Hi! My name is Kalee and I am a mom of three. Peighton our oldest is five, Freya is now three and then Wyatt is a year and a half. I am definitely busy and also slightly tired. Growing up I was a girl guide. A girl guides motto is “ Always be prepared!” Well when I had Peighton I would literally pack everything and the kitchen sink into the car every time we would leave the house ( upholding that motto haha ) Can anyone relate? Then when I had Freya that number of items tended to dwindle and maybe I forgot one or two crucial items here or there. I was always thankful for any of my friends who would spot me a diaper or some wipes for messy fingers here or there. Now enter being a mom of three babies in under five years. I can not even tell you the amount of times I’ve forgotten a change of clothes, diaper, snacks or wipes. So when I saw Shevawn from Honeysuckle Swim Company post her inspiration for car baskets on instagram I instantly knew it was the solution I had been looking for. Living in Alberta our winters get cold, also in emergencies its good to have these items on hand so I wanted to share with all of you so you can make your own car baskets. It can be for winter/ summer road emergencies or just for those parent emergencies of sticky fingers or accidents.
I got my baskets at winners. They were $19.99 for a pack of two (I got the largest size of these style I could find ). Another great place for baskets would be the dollar store or home sense but I went to several with no luck. Once you have your baskets here are the items I put in mine : wipes ( a must for any parent basically until your kids are 18 I’m finding out haha. Always things to clean up), munchie mugs for snacks, diapers ( for my littlest guy and for Freya- she is potty trained but if she has to go we always carry a portable potty with us and we line the bottom with a diaper for easy clean up), a few small garbage bags for if there is a diaper we need to contain, snacks like Lara bars and apple sauce pouches (but what ever snacks your kiddos like that have a shelf life would be good), extra socks, extra underwear, extra set of clothes (we will always have an extra zomper in Wyatt’s basket and our favourite ROWE hoodies which have lasted through all 3 babies in the girls baskets), extra shoes (we have hey folks which are a MUST in our house. They are easy for the kids to put on and a local Canadian company), some quick grab travel boredom items like sticker books or fidget toys, all our ROWE toques and some gloves ( as we come up to winter ), tissues for any runny noses, extra fall coat for each child, extra soother for Wyatt.
Other great seasonal items would be hats, sunscreen, bug spray, bandaids ( although we carry a car first aid kid and I highly recommend that), sunsuit from honeysuckleswimco, for those days you go to parks with splash pads near by and then your kids have to ride home with no clothes after getting wet, speaking only from experience! And extra sandals.
I hope this helps you gather some items and feel prepared and organized. Once I finished ours I was so thrilled and it just gave me so much peace of mind knowing we had all the essentials. I tossed ours into the back hatch of the van but also placing them on the floor in front of car seats would be great too. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask @kalee.ryan. I also would like to thank Barb from ROWE for asking me to write this post for you all. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day !
-Kalee @kalee.ryan
]]>In 2011 my (now) husband and I set out on our first backpacking trip. We had no cares in the world, a backpack full of clothes and a decent chunk of change we had managed to squirrel away in the year following University where we bridged student life and the real-world by living with my (now) in-laws. In 63 days we managed to set foot in 14 countries, ate, drank and blew a combined 10 grand while only planning 1-2 days ahead of ourselves and totally winging it - those were the days. Fast forward a couple of years and though we had jobs and a house we had again set aside some funds to take another shorter and slightly less frivolous trek, this time to south east Asia. Honeymooning in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand might not be everyone's cup of tea but by 2015 we were both hungry to relive the freedom and excitement backpacking had afforded us. Again we totally wung it, even arriving in Hong Kong without the proper Vietnam Visa in place and having to sort that all out in the span of a 2 hour layover. Needless to say by the time we welcomed our daughter in 2018 we knew travel was going to be a priority for our family, we were going to take advantage of ‘babies fly free’ but we were going to have to do a little more planning and a little less ‘winging it’ with a baby on board. Kind of.
May 2019 with a 10 month old in tow we booked a flight to Greece, we would leave 5 days later. Our trip would last 3 weeks and we would split our time evenly between mainland Greece and the Islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete.
By 10.5 months most babies have some semblance of a schedule, and even if they don’t most moms know that the key to good night sleep is good day sleep. Having learned these lessons about our daughter we opted for the latest flight we could get on our way to Greece hoping that with the use of the airline bassinet that sleep might occur (it did). Having survived 4 previous but much shorter flights (to Florida and Cuba) we had employed some tricks like bringings lots of toys and snacks and nursing during drastic changes in elevation.
The first big change from our previous travels was deciding on a car rental vs local transportation. This meant we could cover land while Charlie napped which was a huge bonus. We used the same rental car company for each of the 3 rentals and selected a well known international brand knowing they would be the most likely to have contracts with reputable car seat manufacturers. We were able to get a convertible car seat with a 5 point harness, most certified installers will tell you not to rent car seats but having also watched helmetless families of 5 navigate the streets of Vietnam on a Vespa we knew that somewhere out there was a happy medium and for us this was it. If it was a travel day we drove while Charlie napped, stopping whenever / wherever she woke up for lunch and an adventure (she was on 2 naps at this point). Once we got to the islands we relied on walking and our handy umbrella stroller (we chose the Summer Infant ONE for its giant sunshade and the ability to lay flat) at 11.5lbs the stroller was light and totally manageable to navigate the narrow alleyways and tons of steps. Babywearing was also a life saver on this trip. For shorter outings, in the rare occurrence we needed a taxi, and on the flights Charlie spent a solid amount of time in a carrier. We opted for my beloved True North ring sling (a Canadian company worth checking out) and our more rugged Ergo Baby 360 for longer adventures.
The trendy and sometimes terrifying hostels of our previous travels we’re not going to work for this trip so we opted for a mix of Airbnb’s and hotels. The bonus to Airbnb was that we could have the baby sleep in a separate room so we could still hang out in the main living space after she had gone to bed. When it came to hotels our best decision was to focus on ones with balconies or ground floor walkouts. Our best find was the Ippokampos Hotel on Naxos Island which had a beautiful terrace just metres from the beach where we could enjoy a cocktail or a swim while Charlie slept within the range of the baby monitor. Being able to sit up and enjoy the evening on the terrace gave us some time to hang out sans baby and enjoy ourselves.
Greece is so family friendly and the people loved to gush over Charlie and interact with her. Many of the town squares on the mainland had play spaces surrounded by cafes where parents could hang out while their children played. No matter where we went in Greece there were no shortage of busy playgrounds completely baby and toddler friendly. The beaches on Naxos and Crete were perfect for little ones with soft sand and calm waters. The beaches on Santorini were rocky in a way that screamed choking hazard and the waters weren’t calm during our stay, overall Santorini was the least family friendly stop on the trip.
