family travel

9 Amazing Things to Do on a Cook Islands Vacation with Kids

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If you are dreaming of a family friendly South Pacific island getaway, a Cook Islands vacation is the perfect choice. With lush tropical hillsides, miles of unspoiled beaches, and calm turquoise waters, the Cook Islands are unquestionably ideal for a romantic getaway, but also terrific for families with the abundance of activities, culture and natural beauty.

From hotels with kids clubs, kid menus and children-focused activities, to an island brimming with family friendly adventures, Rarotonga, the largest island in the Cook Islands, is a destination the entire family will enjoy. With a weekly direct flight to the main island of Rarotonga it’s an easy escape from Los Angeles. To help plan your fabulous tropical island holiday, check out our recommendations on where to stay, eat and what to do.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Guide to a Cook Islands vacation with Kids

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Bluestem Hotel | One of the Best Hotels in Torrance CA

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Heading to Los Angeles’s South Bay area and looking for hotel options? Look no further – the Bluestem Hotel is one of the best hotels in Torrance CA!

Torrance is located just 15 minutes from LAX, and is well situated for various Southern California attractions, making it an excellent place to stay for a visit to Los Angeles. While there are plenty of chain hotel options in the area, in our opinion the best place to stay is at Torrance’s first boutique hotel, Bluestem.

Newly opened in 2019, this chic modern boutique hotel is a welcome addition to the scene in the South Bay. It is just another example of how Torrance is busy reinventing itself. With over 400 eateries, 11 breweries, art galleries and the beach, there are so many things to do in Torrance for your next stay. Read on to find out what we thought about the hotel and why it should be your only choice in Torrance!

Disclosure: My stay at Bluestem was hosted by Discover Torrance as part of a weekend trip to the area to explore all the family friendly things to do in Torrance California. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Also note, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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15 Great Things to Do in Torrance: LA’s Hottest Beach Town

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Are you looking to visit Torrance in the South Bay of Los Angeles? Whether you are visiting the area or coming on a day trip from somewhere in Los Angeles, we have you covered with all the things to do in Torrance on your visit.

What was once the sleepy step sibling to more popular Southern California neighbors of Redondo and Hermosa Beach, Torrance has come into its own. In the last few years Torrance has blossomed into a happening town full of amazing restaurants, with a burgeoning brewery scene, art galleries and even its first boutique hotel.

We had the opportunity to visit Torrance a few weeks ago and had so much fun! Between being out in nature, exploring the Japanese food and shops of the area and eating our way through some of LA’s best restaurants, we can’t wait to go back and share it with you all too.

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10 Epic Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids

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Planning your next family vacation and thinking of going to Jamaica? The island is filled with sun, fun and adventure – perfect for entertaining the kids in your life. Plus, there are also plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax. Jamaica is a lot more than beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts. Read on to find out what we think are the best things to do in Jamaica with kids.

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The 7 Best California Ski Resorts for All Ski Levels

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Skiing in California? Yes it is true, California does have a pretty decent ski community even though it’s not quite as grand as some of the Rocky Mountain states. Up and down the state there are many great California ski resorts that are worth checking out. Below are 7 tried and tested California ski resorts that you should make a visit to!  Travel bloggers share their tips on what makes each of these resorts great,where to stay and more.

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7 Epic Things To Do in the Riviera Maya with Kids (or without!)

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Visiting the Riviera Maya in Mexico is a dream destination for many people. And why not when there are a ton of epic things to do in the Riviera Maya from exploring the oceans, history and beautiful landscapes. Growing up in Texas and living much of my adult life in California it was a shock … Read more

10 Super Fun Things to Do in Red Lodge MT

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Are you ready to fall in love with small town America? Then you must check out all the fun things to do in Red Lodge MT. On our recent Montana road trip, our first stop was in the adorable town of Red Lodge. This town proves to be the perfect base for the start of a Yellowstone road trip. From amazing restaurants, small town charm and history galore you will not be bored in this cute town. Before you head off on your adventure down the Beartooth Highway onto Yellowstone, here are some really great things to do to inspire you to stay over in Red Lodge!

