As part of our “Travel Tips” series, we interviewed Marina K. Villatoro who has been been living in Antigua since 2009.

Marina shares with us her insider travel tips and knowledge on Antigua, Guatemala for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, and explore.

Take it away Marina…

How Long Have You Lived in Antigua?

I first arrived to Antigua 11 years ago. But since my husband is Guatemalan, we moved here full time about three years ago.

Why Visit Antigua?

So many reasons…

1. It’s the last true Colonial City remaining in Latin America.
2. You can have the cheapest Spanish lessons in the world here.
3. Antigua is surrounded by three gorgeous volcanoes (one which is VERY active and gives off smoke daily).
4. The cobblestoned streets, colorful houses and huge Central Park to watch the local life go by.
5. The Mayan culture and people which intermingle with the foreigners.
6. Exquisite, international restaurants.
7. You simply get SO much more for your money with hotels, restaurants, souvenirs and other stuff.

Cathedral in Antigua's Central Park

Best Things to See and Do?

Antigua experienced two severe earthquakes. You can visit hundreds of ruins all around the city that are preserved to bring you back to those moments.

I’m not a huge church goer, but Semana Santa – Holy Week – is without a doubt one of the most unique, colorful and traditional celebrations you will ever experience any where in the world.

The whole city transforms into building huge, intricate alfombras (carpets) along the streets as processions with hundreds of people pass over them and finish at the churches. This is a site not to be missed.

Along with the ruins of churches that once were, there are still 35 active churches in Antigua as well. The most popular one stands along Antigua’s famous Central Park.

Semana Santa Carpet

Coffee is one of Guatemala’s most priced commodities and some of the best coffee plantations are a few minutes outside of Antigua.

Jade – Antigua is world known for the best jade. This was a sacred stone to the Maya and is sold in stores all over the city. You can visit the museums for free that are attached to shops. One word of advice, for good quality Jade get it in the stores, not at the markets.

Jade Mask

Markets, markets, markets…I love outdoor markets with local handicrafts and there are three in Antigua to walk around and shop to your heart’s content.

Handcraft Market

Where to Eat?

Antigua is probably one of the best places in Central America for restaurants. You can find everything from typical Guatemalan restaurants to internationally known chefs cooking up gastronomical masterpieces.

However, it’s the street food that will give you the best flavors and is so cheap. There are street vendors all around Antigua, mainly by the parks and churches.

Street Food Stand

Where to Drink?

Antigua is a party town – at night. The best bars are closer to Central Park, they change often so just follow the crowd.

Best Place for a Night on the Town?

I’m not a party girl anymore, so my night out on the town is different for those without kids. However, for my husband and I an ideal night out would be:

1. Romantic restaurant – which is almost all of them with either courtyards or terraces.
2. Walk to Arc Street – the most popular street in Antigua
3. Get a drink at any of the little cafe’s or lounges around Antigua Center
4. Some people like to hire horse carriages – I think it’s a bit cheesy, but you only live once – so why not.

Romantic Dinner

Where to Stay?

Antigua has some of the most gorgeous colonial hotels this part of the world. You can stay in a luxury hotel for less than $100. Although, there is no shortage of the hundreds of hostels for backpackers.

But one hotel, stands out above all else Santo Domingo. Staying here is more of an experience rather than just a place to sleep. Chances are if you don’t stay here you will definitely visit it at one time or another during your visit to Antigua.

Luxury Hotel in Antigua

Any Markets or Shopping Districts?

Definitely the markets. There are three main areas to shop:

1. Arc Street where all the best Jade is sold
2. Central Market which is close to the bus terminal – this is more of a local market with a handicraft market attached to it
3. Capuchinas Ruins market – this is a year round market of great handicrafts – during the week it’s only indoors and on weekends they have more vendors sit outside

Handcraft Market

Major Events and Festivals?

Antigua, Guatemala is known for two of the most unique festivals in the world:

November 1 – Day of the Dead Kite Festival

On this day Guatemalans set out kites that are between 10 – 30 feet in diameter. They are huge. They believe that the kites they send soaring are talking to the spirits of their loved ones.

Day of the Dead Kite Festival

Semana Santa – Easter/Holy Week

No where in the world will you see alfombras (carpets) and processions as you would in Antigua. The two main days are the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday.

Semana Santa Carpet

Best Way to Get Around?

Antigua is small enough to be able to walk everywhere you have to. However, if you want to get somewhere fast or are tired there are hundreds of Tuk Tuk’s and taxis.

The public buses take too long and are more for the surrounding areas rather than Antigua center.

Public Transportation - Chicken Bus

Is Antigua WiFi friendly?

Everywhere you will find wifi and it’s FREE.

Best Time of Year to Visit?

It depends. If you want to come for Semana Santa, then Easter week is the best time.

But high season which is also the best weather of the year is mainly November through April and June – August

Low season is May (the weather is still great) and also September and October (but it can get rainy).

My advice, if you’re not coming for the major festivals, coming off season is the perfect time to be here. It hardly rains, certainly not enough to put a damper on your trip. And you have Antigua for yourself!

Getting There and Away?

To get to Antigua, Guatemala you need to fly to Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City which is about 45 minutes from Antigua itself.

To travel within Guatemala you will need to do either private or collective shuttles to other destinations such as Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Tikal and other areas of interest.

Best “insiders” tip for travellers?

Antigua has tons of NGO’s, but one has a really fun experience giving travelers a chance to meet local kids but in a most unique way.

It’s called Kids Restaurant. Every Friday the kids of this NGO open the doors to their house and make it into a restaurant. They cook, serve and hang out with you.

They practice their English and all the money they make (after the food costs) goes to them and to the program the NGO is running for surgeries for children born with Cleft Palates.

Kids Restaurant

I love Antigua because ________?

It’s home. I’ve lived in so many cities and countries all over the world but I have to say, this place is so special and unique on every level. It’s small enough, yet big enough to have everything you need.

The people are humble and kind and they love kids. The food selection is amazing. And there is always something new to do.

Thanks so much for the fun interview!

About the Author
Marina K. Villatoro is an expat living and traveling in Central America with her family for over 10 years. She blogs all about her family’s adventures and life ay TravelExperta.com.

With all their miles under their belts, she’s written a useful family guide book for traveling to Guatemala with kids – tested and approved by her family. Join Marina on Facebook and Twitter for more fun Central and Latin American fun.

No related posts.

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Eden Riley, an Australian blogger, recently went to Niger, Africa with World Vision and has been trying to come to terms with what she saw. I thought I would write her this letter to see if I can help.

Dear Eden,

I’ve quietly listened in the background since your recent trip to Africa with World Vision. I’ve not said much because I haven’t known quite what to say, even though I understand what you are going through.

I have struggled for years with some of the things I have seen on my travels around the world. I understand the darkness, the tears, the frustration and the helplessness.

I started this travel blog because I believe that the world we live in is so beautiful and the people so amazing.Most of the time I feel as if the world has gone mad and nobody really understands this. I thought if I could just make people see that no matter the colour of our skin, the way we walk or talk, or our religious beliefs, we are so similar and this is what we should focus on.

I thought I could inspire people to travel and get to know the world. They’d then see for themselves and the world would be different. Just like that.

I could change the world and bring peace.

Imagine.

The Complexities of the Problem

When you witness poverty and desperation, a fire inside of you begins to burn.  The ideas race in your brain as to how you can fix it. I know I could do this…. or this… if only I could just make people see the truth.

But it’s never that easy.

You return to your own life, and soon enough, even though you swore it wouldn’t, your own difficulties begin to take precedence.

You struggle to keep on top of yourself, how could you possibly change a socio-economic global imbalance and crises?

You struggle with those feelings of guilt. You struggle with dealing with how unfair life is. You struggle with fitting back into Western civilization.

You return to a world where people have boxes of crap they never use, who argue over trivial matters, complain endlessly, bitch constantly and ram you with trolleys in the supermarket because you blocked their way struggling to balance with a baby in one hand with a basket in the other.

You want to scream.

Are you kidding me?  Do you not understand how bad people have it? You have fresh drinking water and you have two arms and two legs. You don’t have to steal, or worse, kill in order to make sure that your children are fed. You never have to reach that desperate point of survival instinct when you choose your own life over your child.

Wake up and be grateful.

People don’t understand because they have not had the first hand sensory experience. They hear the stories on TV and they want to make a difference and they do the best they can, but often they forget because soon their own relevant world becomes too complex and difficult.

It’s almost impossible to change people from the outside, which is why travel can bring about profound changes from within a person. The first hand experience seeps within your soul changing everything about yourself, just like you have discovered with your journey in Africa.

Our choice is: Do I let the memories haunt me or do I try to find a way to bring something positive from it?

My haunting memories

I was enjoying another glorious day on Nha Trang Beach, Vietnam. A jangling sound beside me disrupted my peace and I peered over the corner of my book.

A small man stood at the end of my beach chair squinting up at me. He was grasping a change bag with stubby fingers that protruded from his shoulder blades.

He had no arms and no legs.