Greek food was perfect for our emerging foodie who had been enjoying the ‘infant led solids’ approach to eating which is basically baby led weaning with the realization that its sometimes more feasible to puree and/or spoon feed your baby at times (like on an airplane or when you’re not equipped with a pressure washer and laundry facilities). Gyros, a huge variety of fresh fruit and veggies and traditional dishes like Moussaka (basically an eggplant lasagna meets the potato topping of a shepherds pie) meant there were no shortage of healthy, DELICIOUS and baby friendly meals and snacks for all of us.
Backpacking is an incredible way to see the world and the lesson of ‘ less is more’ that backpacking forces you to accept stretches way beyond stuffing life's basic necessities into a bag. It’s a mode of travel that we love and I can only hope a sense of adventure and a curiosity for the unfamiliar is something we can pass on to our daughter.
Hey! I’m Savannah, momma to our growing family of 6 and the face behind “That Caffeinated Mom”. When Jay and I decided we wanted to have a bunch of kids, we discussed how we were going to make that work and how we wanted our life to look. We knew that realistically lots of far travel and vacations were likely not going to be an option for us with a large family. So we started traveling within our home and neighboring cities, and it was the best thing we ever did.
We live in White Rock British Columbia, so we have tons of cities surrounding us to explore. But our favourite has to be Vancouver. Vancouver has a really great transit system that makes it really accessible, and for our kids riding the Sky train is half the fun of the adventure. There are so many different activities and areas to be explored depending on what part of Vancouver you end up in that it makes it hard for me to choose a favourite. But when push comes to shove I have got to say our favourite stay-cation is going to the Aquarium, Stanley Park, and Granville Island.
The Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, and Granville Island are all transit accessible if you combine the Sky train with bus routes and all in neighboring areas of each other. My favourite part about these three locations is that they each can be a full day adventure or a short and quick visit.
The Vancouver Aquarium is family fun for everyone. There are tons of different exhibits with lots of information along the way to keep the whole family interested and entertained. If you’re lucky, you can catch one of the shows outside with the dolphins, penguins, otters or seals (personal fave is the penguins. How can you not love penguins?!). One of the many reasons we love the aquarium is because they have an animal rescue program where they will rescue and rehab any marine wildlife. (Please note; The Vancouver Aquarium is a rehabilitation centre that does not train their animals for show.)
Next stop, Stanley Park. The aquarium is actually located in Stanley Park making it really convenient to visit both stops in one day. Stanley Park is an incredible place for all ages. Some awesome places to hike, or ride your bike but also lots of activities available like horse drawn carriage rides or the tourist trolley ride. In the summer they have an awesome public pool to swim in and in the holiday season they have lots of holiday activities like the mini train that goes through the park looking at a mini light show! Not to mention the most stunning sights and views from the park itself. And how could we miss the seawall! Walking the seawall around the park is something that the entire family will enjoy.
Finally, Granville Island. As a family, I have to say this is likely our all time favourite place to visit. In essence, Granville Island is a giant market with tons and tons of tiny shops each with their own vibe and unique story. They have a classic broom shop, they have art studios, they have a handmade hammock store, they have psychics, the variety shocks me everytime I visit. They have the market which is our all time favourite place to eat! We walk through all the vendors and try to pick something new every time. We then take our food and eat by the pier out back of the market. And the most exciting stop of all, they have the Kid’s Market. A brightly painted building filled with kids activities. From specialty toy stores to an arcade and a giant play area (oh and did I forget bumper cars??). Our kids could spend HOURS in there, just walking through. One of the best parts about Granville Island for us is that you can go there for free and spend as little or as much as you like! It is so much fun just walking around through the amazing shops and listening to the live music you don’t need to spend money if you don’t want to.
Vancouver is an incredible place to explore and visit. With adventures and surprises at every turn you won’t run out of things to do or places to explore. But I want you to remember you can do this in your own home and neighbouring cities. If you don't have the luxury of travelling often whatever your situation is, don’t forget to explore your own backyard and remember that sometimes stay-cations can be as great as a full vacation!
Hello! I’m Lisa (Instagram: @lisa__anne_) and new mom to the sweetest little boy named Warrick. My husband and I live in Calgary, but I grew up in Souris, a small, southwestern Manitoba town.
After Warrick arrived we knew we would be making less of the yearly NFL and College Football trips that we are used to and more trips back to Manitoba. Souris, like any small town, has its unique charm and loads of family-friendly activities for all ages! Heading straight east on the Trans Canada from Calgary, it is 15 minutes south of Highway #1 but also 30 minutes southwest of Brandon (Westjet has a daily, direct flight from Calgary to Brandon!) In my biased opinion, if you happen to be making a trip to Manitoba, a stop in Souris is a must!
Whether Souris is just a quick stop on your way to another destination or a longer stay is in order, there are many options of accommodations. If you love to camp, the Victoria Park campground is a popular summer destination for campers from all around. With full service, tenting and group camping spots, there are options for every type of camper as there is also full camping amenities available! Since camping is not for everyone, or if you are travelling in the winter, there is also the newly built Souris Hotel! The hotel has a great setup for families, with a private bathroom separating the two queen beds in each room! The hotel also has pet-friendly and accessible rooms, along with a delicious continental breakfast each morning. If you are travelling with a bit larger group, the Guest Room is a fantastic option if you are looking for more of a condo-type accommodation. With a full kitchen and two suites sleeping up to 6 people each, the Guest Room is located in the heart of downtown Souris, within walking distance to many family-friendly activities.
Visiting a small town, you might think “There will be nothing for us to do, we will have to drive to a larger centre to keep the kids entertained”, but in Souris, that is not the case. There are many low cost and free activities to keep your little ones busy! A summer must would be visiting the Souris Outdoor Pool, located in Victoria Park, in the campground. This isn’t your ordinary small-town pool, with waterslides, a lazy river, zero entrance and two small, child-size slides - this pool will keep your family entertained and cool for hours on those hot summer days! The pool is also great for picnics as there is a large, shaded, green space.
If you are more of an active family, there are hiking trails throughout Victoria Park, which will take you past the Old Oak which (said to be over 500 years old) and the Lookout Tower (which gives you a 360 view of the town), a 9-Hole golf course that is suitable for all abilities, and an Agate Pit (for those who have children that love to collect rocks!).