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The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Zion National Park with Kids

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Are you thinking of going to Zion National Park with kids? Zion National Park is one of the best kept secrets of the national park system. When visitors discover the beauty and magic of Zion Canyon, they will be hooked! It doesn’t have that one eye catching feature that sells postcards or pressed pennies, but what it does have is a spectacular cliff and canyon landscape, an abundance of wildlife and a gorgeous river running through it all beckoning you to get in and experience it for yourself.

Our recent visit to Zion National Park with kids was a bit of a surprise. After being wow’ed at the Grand Canyon and inspired at Antelope Canyon, we were taken aback by how beautiful and encompassing Zion was. Here we could all really be in nature, experience and feel it. It’s just what we needed.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Manuel Antonio

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If you ask anyone where you should go in Costa Rica, the answer will always include Manuel Antonio. Home to the smallest national park in the country, there are a ton of things to do in Manuel Antonio from soaking up the rays on the beautiful beaches to exploring the rainforests teeming with wildlife.

This area of Costa Rica is perfect for first time visitors due to the variety of things to do and see, the ease of getting around and the range of accommodation options. Rainforests, white sand beaches and an amazing array of wildlife from three toed sloths to white faced capuchin monkeys to endless species of little critters, there is plenty of entertainment for all ages. Manuel Antonio is great for families looking to enjoy beach life while also exploring the adventure that Costa Rica is known for. 

Read on for our guide for everything you need to know for planning your trip to Manuel Antonio, including our top things to do in Manuel Antonio as well as where to stay, eat and how to get around.

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A Costa Rica Family Vacation with Intrepid Travel

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A Costa Rica family vacation is a must do for those who love nature, animals and adventure. For outdoor families like ours, there is no better destination, especially when you have a nature obsessed kid! 

Having been to Costa Rica twice already, we were super excited when offered the opportunity to take a Costa Rica family vacation with Intrepid travel.

I have done two tours with Intrepid already and loved them both. My first trip was to China on my own as a 20 something traveler and last year I took an amazing Borneo family holiday with my 7 year old son in tow.

This trip to Costa Rica is a bit different, as it is a Solo Parent tour. I’ve wanted to check these trips out for a while. I even tried to book one on our around the world journey, but couldn’t get the dates to work. Thus, you can imagine how excited we were to finally get the chance to check out this variant of the family tours offered by Intrepid, all while in one of our favorite countries!

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The Essential Southeast Asia Packing List (for Solo & Family Travelers)

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Traveling across the world, thinking about what to pack is often daunting. After living and traveling in Asia for decades, I have developed an excellent Southeast Asia packing list that I go to for each trip to the region. I know what to bring versus what to buy at my destination. Honestly, this is pretty much my packing list for anywhere we go in the world these days. You never know what the weather will be like with climate change, so it’s best to be prepared for all eventualities.

My ultimate Southeast Asia packing list is perfect for solo travelers as well as for family travelers.

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The Perfect Borneo Family Holiday with Intrepid Travel

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Have you ever wanted to take a Borneo family holiday to see orangutans in the wild? It has long been a dream of mine to do this. While researching the possibility of a trip, I quickly became overwhelmed with the logistics necessary for travel on this small island. Tourism infrastructure is in place but not on a large enough scale to make solo travel cost efficient like most other areas of SE Asia.

As always I turned to my trusty guide while planning a trip, Intrepid Travels tours. I often look to their tour itineraries as a guide on what all is possible in a country. Their tours are a perfect example of what I like to achieve in a trip – nature, adventure, culture and local experiences. It was then that I noticed they offer family tours and had the perfect 11 day Borneo family holiday available.

I took a tour with Intrepid to China in 2001 and have gushed about the experience ever since, so I was excited to give it a go again with my son in tow.

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Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

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Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

When most people think of Hawaii, the image that comes to mind is of laying on the beach, relaxing while the sun sets over the ocean. You can do this on the Big Island of Hawaii, but if that’s all you do, you will miss out on so much more that the island has to offer. The largest of the Hawaiian islands has it all, from active volcanoes and lush rain forests to sandy beaches and snow capped peaks. The Big Island offers something for everyone, making it a great destination for families who love to get out and explore.

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8 Magnificent Things to Do in Northern California

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When people think of all the things to do in Northern California they often just consider the landmark destinations like San Francisco and the Napa wine tasting country. However, a little further afield up the California coast lies Redding and UpState California. This area is often dubbed “the real northern California”, which is the vast area north of Sacramento all the way up to the Oregon border. This area features dramatic waterfalls, redwood forests, adorable welcoming towns and a host of other northern California attractions.