I could not move or speak.

That was in 99. I saw him again in 03 doing the same thing in the same place.

He haunts me, yes. But he helps me more.

Since that day he’s been my reminder that there is ALWAYS someone worse off than me and no matter how bad I think I have it there is someone in the world DESPERATE to have my life.

After seeing the devastation the Vietnam War left behind, I swore I would never in any shape or form support a war.

How could we do this to people? What is our fucking problem? Why are we so unkind, so destructive, so uncompassionate?

Why do we fight over differences? Why is this all that we see?

—–

I saw so many heart wrenching things on my journey through Africa.

Malawi was the fourth poorest country in the world at the time we visited.  Once you see the smiles of the Malawian people and experience the warmth of a friendship they so willing extend to strangers you understand why it’s called the Warm Heart of Africa .

Local Fisherman in Malawi - y Travel Blog

Being poor does not mean that your soul aches and is empty. You can choose to be happy and to make the most of the hand that has been dealt.

Lake Malawi, the third largest in Africa, borders the country. The water stretches way beyond the horizon and you swear you are standing on the coastline, not in the middle of a continent.

Gallons and gallons of available fresh water, yet I felt the tug of my shirt and the pleading eyes of a small child staring up at me asking me for water.

Drinking water.

Are you kidding me?

We shower in drinking water for Christ sakes.

Here was a nation that lived beside a freshwater lake and had no access to clean drinking water. AND WE SHOWER IN IT. What. the. fuck. is. wrong. with. our. world?

—–

We sat on the beach of an evening with the local beach boys. They arrived with a chicken from their home pen. They used the lake to de-feather it, gut it and clean it before roasting it over hot coals. Just a bit further down those from the village bathed in it.

Thirsty and refusing to drink our clean bottled water, the boys took their cups and filled it with water from the lake and DRANK it.

I had to hold back the vomit that threatened to come gushing out of my mouth alongside of heaving sobs.

I struggled to dredge my heart back out from the bottom of that lake. Like you Eden, I was left haunted, afraid, angry, sad, and confused.

Why is our world like this? Why do I have so much and they so little?

Why can’t it be better?

How can we fix it?

When we look at problems so large scale like these we become lost in them and so frightened because it is beyond our capacity to fix them.

So what can we do?

Take the lessons, apply them to your own life and BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

I can agonize over it, get angry, frustrated, sad and fight against it, but none of this will ever help solve the problem if I am not being the solution. I can’t just be it one day a week, or a month or in relation to a particular cause, religious dogma, or charitable organization.

I have to be it always.

We can never solve all the world’s problems.

But we can make a difference. Each and every one of us has the power within us to change the world, in the easiest way possible.

Friends for a passing moment

That power is to be the change.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

I can’t change the fact that I was born here in Australia, a land of plenty, and those that haunt us were born in Africa, a land of so little.

I can never understand it either.

A twist of fate? An orchestrated plan whose purpose we will never know?

The whys will haunt you and plague you.

Wasting my tears and hours on trying to find the answers to these questions is fruitless.

All I can choose to do is to be better, to live my life fully and to be so grateful.

Yes. Africa (or travel) changes you. It causes you to look deep within yourself. It makes you question everything you’ve ever known and believed in.

Take with you the lessons

From the dusty village back roads of Cambodia, to the street stalls of Thailand, and the impenetrable forests of Uganda I shared many beautiful moments with those who were so less fortunate than me.

Yet were they?

Because despite their lack they were always so kind and so happy. Despite having so little they would share with me their meals, shove friends out of the way so I could be comfortable on difficult journeys on the backs of pickups, and adopt me as their child when I was sick, healing me with their home remedies.

Our beautiful guide in Longshen China

My skin, my backpack, my ability to roam freely told them who I was. But they didn’t care.

Their eyes never held bitterness. They never spoke to me of jealousy or hatred. They didn’t steal from me, they never hurt me.

It was always kindness and love and so much laughter.

Their eyes showed me how lucky I was. Their smiles told me to be grateful. Their gentle touch asked me to spend every day making the most of my life. For them.

They would without a doubt do anything to trade places with me, but they still wished the very best for me.

Gratitude and living your best life

Sometimes I forget and bitch and moan about my life. Sometimes it takes days, or months, or sadly years before the ghosts reappear.

I hear the jingle of the coin bag and see the dark pleading eyes of a young girl speaking to me.

“I’d do anything to have your life for a second. Anything. You are lucky only because of the nature of your birth.

If I were you I would be kissing the ground in gratitude and embracing every single second of that life that most of us can only ever dream about. Be grateful. This is the best way you can honour us.”

My ghosts help me to remember that I have two arms and two legs and fresh drinking water. My problems are so bloody small and manageable.

I have no right to complain.

So I choose to spend every moment living life the best I can for them. I know how badly they want it so how dare I abuse that privilege?

I choose to work for a better world for them every day by being a better world.

My ghosts also help me in those moments when I see those who have more than me.. My thoughts turn to jealousy, insecurity and self-pity.

Once again I see the smiles, the kind eyes wishing the best for me always and the green envy evaporates.

I wish all the best for you. I am so happy that you have all of that what I want. You are so lucky. I would do anything to have what you have, but for whatever reason life is not choosing it to be so. So please live it fully for me. Don’t take it for granted, don’t whinge and complain, don’t be ungrateful because that is disrespecting those who would do anything to have what you have.

Honour the Ghosts

Those who struggle in Africa would change places with you in a heartbeat. They would give you all their poverty, all their hunger, their thirst and their pain, just so they could have your life.

So in honour of them, it is important that you make the most of your life, that for whatever reason you have been so graciously given.

This is one small , yet powerful and positive way we can give back and spread healing energy to our world.

We MUST do this without being plagued by feelings of guilt. We CAN do this without being plagued but feelings of guilt. We can life our most beautiful life and reach out a hand to help others at the same time.

Those who suffer would want nothing more than this for you too Eden because it is so desperately what they crave.

We can never change our world by being an outside force. There are too many things working against us.

We can however change our world by being better, by loving what we have been given, and by making the most of it.

Once we do this we are in a more powerful position to create solutions to our global problems.

So take those horrible memories Eden, take those soulful eyes that taught you so much and turn it into a positive and a gift.

What have they taught you?

To be more grateful? To choose happiness? To practice peace? To reach out a hand of compassion to all people? To donate and not fight against, but work towards? To spread the message? To be the voice? To make a difference?

Be all of these things. Let others know they can be too.

Otherwise the ghosts will haunt you even more than before.

Love and Peace

Caz
xx

Related posts:

1. My Travels in Australia – with Michael Hodson
2. X-mini v1.1 Capsule Speaker Review- Sound for Your Travels
3. My Travels in Australia – by Brooke Shoenman

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on our family trip in New Zealand

Travel with kids needn’t be a hassle and it can be one of the best experiences you have as a family.

The key ingredients to a smooth trip when traveling with kids are to pay attention to their needs, and finding the right balance between plenty of rest time whilst also having lots of activities for them to do along the way. Bored and overtired children become cranky and frustrated kids in a hurry.

Whilst our style of travel has evolved throughout the years from being solo travelers, to a couple, and now a family of four, there are some core travel habits that have served us well, and we continue to follow them to this day.

Here is our list of 25 tips for travel with kids…

1. Slow Down

Plan for a slower pace than you might usually attempt if solo or as a couple. Be realistic about what you can see and do with kids in tow. Don’t try to cram too much into your itinerary. The less you feel you have to see, the more enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

Getting around can be challenging

For the most part, the pace of the trip should be set to what your youngest child can handle. Build into your agenda time for stops along the way for bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and nap time. If you can avoid cranky children it will make for a much more pleasant experience.

Hiking can be SLOWER

2. Determine Your Preferences

Sit down with your whole family and discuss your ideas and interests. Memorable trips are those where each member of the family gets to experience something they love. Talk about budgets, expectations, and how you can work with the dollars available to plan an exciting family trip.

Kalyra with big travel dreams

Travel experts have found that the most successful family vacations are those that involve both parents and children in choosing destinations and planning for their trip. Through these conversations, you will learn more about each others needs and find destinations and activities to suit the whole family.

Kalyra studying the options

3. Be Flexible

Avoiding holiday periods and traveling off-season can yield big savings on flights and accommodation. Even if your kids are in school, consider traveling just outside of major school holiday periods.

Give yourself the best chance to capture a cheap flight. Leaving a few days or even weeks before or after your ideal date could mean the difference of hundreds of dollars. Think about using airfare sales to help determine your family’s vacation destination and time of departure rather than the other way around.

Sites like Airfarewatchdog and Kayak can help. Just plug in your departure city and check out the list of available deals.

4. Pack Smart

Pack the bare minimum because you can always buy it there. Roll clothes and stuff socks and underwear inside shoes. Wear your heaviest clothes on the flight. Encourage kids to choose and pack their own clothes to minimize complaints and to teach travel skills.

