10 things to do in New Orleans with Kids

New Orleans is a magical place that everyone should visit at least once! I’ve been six times! The combination of history, legend, delicious cuisine, music, grit, and art makes it, in my humble opinion, the most unique city in America! What are you waiting for?! Let’s go! Wait! Are you worried that it’s not kid friendly? You’re not alone…

Each and every time I go to NOLA I’m asked the same questions, ” Are you bringing the kids?”, and “Is New Orleans kid friendly?” The answer to these questions is a resounding YES! My boys have been four times, and if you ask them they’ll tell you it’s one of their favorite places!

Here are just a few of the many fun activities throughout the city for people of all ages!

1. The Audubon Nature Institute

Starting with the obvious, If you have animal lovers in your family then consider visiting any or all three of the Audubon Nature Institute’s sites during your visit, which include the zoo, aquarium and an insectarium. Many of the exhibits feature local creatures and habitats.

You can read more about our experiences in this related post: New Orlean’s Familystyle!

#audubonaquarium — Aquarium Rainforest Exhibit

2. Ride The Street Car

The Street Cars in New Orleans, aren’t just for show, they’ve been used by locals and tourists alike for 150 years! The original, and my favorite, is the St. Charles line. As the name suggests its route is via St. Charles Street, and a ride on this line will take you through some of the city’s loveliest neighborhoods.

I love everything about riding these historic cars, watching the city roll by from the wide windows, the fantastic sounds they make, the old wooden benches, even the close proximity to other travelers!

The fares are very low, and they run often, so you won’t need a rental car during you visit. Get a lovely view of the city and where you need to go all at the same time!

3. Take a River Boat Ride

A really nice way to see and learn about the city is to take a ride on the Great Mississippi River. There are two options for riverboat rides, the Steamboat Natchez, New Orlean’s only steamboat, and the Creole Queen a paddle boat. We choose the Natchez, which conveniently docks on the riverfront just on the other side of the JAX Brewery in the French Quarter.

#creolequeen — The Creole Queen Paddle Boat

It’s not only a great way to see the city from a different point of view, but along the way, you’ll learn a bit of history, hear a little jazz, and even have a chance to go into the engine room.

4. French Quarter Carriage Ride

During your visit you’re sure to notice the many carriages lined up along Decatur Street and clip-clopping throughout the French Quarter. Rides are 30 minutes long and your guide will give you snippets of history and point out landmarks along the way.

I loved getting a chance to see the streets of the French Quarter from yet another perspective.

#NOLAcarriageride — Our guide has been giving tours since 1979

5. Visit a Museum

New Orleans has a number of great museums, many of which will appeal to children!

Mardi Gras World

New Orleans is famous for a certain holiday revolving around eating, drinking and being merry! No, I’m not suggesting you take the littles to Mardi Gras, but how about Mardi Gras World?!

More than a museum, but also a workshop/showroom, Mardi Gras World is the place to go to learn about the incredible parade floats associated with one of the world’s most famous carnivals!

During your visit you’ll have a chance to try on costumes, watch a short film about the history of Mardi Gras floats and sample a taste of King Cake. Next you’ll tour the warehouse where you’ll see the artists in action and learn how the parade floats (they make as many as 500 per year) and props are made.

The Presbytère

The Presbytère, located just to the right of St. Louis Cathedral, was built in 1791. It features two permanent exhibits integral to understanding the city: Mardi Gras, and Hurricane Katrina, my kids found both exhibits fascinating.

In the Mardi Gras exhibit you’ll learn the history of the Mardi Gras celebration, and see brightly colored costumes. A perfect companion to your Mardi Gras World visit.

The Hurricane Katrina Exhibit is very powerful. It gives an in-depth look into what led to the catastrophic failure of the city’s levees, which in turn caused 80% of the city to be flooded. You’ll also hear first hand accounts, and see photos and video clips.

The National WWII Museum

This is a fabulous and very worthwhile museum. The information is very in-depth and includes first hand accounts, an easy to follow flow, and a lot of interactive exhibits. They’ve done a great job of not just telling you about the history, but immersing you in the settings as well.

6. Checkout the Art Scene

The Frenchmen Art Market

The family friendly Frenchmen Art Market is an evening art market located on Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny. We love the atmosphere of an evening market, and my little guy loves drawing with chalk on the floor of the outdoor “living room” locate in the center of the market.

French Quarter Galleries

The French Quarter is filled with art Galleries, which we always enjoy poking in and out of. You never know what you’re going to find and some of the art is pretty inventive. Okay, maybe this one isn’t exactly for kids, but it’s not all about them, is it?

Jackson Square

Jackson Square, centrally located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, is surrounded by local artisans and musicians day and night. If you’re looking to bring home a prize, then this is a great place to find some more affordable works of art!

7. City Park

City Park is one of the oldest and most visited urban public parks in the United States, and after visiting a few times I can see why!

There is so much to see and do, including boat rentals, a sculpture garden, botanical gardens, Storyland, festival grounds, ancient trees dripping with moss (begging to be climbed), and the list goes on… In fact so much so, that I think this place might deserve its own blog post… stay tuned!

8. Food Fun

One can’t talk about a trip to NOLA and not mention food! Whether you’ve got picky or adventurous eaters in your group, you’ll find something for everyone! Here are just a few casual ideas to get you started.

Cafe Du Monde

This should be your first stop. Period. Because, beignets.

Dat Dog

With multiple locations throughout the city you can’t go wrong with Dat Dog. Yes, as the name suggests its a hot dog restaurant, but don’t be fooled, it’s absolutely delicious! Beyond traditional beef they have lots of other options, including chicken, alligator and duck! For the adventurous eaters in your group, consider topping your dog with some crawfish Étouffée, or better yet Étouffée fries!

Jack Dempsey’s

Jack Dempsey’s – After hearing this place offered frog legs, I knew we’d be going! This is fried food heaven, and if you’re looking for an experience this is your place! For those picky eaters, not to worry, there’s chicken tenders, amazing mac n’ cheese and plenty of fries!

#friedfriedfried — Fried chicken and Fried Shrimp and Fried… EVERYTHING

SnoBalls

SnoBalls, delicious icees filled with ice cream, are not just a treat in New Orleans, but on a hot day they’re an absolute necessity! We’ve enjoyed Snowizard’s snoballs on Magazine Street a number of times!

