Elefant Salzburg

When we decided to visit Salzburg, Austria during our summer in Europe, (a Sound of Music Tour was a must for us!) we knew we wanted to stay right in the heart of the old city center.  (affiliate links are included in this post) We spent some time researching the best family hotels in Salzburg. … Read more

Hotel elefant salzburg austria
Borough market

Visit Borough Market : Amazing Food Market by London Bridge

If you love eating, drinking, and wandering stalls full of food and produce of every kind, then you do not want to miss Borough Market when you are visiting London.  This amazing food market by London Bridge has been around for centuries. You can walk and eat your way through history at the same time. … Read more

Borough market
Eiffel tower tips and tricks 1

Eiffel Tower Tickets to the Top : Summit Access

Here’s an interesting fact for you: The Eiffel Tower attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction in the world.  So, needless to say, when you plan to visit Paris, it is incredibly important to be well aware of different Eiffel Tower tips and tricks for visiting the Eiffel Tower and getting Eiffel Tower … Read more

Eiffel tower tips and tricks 1
Tower of london

What To See At The Tower Of London

When you are planning a family trip to London you must put a Tower of London visit on your list of things to do.  For centuries, families have lived and worked in this famous fortress — Royal families, guards, servants, even prisoners.  The    Wondering what to see at the Tower of London?  Let these Tower … Read more

Tower of london
Best hilltop towns in italy montepulciano

Medieval Towns in Italy : Montepulciano Tuscany

If you are really looking for the ultimate Italian experience, you must visit Tuscany.  This rural and beautiful region is full of rolling hills dotted with stunning, living medieval towns.  When we traveled to Europe for our three month excursion, we knew one thing we really wanted was the quintessential Italian experience…to stay in a Tuscan … Read more

Best hilltop towns in italy montepulciano
Dublin travel guide

Dublin Ireland Travel Guide

Exploring Dublin, Ireland is a true delight!  Dublin is a wonderful urban destination that is quickly growing in popularity among tourists visiting Europe.  We had the pleasure of visiting Dublin, and I must say, it has to be one of the happiest, friendliest places on the planet!  The people were so warm and welcoming.  We … Read more

Dublin travel guide
Mt st jean 12

Mont-Saint-Jean, France: A Medieval French Hilltop Village

When we were planning our Europe adventure, we were going to be gone long enough that we felt fairly comfortable leaving some plans open ended and kind of letting life take us where it wanted when we were on the road.  One of those happy little unplanned surprises was a quick one night stay in … Read more

Mt st jean 12
Bayeux 15

Bayeux, France: Our visit to Normandy and Historic WWII Sites

John and I both happen to be history majors who share a particular interest in 20th century American history, in particular WWII for John…so needless to say, visiting Bayeux was high on our list while spending a few weeks in France.  Bayeux is a charming little French town located on the Aure river in the … Read more

Bayeux 15
Arles 18

Travel: Exploring the South of France: Arles

When it came time to plan our summer across Europe, the South of France was high on my list.  I envisioned planting myself in some Provencial home out in a beautiful field and letting the children roam with the goats and spend long days picking lavender and wildflowers.  I didn’t realize that along with beautiful, … Read more

Arles 18
Sacre coeur

Visit the Sacre Coeur

I had been to Paris before, but I had never visited the Sacre Coeur.  This time, we made it a point to visit the Basilica located in the Montamarte, on the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city.  The Montmarte is a bit of a gritty neighborhood and it was interesting to … Read more

Sacre coeur
Paris 159

Shopping In Paris: Tips for Finding Hidden Treasures

Paris is known for for great shopping, and it did not disappoint.  There are lots of great articles all over the internet about shopping in Paris and which neighborhoods offer the best shopping whether you are looking for high end fashion or home decor in the City of Lights, but I wanted to share a … Read more