If you have older children that are interested in history, there are many museums in town to visit. The Hillcrest, The Plum, and Railway Museum are great stops to learn a bit more of the town’s history! Last, but not least, the #1 must stop in Souris is the Souris Swinging Bridge, the Largest Pedestrian Swinging Bridge in Canada! The bridge has newly been rebuilt due to flooding in 2011 and was designed to be fully accessible so everyone can enjoy this star attraction! While taking in the sights, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the Souris Peacocks roaming the town!
With all the activities, you work up an appetite. We highly recommend a stop at Minary Homestyle Bakery! Baked fresh every morning, their donuts and cinnamon knots are something you will want to write home about. As that appetite grows throughout the day, the Woodfire Deli serves up delicious woodfire pizza (we recommend the Canuck Pizza - their drunken mushrooms are amazing!) as well as soup and sandwiches (the Glenwood wrap is where is it at!). The Woodfire Deli also has a full coffee bar to give you that extra pick me up during the day. Another tasty spot is the Whistling Donkey. With a full menu from salads, sandwiches, pizza, appetizer and a separate kid’s menu, there is something for the whole family! To end your day, a stop is needed at the Dairy Bar for everyone’s favourite… ICE CREAM! Now these are just a few of the food options in Souris, and there are also two groceries stores that are fully stocked with anything you may need during your stay!
For a town of 2000 people, there is never-ending family fun in this unique little town and if you are looking for a different family vacation or road trip, Souris should be a must-stop on your list of places to see in our beautiful country!
Hi Rowe fans my name is Susie and I am a Mama to Katie aka Miss Little K (MLK). MLK is our first and she is a spunky, blue-eyed beauty who has kept us on our toes from day one. Surprisingly MLK loves to travel!! I was so worried the first time we boarded a flight to Victoria, as MLK has a reputation of crying so hard that her face turns red and the whole block can hear her. I worried this would be a public scene, where I wouldn’t be able to calm her down. To my pleasant surprise, the little gal loved the flight. She nursed a bit and fell asleep for the remainder of the time (WIN!). So to all of you Mamas who have a spunky babe and are worried about travelling just try it and if on the off chance your kid screams don’t sweat it. You likely have another Mama or Papa on board who has been there and is sending you love!
MLK and I will be doing a three-piece series. Today’s is a post on my hometown Oakville ON, next we are off to Oahu, Hawaii and then Christmas in Sooke, BC. We are upping our travel game now that my maternity leave is coming to an end.
I grew up in Oakville, and my entire extended family still lives there including my Nana, MLK’s great grandma, who is 94 this year. MLK is her 30th direct descendent (wild right?!). This is a quick week-long trip to introduce MLK to the fam and to see the fall colours. I consider myself an Alberta girl but there are two seasons in Ontario that still call me home; hot summers on the lake and fall-- the colours cannot be beat! Not interested in heading to Oakville, but the beautiful orange and red sceneries appeal? Generally, anywhere along the east coast will host the fall colours so if you see an Expedia deal for out East in October, I would click away!
A few logistics about Oakville or other GTA destinations:
We flew into Pearson, but if it works for you flying into Hamilton is so much easier.
Unless you are committed to staying downtown Toronto the whole time you will need a car
Air BnB for the win! The accommodation is thin on the strip in downtown Oakville and some of the bigger attractions require a drive (car=necessary). Also we find travelling with a kiddo that a kitchen is a must.
So what did we get up to in Oakville? Lake walks, lake walks and I will say it again lake walks. Oakville is nestled right on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The first few days we were there the weather was horrible. We tried taking MLK for walks and at one point the visor on the stroller was going sideways from the winds. Needless to say that when the weather finally started cooperating with us we were outside and strolling. Man was it worth it, between the beautiful colours of the leaves and the soothing sounds of the waves lapping the shoreline MLK loved being outside. We spent so much time walking the shoreline and hanging out on the beach.
MLK loved sitting on the shoreline watching the waves roll in. There was so much exploring to be had on the beach, rocks seemed to be extra interesting and we are in a phase where any animal is a super-hero to her. We can literally sit and watch pigeons and she is happy lol!! I was a bit bummed that the main playground we normally go to is under construction. It is right in the harbour front in Bronte. If you are headed downtown Oakville, the Public Library is a great place for kids. It is in the heart of DT, and near the harbour so there is a lot to look at; boats, birds, water people watching in general… Another bonus is that there is Centennial Public Pool right there so it is a great way to kill an afternoon.
I could not do this post justice without mentioning my favourite childhood place to visit-- Gariloch Gardens. We didn’t make it there this time around as the day we planned to go it was gale force winds- a travel mom rookie mistake plan for weather days. This is a beautiful park right on the Lake with beautiful weeping willow trees. We used to go as kids all of the time so I was super excited to take MLK there. If you get a chance and the weather cooperates, it’s a lovely place to spend the day.
We stayed in Bronte this time ‘round and discovered two little cafes that were so cute. The first, Chestnuts a family affair- they were so adorable I could stay and chat with them forever. The coffee there was great, I recommend the mocha as they use Ghirardelli chocolate to get that genuine chocolate flavour. BUT the absolute ‘must-try’ item was their carrot cake—next level spicing and SURPRISE tasty pineapple bits sprinkled throughout! The second place was Taste of Colombia. Don’t be fooled by the mellow store frontage the coffee was unreal and their plane croissants were so buttery and delicious. It was here that we discovered MLK loves croissants; next time I will order one for her.
A new find while we were in town was a kid’s store, Simply Green Baby right in Bronte and conveniently located beside Taste of Columbia (coffee and shopping for the win). They had some amazing finds and were promoting eco-friendly clothing lines and toys, another bonus is they ship in Canada (TROUBLE!). Luckily I didn’t have any room in my suitcase so I settled on a book and some cute finger puppets to keep MLK entertained on the way home.
A few honorable mentions for restaurants and places to see around Bronte. If you are around in the summer the Bronte Boathouse has beautiful harbour views, they also have Duckies Dairy Bar (an ice cream shop). Salad Thai, was a new discovery and I would go again! There are plenty of grocery stores nearby so if you are doing the Air BnB route you will be well stocked….
The fall colours were beautiful and seeing family was amazing. I can’t wait to be back in the summer for cottage season. Headed to Toronto and looking for ideas with the kids? Lake walks (yup they are that much fun), the Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Aquarium. Don’t forget if you go to a Zoo or Aquarium to see if they have a feeding schedule that way you can plan your route so your kiddo can see the animals. If you have older kids and are around in the summer Canada’s Wonderland is always a hit.
Till Oahu!
Susie and MLK.