Coconut with cherry

lemon lime

You can read more about our food finds in this related post: Let’s Eat Lunch and Talk About Dinner.

9. Go Ghost Hunting

New Orleans isn’t just famous for food, music and art, it’s also haunted! Yep, that’s right, with 300 years of infamous history there’s bound to be ghosts. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the cemeteries, vampires, voodoo and other mysterious happenings, just waiting ~~for you~~ er, to be discovered.

Okay, I’m just teasing, well, that part where I said things were waiting for you… the rest is all true, or at least if you listen to the city’s various tour guides it is!

Okay, Okay, in all seriousness definitely take a ghost tour during your visit! We’ve always loved Haunted History Tours! Choose different tours based on your interests, by day if you want to learn more about New Orleans history or a ghost tour by night if you want silly fun! I’ve done both multiple times and it’s always interesting! Our kids came along too! These are not jump out and scare you tours. They focus on legend, history and humor!

10. Listen to Music

New Orleans is famous for its music scene and rightfully so! There are many great music clubs in the city, but with kids in tow, getting to them can be a challenge. However, if you’re looking to hear great music, you really needn’t look much further than the nearest street corner. Meaning your kids will also get to join in the musical fun…

And because you’re in NOLA you can still enjoy the beverage of your choice anywhere you’d like, so long as it’s in a plastic cup! Cheers!

Tips & Advice:

The Aquarium and the Insectarium are located within walking distance of one another.
Exact change is required for the street car, alternatively you can purchase an RTA pass.
Carriage rides are on the expensive side $20 (cash only) per person.
Mardi Gras World’s shuttles will pick you up free of charge from multiple locations throughout the city.
Frenchmen’s Art Market is open from 7 pm – 1 am 5 night a week.
Favorite streets to find galleries are Royal and Chartres streets.
Ghost and cemetery tours are truly family friendly!

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April 18, 2017July 31, 2018

Portland Oregon City of Roses

My boys were on Spring Break last week, which we spent in one of our all time favorite cities, New Orleans! There’s just something about it, a vibe that we just can’t get enough of! While I’m sorting through my photos and notes from last week, I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane and share our visit to another great city which also has a vibe all its own: Portland, Oregon!

Portland, is just a three hour drive from Seattle (where I’m from), and with so many family friendly activities, great restaurants, and shopping opportunities it makes a pretty great weekend destination! Having spent quite a bit of time in Portland as a youth, It had been years since my last visit, and I was eager to show my kids around. With only two days to explore we wouldn’t be able to see everything, but we did our best to at least scratch the surface!

A large portion of our visit was spent in Washington Park, which covers over 400 acres, and includes the Portland Zoo, The International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Gardens, multiple museums, playgrounds and picnic areas.

The Zoo

We really enjoyed the Portland Zoo, which has a very Pacific northwest feel about it. The forested areas, natural habitats, and lots of interactive exhibits made the entire experience fun and immersive for the entire family. My younger son really enjoyed the children’s area and petting zoo.

The Gardens

A highlight of our weekend was our visit to the gardens in Washington Park. We had time for both the International Rose Test Garden, and the Japanese Gardens, which are conveniently located next to one another.

Opened in 1917 the International Rose Test Garden is home to over 7,000 rose plants and 550 varieties. They bloom from April through October depending on the weather. Roses are sent here from around the world to be tested for color, fragrance, resistance to disease and other attributes. We loved walking up and down the rows stopping here and there to smell the roses, and reading all the different names. Our visit took place in June, which is the height of the blooming season.

Having loved our visit to Japan, we are excited at any opportunity to visit Japanese gardens, so as soon as we heard Portland had one we were in! We were not disappointed, and since our visit three years ago, extensive renovations and additions were completed, which I’m sure have only enhanced what was already a spectacular place.

Completed in 1967 the idea for Portland’s Japanese gardens was first conceived in the 1950s as a way to create a healing and cultural connection to Japan after WWII. Since that time, they’ve received repeated accolades from visiting Japanese dignitaries, and are justifiably a popular tourist destination.

Around Town

If you enjoy a bit of shopping and dining, you’re in luck because Portland has plenty of both! The Pearl District and 23rd Street are great places for poking and in out of shops ranging from one of a kind boutiques to the main stream as well as art galleries, coffee shops, wine bars and more!

We loved our meal at Andina a Peruvian restaurant in the Pearl where the food, service and ambiance were all perfect!

Tips & Advice:

The Rose Test Garden is open from 7:30 am – 9:00 pm daily and offers free public tours daily at 1:00pm, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Check the website for the information on the Japanese Garden as the hours vary throughout the year. Complimentary tours are included with your admission.

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April 4, 2017April 4, 2017

Warner Brothers Studio Tour

I love the movies! Do you? One of the reasons I love entertainment so much is the ability to imagine and get lost in lots of different realities. I also love that I can simply walk away when I’m over it. When I sit down to watch a TV show, or a movie I’m ready and willing to believe the unbelievable! Obviously, I don’t sit down and say, “Prepare to suspend belief,” it simply happens. That’s the magic!

Warner Bros Studio Tour Los Angeles California — Belle Haven Prison… good thing this isn’t our reality!

When done right, it’s so seamless, its easy to believe that what you’re watching is actually real. I love nothing more than the ability to settle in with my popcorn, (is there any other movie watching treat) and blissfully forget that it took literally hundreds of people working behind the scenes to create that seamless transition between the real world and places like Hogwarts, The Shire, or Gotham City. Three of my favorite alternate realities!

I literally forget that I can’t actually go to these places, and that Batman isn’t real. Wait! What? Batman isn’t real? I refuse to believe it!

#batmobile — Batman must be real, here’s his car!

Okay, now that we’ve established that one does not simply walk into Mordor, how do they make it look like we can? How do they make it look so real? Well, it just so happens that Los Angeles, the home of movie magic, is the perfect place to find out! During my recent visit to the Warner Bros Studio Lot we got behind the scenes peeks into many of our favorite television shows and movies both old and new!

#centralperk — After your tour stop by Central Perk for a coffee!?

Now, you might be thinking that a studio tour is incredibly touristy, and it is, but hey there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s touristy for good reason. Next you might say to yourself, but I’m not into theme parks, and to that I say, “Not all studios are theme parks, however some theme parks are studios!”

#warnerbrostour — You’ll go inside actual filming locations!

