--- // Set content type to XML Astro.response.headers.set('Content-Type', 'application/rss+xml; charset=utf-8'); --- <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"> <channel> <title>World Travel Ambitions - Family Travel Blog</title> <description>Your guide to family slow travel around the world. Discover destinations, travel tips, and inspiration for memorable family adventures.</description> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com/</link> <language>en-US</language> <managingEditor>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</managingEditor> <webMaster>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</webMaster> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 13 Sep 2025 01:05:10 GMT</lastBuildDate> <generator>Astro RSS Generator</generator> <image> <url>https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/logo.png</url> <title>World Travel Ambitions - Family Travel Blog</title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com/</link> <width>144</width> <height>144</height> </image> <!-- Self-referencing link --> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <!-- Additional links --> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/asia.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - asia" /> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/europe.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - europe" /> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/lifestyle.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - lifestyle" /> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/oceania.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - oceania" /> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/travel-resources.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - travel-resources" /> <atom:link href="https://worldtravelambitions.com//rss/category/worldschooling.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="World Travel Ambitions - worldschooling" /> <item> <title><![CDATA[An Bang Family Food Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/an-bang-family-food-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/an-bang-family-food-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< is one of our favourite family restaurant's. Na is the amazing owner and she creates MSG-free meals with fast service. Her menu offers a range of Vietnamese dishes alongside a few easy Western dishes for those of us with picky children. Her prices are some of the best in the An Bang area, making it a great option for families on a budget. ### The French Bakery [The French Bakery](https://goo.gl/maps/atHdwHfM5GYtwW5i9) is another of our favourite food spots in An Bang. The cooking is top quality at a fantastic price. They love children here, so if you have a baby, you might actually get to enjoy your meal while someone takes your baby to look at the lights or wave to the people. It's amazing. ### Banh Mi For a quick, cheap snack or lunch on the go, head over to [Bánh Mì Hai Cây Xoài](https://goo.gl/maps/QF5BUmAmyxy1xvzh7). There are two banh mi stalls are located right opposite each other, and they're known for their delicious banh mi sandwiches. Be sure to go to the one on the beach side of the road! They're both good, but the beach side one is the best. ### Ken's Vegetarian If you're looking for vegetarian food, then [Ken's Vegetarian](https://goo.gl/maps/SDR6Hve4m7cuL9sB7) is the place to be. The food is delicious and plenty of vegetarian twists on some of the traditional central Vietnam dishes. Occasionally, the service can be a bit slow. So, make sure you have plenty of time when you visit. ### Cosy Corner With plenty of great food options, proximity to the beach, boardgames and a book exchange, [Cosy Corner](https://goo.gl/maps/WSdNtbPUx7aNqYzj8) is a fantastic spot for families to hang out for brunch. Be warned, it's pretty popular with everyone, so if you head there on a weekend, go early as the tables fill up really quick. ### Blu Station If you're in the mood for Greek, head over to [Blu Station](https://goo.gl/maps/C6YAfKU9CviaogKm7). This restaurant also has a minimart where you can find big boxes of cereal if your kids like/need that stuff. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, making it a great option for families. ### Phuong Beach Restaurant [Phuong Beach Restaurant](https://goo.gl/maps/nvqKkZn116wdMCw36) is a great spot for families looking to relax on the beach. The loungers are free as long as you buy a drink or something to eat. The food is good, and the prices are reasonable for the location. This is also the location for the [Go Surfing](https://www.facebook.com/GoSurfingVietnam) surf shack. ### Happy Bird For waffles and other sweet treats, head over to [Happy Bird](https://goo.gl/maps/4MvtbtLfeKcdqujr5). Michael and his wife are lovely and this is one of my favourite places for a quiet, low key breakfast. They also have a few beach toys around to keep the little ones entertained while you eat. ### Bikini Bottom This is a great spot if you like American style pancakes and smoothie bowls. [Bikini Bottom](https://goo.gl/maps/5aN1VuYWTvQRNQuq9) has both an An Bang Beach and Da Nang location with a cool vibe. It's definitely worth visiting if you're here a while. ### Cay Me (The Tamarind Tree Restaurant) [The Tamarind Tree restaurant](https://goo.gl/maps/haWBMMevmG5wBeAS8), also known as Cay Me, makes the very best coconut coffees in An Bang Beach. They also have a great menu filled with all the local favourite dishes at fantastic prices. They also offer local delivery. Just call in and ask to connect with them on WhatsApp. The map location is incorrectly placed, so you'll find Cay Me opposite the minimart and pharmacy. ### The Deckhouse If you want to treat yourself to a lovely meal overlooking the ocean, check out [The Deckhouse](https://goo.gl/maps/DDb39MvZ3GEZjbDT8). This place has a fantastic Mahi-Mahi burger, beautiful seating arrangements and don't miss the pool located opposite the main venue. ### Dolphin Restaurant This one is one of my favourite beach front spots. [Dolphin Restaurant](https://goo.gl/maps/N9Ahbz369uu7AsfRA) is probably one of the least expensive of the beachfront restaurant options and has a small area for children to play (however not a lot of shade cover). ### La Plage [La Plage](https://goo.gl/maps/VymM5M7ZL8LbnRPBA) is a beautiful, instagrammable beach front restaurant. There is a small slide, colourful swings, and a few toys for kids to bounce around on. It's also got lovely trees providing shade while the children play. ### Weavers This is another fantastic place to eat if you're looking for burgers or British food. [Weavers](https://goo.gl/maps/JLH3oURv3KSLX8zL8) have some of the best breakfasts in town. ## Markets, Mini marts, and Bakeries ### Early Morning Market For a truly authentic experience, visit the [Early Morning Market](https://goo.gl/maps/6F2eXCMCXqVxiwmn7). Open from 5am-8:30am (sometimes a little later for some fruit if you're lucky), this is the place you will find a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. If you're planning to buy meat, go extra early as you want to buy meat fresh. It's a great place to visit daily for your fresh supply of fruit snacks for the children. ### Minimart in case you miss the early morning market This [minimart](https://goo.gl/maps/rsfNp57ZWd4v3KhR6) usually has fruit and eggs, etc. It is the biggest mini-mart in the area. If there is something you can't find, do a quick google search and show them the photo. Most often, they will have it. ### Linh Sang In case your accommodation doesn't have a water filter, you can buy a 20L water from [Linh Sang](https://goo.gl/maps/CkqWo3hYtgVJR3r2A). They also have various other snacks, nappies and most of what you might need. ### Bakery Duy Hải [Bakery Duy Hai](https://goo.gl/maps/bcLgUozn8xRgf6rJ7) is our local bakery (they used to do sourdough, but I don't know if this is still the case). Their coconut tarts are fantastic, and they supply the banh mi rolls to many of the local restaurants around town. ### 7 Son Bakery & Coffee This bakery is great for a sweet treat or lunch. There is a nice area to dine in. You'll find [7 Son](https://goo.gl/maps/1SX8pxh2gYCo97dN8) near the main intersection. ### Thom's Sourdough Bakery Amazing sourdough and fantastic breakfast options. Give [Thom's](https://goo.gl/maps/BUUrtV11w8gxPtCcA) a try if you are looking for some home comforts of croissants and paninis. ## Tan Thanh Beach Tan Thanh is the next beach village south of An Bang. I've included it here because perhaps you're staying this side of An Bang and need a few recommendations. ### Barefoot Beach Bar ​[The Barefoot Beach Club](https://goo.gl/maps/PTxDhZAFVZVcKF3QA) is a great place if your kids need some grass to run around. There's a big slide, big tables and oreo shakes. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out when they are running specials. While we've been here, they have Taco Tuesdays, tacos for 40k. Absolutely amazing value. ### Sound of Silence If you're looking for a beautiful place to enjoy a great coffee with a view, [Sound of Silence](https://goo.gl/maps/JikVeESMGwPwMcMh9) is the place I recommend. They also have These are just a few of the many family-friendly food spots in An Bang. As an expert on the area, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with the food scene here. So, pack your bags and come experience the best that An Bang has to offer!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>an-bang</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>family-food-guide</category> <category>local-restaurants</category> <category>beach-dining</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Waffles-The-Happy-Bird-An-Bang-Beach-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha, Vietnam]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-places-to-stay-in-phong-nha-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-places-to-stay-in-phong-nha-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< and consider ourselves almost locals there, so we really do know the best places to stay in Phong Nha. What started as a one month break, avoiding Corona outbreaks in Da Nang and Hoi An, turned into one of the best adventures we had during our time in Vietnam. By adding a month, then an extra week in October, we ended up STUCK in Phong Nha during the typhoon season (typically September-November) and then extended our stay to the end of November so we didn't have to worry about travelling in the terrible weather. During our time here we were fortunate to taste a few different places. These are our picks. **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._ ## The best place to stay - Phong Nha Farmstay We spent ALL of our time with Ben, Bich and their family at [Phong Nha Farmstay](https://www.facebook.com/thephongnhafarmstay). This place is SPECIAL. Ben was the crazy Aussie with the idea to bring tourism to the middle of nowhere in Vietnam. People told him it couldn't be done. And Ben is what makes Phong Nha the best adventure we ever had. He is so full of energy, he has time and adventure. Ben wants you to have the time of your life. And we totally did. Phong Nha Farmstay has an awesome vibe. The people it attracts are also pretty amazing. We loved the area by the pool. It has some of the most incredible sunsets over the mountains.  !(/images//Best-Places-to-Stay-in-Phong-Nha-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg "Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha - World Travel Ambitions")!(/images//Phong-Nha-Farmstay-Sunsets-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg "Phong Nha Farmstay Sunsets - World Travel Ambitions") Stunning Sunsets looking over the rice fields and mountains - Poolside at Phong Nha Farmstay. ### Gypsy Villa (Jungaloo Collection) One of my favourite places I've ever stayed was in the Gypsy Villa. I loved the little infinity pool and the really awesome outdoor bathtub!  > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDnLVE_FyFW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDnLVE_FyFW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Gypsy Villa at Phong Nha Farmstay - I think it was named for me, what a great place to stay!  We spent one month in the Gypsy Villa (Little Lies is the neighboring villa with a similar design). This place has comfy beds a kitchen you can cook with, and it's just sooo pretty. It inspires joy, every time you step out the bedroom.  > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEGtuA-FMvi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEGtuA-FMvi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ### Elements Collection At the end of August, 2020 we made the decision to move because typhoon season was approaching and Ben kept saying it was the 10 year anniversary of the biggest flood he'd ever seen. Something in my intuition said, 'just move'. Ben was 'pretty sure' the Elements Villa wouldn't flood unless the waters ran higher than the one he'd seen in 2010.  We equally loved this villa, but it was probably more appropriate for our family and the long stay. It was a little more comfortable with a lounge/dining area and full kitchen. It didn't have the outdoor tub though! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="/images//Elements-Collection.heic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="/images//Elements-Collection-scaled.jpg " alt="Elements Collection - Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEyB7ZTAhqq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEyB7ZTAhqq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) The Elements Collection at Phong Nha Farmstay - We LOVED this pool. The Elements Collection is a short bike ride (or free shuttle ride) from the main Farmstay. This meant that we would have a daily excuse to take out the bicycles. It was also really convenient to the local market. This meant that hubby could easily pop down and pick up supplies for the days when we felt like eating in. We think this is one of the best places to stay in Phong Nha!  ### Victory Road Villas We didn't get to stay at [Victory Road Villas](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en-us&hid=2527781). But we did have pizza here A LOT. It was fantastic. They have beautiful villas surrounding the pool, and one big lux villa. We will definitely go back and stay sometime in that lux villa! !(/images//Victory-Road-Villas-Best-Places-to-Stay-in-Phong-Nha-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpeg "Victory Road Villas - Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha - World Travel Ambitions") Above image courtesy of Victory Road Villas !(/images//Victory-Road-Villas-Phong-Nha-Best-Places-to-Stay-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg "Victory Road Villas - Phong Nha Best Places to Stay - World Travel Ambitions") We also really loved the fact you can take out the kayaks from the Villas. It's right across from the river. Other points to note are the carrot cake and cheese cake. Probably the best you'll find anywhere in Vietnam if you are missing these things while away from home.  ### Phong Nha Farmstay We also spent about a week in the hotel / family suite of the Farmstay. If you don't need (or want) to cook, this would be fine. It's one room with two sets of bunks and a nice big comfortable bed. It also has a private bathroom and with the pool across the road, (and the dining area with plenty of space) you really don't need your own private pool. ## Lake House We didn't end up staying at the [Lake House](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en-us&hid=487303), however we did eat there quite a few times (we were there four months and needed a bit of variety). We got to see the rooms and the pool apartments. It is a BEAUTIFUL resort. The food, and the pool is lovely. Also, the hosts are fantastic. This would be a great option if you can't find room at the Farmstay.   !(/images//Phong-Nha-Lake-House-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg "Phong Nha Lake House - Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions") We made friends with the resident puppy at Phong Nha Lake House - October 2020 ## Pepper House Homestay [Pepper House](http://www.facebook.com/PepperHouseHomestay) is another place that cooks awesome food and has a lovely pool. We had friends who stayed here and they told us it was a lovely stay. Again, this is another place we ate at a few times. Also, wonderful people and stories to be shared about the early days of Phong Nha.  ### Which is the best place to stay in Phong Nha? Our vote for the best place to stay in Phong Nga goes to anywhere that Ben from [Phong Nha Farmstay](https://www.facebook.com/thephongnhafarmstay) can fit you in that works for your family. Ben and his family will make sure you experience the best of Vietnam. If you're wanting to find out what made our trip so amazing, you need to check out [this post](/blog/phong-nha/) as it covers the things we did during our time in Phong Nha.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>phong-nha</category> <category>central-vietnam</category> <category>family-accommodation</category> <category>family-stays</category> <category>adventure-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>unique-accommodation</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Gypsy-2-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[When the Teens Want to go Home]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-the-teens-want-to-go-home/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-the-teens-want-to-go-home/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNHIFes9Sk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Back then, I had no idea how I'd make it happen. I could barely afford the groceries let alone a trip around the world. Fast forward a few years and I'd moved to Bondi, Australia with the two (now) big children to live with my partner. Only a couple of years after that, I was able to go on a five week trip to UAE, Italy, France, Spain and Greece. At the time, I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience. But I realised on the way home that I wanted those experiences for my children. After marrying in the Cook Islands in 2014, I was looking for a goal, something to work towards, and I asked my husband if he would live in Spain for a year or two. He surprised me and said yes. However it still took a lot of [setbacks](https://worldtravelambitions.com/when-it-feels-like-life-is-trying-to-stop-you-from-living-your-dreams/) before we finally sold everything to travel the world. We began our travel in February 2020, then got stuck in [Vietnam](https://worldtravelambitions.com/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/) in March and remained there until August 2021. We all fell in love with that country that had become our home away from the other homes we had. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKvBVT-lfEs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKvBVT-lfEs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) These days, my teens want to go back to Vietnam. This one is tricky because since the end of 2020, only one month visas are available. It's not a place you can easily pack up and move to anymore. ## Our Experience - Pausing in Spain Now, we are in Spain, semi-settled, but still moving a lot. My older children want to settle. My daughter has anxiety (not from the traveling) and wants to stay in one place. We stayed in one place from December 2021 until July 2022 and she still barely left the house. This makes me think that even if we returned 'home' to Australia or New Zealand, things wouldn't be much different. Plus, she's told me she doesn't really want to live back in Australia or New Zealand. Since being in Spain, we welcomed our fourth child into the world. I need to write a post about that, as it was a magical experience. Since Manaia was born, we've had to stay in Spain because we don't have a birth certificate yet, and therefore, no passport. I'm still dreaming of bouncing around every few months but thankfully our baby has kept us in one place (for now). > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb4OxvbucxO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb4OxvbucxO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) As some kind of middle ground, we are considering buying our first home ever, in a foreign country to have as a base 3-5 months of the year. Somewhere super cheap compared to our 'home' country where we can live free of a mortgage or have a very small loan. We think it will be someplace that allows us to travel and see other nearby countries. We are originally from NZ and which is sooo far from everywhere and I haven't lived there over 10 years... Our adopted home (Australia) we still love but we don't think we would move back there either. ## Happiness and Feeling Alive is Important The key for me is I feel alive traveling. I didn't feel so alive when we were doing the live in a house with hubby working and me homeschooling. It was great. I was happy. However, there was a constant restless feeling. The conversations I had in settled life weren't exciting. People didn't seem to have huge goals. Many people I met were either stuck in the habits of life, or striving to create a six figure business so they could live their dream life. Once I began travelling (literally in the check-in line at Sydney airport), the conversations changed. I started to talk to people about their lives, their dreams and how they were making their dreams happen. We've met artists and authors and travel guides and people who set up their businesses in different parts of the world. I can't even imagine going back to the old way of life. Even if my kids really thought that going 'home' was best for them I don't think I'd truly believe that it would be. Hubby and I are from a small town where gossip runs like wildfire and people frequently visit the paths of drugs or gangs. Don't get me wrong, I know a few successful families too, but I was always terrified of the thought of my kids becoming besties with the local dealers kids. Also, the knowledge of the prevalence and ease to acquire drugs and alcohol and a messed up life... These things were in the back of my mind, I know I don't want my kids growing up around 'normal' life. ## Our Compromise In our temporary 'base' town, the teens are great together, they play sport and have good convos and sleep over. We can't get long term visas here though (Spain). We are investigating places like Croatia, with the Digital Nomad visa, and Portugal with their D7 visas as potential options going forward. We really don't know where we'll go or end up. For me, this is kind of fun. We hope that creating a base that we can return to for a season each year will make it a little easier for our kids. Hopefully that familiarity will be enough for them. And hopefully it is a nice balance so we can still experience this side of the world for a bit longer. ## My Advice You've really got to feel into what your instinct knows is right. Does your child really NEED to go back to how it was before? Maybe you can find a community where they can settle in a bit? Perhaps find a location where there are other traveling families and you can still live your dreams. I am really passionate about us as parents living our dreams to show kids the importance of setting the dream and making it happen! I don't think as parents we are expected to give up our dreams (and I don't know why some messaging in society teaches us this)... Living your dreams is a powerful example to set. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVnrkYnBTVr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVnrkYnBTVr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Also. Kids. Teens. There will always be a struggle someway, some how. Obviously as parents, we don't want to add to the struggle. But no one gets a perfect life. And most teens will grow up. If they complain about their privileged life of travel being a source of misery, then they will really need to start on some inner work. To me, seeking gratitude for everything (good and bad), has been one of the greatest strengths I've built. It's something I would love for my children to learn and understand. Gratitude for the hard times, because those are the times that shape you into the strong, courageous human that you deserve to be. I instill so much of this work, my learning, in my kids. I'm always planting seeds on how to deal with tough situations and how to rise up to become stronger. ## In Conclusion I think we are all doing the best we can as parents. And this is all we can do. I don't think it comes down to only considering the child's needs without considering the parents too. It's also really important to keep communicating. Keep talking. That's going to be what keeps everything going. If going 'home' will make you miserable, don't do it. I think it's far worse to be a miserable parent than to be living each day in love with life (my parents seemed quite unhappy to me growing up - and depression was something I had to deal with / overcome - it impacted all of my siblings very negatively). I know for me personally, I would prefer that my kids see me lit up, excited about life and on a mission to achieve my wildest dreams. I hope that someday, my attitude towards life will inspire them to go forward and achieve their dreams too. If you're struggling with this, I say, rather, be the happy bubbly free spirit you are here on the planet to be, than dim your lights. You'll figure it out somehow. And you never know what will happen to make it work out.. Feel free to connect if you want to chat more on this. I love to talk about these aspects of family travel life.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>lifestyle</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>teenagers</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-challenges</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Three-Kids-in-Turkey-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[When it feels like life is trying to stop you from living your dreams]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-it-feels-like-life-is-trying-to-stop-you-from-living-your-dreams/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-it-feels-like-life-is-trying-to-stop-you-from-living-your-dreams/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, for one month (we'd lived in Australia ten years). In that time we did a [road trip](https://worldtravelambitions.com/south-island-family-road-trip-itinerary-queenstown-to-picton-new-zealand/) from the South Island to the North Island and caught up with our family.On 5th March, 2020, we departed New Zealand for Vietnam. Now Covid was a thing, and about a week after arriving, well, we all remember mid March. It was insane. I was thinking HOW ON EARTH can all this be trying to stop me from my dreams?! Anyway, we were brave, and decided to stay in [Vietnam](/tags/vietnam/). It turned out amazing. We travelled all of 2020 around Vietnam. In 2021 we discovered we were pregnant with number 4. We still couldn't get into our country of citizenship, so we moved to Turkey, then Greece and birthed baby number 4 in Spain on a tourist visa. I think sometimes these hold ups are testing our commitment to our dreams. Hold onto them. Don't let them go. You'll love the life you create, and you'll look back on those hurdles as the challenges you had to go through to create a rewarding (and often challenging) life. It's never easy, I don't think any version of life that is worth living is easy. Just keep focused on your dreams. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="text-6xl">✨</div> </div>]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>lifestyle</category> <category>travel-dreams</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>inspiration</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-planning</category> <category>lifestyle-change</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-Tekapo-Church-Feb-2020-scaled.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Staying More than 90 Days in Europe (Legally)]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/staying-more-than-90-days-in-europe/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/staying-more-than-90-days-in-europe/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, we weren't entitled to any kind of residence and were on tourist visas in Vietnam from March 2020 until August 2021. Since August, we've been in Turkey, and our time here is coming to an end. Next up we plan to stay in Europe - more than 90 days! It's a weird situation! Now we are in Europe, and there are only a tiny number of countries in this part of the world that allow us to stay more than 90 days on entry. If you've travelled to Europe before, you'll probably be familiar with the Schengen Zone and the rules around it. ## What is the Schengen Visa? The [Schengen Zone](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/zugastimaa/buergerservice/faq/17-schengenstaaten/606722#:~:text=Germany%2C%20Austria%2C%20Belgium%2C%20the,Schengen%20Agreement%20and%20are%20thus) is an area comprising of 26 countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Santorini-Melissa-A-Wiringi-2013.jpg " alt="How to Travel Europe for more than 90 Days" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> When you travel here, (for most of us), the Schengen Visa applies. This allows us to enter and travel across all of these countries for a maximum of 90 days (across all countries total) within a 180 day period. This means, for most people not on a European passport, you can't really stay in Europe for more than 90 days. Usually, you need to leave the Schengen Zone every three months. ## Why 90 Day Visas are no longer 'long' stays For a lot of us, travelling (or being stuck abroad) during Covid means we are travelling much slower. It's too hard to plan for a speedy six week trip around Europe and then go 'home' to where ever that might be (assuming you can even get home). Plus, it's too risky. We have learned to allow for the possibility probability that at some time in the next little bit, there will be restrictions or lockdowns of some kind. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//How-to-travel-the-Schengen-Zone-for-more-than-90-Days-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="How to Travel Europe for more than 90 Days" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> That means we look for long visa stays. Or places/regions we can stay a long time without too much visa stress. We know that sometimes, a visa run isn't going to be possible. And we want to know all our options. And this is why knowing about what you can do with Bilateral Visa Agreements is more important now than ever before. ## Bilateral Visa Agreements 101 - Your Ticket to Traveling More than 90 Days in the European Schengen Zone Prior to the formation of the EU, some countries (now EU member countries) created independent visa agreements with a lot of other countries prior to the EU being a thing. These agreements are independent of the Schengen Visa and are between two individual countries. This means many people can travel, and remain, legally, for longer than 90 days across the EU region! The agreements vary depending on the EU member country and your country of citizenship. Some countries might have agreements with one or two EU member countries. Others, like our lucky NZ passport, has individual agreements with most of the EU member countries. ## Which Countries Have These Agreements? Some of the countries I've seen that have these bilateral visa agreements are: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, USA, Uruguay <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Kiwi-Passport-How-to-Travel-the-Schengen-Zone-for-more-than-90-Days-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Kiwi Passports are great - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> New Zealand is a lucky passport. Our passport has independent, bilateral visa agreements with 18 of the 24 countries in the EU region. There are a number of other countries which have similar bilateral agreements. [Click here to find the Official Journal of the European Union](https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c067e92d-5a8b-11e9-9151-01aa75ed71a1) that shows exactly which EU countries your country of citizenship has agreements with. This means that we can stay in Europe for more than 90 days! It's 90 days per country we have an agreement now, and that is fantastic. Until they bring in the electronic visa - I'm not sure how that will change at that point. I learned about this hack back in 2019 when I was researching different ways we could travel Europe. I made sure to hold onto that sweet nugget of information and now it is coming in handy! ## How to Plan More than 90 Days in the Schengen Zone (if you can) If you wanted to spend a ridiculous amount of time in the Schengen Zone, you can look at spending your first 90 days across countries that your country doesn't have a bilateral visa with first. Usually, the only time you could run into issues with this, is leaving, at the end of your time abroad. You definitely do not want to leave from a country that your country doesn't have an agreement with. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Italy-How-to-Travel-the-Schengen-Zone-for-more-than-90-Days-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpeg " alt="Italy - How to Travel the Schengen Zone for more than 90 Days - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Italy - Travelling without the kids in 2013_ Once you've got your rough idea of where you're going, then you can double check with the Embassies to make sure they still recognise the agreements. I emailed the Spanish Embassy in New Zealand just before we left (March 2020) to confirm the bilateral agreement was still in place. It was. I'd recommend printing these embassy confirmations so when you finally depart, you can show you've done things correctly (you only need to get the confirmations from the countries you plan to travel to). ## Record Keeping as you travel Make sure you keep a record of where you stay, transport, country entry and exit dates with you. You want to be able to show you've not stayed longer than 90 days in any one country at the time you leave. It might mean you have a bit of printing to do! ### Will you plan to travel Europe for more than 90 days? I hope this short guide helps with your planning! We are currently planning (sort of) our time in Europe from October 2022 until April 2022. I'll let you know how we go once we depart! Let us know if you'll be using some of these tips if you're planning to stay in Europe more than 90 days. And if you know someone stuck on this side of the world who might need this guide, please share it with them. You might make their life a whole lot easier.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>europe</category> <category>visa</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <category>european-travel</category> <category>schengen-zone</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/How-to-travel-the-Schengen-Zone-for-more-than-90-Days-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Tips for Travel During Covid with Resources]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/tips-for-travel-during-covid-with-resources/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/tips-for-travel-during-covid-with-resources/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><. This website is very helpful because it allows me to get specific information for my passport and current location. I found the information was a bit limited when I was using [Borderless by SafetyWing.](https://borderless.safetywing.com/) I'll still refer to the SafetyWing site from time to time to get an idea of what countries I might be able to get into. But _Can I Travel_ is my main research tool right now (and probably one of the best tips I was given for researching travel during Covid). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hanoi-Arrivals-31-July-2021-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Hanoi Arrivals - 31 July 2021 - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Hanoi Arrivals on 31 July 2021 - The screens were off and there was no one around!_  We've only taken one international flight (two legs) with the full on restrictions going on. Our earlier pandemic flights were before countries started going into full lockdowns. I learned a lot during our escape from Vietnam. What I can tell you is, don't rely solely on the information provided by these reference websites. You'll need to double and triple check the country requirements AND the airline requirements. This means going to the official immigration or visa website of the country you're planning to travel to, and searching for the most up to date Covid entry information. It also means contacting your airline or finding the relevant part of their website and checking their requirements. I'd probably say your safest bet is to contact the airline directly, take notes, get reference numbers (especially if you're travelling out of a country like [Vietnam](/tags/vietnam/))! ### How Long Can I Travel for? In this crazy time, we are always looking for countries that have favourable visa timeframes. It's too difficult for us to be in countries a short time. We are aware that (for us anyway) we cannot go home in a hurry. We've found it much easier to go slowly. My main resource for researching this is [Passport Index.](https://www.passportindex.org/) I found this useful to look at how long we can stay in each country with a rough idea of which ones we can't get into. This site has also helped to give us ideas about which other countries we'd like to stay longer term with a view to citizenship to acquire second passports eventually.  ### Booking (Anything) We don't book in advance anymore. It's too hard to predict what will change next week. Our flights out of Vietnam were booked ten days out. I booked accommodation the night before we flew to Istanbul. We found this house-sit and moved in two days later. I don't know where we will go next.  If you do book anything, check the cancellation options. I usually won't book anything unless it's got a free cancellation.  With flights, look for flexible fares. Many of the airlines offer flexi fares now by default. But definitely check this. Most insurance won't cover flights cancelled due to Covid! ### Insurance? For us, being from New Zealand ruled out all the usual insurance options. To travel into Turkey we needed a policy that covered Covid. We still had our [World Nomads insurance](https://worldtravelambitions.com/travel-insurance-for-nomad-families/), but it didn't include Covid cover. For this section of our journey we added cover from SafetyWing. I used to work in insurance and know for a fact you need reliable insurance. The reviews I've seen about SafetyWing make me hope I never have to claim on this policy. Personally, I cannot recommend it because I haven't used it.  At this point in time we've finalised two claims with World Nomads, and both were effortless, painless and fast. Their customer service has always been responsive. We felt really cared for when [Elijah got sick shortly after arriving in Vietnam](https://worldtravelambitions.com/when-our-little-guy-got-a-fever-in-vietnam-during-covid/). I won't hesitate to recommend this company.  We are now looking at International Travel Insurance policies because of our unique situation. This probably won't be necessary for most people, but if you are travelling long term, I'd highly recommend investigating this option. Being sick and in hospital overseas is not a great experience. It would be even worse to be with a company who refuses to answer calls and delays claim payments.  Do your research. ### Our top tip for travel during Covid: PCR or Rapid Test? This might be one of our most important tips for travel during covid. It's important to know that all tests aren't equal. We learned a lot about this when trying to get out of Vietnam. I learned that Singapore Airlines would only accept PCR tests from CDC approved facilities. In our province, we couldn't access a CDC approved facility easily. This was a challenge for us because of the lockdown situation across the country. [Click here for Singapore Airlines testing approved sites (listed by country)](https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/pdt-pcr-locations/). I mention this site because I heard of people getting a PCR test, only to arrive at the airport and learn it wasn't from an approved facility, or taken with time for travel into the arrival country. Seriously, you don't want to be stopped BEFORE you even get on the plane.  If a rapid test is acceptable for the airline, you MIGHT have a few more options. These are really fast tests. BUT be warned. A rapid test result may be valid for a shorter time period (eg 48 hours prior to either arrival OR departure - so again, DOUBLE and TRIPLE check this). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hanoi-PCR-Testing-Site-3-August-2021-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Hanoi PCR Testing Site - 3 August 2021 - Tips for Travel During Covid - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _A Hanoi PCR Testing Site - August 2021_ For PCR testing, it's quite common for the airlines to require this inside of 72 hours prior to DEPARTURE. However, that won't mean the arrival country has the same requirement. Don't get caught out. For example, arriving in Turkey (during August, 2021), you can enter with either a PCR test OR a rapid test (and under 6 was exempt from requiring any test). If you have a PCR test it must be taken within 72 hours prior to ARRIVAL. A rapid test must be taken 48 hours prior to ARRIVAL. Our Airline required tests taken within 72 hours of our departure. The reason it's important to understand this is, if you're travelling long haul and have a layover (like we did), there's a good chance you could be in the air 24 hours or more. And that might impact when you get your test taken! We got ours taken the day before our flight to be safe. #### Extra tip: Prevent a Positive Covid Result  One thing I learned during this adventure, was that some people do test positive on their tests two to three days before flying. And they don't get to fly!  We felt reasonably confident we were Covid free. We'd been living in a tiny Vietnamese village, [An Bang Beach](https://worldtravelambitions.com/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/) near Hoi An, Central Vietnam. In mid July, we were required to do a mandatory PCR test, along with anyone residing in holiday accommodation in the [Hoi An](https://worldtravelambitions.com/best-family-stays-in-hoi-an-vietnam/) area. That test was negative, and there were no positive cases in our area, which made us feel really confident in the lead up to our flight. Once we booked our flights, we decided it was best to just lay low. We didn't fully quarantine ourselves, but we weren't social butterflies either. We stayed home, ate in, and were very careful in the lead up to our flight. Visiting busy places unnecessarily was definitely not a risk we wanted to take. I didn't want to test positive before our flight and I was happy to take extra measures to ensure that it didn't happen!  If you plan to travel internationally, I'd recommend taking this approach. Just be conscious of where you're going and who you're spending time with. As families, I think for the most part, we are mostly really careful. It's a good idea to reduce the socialising in the week or two before an international flight to reduce the risk of not being able to fly at all. ### Connecting Flights For a lot of travel options, you need to also check your transit. Singapore Airlines required us to travel on one ticket and had a maximum time permitted for the transit. We weren't able to enter Singapore and do a 24-48 hour stopover. You'll need to check this out with any country you transit as these requirements can vary greatly depending on if your transit country is open or heavily restricted. Also, be really careful if you're travelling domestically to take an international flight. Definitely check something like FlightRadar24 to check your domestic leg is flying if you're not certain. In the European countries this seems to be less of an issue, but if you're connecting to an international flight, I definitely recommend giving yourself plenty of time in case of domestic delays or cancellations. In Vietnam, many of the domestic flight routes were able to be booked and were frequently cancelled. Very few were actually flying. We booked our domestic flight two days ahead of our international flight. The domestic flight was cancelled along with all the remaining flights for the rest of the week, which turned into the rest of the month and there are still ongoing domestic travel issues in Vietnam. You can see how we managed to scrape in on the last flight out of Da Nang in my IGTV below (hectic). > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CR_KWSLlxMm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CR_KWSLlxMm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ### Quarantine So far we've been lucky. No quarantine. Some countries do require quarantine. Some, like our home country, New Zealand, have a hotel system where you're fully locked in. Others have self-isolation options. Some of these are user pays, others are covered by governments in certain situations. Many countries don't require it at all. Make sure you know what you're in for. If you're booking a trip to NZ, the quarantine booking is almost impossible (and this is why we are in Turkey, not New Zealand).  We discovered places like Thailand have a managed isolation system, however the length of time you stay there can increase if anyone on your flight tests positive. You would have to pay for the extra time too. This was why we didn't end up jumping across to Thailand!  ## At the Airport I can't tell you much about the state of the world's airports (except for Hanoi, Singapore and Istanbul), but if you're flying from a country in full lock-down with few international flights, check-in time might run late. We got to Hanoi airport ridiculously early because we anticipated issues with immigration due to our visa (I'll write a blog on this another day). We rocked up plenty early only to be told by immigration we had to wait to check-in.  Then at check-in, we couldn't check in until after we saw immigration. This is Vietnam though, so it probably won't be such an issue in other countries.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hanoi-Arrivals-31-July-2021-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Hanoi Arrivals - 31 July 2021 - Tips for Travel During Covid - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Hanoi Airport Arrivals - July 2021_ I'm guessing here, I assume most airports around the world are going to require you to wear a mask. This probably applies to your kids, but for the most part, it seems like there is a lot of leniency for younger kids. Our youngest is five and didn't have any issues. I can't tell you if you'd need one of those weird looking plastic casing mask things though. We didn't need them departing Vietnam, or transiting Singapore, or arriving in Turkey.  When you plan, don't expect too much to be open. In Vietnam we'd heard the Ho Chi Minh Airport didn't have the aircon on and most of the power points had been switched off. In Hanoi nothing was open. We didn't test out the power points. There are no flight announcements. Most of the display screens are off. In Singapore, most of everything was closed. We could order from order stations that deliver to the terminal which was a nice touch. The Business Class Lounge was closed for us because we'd flown from Vietnam. The makeshift 'premium' lounge, wasn't really that premium. Lighting isn't standard. Speaker systems are portable.  Istanbul seemed to be more open. I don't know what the departures side was like though. The airport itself was much busier than Hanoi. But I guess that's because Europe seems to be open for the most part. SAW airport departures was chaotic. You couldn't just walk into the airport. There was a process of lining up outside, and being allowed entry in small groups. My poor son desperately needed a toilet and we still couldn't get in quickly. Definitely allow for extra time prior to check in so you can make it to the check in counter on time.  ## Onboard - Our Most Positive/Happy Tip for Travel During Covid One thing we noticed was we felt REALLY SAFE onboard. There was a requirement to wear masks for the duration of the flight and children under six were exempt. We had a whole cabin to ourselves. My kids took their masks off to sleep. My hubby told me he also slept without interruption and without a mask. The cabin crew didn't really come in to check though as it was a red-eye flight and we only saw the staff when visiting the bathroom and during meal times!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Breakfast-Singapore-Airlines-August-2021-scaled.jpeg " alt="Breakfast - Singapore Airlines - August 2021" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Waffles for Breakfast on Singapore Airlines - Singapore to Istanbul - August 2021_ Singapore Airlines provided extra masks and hand sanitizer for each flight. I heard a lot of flights no longer serve meals, but we managed to get lunch from Hanoi to Singapore, and we got a late dinner and early breakfast for our flight from Singapore to Istanbul.  