When my husband Eric and I met eight years ago, we immediately bonded over a mutual desire to travel the world. This aspiration grew even stronger when we had our first child, Lucy, as we wanted to share our love of exploring with her. Lucy took her first trip to Newfoundland when she was only three months old. Since then we have visited there two more times, including this past October (We have also taken Lucy to Australia, St. Lucia and Mexico, twice.) This trip to Newfoundland was extra special, as it was our first vacation as a family of four. Travelling with two children brought about a new travel experience but thankfully I have learned a few travel tricks along the way that made the process so much easier.
Here are a couple of travel tips to help make your family travels a breeze.
Always take your stroller to the gate. You may think that packing up your stroller just before you get on the plane is a bit of a pain but seriously, having your stroller as soon as you get off the plane and while going through the airport is the best! Not even just for carting your littles around but for all the stuff that comes along with them (and us).
Bring a pillow on the plane. I’m not talking about the typical neck pillow; I mean an actual bed pillow. This has been a lifesaver for me when travelling with a baby. Your lap instantly turns into a bed for baby, giving you a little freedom and your arms a much-needed break.
Bring your toddler’s car seat on the plane (two years and up). Your toddler is already used to their car seat and therefore it gives them a sense of familiarity in the situation. On top of that, your child is more likely to happily sit in their seat longer because they are already used to doing so in the car. Here’s an extra tip to go along with this: Send your partner on the plane with the car seat during the pre-boarding and keep the kids with you until the end. This way when you get on the plane with your children, they don’t have to wait as long and you can get them settled into their seat right away.
Bring a new book. Having a new novelty book that your child has never seen before ensures you at least a little distraction time. For babies under 18 months, I always buy a lift-a-flap book and for toddlers 18 months and up, I buy a sticker playbook.
Pack a mini diaper bag. I figured this one out after our first trip to Newfoundland. Plane bathrooms are small and there just isn’t enough room for your full-size diaper bag. So now I prepare a mini version in a ziplock bag. Keep it minimal but efficient. I usually pack two diapers, a small pack of wipes, a changing mat and a thin sleeper. When you get on the plane, place it in the seat pocket in front of you for easy access.
Over the years we have stayed in some awesome Air BnBs during our trips to Newfoundland. From the Iconic Jelly Bean Row Houses to modern condos, St. John’s has it all. This trip we decided to go the hotel route mainly for the pool fun. We stayed in the newly built Best Western Hotel that is right next to the airport and included a great pool, waterslide, hot tub and complimentary breakfast.
I am originally from Newfoundland and one of the things I took for granted most while I lived there was the astonishing landscape. From the ocean, cliffs, rugged forests and rocky terrain, the countryside is one big outdoor playground. Cape Spear is the perfect place to take in the beauty of Newfoundland, giving you a breathtaking view of where the ocean meets the cliffs and it is a quick 20-minute drive from downtown. My 2-year-old spent over an hour happily maneuvering the countryside, while the rest of us took in the intense ocean waves and the lighthouse.
When the weather isn’t ideal, there are lots of indoor play destinations for your family to explore while staying in St. John’s. Our favourite indoor space is The Rooms, a modern art gallery and museum with lots of child-friendly exhibits and a nature pod activity center. My daughter was delighted with the selection of life-like animal toys in the nature pod and quickly settled into colouring a picture of the same animal she had chosen to play with.
When you think of Newfoundland, you probably don’t think of it as a foodie destination but that needs to change. Newfoundland has endless amazing places to eat and the food rarely disappoints. After two overnight flights, we were craving a good home-cooked meal and headed straight to The Bagel Café, one of my favourite family-friendly eating joints in Downtown, St. John’s. They serve home-style traditional Newfoundland food that makes me feel like my Nan cooked it up. The Bagel Café is a small, eccentrically decorated eatery that resembles a museum with knick knacks everywhere. They were super accommodating when we walked in with our double stroller carrying a sleeping toddler and were great at ensuring our dietary restrictions were met. It is a must-go when you are in St. John’s.
No trip to St. John’s is complete without a trip to the iconic Signal Hill. My daughter and I took a quick trip to the top to take in the ocean one more time before we left. Overlooking St. John’s Harbour, It was the perfect way to end our trip. I could write about the reasons to visit Newfoundland forever. I have just highlighted the tip of the iceberg of this amazing destination, focusing on the capital city of St. John’s. Newfoundland is full of marvellous tourist attractions and if you are planning a visit I would highly suggest exploring Belle Island, driving The Heritage Run and taking the ferry to St. Pierre and Miquelon. Yes, it is a part of France! Stopping by the town of Dildo and enjoying their brewery and discovering the remarkable Gros Morne National Park. We are heading back to Newfoundland in early Spring to take in more of it’s natural beauty, with particular hopes of seeing whales, icebergs and catching Lobster Season!
I am a proud born and raised Calgarian, but being the child of a Maritimer, I decided to attend Dalhousie University in Halifax to be closer to my east coast family for a few years. While the west eventually called me home, I return to Nova Scotia every few years to visit my east coast family and friends. This summer, my 13-month old son, Luca, and I made our first trip to Nova Scotia since he was born and we had a blast! This post focuses mostly on the area around Halifax and Dartmouth as we stuck with short day trips this time around but there is plenty more to see around the province and beyond.
The best way to experience Nova Scotia like a local is to stay in a house. Having a kitchen is absolutely key and affords you the ability to pick up fresh local seafood and prepare an east coast feast, and stock up on groceries to make packed lunches for beach days. A house rental will also provide things like beach towels, which would be a waste of precious suitcase space. There are a ton of options on VRBO and AirBNB and they are surprisingly affordable. A rental vehicle is also a must for getting around Nova Scotia (I had a van which was perfect for lugging all of our gear around).
The guide book hot spots like Peggy’s Cove and Lawrencetown Beach are beautiful, without a doubt, however having spent quite a bit of time on the east coast, now when I go back I explore new places, more off the beaten path.
Beaches – We visited Stoney Beach, a smaller beach down the road from Lawrencetown Beach. It is a hot spot for kite surfing, so we spent the afternoon playing in the sand and watching kite surfers flying through the air. Another favorite was Clam Harbour where Luca first dipped his toes in the Atlantic. Hit Clam Harbour at low tide (you can Google tide schedules) to find all kinds of critters in the tidal pools. If you want to brave the chilly water, Martinique Beach is a favorite for surfing and boogie boarding (as well as beachcombing for seashells and sea glass, for those who don’t want to get in the water). Last but not least, play on the red sand beach at Blomidon Provincial Park while enjoying an incredible view of the Bay of Fundy.