Paris 159
Screen shot 2019 05 17 at 12 25 14 am

What to Pack for a Trip to Bruges, Belgium in the Summer

The weather in Bruges, Belgium is chilly.  The warmest month is August, and even then, temperatures rarely get out of the 60’s.  Days are sunny, so be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and hat, but layer, layer, layer.  Long sleeve shirts, a sweater and a coat with comfortable denim and some cute flats will have … Read more

Screen shot 2019 05 17 at 12 25 14 am
Things to do in amsterdam with kids

Things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands : Family Vacation Ideas

After a wonderful 10 days spent in London, we were excited to head off to the next destination of our family vacation, Amsterdam, Netherlands.  This was our first travel experience within Europe and boarding a plane in London to head from the safety of a country where everyone spoke English to head to a place … Read more

Things to do in amsterdam with kids
Haarlem 26 1

Visit Haarlem Netherlands : Day Trips from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is such a charming city.  When we visited I wanted to get a chance to visit a bit outside of the city too.  Haarlem Netherlands was recommended by several friends, including Rick Steves, 😉 and after reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom I knew it was the perfect day trip from Amsterdam … Read more

Haarlem 26 1
Amsterdam canal house

Where to Stay in Amsterdam with a Family : Our Canal House

Visions of Amsterdam canal houses and bicycles were running through my head when we set out planning to visit Amsterdam. I knew that I wanted to stay on a canal, close to the city center, but couldn’t decide between a boutique hotel with family rooms or a traditional canal house. Beyond that, I didn’t know … Read more

Amsterdam canal house
Visit notting hill

Interesting Things to See in London: Notting Hill

When I think of Notting Hill, I think of a teeny bookshop nestled on a busy street full of white townhouses with colorful doors.  I also can’t get “Ain’t no Sunshine” out of my head. Needless to say, when we were planning our list of things to do in London, Notting Hill was a must … Read more

Visit notting hill
London eye 1 2

Take a Spin on the London Eye: Things to do in London

You’ve seen it in just about every skyline image of London, the huge ferris wheel towering 443 ft in the sky over Big Ben, the London Eye.    Before we left for London I read up on tings to see and do in London and this was definitely on the list.  There were many different … Read more

London eye 1 2
City 3 681x1024 1

Things to See in London : One Day Walking Tour

When we were planning our trip it seemed natural to start in London.  We figured we would have some culture shock, maybe a bit of homesickness at some point, and to be honest, we were a little bit scared when we left, simply because we had never attempted anything of this magnitude before and we … Read more

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Eiffel 2 hero 681x1024 1

The Best View in Paris: The Arc De Triomphe

Ah, the City of Lights.  There are so many great places to visit in Paris that you can visit there multiple times and still not see everything.    Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of this magical city is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest thrills, a must do for anyone visiting … Read more

Eiffel 2 hero 681x1024 1
How to stay connected whle traveling in europe 1

How to Stay Connected While Traveling in Europe

These days, it is nearly impossible to get through a day without making a call, checking email, or posting to social media accounts. If you are planning a trip overseas, you may find that staying connected is more difficult and expensive than you expected, right at a time when you need to be relying heavily … Read more

How to stay connected whle traveling in europe 1
Train rides through europe 1

Train Rides through Europe How it Works and What to Expect

Traveling through continental Europe by train is easy, convenient and reasonably priced.  If you are thinking about taking a trip and seeing more than one city or country, it is definitely an option you want to look at.  When coming from the United States it’s not necessarily the first mode of transportation we think of, … Read more

Train rides through europe 1
Primrose 2 683x1024

Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Hidden Treasures in London

So often when we travel we feel like we barely have time to scratch the surface of the “main tourist attractions” of whatever city we happen to be visiting.  One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to get off that tourist trap path and explore smaller, lesser known parts of a city … Read more

Primrose 2 683x1024
City 1

Pink Peppermint Travels: 77 Days of Summer across Europe

11 weeks, 77 days, 1848 hours. At the beginning of June, my family and I embarked on a journey of a lifetime.  As luck would have it, a unique situation at work- timed perfectly with the end of the school year, allowed our family to truly use the world as our classroom for the summer.  … Read more

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