We spoke with the airline crew and they were really positive. They were happy to see us flying. They need people like us to fly!  The crew told me they feel safe while flying!  They also told me it is extremely rare to pick up Covid during a flight. They have amazing air filtration systems and it is highly unlikely that you'll catch or spread Covid onboard. This made me feel a lot better about our travels. Since then, it's made me feel more confident about booking any further flights! ## Will you Fly? I hope this gives you a bit of confidence if you do have to travel during the Covid pandemic. I'm still not brave enough to take short trips everywhere frequently, but I am happy to know that when we need to travel internationally next, I'm sure it will be ok.  ## Resources - [Can I Travel](http://canitravel.net/) - [Borderless by SafetyWing](https://borderless.safetywing.com/) - [Passport Index](https://www.passportindex.org/) - [Singapore Airlines testing approved sites (listed by country)](https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/pdt-pcr-locations/) Please let me know if you found our tips for travel during Covid helpful or useful! If you did, please share it with others who also might get some use out of this!  Let me know if I've missed anything. I'm sure I can add to this post!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>covid-travel</category> <category>travel-health</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <category>travel-safety</category> <category>pandemic-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Breakfast-Singapore-Airlines-August-2021-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[I don&#8217;t know where to start (or what to title this post)!]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/i-dont-know-where-to-start-or-what-to-title-this-post/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/i-dont-know-where-to-start-or-what-to-title-this-post/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CJsfJO1FLOo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Then we moved back to An Bang beach. Our kids got involved with the worldschooling hub, I was working on our passive income streams and the blog started to grow cobwebs.  Since the beginning of the year it feels like life is a mix of full-throttle, and doing nothing. I haven’t yet achieved the balance that will help us to create a successful blog (YET). I’ve also been overwhelmed on social media. I spent a good portion of my time earlier in the year on our Instagram. I was really enjoying it because I’d created a little process. But once we moved to An Bang, time vanished and I felt a little bored (am I allowed to say that?). We were back in a routine. I felt like we didn't really have much of interest to share. We’d run out of savings. We were trying to minimise spending and trying to find a way to save up again so we could move on to the European part of our adventure.  > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CN30Ca7AfCW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CN30Ca7AfCW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) I had moments where I wondered if we had totally messed up. Some days I looked at the bank balance and freaked out. I knew there was not enough to buy flights to go home. Or go anywhere. It was a surreal feeling. But somehow it wasn’t stressful. We just knew it would all work out. These are some of the things I feel like I need to write about for you. So you can see what our life was really like then. And how much it’s changed and transformed in the past three months. I also want to be transparent about our Forex opportunity. Some of you might wonder why I don’t actively promote it anymore. And there is a lot to go into that post. I wonder some days, should I take down the Instagram highlight about it? But I have nothing to hide there. And if things end up going badly, I will be totally honest about it. So far, it is still running, it supported us financially from January to May 2021. I can’t say anything horrible about it. I just wouldn’t recommend people put too much into it because I cannot ever promise that we won’t wake up tomorrow and the platform is gone.  I’ll go into this side a little more in a dedicated post. I really only came to this conclusion after seeing more transparency and becoming deeply involved in the crypto industry. There is a lot for me to explain to help people make the right decisions when evaluating what to invest in! > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CNWeHs6FPfD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CNWeHs6FPfD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) I’ve also got my post about flying throughout the pandemic. I want to tell you all about our crazy adventure trying to leave Vietnam (just getting out of our province was an absolute nightmare) and our smooth arrival in Turkey.  There is so much for me to share. I have so many words in my head. They are much better to be on the blog. So bare with me as I write. It might be a bit back and forwards for a while. I really need to find a mountain location where I can stare out the window for a month while I type it all out!! Please feel free to [message me](http://instagram.com/worldtravelambitions) with any questions or suggestions. I’d be grateful to know what you’d like to find out next!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>lifestyle</category> <category>travel-dreams</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>inspiration</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-planning</category> <category>lifestyle-change</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/An-Bang-Vietnam-Where-Do-I-Start-World-Travel-Ambitions-2021.png" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Top things to do in Phu Quoc, Vietnam]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-things-to-do-in-phu-quoc-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-things-to-do-in-phu-quoc-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, as this was a brilliant location and it made us happy to stay a lot longer than we planned. ## Free: Visit Starfish Beach One of the first places we visited was Starfish Beach. This is in the north of the island. There are a lot of tours you can do that will include this beach. We were fortunate to spread our first ten days around the island, and spent a week at [Hani Villa](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en-us&hid=12549808) in the north. From that villa, it was a short trip to the northern tip to see the Starfish beach. We also really liked that it could be a cheap day out, just petrol and a bahn mi on the way. It's always great when you can enjoy family time at the beach on the low to no cost. [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/6QJ4DBZKwQRB3rLr7) <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Starfish-Beach-Best-things-to-do-Phu-Quoc-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Starfish Beach - Best things to do Phu Quoc - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Starfish Beach, was a great place to spend New Years day, 2021_ ## Free: Watch Unforgettable Sunsets We loved the Sunsets from [The Palmy Resort](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en-us&hid=2570684) and surrounding beaches. The infinity pool here was gorgeous. This was a fantastic place to head to after our dinner and enjoy a drink and swim with the incredible views. [Map Location: The Palmy Resort](https://goo.gl/maps/trz6iM7J1zFLteoP9) <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Sunsets-at-the-Palmy-Best-things-Phu-Quoc-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Sunsets at the Palmy - Best things Phu Quoc " class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The Palmy Resort, Phu Quoc - One of the nicest spots to watch the incredible sunsets_ ## Free: Night Markets Another free activity, but maybe not so free if you like to spend money at tourist markets, is visiting the Phu Quoc night markets. This is a great evening where you can walk through the seafood markets and enjoy fresh fish and seafood. Possibly not so fun if you don't enjoy the seafood though. Our family had a great time at the markets, but our tip is don't make our mistake. We parked at the top end of town, near the wharf thinking it was free parking, as all the locals were parked in the same area. The problem was, there was a sign, in Vietnamese, that we didn't read or notice. When we returned, our bikes were gone! Check out our post below to find out what happened. [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/uPwiD497VaetMHCDA) > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKG1gvmlE5Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKG1gvmlE5Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## Inflatable Park This awesome inflatable park was a short walk from our stay at Le Forest Resort. It was a fun place to get the kids out and about and jumping around in the ocean. Smaller kids might need a hand, but it was great fun for the older children. It's also at a reasonable price. Again, we were spoilt to be visiting at at time when there weren't many other people around. Our family had the whole park to ourselves. I'd expect it to be quite different now, since [Vietnam](/tags/vietnam/) has opened up again. In front of the bar located here: [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/cocQPUJoP64y39Pa6) <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Inflatable-water-park-Phu-Quoc-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Inflatable water park - Phu Quoc - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Our kids had fun climbing over the obstacles on the inflatable water park - 2021_ ## Rory's Beach Bar Mini Golf and a salt water ocean pool make this place an awesome place to visit on the Eastern side of the island. It's owned by Rory, a cool Australian guy that may or may not have a Lamb roast on a Sunday. We just happened to stop by on the right day and enjoy a local gathering. It was a place we'd planned to return to, however, for some reason, we just never made it back over there. We'll definitely head back over when we do Phu Quoc, Round 2 in February / March 2023. [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/kxgcooe7agbNsJMx9) > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKG1gvmlE5Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKG1gvmlE5Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## Free: Volleyball If you're anything like us and have children who are kind of like animals (they need to run for ages otherwise they are somersaulting off the furniture), then sports are always a lot of fun. We found a few places to play volleyball. These can be free, but you'll probably need to bring your own ball. ### Sailing Club The Sailing Club was the closest area for us to play volleyball for free. It is on the South Eastern side of the island. At the time we visited, this area was a bit of a ghost town. Parking wasn't an issue and we had the place to ourselves. It was an easy morning or evening out for our family, and great fun seeing everyone improve their skills. We'll definitely head back this way. [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/jNQvkRX4iJjTe8zo9) <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Sailing-Club-Best-things-Phu-Quoc-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Sailing Club - Best things Phu Quoc - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _I wasn't as fit as the rest of the family, so I spent a bit of time just chilling on the swing, hanging below the palm trees near the Sailing Club - February 2021_ ### Bãi Khem Of all the beaches we visited, this one place felt like paradise. It's the part where all the big resorts are. Again, we were really lucky to visit at a time where there were no tourists. It was just us. We parked our bikes, and wandered through the palm trees to the beach that was simply stunning. There aren't really words to describe it. I do have a video, surprisingly I haven't got any actual photos of this one. So you'll have to trust me. It's worth a visit. This would be my pick of the best place to visit / thing to do in Phu Quoc. It is truly stunning. [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/USY3UfN4Ag5quHGNA) ## Sunworld Our family is always a fan of water parks anywhere we go. We'd visited Sun World Ba Na Hills (not a water park) and the Vin Pearl Land in Hoi An (which did have a water park). I'd say this Sun World park was our favourite waterpark we visited in Vietnam. It was extra special because you take a ride there in a gondola over the islands. You can see what that's like in our video below. This is the kind of day you can get up early for, grab a bahn mi and enjoy the whole day running around laughing with the family. I know it'll be one of the first places we go to when we return. And I'd say if we have to let the kids vote, this would be at the top of their list of best things to do in Phu Quoc, probably close to the top of my list too! [Map Location](https://goo.gl/maps/oDBzc6K9pN8VqBp39) > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM0ri2QgKHI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM0ri2QgKHI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) There are so many places to see and things to do in Phu Quoc. Even though we were there three months, we still missed a lot of things. If you do visit, it's unlikely that you'd be bored! Have you visited? What do you think are the best things to do in Phu Quoc? Let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear what we've missed so we make sure to get there when we return in 2023.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>phu-quoc</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/phu-quoc-sao-beach-2025-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Learning While We Travel the World]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< [Download Duolingo ABC for Android](https://apps-apk.net/android/1440502568/duolingo-abc-learn-to-read) #### Khan Academy Kids (free - no Ads) This is our family favourite for learning online. Sal Khan has done an incredible job of pulling together practical education topics that cover most educational curriculums. While I'm not entirely sold on packing our kids out with unnecessary education, this is a great place for children of any age to pick up a bit of knowledge. Elijah uses this app for about 5 minutes a day, this one is his favourite!  [Download Khan Academy Kids (Apple, Android or Amazon)](https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/)  ### Other Apps and Websites We've Used Before for Younger Learners #### Reading Eggs This is a program we used with our older two while they were back in school. It isn't free but it's another great app to have on your device for early readers. [Download or use Reading Eggs](https://readingeggs.com.au/) #### Skoolbo This is another paid system that works on the Australian Curriculum. It was a good all round kind of system and covered a lot of different subjects.  [Check out Skoolbo - Click here](https://skoolbo.com.au/) #### Prodigy Maths Prodigy maths is great for kids who like gaming but not maths. We had a lot of success with this system however it can be little bit addictive and so we decided to not continue with it. It can be really good to get some foundations for a really resistant learning though.  [Click here](https://prodigygame.com/play/) ### All ages We use [typingclub.com](http://typingclub.com) as a free resource for touch typing practice. The kids use this for about 10-15 minutes a day as this is a valuable skill to have for anyone!  [Click here](http://typingclub.com) Another touch typing resource you can try is [typing.com](http://typing.com). We haven't used this personally, but it's also free and recommended by other families travelling. ### Writing resource #### Pobble365 My daughter loves Pobble. It's something that she has used on and off to get writing ideas since she was at school (over four years ago now).  [Click here to try Pobble (it's free)](https://www.pobble365.com/) ### Coding resources (free) #### Early learning  [https://scratch.mit.edu/](https://scratch.mit.edu/) Elijah has really enjoyed following YouTube tutorials and building games using Scratch. This can entertain him for a solid hour, and the skills he's developing are valuable. This is well worth checking out if you have a young one who wants to get started coding (Elijah started when he was 6). [https://learn.grasshopper.app/](https://learn.grasshopper.app/?fbclid=IwAR05rlONSYyRqhsZzf6rV1lNK_oVE7o7exkEVhIL-mAvpRq_KbHffQCNSeE) My three older children all enjoy learning with Grasshopper app This was referred to me by a friend at work. I work in tech, so it must be good. It goes through basics and slowly progresses to help children gradually add skills. We'll keep working on it and I'll update in the coming months how they go with it.  #### Beginner/Mid level experience or older children that would like a challenge [https://replit.com](https://replit.com/) This is another excellent resource to get you up and running on Python. You'll be able to save everything you create so you have a portfolio to show prospective employers!  [https://www.startonsolana.com/](https://www.startonsolana.com/?fbclid=IwAR1e3JSN-elTfzyUi666ki6XAKumQXqyCR9G8QL8cfI51VOvybux6iJTGiE) This is programming on rust. It's an upcoming language where you can leverage the early stages of crypto development. Plenty of opportunity here and lots of opportunity for remote work now and into the future.  ### Adult and tweens and teens  My daughter (13) is currently taking her first art class on [udemy.com](http://udemy.com). So far, she really enjoys it and is interested to enroll in other classes.  [MasterClass](https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=797461&u=1947965&m=62509&urllink=&afftrack=) My daughter took classes by Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys. She also took a fashion class and really enjoyed these. I took the negotiation class and learned a lot about communication. It's a great resource for learning, however it is not a free resource. [Caleb Maddix](https://bit.ly/GetApex4Kids) [Khan Academy](https://khanacademy.org/) [DuoLingo](https://www.duolingo.com/) [Mango Languages](http://mangolanguages.com/) [Studio](http://studio.com) Personal Growth and Business [TED](https://www.ted.com/) [Scribd](http://bit.ly/Get_Scribd) (read or listen for 60 days free) [Creating a Book Business with Kary Oberbrunner](https://karyoberbrunner.com/bookbusiness?cookieUUID=bb1056b1-3d99-42df-908d-4e2c72dbeb8f) # Other sites and Resources [Wordle](https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html) - It's slightly addictive if you enjoy words [https://www.worksheetworks.com/puzzles/wordsearch.html](https://www.worksheetworks.com/puzzles/wordsearch.html?fbclid=IwAR1znU0EXxcJm4YmxNIgfkae5Q7TDCAjfOs2ffElTceZCTbr8Mpqs_bVlig) [https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/fallen-phrase/](https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/fallen-phrase/?fbclid=IwAR30OxzLM94EPKwfqzMIPa3sFYkKHajq7oXUGAkl3kEFeg2TXBFfjJbeSrU) [www.quizlet.com](http://www.quizlet.com/?fbclid=IwAR0C52Fhcf-5zgdVLQXmMFkp_Ya-2Sea8S-VStvot73MSYRjzOXaGh3yoxA) Kahoot app [https://crosswordlabs.com/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcrosswordlabs.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3P8eoP0uFKW1S9WyLaFQcsnEFPXetslwr1IIrPl8U1gOSBSa2TOSyrTsc&h=AT3KvyP-SCuMLekO8-P-jBXrv4J7RhUxLYFkpGbrldCO3uAZ86t90DvGw6tQaXxqAsDzOgjhYgUr_xnxNLSczi-ppFGFd3La2Y5cpvVHMlvyD2bTGXX23x43v1c35EaxAf13wFs&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT18pheH_Zijoxbcfofoq-ng9XvzJolwSa9XmtG_puiSQPsXt9V4hJi8_bIqaq4ivSUZXNyViGZwFKE5pnbcM2dgrKAHbijPOGKDMr1YM5JbeCoxUHm3rPOOnc6tFEE0lUeBMT0WCCx_s2JQfLERd03BcXFN)]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>worldschooling</category> <category>worldschooling</category> <category>homeschooling</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>travel-education</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/worldschooling-learning-ravel-the-world-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Reflections on 1 year as a full time travel family]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/reflections-on-1-year-as-a-full-time-travel-family/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/reflections-on-1-year-as-a-full-time-travel-family/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< for three weeks? No, that wasn't on the list (but probably should've been). Ninh Binh was good enough that we will probably go back! We took a ride on a local bus to the border of China, an experience that was well worth the trip and something that most visitors don't do because it's not exactly convenient. And what about [Angel Eye Mountain](/cao-bang-to-ban-gioc/)?! That is one of the most breathtaking moments of my life (literally). I broke my number one rule to never ride a motorbike in Asia. Not only that, I LEARNED to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. On Cat Ba Island. Oh the freedom. I'm so proud of myself! We were fortunate to take a [luxury cruise in the empty Ha Long Bay](/bai-tu-long-bay-luxury-cruise/), with only ours and a sister ship in the bay for the night (I hear this is unheard of in pre-covid times). We even took a little trip to the top of the highest peak in Indochina, Fansipan! There were also some of the not so pretty experiences. I wasn't impressed with Ba Be Lakes district, the trash in that lake broke my heart. We experienced bed bugs in Sapa and I was having a breakdown while trying to put everything through a drier to kill anything that might've snuck into our stuff (fortunately nothing did). I didn't enjoy the VIP van transfer from Sapa where the driver seemed like he had a death wish. I had moments where my kids tested me out, and sometimes broke me! I cried under a palm tree on my birthday. I had mothers day come undone by first driving the e-bike into parked motorbikes (in front of the local barber shop where I had to do the walk of shame every day for the next three weeks) and then second when one of my lovely children threw a rock at another kids head and then another kid threw a hotwheels car at the TV and broke it. Now we like to stay at places that don't have TVs. Now I limit the amount of time we spend in luxury stays. I'm currently looking at how I can incorporate more shitty stays, just so the kids can appreciate just how lovely we have made this adventure! Although our trip didn't go to plan, it ended up perhaps better than the original plan. It forced me to experience slow travel. Deep travel. An experience that has made me realise we must go for the longest visa possible wherever we go. And spend longer in each country. I'd like to say we will spend 6-12 months in most of the countries we go to after this one. I still have no idea what is next though. 2020 was a curve ball. For many it was a tough year. Some days I felt guilty to be living in an alternate universe. A bubble away from the craziness of lockdowns and arguments about masks and freedom. A world away from conspiracy theories and upheaval. I remember early on (late March, early April) feeling really guilty as we would ride our bicycles through the rice fields each day and fly kites, knowing that people in many places around the world were in strict lockdowns where they couldn't leave their buildings. It was surreal to be more or less free to wander about and be out in nature while there was so much suffering going on in other countries. Some days I was divided about posting the magic that was happening. Other days I just wanted to share our travel as if nothing else was going on in the world. Some of the big time travellers had their frowny faces on because we hadn't 'gone home'. But we didn't have a home. Our backpacks had everything we owned in them. And I looked at it with the eyes that said, 'once, I was looking at your travels with longing eyes and no way to do that (yet), so why would you look at my travels differently'. Fortunately, I found a beautiful community on Instagram who I feel like are my soul mates. I'm so grateful for the families we connected with who were in very similar situations and also decided to remain abroad. Eventually, I stopped looking at the news completely. I stopped checking the world situation. I stopped noticing what was going on and could almost forget about it. Living in Vietnam during Covid has been one of the greatest blessings on this adventure. Every day I am grateful to be here. The people are amazing, the food is delicious, the hosts who have had us stay have been generous. What I've learned is if you think you don't like a place, maybe you just have to look a little further (two places we initially wanted to abandon and move on from, Sapa and Phu Quoc, turned out to be some of our favourite places in the country). I've also learned we are being led on our journeys. I go with my intuition. I trust my guidance. I'm learning to understand time and acceptance of what is outside of our control! I've also deepened my faith. Because I now know that I am supported. We've had some tight spots, and we have always miraculously met the right person or had the right conversation that has ensured we could keep travelling. I look back on this year with such gratitude and happiness. I am proud of us. We did it. One year into the world. Another year in front of us. And we are even more excited about what's ahead for us as our possibilities continue to expand! My thoughts for the coming year (some of which I'm still in denial about). We will probably only change countries after Singapore Airlines lets us know we can extend our flight dates beyond 31 December 2021. If this doesn't happen, we will probably stay in Vietnam until September then fly to Turkey... If Singapore Airlines does extend, and this is what we are hoping for, we will plan to spend another year in Asia. If this is the case, we will aim to see Cambodia, Thailand and then I feel like Bali, Indonesia will be one of the places we live for at least a few months. All of this depends on if the countries are open and if the entry requirements make it ok to visit. Other places on my list are Mexico, Japan and Egypt. Wow. So many ideas, no idea how to make it work or where we will be this time next year... So with all the uncertainty, I think I'll leave it at that. Here's a video from our time in Phong Nha. One of our FAVOURITE places in Vietnam. If you make it here after Covid, make sure you go to the one and only Phong Nha Farmstay and visit Ben and Bich. They made this place our home for over four months. And we are so grateful to them for providing adventures in jeeps, surfing, caves, motorbike tours, eating, more eating, and plenty of laughs. I'll be forever grateful for our family over there. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_0A2OgWdJU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>lifestyle</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>nomad-life</category> <category>lifestyle-change</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/reflections-phu-quoc-vietnam-february-2021-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[How we are Earning While we Travel the World]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/how-we-are-earning-while-we-travel-the-world/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/how-we-are-earning-while-we-travel-the-world/</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< where yes, we spent a fair bit of our savings in only a month. We were so lucky our first stop was the wonderful [Vietnam](https://worldtravelambitions.com/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/) because it is affordable here. And we were blessed to be stuck there during Covid. !(/images//Gypsy-Villa-Phong-Nha-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg "Gypsy Villa - Phong Nha Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions") _We are so grateful to be stuck in Vietnam during Covid - August 2020_ We were also grateful to be able to access some extra cash when my other car sold (just under $9,000) and a bit more from our Super (mine didn't have that much to begin with, so we took all of it) ✨ Now we've been abroad seven months and we still have a fair amount left. However, it's time to get serious. Travel blogging isn't cutting it (even the most successful blogs aren't making their money, so it's unreasonable for me to think I can make $5,000 a month blogging in the next 18 months)... So we needed SOMETHING, ANYTHING. FAST. And something that wasn't going to take too much time from me ⏳  I've been dabbling in Crypto and Shares for ages, but I'm just not an active trader. ### A Passive Opportunity Saved Us (But it didn't Last) We got involved with a trading platform. At the time, everything checked out. Subsequently, the trading company (that was registered and even actually sponsored the Seville Football Club in Spain), was shut down and [a guy was arrested for fraud](https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/police-arrest-everfxs-spanish-top-gun-at-airport-in-barcelona/). In October, 2020, an opportunity crossed my path, and my heart exploded. An opportunity to invest a small amount (only $300 USD), and allow some pro traders to trade in the Foreign exchange market which was going to help me double our return over a period of months. I was joyful to discover this because I didn't have to stare at screens all day. Instead, I was able to watch my balance grow, then cash out and / or deposit my earnings to grow some more. For our family, this seemed perfect. And it fed us for a few months. However, as time went on, it drastically changed and eventually stopped paying in March 2022. ### What I learned: As I've become deeply involved in crypto, I discovered projects like this are usually ponzi's with a great story, and lots to cover up. 1. 'Promise to pay' programs usually go bust. The one we were involved with is probably one of the very few that lasted beyond two years. 2. I learned the longer they operate, the more people they burn.  3. I've learned there are other, more transparent ways to trade and retain full control of your finances. 4. When the promises aren't delivered, you should run a mile (but try not to go there in the first place) Amongst announcements and changes, I realized I didn't feel comfortable being 100% dependent on our Forex trading investment and started looking for a job. I began to accept that this could all disappear overnight. This is why I don't really talk too much about the opportunities I find anymore (most things just are too good to be true).  ### I Got a Remote Job Earning BTC Instead of Dollars During my time of uncertainty, I applied for a remote job working in the crypto sector. It took a while for my application to process, however once I hit my first interview, things went really fast. It was a dream job for me and I accepted in June 2021.  This job, for me, isn't a prison. Part of our mission is to help half the world exit the traditional financial system by 2030. That mission sets my heart on fire.  One of my wildest dreams since I was 18 or 19 was to work for Google. I applied once. Didn't get the job. In 2019 I had an opportunity to get a job with Google in Sydney. I spoke with a friend who worked there and asked about what it was like. My friend told me about the hours involved and I decided not to apply because my heart said it would take me away from my family too much.  My new job feels right. For me, cryptocurrency is doing amazing things for the financial sector. Right now, crypto is comparable to what the internet was like in 1996. This is the start of something much bigger than most people can see right now. So it turns out, I've manifested my big dream. I think my job is better than working for Google!!  This job also gave me the depth of knowledge and understanding that I want to provide full transparency about ALL that I know and do. This is why I don't refer people to the Forex trading platform anymore. It's also why I haven't taken down my story reel. It's an unfinished story. I want to show you what happens (even if it turns out badly).  My failures are part of my learning journey. Just as my achievements are.  There are people out there who will judge me based on MY mistakes, or my inability to spot a scam. That's just part of life in our current times. Hopefully, most of my readers may just want to see the truth. And hopefully most people will appreciate the transparency with which I share these stories. In conclusion, if you're looking for opportunities to earn while you travel, there are plenty out there. Very few will actually create a long standing income though. ### I had a baby, and decided I want to reboot my online incomes In 2022, I was blessed to become a mother to our fourth baby, Manaia. Since that time, over 1.5 years at the time I write this, I haven't had many full nights sleep. I work, I sleep. My excitement for travel turned into burn out. I have been tired, not excited. I just wanted to rest! Meeting good friends in Bulgaria, that subsequently followed us to Vietnam, reignited my passion to build an online income stream. I really want to build my own products and share this journey with others. I decided to be open to different ways to make money online again. But with boundaries. No Network Marketing, no MLMs, no trading schemes. I saw a friend of mine talking about $700AUD days. She's a mum, and it got me curious. So I reached out.  