Swimming – We had some bad weather one day so we went swimming at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth and I would highly recommend it for all ages. They just finished a multi-year remodel and it is fantastic. There are slides, a large pool, a smaller shallow pool, a splash pad, a hot tub, and the locker rooms are kid-friendly, with large bathrooms/changing stalls with floor to ceiling doors.
Hope for Wildlife – This wildlife rehabilitation organization, which is about 40 minutes from Halifax, is a great place to visit. They offer one-hour tours of the property to look at and learn about their animals – both rescued/surrendered animals that are looking for forever homes, and wild animals that are being rehabilitated at the centre.
Fish and Chip Boat at Masstown Market – About an hour’s drive from Halifax, this fish and chip spot is worth the drive! They serve the best fish and chips I’ve ever had (which happen to be gluten and dairy-free), fresh from the Bay of Fundy. It is next to a cool market that has lots of local food and crafts.
Boondocks Restaurant at Eastern Passage – Located just outside of Dartmouth, this restaurant is a must-visit. The food is awesome, the restaurant has a cozy Nova Scotia feel to it and the service was great despite Luca not being the greatest lunch date that day. There is a patio overlooking McCormack’s Beach and a nice (stroller friendly) boardwalk. McCormack’s Beach is popular for the birding community – when we were there for lunch, there was a handful of camo-clad photographers hiding in the brush getting shots of rare birds. One of them showed us her $18,000 camera lens which was bigger than Luca!
Stubborn Goat Gastropub – I couldn’t wait to go back to my favorite Halifax pub from when I was a student and was disappointed to find that they didn’t have high chairs. We wandered around and eventually found the Stubborn Goat, which saved the day. They had high chairs and there were a number of other kids there. While they didn’t have a separate kids’ menu, they brought Luca a few plates of orange slices (at no change) and he shared my lobster mac and cheese with me which was to die for. It is a short walk from the Halifax waterfront, which has a great boardwalk and lots to do (including getting a look at the iconic Theodore Too tugboat and playing on the Wave sculpture).
Grab fresh seafood like the locals – My favorite way to enjoy seafood on the east coast is to buy fresh and take it home to feast on. For the best prices, distributors are the way to go. We got lobsters from the Tangier Lobster Company and mussels and oysters from the AquaPrime Mussel Ranch. These are a bit of a drive from Halifax but it’s well worth it (Aquaprime supplies oysters to Halifax bars where they are sold for $4 each – if you’re willing to make the drive, they were selling them direct to consumer for $1 each). There are great beaches and towns to check out along the way so it’s easy to make a day of it. (Note: I was staying on the Dartmouth side – for those staying on the Halifax side and/or not wanting to make a day of it, there is a Clearwater Seafoods in Bedford that also has good selection and decent prices.)
Nova Scotia is a truly spectacular place to visit and my son fit seamlessly into my travel plans. I have found that traveling with a child can be stressful, however I did not feel that at all on this trip. Nova Scotians are so wonderful – we felt welcome everywhere that we went, despite Luca being at the age that any activity involves a lot of mess and a lot of noise. The fast-paced hustle bustle of big cities is nowhere to be found in Nova Scotia. I don’t often return from vacations feeling like I actually got any rest, but I returned from our trip feeling refreshed and re-energized. It is a great place to decompress and reset. Happy travels!
Hi! My name is Mikayla and my husband’s name is Ryan. We have a dog named Lucy and two of the sweetest boys, Carson and Liam. We live in the land of Anne, beautiful Prince Edward Island. Ironically, this is also the location we will be talking about in this post. We have not travelled very far with our children yet, mostly around PEI and we’ve made a few trips to Halifax, NS. We do plan to travel lots as our children get older. Both Ryan and I had the privilege growing up, to travel all over the world with our families and friends. We think that travelling with kids is so important for their development and for their personalities. We believe it helps make kids more self confident and well rounded individuals. Travelling can help kids to learn patience, learning that to get somewhere fun takes time and effort, and that things don’t always go as planned. And more importantly, travelling helps build strong families, bonding through adventure and making memories to last a lifetime with your kids.
I’lll be highlighting some of the most touristy areas of the island, mostly Cavendish and surrounding areas, but also some other areas that are a bit of a further drive around the island! Because we live in PEI, we haven’t exactly stayed anywhere other than our house, but we do have some amazing accommodations. Stanley Bridge Country Resort gives you options of a hotel style or a more private cottage and also has an indoor pool (great for kids) and an on-site restaurant. Kindred Spirits Inn and Cottages, and Cavendish Maples Cottages are located right beside Shining Waters Family Fun Park. If you are looking for a more outdoorsy experience, Cavendish also offers some great camping options (or glamping, whichever you prefer) with Sunset Campground, KOA Campground and Marco Polo Campground, which all offer tent or RV campsites. There are also AirBnBs all around if that’s something you’d rather. If you choose to stay where you can also do some of your own cooking, Cavendish Tourist Mart as well as the independent grocer in Kensington will have everything you need to get cooking!
PEI is well known for our red dirt beaches, and they do not disappoint! If you can, you should check out as many as you can fit in your schedule, there is Thunder Cove, Cousins Shore, Basin Head (home of the singing sands), Chelton, and Cavendish Beach to name a few. Our personal family favourite is Cousins Shore, it has a “run” that goes right through the middle of the beach and is not very deep, so it’s perfect for small kids to play in! Located right in Cavendish is Shining Waters Family Fun Park, which has water slides for both little kids or big kids (yes, I mean daddies too) as well as adrenaline rides and lots of food options, and you can also pack your own lunch for picnic style. Also in Cavendish is Sandspit Fun Park, which is all adrenaline rides , a roller coaster, bumper boats, mini golf, race track, ferris wheel and some kiddie rides as well so it’s great for all ages. Located in the beautiful New Glasgow is the Butterfly House, a perfect rainy day activity to see and hold some beautiful butterflies! If you’re up for a drive head down to Basin Head Beach to experience the singing sands, and stop in Greenwich along the way to the Greenwich National Park, which offers multiple hiking trails, including one that leads to a floating boardwalk! We also have a working goat farm called Island Hill Farm in Hamilton, they have goats, alpacas, bunnies, chickens and a donkey, they opened up their farm to allow people to come in and enjoy their animals and is definitely a must see. If you come to PEI, you know we are famous for our fishing industry, so why not try your hand at any of our deep sea fishing places located in New London, Stanley bridge and North Rustico. If your kids are anything like my 3 year old, he loves a good park, and our favourite is Victoria Park in Charlottetown, along the park there is a boardwalk that takes you along the harbour which is great for a nice walk. The park itself has three different play sets, including one that is fully wheelchair accessible. The park also has an outdoor pool that has life guards, as well as a splash pad!