Even the cynic in your group will be won over when they see the location of their favorite television show or movie. At least our resident cynic was!

Your tour starts with a brief film overview, hosted by Ellen, (her show is filmed at Warner Bros.) afterwards you’ll be split into small groups! The lot encompasses 110 acres, and is big enough to need its own fire department, so this won’t be a walking tour. Your open air vehicle seats about 12 people and will ensure that you’re able to see everything!

Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to visit the homes and buildings from some of film and TV’s most popular places, including ER, Gilmore Girls, Dukes of Hazard, the original Batman TV series and Full house to name just a few. You might even get the opportunity to step inside some of them. Don’t worry there’s plenty of time for photo opportunities!

The famous water tower

These streets have been many places over the years.

Gotham’s City Hall

What you’ll see on your tour is largely dependent on what is happening on the lot on that given day. We were treated to exhibits showcasing props from Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Suicide Squad and Batman Vs. Superman.

Gryffindor

My favorite exhibit had to be the Bat Mobiles, but we also got the opportunity to visit the sound stage of the Big Bang Theory, the coffee shop from La La Land, and even the set of Central Perk from Friends. If you’re so inclined you can even sit on the Friends couch.

Towards the end of your tour you’ll be given the opportunity to explore, at your own leisure, interactive exhibits dedicated to showing you just how the movie and television magic happens, including costumes, scripts, set dressing, green screens, forced perspective and more. We held Oscars, “rode” the bat cycle, explored movie props, and made a trip to the studio shop!

Tips and Advice:

You’ll need to reserve your tour online in advance.
Kids under 8 are not permitted.
You’ll be getting in and out of the tour vehicle, so make sure to dress appropriately.
The tour is three hours long, but the time flies by!
The tour operators are very accommodating, so feel free to ask for a photo stop at any point along the way.
Save time for a visit to the tour studio store, which features items from many well known films and shows and is only available on the tour!

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March 14, 2017

Highlights… & Hindsights Making The Case for Repeat Destinations

I’m currently, ok always, considering my next vacation destination, and with so many amazing places in the world it’s hard to decide. Should we commit those precious vacation days to repeat destinations, digging deeper into what a city has to offer? If we do, what about all those wonderful new places just waiting to be discovered?

#jardindestuileries — Sailing ships! A highlight of our Paris visit!

When traveling, I’m torn between wanting to wing it and not wanting to miss anything, which definitely helps makes the case for repeat visits to certain destinations. For example, our recent trips to Paris, London, and Edinburgh were all repeat visits, we’d already checked off many of the main attractions, which enabled us to explore more freely. One point for repeat visits!

#bigben — Our tour of the Houses of Parliament was a definite highlight!

That said, one of my favorite things about traveling is the discovery of the new. The surprise and delight you feel when discovering something wonderful in a new place simply can’t be beat! These moments are one of the reasons I love to travel, the highlights of our adventures! One point for new destinations!

#arthursseat — We missed out on Arthur’s Seat during our first visit to Edinburgh.

However, being new to a place can at times be a hindrance. No matter how much research I’ve done, there are times when things don’t go quite as planned. Whether it’s accommodations, location, food, or timing, these are what I like to refer to as the hindsights of our adventure. These are things one can only know after time spent and often it’s too late… Another point for repeat destinations.

#brugge — This view from our hotel window in Bruges was a highlight!

Of course not everywhere has a hindsight and some places are just plain full of surprise and delight. I love surprise and delight! Looks like another point for new destinations!

Northern Ireland Antrim Coast — Flying to Glasgow from Belfast we were treated to this fabulous view!

So, it looks like a tie between old and new, which means I’m no closer to working out where in the world, we’ll go next, but in the meantime, here are some of the highlights and hindsights from our summer 2016 adventures in Europe!

Highlights & Hindsights

Dublin, Ireland

Highlight: Guinness Factory Tour

There were many wonderful moments during our visit to Dublin, however it was our visit to the Guinness Storehouse that came out as number one! Which speaks volumes, since I don’t even drink beer. All four of us absolutely loved this experience and if you should find yourself in Dublin I highly recommend you go.

Hindsight: Popular attractions require advance planning

Our planned a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol Museum went awry when we couldn’t print our tickets and unfortunately we missed out. We ended up visiting Malahide Castle instead, which was delightful, but lesson learned.

Cork, Ireland

Highlight: The Blarney Stone

For more than 200 years people have been kissing the Blarney Stone and after some debate (it is the world’s germiest attraction) Simon and I decided to join the club!

Hindsight: Touristy doesn’t always equal bad

If only we’d known how much we were going to enjoy exploring Blarney Castle, we would have given ourselves more time.

Killarney, Ireland

Highlight: Killarney National Park

We spent three nights in Killarney, the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and the perfect little Irish town! Quaint, friendly and picturesque, it was exactly what I had pictured an Irish town to look like!

Killarney Ireland — Ross Castle is located inside Killarney National Park

Hindsights: Whoops, attention to detail is key!

Putting the wrong fuel in our rental car meant a drastic change in our plans. Instead of a visit to the Dingle Peninsula and Skellig Michal we spent a lovely day wandering in Killarney National Park. If I ever find my way back to the west of Ireland a trip to the Skellig Islands will be my first order of business!

Limerick, Ireland

Highlight: King John’s Castle

We weren’t sure what to expect at King Johns’ Castle, but I do love a good castle and we had to stop for lunch anyway so why not just eat lunch at the castle?

Hindsight: There was none!

This was a bonus stop on our way to Galway, and we were delighted with the way this midday stop turned out!

Galway, Ireland

Highlight: The Cliffs of Moher

The spectacular Cliffs of Moher are a definite must-see if you’re visiting the West Coast of the Emerald Isle.

ireland cliffs of moher — The Cliffs of Moher

Hindsight: Allow time for unexpected adventures

There is a walk along the cliff tops , but we were running out of daylight and weren’t really dressed for a hike, so we satisfied ourselves with a good long look over the edge.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Highlight: Everything about the entire visit

Our visit to the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland was by far the best day of our 12 day tour of the Emerald Isle, if not our entire summer abroad!

Hindsight: We should have stayed longer.

Having no idea how much we would enjoy our visit we only booked three nights, but easily could have spent twice that many exploring Belfast as well as the amazing natural beauty along the Northern Coast.

Glasgow, Scotland

Highlight: Mural Trail

A very happy accident, we discovered Glasgow’s Mural trail on our way to another destination!