Select versatile and comfortable clothes and color-coordinated separates so if something gets dirty you only have to change part of the outfit. And pack bags with what is needed first on the top — a change of clothes for dinner, pajamas, or what is needed during the day including a change of clothes in case of accidents.

Do not pack like this!

Hot Tip: It’s always best to halve your clothes and double your budget

5. Hotel Tips

Pick a Kid Friendly Location – Stay in a safe and central area that’s close to local attractions, food outlets, the beach, the park, and all preferably within walking distance. This will save you time, money, and your kids from getting bored.

Savannah and Kalyra enjoying the hotel bed

Stay More Than 1 Night – Many hotels provide their best deals when you stay over more than one night.

Stay over Sunday – Many hotels receive Friday and Saturday night bookings from leisure travelers and Monday-Friday bookings from their business travelers, so there can be a void on Sunday nights.

Check for Family Deals – Always ask about discounted rates, free meals for children, and an upgrade at check in – they can only say no.

A Pool and games room – Kids love both of these options. Does the pool have any special features (like a slide or waterfalls)?

Family fun in the pool

Make Sure it Has a Lift – Carrying strollers, toys, and luggage up several flights of stairs is NO FUN!

What’s the room configuration? – For our family of four two double beds is required or a portacot. If you have a baby make sure this is available, and for free.

Coupons and Discounts – Check out the brochure shelf in the lobby and any tourist literature in your room for ways to shave a few bucks off the price of your family vacation.

Enroll in a Loyalty Program – Many hotel chains are now offering free loyalty programs with incentives like earning free rooms after multiple stays. If you travel often and stay at the same chain, or one of its participating partners, you may save on future family vacations.

Check the Dining Options – Does the hotel restaurant and room service have a kids’ menu?

TV Channels – Does the hotel offer several family-oriented cable stations, like Disney, Nickelodeon, AMC, Discovery and Lifetime? Is there a movie library with kids’ movies?

Bathtub?  – You’ll want to be sure that your room will include a bathtub.

Laundry  – For longer vacations, check to see whether the hotel has coin operated machines for hotel guests.

6. Consider a Cruise or All-Inclusive Resort

With activities to appeal to every generation, food choices to suit all ages, and itineraries that can be full-on or you just sit around and do nothing, a cruise or a resort can eliminate daily decision making that can cause conflict. Look for Kids Eat Free, Stay Free, and Play Free deals.

Ready to board a Carnival Spirit cruise

cruises have water parks!

7. Consider Apartment Rental

Most big-city hotel rooms were not built for families with young kids. They usually have no refrigerator or microwave, floor space is at a premium, and neighbors can hear every tantrum. But with an apartment you get more space,  thicker walls, a kitchen, a washing machine, and separate bedrooms.

These extra facilities on a long stay can make your trip so much more enjoyable.

our apartment in Auckland

8. Do a Test Run

If this is going to be your first serious trip as a family, consider starting with a shorter trip such as a weekend away or even just a day trip to the zoo as a trial run. This will help you figure out packing choices, daily routines, how fast you can move around, and how you all get along and interact together.

9. Set a Budget 

Travel with kids does not have to be expensive. Decide on a comfortable budget that works for your family and include items such as souvenirs, entertainment, and a few unexpected activities. Once again involve your kids to make sure they feel comfortable with your travel plans.

Hot Tip: Every now and then blow your daily budget. We go away to experience things and create lifelong memories. Don’t limit yourself to just traveling for the sake of traveling. Go splurge on a famous restaurant, see a big concert, attend a mega sporting event, go on a safari, jump out of a plane, do something incredible.

10. Build in Some Private Time or “apart” time

No matter who you are, everyone needs a break from each other at some point. While the goal of your trip is to create shared memories, it is also important to remember that children need time to burn off energy and enjoy the company of kids their own age.

Likewise, us parents need quiet periods for rest and some adult company as well. Keep this in mind and be a little flexible on your trip, as children’s moods and interests can change constantly. If you and your children find something you’d rather do, be spontaneous and go with the flow.

11. Bring a Few Comforts from Home

Allow your children to bring along a few home comforts such as a stuffed toy, reading books, or a portable music player. Activity packs can be a lifesaver on a plane and car rides. Make one with items such as coloring pencils and books, card games, board games, hand held electronic games, puzzles etc.

Savannah loves her ducky

12. Capture Your Memories

Consider giving your child a journal and a cheap digital camera. Kalyra loves taking her own pictures and it is fascinating to see travel through her eyes.  Pictures can be put into a scrapbook after you return, providing a lasting keepsake of your wonderful experiences together.

Kalyra displaying her skills

If your children are writing a journal, encourage them to draw and list things they see, eat and experience. And how about buying a cheap postcard from each destination and help them to note a memory on the back, or they can create a large collage to place on their bedroom wall once home.

Kalyra drawing in her journal

13. Keep Meal Costs Down

Food costs can eat up a large portion of the family travel budget.

Go out for Breakfast or Lunch – Try and avoid dinner as restaurants raise prices. OR, have brunch instead of 3 meals a day. Many restaurants offer lunch specials where items on the dinner menu are offered for a fraction of the cost you’d pay for the same meal in the evening.

Eat Away from the Tourist Streets – Just go one street or one block over and it will usually be cheaper and more authentic.

Self-Cater Where You Can – On long stays, we make self-contained accommodation with kitchen facilities a priority. Stay in places with a refrigerator so you can store breakfast foods, snacks, and bottled water. Purchasing your own supplies from the grocery store can save you big bucks.

Free Breakfasts – When booking a hotel look for one with breakfast included. Also, have picnics, barbeque’s, and house parties. This saves precious money.

14. Take Your Own Food

Always take your own snacks on flights, buses and road trips where practical. Long road trips or flights can leave kids feeling cranky and hungry. Pack plenty of snacks for yourselves and your children.

Do not assume that you will be able to stop and buy snacks along the way as airports especially can be expensive and have a limited selection of healthy options.

15. Do the Free Stuff

Many things to see and enjoy are absolutely free. See a street fair, concert, or cultural event. Catch a magnificent sunset, take a walk or bike ride, play in the park, swim at the beach or lake, climb a mountain.

Kalyra dancing to a free sunset in San Diego

Use the Free Days – Attend museums and tourist sites on free days or when they are discounted. Most museums have special discount times or free nights. Before you go anywhere, make sure you look on their website or facebook page to find out if they offer free visiting hours or family discounts.

Playground fun

16. Advanced Planning

Finding accommodation when you arrive without booking ahead can be challenging with children in tow. It’s definitely worth pre-booking at least your firstcouple of nights, even if you want to be flexible on your travels: this will allow you to look for other places in a more leisurely way.

After a long flight or car journey, the last thing your family will feel like is hunting around for somewhere to stay and something to eat. Make reservations and map out your first day or two in advance to make the trip smoother.

17. See Your Doctor

If you’re going overseas and have little ones, see your doctor at least two months before you leave to discuss your plans. Mention the ages of your children and bring everyone’s vaccination records, and ask the doctor to note down their blood groups for you.

If any of your children has a pre-existing medical condition, ask for help in identifying a doctor in your destination who specialises in the same condition.

18. Make Use of Equipment

A pram or stroller can be useful even if your child is walking. It can serve as a place for them to rest during day trips, a makeshift bed when out in restaurants, and you can use it to great effect with carrying the bags.

19. Sleep Whilst Traveling

When taking a long flight, train, or bus journey, try and plan it so you are traveling at night. That way, you don’t have to pay for a night’s accommodation.

20. Learn a New Skill Together 

We believe life is “all about the memories”. By doing something new together, your children will be impressed with your sense of adventure and curiosity. Learn to kayak, snorkel, surf, or spot wildlife in nature. Maybe go snow skiing, fishing or roller blading. Find something that’s new to all of you and share the joy of learning together.

21. Road Trips

Borrow an idea from the airlines: Purchase or borrow a portable TV/DVD player that mounts on the back of the seat in front. Rent a bunch of DVDs or borrow them from your local library for free.

Take Frequent Breaks – Preferably every two hours. Expecting young kids to sit still longer than that is unrealistic. Find interesting picnic spots, historical monuments, public parks or a playground. Let the kids run around and burn off some energy.

Safety – Pack plenty of water, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight in case you break down at night. Call to make sure your road assistance plan is up-to-date and charge your phone beforehand.

Have your vehicle completely checked out by your mechanic. Oil changes, brake checks, light checks are important to the vehicle’s safe operation. Also, double check the installation of all car seats to ensure they are properly set up for maximum protection.

22. Flight Tips

• Take a change of clothes on-board for you and your baby, especially on a long haul.

• Feeding your baby with either a bottle or breast when you are taking off and landing, can help them adjust their ears to the change in cabin pressure.

• Try to keep the same rituals as home when it comes to bedtime. Put the kids in their pyjamas, read them a book, and sing them songs. And make sure they have their favourite toy or blanket.

• Before disembarking, make sure they have been fed and to the toilet. Trust me, standing for an hour in customs with hungry and tired children is NO FUN!

•  Check in online to book preferred seats from home and cut out the hassle of queuing.

