Things to Do With Kids in Costa Brava, Spain

July 2, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 19 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Several villages in the Costa Brava region of Spain have worked hard to obtain the Family Tourist Destination seal of the Catalan Tourism Agency. This designation means you will find accommodations, eating establishments and services tailored for families. This makes traveling to these family tourist destinations easier and more enjoyable for both parents and children. Kid’s club on the beach anyone?

We visited seven Family Tourist coastal destinations during our tour of Costa Brava. There are many activities for families in the area and we just touched the surface of the things to do with kids.

The Official Family Destinations in Costa Brava are:

Blanes
Lloret de Mar
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Sant Antoni de Calonge
Platja d’Aro
L’Estartit
Roses

Things to Do With Kids in Costa Brava, Spain:

Blanes

Our tour started at the southernmost coastal village of Blanes. Blanes is the gateway to Costa Brava, situated between Barcelona and Girona. The picturesque landscapes and fishing boats dotting the cove make it the perfect spot to start a family adventure in España.

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Best Places to Visit in Scotland with Teens: Ultimate Roadtrip Guide

March 26, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

It’s difficult for me to find the right words to describe the rugged beauty of the Scottish countryside, the friendliness of it’s people and the power of countless looming castles to transport you straight into the past. It’s a country where movies and photos can’t accurately portray the way the light shines through the trees, the way the rain glistens off the grass or the excitement of finding puffins nestled on the cliffs. The best way to experience Scotland and truly see the lush and changing landscapes is by car. We’ve put together the ultimate road trip guide and include the best places to visit in Scotland. While I could definitely return again and again, we covered a lot of ground in our 2 week journey and hope to inspire your visit.

Best Places to Visit in Scotland

Our favorite area of Scotland is the highlands. The landscape is rugged, green, boundless and most of all, stunning. It’s a sharp contrast to the bustling city of Edinburgh where modern and old world charm merge.

If you find yourself limited on time or just want to relax and enjoy some of the countries unique heritage, we’d suggest not missing the following:

Edinburgh
Inveraray Castle
Oban – pretty seaside village and tasty fish and chips
Edinbane – see Fairy Pools on the way
Durness – you can’t miss the puffins!
Glamis Castle
Stirling Castle

While these aren’t the only spots on our list of the best places to visit in Scotland, they are our top picks.

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15 Disney Cruise Secrets

February 21, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 48 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

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*Update* The newest ship, Disney Wish, will set sail January 2022!!!

Disney vacation cruises are amazing – magical even! We sailed on the Disney Fantasy and learned tons of Disney cruise secrets that I hope will help you be prepared for your Disney Cruise.

Some of these Disney cruise secrets will save you money and some will save you time. All will help make your first cruise even more magical!

Disney Cruise Secrets:

1. FREE Soda – Okay, this really isn’t a secret but you may not realize that you can get free soda on a Disney Cruise. No more paying for soda cards!

Soda is free from one of the soda machines found on the pool deck and during dinner. If your itinerary includes Castaway Cay, you can also get free soda on the island. You can’t get free soda from the bars or from room service. Silly, I know.

2. Pack Your Own Princess and Pirate Costumes – Kids will want to dress up during the Pirates IN the Caribbean night. Bring your own pirate or Caribbean inspired costume for more pirate fun and to save money – you don’t want to be tempted to buy a costume on board for big bucks!

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Disney Cruise Rooms – Deluxe Stateroom on Disney Fantasy

February 15, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 3 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

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Disney Cruise Rooms are our favorite staterooms out of the 3 cruise lines we’ve sailed. Why? They are designed with families in mind! From the separate water closet and shower to bunk beds and more, Disney has considered the lifestyle of families in their stateroom designs.

You’ll find several different category designations including: interior staterooms with magical portholes, ocean view staterooms, verandah staterooms, even a 1781 sq. ft suite! You can choose the stateroom that best fits your families needs and budget.

My family stayed in a Deluxe Stateroom with a Verandah on the Disney Fantasy. The Deluxe Stateroom includes a queen-size bed with plenty of storage underneath, convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed, split bath and private verandah.

I have these crazy notion that I must be able to abandon ship (strange, I know), so I can’t stay in an interior room. PLUS the verandah’s are amazing for relaxing in the early morning or evening as your glide over the water.

The deluxe stateroom has a queen-sized bed, couch, armchair, desk, TV, and an iPod docking station. When it’s time to turn in for the night, a pull-down top bunk will be allow the kids to sleep alone. One of my kids favorite features of the Disney cruise rooms is not having to share a bed.

Another Disney stateroom perk is the celestial sky hidden in the ceiling of the upper berth pull-down bed-this is perfect for those kids so excited from the day’s adventures that they can’t fall asleep!

The separate water closet with sink and mirror is a unique and family-friendly feature aboard Disney cruise lines. One family member can be brushing their teeth and another can be taking a shower – no more fighting over the bathroom!

There is a round tub in the full bathroom with rain shower, sprayers galore, and a handheld shower head that is perfect for washing little ones. You also have a bonus bench seat!

I just had to include a couple of the cute towel (and blanket) animals that were waiting for us each night when we returned from dinner. You’ll also get a tasty chocolate square with your towel animal for a sweet treat at night. 🙂 A perfect way to end the day!

We found that Disney cruise rooms accomadated our families needs with plenty of storage options, super comfortable beds, a privacy curtain, refrigerator, and amble closet space. Enjoy relaxing with your family in your magical stateroom on the high seas!

***Like reading about Disney Cruise Rooms? See more Pictures of Disney Cruise and learn more about* *Disney Vacation Cruises in my previous posts.***

What do you think about Disney Cruise Rooms?

Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

December 31, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 17 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Christmas in Vienna is magical. Glittering lights are strung throughout the streets and Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city. During our visit we wanted a unique experience in the Imperial capital. After researching Vienna tours, we determined a Vienna Christmas Market Food Tour with Context Travel would be perfect for our family. I expected a Vienna food tour to be fun and educational for the kids, but eating our way through the Christmas Market turned out to be unforgettable.

Our tour took place on our last evening in Vienna. After warming up at the hotel following our morning explorations, we donned another layer of socks before venturing out in the snow to try Viennese cuisine. Some of these regional dishes are only available during the holiday season.

The Christmas Village in the Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH ended up being one of our favorites. The market is held in the green space of the former general hospital, now the campus for the social sciences & humanities of the University of Vienna. It’s a smaller market than some of the others in Vienna, giving it a cozy feeling and creating a perfect venue for families. I’m told this is also a great area to visit during the warmer months, with outdoor cafes dotting the grounds.

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