Tag: traveling family

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Best Cities for Solo Travellers

The Traveller's Wife

Solo travel is one of the best options for a little “me” time. Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling with my family but sometimes I just need a personal getaway. I get to see the world on my own terms, make my own schedule and not feel rushed when site seeing. Besides, there is just something about that type of independence that’s freeing and energizing. I picked 5 destinations that are perfect for solo trips – some places I’ve already visited and some are on my travel goals list for 2021 and 2022.

Austin,Texas

Texas is a lot of fun and has a ton of fun places to visit. But Austin by far is the best! Known as the “music capital of the world”, you’ll hear lots of music and see lots of performances so bring your dancing shoes. And forget your diet, there is so much tasty food to eat. Plus, Texans are SUPER friendly so you’ll never feel truly alone while visiting. Summers in Austin are packed with events from the SXSW to the Pecan Street festival and there are lots of places to visit. Its the perfect place to meet new people!

San Francisco, California

If you really want to be free, head to San Francisco, California where literally anything goes! I fell in love with San Francisco when I visited and plan on returning soon. In general the Bay area is beautiful and the temperature is perfect. The multicultural aspect of the city is amazing and fun, you’ll get tons of experiences. Plus there are lots opportunities for rejuvenation and relaxation from a yoga or meditation class at sunrise to hitting the beach to visiting any 1 of the amazing spas.

Moab, Utah

If your an outdoor enthusiast, love van or camper life, hiking and bouldering Moab is where you want to be. From Canyonlands to Arches National Park you have plenty of space for outdoor activities and enjoy the wonders of our gorgeous earth. There are a ton of incredible rock formations to see! When your done with your outdoor activities, you can hang out at the free campsites or coffee shops and watch the sunset over Dead horse point.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is absolutely beautiful! Its very safe, easy to get around and about an 1 from Boston or Providence. You’ll definitely want to explore its beautiful beaches and epic sand dunes. If your a shopper, be sure to check out Wellfleet flea market on the weekend. Don’t forget to enjoy some delicious clam chowder at any of the fantastic restaurants.

Charleston, South Carolina

The perfect quaint southern spot, Charleston has lots of history and hospitality. This is the perfect solo trip if you love the beach, sipping tea-Charleston tea that is, or visiting a craft brewery! The best time to visit is the Spring and Fall as the temperature will be milder. One the best experiences to have is oysters and live music, a favorite past time for Charlerstonians.

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5 Things We Miss Most About Traveling

The Traveller's Wife

These days we are seeing less travel due to the pandemic. Many states still have lock down orders, re-opening has paused, and only essential business are allowed to continue daily operations. Suffice it the stay, it is not business as usual. Additionally, there is a currently a ban on travel to countries part of the European Union (EU) from the United States. Although, our family strongly believes in staying home staying health, it has definitely made us realize how much we miss travelling, especially internationally. Here are 5 things we miss most about travelling.

  1. The Food: There are so many different types of cuisine to discover in other countries. From the exotic delicacies in Singapore and Japan to good ‘ol fashion BBQ in Yerevan, there is nothing like discovering new foods. Food is an adventure and culture experience all scooped on a plate. At times, the food can be highly indulgent or completely unappealing, but each bite is totally worth it!
  2. The People: The ability to meet new people, learn about their history and experience their culture has always been fascinating to us. It will literally change your view of the world in an instant. Its the people you meet as much as the places you go that make each trip worthwhile. Through our travels, we have meet some truly inspiring people that we will never forget.
  3. Flexibility: No schedule, no work, no obligations-its a perfect travel experience. Whether traveling work or leisure, taking a bit of time to relax and enjoy your surroundings is priceless. It’s the amount of freedom and break from your daily routine when you travel can be the most enjoyable. Going with the flow can sometimes be the best travel “schedule”!
  4. New Adventures: Traveling gives you the opportunity to explore and experience new adventures. Take to the open road or follow the unbeaten path. We have had so many great adventures and discovered new things, concepts and experiences that we will remember for a lifetime. the thrill of exploring, a journey into unknown, a sense of adventure
  5. Personal Growth: Whether travelling alone or with friends, you experience a lot of personal growth. Whether its by becoming more patient as you navigate a foreign land or gain new perspectives about a people and it cultures, you’ll come back a changed person. You will be more confident in stepping out of your comfort zone and more courageous in your adventures. Give yourself some grace and embrace the new you that comes from travelling.