Try to avoid the hassle of queuing

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For many years Europe has been popular amongst the travel crowd and backpacker circuit, but the assumption is always travel in the West.

Is it because of pop culture and plenty of media coverage; or simply ease of getting around, communicating in English, and a common currency? Many have no ambition to travel to the East; when really, why not?

So where exactly is Eastern Europe?

It’s in the East, right? But where do you draw the line exactly?

Back in the Cold War days, defining the borders of Eastern Europe was easy; it was made up of all the communist countries on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Nowadays, it depends where you get your information. For me, Eastern Europe is everywhere east of the Adriatic Sea and west of Asia-Minor (the West side of Istanbul).

Just having the geographical North, East, South, and West makes life easier. Wikipedia suggests Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine as Eastern Europe. So where does that leave Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia? You get the idea; let’s just say Eastern Europe is in the East.

Eastern Europe is not as unsafe as you might think. The people are genuine and friendly, things cost less, it’s easy enough to get around, there’s plenty of history and geographic diversity.

However, for the first-time traveller, travel there requires a little more flexibility (and perhaps planning) than Western Europe; but overall it makes it an excellent region for travel.

Safety

Hollywood movies would have you believe that Eastern Europe is an extremely dangerous place. But in all honesty, it’s no more dangerous than anywhere else you’d travel. I think it’s a fear of the unknown that has the majority of people avoiding travel in the region.

I travelled Eastern Europe (mostly) solo, and didn’t have any trouble at all. In fact, it was North Africa and Western Europe where I had troubles with scammers and thieves.

If you are really concerned, there are several well-known travel techniques to keeping yourself safe. If it’s your first time in the region, consider following the advice of a local tourist bureau, not because it’s unsafe, but because it’s quite different to the travel you’re used to.

Further Reading: Safety in the Ukraine: Avoiding Theft and Personal Danger

Culture & History

Eastern Europe has the geography, weather, and history you’d want to experience when travelling.

Bulgaria has the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Black Sea coast. I can recommend Plovdiv, Sofia, and Veliko Tarnovo.

Croatia has the beautiful blue oceans, the cliffs, and islands; as well as Roman ruins. Zadar is magical, and Vis will always hold a special place in my heart. Split, Dubrovnik, and Hvar are touristy, but definitely worth a visit.

Czech Republic is the beer drinking capital. But it also has beautiful historical centres like Cesky Krumlov.

Hungary has Budapest (and the Roman Baths), is completely land-locked, and has the Hungarian Sea (Lake Balaton). I spent a summer on the lake (CouchSurfing with a Grandmother) during an annual wine festival, and had one of the best summers of my life.

Eastern Europeans are friendly, warm, and still curious about foreigners. It’s not uncommon to be invited into someone’s home for a meal. I’ve met many backpackers and hitch hikers with stories of genuine hospitality and concern for their welfare.

Each country has unique cultural traditions, influences, and historical experiences.

Further Reading: The Day I held the Iron Curtain in my Hand via @insidetravellab

Challenging

Perhaps the greatest challenges you will face in your travels are the language barriers. I managed to get lost in Hungary when the clerk at the train station put me on the wrong train.

Miscommunication is somewhat common practice, but makes for great travel tales later. The fact that many places are off the backpacker circuit means that hundreds of thousands of tourists haven’t been there before you. It just means that all those little things like catching the bus, buying a meal, meeting locals, and navigating your way around become more of an adventure.

Further Reading: How to Hop Around Language Barriers via @traveldudes

Less Tourists

One of the biggest draw cards to Eastern European travel would have to be the lack of Western tourists. In many places you can move around freely without hearing English chatter, except for the hostels and bars obviously.

It’s a great “off the beaten path” feeling when you have to try and communicate with broken English or the local language. However, there are still a few well-trodden tourist places like Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Krakow in Poland, and Istanbul in Turkey.

1. Prague

Further Reading: (listening) Why You Should Visit Eastern Europe Now via @FrommersTravel

Getting Around

Flying into Eastern Europe is fairly straightforward, with budget airlines servicing major cities. Once there, train travel is a great low-cost option; although not everywhere supports the high speed Eurail network — so check before using Eurail passes. But, local trains are many and very cheap. You can check Eastern Europe train schedules on the German Train site DB Bahn.

Buses are also frequent and low-cost.

Further Reading: A Guide to Booking Travel in Eastern Europe via @WomanSeeksWorld

Budget

If you are a student, or if you have a student ID, many museums and other attractions in Eastern Europe offer a student discount when an ID is presented.

Remember, Eastern European countries aren’t on the Euro (except Greece), so you have to make use of currency exchanges. Be sure to protect yourself and your finances by going to official exchanges, but avoid using airports and hotels (they charge a higher exchange rate).

Do your research first, and establish the rates & all costs before handing over your cash. Either spend all your cash, or exchange it before leaving the country.

Most of Eastern Europe is still relatively cheap to travel through compared to the West.

Further Reading: The Cost of Traveling Far-Eastern Europe via @NomadicMatt

The Global Village

The number one reason to get to Eastern Europe now, is that the world is shrinking at a phenomenal rate. It’s not westernized yet, but who knows in a few years from now? Cities in the East are growing, and rural areas are becoming urbanized.

You’ll find Internet cafes common-place, McDonald’s here-and-there, but for the most part you can still find great off-the-beaten-track destinations.

I remember walking down the street in Hvar, I approached people asking for rooms to rent, and pretty soon found a great 3 bedroom place overlooking the town at a very reasonable price (less than a dorm bed in the West). Approaching locals for accommodation is not so common place in Western Europe, with the abundance of hostels and campsites.

Bio: Ian is a 20-something year old guy who gave up his career and mortgage for solo long-term travel. He travelled extensively across Europe for a year before heading onward to North Africa. Catch him on Facebook and his travel blog Eager Existence.

* images credit 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.

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1. The Kindness of Strangers in Eastern Europe
2. Doing A Working Holiday In Central or Eastern Europe
3. 3 Secret Sun, Sea and Sand Destinations in Europe

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San Miguel Mission

Are you looking for travel tips on what to do in Santa Fe?

As part of our “Travel Tips” series, we interviewed Billie Frank who has been living in Santa Fe since 2004.

Billie shares with us her insider travel tips and knowledge on what to do in Santa Fe for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, and explore.

Take it away Billie…

Why Visit Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is magical. The high desert with its beautiful mountains, rock formations and stunning sunsets is part of it. Some of it comes from the synergy created by the intermingling of the three distinct cultures, the Native Americans, the Hispanics and the Anglo that call the area home.

It’s the second oldest city in the United States and at 7,000 feet above sea level, the highest capital city in the country. There’s an Old World feeling and a palpable sense of history.

Best Things to See and Do?

Definitely walk around the downtown historic area. I highly recommend a guided walking tour. A knowledgeable guide can share the city’s rich history.

Or, you can do it yourself. Explore the narrow streets with their intriguing nooks and crannies.

Historic Sites:

The oldest house and oldest church in the US. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the USA. Under the building’s portal (the overhang) you can buy Native American handcrafts as a souvenir of your visit, directly from the artisans who crafted them.

Galleries and Museums:

Santa Fe, the third largest art market in the US (an amazing accomplishment for a city of a little over 70,000 people), has been attracting artists for over a century. Visit some of the over 200 galleries and 10 museums scattered around town.

My favorite museums: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and International Folk Art Museum

Best Neighborhoods to Explore?

Barrio Analco is the oldest neighborhood in town, home to the oldest church and what is said to be the oldest house in the country.

Canyon Road, home to around 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants has some of the most historic buildings in town, including great of Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture.

Acequia Madre (meaning mother ditch), just to the south of Canyon Road, is another great old street to explore. Irrigation ditches, a necessity for high desert farming, date back over 400 years, this one dates to 1610. (This effective system was immortalized in John Nichols’ book The Milagro Bean Field Wars, later a Robert Redford film.) Don’t miss the narrow roads and alleys that wind off this old byway.

Railyard District is the trendiest neighborhood in town and home to galleries, shops, restaurants and the fabulous Santa Fe Farmers Market. It seamlessly transitions to the Guadalupe District just to the north.

Where to Eat?

Santa Fe is a foodie’s town. One of the things I love is the high level commitment to fresh and local in many restaurants.

Budget Dining options:

• Jambo Café combines chef/owner Ahmed Obo’s native Kenyan cuisine with a touch of the Caribbean.

• Del Charro Saloon offers the least expensive burgers (outside of a national chain) in town and also features a $5 daily special.

• Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill offers fresh Baja-inspired Mexican food at reasonable prices.

• Harry’s Roadhouse is always bustling with both locals and tourists. Go for the specials (if they appeal) on their extensive and eclectic menu.

Harry's Roadhouse

Pizza is always a great option for filling up without breaking the bank.

• Rooftop Pizzeria specializing in thin-crusted, gourmet pizzas.
• Pizza Centro draws diners with their New York inspired pies.
• Pizza Espiritu offering what they call “a taste of heaven” and I call some really great pizza.