What I found was something that I'm excited to share. It's not Network Marketing, it's not MLM, it's not trading. It is a digital marketing course that teaches people how to create ANY online business.  I bought the course, and by doing so, I gained full resell rights. This means I can sell the course at any price I choose (as long as it's above $497 USD), and no middle man takes a cut. I have set up my own Stripe payment and Bitcoin payment options. Going through the course, I realized it would help me also build my own courses and content. I have started with my first Bitcoin for Beginners course. And I also have a 1:1 program launching soon. This digital marketing course really set me up for the next level of success in online business. I'm really excited about this and truly believe if people are willing to put in the time and effort to learn a new skill, this is the best opportunity out there!  If you want to watch a short video about it, [click here and subscribe](http://www.timewealthy.xyz).  Now, we're building for more online income streams than ever before - and we want to help you do the same After meeting friends all over the world funding their travels in multiple ways, I decided it was time to get expansive. I've researched and tried so many ways to make money online. While I love my remote work, and will probably still stay in my job for a couple more years yet, I realised a goal for our family is to also create wealth for our future, and the future of our children.  There is so much uncertainty out there, and I know that I have so much to share on money, mindset and wealth creation. This prompted me to begin work on my new project: [How to Fund Travel](http://howtofund.travel).  Currently, it is a waiting list and if you get on it, you'll be the first to know when our online resources are up and running. I'll update here when everything is live!  If you've got questions, reach out. I'm here for you!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>digital-nomad</category> <category>remote-work</category> <category>travel-finance</category> <category>nomad-life</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>financial-planning</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/earning-while-world-travelling-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Why you Need to Visit Phong Nha]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/phong-nha/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/phong-nha/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, I can't thank you guys enough). What had me most curious was the worlds largest cave (no, we probably won't make it out there this trip - it's a three day trek through the jungle with a rather large price tag)...  **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._ However, this place is so much more than just caves, farm and jungle. Phong Nha is an incredible destination for history and rural Vietnam life. It needed a lot of time. I dreamed about staying out here for a month and being so bored I'd get a tonne of work done on the blog. However, boredom is not going to happen in this tiny sleepy Vietnamese rural village. Unfortunately, I've got so much to entertain myself with, I haven't even posted about the last half of our Northern Vietnam tour. It's the opposite of boredom here. Especially because of where we chose to stay. Please stay at [Phong Nha Farmstay](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=5860508) or [Victory Road Villas](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=2527781) if you can. Trust me. It is worth it. More than one family planned to stay two nights but ended up staying two weeks and more!  You can read more about the places we stayed on our blog Best Places to Stay in Phong Nha. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD24-vkFu_8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> We've enjoyed action packed days every other day. There have been bike tours, we got to watch bombs get detonated, we learned history, went on river cave tours, we walked up caves and went on motorbike tours.  There are cows and buffalos that roam the street every day. The kids are entertained with other kids, toys, lego, marbles, board games, camping in the restaurant, marshmellows, did I mention the swimming pools yet? There are bikes (motor, bicycle and even a side car), and you can head over to the Farmstay's distant relative, Victory Road Villas, for kayaking and a canoe - which we haven't even done yet because so much to do here! I'm coming back to this post after we leave this place. But for now, here are our highlights... ### Motorbike tour around Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park This has to be up there with one of our best days in Vietnam. I cannot believe we got four motorbikes, five adults and six children on a tiny bamboo ferry and took that thing across the river... Make sure you watch the video because this is something I never expected to do during our time here! No motorbikes fell in the river while making this video  ### Paradise Cave I haven't posted my pictures yet (they don't do this place justice anyway), but this place was incredible. I really do wonder what the big cave must be like. Paradise Cave felt like we were in outer space. It was truly beautiful! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Paradise-Cave-Phong-Nha-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Paradise Cave, Phong Nha - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Paradise Cave, Phong Nha - August 2020_ ### Cooking Lessons Cooking lessons were definitely needed. The food over here is incredible. We made these dumpling things (I'll have to check what they actually are - but they are delicious).  > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEA-QxJlanl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CEA-QxJlanl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ### Moi Moi Restaurant This is an outing in itself. You go out, they grab a chicken off the farm and you get to watch the entire process start to finish. It's a BBQ chicken and the bamboo pork is incredible. It's a couple of hours from start to finish, but this is something you don't want to miss. I loved watching the local boy patting the calf, and the puppies entertained our kids. This was a wonderful day out!  > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtYOmmFAg_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by World Travel Ambitions Family (@worldtravelambitions)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtYOmmFAg_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ### Phong Nha Cave A short motorbike ride away takes you to Phong Nha Visitor Centre where you can pay for a boat tour to the Phong Nha Cave. Make sure you download and listen to the pod guide at [visitphongnha.com](http://visitphongnha.com) before you go. Your surroundings are transformed when you know some of the history! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Phong-Nha-Cave-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg " alt="Phong Nha Cave - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Phong Nha Cave - August 2020_ ### Pub with Cold Beer We were fortunate to visit the Pub with Cold Beer a lot of times. Watch the video below for an idea of what this visit is all about. The pool was great for the kids, and the view was stunning.  ### The Duck Stop Most of the time we were at Phong Nha, The Duck Stop had been closed. However, when a super awesome group of families from New Zealand (yes, more kiwis in the middle of nowhere during Covid), they decided to open up for us for the day.  The Duck Stop is a lot of fun for families with younger children, or anyone who enjoys a great laugh. Below is a quick video I threw together from our time at The Duck Stop. It's just another reason why you need to visit Phong Nha, while you're in Vietnam!  ### Watching a bomb go off Ok, so not everyone who visits will time it when MAG have just discovered a 500lb bomb near the Farmstay. But while we were there, this happened...  My video wasn't quite so good. We got distracted as it was exploding. Opps. Bombs are detonated daily around 2-2.30pm. If you think you hear lightning around this time, it's probably another bomb!  Did you know, the Central region of Vietnam was one of the most heavily bombed areas during the American War? There are still plenty of undetonated bombs lying around out here. MAG is out there every day searching, locating and exploding these remnants of the war.  This history out here is mind blowing. I'm learning so much. It's part of why I'm enjoying it here so much. I've still got a lot of learning to do. I've still got a lot of bucket list places to see out here. But we still have two more weeks in this incredible place.  ## Will you visit Phong Nha? I hope if you plan a trip to Vietnam, you'll put this place at the top of your must see destinations. This has been incredibly wonderful, and as a family, we all agree, it'll be a tough experience to improve upon. Phong Nha was one of the best places we visited during our 18 months in Vietnam. We cannot recommend it enough and we are looking forward to returning in 2023.  If you'd like to find out more about this incredible destination, contact Ben via Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/visitphongnha](https://www.facebook.com/visitphongnha)]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>phong-nha</category> <category>central-vietnam</category> <category>caves</category> <category>national-park</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>adventure-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-activities</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/phong-nha-farmstay-vietnam-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Cao Bang to Ban Gioc]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/cao-bang-to-ban-gioc/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/cao-bang-to-ban-gioc/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< and we didn't  need to venture into the town. The hosts here are very welcoming which made us feel at home. The only thing you need to know is the beds were really hard, but this is Vietnam, and I still think you should stay here (even if it's only for two nights). We arrived tired and hungry around 8pm, but we didn't have to wait long for a meal before bed. The dinner menu is a bit of a surprise each day, you simply pay per head and she makes it. I think the food was the best value for money we've had the whole time we have been in Vietnam. It was very tasty and there was so much of it!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Gia-Bao-Homestay-Cao-Bang-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Gia Bao Homestay, Cao Bang - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Gia Bao Homestay was our home during our time in Cao Bang - July 2020_ ### Cao Bang Town We didn't see too much of Cao Bang town, except for the half hour when I accidently routed us into the busy town area with the motorbikes (nothing like [Saigon](/blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/) or [Hanoi](/blog/best-of-hanoi-for-families/), I promise). I was having a moment parked on the wrong side of a very busy street (busy for me on a bike) repeating "I can't do this, I can't do this" while my lovely daughter was telling me, "Yes you can, you can do this mum". Thank goodness for my daughter. I can't tell you a lot about the town, but I do know there is a market, and it's not too big or busy. ### The Local Bus from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc Our hosts showed us how to catch the public bus from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc - the stop was just across the road. When you look at this route on the map, it's only 83kms. It doesn't seem far, but with the roads and on a bus, the trip takes 2.5-3 hours each way. It's worth getting up early for a good day out! The bus ride itself was a highlight of our time in Vietnam. We weren't too sure about boarding the bus. When it pulled up, it was already filled with people, we knew it was a three hour ride and we definitely didn't want to stand the whole way. I asked the lady if we would be able to sit down soon, she nodded and waved us on. Scattered through the bus, under the seats and up against the back walls were all sorts of packages. As we started, we realised, this isn't just a bus, it's also the local delivery service.  <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDdiCcVl3Dk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> The trip is slow with lots of stops. The kids didn't take their motion sickness pills for this part of the journey and they all survived both directions. The falls themselves were truly beautiful, the best we've ever seen (but we are only at the start of our world adventure). It made the difficult journey totally worth it. ### Ban Gioc Falls Ban Gioc Falls are also known as Detian Falls and in the centre of the falls is the border between Vietnam and China. I haven't travelled the world searching for impressive waterfalls, but when I see a waterfall on a Google Map, I'm usually up for an adventure. These falls were the most spectacular I've seen, they definitely didn't disappoint (unlike most of our waterfall hunts back in NSW, Australia). There are two sections of falls on the Vietnam side. Both are lovely. We posed for some photos on the rocks under the falls on the Vietnam side. Rimaha and Elijah got in to get some photos, but the security guy told them to get out. They ended up swimming further downstream with a lovely backdrop. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCsK6jfllVR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> At the falls, you can borrow a horse for some photos and there is a boat that takes you out into the river. You may even float over the border. During non-Covid times, there are usually many boats in the river. I read on another blog somewhere that you can often shake the hands of tourists from the other country in the middle of the river. There were no boats running and not many tourists either, so we stayed on the land.  #### When to Visit the falls I think you can happily go at any time of the year. I've read some blog posts that say don't go during the summer because of the rainy season. We were there in the middle of July, and it was stunning. I read that there is a dam and the gates are opened around 10am to midday each day. We arrived around midday. I couldn't tell you if the gates were still open or closed at that time.  ### Other Not to Be Missed Sites Around the Area Most people only stay one or two nights in Cao Bang to see Ban Gioc, but if you're going all the way out there, you might as well stop by one of the most beautiful spots in Vietnam. [Angel Eye Mountain (AKA Nam Tra Waterfall)](https://goo.gl/maps/gTnNdrLRFLTw5bF19) is about 20kms out of the Cao Bang town and it was breathtaking. We all gasped as we came around the corner. You don't need to spend a lot of time in this place, but it is well worth calling in for a look.  <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0hUI3FQPj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> To do this you will need to rent a bike or get someone to take you out on a motorbike. During Covid, this was really quiet, so I felt comfortable to do this trip. It's not something I'd recommend self-driving if it's busy and you don't feel confident. ### Getting from Hanoi to Cao Bang and Ban Gioc This place isn't the easiest place to get to. After visiting [Sa Pa](/blog/sapa-village-guide/) in June and having a nightmare trip back to Hanoi (winding roads, speeding drivers and a car sick daughter), the decision to travel out to Cao Bang and Ban Gioc was a difficult one. I was very unsure if I wanted to take the 6 hour trip over winding roads to Cao Bang, but I also felt like visiting the Ban Gioc Falls would be worth it... It was.  