3 Best Places in Europe for Family Travel

November 28, 2019 by Mandy

Family is your main priority and ensuring that they enjoy a pleasant time is essential. Therefore, when you have time with your family, you need to think about the best things you can do with them.

First, is having family travel. If you want to have a wonderful time together, traveling to a new destination, makes your family and you happy. So, the next thing is, which is the best place you can go to with your family?

Europe is where you need to go with your family. There are very many places and sceneries you can visit when you travel to Europe.

So, what are the best places you can visit once you visit Europe?

Here are three of the places you and your family can go to when you visit Europe.

Portugal

When it comes to one of the best tourist destinations in Europe and the globe. Portugal is one of them. So, what makes Portugal the best destination for you and your family?

It is in the Southern region of Europe. It has many tourist attractions that you can enjoy: sunny beaches, classic wine regions, world-class golf courses, and many things.

Apart from that, you can see landmarks like;

Tower of Belem
Park and National Palace of Pena
Jerónimos Monastery
Castelo de S. Jorge
Praca do Comercio
Castelo dos Mouros

These are some of them. If you love playing golf, you can find world-class golf courses like the Morgado Golf Course. These are not the only things you can do while in Portugal.

Do you love wine? You can find it in some of the best wine regions like the island of Madeira and the Azores.

Thus, if you want a place you can visit while in the region, then choose Portugal as your first region.

Hungary

One of the little-known countries when it comes to the best tourist destinations in Hungary. Many people always decide to visit other big countries because of the well-known tourist attractions. Therefore, if you are in Europe and want to enjoy time with your family, go to Hungary.

Some of the things you can see while in Hungary are;

Buda Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Eger Castle
Cathedral of St. Peter
Lake Balaton
Skanzen Open-air Museum
Hortobagy National Park

So, if you want to value your family’s time while in Europe, then make it a requirement to visit Hungary. You will learn a new European culture and see historic sceneries that you will not see anywhere.

Italy

Monte Isola is one of the recognized places in Italy you can tour with your family. Monte Isola received an award by the European Commission for being European Destination of Excellence. It is one of the many places you and your family can tour once you visit Italy.

There are many other places. They include;

Colosseum

Built by the Roman Empire, it is one of the best places you can visit when you go to Italy. The main reason why it was made was to entertain people and host sporting activities. It has tunnels, rooms, cells, and gladiators’ passageways.

Pompei

When Mt. Vesuvius erupted, it left massive destruction in Pompei. However, when it happened, some of Pompei’s treasures, like sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes, were preserved by the lava.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

When you visit Pisa, then the first thing you need to go and see is the Tower of Pisa. Due to topographical challenges when the tower was built, it began to sink due to its weight. Leading to the tower to lean.

Conclusion

If you want your family to enjoy your time in Europe. These are three places you need to ensure they visit. Thank you for reading.

6 Beach Resorts in USA for Family Getaways

November 25, 2019 by Mandy

Sometimes all a family needs is a good old beach weekend getaway. However, as much as I would like to take my family of five on to the next trip to the sands and waters, there are a lot of factors to consider.

Honestly, for first-time parents, a trip to the beach is not easy – not with the ever-increasing costs of flight and accommodation, plus the persisting fear from overcrowded beaches. For a memorable weekend getaway, both you and your kids will love, check out some of these popular family-friendly resorts in the United States.

1. Myrtle Waves Water Park, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Down in South Carolina, this water park along the sun-kissed beaches of Myrtle Beach has drawn a lot of visitors. Take the family on an adventure across the Myrtle Waves’ 8- hectare expanse boasting more than 30 water slides, pipe chutes, and sharp curves for visitors of all shapes and sizes and ages.

One of the main attractions at Myrtle Waves Water Park is the Saturation Station, where kids can enjoy the spacious water-based playground. The centerpiece of the Station is a huge scale volcano, surrounded by kid-friendly slides and scattered water sprays and dancing fountains. If you want to relax, let the Bubble Bay take you drifting away and feel the bubble jets tickle you from all sides.

Adding a bit of a thrill for the brave-hearted, the Turbo Twister is a ten-story ascent towards a steep near-vertical drop more than 350 feet long.

2. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Amelia Island, Florida

Sitting on a barrier island about 45 minutes away from Jacksonville, Florida, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort offers an out of this world experience with its variety of amenities guaranteed to satisfy all kinds of guests.

Visitors can sign up for different activities such as shark tooth hunting and recreational crab fishing. You can also take the whole family and go kayaking through the salt marshes. The 1,350-acre resort is also open for guided tours or exploration trips via bicycles.

Teenagers, on the other hand, might find their place through water sports or the resort’s mini-golf course. The indoor Gamers’ Lounge also allows you to play air hockey and foosball, along with other forms of sports.

3. Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina in Fort Myers, Florida

Only a 40- minute drive away from the Southwest Florida International Airport, the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina is a favorite spot for locals and tourist families who would rather avoid the crowded and busy beaches along Fort Myers. Also, the Pink Shell is quite famous for visitors looking for a quiet afternoon searching for shells along the shore.

The Pink Shell also boasts direct access to the beach for its visitors – complete with beach umbrellas, benches, and even toys for kids and teens to play with. During recent years, a couple of water sports amenities have been opened to the public – go kayaking, wakeboarding, parasailing, or paddle biking around the waters of Fort Myers.

Your kids will definitely have fun at the Octopool activity pool. They can also join group activities hosted by the resort such as live sand art creations and other arts and crafts sessions like Sparky’s Kidds Kamp. Intended for kids from 4 to 12 years of age, get ready for an afternoon filled with games and activities.

4. Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii

Let’s put this down from the get-go, family vacations to Hawaii can get real expensive real quick. While the cost easily becomes the least of your concerns once you get there, the rich picturesque environment surrounding you and the very hospitable locals will definitely make your trip worth it.

For a surreal ten-acre oceanfront place for you and your family to kick back some sand and enjoy some waves, check out Napili Kai Beach Resort in the island of Maui in Hawaii. Aside from the usual beach resort games and amenities, enjoy the native feel from an authentic “Keiki” activity – make leis or play on the shuffleboard.

Moreover, pamper yourself with the on-site spa or enjoy Polynesian cuisine in the only restaurant in the Napili Kai – be it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

5. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, Head Island, South Carolina

If you are looking for a leisurely stroll along the beach or through lush, tropical gardens, then the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is definitely one of those destinations you have to see.

Nestled along the coast of Head Island, this family beach resort is one of the best beach resorts in the USA and is home to more than three hundred guest rooms, plus suites with added amenities like private balconies or mini-fridges. Tag along with your kids at the Just Us Kids club for an assortment of beach- themed games and toys as well as arts and crafts activities. Also, you and your kids can take a bike and ride through the resort, enjoying the scenery and gazing at the wildlife which includes alligators, turtles, and different species of fish.

6. Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd, Minnesota

Looking for a family beach resort not located on the ocean side? Take a look at Madden’s on Gull Lake for a beach resort nestled on the shores of Brainerd Lakes, in Minnesota. Feel the classic Midwest experience offered by Madden’s architecture, furnishings and overall ambiance from as soon as you set foot in the resort.

The resort boasts a large golf course, with more than sixty holes to play. You can also play tennis, volleyball, or even basketball within its multiple courts. Take the family water skiing, canoeing, or paddleboarding from one of its three sand beaches open for its guests. Afterward, cap of the long, fun day with fishing, or go camping over by the bonfire. The Madden’s Lodge is a good accent to the Midwestern feel as you dine together beside the panoramic views of the lake on three sides of the lodge.

For the kids, Madden’s has a seasonal kids’ club named Adventure Cove. Treat them to a whole day of fun and games including beach sports, trail rides, and water park tours.

6 Delicious Jakarta Street Food That Will Make Your Doctor Frown

November 15, 2019 by Mandy

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is considered to be the largest archipelagic country in the world. The metropolitan area of its capital city, Jakarta, is home to more than 31 million people, making it the second largest city in the world next to metro Tokyo in terms of population. As the city draws more people from different regions of Indonesia and from different countries, Jakarta’s food culture also continues to evolve and absorb new influences.

The food in Jakarta—especially the street food—are some of the most decadent and flavourful in the world. That’s why while visiting the city’s attractions on your Jakarta tour package, you should make sure not to miss out on the unique gastronomic adventure that only Jakarta’s must-try street eats can offer.