Budget breakers, but worth it:

• Restaurant Martin, Chef Martin Rios’ realization of his dream showcases his strong commitment to consistently turning out fresh, seasonal food.

• Epazote’s chef/owner, Fernando Olea is intrigued by the flavors unique to the southwest, Mexico, Central and South America. His “inspired New World Cuisine” showcases his innovative approach to these foods and flavors.

• Chef James Campbell Caruso’s La Boca is a popular local spot for traditional and contemporary tapas.

Food stands, carts and trailers:

We love dining on street food and there are a lot of stands and trucks to choose from A few favorites are:

• Roque’s Carnitas, a seasonal stand in the Plaza has been drawing visitors and locals for over 25 years.

• Le Pod, offers crepes, French style hotdogs and other taste treats served from an Airstream trailer parked at the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. They are only open Monday through Friday.

• El Chile Toreado, a burrito/taco stand on Cordova west of St. Francis Drive, serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

• Callie’s Cajun usually parked on Old Los Vegas Highway at night brings a taste of New Orleans to the southwest.

Roques Carnitas

Breakfast in Santa Fe is a real treat.

If you can handle spice early in the day, try the local version of the breakfast burrito; huge cylinders of eggs, potatoes, the meat of your choice and cheese smothered in green or red chile.

On the go? Try the hand-held version. Not adventurous, there’s always traditional American fare, too.

A few of our favorite breakfast spots are:

• The Pantry has been cooking up New Mexican style food for over 50 years. Try the Huevos Consuelo, a mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic and spicy yellow peppers.

• The unpretentious Tia Sophia’s isone of the power breakfast spots in town. The Huevos Rancheros is hot seller.

• Tecolote Café is another popular breakfast hangout. Their motto: “Great Breakfasts, No Toast.” Instead they offer their house made bread basket or tortillas. Go for the basket. They are a contender for best breakfast potatoes in town.

• Café Pasqual’s is a destination dining spot for breakfast lunch and dinner. Be prepared to wait. Try the Smoked Trout Hash.

• If a European café is more your style, Clafoutis and the Swiss Bakery and Pastry Shop are great bets.

You can’t visit Santa Fe without eating ________ ?

The local Northern New Mexican (Norteño) cuisine. This piquant fare is based on the chile pepper, the official state vegetable. The unofficial state question: “red or green,” is asking which type of chile you want your food smothered in. If you answer “Christmas,” you’ll get both.

Great and reasonably priced places to sample New Mexican food:

• Tia Sophia’s is a popular downtown spot for breakfast or lunch.

• The Shed has been serving up the local fare for over forty years. Expect a wait. They do accept dinner reservations, make them well in advance. Their sister restaurant La Choza isin the trendy Railyard district.

• Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen (famous for their 100 item margarita menu) is also popular

Where to Drink?

While here, you have to have a margarita; they are everywhere.

The seasonal Coyote Café’s Rooftop Cantina is another great spot for margaritas and bite to eat.

In summer, the Bell Tower Bar at the historic La Fonda Hotel is the place in town to enjoy a spectacular sunset with your drink.

New Mexico Sunset

If you are in the mood for a drive, the terrace and bar at Terra at Encantado, An Auberge Resort, offers panoramic views of the Jemez Mountains to the west and great food. It’s a chic spot catering to a well-heeled crowd and you may spot a famous face.

For a real, down-home bar, Evangelo’s is the place. If it looks familiar, it may be. Jeff Bridges sang there in the movie, Crazy Heart. He also sat in with bands occasionally when he was in town filming.

Santa Fe also has a number of brew pubs offering locally crafted beers and a number of good wine bars. Try Marble Brewery, Blue Corn Brewery or the Second Street Brewery, either at their original Second Street location or at their popular Railyard location.

Patio at Terra at Encantado

Where to Stay?

When it comes to lodging, Santa Fe is not an inexpensive town. The most budget friendly option is camping, but unless you’re a diehard, it’s a limited season.

Cerrillos Road, the main commercial drag, offers the usual line-up of chain motels. Staying here will be easier on your wallet, but you’ll miss the charm of the city. Out here you could be in Anytown, USA, except all our motels are coated in stucco to look like adobe.

If you can afford it, stay in the downtown Plaza area, you’ll feel like you’re in Santa Fe plus you’ll be in walking distance to a lot of what you want to see.

High End:

Two AAA Four Diamond Rosewood’s Inn of the Anasazi and the Inn and Spa at Loretto attract well-heeled guests as does the Relais and Chateaux, Inn of the Five Graces. Each has a distinct character and it’s important to figure out which works for you.

If you want to get out of town for a more relaxing experience, historic Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa and the AAA Five Diamond Encantado, an Auberge Resort offer quiet, country getaways.

Moderate:

Still in the Plaza area, and offering Santa Fe charm at moderate (for Santa Fe) prices:

• Inn on the Alameda offers guests a warm welcome and a great breakfast buffet.

• Old Santa Fe Inn is a locally owned, more upscale motel.

• El Paradero offers the charm and personal attention you expect in a bed and breakfast.

Inn Five Graces courtyard

“Budget” options:

• El Rey Inn and the Silver Saddle Motelboth offer vintage accommodations on Historic pre-1937) Route 66.

• The Sage Inn, walking distance to the Railyard District and about a fifteen minute walk to the Plaza, offers no frills digs. They also provide van service into town for their guests.

Any Markets or Shopping Districts Worth a Visit?

Santa Fe is a shopping town. While there is a bit of everything; The City Different is the place to buy cowboy boots, silver and turquoise Native American jewelry as well as any indigenous and Spanish Colonial art, or any art, for that matter.

Four not to miss areas:

• Downtown Plaza area has wall to wall boutiques selling anything from tacky souvenirs to upscale clothing, art and more.

• Railyard and Guadalupe Districts west of the Plaza have a variety of shopping options. Two of the best resale shops in town are here.

• The quirky Double Take is a great source for vintage cowboy boots and western wear, vintage Native American and Mexican jewelry and more.

• Local women in the know have been shopping The Beat Goes On for years.

• Canyon Road sprinkled in among the town’s largest concentration of galleries are some not-to-be-missed (and mostly upscale) shops.

Insider shopping tips.

1. Watch out for Native American reproductions from China and other places, the town are rife with them.
2. Check out the museum shops. They are sometimes less pricy and you know you are getting the real deal. T
3. here are great resale shops (besides the two mentioned above) around town that offer women’s clothing, jewelry and decorative items.
   

   Spanish market

Major Events and Festivals Throughout the Year?

Burning of Zozobra at the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe, the oldest fiesta in the USA, is a big draw. The three major summer markets in summer draw tens of thousands of people to town.

Both the International Folk Art Market and Spanish Market are in July.

Indian Market in August is the biggest and oldest of the three.

Wine and Chile Fiesta in late September is a major culinary event. Some of the town’s best chefs partner with major vintners and wine distributors throughout the country.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week, a new event on the scene, in March offers foodies some great dining bargains.

Best Way to Get Around?

Walking is a great option for getting around town if you stay in the downtown area.

Santa Fe Trails provides inexpensive bus service around the city. If you want to get out of town at all, a car is essential. Santa Fe has one cab company and you have to call for a ride, you don’t hail them.

Is Santa Fe Wi-Fi friendly?

There are coffee houses all around town that have free Wi-Fi. The Washington Avenue Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library a block from the historic Plaza is a convenient place to connect.

Many of the hotels and motels offer free Wi-Fi.

Best Time of Year to Visit

My favorite seasons here are spring and fall. Fall can still be a bit crowded meaning higher lodging rates.

Mid-May is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe. It’s before the summer season gets going, the weather is great and hotel rates tend to be less expensive.

Favorite Side trip Away from City?

To get a sense of Santa Fe’s first people, I highly recommend a day-trip to a pueblo ancestral site. My favorite is the Puye Cliffs as I had a transcendent experience there. Puye, part of the Santa Clara Pueblo, can only be seen via guided tour.

Puye Cliffs

You can also visit the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument or Tsankawi (part of Bandelier) on your own.

Or visit one of the two currently-occupied historic Pueblos in the area. Both the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Sky City have been inhabited for about 1,000 years.

Chimayó, on the scenic High Road to Taos is a trip back in time.

Explore El Sanctuario de Chimayó, a church famous for healing miracles. Stroll through the galleries and shops; the town is famous for its weaving style passed down through families for generations.

Stop for a New Mexican lunch at Rancho de Chimayó, a local favorite, run by the Jaramillo family for over 40 years.

You can continue up the High Road through villages that go back as much as 400 years. As late as the 1960s, people here spoke a Spanish dialect that lent itself more to ancient Castile than modern day Spain or Mexico.

Taos, at the end of the High Road, is a popular day-trip for visitors to Santa Fe. It’s a town with a lot of history. If you take the Low Road, you’ll have more time to spend exploring the area.

Getting There and Away?

The best place to fly into is Albuquerque, about an hour south of Santa Fe. Usually, the best fares can be found on Southwest Airlines.