We made the decision to book a private car out to Cao Bang. The car ride was as awful as I'd imagined. Maybe even worse, although far less scary. We ended up taking the snake road, which I had thought we'd probably miss, and it was really awful. The final 100kms (maybe a tiny bit more) took about three hours with plenty of hairpins and not many (if any) straight stretches. I'd given my daughter motion sickness pills as she suffers on the winding roads, but my other two children don't usually get sick so they didn't take pills. The two who don't usually get sick got sick. I'd recommend taking motion sickness pills or travel with an overnight stop in Lang Son. I've also read about a train that runs from Hanoi to Dong Dang, however this wasn't running during our time in the north.  Powered by [12Go system](https://worldtravelambitions.12go.asia/) #### Why People Don't Visit Cao Bang and Ban Gioc? Often people don't choose to visit these places because they aren't very easy to get to. They are even more difficult to visit during Covid, with bus services reduced and train services stopped. If you are in Vietnam for only a short time, it is usually too much of a hassle to get there. However, if you are in Vietnam for a long time, or if you're living in Vietnam, these places are definitely worth your time! And if you are travelling to Vietnam for a tour of the North, I'd definitely recommend putting these places on your list!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>cao-bang</category> <category>ban-gioc</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>waterfall-tours</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>adventure-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/ban-gioc-falls-vietnam-2020-feature-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bai Tu Long Bay Luxury Cruise]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/bai-tu-long-bay-luxury-cruise/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/bai-tu-long-bay-luxury-cruise/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><. This would have been a private sailing, however it was already out for the days that we could cruise. Instead, we sailed on a group cruise on Dragon Legend, which worked out fine because there weren't too many passengers and the ship had a small pool! **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._ ## What Was It Like? We loved it. There is something about five star that I always enjoy, and that is the feeling you get when you receive five star service. It doesn't usually come down to the material things, it usually comes down to the warmth and VIP feel you get from the staff. Some of my favourite memories are luxury experiences because of this! Our Bai Tu Long Bay cruise was luxury and our older kids first five star experience (I think). It left the kids wanting to go five star again. I'm not sure when that will be, but hopefully soon! ## Meals on the Cruise What jumped out for us on this experience, was the food. We ate so much, the food was delicious and there was plenty of it. My daughter opted for the vegetarian menu and she thoroughly enjoyed almost everything they created. The rest of us enjoyed seafood served in all different ways. With six set menu dishes for both day one lunch and dinner, we were very happy customers. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//A-meal-on-Dragon-Legend-Indochina-Junk-Bai-Tu-Long-Bay-Luxury-Cruise-World-Travel-Ambtitions.jpg " alt="A meal on Dragon Legend, Indochina Junk - Bai Tu Long Bay Luxury Cruise - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Some of the amazing food that was served up during our luxury Bai Tu Bay cruise! - July 2020_ ### The Staff We had two tour guides on the cruise who looked after us especially well. I felt very special when we arrived the first day and were taken out to our private lunch setting on the main deck. Our guides spoke great English and one of them was happy to answer a lot of our questions about his life and where he was from. We spent a fair amount of time chatting with our guides about where we were and their work and how Covid has changed things for the cruise company. We learned that their cruises had only just resumed a couple of times a week, prior to Covid they were running every day. The guides were very accommodating and helpful for us, they even organised squid fishing for our family in the evening! **Tip:** This is something that most Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay luxury cruises offer, you just need to double check the itinerary. ### Off Boat Tours I didn't want too much time off the boat because we were only on board one night, so these off boat tours were something I scanned itineries for. The Indochina Junk Bai Tu Long Bay luxury cruise itinerary was just right. Most of the time was on board cruising, with just a little time off the ship to check out a cave, go kayaking and a quick visit of the floating village (which was very different to the one we visited during our [Lan Ha Bay cruise](/blog/lan-ha-bay-family-cruise/)). ### Our Luxury Cruise Suites We booked last minute, so we missed out on the connecting rooms. But that was ok because our older kids were in the room right next to us and they are at an age where they are comfortable being next door. We loved the big comfortable (soft) beds and I always love a good bath tub, especially one with a good view! There was a comfortable sitting area with a window view and the room was spacious. Our kids room was the same except they had two single beds. ## Our Bai Tu Long Bay Luxury Cruise Itinerary [Click here](https://www.indochina-junk.com/dragon-legend-cruise/) for the up to date cruise itineraries on Dragon Legend. Indochina Junk cruises along Bai Tu Long Bay rather than Ha Long Bay - both bays are very similar. I realised Ha Long Bay must be very popular because when we took the ferry across from Cat Ba Island, we saw plenty of cruise ships in the bay. I can't imagine what that would be like outside of Covid travel time, I think perhaps there would be very many ships all following one another like ducks in a row. Bai Tu Long Bay is to the North East of Ha Long Bay and at the time we were there, only two other ships sailed behind us, so we felt quite alone except for the few other boats travelling to and from ports in the area. ### Day One We were taken to our ship on time at 12pm and we were guided to the main deck for our private lunch setting (how spoilt were we?). The staff told us we were able to go back down and move our baggage into our rooms while lunch was cooking. As we walked down, we spotted the pool and explored the front of the ship. After moving things into our room, we returned for our six course lunch which left us feeling very happy and full. This was great timing because the views heading out of the harbour aren't as spectacular as they are later in the day when you are further into Bai Tu Long Bay. #### Thien Canh Son Cave Following lunch, we parked ourselves on the sun loungers by the pool overlooking the bay. Elijah swam and we chatted about how lucky we were to be on this cruise!! Around 3pm we pulled into our first stop, THIEN Canh Son Cave. We piled into the tender and cruised over to the island cave, then captured a few photos before exploring the cave. Last in meant we were last out, so we got to take some awesome photos alone in the cave! Following this, we got to take the kayaks out for a paddle. Noah was brave and took out a kayak on his own for a bit. We got more super awesome photos on the kayaks before heading back to the ship.  <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCiGPGpnsvQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> #### Dinner Time After departing the cave, our kids swam in the pool for a bit while we enjoyed the views. Eventually we landed in our resting spot for the night. Rimaha and the kids enjoyed an hour or so of jumping off the tender and wowing the Vietnamese with Elijah's swimming abilities. Afterwards we headed back to our rooms for a nice soak in the tub before we headed up for dinner. Dinner was outside on the deck with everyone. We were cruising with two large, Vietnamese extended families. It looked like they were all having a wonderful time with grandparents, parents and cousins all enjoying each others company. We were the only foreigners (that's what we are called here), and had a small table by ourselves. Dinner was again six or so dishes, and I hadn't fully recovered from lunch, but ate it all anyway because it was so good! #### Squid Fishing After our dinner, the tender was moved to the side of the boat. A few bamboo sticks held lines with a small lure and hook at the bottom. The crew told us this wasn't really squid season, they would be hiding quite deep in the water, but maybe we would get lucky. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Squid-Fishing-Indochina-Junk-Dragon-Legend-Cruise-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Squid Fishing - Indochina Junk Dragon Legend Cruise - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Squid Fishing on our Dragon Legend Cruise - July 2020_ Our kids got bored of it all very quickly, pointing at small moving fish wasn't entertaining them. We didn't catch anything so we happily retired to bed because breakfast was up really early. ### Day Two - Breakfast and Vung Vieng Village It seems my kids enjoy sleep ins these days, so the 7am buffet breakfast was a bit of a stretch. We made it, and even Elijah woke up with enough time to cram in some cereal before we arrived at our morning stop. Vung Vieng floating village is a small fishing village where people live on the water. I wasn't really sure about visiting this floating village. I felt like maybe we didn't need to see another floating village. But there wasn't a lot to see if we stayed on the boat, so we decided to go. This village is closed off and you cannot simply pass through the way we did when we visited the village on our [Lan Ha Bay cruise.](https://worldtravelambitions.com/lan-ha-bay-family-cruise/) It has an entry point where you hop off the tender and change onto a small bamboo boat which is rowed by local residents. After seeing the Lan Ha Bay village, this one seemed empty. There weren't many people, it was more orderly. People had their own 'sections' with similar styled homes. This was modern suburbia to Lan Ha Bays old school mish mashed suburbs. It seemed to fit our Bai Tu Long Bay luxury cruise itinerary, but I'm not sure about it feeling completely authentic. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Vung-Vieng-Fishing-Village-Bai-Tu-Long-Bay-Luxury-Cruise-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Vung Vieng Fishing Village - Bai Tu Long Bay Luxury Cruise - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Bamboo boat rides at Vung Vieng fishing village - July 2020_ #### Authentic or Not? We asked about the village when we returned and learned there used to be more than a thousand or so residents, but most had moved to the mainland to give their families a better education. What is left is a more sterile version of the floating village. Only a few hundred residents remain, and it's not alive and bustling like the other one we'd seen. So perhaps it is not truly authentic anymore, but it is still a glimpse into a very different way of life. What we liked about this part of the tour was the green initiative. The bamboo boats are equipped with nets, so as we rowed along, if we saw rubbish, we could collect it. This was impressive to me because it is a start in the right direction. I think this is what the future of tourism needs to look like. This area of Ha Long Bay had less rubbish than other parts we have seen. The small bit of cleaning that is done will help. If more operators create tours like this, change will happen much faster! <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCfVEfzHUn1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> #### Back to the Port After our tour, we headed back to the ship to pack up our things and relax for a bit. We enjoyed the final hour of cruising with a really not needed buffet brunch (yes, this is in addition to breakfast). It was again delicious, and I was starting to feel like I'd eaten about four days worth of food in 24 hours. The buffet is well timed because the ending hour is much like the first hour, you are heading to a port and there's not a lot of that tranquil beauty around. It's also good for those who might miss the early breakfast. I probably didn't need it though! ## How to Choose Your Bai Tu Long Bay Luxury Cruise After going through the process of looking through a few different cruise options and reading stacks of blogs on Ha Long Bay Cruises, we learned a bit about choosing a cruise. There are three things you might like to consider when you are looking to book your luxury cruise: ### 1. Check the Off Ship Itinerary Some of the itineraries we saw had large parts dedicated to tours on Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba is a destination in itself and you could easily visit the island to do these without a luxury cruise. Choose a cruise that offers the things you'd like to do (for us kayaking and squid fishing were important). Make sure you aren't sacrificing a big chunk of your luxury cruise not on the cruise! --- Thanks for reading our blog! If you enjoyed it, please consider sharing.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>bai-tu-long-bay</category> <category>ha-long-bay</category> <category>luxury-cruise</category> <category>family-cruise</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>cruise-experience</category> <category>asia</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/bai-tu-long-bay-indochina-junk-cruise-vietnam-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lan Ha Bay Family Cruise]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/lan-ha-bay-family-cruise/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/lan-ha-bay-family-cruise/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< I'll create separate blogs for these because this one ended up longer than I initially planned! ### Crusing Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba We took our first family cruise which took us from Cat Ba Island (in Ha Long Bay) to Lan Ha Bay. This was a very authentic tour and a wonderful experience. Part of our plan for visiting this area was to get out on the water and we knew we wanted to do something local. This trip worked in perfectly with our adventures on the island of Cat Ba! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Our-Lan-Ha-Bay-Cruise-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-box.png " alt="Lan Ha Bay Family Cruise - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life outside the box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Our ride for our first cruise in Ha Long Bay - July, 2020_ ### How we did it At this time we were travelling with another awesome family, [KoolKidz\_Travel](https://www.instagram.com/koolkidz_travel/) who said they were going to take a boat out for a day. If we wanted to tag along, all we needed to do was show up at the port about 10.30am and split the fare. Thankfully Adrian's negotiating skills are better than mine and he bartered with a lady for her boat for a few hours. Off the top of my head we paid about 1.2 million dong. It wasn't much. We told her we wanted to cruise, then stop and look at the floating village, followed by lunch on a floating restaurant. She told us three hours wouldn't be long enough, so we decided four would be fine.  ### What it was like This was a private family cruise in Lan Ha Bay unlike anything else. Our boat was an old house looking thing. We asked if they had another boat, they did. So we got to choose between this box with paneless windows, or a smaller, more open boat. After boarding, we discovered we actually liked the bigger house styled boat because it had shade indoors and BONUS, it came with a dog. The kids were happily entertained and so were we, although we did have to keep careful watch because yes, those doors open straight out to the ocean - but there isn't a door to close!  #### Where did our Lan Ha Bay cruise take us? We sailed from [Bến Bèo port](https://goo.gl/maps/g1k3x2LB3UT8qkpb7), a few minutes outside of the main town. Our tour took us toward through Lan Ha Bay. We started by heading North around the penninsula. Our Captain then took us on a slow, gentle tour weaving through the islands near Cat Ba. He pointed out some interesting islands, including one that looks like a turtle. After looping through these beautiful islands, we sailed South towards Monkey Island.  