Satay (Sate)

Start off your food crawl with one of the most iconic dishes in Indonesia (and probably the healthiest in this list). Satay, a grilled meat skewer dish, originates from the island of Java and comes with endless varieties such as goat, pork, beef, chicken, and more. While similar to other meat skewers like yakitori in Japan and shish kebab in Turkey, satay is dipped in a unique peanut butter and soy sauce mix whose flavour can vary depending on the vendor’s recipe. In addition, the portion of meat is deliberately kept small so you can taste more variety of satays without getting prematurely full.

Stuffed Pancake (Martabak)

Martabak is a fried “pancake” that comes in two main varieties: savoury or martabak malabar, and sweet or martabak manis. The savoury variant comes with a stretched wheat dough that’s fried, then layered with an egg mixture that includes minced meat and shallots. The excess dough is folded to make a rectangular “pancake,” then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, the dessert variant of martabak uses pancake batter and is layered with a variety of death-defying ingredients like margarine, butter, condensed milk, chocolate, sprinkles, cheese, and Nutella. Needless to say, if you are diabetic, you’d better stay away from this dessert, as tempting as it is!

Fried Foods (Gorengan)

Gorengan is at the top of the most popular street food for locals. These carts often appear at the most opportune times to save hungry commuters from Jakarta’s legendary traffic.

Gorengan literally translates to “fried things,” and these “things” vary widely depending on who’s selling them. From sweet pineapples to savoury tofu, there’s no way to tell what could be under all that flour batter unless you ask! What’s more, people don’t even mind that the oil is so black from being reused countless times. As long as the mystery fritter is piping hot and crispy, it’s all good.

Duck Egg Omelet (Kerak Telor)

Kerak telor is one of the traditional Betawi dishes of Jakarta with a unique cooking method. The omelet starts with glutinous rice, coconut, and egg mixed together, then carefully spread on the surface of the wok. Next, the wok is turned upside down over the fire to roast the omelet. It’s unclear how the mixture defies gravity, but after a topping of fried shallots and dried shrimp, you get a crunchy roasted rice omelet that’s unlike anything else you ever tasted.

Grilled Bread (Roti Bakar)

For breakfast, the locals usually go for a “ropita” or “roti bakar.” These are thick toasts that come with a variety of toppings like strawberry, chocolate, and cheese. As if there are not enough sweets on this breakfast, condensed milk is drizzled generously on top to finish it off.

If you’re really testing the limits of your pancreas, you can up the sugar level even further with the additional scoops of ice cream!

Fried Banana (Pisang Goreng)

One of the favourite quick snacks in Jakarta is the pisang goreng or fried banana fritters. Before coating the banana with the usual flour batter, it’s sliced thinly and spread out like a fan. This ensures a wider and flatter surface for a crispier banana fritter. Another thing that separates this fried banana from similar dishes in Singapore and the Philippines is the sambal dip that comes with it. It adds a spicy kick to the rich and oily snack.

Jakarta has such a wide variety of rich street food that tasting them all might put you in a serious food coma. If you ever find yourself in this megacity hungry and craving for sweets, be sure to have your insulin shots ready because the city is going to indulge you, big time!

Why You Should Add Tampa, Florida to Your Travel List

November 10, 2019 by Mandy

Tampa has, in the past, flown a little under the radar when it comes to Florida holiday locations. For years it had a reputation as being a bit gritty and edgy, and therefore tended to lose out to more popular spots like Miami and Orlando. But the last few years have seen a huge burst of energy, vibrancy and excitement in the city, with new restaurants, bars, and cafes popping up everywhere, and the city getting a new lease of life.

When added to the amazing attractions that were already here, just waiting to be discovered, this new renaissance makes Tampa somewhere that is well worth considering when planning a trip to Florida. Whether you want to make it part of a Florida road trip, or you are arriving in the city before departing on a cruise from Tampa, there’s a whole bunch of reasons to visit this exciting, beautiful and still slightly undiscovered treasure.

