A friend wrote to me recently asking how to compare costs between a few different vacation destinations she was considering. Figuring out the relative cost of different destinations can be tricky because it depends on exchange rates, hotel occupancies, and transportation costs, and excursions. The local cost of living does play a role in your overall costs, but not as much as you might think.
Here are some steps that will help you quickly compare the rough cost of two or more destinations:
- Search for your dates of travel to find out rough airfares and during your stay. Your actual costs might vary somewhat, but probably won't be wildly different.
- Next search for hotels at your destination at the star-level you are generally comfortable with. After eliminating the most expensive and least expensive properties, you'll notice that most of the hotels are roughly the same price. Use that number as your estimated per-night cost.
- Next, look at the cost of activities for your destination. Museums can be expensive, but in some cities (most notably London) museums are free. Expect that you will visit one museum per day on average. At other destinations you may have large expenses for tourist activities like a hot air balloon rides, amusement park tickets, or other local activities.
- Determine whether internal transportation will be a big cost - and if so, include it. Will you need a rental car? Will you buy train tickets or internal airfares? Or will you be mostly on foot or low-cost subways?
- I tend not to factor in food costs because we adjust our eating style based on the cost of food at our destination. If food is expensive, we eat more picnics and self-cater breakfast in the hotel. If food costs are cheaper, we eat out more often. Still, if you want to factor food costs into your comparison (especially if you plan to eat mostly in restaurants) a good guidebook will give some price ranges, in local currency, for average meals.
Following the steps above doesn't take long and will give you a rough sense of the relative costs of each vacation destination. Once you've made the final decision about where to go, you can break the expenses out in more detail to set an actual budget for your trip.
Related Links
Step by Step: Creating a Budget for a Family Vacation
A Real Travel Budget: New Mexico With Kids
Saving Money on a Family Vacation
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Posted on June 15, 2009 |
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With breakable (and expensive) artwork everywhere, and searing hot ovens in the back, a glassblowing studio hardly seems like a great destination for children. Still, when we're downtown, and the kids are in a manageable mood, the Seattle Glassblowing Studio makes a fun outing.
The shop is filled with blown glass objects, from colorful fish and reef displays, to vases and practical objects like lighting or bowls. Each item is hand blown, unique, and a great reminder of why Seattle is known as the center of the craft glass art movement.
Once they've received strict instructions not to touch a thing, the kids love exploring the shop. D squeals with delight whenever she discovers something new. When they finally tire of the displays, we head to the back of the studio and take in the action at the hotshop. On week days, we're most likely to see artists working in the studio, and on weekends we get to watch the basics of glassblowing over and over as students learn how to create blown glass. The process is fascinating, and it's fun to try to field the kids questions - ranging from why everyone is wearing such thick gloves to how the glass gets "squishy." When we're all done, the crepe shop next door is the perfect place to grab a snack before we head off to our next destination.
Related Links
Seattle With Kids
Seattle Glassblowing Studio
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Posted on June 11, 2009 |
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Our much-loved family pediatrician is heading to Moshi, Tanzania in a few weeks along with his wife and two kids. He will spend the next year working with pediatric AIDS patients in conditions that I imagine will be far different than those in his downtown Seattle pediatric practice, and I'd love to see life through his eyes and his family's eyes for the next 12 months. That's why this photo-essay in the New York times about a Maternity Ward in Moshi really struck a chord with me.
Our own kids, just by virtue of being born in a developed country, have a level of privilege that is unimaginable in most of the world. It starts before they are wrapped in their first blanket and extends far beyond education, nutritious food or a fancy home. For me, this perspective, and a sense of responsibility to help others is what I hope my children will learn first hand through our travels. Maybe one day we'll make it to Tanzania with the kid, and I hope that when we do, we'll look beyond the game reserves and beaches to get a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a developing country.
Incidentally, the park ranger (2nd from the right) is carrying a rifle. We were told that was required to protect us from any animals we may run into during our 4 day hike, which started just north of Ngorongoro Crater to Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano.
