15 Tips to Know Before Going to Portugal

Portugal is one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations, where historic charm meets stunning coastlines, mouthwatering cuisine, and warm hospitality. If you’re planning a trip, these tips will help you make the most of your adventure. From navigating the cobblestone streets to savoring pastel de nata, here are 15 Tips to Know Before Going to Portugal:

Learn a Few Portuguese Phrases

While English is widely understood in tourist areas, learning a few basic Portuguese phrases can go a long way in showing respect and connecting with locals. Greet with a cheerful “Bom dia” (Good morning) or thank someone with “Obrigado/a.” Locals will appreciate your effort, and it can lead to more memorable interactions.

Pack for the Weather

Portugal’s weather can vary by region and season. Summers are sunny and warm, perfect for beach days in the Algarve, but winters in the north can be rainy and chilly. Layers are your best friend, and don’t forget comfortable shoes for exploring those hilly streets and cobblestone alleys.

Indulge in Portuguese Cuisine

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January 13, 2025 mytravelingkids.com

15 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be on Your Bucket List

Iceland is a land of fire and ice, and it’s no surprise it’s one of the hottest travel destinations right now. From jaw-dropping landscapes to one-of-a-kind experiences, this Nordic gem promises adventure at every turn. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or someone just looking for some peace and quiet, Iceland has something magical for you. Here are 15 reasons why Iceland should be on your bucket list:

The Northern Lights

Seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across the Icelandic sky is pure magic. The best time to catch this celestial show is between September and March, when the nights are long and dark. You don’t even need to leave Reykjavik to see them, but venturing to less light-polluted areas like Thingvellir National Park will give you an unforgettable experience. Dress warmly and bring a good camera to capture the lights. The best place to stay when looking for the lights is Hotel Ranga. Click HERE to read all about our stay here.

Photo credit: Hotel Ranga, Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Who doesn’t want to soak in warm, milky-blue waters surrounded by volcanic landscapes? The Blue Lagoon is the ultimate Icelandic spa experience and is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, which are said to be great for your skin. Located just 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport, it’s the perfect way to start or end your Iceland adventure. Don’t forget to book your spot in advance—this dreamy spot fills up fast! Click HERE for our tips on doing the Blue Lagoon.

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most famous sightseeing route, and for good reason. It features three must-see spots: Thingvellir National Park,

the geysers at Haukadalur,

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October 30, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

15 Ways to Keep the Travel Spirit Alive While at Home

Traveling is one of the best ways to experience new cultures, meet new people, and broaden your horizons. I love the upbeat, relaxed mood my whole family gets in when we’re exploring a new place. No one has a care in the world. However, it’s so easy to fall back in a rut when you get home and it is not always possible to travel as often as we would like. Here are 15 ways to keep the travel spirit alive while at home.

Try new recipes from around the world

One of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its cuisine. Try cooking a new dish from a different country and explore its unique flavors. Here are some of my favorite cookbooks that remind me of my travels:

Click here for my blog on 15 Cookbooks that Inspire Travel

Read travel books

Reading travel books is another great way to learn about different destinations and cultures, and to get inspired about future trips. These books will make you want to pack a suitcase.

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca

By: Tahir Shah

Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer

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October 23, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

Top 10 Things To Do in Santorini

Many people think of Santorini as a honeymoon destination filled with starry-eyed newlyweds and wedding proposals around every corner. However, Santorini is actually an amazing destination for a family vacation and is filled with fun activities to do with your kids. There is no need for electronics to keep your kids entertained and never once did my kids say they were bored. Being in Santorini is like walking into a postcard and this concept is not lost on kids. Here are my top 10 things to do in Santorini with kids:

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October 2, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

15 Food You Need to Try in Portugal

One of the best memories of my childhood were holidays where our dining room was filled with friends and family. We would sit for hours and tell stories and laugh while we ate course after course. Meals were built with fresh ingredients and cooked with love. When traveling to Portugal, you have to try its delicious cuisine. From fresh seafood to savory meats, there is no shortage of amazing food to try. Here are 15 foods you need to try in Portugal:

APPETIZERS

Queijo da Serra

Queijo da Serra is a soft and creamy cheese that is made from sheep’s milk. It is great for a petisco (a Portuguese version of tapas).

Sausages

My four favorite are Chouriço: You can have it cold or hot, but an awesome way to eat it is a flame-grilled chouriço assado, cooked in a clay dish and they light the sausage.

Linguiça: It is a lot like Chouriço, but has more paprika and garlic.