Rent a car or take a shuttle (advance reservations strongly recommended, especially in season). There are limited commercial flights into Santa Fe Municipal Airport via American Eagle.

Amtrak stops in Lamy, about a half-hour from town. You can take a shuttle (again reserve in advance) from there. It also stops in Albuquerque/ You can take the New Mexico Railrunner, light rail train service, from there.

Best “insiders” tips for travellers?

Be prepared for a mañana pace, after all, we have Mexico in our name. It’s 7,000 feet above sea level and very arid here. Because of this combination, some people experience mild altitude sickness.

To minimize or avoid this, drink LOTS of water. Also, because the air is thin and we’re closer to the sun than you may be used to, a hat and sunscreen are musts.

I love Santa Fe because ______ ?

it’s one of two places on earth (the other is Ireland) where my soul feels like it has come home.

BIO: Santa Fe based freelance writer and former concierge Billie Frank writes extensively about Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico for her blog Santa Fe Travelers. A former print journalist, she is a contributor to other online publications focusing on food and travel a Contributing Editor at Travel Squire.

Billie was a consultant and contributor for DK Eyewitness Travel’s 2012 revision of the Top 10 Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque guide. She is co-owner of a trip planning and tour business The Santa Fe Traveler, designing unique experiences for visitors to Santa Fe. You can find Billie on Facebook and on Twitter.

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The afternoon air is warm and invites me to sit under the canopy of a red gum. The breeze, although refreshing, is not enough to shoo the flies away.

Their pestering is not enough to have me wishing I was anywhere else but here, sitting beside the Murrumbidgee River, Australia’s second longest, in The River Red Gum National Park.

Why have I never explored country Australia before? Why did I think the beach was all that Australia was about and anywhere else was boring and a hole?

There is a beauty that is hard to describe in the River Red Gum National Forest. The silence often cannot be heard, not because of the noise of the busy outside world, but because of the laughing kookaburras, and flocks of squawking cockatoos and crows battling for air time.

There are 150 species of birds soaring and gliding, ducking and swooning amongst the canopy, some venturing down into camp to peck at our scraps. Joining them is a wide variety of other forest animals learning to live harmoniously with each other. Now we have decided to join them to do the same.

The sun sets on the beach opposite lighting the bush in a soft pink glow. Stumps of trees, remains of illegal firewood logging, and in more recent times, the logging of the red gums for train sleepers and building frames can be seen far and wide.

In 2010, the park was declared a National Park and protected from any more senseless ring barking and logging and given back to nature and ourselves to appreciate and enjoy.

It’s a popular place to visit for those wishing to get away from Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra; it also makes a worthwhile stop over for those overlanding from Adelaide to Sydney.

Despite its popularity, we had the whole place to ourselves, which would not be difficult for anyone travelling to this area that is 100, 000 hectares in size, 15,000 -20,000 of that stretching along the Murrumbidgee where we now sat in our bush campsite.

Bush Camping in the River Red Gum National Park

Open grassy fields, a crackling fire fed by the tonnes of firewood laying on the forest floor, and a river to bathe in. What more do you need to set up camp in? There are multiple areas like this to choose within the park and along the river. And it is all FREE.

If you want to be a little closer to Narranderra town, Town Beach has a beautiful camping area near a large swimming beach.

It is bush camping so there are no amenities, but the lovely Ian from Riverina Experiences, organized a portaloo and table and chairs for our camping party. You can contact him if you would like the same creature comforts.

We camped in the Graham’s Grave area, named after the local who was killed by the Aboriginal people for supplying them with poisoned flour. Rumour has it that the flour was actually poisoned by the local white people who did not appreciate Graham helping the Aboriginals.

Don’t worry there are no ghosts walking around at night, but there will be the odd wild animal and visions of Wolf Creek murderers stepping out from the shadows and dashing cowboys named Troy to rescue you thanks to your spooky campfire talk late at night.

Kayaking along the Murrumbidgee River

We started off our kayaking trip on the hunt for wild koalas. We did not have to hunt for long; I think it was the first bend we turned that a koala was spotted snuggled high up in the trees curiously watching us staring in awe at him.

Watching the koalas watching us

During the drought and the hotter months of summer, koalas can often be seen on the ground on the banks of the river desperate to catch a cool breeze. A special reserve was created for them in the seventies and they were reintroduced with koalas from Queensland and French Island, Victoria.

We found about five koalas along the river and all of them were outside of the reserve grounds, proving that the program worked and koalas are now thriving in the area.

It is not easy to spot koalas in the Australian wild, but here in the River Red Gum National Park you have a very high chance to see several.

I was mesmerized by the beauty and peacefulness of the 14km kayaking trip. The river moved quickly so we could often sit back and float lazily down.

Flashes of rainbow colour burst overhead as pink galahs and yellow crested cockatoos chased each against an azure sky from branch to branch. The whoop whoop of the crow’s wings heard so sharply as it swooped low over my head reminding me that I need to stop more and take in the beauty of my natural surroundings.

At times I felt I owned the place, not another soul could be found or heard and when I paddled way in front of the rest of our group I felt as if I were a part of the forest, a connected feeling with nature I have not experienced in a long time. A glowing buzz filled my body- this is why I love to travel.

Mountain Bike Riding

The trees in the River Red Gum National Park have a distinctive white water mark a couple of metres up from the base, evidence of the recent flooding that occurred in this area. This meant that we had a soft and muddy mountain bike trail to ride on, which burned my legs and had me struggling for breath.

This is not me. I walked

Despite the physical exertion, the mountain bike riding adventure thought the forest was a thrilling way to experience the National Park. And there were many spots where the track was easy riding.

My favourite part of the trip was the beginning as we rode through the old red gum open forest. We had a glimpse of how magical this forest was hundreds of years before logging. Attempts are being made by National Parks to restore it to this condition where gum trees had space to thicken out and spread wide canopies across the open grassland.

To me, gum trees are the most beautiful trees in the world. I could have spent all day running through that forest hugging every single one.

We stumbled across horses shading themselves under trees and startled kangaroos would often leap out in front of us and bound through the trees in a line. If the ground would not have been so soft I would have been tempted to chase them.

The mountain bike trails go through the Flora and Fauna reserve which is located on the edge of town, near the swimming pool. It follows the river and takes you to the Koala Reserve. New bike trails are being set to open in the near future, once a makeshift bridge is built to give access.

This area is also popular for walking. A 3km loop takes you to First and Second Beach for a lovely picnic area and refreshing swim on a hot day.

For any traveller wanting to experience true Australia country this is it.

Kangaroos bounding freely around you, wild koalas peering at you from around the branches of their home, warm and friendly locals, gum trees aplenty, and Aboriginal artists and craftsmen welcoming you into their work shed sharing a bit of the history with you and offering you a taste of their stash of witchetty grubs.

It’s not on the typical traveller’s route in Australia and I urge you to be different and make it so. You will not regret it.

River Red Gum National Park Facts

Location: The Riverina area of South West NSW. Narrandera is 549kms from Sydney, 428kms from Melbourne, 852kms from Adelaide and 341kms from Canberra on the junction of the Sturt and Newell highways.

Camping: Visit the visitors centre in Narrandera town to find out the best free camping spots

Riverina Experience: Ian has lived in the area for 20 years and is very knowledegeable about the National Park. He is a wonderful guide and will do anything to help make your stay an enjoyable one. He offers the following tours:

Kayaking: 3 hour tours start from $63 per person (group of 6)
Cycling: 2 hour tours start from $36 per person (group of 6)
Walking: 2 hour tours start from $20 per person (Groupof 6)

Camping Equipment:

Our tents and sleeping mats were provided by Kathmandu.  The Lansan Plus Tent a comfortable two person tent with a generous front vestible giving you plenty of room for your luggage and a comfortable, padded self inflating sleeping mat.

I was a guest of NSW National Parks and the Riverina Experience

Can you see yourself enjoying the great Aussie outdoors here in the River Red Gum National Park?

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On the weekend we particpated in the 24 hour switch off. We shut ourselves off from the outside world: no phones, no email, no facebook, or internet.

We actually did it for longer than 24 hours and loved it.

I have no problem switching off from the outside world. I’ve spent most of my life doing it travelling. In fact, I’d rarely be connected if it wasn’t for this travel blog.

I love escaping and not being able to be found.

Switching off is much easier if you get away from your normal environment. Travel is what always helps me willingly and lovingly disconnect. I know that if I was at home, with the phone, the computer and the gadgets staring at me I would have struggled.

Switching off at Glenworth Valley

We went to Glenworth Valley, a very special place here on the Central Coast, only an hour’s drive north of Sydney. We were filiming video for Central Coast Tourism and had the best time. It was Savannah’s first camping trip and she loved it.

Clap hands for camping

We slept in a tipi, went horse riding, kayaking, abseiling, and quad bike riding. Kalyra had her first real horse ride and was so so adorable.

Craig’s parents came to hang out for the day to help with the kiddies while we did the non-child activities and filming.