Related Links
The Real Madagascar
A Refreshing Change: Beautiful Photos of Myanmar
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Posted on June 9, 2009 |
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This article includes a review of a complimentary stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA (about 90 minutes south of Seattle by car). I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay and waterpark admission, and the hotel did not express any requirement that I express a particular point of view. I do not accept pay-per-post or pay-per-positive reviews, and on the rare occasion that I do accept a free service from a sponsor I will always let you know.. Here is a link to my previous post about Great Wolf Lodge
Watching E wake up in his bunk bed this morning was one of those small moments that will I will probably remember among my favorite travel moments this year. Never quick to wake up, he stretched and yawned and then a look of recollection took over his face. Immediately, my usually slow-mover sat up and peered over the edge of the bed. Seeing that he had indeed spent the entire night in the top bunk, a satisfied grin spread over his face and he lay back down contentedly.
Getting the kids dressed in their swimsuits this morning was a snap, but encouraging them to eat their breakfast was a different story. They were simply too excited to sit still for a minute, and remembering the age-old advice about not eating 30 minutes before getting into the water, we decided not to force the issue.
With an evening to reflect on what happened yesterday and good night's sleep under their belts, each kid reacted very differently to the water park than they had the day before. D, who had taken a few short underwater tumbles yesterday was noticeably more cautious and wanted to hold an adult's hand at all times. She gradually warmed up, but probably would have enjoyed a calm tot pool more than the bustling activity of the big toddler area today.
Our normally cautious son, on the other hand seemed freed. Within a few minutes of entering the water, he had made a friend, and having another four year old to explore with seemed to boost his confidence. As a parent it was a wonderful feeling to watch him running from activity to activity, trying new things, and finding that he liked them. Normally squeamish and easily upset by anything unexpected, he brushed off splashes and unexpected jets of water from the spray fountains. This was one of those moments where you think "maybe this child will eventually be able to make his way in the world after all" and breathe a huge sigh of relief.
When the kids finally wore themselves down, we cleaned up and headed to the hotel's arcade and the "Cub Club." Designed for younger kids, the Cub Club offers a variety of crafts and scheduled activities - some free and some at additional cost. I'm never one to spend money when there is fun to be had for free, so E and D played in a small playhouse, filled a shopping cart with recyclable items, and enjoyed coloring. When we left, the staff gave them crayons and coloring books for the car ride home. The quiet space was a nice antidote to the busy waterpark and a great way to wind down before getting in the car to drive back to Seattle.
Overall we had a good kid-focused weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge. A month later, the kids continue to talk about the trip, and how much fun they had in the water. It obviously looms large in their memories of exceptional destinations. True, there was none of the sense of exploration or intellectual growth that we usually enjoy on our family trips to cities like San Francisco, Chicago, or Paris, nor did we get a chance to relax poolside while the kids did their own thing, but the resort did make a really enjoyable and easy-to-get-to weekend getaway.
Related Links
Great Wolf Lodge With Preschoolers
Videos From Great Wolf Lodge
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Posted on June 8, 2009 |
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Have you ever been to a scratch patch? Here in the United States they're virtually unheard of. In fact, I'd never seen one until Earth's Minerals Scratch Patch opened in a nearby neighborhood. The floor is covered in polished rocks, making it a dream come true for kids who are young enough to have rock collections (and old enough to know rocks don't belong in your mouth no matter how pretty they are). Kids can spend as much time as they want investigating, searching for favorite stones, and using an identification chart to find out the name of each gemstone. Before they leave, each child gets to fill a small bag with their favorite finds.
According to the owners, scratch patches are common in South Africa. Has anyone ever seen one anywhere else? What other fun kids activities do have you seen in other countries that are difficult to find in the US?
Related Links
Seattle With Kids
Earth's Minerals Scratch Patch
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Posted on June 4, 2009 |
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Between sleep deprivation and the fact that I always seem to have a baby or child occupying at least one of my hands, I've had more time to devote to reading than writing during the past few weeks. So, instead of a new article, I thought I'd share a few articles that caught my attention recently.
Over at WeeLife, there's a great series of posts about a Family Trip to Disneyland and San Diego. One of the things I always love about Jackie's perspective is her creative approach towards everything she does - and her tips for this trip are no exception.
Backpack to Buggy has a informative article about choosing the safest sunscreen for kids this summer. I put in my order for a few of these products just this week!
I recommend the Sit'n'Stroll convertable car-seat/stroller in my Travel Products Guide, so it seems like I should help spread the word that 55 car seats manufactured on May 5 2008 have been recalled due to faulty harnesses. Contact the manufacturer for details. (by way of DaddyTypes)
LEGO just unveiled their cool new architecture series, which includes landmarks like Chicago's John Hancock Tower and New York's Guggenheim Museum. We're a little LEGO obsessed in our family, so I'm sure that the Space Needle model will make its way into our home at a weak moment. The models are not widely available yet, but you can order them at BrickStructures
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Posted on June 3, 2009 |
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Mr. Linky seems to be down this week. Please leave your links in the comments.