Avonlea Village is one of my favourite summertime places. It’s perfect for family fun, not only does it have some fun shops but it also has some of the greatest places to eat. Boom Burger which uses all local ingredients, Moo Moo Grilled Cheese, Piatto Pizzeria, and Dave’s Lobster! Also home to Doughnuts by Design, which are signature (amazing) doughnuts and of course cows ice cream.
Some other restaurants we like to enjoy during the summer are Ship to Shore in Darnley, Sou’west in New London, Ships Company in Cavendish located on Mariners Cove Boardwalk, Blue Mussel Cafe in Rustico, PEI Preserve Company, which has the best raspberry cream cheese pie, and New Glasgow Lobster Suppers for a classic lobster supper. If you are looking for a special date night , the city of Charlottetown has many amazing restaurants to choose from, if you head downtown and take your pick of any restaurant around there you can’t go wrong.
Cavendish Boardwalk and Mariners Cove Boardwalk are full of some fun shops to get some awesome PEI souvenirs, it also carries some of our favourite summer treats, cows ice cream (wowie cowie is my go to) and beaver tails, can’t go wrong with whatever flavour you choose there! PEI is also full of amazing dairy bars with the best treats.
And if you’re looking for some fun entertainment there is always lots going on across the island, you can take in a show at the Confederation Centere of the Arts or a movie at the Brackley Drive-in!
All in all, no matter what you do or where you stay beautiful scenic Prince Edward Island will not disappoint. From tip to tip there is something to do for the whole family!
A visit to PEI will be one to remember!
Before having kids my husband and I loved to travel, so when we found out we were pregnant with our daughter Jude we made a vow to each other that we would still make time to explore even with a little one. Now let’s just say that flying with a baby is almost always challenging, but once you reach your destination (and unpack the never ending amount a gear you brought) it is so worth it to watch your little one experience new surroundings. We found flights longer than 4 hours with any significant time change, to be a little tricky so we wanted to pick a destination that was warm, only a short flight from Calgary and somewhere we could convince my mom to join us! We’ve never travelled with anyone to help before and I can assure you it’s a game changer. With all that said, we chose Carlsbad, CA a little beach town just 40 minutes up the coast from San Diego. The flight time from Calgary to San Diego was just over 3 hours which was perfect. We decided to go in April during California’s shoulder season, which made for perfect weather for a little one. The mornings were sunny, still a bit cool and the afternoons averaged around 23 – 24 degrees. So, not too hot, not too cold. We decided to rent a car at the airport, which I would highly recommend. Having a car allowed us the freedom to explore the area, check out fun activities, and make a big trip to my favourite grocery store, Trader Joes.
Since having Jude, we’ve found that booking accommodation through Air bnb or VRBO has been the best option, giving us all the space we need. In Carlsbad we found a cute townhouse that was affordable, directly across the street from the beach and walking distance to the centre of town. Our rental home had 3 bedrooms, a garage for parking stocked with bikes, beach toys and sun canopy, coolers, beach chairs and a roof top patio. Having a large kitchen also made it easy for us to make a quick, and worthwhile trip to Traders Joe’s in order to make most meals at home. Watching the surfers in the morning and the beautiful sunset in the evenings was such a treat.
I love California! The weather is so beautiful and there is no shortage of things to do outdoors. We set an entire morning aside to visit the San Diego Zoo which was about 45 minutes from our air bnb. One thing to note is that traffic on any major highway in CA can get out of hand, so check with Google maps and plan your trip accordingly. One of the benefits of visiting early April, was getting to see the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch which hosts 50 acres of beautiful ranunculus flowers. The best time to visit the fields is mid-March – April to capture these beauties in full bloom. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. One of Jude’s favourite morning routines was to go out and walk the expansive boardwalk along the beach. Here she got to say hello to all of the smiling people, and puppies passing by which just made her day. My husband and I also snuck out a few mornings and went for bike rides along the boardwalk, stopping for a cup of coffee along the way. This was a luxury we experienced, by having Jude’s Grandma join us on the trip.
And of course, the beach! I cannot forget about the beautiful beach!. Being outside of San Diego and visiting during shoulder season, the beach was pretty quiet most days giving us tons of space to set up shop for the day. At that time of year the ocean was pretty cold, although my husband was in swimming several times a day, it may be a little chilly for young kids. So, if you’re hoping to watch your little ones swim, I’d recommend finding accommodation with an outdoor/indoor pool or visiting during the peak season. That being said, Jude loved dipping her toes in and building sandcastles on the beach.
If you’re travelling with kids a little older, the nearby Lego Land would be a great all day activity.
While we enjoyed a lot of our meals from the comfort of our roof top patio, we did still venture out to try some of the local food this cute little town had to offer. We loved walking to this funkie little café called, Baba for morning coffees, or stopping in at Succulent’s amazing outdoor eating space for a smoothie. If you’re feeling indulgent, a quick stop in at Super Donut will not disappoint. For lunch, Casero Taqueria had really yummy tacos.
For dinner, there are so many choices, but we personally enjoyed a dinner for 4 at 264 Fresco. Equipped with a wood burning oven, beautiful patio and delicious, fresh Italian fare, it was definitely a place we’ll hit again next time we’re in town.
If you have the luxury of traveling with a grandparent, or an extra set of hands for your little ones, stepping away for an afternoon to check out all the local breweries is a great way to sneak in a little date night.
Writing this post was a fun way for me to reminisce about the wonderful memories we made in Carlsbad, CA. Of course travelling with little ones is usually not without its hiccups, looking back on all of the amazing moments makes the travel so worth it! From the expensive beach and surf, to the endless sun and happy people, this is definitely a town we will be visiting again!
Hi! I’m Chrissy, and this is my little family. Jason and I have been together since high school! Allie is turning 5 in December and Jack is 19 months. We have two dogs, Bella and Rocky, and we live in the beautiful Okanagan!
We have always loved getting outdoors, hiking and exploring together, even before we had kids! I don’t think we really ever even thought about how different our trips would look with two littles in tow. And although I have to say some things are definitely a little more challenging at times, we both agree that family trips are WAY funner with these monkeys!
I visited Revelstoke a couple times when I was little, and the number one thing I’ve always remembered most about it were the mountains. We are surrounded by mountains in the Okanagan Valley, but Revelstoke is a mountain community, surrounded by huge, snow covered peaks. The ski hill is right in town, and the national park just off the highway.