Kalyra learned how to make a fire and we got back to basics cooking over hot coals and sitting around the campfire, chatting under the stars with a couple of bottles of Shiraz. It was perfect.

Daddy daughter fun

Spending such quality time together with no outside distractions helped me to appreciate just how funny and cute my daughters are, how wonderful my husband is, and how beautiful and serene my country is.

We did break the Switch off for 10 minutes on the morning it began, but for two very important reasons.

1. We did not have enough firewood or warm blankets for our camping trip and needed supplies dropped into us. I call this a survival phone call so it’s okay.

2. My sister had a baby girl, so I of course had to phone her to say congrats. (Yay I’m an Aunty again.)  You cannot ignore a precious new baby girl being born into the family.

To be honest, I have been having a lot of switch offs lately. We did on our recent Carnival Cruise and I did last week on my camping trip to the River Red Gum Forest. As I said, if travel is involved I find it easy to do.

The hardest part is coming back to the real world and having to deal with the work that piled up while you checked out. Believe me the relaxed state soon disappears, but at least you have the memories of your switch off to stay with you forever.

My final thoughts

I think everyone should take time, at least every month, to switch off from the connected world around you and reconnect with family, friends and nature.

Get back to basics for a day. You will not regret and will remember just how wonderful real living is once again.

Kangaroo Island is a place of untouched beauty where you can go and do this whenever you choose. You can still enter their competition to win a trip to Kangaroo Island via their fanpage.

I recommend making good use of the time and travelling while you switch off, it is the perfect excuse and the perfect way for you to enjoy life.

Always works a treat for us!

How do you switch off?

Related posts:

1. Switch off on Kangaroo Island
2. Carnival Cruises: Serenity and Fun for Family Travel
3. Win a Family Holiday to San Antonio

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You don’t seem to have a clear idea of what is important to you. You waffle and are confused by the greyness of the world. You come close to reaching a goal and then at the last minute it disappears blown away by the puff of the wind.

Or, do you understand the feel of life when it flows, as if everything that happens around you happens just for you? The planets align and you spend every day doing what you were born to do.

This doesn’t mean that life does not have its challenges; it does and will always because that is just the human experience. But when the flow is happening life is good and manageable, despite the difficulties that arise.

Most of the time, when things aren’t going the way we want them to it is because we are living our life out of sync with our values. It took me many years to understand this and when I did a long time to accept it.

Sometimes our values don’t line up so well with the way others expect you to live and to be. And for this reason we may choose to live out of accordance with them.

This generally results in a lot of pain for you. This is why life just never feels right.

Each of us has a value system that we need to live by

Your values act as your personal compass guiding you.

The direction of our lives is controlled by this magnetic pull of our values. They are the force in front of us, consistently leading us to make decisions that create the direction and ultimate destination for our lives.

Not using the internal compass results in frustration, disappointment, lack of fulfilment and a nagging sense that life could be more if something were different. In opposite, using this compass gives us a sense of certainty, an inner peace and total congruency.

Your values are usually formed from your life experiences and conditioning through punishment and reward and those role models that surround us every day from birth.

Think about the value you pride yourself on. If you’re not sure what that is, it usually comes down the thing you’d fight tooth and nail to keep. They are the things that fulfil you and make your life rich and rewarding.

All of our decisions should be based around these values. We have all of them within us, but there are usually two or three that take precedence above all others.

My values are FREEDOM, FUN and CONTRIBUTION

Before I understood what this value system was and what I treasured, I saw myself as being someone who was irresponsible, could not settle down, someone with their head in the skies, and someone who was on the run.

I did not know what was wrong with me. I could not hold down a full time job, not because I was a bad worker or was fired, but because I chose not to.

Two years max was all I could ever do. And even then it was temporary positions so I could run out that door if needed.

The constant nomad, wandering aimlessly, unknown what I was searching for because for some reason I thought that I had to search of something so this must have been what I was doing.

LOST

When really I was FOUND. I was just doing what I was born to do.

FREEDOM

It is what I value the most. The minute someone starts telling me what to do I feel the walls closing in on me and I can’t breathe. The minute I feel myself doing something I don’t want to do my whole body tightens and wants to scream out in frustration.

It’s led to a constant battle to figure out what it is I should be doing. Once I sorted out my values, I sorted out what I should be doing. Travelling and blogging. Always my terms.

It’s what gets me up early in the morning and keeps me working late at night. Any other way of being just does not work for me; I feel stressed, confused, frustrated unhappy and unfulfilled.

FUN/JOY

Understanding your values system can also help you to work out ways to overcome challenges. It is kind of difficult to have a value system of fun, because often life is not.

I would find myself so many times wanting to quit things I started. I felt like a flake, someone who couldn’t follow through, a lazy arse. When really that is not true, I am a hard worker and I am determined to succeed.

I just have difficulty continuing on with things if I don’t find it fun. (One reason why I am still, at 36, often the first to arrive and last to leave a party.) I guess you could also term it as joy. Joy is my most esteemed emotion and I think the only point to life.

Freedom helps me to feel the joy. Once I had children the joy hit all-time levels-Joy at giving someone else the gift of life, joy at experiencing unconditional love, joy of spending every day with my family. Travel provides me with total joy; another reason why I can’t stop. (see the connection here with freedom)

I know now that when I reach a point in whatever I am doing that is not fun and I want to quit, then I have to find a way to make it fun. Maybe I put on some music, get a little silly with it, take a break, whatever I can to make it joyful again then I can easily carry on and get done what I have to.

CONTRIBUTION/MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I think I spent many years ignoring this value of mine. I ignored it because I had a total lack of belief in myself. I never thought I had anything to contribute or could make a difference.

Whenever you are out of alignment with your values, you are going to feel an enormous amount of pain until you get back on track. And I did. It took me many years until I got over the fact that I thought I wasn’t good enough.

And then contribution became a major part of my values system. I can’t leave this world without knowing that I somehow made a difference. I believe that I do have something to contribute now and it is why I do what I do. Share the world with others and hopefully inspire them to live their best life- why? Because it’s fun and it’s liberating!

How can your values system affect your travel choices?

People will always make decisions based on their value systems, whether they are aware of it or not. The more aware you are of them, the better you are at making those decisions and the more aligned you will feel with your purpose. This is why there is never a BEST way to travel, as each of us have different values that work for us.

Do you really want to travel, but just can’t find the way to make it work for you?

Maybe security is one of your highest value and having that taken away by an unpredictable life is just too much for you to bear. Once you understand this you can make some changes. Create a way to travel that is quite structured to give you that peace of mind.

Maybe it is through an organized guided tour of a country, in your own country, or with friends and family.

Maybe its comfort which is why solo travel scares you to death and the thought of leaving your friends and family even more terrifying. Maybe you should plan travel with a few of your close friends, or work on making new friends the minute you go.

That could also be why the thought of camping makes you feel ill. Resorts and luxury travel might be your thing.

Maybe it’s contribution. Travel for you then would mean volunteering around the world and doing whatever you can to help make the world a better place.

Can you change your value systems?

I think you can, although I believe there will be some that you just can’t change as they are what will align you most with your purpose, which is why you came here.

Perhaps there is a calling you have and your value system is getting in the way of that. Maybe you really want to be an entrepreneur but you value security so highly. Maybe then you have a lot of work to do in changing your focus and mindset.

Sometimes your values my clash with each other and a change needs to be made. Recently my health took a hit and I had to have a couple of operations. This was a major signal to me that I did not have health as a high enough values priority and so I made a couple of changes to push it up the list.

Step by step I think you can change your values

I first heard about how to do this from Anthony Robbins. He says the steps to setting up or changing your values system is:

Step One: Gain awareness of what your current values are so you understand why you do what you do?

Step Two: Make conscious decisions about what values you want to live by in order to shape the quality of life and destiny you truly desire and deserve.

To discover your values answer one simple question

“What’s most important to me in life?”

Be careful you don’t choose means values like money, family. These are really not what you are pursuing. The feelings are the end values. Those things that money and family will bring, like security and love are the values you need to live in accordance with.

Here’s a list of some values to help you.

Love, success, freedom, intimacy, security, adventure, power, passion, comfort, health, contribution, growth, happiness, creativity

Tell me in the comments below what do you think your top three values are.

Does it help you to see why you may have made some decisions on your life? Can you use this information to help you make changes, to understand what it is you have to do with your life? Does it help you to know how you can travel or your style of travel?

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After going on our first ever Carnival Cruise on board Carnival Spirit, the ship that will call Australia home from October 2012, it’s hard to argue with Carnivals tag line...

Fun for all. All for fun.

There was heaps of fun on offer on this cruise ship holiday for our four year old daughter Kalyra, and for kids of all ages at all times of the day.

When you’re on a ship that’s the length of three footy fields and 12 decks tall, there’s never a shortage of things to do, see, taste and try for the kiddies.

There were two things we were really excited about going on the cruise as a family; the opportunity to participate in tons of fun activities, and for Kalyra to have lots of kids her own age to play with.

