I used to believe that I was the kind of person who went on vacation to lay on the beach and relax. Just sink my feet into the sand, soak in the hot sun and stare at the ocean. In the same spot, on repeat for days. Even typing it now I believe that about myself. And yet, my trips reflect a different kind of traveler. Maybe that’s it. Maybe I want to vacation one way and travel another. Those words, vacation and travel, are often used interchangeably but they really reflect different experiences. Lately our trips have naturally become true travels. I do find time to relax but I…
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Idyllic Day in Laguna
It’s a tough call but probably my favorite day during our recent southern California trip was when we headed north from Oceanside to check out Laguna. Like most of our days we started with a great coffee and avocado toast fix from Revolution Roasters. I realize how snobby this sounds but I’m not quick to recommend coffee places for the coffee. I’ve been to tons of coffee shops that are adorable and fun and trendy and many with yummy treats/foods. Coffee shops that have coffee I’d actually recommend are much harder to come by. Revolution Roasters is the real deal. Both Hubs and I are were super pleased with the…
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Outdoor Day in La Jolla Area
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Outdoor Day in La Jolla Area
Looking for a fun outdoor way to spend the day in the La Jolla area? Well, you could probably just show up and wing it because it’s frankly a beautiful and fun area with so much to offer. If you need a little inspo, though, here’s what how we spent our vacay day dedicated to the La Jolla/Torrey Pines area. We were staying in Oceanside. After breakfast at home we hit the road and headed south to Torrey Pines State Reserve. A quick research for an appropriate hike involving littles lead us to Guy Fleming Trail. This is a 0.8 mile loop trail with stunning ocean views and glorious wildflowers. This…
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Idyllic Day in Laguna
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What to Eat in Kauai with Kids
There’s so much to enjoy in Kauai…the beach, the ocean, the canyons, the mountains, the people. Not to be forgotten, though, is the food! Like any travel junkies we experience our destinations via food. Kauai did not disappoint. Here were our favorites: Acai bowls Acai berries are a reddish, purple fruit from the acai palm tree. It’s touted as a superfood rich in antioxidants. Frozen and blended acai makes the perfect base for a smoothie bowl. The Kauai touch is toppings of macadamia nuts, fresh coconut, bananas, berries, papaya. Drizzle on peanut butter, freshly made granola and you cannot have a better experience. Our absolute favorite spot was Kalalea…
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South Iceland: Day of Ice
I want to share one of the best travel days we’ve ever experienced. It was day 2 of Iceland trip #2 and it was all about ice. It was November and the sun started making its way up around 9:30am. We bundled up and drank Rob’s coffee and took a little time to explore the AMAZING grounds of our airbnb cabin. I have to point out that when I say we “drank Rob’s coffee” I mean that Rob roasted his own beans a few days before we left, we packed the beans in our limited luggage (1 checked bag, 1 carryon and 5 personal items for family of 5), then…
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Fun day in Kyoto: Bamboo forest, Ōkōchi Sansō & Monkey Park
You won’t have trouble finding things to see in Kyoto. We underestimated the amount of time to spend in this cool city & definitely want to go back to explore more. Regardless if you have 2 days or 10 I would recommend one day in the Arashiyama area. The big ticket site here is the famous Bamboo forest. There’s definitely a magical feel walking through this stunning forest. Get there early to avoid the crowds. Once you walk through the forest, consider checking out Okochi Sanso Garden. For a fee, you can enter this beautiful Japanese garden and freely explore. It is stunning and tranquil, quite a change from…
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Samurai Experience in Kyoto
Traveling with kids is a balance. When you’re ready to see the world with your littles you need to check your expectations. The pace two young adults sightsee looks a lot different than how a family of five sightsee. In some ways, though, it’s better. Kids will often make you take your time & soak in your surroundings instead of rushing off to the next. Also, having kids sometimes puts you in experiences you might have not chosen without them. We always prepare for a trip by learning about our destination and it can be surprising what the kids end up being intrigued by. For our Japan trip the kids…
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Cat Cafe: From Tokyo to Cleveland
Most kids love animals and E, B and A are no exception. E especially adores animals and is so tender with them. Ever since she was a little thing she has been loving to all creatures. I remember a black beetle-looking bug got into her kiddie pool and she named it “Mr. Shiny.” That bugger ended up pinching her during it’s rescue from drowning. And don’t forget the cockroach she played with at our rental on North Captiva Island. She never saw a bird, a pooch, a squirrel, etc that she didn’t love. And then we got our own two fuzzle pets and it’s clear she’s the favorite. We knew…
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Kauai Beaches with Keiki (Kids)
There’s just nothing like a beach. Seriously, do people actually grow tired of seeing the ocean? Do people ho-hum over sand under foot and rolling waves crashing and retreating? I choose to believe such a person does not exist. I certainly don’t want to meet the person who is unimpressed with the beach. And what’s more, the beach is one of those magical places that brings joy to kids and adults. Just like Chucky Cheese, right? Ha, joking of course. I steer clear of that germ laden cess pool but I’m sure my kids would like it. Kauai is certainly a special place for many reasons, but I adore…
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Best Swimming with Kids in Iceland
People who haven’t traveled to Iceland probably don’t equate the small northern island nation as a destination for swimming. Well, forgetting your swimsuit on a trip to Iceland would be a BIG mistake. Whether you’re traveling with kids or not & whether you’re going in winter or summer, plan on getting wet. You won’t regret it. And like so much of traveling, swimming in Iceland is more than just the experience. It’s a chance for you (and your kids) to learn about the uniqueness of this country. Much of Iceland’s beauty and attractions are thanks to it’s extensive geothermal activity. Iceland lies on the boundary of the North American and…