We stayed in Revelstoke for two nights in a cozy cabin at Basecamp Guesthouse. They have a couple different cabins to choose from, as well as a full house and different suite options. We were sure it would be chilly through the night, luckily the cabins are heated so we were all nice and toasty! The hosts brought homemade cookies down for us and treats for the pups too! We spent our evenings in the hot tub, which was such a bonus for the kids (us too!)Just minutes from town with a mountain view right out the front door. We very much enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for accommodation in Revelstoke!
We arrived late Saturday afternoon and were pretty exhausted from all the driving.. We grabbed dinner and hung out in the hot tub at the cabin for the evening. We woke up early Sunday, got ready, and planned to head out to the national park for some hiking. We were driving by the train museum when Allie spotted it and suddenly became extremely interested in trains.. I really didn’t think we would have as much fun as we did, but both kids absolutely loved it! We stayed much longer than expected but we were so glad we decided to check it out!
After the museum we headed out to Giant Cedars Boardwalk. The walk is short and easy for the kids. The rain forest was stunning and the trees were ginormous! You will need a park pass for this stop as it is part of the national park, but we were really happy we took some time to explore this area.
After lunch we headed to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. If you haven’t taken a ride on the Pipe Mountain Coaster, YOU SHOULD! It is such a blast and the scenery is phenomenal. I believe minimum age to ride along with a parent is 3, and minimum to ride by yourself is 8. If you can, try to plan ahead and book tickets online as you’ll save 10%. The coaster is only open until mid October, when the snow starts to fall. We came in the summer and the wait time was almost 2 hours! Coming in the fall is great, no crowds, no lines, no waiting.
We stayed at the resort for the afternoon and headed into town for dinner. We managed to sneak in one more hike up the Nelson ski jump hill before heading back to the cabin. The hill was pretty steep at times but the sunset at the top of the viewpoint was stunning and a family memory I’ll always hold close to my heart.
We woke up early on Monday and checked out of the cabin, picked up some coffee and drove to the top of Mount Revelstoke. I did want to mention we brought our dogs with us, however, because of the grizzly bear activity in the area, there are a lot of trails you will not be able to bring dogs so just something to keep in mind.. It was a really rainy, foggy morning so unfortunately some of our views were hard to see, but the mountain is completely covered in hiking trails and viewpoints and the drive was absolutely beautiful with all the fall colours covering the gigantic trees.
We made one more stop before leaving town at the Crazy Creek Suspension Bridge. Crazy Creek is a resort with hot pools and camping, but we just wanted to check out the trails, which you still have to pay for. The hike was short and generally easy, the kids loved the bridge and the waterfall was gorgeous. We were really happy we decided to make that one last stop as we have driven by so so many times and never stopped to check it out.
We really didn’t do a lot of eating out as we had a small kitchen in the cabin so we stopped in at Save On Foods and picked up produce and groceries a couple times. Revelstoke finally has a Starbucks (Thank you God) we visited every morning. We picked up lunch one day at Nomad Food Co. however it really wasn’t great and we would not stop there again.. Revelstoke is quite small, smaller than I thought it was.. I was a little surprised there was no classic pizza place like Pizza Hut or Dominos. But we managed to find Padrinos Pizzeria which was a really cool little pizza place with tons of different options and the pizza was delicious! We got a large so we could make lunch out of it the next day.
I’ve gotta say this was probably the best family getaway we’ve ever had! We thought October might be a bit too cold but really it was perfect. Summertime is crazy hot and so overcrowded. The fall weather was perfect and the usual tourist spots were empty which always make for better pictures! So if you’re around Revelstoke in the fall, I hope you’ll spend some time exploring the mountains. You won’t regret it!
Halloween costumes can be expensive and wasteful given their quality and nature of typically being single-use. There are ways to be greener about Halloween that is better both for the environment and for your wallet! One idea is to create a costume for your child out of items they already own. With a few simple additions and a little creativity there are many ideas that can have a great effect!
+ ROWE Zomper in grey
+ Black cape
+ Yellow and Black Felt
+ Black diaper
My goal with a Halloween costume is to create something using clothing and items we already have around the house and integrate some handmade items that can be played with again later. Last year I set out to create a Batman costume. Using a grey ROWE Kids zomper that we already owned, I paired it with a black Funky Fluff cloth diaper that we use in our cloth diaper stash. My Mom and I made the cape so that it could be enjoyed for years to come. We designed our own pattern and sewed the cape using black broadcloth fabric and black adjustable snaps at the neck from FabricLand. I got some black and yellow felt from the Dollar Store, cut out the pieces in the Batman design and sewed it together. I then sewed it onto the cape. We used the neutral Nooks Design baby booties that we already owned for footwear. Harvey was warm, comfortable, and cute in his Batman costume and we had a great time taking him around to family and friends. This Halloween costume cost approximately $5.75!
+ ROWE Zomper
+ Coastal Cub toque
+ Black gloves
+ Brown felt
This year I created a bear costume from a ROWE Kids zomper that we were gifted and a beautiful handmade toque that we already owned. If you are wondering if there is such a thing as a grey bear - there is! The Glacier Bear is a subspecies of the American Black Bear with silver-blue or grey hair found in and around Alaska. The toque we had came with two poms to give it a bear look. Next, I got some black gloves and some brown felt and hand stitched the brown felt onto the gloves to make it look like the pads of a bear paw. We used the black Nooks Design wool booties that we already owned to finish off the outfit and ensure my little guy’s feet would stay toasty warm all night! I love using a ROWE Kids zomper for a Halloween costume because it is something we already own, the onesie aspect keeps my son warm, and it is super easy for quick diaper changes with the ankle to ankle zipper when we are out and about. This Halloween costume cost approximately $2.50!
For more details check out my blog post, Go Green This Halloween: https://allyouneedisloveinthekootenays.blogspot.com/2019/10/go-green-this-halloween.html
You can also find me on instagram @allyouneedisloveinthekootenays
Hi! I’m Alison, and I recently travelled with my husband, our seven-month old daughter, and my parents, to Maui. My husband and I both love travelling as often and as far away as we can get, but we’re new to this whole “travelling with kids” gig. Maui appealed to us as it seemed to be the kind of place where we could do as much or as little as we wanted, and still leave feeling like we were able to fully experience it.
We opted to visit Maui in late September during shoulder season, as we wanted the best chance of rain-free days without having to miss out on decent weather in Calgary. The trade-off of travelling in September is that there are no direct flights from Calgary at that time of year (those usually start up in late October).