I’ve explored much of this beautiful state in the almost 20 years I have lived here, including parts of UpState California, but the area between Muir Woods and the Redwoods (because my brain thinks in terms of national parks apparently!) proved elusive. When Visit California asked what area I would like to explore in partnership with their #Kidifornia series, I jumped at the chance to finally make my way to the true northern California region to check out the natural beauty of the area’s national parks as well as the main adventure hub of Redding. Now that I have visited, I have to share my love of the area and help put this amazing region on your radar too!

Keep reading to find out our favorite things to do in northern California from north of San Francisco up to Redding and even further UpState California.

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5 Super Fun Things to Do in Buena Park CA: A Kid’s Dream Destination

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Are you heading to Southern California? While there is so much to do in the region one of the best places to visit with kids is Buena Park. There are so many things to do in Buena Park CA that it should be on every Southern California itinerary. From visiting cool dinner theaters, theme parks and eating delicious food, there is something for everyone.

 There isn’t always time or money to take elaborate vacations out of town, but that’s where staycations come in handy.  Buena Park is a great place for a staycation for those of us living in Southern California. It offers family centered fun that is easily accessible to all members of the family. 

I don’t often plan trips that are solely centered on what my child would like, but a visit to Buena Park is what most kids would plan if they had the opportunity to plan their own dream vacation. Read on to find out more about the super fun things to do in Buena Park CA.

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15 Insider Tips for Visiting Disneyland with Toddlers

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Planning a trip to Disneyland with toddlers can be overwhelming. After several years of attending as season pass holders, we have learned the ins and outs on how to get the most out of a visit. Find out all you need to know on how to avoid screaming meltdowns from you and your toddler! Also, … Read more

The Best Kids Travel Backpack Options for All Ages

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OK, you are ready to set off with your kids for the first time or the 100th, but just haven’t figured out how to pack. Our top recommendation for traveling families is to invest in a great kids travel backpack. Considering life on the road has its own obstacles to overcome, functional travel gear is a great way to help reduce everyone’s stress. 

Through the years we have found that the best travel backpacks are much more helpful than roller bags while schlepping through airports or train stations. That said, my son used his monkey roller bag in over 15 countries for several years. It was a great bag which kids love, but it is not always convenient. My son often struggled getting on escalators and up and down stairs, which meant I was left carrying it along with my bag as well.  For parents with more than one kid, this is not fun to deal with as you run for your tight connections.

Enter, the best kids travel backpack options for all ages. When my son was smaller he would carry just his travel essentials (i.e. art supplies, toys and snacks) in his backpack. Now at age 9, he carries everything he needs for our trips on his own.

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10 Magical Things to Do in Joshua Tree (+ 1 Day Itinerary)

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Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Joshua Tree for me symbolized music, not a National Park.  But because of the music, the park has always held a certain allure. Once I discovered how close it was to LA, it moved to the top of my local travel list. But, even then, it took me almost a year of living here before I made it out. Now after several trips, it continues to be one of my favorite places in Southern California.

If you are like me and can’t ever find a weekend to go, dump the excuses and head out for a day trip! It is such a magical place that it’s worth the drive even for just the day. It will be a long day for sure, but if you have kids who will nap in the car, then go for it. Even my non-car napper managed to take a quick after lunch snooze and slept the entire way home. You will not regret exploring Joshua Tree with kids – and they will thank you!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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8 Super Fun Things to Do in Santa Rosa California

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Visiting the wine country of Sonoma County? Make sure to make time for these super fun things to do in Santa Rosa when you are there. For young singles and couples without kids, a weekend visit to Sonoma means soaking up the scenery, sampling first class wines and hopping from one beautiful winery to another. … Read more

10 Unmissable Experiences in Vietnam With Kids

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Vietnam with kids truly is the perfect trip for families looking for hands on educational and transformative travel. The country is teeming with unique activities and sites to visit that will appeal to all age ranges. From making things by hand to experiencing local life and immersing yourself in the culture through food, Vietnam family travel really has everything for all types of travelers.

After a few weeks exploring the country, we have come up with our top 10 things to do in Vietnam with kids (or even without!).

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