Hindsight: Glasgow deserves more time!

Two days just wasn’t enough in this walk friendly city brimming with architecture, art, music, and shopping!

Inverness, Scotland

Highlight: Urquhart Castle on the Shores of Loch Ness

Having missed out on a visit to Loch Ness on our previous trip to the Highlands, we decided to make it a priority. A highlight was exploring the ancient ruins of Urquhart Castle, located on the shores of the lake.

Hindsight: So much more than a monster!

Our visit here was wonderful and exceeded our expectations in every way.

The Highlands of Scotland

Highlight: Eileen Donan Castle

A last minute decision to see Eileen Donan Castle did not disappoint. It’s no wonder that Eilean Donan is the most photographed castle in Scotland, it’s setting in the middle of three lochs is stunning!

Hindsight: The Isle of Skye

There is never enough time in this magical country. We got a small taste of what the Isle of Skye has to offer and I’m definitely going back for more!

Edinburgh, Scotland

Highlight: Everything

Have you ever visited a place that felt so right, so special that it was almost painful to leave? Love at first sight? That’s exactly how I felt about Edinburgh from the very first moment.

Hindsight: I’ve realized my Edinburgh list will never be completed

Although we didn’t have time to go inside the Writers Museum, we did spend time in the courtyard reading the tiles, which are inscribed with lovely quotes written by some of the city’s most famous writers. All of them about Edinburgh of course!

Hadrian’s Wall

Highlight: A dream come true

I know that for some, what basically amounts to a crumbling brick wall in the middle of nowhere England might not be interesting, but for me, a history loving anglophile, this was an absolute dream come true!

Hindsight: Walk the Wall Hike

It’s quite popular to “walk” the Wall and I would have liked to, at least for a little while, but serious rain was threatening and after a few minutes the boys abandoned me for the shelter of the Housestead’s Museum.

York, England

Highlight: York Minster

It made sense that the center piece of York, York Minster, the largest medieval Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, would be our first stop. We were not disappointed!

Hindsight: There wasn’t one!

The rain fell hard and steadily during our visit, but thankfully we still managed to enjoyed this lovely city.

Nottingham, England

Highlight: THE Nottingham!

Yes, that Nottingham, home of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men!

Hindsight: Sometimes the weather wins

Sadly, extremely heavy rain put us off from a visit to Sherwood Forest.

London, England

Highlight: Camden Market

My highlight is also a hindsight! I can’t believe the Camden Market wasn’t already on my radar, It’s right up my alley and reminds me a lot of Venice Beach, California. Fun & quirky!

Hindsight: Top of the Shard

With my love of photography, I regret that I didn’t take the time to visit the observation deck at the Shard. Greenwich is also high on my list for next time…

Brugge, Belgium

Highlight: Beautiful Medieval Town

I was delighted by the incredible beauty of Brugge, a quaint little medieval town. I immediately fell in love and spent the better part of my three days there taking endless photos.

Hindsight: Why didn’t we eat more chocolate?

The question is: With endless chocolate shops around every corner, why didn’t we visit more of them? I’m afraid that’s a question, I’ll never know the answer to.

Ghent, Belgium

Highlight: Graffiti Street

Wanting to see something a bit off the beaten path and big fans of street art, we were excited to learn that Ghent has a dedicated graffiti street called Werregaren straat. We really enjoyed this and loved the idea of a dedicated place where anyone can express themselves freely.

Hindsight: Maybe next time…

Elliot really wished we’d had a can of spray paint or two, so he could contribute.

Amsterdam, Holland The Netherlands

Highlight: Everything about our visit!

A lovely and walkable city with no shortage of interesting sights and streets to wander we made the most of every minute of our visit in Amsterdam.

Hindsight: We visited Amsterdam and didn’t ride a boat or a bike, what?!

We made the most of every moment while visiting this fabulous city, but still ran out of time before ever stepping onto a boat, or peddling a bike. We did see some windmills though! If I had to do it over again I would stay on a houseboat!

Zaans Schans, Holland

Highlight: Windmills

I felt I couldn’t visit Holland without seeing at least one windmill up close and personal! I know, I know, that’s a very touristy thing to do, but hey, sometimes I’m a tourist!

Hindsight: Why didn’t we rent bikes here?

If we ever find our way back to this wonderful place we will be sure to rent bikes. The wide pathways and lovely scenery would make for a perfect bike ride!

Paris, France

Highlight: Sainte Chapelle

As I emerged from the doorway into the main part of the chapel my mouth literally fell open. I was completely surrounded by jaw dropping beauty. How did I not know about this amazing place?

Hindsight: Accommodations

While there wasn’t really anything wrong with our hotel, I’ve yet to really hit the nail on the head as far as Paris lodgings go… hopefully next time!

Versailles, France

Highlight: Marie Antoinette’s Gardens

My favorite part of the day was our visit to the Petit Trianon, the home away from home of Marie Antoinette, who apparently wasn’t so enamored with the main Palace and preferred to spend her time elsewhere.

Hindsight: An evening visit might have been better

We should have considered going later in the afternoon for the musical fountains show and evening fireworks. We might have been able to beat the crowds, and the heat.

London, England

Highlight: Hyde Park

London’s parks are the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon just like the locals do! They are beautiful, vast and filled with activities for every interest.

Hindsight: Do we really have to go home?

Even after six weeks of travel, I wasn’t ready to go home.

Nothing makes me happier than discovering new places with my family and sharing them with all of you!

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February 24, 2017June 11, 2018

London: An Afternoon in Kensington

After Six weeks of travel our amazing adventures through Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, were coming to an end, and it was time to head home, but not before one last hurrah! What better way to end the trip of a lifetime, than strolling around in my number one favorite city: London!

Wanting to explore somewhere new, we chose Kensington, not only was it a neighborhood I hadn’t spent much time in, but we had an early flight back to the States and its proximity to Heathrow was a big plus. Our hotel, The Kensington, was walking distance to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, the Museum of Natural History, High Street, and many other interesting sights and restaurants!

Speaking of restaurants, arriving, from Paris, just in time for lunch we discovered the Hereford Arms, a friendly pub and restaurant with excellent service and even better food. I had the best tarter sauce I’ve ever had there, and after weeks traveling throughout the UK, thats saying a lot! Seriously!

