Travels with Teens and Tweens

15Oct 2024 by Gail

How to spend a perfect weekend in Bruges with kids

Bruges

Fries, chocolate, beer and canals... Whilst I love my husband dearly, I like to do one trip each year with just me and the kids. I don't know why but it does feel different (and there's no voice in my ear telling me not to spend too much money!). I took a trip to Belgium with my boys, then aged 9 and 10 in April 2023. These are some of our favourite things to do in Bruges (or Brugge as its known in Flemish). Make and eat waffles I always try to include one hands on experience on each trip with my boys. We made carnival mask in Venice (post to follow). In Salzburg we learnt to cook apple strudel (find out more here). We have made chocolate in quite…

21Sep 2024 by Gail

How to spend 3 fantastic days in York

North Yorkshire

Again, I'm immediately confessing to a little bias. York was the closest city to me growing up and it has always held part of my heart. Even though we now live 250 miles away from this historic city, we love to spend a day or a weekend in York. Read on for my suggestions of things to do in York. Things to do in York: Overview of your 3-day York itinerary: Day 1 - Walk the walls, City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar, National Railway Museum Day 2 - Jorvik Viking Centre, York's Chocolate Story, Evening ghost walk Day 3 - The Castle Museum, afternoon tea at Betty's, the Shambles, York Minster If you have another day.... Day 1 - Walls and Trains Just under 4km of medieval walls surround…

20Sep 2024 by Gail

A hidden gem – Falling Foss waterfall and tea garden

North Yorkshire

I'm not sure I actually want to tell you about Falling Foss. For years, it felt like one of Yorkshire's best kept secrets. However, the cat has been out of the bag for a little while now. Put simply, Falling Foss waterfall and tea garden is a gem and a visit here feels almost magical. Paddling in the beck at Falling Foss! Falling Foss waterfall Beautiful reflections at Falling Foss! So its not the easiest spot to find. Parking is limited and it is quite a steep walk down to the tea garden and base of the waterfall. However, It is worth it (so long as you are steady on your feet and have decent walking shoes on). The waterfall isn't the biggest or most majestic you will ever see…

19Sep 2024 by Gail

Capture an amazing shot in Saltburn-by-the-Sea!

North Yorkshire

A photographer's dream! Come for the stunning beach shots and stay for sunset over the cliffs... I'm very much a keen amateur but even I have managed to capture some shots I was really pleased with. I would recommend a trip to Saltburn-by-the-Sea to anyone who enjoys photography. Stunning reflections on Saltburn beach! Boy dreamer on the beach! Colourful beach huts in Saltburn! It's also a great spot for some traditional beach fun with the kids.... Not to mention some great places to eat and stay.... I genuinely don't know why this place isn't more well-known! Read on to find out what to do in this hidden gem. Saltburn beach Saltburn's beautiful sandy beach stretches for miles, literally! When the tide is low, it is possible to walk from Saltburn…

19Aug 2024 by Gail

The best places to eat in Edinburgh and Leith

Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a huge choice of places to eat, most pretty good even in the most touristed areas. From our visits to the city over the last few years, I have complied this list of what I consider to be the best places to eat in Edinburgh and Leith. The Best Places to eat in Edinburgh and Leith The Pakora Bar 111 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ. Book a table here. Closed Mondays. For us, no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to The Pakora Bar. Originally a festival pop-up, this family run restaurant moved from its cosy premises on the Royal Mile to a larger space near the Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth in 2023. We love the decor and vibe at The Pakora Bar! Yummy Indian…

19Aug 2024 by Gail

How to get the best out of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with children

Edinburgh

When I announced I was taking my boys, then aged 9 and 11, solo to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the reaction from my friends was "that's brave" or "are you sure?" Having visited Edinburgh previously with my boys, I was undeterred but decided to break up the shows with doing some tourist stuff as well. The boys loved it. The following year, we went back to Edinburgh for the Fringe, with more time to spend and more shows booked. We had a blast! I would encourage anyone with kids from around 9/10 years or older to give the Fringe a try. These are my tips on how to get the best out of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with children. Fantastic modern circus! Amongst the plain weird individuals... Even kids can…

19Aug 2024 by Gail

Top things to do in Edinburgh with older kids

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fantastic city to visit with children. There is so much to do in Edinburgh and the centre is easily walkable. Locals are warm and welcoming and there are some great places to eat. That's without the excitement of the many festivals held in the city throughout the year. This blog is my review of my top 10 things to do in Edinburgh with older kids. I have now visited Edinburgh 3 times with my boys and these are some of our top things to do: 1. Edinburgh Castle If you do one thing with kids, it should be Edinburgh Castle. Located at the end of the Royal Mile, the Castle dominates the city centre. Enjoying the audio-guide with a view of the city. All kids love to…

05Aug 2024 by Gail

Cool things to do with older kids in London

London

For first-time visitors, London has so many big hitters (step forwards Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square etc). However, if you've been before or even if you just want to break up your must-sees with some activities and experiences for older kids or teens, these are my current favourite suggestions. I'll keep adding to this as we try cool new things in London with our kids! So, in no particular order, here are some cool things to do with older kids in London: 1. Monopoly Lifesized For monopoly without the family arguments (I promise), try Monopoly Lifesized on Tottenham Court Road. I will be writing a review of our visit soon but here's some pics to get you started: Playing the classic board at Monopoly Lifesized Even the toilets are…

23Jul 2024 by Gail

Wembley Stadium VIP Tour with kids

London

My 10 year old son is football mad but doesn't support a team. As one of his "10 treats for 10" birthday surprises, I booked a VIP Tour of Wembley Stadium. I would definitely recommend the Wembley Stadium VIP Tour for kids. As luck would have it, our tour, booked months previously, was on the afternoon of the England-Spain Euros final. We thought it might have been auspicious but sadly it wasn't coming home.... Nonetheless, the atmosphere around Wembley that afternoon was buzzing and the tour was fabulous. An empty Wembley Stadium from the Centre Circle! One of the three lions... Dressing area for ACDC (left for the Boss!) Regular or VIP Tour Having a private tour was a bonus. It gave the guide time to get to know my…

07Jul 2024 by Gail

Berchtesgaden – 3-day itinerary for a trip with older children

Bavaria, Germany

An easy hop from Salzburg, Berchtesgaden is an attractive town in the Bavarian Alps. Nestled in beautiful countryside, it offers many restaurants, bars and accommodation options. It's also the ideal base for trips to Hitler's Eagle's Nest and stunning Königssee (or “Kings Lake”). While there are lots more things you could do in this area, this is my suggestion of an ideal 3-day itinerary for a trip to Berchtesgaden with older children. Overview of your 3-Day Itinerary Day 1: Morning: Cable car ride (Obersalzburgbahn), short and easy hike through the forest to the bus-stop for the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) Lunch: Restaurant on the terrace of the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) Afternoon: Explore the Eagle's Nest then return to the bus-stop and visit the Dokumentationszentrum Day 2: Morning: Visit Berchtesgaden Salt Mine…

Author: Gail