GET BUSY LIVING
Worldwide Travel with Kids
There is something about lingering in a country that makes you fall in love with it. After spending five weeks on a family holiday in Portugal, when the kids were 7 and 9 years old, it holds a special place in our hearts. We visited Porto, Lisbon, Lagos, Azores, and a few small towns in between. Our favorite parts, getting lost in the small windy alleys of Porto, the awesome (and inexpensive) Portuguese wines, the castles in Lisbon, the beaches in Lagos, and the absolutely breathtaking and adventurous island of Sao Miguel in the Azores.
Italy
Food easily makes Italy one of the most child friendly places to visit. Amazing pizza and pasta, huge win for the kids! Italy is one of our favorite places to visit, both with and without kids. We spent two weeks in Italy when kids were 4 and 6 years old. We visited in-between Christmas and New Years and the decorations truly made for a magical experience. Highlights were settling into our little neighborhood in Rome and trying to feel like locals. Gladiator Training next to the Colosseum. Pasta making class in Tuscany. Playing tag in the streets of Siena. Visiting the market in Florence was super special, and the kids loved riding the carousel on repeat. Montepulciano and Orvieto were also super special days.
Spain
Spain holds a special place in our hearts. One of Roberto's (dad) first European loves, and where Roberto (son) says he wants to live one day. We visited Barcelona during our first international family vacation, the kids were 2 and 4 years old. Roberto and I also spent a week in Madrid during our college years. Highlights of Barcelona were watching Roberto (a notoriously picky eater) fall in love with Jamon Iberico, late dinners, playing tag in Park Guell, visiting Camp Nou, and dipping our toes in the Mediterranean Sea.
England
We visited London on our first international family vacation, when the kids were 2 and 4 years old. We stayed at a hotel at the entrance of Kensington Gardens, which turned out to be a highlight itself. The kids played at Princess Diana Memorial Playground at least daily. Wandering through the gardens and walking through the park with locals was super special. Of course, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, riding the tube, and watching the kids scarf down the most delicious Tikka Masala made for an awesome first international experience with the kids.
France
We visited the South of France on our first international family vacation, when the kids were 2 and 4 years old. We absolutely fell in love with Nice. I could imagine spending a few months there. We also took a day trip to Antibes. The food in Nice has an Italian influence, since it is very close to the coast of Italy. The food was super easy for the kids, with the most amazing pizza and pasta every day. The kids quickly found their favorite spots. Eating croissants while sitting on the boulders at the beach in the mornings was magical. Climbing Castel Hill daily, lending to an amazing view and equally awesome playground at the top. Roberto and Katie have also visited Paris and dream of taking the kids here sometime soon.
Puerto Rico
The Enchanted Island. Roberto's family hails from PR. In fact, Roberto was born in Mayaguez, PR. When we visit, it's all about family, local food, local beaches. But we also love visiting El Yunque (rainforest), La Parguera (mangroves and bioluminescent bay), Old San Juan, and El Moro (fortress in San Juan).
Monaco
What initially felt like an obligatory day trip turned into one of our favorite day trip memories. We visited Monaco when the kids were 2 and 4. There was plenty to see in a day and turned out to be a fun and kid friendly visit. The kids climbed on cannons as we waited to watch the changing of the guards, we wandered through the Palace gardens, took a taxi on the what would become the F1 race track, placed a winning bet at the Monte Carlo Casino (wahoo!), and ended the day viewing the prince's personal antique car collection. Just a short train ride from Nice, we were so glad we went!
New York
New York, New York! We first visited NYC with the kids when they were just 1 and 3 years old and have been back many times since then. It's never too soon to experience NYC with the kids, people live there with kids! An unplanned peddle cab tour through Central Park turned out to be a highlight on our most recent trip. The kids also loved walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, going to a Broadway show, and taking a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. However, just walking around NYC can lead to some pretty magical moments. Plus, there are endless playgrounds, no matter which neighborhood you are in.
Dominican Republic
We had an amazing experience staying in a residence at the Punta Cana Resort. Located on the golf course with a private pool, a full staff to allow for a truly luxe experience, and just a short walk or golf cart ride to the beach. Outside of the resort itself, a highlight of the trip was certainly our day on a chartered boat, filled with snorkeling, amazing beaches, music, and the most delicious lunch.
Florida
So many regions of Florida, so many different vibes. Miami's true Latin vibes make me feel like I am in a different country, and I LOVE it. We love Tampa's Riverwalk and downtown districts. Orlando of course, is a fav for Disney. And 30A used to be the best kept secret of US beaches. The beaches are amazing, but the word is out, and it gets pretty crowded during peak season. We have visited Florida pretty regularly since the kids were 2 and 4, and just like most places, you can make it as family friendly as you need to.
Arizona
We visited Arizona for the first time in 2021 and I fell in love with it! We spent the week in Scottsdale, hiked Camelback Mountain, rode horses through a cactus forest, visited the Botanical Gardens
Tennessee
Nashville is our home and we have so many of our favorite local spots to share. Music City is a fun adult trip but is also very family friendly. You can't visit without hitting up a concert. There is so much great food to eat, always fun events to hit up, and tons of playgrounds around town for the kids.
California
Hanging with the surfers in SoCal is never a bad idea. Huntington Beach was good to us last year. We took surf lessons, bought a volleyball and played on the sand courts all week, bult sandcastles, boogie boarded, and found the most special (and secret) beach! Katie and Roberto have been all of Cali, from the Redwoods and San Francisco, down to San Diego. Hoping to show more of Cali to the kids soon.