Seattle's Fremont Neighborhood is just far enough away from our own (both geographically and culturally) to feel like a special outing. My kids are especially delighted each time we rediscover this troll hiding under the Aurora Bridge. In addition to the troll, Fremont has lots of other offbeat public art, including a rocket ship and a statue of Lenin.
Related Links
Seattle With Kids
Outings: Seattle's Funky Fremont Neighborhood With Kids
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Posted on May 29, 2009 |
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This is a guest post from
Jenny Reed, a first time mom and owner of OurCruisePlanner.com, a full service travel agency. Jenny also wrote a great article about Cruise Travel With Severe Food Allergies last summer.
My husband Jerry and I have been on over 20 cruises in the many years we’ve been married. None could have prepared us for the adventure of cruising for the first time with our seven and half month old son Logan on the Norwegian Spirit March 29, 2009 out of New Orleans.
Our first concern was what to pack? To say that we packed all but the kitchen sink for our son was an understatement. But we just weren’t sure if he would need something and worried that it would be the one thing we forgot. He didn’t wear half of what we packed but that was okay. My advice – make sure to pack a few small, portable toys like the rings that hook onto the stroller and extra diapers. Diapers and other baby sundries are very hard to find onboard. In port, you may be able to find a few supplies but it is best to plan ahead especially if you need specific brands or styles.
With our bags packed, we drove down to New Orleans, leaving a day early so we could pick up my mother in law and her sister in Mississippi. An annual getaway is a family tradition, and on this cruise they would be able to help out with light babysitting for the first time as well!
I packed a separate duffel bag with baby food, toys and books as well as an extra blankie. One of us sat in the back seat with Logan to keep him entertained and make sure he was doing okay in his car seat. A few stops to stretch our legs and eat and we were in Mississippi by mid afternoon (about a 7 hour drive from Atlanta). He did manage to sleep well in the car- so that was great! He found it quite entertaining to be able to see out the windows now and was quite amused every time a large truck went by! I think Logan thought overall it was an adventure to ride in his “big boy” car seat for the first time for a long car ride.
On March 29 we headed for the pier in New Orleans. Even with a baby in tow, it was a breeze getting to the pier and everything was very well organized. Because we were returning passengers with Norwegian Cruise Lines, we didn't have to wait long to check in. Logan took it on in stride as he was propped up in his stroller “bucket” enjoying the view.
By mid-afternoon we were checked-in and settled into our balcony, connecting cabins and ready to set sail. The cabin steward brought Logan’s small crib in shortly after we arrived and I brought sheets and mattress pad for his crib rather than use what they had provided. We also requested a small refrigerator in the room. We relaxed all afternoon, headed to the mandatory life boat drill (lots of fun and smiles with an infant!) , then off to dinner.
That evening, we decided to eat an early dinner in one of the dining rooms. Later we found that although the main dining rooms had great menus we preferred buffet dining, where we could get our own food without a wait, was easier for us all. We had packed all of Logan’s baby food so we didn’t have to worry about him not having something to eat that he liked. We kept him seated in his stroller as a convenience (high chairs were also available) and chose tables in low traffic areas where we would be out of the way of staff and other guests. Logan is a happy baby and was entertained with all the sights and sounds during the meals. We always sat in a corner table away from all the high traffic areas.
On this cruise we headed to Costa Maya Mexico first then onto Belize and then Cozumel. Because of Logan’s age we decided not to take him into the ports (except for a little while in Cozumel), and he was too young to join in on a guided tour. Instead, we took turns babysitting while one of us went into port with the mother in law and aunt. Just spending a relaxing morning with Logan listening to the waves and feeling the tropical breeze was more than enough entertainment for me.
Onboard the stroller came in handy and Logan loved riding up and down the boat's glass elevators. At night there were sound and light shows that Logan often liked. Sometimes he was actually ready for bed after a day of pure entertainment by everyone so he would crash before the 7:30 nightly show.
Our cabin stewards were fabulous and sometimes when Logan would be asleep before they came to make the bed down at night, they would make sure we had towels for the next day. Our cabin steward even made sure the towel animals were on the bed even if it was the next morning instead. One challenge, though was giving him a bath which, in our cabin, turned out to be a shower with one of us. The shower did have an adjustable shower arm which made it a bit easier and Logan loved the new adventure.