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How To Tour Your City

The Traveller's Wife

Now that people are starting to come out of their houses and stay at home orders are easing, this is a great opportunity to explore your hometown. Not everyone is comfortable traveling out of state now that we are in the COVID-19 era so why not support your local community and explore local shops and restaurants. This goes without saying but I’m going to mention it anyway….please remember your social distancing guidelines like wearing a face masks and staying six feet apart.

One of the best ways to tour your own city is to have friend show you all of their favorite spots. You’d be surprised at how many places you haven’t visited with your friend. Its also a great way to find out your friends favorite spots around time or places you never thought of visiting. Another great way to explore your city is via tour bus. There are lots of local companies that offer tours around your town and know the ins, out, and places unseen throughout the city. The best part, the tour guide will have LOTS of stories and history to share about each of the local sites.

Do adventures that are specific to your hometown, for example Austin is home to the largest bat colony in North America. Every year, we visit the Congress Avenue bridge during late fall to see the bats. Its an awesome experience and fun for the kids. You can check out some of our adventures in Austin here. Each city has it own adventures and experiences that make it famous and are worth being explored. While your out, don’t forget to eat local! There are so many local restaurants to try in your city that could definitely use our support during these unprecedented times. Local eateries offer one of a kind experiences with lots of history and stories to tell. What a great way to add to your experience.

These are just a few ideas on how to be a tourist in your own city. With all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we rarely stop to explore and experience what’s in our very own backyard. Who says traveling has to be done far from home?

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Best Travel Apps

The Traveller's Wife

Now that its spring and summer is right around the corner, some families will begin to travel (of course adhering to ALL the COVID-19 precautions). With that being said, now is great time to make sure you have the best travel apps on your phone so that your adventures will be smooth and stress free. Here are out top 5 travel apps.

Hopper

Hopper is best for fare watching to ensure you get the best price on airfare and hotels. It watches prices so closely, it can tell whether you should book your trip now or wait. Set up your own price watch alerts so you don’t miss you an opportunity to save. #winwin

TripIt

TripIt helps you get organized!! You can upload your itinerary and share it with your friends so they when you leave and arrive at your destination. #safety For an additional fee, you can unlock more features like flight alerts, refund notifications, and reward tracking. The best part, this app works without Wi-Fi so it perfect for those rural or secluded destinations.

Timeshifter

Timeshifter is perfect for those who travel internationally and want to prevent jet lag. Based on sleep and circadian neuroscience, the app provides you with a personalized “jet lag plan” based on your destination time zone. It suggests when to wake up, when to consume or avoid caffeine, and so much more.

Trabee Pocket

Need a way to track travel expenses, be sure to download Trabee Pocket. You can track all you spending in this app and upload receipts (especially if your travelling for business). Added bonus – it even has an exchange rate calculator! #sohelpful

PackPoint

It never fails….we always forget SOMETHING on when we are packing for trip. PackPoint to the rescue! Just enter your itinerary: date, destination and activities and PackPoint will generate a packing list with everything you need. Plus, it checks the weather and will remind you to pack an umbrella or jacket for your trip.

Family, Surviving Chaos

Surviving Chaos: Brain Quest Workbooks

The Traveller's Wife
Brain Quest Workbooks

Need to keep your kids busy on long flights but keep them learning? Check out Brain Quest workbooks! These workbooks are my absolute favorite busy activity for our kids when we are training. Why? The are small and compact, no pen or paper needed, fit easily in our carry-on, and it helps our kids continue learning. Our kids love the quiz style format of the workbooks and all the fun illustrations throughout. I have been known to bring these out on weeknights when I am trying to get dinner ready. #survivingchaos

Each Brain Quest deck is a fast-paced question-and-answer game that challenges kids on the stuff they need to know, when they need to know it. The workbooks are jam-packed with curriculum-based activities, exercises, games and challenges, all in full color. There is workbook for each grade level from pre-kindergarten thru 6th grade. These will keep them busy for hours!

Brain Quest Workbooks

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