Having never been to Maui before, let alone with a baby, choosing where to stay was daunting. We knew that with a seven-month old baby we would be spending more time at our accommodation then we usually do, so we opted for a self-catering condo in the small town of Wailea. What drew us to Wailea was that it’s known to be a bit quieter than west Maui, and is in close proximity to some amazing beaches along the south coast. We chose a place on Ulua beach and the Wailea Beach Path (we stayed at the Wailea Elua Village), which made it super easy to get out for a walk or a quick swim without having to pack for an apocalypse and load everybody into the car. Our condo had a stunning deck with an ocean view, and we spent a lot of our down-time there- having a coffee in the morning, reading on the lounge chairs in the afternoon, or watching the sunset with a glass of wine.
We found that exploring the nearby beaches was the perfect morning activity for us (our baby never really seemed to adjust to Maui time, so our mornings started frighteningly early). This meant we often had the beach mostly to ourselves, and the water was calmer before the wind picked up in the afternoon. Mekena Beach (“Big Beach”) was our favourite- it was perfect to dip our baby’s toes in the water and watch the crashing waves, go for a long walk along the shore with her in the carrier, and relax in the shade. Our condo complex also had two great pools which we frequented most afternoons.
Our daughter came along on most of our adventures, but for a few activities where bringing a baby was not an option, we “divided and conquer”- my husband and my dad went on a snorkelling trip to the nearby Molokini Crater one morning, and my mom and I went for massages at the Four Seasons spa another day. This allowed our baby to get in some decent naps, and for us to get in some grown-up activities.
One of the major activities we did in Maui was drive the infamous Road to Hana. We debated long and hard about this, as it’s a long day in the car and we were not sure how our baby would handle it. In the end it turned out to be one of our favourite days. The whole point of the drive is to stop frequently and take in the sights along the way- which is ideal for a baby, as they never have to sit in the car seat for too long at a time. We were able to customize how we did the stops depending on what we needed at the time (quick stop to take a photo, or a longer stop to grab a picnic table and nurse/go for a walk while our baby napped in the carrier). We did a few things to prepare for the drive that worked well for us: we got an early start (6:30am), we packed a picnic lunch, we researched the stops ahead of time (so we knew which ones we absolutely did not want to miss), and we downloaded the “Shaka Guide” app (it uses your phone’s GPS to act as a tour guide for the drive so you don’t have to try and read from your phone or guidebook while driving the 600+ turns).
While we chose to buy groceries and self-cater most of our meals on this trip (there was an excellent Foodland just 10 minutes away in Kihei), we still managed to squeeze in some Hawaiian favourites along the way. A few highlights we indulged in: ice cream at Lappert’s (Kauai Pie for the win- coffee ice cream with coconut, dark chocolate, macadamia nuts and vanilla crunch); pineapple wine and charcuterie at Maui Wine; burgers at The Mill House restaurant on Maui’s Tropical Plantation; and banana bread at Aunty Sandy’s on the Road to Hana (every bit as delicious as the hype suggests).
My favourite thing to do when I get home from a trip is go through all of our photos- in the moment sometimes things seem overshadowed by the chaos of it all, but looking back at it I realize all of the amazing memories that came out of the chaos. Travelling with our daughter allowed us to slow down and truly feel like we experienced the Aloha of the island.
We’ve been to the Amalfi Coast before. In fact, we’ve visited several times. For our honeymoon, for our second honeymoon two years later, and again (third honeymoon?) two years after that.
And then we had Arthur and the honeymoon was over.
No, but really.
That isn’t to say that the Amalfi Coast isn’t still a gorgeous, exciting, delicious paradise. It most definitely is! But with a little one, it is decidedly less romantic—and that’s okay. This past summer we visited one of our favorite spots, and had the opportunity to see it through new eyes—Arthur’s.
Getting to the coast isn’t the most straightforward. We took a flight from Calgary to Rome, a train from Rome to Salerno and then rented a car to drive the rest of the way. We stayed in various AirBnbs around the coast, but honestly, if we learned anything from this trip with a toddler, it was that AirBnB is not our kind of vacation. We thought we would benefit from having a kitchen to cook in, an apartment or house that felt like home—but cooking for yourself in Italy isn’t really as great as it sounds, and boy did we miss having a maid come clean the room every day. (I’m not crazy about cleaning up after the three of us at home, and I really didn’t care for it on vacation!) So, where should one stay? There are tons of little bed and breakfasts, luxury hotels, apartments, and villas scattered liberally all up and down the coast. There is a lot to be found in every price range. The most popular city is Positano— and for that reason, I would avoid it. By staying in a smaller place Maiori, Minori, Amalfi city, you will pay a lot less for rooms, but still have easy access, via ferry, to the rest of the coast.
At first we weren’t certain what we would do with a toddler. We were used to sitting at cafes or in the middle of the piazza, sipping wine and eating snacks until late at night. And while we still drank a lot of wine, and sat in many piazzas, we weren’t able to do so very late at night. But, we kept him so busy at the beach, in the waves, walking up and down the cobblestone streets and narrow passages that Arthur was pretty well tired out by the time we got to the nighttime wine drinking, giving us a little peace at the end of the day. There are numerous public and private beaches, and as lovely as the public beaches are, the private ones give great value. For around 30 euros you can get an umbrella and two lounge chairs for the day, in a prime spot on the beach. The waves are subdued in this area of the Tyrrhenian Sea and there are never a shortage of children on the pebbly beach. There are also public playgrounds in every city along the coast, as well as museums and hiking paths that offer beautiful views and enough cat and dog sightings to keep children happy.
It’s Italy—there isn’t a bad meal to be found. If you like seafood, head to Lo Smeraldino, right on the water in Amalfi. Beautiful views and the seafood couldn’t be fresher. In the tiny city of Atrani, there’s a Gorgonzola gnocchi dish that tastes just like macaroni and cheese but on another level of delicious. Being so near to Naples, the birthplace of pizza, almost everywhere on the Amalfi Coast serves up a 5-8 euro pizza that will knock your socks off. And for dessert— gelato of course. There are many places to choose from, and all make theirs in-house. But the famous flavor for the Amalfi Coast is lemon, in homage to the acres and acres of terraced lemon groves along the coast. (Arthur’s preference was hazelnut, however)
I could write about Amalfi for weeks and not finish. It’s a magical place filled with beautiful little towns, from Ravello at the top of the hills to Atrani right on the water, or the esplanade of Maiori or the luxurious Isle of Capri, you really can’t go wrong. The best things about the coast, though? Italians love children. Arthur was welcomed into the swankiest restaurants, doted on by waiters, his cheeks were patted by black-veiled covered Italian grandmothers and women on the street would stop to gush over him. So even though this trip was slightly...less romantic—Arthur was welcomed to the coast with the same fervor that we always felt, and it made our trip so much more fun and special.
We’ve been to the Amalfi Coast before, and now with Arthur, we’ll be returning again and again.