We did keep Logan on a pretty regular schedule even while on vacation when it came to meals and napping. This was essential for a happy baby!
The vacation more than exceeded our expectations – both as new parents and as vacationers. Traveling with an infant when you plan ahead was easier than we had anticipated. We look forward to our next adventure soon!
Jenny Reed is a first time mom and owner of OurCruisePlanner.com, a full service travel agency with no service fees. She can be reached as jenny AT OurCruisePlanner DOT com.
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Posted on May 28, 2009 |
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My blog (and my twitter account) have been fairly quiet over the last few weeks, and I thought I should post an update on what's going on here at home.
There are some nice things about a scheduled c-section. I like to joke that it allows me to continue my busy TV-watching schedule uninterrupted, but of course, that's just silliness. We do have a tradition of throwing a pre-baby bash the night before the birth. Eilan's birth was no exception, and about 20 close friends, plus both sets of parents joined us for pizza and birthday cake (my own birthday was a few days before). Having so many people over kept my mind off the surgery in the morning, and being surrounded by friends was a special way to spend our last few hours as a family of four.
Putting the kids to bed that night was also bittersweet. I've been looking forward to this baby, and the sense of completion I know the baby will bring to our family, but I also know it will be a little while before I can count on reading stories and singing bedtime songs without interruption. The quiet moments with each child will be harder to come by for a bit, and it's difficult to let go of them. I was also mindful of the fact that the kids might not be awake when we left for the hospital early the next morning - it was very possible that the next time I saw them I would be in the hospital with a new baby in my arms.
In reality, I got a few more special moments with each one. E woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to have a long discussion about the baby. I'm not normally very patient about 2am discussions, but this felt different. E is an analytical little guy. Unlike his sister (who rushes into everything), he worries about every change or new experience before it happens. We had a long talk about what it would be like when the baby came home, all of his concerns (he was scared to hold the baby), and the things he was looking forward to (holding the baby's hand, sitting next to the baby in the car, and giving the baby kisses). It was incredibly sweet, and I will remember those moments forever.
The next morning D woke up early, giving us some time to cuddle and read stories before I headed off to the hospital. It seemed so funny to say goodbye to her, knowing that the next time I saw her I'd be mostly immobilized on a hospital bed, holding her new baby brother or sister.
We checked in for surgery, and the nurses spent almost two hours prepping me, taking my history, and keeping me calm before I finally walked into the OR with my husband. The surgery itself was uneventful - with a big surgical drape blocking my view, it was easy to focus on my excitement about the baby and not think too hard about what was happening to my body. We were thrilled when the doctor announced our healthy baby boy and handed him to Peyman and the nurse to clean up.
My recovery from the surgery went surprisingly well. The nurses had me up and walking before the end of the day, and by the next morning, I was walking laps around the maternity ward. E and D came by later in the day and we had a little "happy birthday" celebration complete with mini-cupcakes and a special gift from them to baby Eilan. E, who was always a blanket baby, had hand-selected new swaddle blankets for Eilan (they're so soft that he's wants to carry them around himself now that Eilan and the blankets are home from the hospital). D selected a colorful lovey that she insists on throwing in the crib, shoving in the car seat, or squeezing next to Eilan wherever he happens to be sleeping. Between this and the big running kisses D tries to plant on Eilan whenever he is awake, we are a bit terrified that she is going to kill her baby brother with kindness.
We're all settling in at home now, and my recovery has been going very well. I'm sleepy, and cautious about lifting anything, but have had very little pain. The big kids have been way more enthusiastic about little Eilan than we would have hoped, and all their anxiety or unhappiness with the new "world order" seems to be directed at my husband and I instead.
Eilan and I are still in the honeymoon phase, with him sleeping most of the time. The nice thing about doing this for the third time is that every one of the difficulties that seemed so insurmountable with my first newborn seem so temporary this time around. Instead of focusing on the spitup, the challenge of breastfeeding, or the sleep deprivation, I've been enjoying the late-night cuddles and the slow, but steady changes in his personality as Eilan gradually joins the world. We'll be on the road again soon, but expect light posting for a while as I cuddle up, nap, sing lullabies and wash incredible amounts of laundry!