After lunch we walked up and down High Street enjoying the beautiful flower arrangements, poking in and out of the various shops and galleries and stopping to take photos. Our little one had recently discovered he actually enjoys reading, so we picked up a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone for the flight home.

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

Wanting to make the most of our very last day, Simon and I decided to explore Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, which were walking distance from our hotel and are conveniently connected to one another. London’s parks are the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon just like the locals do! They are beautiful, vast and filled with activities for every interest.

We wandered through the parks taking photos, hunting Pokemon, and stopping along the way to admire The Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall and the interactive Peter Pan Statue.

One of my favorite things to see is the Serpentine Gallery, but in past visits my boys have enjoyed both the Princess Diana Memorial Playground and Diana Memorial Fountain.

The fountain was an especially big hit as the day we visited it was quite a warm afternoon, however the playground’s Peter Pan theme is really charming. Who wouldn’t want to take the helm of a giant pirate ship, hang out in a tee pee , or play sentry on the walls of a fort!

The Serpentine Gallery

As I mentioned I really enjoy, the Serpentine Gallery and our first stop within the Park was the Gallery’s Summer Pavilion installation. If you haven’t had a chance to see this, I highly recommend it! The exhibition is different each year, and showcases the designs of up and coming architects via the building of unique and temporary structures located within the Park. This was my second visit to see this exhibition and if given the opportunity I would go every year! Depending on the year’s design, visitors can go and in and out, enjoy drinks and snacks, and even climb onto the structure. While most years the exhibition features only one structure, this year’s featured some smaller buildings as well.

2013 Exhibition

Snacks and drinks are available

The Serpentine’s 2013 Exhibition

Highlights and Tips:

The many activities within the park differ depending on the time of year, so consider repeat visits.
Admission to The Serpentine Gallery is free.
The Pavilion Exhibition is a summer installation and changes every year. Check the website for the most current information.
Kids 12 and under can enjoy the Peter Pan themed Diana Memorial Playground with adult supervision.
Go ahead and dip your feet into the Diana Memorial Fountain. Its permitted!
The Peter Pan statue is interactive, so consider bringing a smart device.
Did you know you can take a guided tour of the Albert Memorial?
Kensington is a great place to stay if you have an early morning flight out of Heathrow.

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February 17, 2017February 17, 2017

The J. Paul Getty Museums

I had the best time during my visits to the Getty Villa and the Getty Center, two world renowned art museums, and I didn’t even look at the art. Yep, it’s true! I was so busy enjoying everything else they had to offer, I ran out of time, which is why both of these LA institutions will be going on my Repeat List and should definitely be on everyone else’s Must List.

The Getty Villa

Located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the Getty Villa is dedicated to the antiquities and features 7000 years of ancient art. Even if antiquities aren’t your thing, The Villa itself is a site to see.

Built in the early 1970s it was modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a roman country home which was located in Herculaneum, Italy. Herculaneum, along with Pompeii, was buried in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and has only been partially excavated.

My friend, Melissa, and I had the most amazing time here, it was the perfect day out. We enjoyed two guided tours, architecture and garden, watched a brief film about the history of the Villa and its creator, J. Paul Getty. We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch at the Getty Cafe.

As I mentioned we ran out of time and didn’t see much art, even so, this may have been the most fun I’ve had at an art museum… well… ever!

Tips & Advice:

Entry to the Getty Villa is free, but reservations, which can be made online, are required. There is a $15 fee for parking.
The museum tours of the art, architecture, and gardens are complimentary.
The food in the cafe was excellent. Consider eating there while you enjoy beautiful views of the Villa and gardens from above.
I hope to visit again in the summer when the there will be performances in the Villa’s amphitheater.
Don’t forget to leave time for the art!

The Getty Center

If you’ve been to LA you might have noticed the Getty Center, a large white building perched on the hillside above the 405.

While the Getty Villa features antiquities through the fall of the Roman Empire, the Getty Center features American and European art from medieval times to the present. Not only is it considered an architectural masterpiece, but it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens and on a clear day the view of Downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean are spectacular.

The museum campus is vast and there are many different areas to explore. My boys loved the gardens and it is our goal to come back each season to see how they’ve changed. Hopefully, we’ll find time to see some of the art during one of those visits! Stay tuned!

Tips & Advice:

Entry to the Getty Center is free. There is a $15 fee to park. Unlike the Villa reservations are not required.
Once parked you’ll take a complimentary tram up the hillside to the Getty Center.
If you’re visiting with children, the casual Getty Cafe is cafeteria style and offers something for everyone.
We plan to come back every season to see the changes in the gardens.

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January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

Notre Dame de Paris

You know what they say, “Third times a charm”, and that’s exactly how I felt after our most recent visit to Notre Dame de Paris. Hardly able to remember the first occasion as I was just a child, and battling large crowds and illness during our visit three and a half years ago, it wasn’t until the most recent visit that I really got a chance to appreciate this magnificent place!

You might be wondering why we keep visiting the same place repeatedly when there is so much to see and do in a city the size of Paris? There are a number of reasons, but the simple answer is that a place this amazing deserves repeat visits.

2016 Visit

2013 Visit

Another, and more practical reason is that Simon wasn’t feeling well enough to climb the 387+ stairs to the top of the bell tower during our last visit and I promised him that if we ever came back it would be a priority. Simon has never met a staircase he didn’t consider a challenge, one reason why I don’t worry about finding time to exercise on our vacations. I know I’ll be guaranteed a workout anyway!

Tickets and Advice:

We loved this visit! However, to make the most of your time here a few things we wished we’d taken the time to know beforehand

If this is your first trip to Paris: Notre Dame de Paris is located on the île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement and can be accessed in a variety of ways. We choose a bicycle cab!
13 million people a year visit Notre Dame, so be prepared for large crowds. The lines to enter the Cathedral look daunting, but do move steadily. Once inside there are audio guides available, or you’re free to explore on your own.
Entrance to the Cathedral is free and all are welcome.
Suitcases and large back packs aren’t allowed into either the Cathedral or bell towers. I whole heartedly agree with this rule, and if you’re interested in reading more about my feelings on backpacks click here!
The entry to visit the bell towers is located on the OUTSIDE of the Cathedral, on the left side of the West façade. This is separate from the entrance to the Cathedral’s interior. If you’re only interested in the bell towers there is no need to enter the cathedral.
Entrance to the bell towers is run independently by the Centre Des Monuments. There is no need to purchase tickets in advance just enter the line. Adults are 10 € and children under 18 are free with a paying adult.
The visit will take about 50 minutes and keep in mind there are no restrooms.
Only 20 people are admitted to the bell towers at a time. The next group is allowed in once the previous group has come down, about every 10 minutes.
Be prepared to climb. There are 387+ steps leading to the top of the bell tower. Wear proper shoes and clothing! We were behind a woman in high heel booties and it was obvious she was struggling the entire climb.
Each group will only be allowed 5 minutes at the top.
Once inside and just before you climb the steps you’ll listen to a brief talk and have an opportunity to purchase items at a small gift shop. If you see something you want, purchase it, because you won’t be going back the same way.
If you’re lucky you’ll be there on a clear day, however, keep in mind there is no shade and it gets hot at the top!