In no particular order, here is our list of kids activities…

1. Mini-Golf

Kalyra had so much fun playing the 9 hole mini-golf course, and she was really good at it for her age, even getting a hole-in-one. On Carnival, you have unlimited time and games to enjoy with the whole family…

Kalyra teeing off

Daddy and Kalyra

2. Hit the Pools

It wouldn’t be a cruise without hanging by the pool. And if your kiddies are anything like Kalyra, then there will be plenty of pool action. With two family friendly pools and spas on board, your kids can swim and play till their hearts are content…

Kalyra lovin the pool

Kalyra and Daddy in the pool

3. Youth Programs

One of the great things about Carnival Spirit was the kids club (youth programs). Not only will your kids love the activities and hanging out with other kids their own age, but it’s a welcome time out for us busy parents.

There are three different youth programs catering to different ages:

• Camp Carnival where kids ages 2-11 have their own space, games, paints, crayons, scavenger hunts, and pool area. Kalyra loved her time at Camp Carnival and the counselors were fantastic.

• Circle “C”. Teens 12–14 hang out for late-night movies, night time swims, sports, latest video games and dance parties.

• Club 02. Teens 15–17 gather in their own lounge area to play the latest video games, dance on the state-of-the-art dance floor, or just relax and chat with friends at the non-alcoholic drink bar.

4. The Waterpark

What will be the largest waterpark at sea in Australia was a “splash” with Kalyra. This area is more for the younger kids and it includes a mini-slide and giant splash bucket. And with an elevated position on the ship parents can relax with a book and an awesome ocean view whilst your kids have fun in the sun…

Kalyra on the left

Daddy and Kalyra

5. The Water slides

Twister

Twist your way down in the yellow twister water slide that’s great for all kids, but especially the younger ones. A fun way for them to cool off and be drenched in fun…

Daddy and Kalyra

Green Thunder

The older kids will love Green Thunder, the fastest water slide in all of cruising. Your adrenaline starts pumping as the count down begins to the floor beneath you dropping away as you shoot vertically downwards at high speed, twist over the edge of the ship, and then shoot out the other end…

Green Thunder

6. Eat Yummy Food

With food options galore for breakfast, lunch, and dinner your kids will not want for anything. In particular, the La Playa Grille is an international food court with a plethora of options.

But if the four restaurants are not enough, the 24 hour Pizza and Ice Cream in the Lido is a hit and the room service in your cabin or on your balcony makes for a fantastic experience…

Empire Restaurant

Spaghetti

mini desserts

Chocolate melting cake

Kalyra having pancakes for breakfast

Kalyra's favorite - Blueberry Pancakes

ice cream

7. The Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet

Your kids will not won’t to miss this. It’s a chocolate lovers heaven. Just think chocolate and they can create it…

chocolate smorgasborg

chocolate fountain

so many cakes

so yummy

8. Enjoy Quality Time with Mum and Dad

Are you a busy family? Do you struggle to spend quality free time with each other? We really enjoyed a few opportunities to just “do nothing” but sit around, take a sunset walk on the deck, and some family pictures. For us, life is all about the memories…

mummy and Kalyra take a sunset walk

Kalyra and mummy take time out

Kalyra and Daddy's sunset photo

9. See a Family Friendly Show

From family friendly comedy shows to live entertainment of singing, dancing, and games throughout the day and after dinner, your kids will love all that is on offer.

10. Land Based Activities

Not only is there unlimited fun on board for the kids, but take advantage of the land based activities at your port of call. Our Carnival Spirit cruise was to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and we enjoyed a 4×4 jeep adventure, family time at the beach, and yummy food options from the locals…

Now just imagine doing this in the Pacific Islands or New Zealand…

Jeep adventure in Cabo

fun at the beach in Cabo

fun in the sand

Kalyra admiring her ship

fun in the Mexico sun

Daddy and Kalyra

yummy nachos in Cabo

delicious fish tacos in Cabo

The Facts

Carnival Spirit will call Sydney, Australia home from October 2012 with various cruises throughout the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.

Website: www. Carnival.com.au

Question….Is a Carnival Spirit Cruise on your bucket list? What are you most excited about?

Disclaimer: Our cruise on Spirit was courtesy of Carnival Cruises, but all opinons are our own.

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Yes, I’m talking about wine tasting… every adults secret pleasure.

So grab a glass of wine and prepare to be inspired for your next wine retreat…

Tuscany, Italy

Sangiovese is by far Tuscany’s shining star, but Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are also popular grapes grown in the region.

Location

Tuscany is located in central Italy about 30 mile (50km) southwest of Florence.

When to Go

The best time to taste Tuscany is from September to October during the harvest. The weather is gorgeous and activities are plentiful.

Where to Go

Wine tasting in Tuscany is a bit different than other parts of the world. Most wineries aren’t open to the general public for drop in tastings, rather you’ll need to make an appointment. Planning and visiting can be difficult and expensive.

You can either join a wine tour or sample the local wines by visiting a tasting room in town.

• In Brunellos, visit La Fortezza or Osticcio
• In Siena, visit Fortezza
• In Greve, visit Le Cantine

By visiting these tasting rooms, you’ll get to sample loads of local wines without the hassel of visiting the wineries. It’s also a lot less expensive for high quality tastings.

happy hour in val d'orcia

Photo credit: laura.foto

Mendoza, Argentina

Green rolling vineyards backdropped by the towering Andes mountains makes Mendoza tough to beat. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Chardonnay are the most popular varietals in the region.

Location

Just a quick plane ride from Buenos Aires (745 mi/1,195 km) Mendoza is located in eastern Argentina close to the Chilean border.

When to Go

September to November (Spring) or March to May (Fall) is a great time to visit Mendoza. The weather is mild and Spring is the harvest season.

Where to Go

Before you head out to the tasting rooms, visit Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room in Mendoza to sample the local wines. They have regional maps so you can sample your favorite wines, find them on the map, and then plan a route to the tasting rooms.

Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo are very popular areas with tasting rooms open to the public during the week (most wineries are closed on weekends).

Tip

For more flexibility, skip the wine tour and visit the wineries by local bus.

Photo credit: Tanenhaus

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Pinotages and Shirazs have made Stellenbosch a world-class wine region.

Location

Stellenbosch is just a quick 30 mile (50km) drive east from Cape Town. Wine tours depart daily from Cape Town.

When to Go

November to April is a great time to visit Stellenbosch as the weather clear, warm and lovely. For the annual crush, visit from February to March.

Where to Go

Tokara Estates, Rust en Verde, Rustenburg, Warwick, and L’Avenir are popular tasting rooms in the region. If you have time, drive out to Boekenhoutskloof and De Trafford.

For maps and itineraries, check out the wine route.

Wineries @ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Photo credit: timparkinson

Sonoma Valley, California

Napa’s lesser known and perhaps tastier sister, Sonoma Valley is where the locals go to avoid Napa’s over tourism. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel are what Sonoma Valley is famous for.

Location

Sonoma Valley is located under two hours northeast from San Francisco Airport. If you’re in a hurry, cut through Oakland rather than San Francisco as traffic can be daunting.

When to Go

The best time to visit Sonoma is from April to June or September to October for beautiful weather and vines. Autumn is the harvest so check the calendar for special events.

Where to Go

Start your route at the Ledsen tasting room, one of the northern most wineries on the map, and cruise south down highway 12 stopping at wineries all along the way. Benziger Winery is a great stop and they offer a tram winery tour and Bartholomew Park Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the region. When you reach downtown Sonoma there are several nice restaurants ranging from steak houses to Thai cuisine.

Check out a Sonoma Valley wine map.

Photo credit: Mark Iverson

Barossa Valley, Australia

With Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mataro, and Merlot vines blanketing the region, the Barossa Valley in South Australia is definitely worth a trip.

Location

From Sydney, catch a connecting flight to the South Australian town of Adelaide. From there you can rent a car or take a tour 37 miles (60km) northeast to Barossa Valley.

When to Go

September to November (Spring) or March to May (Autumn) is the most ideal time to visit Barossa Valley. If you happen to visit in April or May on an odd year, check out the Barossa Vintage Festival.

Where to Go

Download and print a Barossa Valley map to help plan your visit. Peter Lehmann, Cellar Jacob’s Creek, Saltram, St Hallett, and Henschke are popular spots. Call in advance to make sure the wineries are open to the public. For incredible views of the valley, drive up to Mengler Hill.

If you don’t want to bother with driving and coordinating an itinerary, consider taking a wine tour from Adelaide.

Spill the Wine Restaurant | Two Hands Wine Dinner

Photo credit: chelsiefoty

Drink responsibly and have fun.

Know a great wine region? Let us know in the comments below…

Darcie Connell is the co-founder of Trekity.com, a cool travel site that provides travel ideas just for you, and TravelBloggerAcademy, where regular people can start travel blogging. Follow her on Twitter.

Related posts:

1. A Guide to Hunter Valley Wine Tasting and Tours
2. Margaret River – You Had Me At Food, Wine, and Beer
3. Soccer World Cup Memory in France

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