ULTIMATE FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE TO JAPAN // TOKYO, KYOTO, & NARA
Whether traversing the country aboard a shinkansen bullet train or exploring the intricate subway network of a city like Osaka or Tokyo, the journey is part of the adventure.
But perhaps the most compelling reason to choose Japan for your family vacation is the sheer variety of experiences on offer.
In this guide I share all my details, tips and tricks to visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara during June.
TIPS FOR RIDING THE SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN) WITH KIDS, JAPAN
The Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed train also known as the famous bullet train. Japan was the first country to start building railway lines for high speed travel and the name Shinkansen was chosen because it means ‘new trunk line’ in Japanese. It is great for discovering all the beautiful places Japan has to offer in a fast, comfortable, and reliable way. I highly recommend this experience if you are planning to visit more than just Tokyo. It is a fun and unique experience that anyone would enjoy.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MAUI WITH KIDS
During our stay in Maui we stayed in the west coast of the island, in Kaanapali. It was the perfect area for us as it allowed us to get adjusted and easily get beach access. While there are no bad places to stay in Maui, Kaanapali is my favorite area for its nice beaches, close to Lahaina town (restaurants and shops), and most importantly for the drier climate and more sunshine than other parts of Maui.
This time as a family of 4 with 2 young kids (ages 3 and 6) we hand picked a few things that we knew we would all enjoy. Here I share some tips to make the most of your time as a family.
And for more help planning your trip to Maui, don’t miss my list of favorite Maui restaurants/cafes and my collection of the best things to do on the West coast of Maui.
7 BEST FOOD & RESTAURANTS IN MAUI
When it comes to food, Maui is a true melting pot of variety of cuisines. With lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood you have the makings for some outstanding food options.
As I do with all trips, I keep a list of favorites and some that I saved for my next trip. Here is a list of some of our favorite food stalls/ food trucks, and restaurants scattered all over the island ranging from a casual shrimp truck to fine-dining restaurants.
LAKE TAHOE’S GEM - YURT GLAMPING AT HOPE VALLEY
If you are looking for the best Bay Area glamping for a weekend getaway to nature this is the place to be! Tucked away in the Alpine County, surrounded by aspen trees yet just 20minutes to South Lake Tahoe, is Desolation hope valley.
Year-round you can expect to find Hope Valley dressed in its seasonal best. The only thing missing here, thankfully, is the crowds. It’s mainly outdoor recreationists who pass through this pocket of Alpine County making it California’s least populated county.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PROVENCE WITH KIDS
Provence has it all - from historic, quaint villages, turquoise beaches, beautiful nature, and an amazing food scene. It is a perfect destination for families and kids.
We spent a week in Provence during July and decided to stay outside of the mainstream towns and chose a more off-the-beaten-path destination which turned out to be more relaxing, authentically provençal, and convenient. Our little chateau was in a small village 15 minutes away from the famous Aix-en-Provence, in an area called Eguilles.
Top 5 Things To Do In Paris With KIDS
Paris is a very kid friendly city with so many fun activities for littles as young as 2 year olds. We traveled with our 2 and 5 year old during the summer and here we share our top 5 experiences and activities!
5 things to do in jeju during FALL
Jeju island is located in the southern part of South Korea and has a warm and more pleasant type of weather than the rest of the country. There are still four distinct seasons all year around making it an interesting place to explore and do various activities during different times of the year.
The best time to visit Jeju island is in autumn - Autumn on Jeju island starts from September to November and has a cool atmosphere with average temperatures between 20-25 degrees celsius. It is still warm during the day with sunny skies but the air is dry with more breeze.
Our last trip to Jeju was during the late summer time to the beginning of Autumn. With cooler temperatures during the autumn days we were able to do different activities with much more comfort. Here were some of our favorites!
3 WEEKS FRANCE FULL ITINERARY
6 nights in Paris, 9 nights in Côte d’Azur, 6 nights in Provence. Sharing our France Itinerary in hopes it can help you with your planning if you’re heading to France!
5 PLACES NOT TO MISS IN THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Having recently enjoyed 2 weeks in sunny south of France including the French Riviera. Here’s our pick of the top well known and lesser well-known places to enjoy making the best of the summer sun in the mediterranean coast
The south of France is a diverse place with both romantic towns, chic beach clubs for partygoers, but also very family-friendly. It’s very beautiful, known for the incredible turquoise clear water, delicious cuisine, and pictureresque villages.
BEST WEEKEND TRAVEL GUIDE TO CARMEL, CALIFORNIA
Beautiful beaches, historic homes, a famous golf course and plentiful natural reserves and parks are just few of the big attractions of the Carmel. Here are my tips for planning a visit!
ultimate travel guide to napa with kids
Family friendly Napa guide. Are you planning a trip to Napa Valley? I share my tips on the ultimate guide on where to wine taste, the best hotels, things to do with kids and more. Visit Napa Valley for an unforgettable adventure.
Kid friendly things to do in san francisco
Living in the Bay area has its perks of being able to get to the most beautiful and fun places within a short distance drive. Now that we are a family of four with a 5 year old and a 2 year old toddler I like to mix fun for the parents with kid friendly things to do and always plan out the day revolving around good cafes near places to go with the kids. We try to avoid the touristy areas as much as possible and prefer to spend our time in parks, beaches and nature the city has to offer. This way it is less stressful for all of us and easier to get around with the whole family in a more relaxed environment. That said, of course the museums are all amazing to visit too. Here are a few of the easy, kid-friendly activities we like to do as a family.
where to stay in san francisco - Palace hotel
Our family had the pleasure of staying at one of San Francisco’s iconic hotels since 1875. It is a renowned historical landmark right in the heart of the city. Tucked in the financial district, it is within walking distance to shopping malls, the ferry building, delicious eateries and tourist attractions.
the perfect weekend trip to seattle
A family travel guide and a collection of tips for visiting Seattle, Washington with kids. The First-Timer's Guide to Seattle.
exploring bukchon hanok village in seoul
Explore the Bukchon Hanok Village and admire traditional Korean architecture. Famous for its traditional wooden hanok buildings, Bukchon Hanok Village is a great place to visit in Seoul, South Korea. We took a walk from Bukchon hanok village to Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World heritage site and the best kept palace in South Korea. Explore more here!
things to know for your first trip to hong kong
Some essential things and tips for you to know before you go to Hong Kong. I share my tips from having lived in Hong Kong for almost 2 decades!
where to stay in santa monica, proper hotel
what it is like to stay at the popular Santa Monica Proper Hotel as a family. An honest review of our stay in the Proper hotel including amenities and the things we loved the most.
top 5 cafes in jeju island
Sharing our top 5 cafes we visited during our 2 month stay in Jeju island. Most of these places have a traditional Korean design vibe to it with amazing drinks and desserts.