5 Fun Facts!

The first stone was laid in 1163, but Notre Dame wasn’t completed until 1345. Almost 200 years later!
The Crown of Thorns, a piece of THE Cross as well as a nail are just three of the holy relics inside Notre Dame.
Another name for Notre Dame is Our Lady of Paris.
Bee hives are kept on the roof of the sacristy.
The cathedral’s famous sentries, the gargoyles, you see perched high above the ground, are officially known as chimera, and were added by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during a 25 year restoration which started in 1845.

To say I loved our visit to Notre Dame would be an understatement! From the sweeping views of Paris from high atop the bell towers…

The Seine

Sacre Couer

Les Invalides & The Eiffel Tower

To the Chimeras and gargoyles ever present keeping a constant and silent vigil over the cathedral, Paris and all who pass below…

And finally the feeling you get wandering through the cool dark interiors knowing you’re not alone. That for 850+ years people from around the world have been coming to this same place, each for their own reasons, but surrounded by these same walls, bathed in the glow of these same chandeliers and stained glass windows. I don’t know exactly how to describe it, but for me it was magical.

Believe it or not, we still haven’t seen everything! Twist my arm, I guess we’ll have to go back…

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January 24, 2017June 11, 2018

Day Trippers: Chateau de Versailles

Why do I, and so many other people, love visiting castles and palaces so much? Of course history, art and architecture all play a role, but it’s also a chance to step outside your own reality and see what it might have been like to live in such a place. After all how many of us live in actual castles or palaces?

What better place for those “life of royalty” daydreams than the Chateau de Versailles? Even on an overcast day the golden gates of this world famous palace can be seen shinning brightly in the distance.

Versailles is a place where the walls, ceilings and floors are equally, if not more ornate than the furniture and art found inside. As you wander through the palace peeking inside the Royal Chapel, the King’s bedroom and the Hall of Mirrors, you’ll find yourself surrounded by opulence.

Ceilings in Versailles are very ornate

The Kings Bed Chamber

Speaking of opulent, it doesn’t end when you step outside, in fact quite the contrary. A stroll in the almost 2000 acres of Gardens features among other things a Grand Canal, which is over a mile long, groves, the Orangerie, and at least 50 different fountains.

Getting There

Taking the SNCF train from the Paris Gare Montparnasse station, (You can’t miss it, it’s the only tall building in all of Paris!), we arrived at the Versailles Chantiers station about 40 minutes later. Wanting to see the town, we decided to walk to the Chateau.

Plan in Advance

If you can I highly recommend planning your visit in advance! Purchasing our tickets only one day prior to our visit we made some mistakes and discovered some things we would have done differently. The day we visited was incredibly hot, but more than that, it was humid, and a late afternoon/evening visit might have been more enjoyable. Keep in mind this is a very popular destination (10 million visitors every year) and it will be incredibly crowded.

Tickets and Other Useful Information

Skipping the line would have been nice, but with short notice I was unable to work out exactly how to make that happen. Here are a few things I did learn that might make things easier:

Arrive early! The gates open at 9 am. If you can, be there before they open.
Purchase your tickets in advance online. Even with advance purchase you’ll need to go through security, which seems to be the cause for the very long entrance lines. However, it moves quicker than the ticket purchase line.
The Passport Ticket option gains you entrance to everything, including the gardens and Marie Antoinette’s Petite Chateau. Children under 18 are free however the exception is: there is a garden entrance fee for children on days with the Fountains Show and on Musical Gardens days.
The Passport Ticket includes the gardens.
There are guided tours, but not all tours are given in all languages everyday. Unfortunately there were no English speaking tours being offered on the day of our visit. Check the website for tour options before your arrival.
Bring sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

If you’re visiting in the summer, consider going later in the afternoon for the musical fountains show and possible fireworks. Its also possible the crowds could be lighter later in the day… though we ended our visit around 4:30 pm and noticed the lines were still incredibly long. It was July after all…

The Palace

Once inside the Palace I picked up the audio guide that came with my Passport ticket, while the boys chose to go without. It was very crowded, so lingering over anything wasn’t really possible, but we were able to see everything we were interested in. Before heading out to the garden we stopped in the Palace cafe for French ham sandwiches. I got a kick out of the restroom signage!

The Gardens

As I mentioned the gardens are vast, but we did our best to see as much of them as we could. I loved the Enceladus Grove, especially the fountain in the center, which was sculpted in 1675. Our visit took place on a Musical Fountains day, so we were lucky enough to see many of the fountains in action! I was somewhat surprised to see that there weren’t that many flowers in the garden, but I must admit my knowledge of French gardens is lacking. We ran out of steam so boating on the Grand Canal didn’t happen, but we did discover some yummy gelato!

Petit Trianon – Marie Antoinette’s Estate

The Petite Domaine was her private chateau and was by invitation only. The tour here was self guided, and because it is indeed a very petite palace, doesn’t take long. Afterward, we took our time wandering the chateau’s private gardens, which to my delight had more flowers!

Another Women’s March

Our visit to the Chateau de Versailles took place this past July, and 6 months later I’m finally writing about it. Coincidentally this also happens to be the same week that there were women’s marches around the world. It was while reading an article about these marches that I learned about another historic women’s march.

The Women’s March on Versailles, is also known as the October March or the March on Versailles, which might be why I never knew it was actually started by women. Either that, or I might not have been listening in history class that day… Though not peaceful like this week’s marches it was a defining moment in history, which involved women standing up for what they believe is right. The timing seems significant, so I thought I would mention it.