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Posted on May 27, 2009 |
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When I tell someone that I blog about traveling with kids, I almost always get one of two responses... either they say "oh, so you write about Disney" or they want to know where the very best destination with kids is. For me, both are very limiting world views. I started this website because I was shocked at how little quality information there was about continuing the kind of travel we did pre-kid once you have kids. I wanted to share my experiences with parents who, like me, felt trapped by the thought of waiting until their kids were in high school to start traveling again. Sure, I have my favorite spots, and I'm happy to share my ideas, but at the end of the day they're my favorites and you should discover your own. Here are some thoughts on how you should choose your next vacation destination.
Go Where You Want
As Americans, we get very little vacation time each year, and much of that is spent visiting family or on other non-travel activities. Yet somehow, we often spend that time doing what we think we "should" ... taking the kids to someplace "family friendly," visiting the place our neighbors said was great, or deferring a trip because we cannot afford the same class of accommodation someone we know bragged about last month. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or says, the best place for a family vacation is the place you are most interested in.
Make A List
Make a list of the places that interest you. Instead of including a destination solely because someone else said it was great - figure out what are you truly interested in right now? What destination would you read a novel about? Was there someplace you saw in a movie that caught your fancy? A particular landscape or facet of history you want to explore? Those are the places that should be on your list. Don't worry for now about whether they are family friendly, too far away, affordable, etc.
Ask your spouse to do the same, and compare lists. If you have only one place overlapping, consider yourself lucky! You know where you need to go on your next family vacation.
Educate Yourself
Need inspiration? Guidebooks are great resources for the practical details, but I also love to leaf through magazines at the bookstore and read blogs. More often than I'd care to admit, the inspiration for a trip comes from a fiction or nonfiction book I'm reading. Once I've decided on a destination, I might supplement my guidebooks with even more magazines, blogs and novels. You don't want to destroy the magic of discovery, but the more you know about your destination the more you are likely to get out of the trip. The same is true for your kids - and it's worthwhile to find children's books set in your destination.
Focus on what you are interested in, not just what you "should" know about the destination. For example, you might be more interested in Japanese handicrafts than architecture or WWII history, and that is just fine. Let your kids follow their own interests too - it's more important for them to enjoy discovering Japan through Manga, for example, than every aspect of Noh theater or temple architecture. When they do learn about Japanese history in school, the fact that they've been there will help the dry facts seem more real and memorable to them.
Don't be Afraid of the "Real World"
Parents often worry that kids won't enjoy a vacation unless there are pre-organized "kids" activities, but often the best experiences take place in the "real world." When we're at home, outings to a construction site, train tracks, the taco bus and other new real-world experiences make up part of our best and most memorable days.
It's no different when we travel - amusement parks are fun, and they have a place, but they aren't particularly fulfilling. Like us, the kids love to explore new places, to see what's different, and to (occasionally) try new foods -- like Churros and Chocolate in Barcelona or Fry Bread in New Mexico. Sure, we look for Children's Museums, Zoos, and other sure-fire winners as a part of our overall itinerary, but keeping a balance between "kid-friendly" activities, cultural activities and open ended exploration is what makes a great trip for all of us. The most magical moments are almost never scripted and almost always come when I least expect them.
Don't Get Blocked
When I managed software projects for a living, "Don't get blocked" was our mantra. Most of the time, you can find a way to work around the obstacles. True, Sudan isn't a great family travel destination right now, but most places you'd be likely to have on your list are. For a list of common worries, and solutions check out our article on 10 Roadblocks to Family Travel and Why They Shouldn't Stop You
Consider the Logistics
Not getting blocked doesn't mean ignoring reality. Make sure you consider how the air travel, frequent moves from city to city, full days, and jet lag will impact you and your children. A few adjustments might make the trip go better for everyone. For example, you might choose to break up a long flight with a multi-day stopover in a city midway or you might allow more time at your first stop to allow yourself to recover from jet lag. Expect that your children will take a few days to recover from jet lag too. If night waking will make it impossible for you to return to a regular work schedule, return home a few days before you must be back at work.
Readers: How do you choose a vacation destination? Where do you find inspiration?
Related Links:
Does Travel With Kids = The Mc Donalds World Tour?
How To Find a Kid Friendly Restaurant YOU Will Enjoy
Eight Roadblocks to Family Travel (and Why You Shouldn't Let Them Stop You)
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planning
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Posted on May 25, 2009 |
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