Amazing wildlife

Florida is bursting with exotic wildlife, and Tampa is one of the best places to get up close and personal with the amazing creatures who inhabit the state, as well as beasts from even further afield. Busch Gardens is well-known for its rollercoasters, but it started life as an animal park, and still houses one of the largest zoos in North America. The Big Cat Centre and Lowry Park Zoo are also fantastic, combining cutting edge conservation with the opportunity to come face-to-face with lions, tigers and big cats of all stripes. Finally, the Manatee Viewing Centre is a truly extraordinary spot which takes advantage of warm waters beneath the Tampa Electric Company’s plant to allow visitors a glimpse of manatees in their natural environment.

Superb museums

Tampa is one of the most cultural spots in Florida, and is home to some of the best and most innovative museums in the state. For history lovers, the SS American Victory is a floating museum housed in a World War II warship, and a time machine back into the past. The Tampa Bay History Centre is a fascinating and uniquely interactive exploration of the city’s history and culture, while the collections in the Tampa Museum of Art will delight lovers of contemporary art. Finally, the Ybor City State Museum takes you deep into the rich traditions of the city’s Latin community.

Year-round beaches

Tampa’s location on Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico make it the perfect location for beach lovers and sun worshippers, and guarantees beach days pretty much year-round. Clearwater Beach is the most popular spot, a gorgeous golden stretch of sand full of sophisticated clubs, bars and restaurants. However, locals often seek out less crowded options like Indian Rocks and Honeymoon Island, which are just as beautiful.

A little slice of Cuba

The Cuban expat community in Tampa is a big part of the city, based in the beautiful and historic Ybor City district. For many years Cuban cigars were manufactured here, and the delicious Cuban sandwich was invented in the city! There’s even Jose Marti Park, a tiny little greenspace in the centre of Ybor City, which is officially Cuban territory, gifted to the country in 1956.

So when planning your trip and packing your bags, resist the bright lights of Miami or the thrills of Orlando, and find a more interesting and slightly undiscovered experience in the charming city of Tampa!

Where to go on a road trip in Australia and New Zealand

November 8, 2019 by Mandy

Going to Australia and New Zealand will be on most people’s bucket list. The landscapes and cultures appeal to a lot of tourists, and some may only make it here once in their lives. Others may feel like their home and stay a lot longer.

However, there’s nothing like a road trip to learn about a place and the people you’re traveling with. So why not explore Australia and New Zealand on four wheels? These are just some suggestions you may want to think about if this sounds like the journey of a lifetime to you.

Pacific coast

If you’re looking for a typical flavor of Australia, then going along the coastal roads of New South Wales and Queensland will give you all you expect and more. Starting in Sydney, you’ll wind your way north towards Brisbane, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and explore just a little bit of the eastern side of this vast country.

Make a pit stop at places such as Port Stephens, Newcastle, and Byron Bay and discover the surfing beaches, seaside towns and national parks along the 900km route. You could even go west at Newcastle and check out the Hunter Valley region: perfect if you like cheese, olive, or chocolate as you find these local producers.

Vehicle hire experts such as Advantage Rental Car will be able to offer you a rental car for your trip. See if you can pick it up direct from the airport at the start of your trip – that way, you can get out onto the open road and start your exciting drive as soon as possible.

Perth to Exmouth

For those on the west of the country, there’s this route that begins at Western Australia’s main city and goes up towards Exmouth, just as the coastline turns northeast. The 1,200km journey shows off this part of the world’s coral coast, and other beautiful views.

As well as the turquoise Indian Ocean, there’s the Pinnacles Desert, Shark Bay, and the gorges of Kalbarri National Park to look at in awe. If you go between June and September, then you get the added bonus of seeing the colorful wildflowers across the landscape.

Auckland to Cape Reinga

Many tourists will use Auckland on the north island as their base when going to New Zealand – and if you don’t have many days in this picturesque country, you’ll still get to explore some of it’s best places from here. Head north out of the city, and you’ll not only see magnificent landscapes but have fantastic experiences.

Make your way to Paihia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands, which is made up of 144 islands with green countryside and blue waters. You can swim with dolphins here or, if getting into the sea isn’t your thing, you can take a ferry to the historic town of Russell. Then head up to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga – the top of New Zealand – and onto the Kauri forests and waterfalls that are inland.