If Those Walls Could Talk

Many important figures in world history and government have walked the halls of Versailles, among them, to name just a few are: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, and Pope Pius VII. A UNESCO World Heritage site, I was surprised to learn that Versailles is still in use today by the French Government.

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January 17, 2017June 11, 2018

I Amsterdam

I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but after years of hearing what an amazing city Amsterdam is, I am happy to finally be able to say I wholeheartedly agree! A lovely and walkable city with no shortage of interesting sights and streets to wander we made the most of every minute. With it’s Seattle meets Europe vibe, I felt right at home and I would even go so far as to say, “I would live there,” a distinction I’ve saved for only the most special of places. Needless to say, I hope to return one day.

I Amsterdam

Always looking for a fun photo opportunity I was excited to visit the I Amsterdam sign! You can’t miss it as the red and white sign is 2 meters tall and crawling with people. The city’s catch phrase, I Amsterdam, represents not just the city itself, but a state of mind and is a symbol of inclusion. It’s hard not to fall in love with such a positive message and it was clear from the crowds swarming on, in and around it that I wasn’t alone in my feelings. There are four I Amsterdam signs throughout the city!

Of course we joined the masses and posed in, on and around the sign doing our best to get that perfect shot!

I Arrive

Training from Bruges and arriving in the early afternoon we grabbed a taxi to the Hotel Sebastian in the Jordaan District, dropped our bags, and immediately set out to see what the city had to offer.

#dewaag — Meeting up with friends was a highlight of our stay!

Lucky for us, we had personal tour guides as some dear (Dutch) friends from the States were also in town. We met them for dinner and a walking tour through the city.

I Giggle

The Red Light District

One can’t write about a visit to Amsterdam and not mention the infamous Red Light District, so let’s just get it out of the way…

I’ll start by saying, It wasn’t a place I had on “my list” and definitely not with the kids in tow, but we did end up walking through. Talking and walking, and not paying attention we looked around and… Oops! Suddenly instead of retail shops, many of the windows had red curtains hanging in them, but only the occasional few had someone standing inside. The younger boys were oblivious (thankfully), and the older boys did a great job of pretending they were.

Funny enough it was the window displays in the “toy” shops, that brought out the giggles in the adults… thankfully the boys, too busy eating ice cream, didn’t notice. However, they did notice the “coffee shops”. The general consensus was: “Why would anyone go in there? It smells so bad!”

I Feel

Anne Frank’s House

As soon as we decided upon a visit to Amsterdam I knew I’d be visiting Anne Frank’s House. My experience visiting this special place was so profound, that I’ve given it a completely separate post. Keep in mind that getting tickets can be somewhat complicated, as the timed Tickets are only available from the official website exactly two months in advance.

I Wander

Walk or Bike Everywhere

A highlight of our visit were the many walks we took. In fact, we walked as many places as we could, rarely using any public transportation. I know you’re wondering why not bike? Unfortunately, Elliot just wasn’t confident enough to ride a bike in such a big city.

I Culture

Museumplein

The Van Gogh Museum

I loved this museum, which you might be surprised to learn was a surprise to me! Not only will you see the largest collection of Van Gogh works in the world, but you’ll learn Van Gogh’s fascinating life story along the way. Especially touching to me was the close relationship he shared with his brother and sister-in-law who were instrumental in his success and eventual world wide fame.

The museum’s layout was easy to navigate and the children’s activities were superb. This museum is incredibly popular, and I highly suggest booking your tickets in advance online as you’ll be able to skip the lines!

The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch National art and history museum. The museum is vast, so if like us, you’re traveling with a large group, or with children it might be a good idea to choose some highlights rather then try to see it all.

#nightwatch — Studying Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch

On our can’t miss list were paintings by the Dutch Masters Rembrandt and Vermeer a painting of William of Orange, who I learned quite a bit about while in Belfast, the modernist exhibit from 1900 to 1950, a Van Gogh (of course), and the largest painting in the museum, Waterloo.

The MOCO

The MOCO (Modern Contemporary) is a brand new, privately funded, museum featuring what they themselves refer to as the “rock stars” of the art world. On display during our visit were works by two internationally famous artists: Bansky, a London based graffiti artist, and Andy Warhol, an American pop artist. If you’re interested in either of these two artists, you’d better hurry, the exhibits close January 31, 2017.

Keep in mind this is a very small museum. A visit here could easily be tacked on to either of the above mentioned museums. If you enjoy street, graffiti and pop art than this museum is definitely worth a look around.

I Shop

The 9 Streets

If you like to shop, then I you might like The 9 Streets. Located in the Jordaan Neighborhood The 9 Streets are home to galleries, cafes, restaurants and more than 200 retailers, many of them one of a kind, selling everything from modern design to vintage clothing. I especially enjoyed, Pluck, an adorable cafe/shop selling a bit of this and that. An added bonus they had a nice bathroom. If you’re a fan of whimsy then make sure to stop by the Amsterdam Rubber Duck shop, where you’re sure to find a rubber ducky that suits everyone in your party!

I Bloom

Founded in 1862, when flowers were still delivered daily by boat, the Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market. Beyond the expected tulips you’ll find the bulbs and seeds of many other flowers as well as marijuana seedlings and starter kits. Before you’re tempted to purchase anything make sure the items your after can be imported into your home country.

This area is also home to many souvenir and cheese shops, so even if you can’t purchase that rare flower or starter kit (wink wink), you’ll be sure to find something else to remember your visit by.

I Local

A Day in The life

Invited to join our friends at a local friend’s home we were excited to go inside a traditional Dutch house. The owner, a children’s book writer and amazing artist, was kind enough to give us a tour of her in-home art studio. I was so excited when I got to try-out her printing press!

A visit to The Vondelpark gave the kids a chance to run free while the adults enjoyed conversation, bitterballen and beer. We had such a lovely afternoon and felt very much like we’d just experienced a day in the life.

Walking back to our hotel through the park we came across this neat little art exhibit, findfence. Where art meets the lost and found!

I Holland

Day trip to Zaanse Schans

We spent the majority of our time in Holland exploring Amsterdam, but I felt I couldn’t visit Holland without seeing at least one windmill up close and personal! I know, I know, that’s a very touristy thing to do, but hey, sometimes I’m a tourist!

Located just a 30 minute ride from the city, Zaanse Schans was quintessential Holland! There are many things to see and do while visiting Zaanse Schans, the demonstrations of windmills, clogs, and cheese of course, but also walking and biking trails, boating and of course shopping.