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March 6, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

15 Tips for Your First Cruise

I have been traveling since I was a kid, but last fall was the first time on a cruise. I couldn’t believe how different it was from other trips I’ve taken. I must admit that I was a little nervous before I went. What I learned was going on a cruise can be an exciting experience, especially if you have an open mind. Here are 15 tips for your first cruise.

Choose the right cruise

Do your research and choose a cruise that matches your interests and needs. Consider the itinerary, cruise line, and ship size. Is it going to be a family vacation, girls’ trip, romantic getaway? This could change the ship that works best. Click HERE to see how to find the right cruise line.

Plan your budget

Plan your budget, including the cost of the cruise, airfare, transfers, and excursions. Make sure you plan on incidentals and tips. Decide what aspects of your trip you don’t mind cutting back on and what aspects you are willing to splurge on.

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January 9, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

50 New Year’s Travel Resolutions

New Year’s Travel Resolutions

Resolutions are often hard to keep, but travel resolutions help me brainstorm ideas for ways to create family memories. Push yourself to have new adventures, remember old memories, and daydream about future trips. You can also use these to create Travel Bucket lists. Take a peek at mine. Here are some ideas for 50 New Year’s Travel Resolutions.

Whatever you decide to do this year, I hope you have a wonderful year making lifelong memories! Cheers!

Take a solo trip, whether it’s for an overnight or a week.

Do a weekend girls trip/ guys weekend.

Try something that brings you out of your comfort zone.

Stay in a hotel close to home.

Recreate a cocktail from a great night out.

Go on a food tour/ pub crawl/ brew bus.

Head to a winery to sample new wine.

Visiting vineyards in Napa

Sample an exotic new food.

Go camping…or glamping!

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August 1, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

10 Things I Look for When Choosing a Resort

Planning a vacation can seem like a daunting task because of the large number of resort options. You may wonder where you even start.

Here are 10 things I look for when choosing a resort:

APPEARANCE

Is the resort attractive and in good condition? Does it look family oriented or geared towards adults? What sets the resort apart from others I’ve looked at? Does it have areas we can walk around or spots where you can relax and hang out? How are the gardens and the lobby? Does it look like it needs major upgrades?

Beaches Resort

SPACE

I can’t stress it enough…my family likes our space! Especially when the girls were younger and had early bed times, we needed a place to unwind for a few hours without waking them up. I’ll never forget when, in Bermuda, my husband sat in the bathroom watching a movie on his iPad so he wouldn’t wake up the kids. A suite with a door to the bedroom is a great solution. That way, you can all sleep in the same room but not have to do it at the same time.

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July 18, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

10 Things Kids Gain from Sleepaway Camp

A few years ago, my friend Julie and I were miserable because our girls went to sleepaway camp for two weeks. We were missing our kiddos, obsessing about whether they were OK, and we started asking ourselves why we even send them. Is it really worth being away from them for such a long time? After feeling sorry for myself (and making a really big mojito) things started to come into perspective. The girls LOVE camp and they are lucky to be able to have this experience. So Julie, as we head into another summer of our girls being gone, let’s think about all the things they gain from sleepaway camp.

INDEPENDENCE

I can be a bit controlling at times (OK…my girls sometimes call me their ‘smother’) so camp gives them a chance to make some decisions on their own. They get to choose what activities they do during free time, when to write home (only once last year for my youngest…big sigh), and when to brush their teeth (I’m embarrassed to tell you how many times that actually happened!). Camp gives them the chance to make unexpected choices like when my older daughter chose to go on a long bike ride with a group of girls she didn’t know and ended up having a great time.

SOCIAL SKILLS

When you are placed in a cabin with 11 other girls, it is a crash course in social skills. You learn to be cooperative, respectful, and empathetic. This is a great chance to learn problem solving since there are bound to be disagreements.

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April 18, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

One-On-One Getaways with Kids

Although it is amazing to travel with my whole family, it is special to be able to sometimes only have one kiddo with me. At first, I thought it would be odd leaving one kid behind, but it has turned out to be an amazing experience for our whole family. These one-on-one getaways are something we both look forward to. Here is why it’s important to have One-On-One Getaways with Kids:

DIFFERENT INTERESTS

One of my girls is sporty and loves anything active and my other is artsy and loves a creative destination. One vacation is filled with water slides, hikes, and trampoline parks and the other with museums, plays, and bookstores. It’s nice to foster their interests without having to worry if the other is bored.

FORCES ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO DO STUFF

Did I really want to go back to the indoor waterpark in the morning? Of course not, but I ended up having a great time racing her down the slides. Did I really want to see that musical? Nope, but I ended up loving it and even buying the soundtrack. These trips give me a little nudge to do things I may not have done.