I Eat

De Waag

Dinner on our first night in town, was at the lovely De Waag a restaurant cafe located in the Nieuwmarkt. De Waag (the weigh house) was built in 1488 and was originally one of Amsterdam’s City gates. We were lucky to find a table outside, but a reservation is a good idea!

Cafe Hegeraad

A neighborhood favorite for over 100 years and well known for their delicious apple pie, we made it a point to visit Cafe Hegeraad (Tim lOVES pie). The pie was fine, especially if you’re a fan of pie (which I admit I’m not), but I couldn’t get past the restaurant’s strange decor. Their were RUGS on the table tops. Actual rugs complete with fringe, which I found incredibly weird. I couldn’t get past the idea that rugs are for floors, not table tops.

Continuing our cocoa tradition

De Belhamel

De Belhamel, is a lovely and potentially romantic restaurant (we brought our kids) at edge of the Jordaan quarter. Located on a corner where two canals meet the restaurant’s outdoor dining area has a fabulous view of both canals. Unfortunately it was too windy for outdoor dining during our visit, thankfully the interiors are equally as wonderful and the food was delicious.

More friends from the States

I LOVED these mints!

De Reiger

Also in the Jordaan Quarter was the restaurant De Reiger. I enjoyed everything about this meal, the atmosphere inside and out, the service and the food. You can’t ask for more than that!

The Pancake Bakery

Hearing they had the best pancakes in town, we had to go to The Pancake Bakery. The table line was long, but moved fast. I’ve decided I’m not a fan of Dutch pancakes (sorry), but everyone else in the group enjoyed them. Elliot’s car pancake actually came with a giant toy car. Who knew!?

I Sleep

I highly recommend the Hotel Sebastians as both the location and service were perfect. The rooms and ensuite bathrooms were also lovely and spacious, but I admit the having the toilet inside the shower stall was a bit strange. If I wasn’t considering a houseboat stay on my next visit I would absolutely stay here again!

We Love

Can you tell by the length of this post, that We ALL loved our visit in this amazing city?

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January 13, 2017January 13, 2017

The Windmills of Holland

Located just a 30 minute ride from the city, Zaanse Schans, is quintessential Holland! Beautiful meadows filled with grazing cows, fluffy white clouds and windmills, their sails slowly turning, in the distance.

There are many things to see and do while visiting Zaanse Schans, demonstrations inside the windmills, a wooden clog museum, and tasting cheese of course, but also museums, walking and biking trails, boating and of course shopping. We arrived later in the day, but made the most of our limited time. We all loved this experience which offered something for everyone and was a great taste of Holland.

The Windmills

There are eight windmills onsite, all of them are centuries old, and all are still operational. Although from a distance they look peaceful, it’s a different story on the inside where they are hard at work sawing, grinding and pounding. The noise is unbelievable!

The Zaanse Schans windmills produce, mustard, lumber, dye, and oil. We visited Het Jonge Schaap which is a sawmill and De Bonte Hen an oil mill. During our visit we learned about the processes from start to finish, but also about the lives of the people living in and operating them. I found this entire experience fascinating and incredibly worthwhile. Imagine living inside the mill all year long, the constant loud noise, the cold winters, your livelihood dependent on the wind.

The Wooden Clog Workshop

Located inside the Wooden Clog Workshop is the Wooden Clog Museum and I really got a kick out of all the different types of clogs on display. There were wedding clogs, ice clogs, carved, painted and art clogs to name just a few. It’s hard to imagine actually walking around in any of them, as I do best on a flat shoe!

The boys weren’t as interested in viewing the already made clogs, but enjoyed the how to demonstration, while I browsed the gift shop, filled with you guessed it: clogs! In every size and color they lined the walls making quite a pretty picture! For me the highlight was the large statue of Miffy the Bunny, a favorite of mine.

The Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm

Of course you can’t be in Holland and not eat cheese. The Catharina Hove Cheese shop is a replica of a cheese farm. Inside you’ll find the shopkeepers, dressed in traditional costumes, ready and willing to tell you all about the different types of cheese. There are samples available and of course you can purchase some to take with you. We happily picked up a few different varieties in anticipation of our upcoming train ride to Paris.

We had a wonderful time during our visit to Zaanse Schans. It was a perfect afternoon!

1. The Audubon Nature Institute

2. Ride The Street Car

3. Take a River Boat Ride

4. French Quarter Carriage Ride

5. Visit a Museum

Mardi Gras World

The Presbytère

The National WWII Museum

6. Checkout the Art Scene

The Frenchmen Art Market

French Quarter Galleries

Jackson Square

7. City Park

8. Food Fun

Cafe Du Monde

Dat Dog

Jack Dempsey’s

SnoBalls

9. Go Ghost Hunting

10. Listen to Music

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The Zoo

The Gardens

Around Town

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Highlights & Hindsights

Dublin, Ireland

Highlight: Guinness Factory Tour

Hindsight: Popular attractions require advance planning

Cork, Ireland

Highlight: The Blarney Stone

Hindsight: Touristy doesn’t always equal bad

Killarney, Ireland

Highlight: Killarney National Park

Hindsights: Whoops, attention to detail is key!

Limerick, Ireland

Highlight: King John’s Castle

Hindsight: There was none!

Galway, Ireland

Highlight: The Cliffs of Moher

Hindsight: Allow time for unexpected adventures

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Highlight: Everything about the entire visit

Hindsight: We should have stayed longer.

Glasgow, Scotland

Highlight: Mural Trail

Hindsight: Glasgow deserves more time!

Inverness, Scotland

Highlight: Urquhart Castle on the Shores of Loch Ness

Hindsight: So much more than a monster!

The Highlands of Scotland

Highlight: Eileen Donan Castle

Hindsight: The Isle of Skye

Edinburgh, Scotland

Highlight: Everything

Hindsight: I’ve realized my Edinburgh list will never be completed

Hadrian’s Wall

Highlight: A dream come true

Hindsight: Walk the Wall Hike

York, England

Highlight: York Minster

Hindsight: There wasn’t one!

Nottingham, England

Highlight: THE Nottingham!

Hindsight: Sometimes the weather wins

London, England

Highlight: Camden Market

Hindsight: Top of the Shard

Brugge, Belgium

Highlight: Beautiful Medieval Town

Hindsight: Why didn’t we eat more chocolate?