We'd thought about staying on [Monkey Island](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=254035), but heard that the monkey's that live there aren't that nice... So we decided against it. There are many cute little bungalows out on the islands. I only discovered some of these at the end of our time in Cat Ba and Ha Long Bay. #### Lunch on a Floating Village Restaurant After cruising past Monkey Island, we headed toward the [floating village (click here to see rough location)](https://goo.gl/maps/SYmTV3rfoXsEPSvdA). This is very different to anything I'd ever seen before. It was also raw and authentic, very different to the one we visited on the Dragon Legend Luxury Cruise. We pulled into a restaurant which was just finishing serving some guests who were on another cruise. As they left, we entered onto the restaurant. It floats on the water, held up by massive plastic barrels underneath the wooden planks. At the rear of the restaurant are open cages where they keep their live fish. When you arrive, they pop a net in and pull out the fish for you to see so you can choose which fish and squid you would like served up. The food itself wasn't that memorable (I didn't have much as it felt like we'd just finished breakfast and I was still full). But the experience was so awesome. We probably didn't need to do the lunch, just cruising was so much fun! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Floating-Village-Restaurant-Lan-Ha-Bay-Ha-Long-Bay-World-Travel-Ambitions.png " alt="Floating Village Restaurant Lan Ha Bay - Ha Long Bay - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _A floating restaurant in a floating village - Lan Ha Bay - July, 2020_ ### Is it worth it? If you're going to Cat Ba Island and you want to do a budget day cruise, then yes, a Lan Ha Cruise from the island would be totally worth it. Especially if you have two or three families that you can get together to share the cost. You may like to swap out the lunch for kayaking, or skip breakfast and enjoy a big seafood lunch.  The memories of sailing here were fantastic (although I can't tell you what it might looks like outside of Covid travel).  If you're after something a bit nicer and overnight or two nights, we would recommend looking at a luxury cruise. When you are doing your research on cruises, make sure to look for one that has a focus on sustainability. We cruised with Indochina Junk on [Dragon Legend](/blog/bai-tu-long-bay-luxury-cruise/) and we were very happy with their commitment to make Ha Long Bay Green.  If you're after a full day including a Monkey Island tour and Kayaking, I would highly recommend [this tour from Get Your Guide (click here)](https://www.getyourguide.com/lan-ha-bay-l90401/from-cat-ba-ha-long-bay-and-monkey-island-full-day-cruise-t311323/?partner_id=DHFT5GH&utm_medium=online_publisher&utm_source=world_travel_ambitions&placement=content-end&cmp=Lan_Ha_Bay_Cruise). It was a cruise we would've done if our friends hadn't been with us on the island (plus it wasn't running the day I wanted to do it thanks to Covid). Our Lan Ha Bay family cruise was a fantastic experience and one we will remember for a very long time. Coming soon is a blog on our Indochina Junk luxury cruise, watch out for this in the coming days!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>lan-ha-bay</category> <category>ha-long-bay</category> <category>luxury-cruise</category> <category>family-cruise</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>cruise-experience</category> <category>asia</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Floating-Village-Restaurant-Lan-Ha-Bay-Ha-Long-Bay-World-Travel-Ambitions.png" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[The Best of Hanoi for Families]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-of-hanoi-for-families/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-of-hanoi-for-families/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< and is a wonderful base for exploring Northern Vietnam. This is how we've racked up so much time here! We've really enjoyed worldschooling here because there are so many opportunities for the kids to learn. Here are our favourite spots: ### The Imperial Citadel At the top of our best of Hanoi for families list is the [Thăng Long Imperial Citadel](https://goo.gl/maps/kxgMxfgY1Qjb6KBP8). This place cannot be missed. The entry to this place is free for children (winning) and includes entrance to [Doan Mon Gate](https://goo.gl/maps/1HBq5sAYaj1mug669) and some incredible underground bunkers! If we were visiting Hanoi as a family for only a couple of days, this place really deserves to be at the top of your adventure list. You can even easily pair it with our number 2 spot in the best of Hanoi for families blog, the [Vietnam Military History Museum.](https://goo.gl/maps/N3EE2JovDMvvDTiZA) ### Vietnam Military History Museum [This Vietnam Military History Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/N3EE2JovDMvvDTiZA) is right next door to the Imperial Citadel. [Please click here](https://goo.gl/maps/N3EE2JovDMvvDTiZA) to check the most up to date opening times. When we visited it was open Tuesday to Sunday 8am-11.30am and 1pm-4.30pm. Not open at all on Mondays.  Our kids love anything with war planes and bombs. They enjoyed learning about the older historical resistance wars with China, Mongolia, France and Spain. The displays of the ancient weapons had all our kids interested. We felt like we learned more about Vietnam from this museum than we learned at the War Remnants Museum in [Saigon](https://worldtravelambitions.com/saigon-family-travel-guide/). #### It's more than the American War (aka Vietnam War) This is because the museum covers more than just the American war and it made us appreciate how much hardship this country has endured over many years. We particularly enjoyed learning about how boss the women here are. The women fought these wars and they were important to Vietnam's independence.  We also appreciate the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people. Something we particularly love here is how they use their motorbikes and bikes to carry everything. Swipe to the end of the Instagram post below to see one of the most creative uses of a bike! ### Hanoi Train Street If you are done with history and want to see a different side to Hanoi, I'd recommend checking out [Hanoi's Train Street](https://g.page/hanoi-street-train?share). We spent a lot of days on the tracks exploring here. It was fun, and we found a fabulous [spot to enjoy a coconut cacao](https://goo.gl/maps/6MXpY2ZKmJ6Mh1Pe7) - our kids favourite thing in Hanoi! This place deserves to be in the best of Hanoi for families because it is unlike so much of the rest of the world. People live right beside the tracks and it is an insight to the daily life of people who live here! #### Is it open or is it closed? I have read in places that it is 'closed' and that you cannot go here anymore. But things were relaxed during our time here. We didn't find any issues getting in with the entrance on Trần Phú. This was a place we stumbled upon. We hadn't looked it up, or searched for it and just happened to be walking to our favourite MB Bank machine following a map when we found it. I think perhaps if you are trying to get into the Train street from Phung Hung you will have more difficulty with possibly being denied or escorted. You may discover you have to choose a cafe before you enter. If this happens for you, I have one suggestion, [Cafe Ga Dong Duong](https://goo.gl/maps/6MXpY2ZKmJ6Mh1Pe7). We spoke with a reporter who told us that the tracks are closed these days - he asked what we thought about it since we are lucky to visit during Covid. I told him we would love to see it still open, but perhaps there needs to be a limit on the number of people allowed to enter at one time (especially when there are trains approaching). #### Be safe, trains run on these tracks Trains do actually run along here, so be mindful of the times. If you enter on Trần Phú as we did, you will likely be fine, someone will stop you and you can ask when the next train is coming. Some of the cafes along the tracks have signs advising the times, but consider giving yourself and your family plenty of time to clear out before they come because trains can be early or late. Be safe while watching them. In Australia there is no way we could ever get so close because these things do not stop. Don't sit out on the tracks for an amazing photo (we are going to set up our Go Pro on a tripod to capture an oncoming train so we aren't putting our lives at risk). <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB65ejql5mT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Street Murals Just up the road from Train Street are the impressive [Street Murals](https://goo.gl/maps/CfShBVUbMBXpkL6n9). My daughter Aaliyah is an artist and she absolutely adored the art along the walls. It is well set out and they make for some stunning photos! Check out our instagram shots below, I think they are some of the best photos we took during our time in Hanoi. We visited this place one evening after visiting Bahn Mi 25. It was a nice afternoon/early evening walk and a great 30 to 45 minutes spent together as a family.  #### Dog Lovers Beware Dog lovers please be warned. Don't cross the street if you or your kids like dogs.  Perhaps you've heard that some Vietnamese people eat dog. If you start walking from the intersection of Hang Cot and Phung Hung, when you reach the end, don't cross over the street. There are at least two street vendors cooking dogs on spits. If I'd known this, we wouldn't have crossed. My daughter was quite upset by it. It's probably not something dog lovers would want to see.  If you stumble upon the murals from the Southern end, stay on the side with the murals until you are up closer to the intersection with Hang Cot.  <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCrDQFlNIX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Temple of Literature One thing I don't get enough of is temples. I love visiting them but my kids are of the rowdy and wild sort which means taking them to temples is generally not that enjoyable. However, I particularly enjoyed our visit to the [Temple of Literature](https://goo.gl/maps/eQ48S3TatS2qFJUVA) because it is a Confucian temple. [Confucius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius) is very deep, thoughtful and interesting. I was surprised to learn that he only started teaching in his 30s. This inspires me in my work, perhaps I can make an impact on our world too!  #### _"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." - Confucius_ Although my kids didn't enjoy it as much as I did, this place is worth a visit to see the temples and the grounds. It is has some great teaching points for the kids too. Check it out if you have time and find this sort of thing interesting like I do. If not, it's ok, there is plenty to see in this city! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Temple-of-Literature-Hanoi-Vietnam-Best-of-Hanoi-for-Families-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-life-outside-the-box.jpg " alt="Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam - Best of Hanoi for Families - World Travel Ambitions - Family life outside the box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Visiting the Temple of Literature in Hanoi was fun for me, but the kids don't enjoy it like I do - June 2020_ ### Hoa Lo Prison Relic aka 'Hanoi Hilton' We were curious to see the [Hanoi Hilton](https://goo.gl/maps/hQKm8YC7dd66K7GH8) because we'd heard good things. It was an eye opener. The kids had lots of questions about the Vietnamese prisoners that were held there by the French. We spent a lot of time reading about the war and how the prisoners were secretly taught in prison. Seeing the female inmates area was also heat-breaking. I couldn't believe how they were treated. There was a lot to take in, but this again deepened our understanding of the history of Vietnam.  Our kids were very impressed to see how some prisoners escaped from the prison through the sewer systems. We were all saddened to see how the original prisoners were treated, shackled to their beds. This was priceless for our children to understand the absurdity of war. It is so senseless to harm other humans, and seeing this first hand made our kids ask 'why'?   We learned about the name, Hanoi Hilton. This comes from the time the prison held American POW's. They were treated far better than the Vietnamese had been. There are many photos of the American soldiers playing sports, cards and smiling. I don't know first hand if that was how it always was for American soldiers, but it made me think how much I'd love to read a memoir from a soldier held there!  ### Ngoc Son Temple This is another place that is well worth a quick visit. It won't take long and again, cheap entry. The [Ngoc Son Temple](https://goo.gl/maps/z36nm8ZBDZxqRhtW7) is located on a little island connected by a small but cute bridge on the North Eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//The-Best-of-Hanoi-for-Families-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-outside-the-box-scaled.jpg " alt="The-Best-of-Hanoi-for-Families-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-outside-the-box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> A nice family photo at Ngoc Son Temple - June 2020 Our kids are getting good at spotting a photo opportunities. They both got photos looking back toward the bridge which came out much better than the ones we took on the bridge. ## Our kids pick for the Best of Hanoi for Families Now that we have spent so much time here, I asked the kids what has been their favourite places in Hanoi. It's a mixed bag of the Military History Museum, the Citadel (because of the underground bunkers) and they all can't get enough of the coconut cacao at [Cafe Ga Dong Duong](https://goo.gl/maps/6MXpY2ZKmJ6Mh1Pe7). I would agree that these deserve to be in the best of Hanoi for families! You can definitely visit all three of these in a day if you want to. We survived with lots of ice-cream breaks and bribery using coconut cacao.  ## Getting to Hanoi We flew here straight from [Da Nang](https://worldtravelambitions.com/danang-family-travel-guide/) with a plan to see the Northern areas of Vietnam. Taxi's can be a bit tricky for us because we travel with everything we own.  I recommend asking your accommodation to book an airport transfer for your arrival into Hanoi. This makes your arrival easier. If you can manage with less than a seven seater, you probably can get by with Grab or Fast Go once you land. [Click here to get the links below for these essential apps.](#tve-jump-17342e6f5ef) Other people might arrive by train or sleeper bus. It's pretty easy to get around the city.  ## Getting around Hanoi Hanoi is a pretty big place. In the cooler months you'll probably be able to walk to most places easily. For us, it was excessively hot in the middle of the Vietnam summer. Definitely not part of our original travel plan! Most people stay in the Old Quarter, this is the easiest area to base yourself, especially if you decide to take tours from Hanoi. It's also a great place to base yourself to find lots of good food and things to do. We got around by walking shorter distances, occasionally stretching the kids out to two or three kilometres and if we walked a lot, we would catch a [Grab](#tve-jump-17342e6f5ef) back to our hotel or trusty train cafe for a coconut cacao (yes, this is a thing and yes, you have to try it here in Hanoi)!! ​ ### Get the Grab App here ### Get the FastGo App here #### Taxis The only taxis we recommend are Mai Linh or VinaSun taxis. We had an incident with DaNang taxis where they gave us a set price and on arrival pulled a language card that had us paying a lot more than we expected (but it was still cheap, so we let it go). _Mai Linh is common around Vietnam and safe to use_ _VinaSun is more common in the bigger towns (we didn't see these in the smaller areas)_ #### Cyclos We didn't need to use these, we seemed to see them everywhere when we were 100m from our hotel! But what I've learned is you need to agree on a price before you jump on the ride. They seem safe enough, and there are plenty around the Hoan Kiem Lake area.  I'm not sure yet if the getting around needs to be in the best of Hanoi for families blog. But for now, here it is. I'll be writing up more Hanoi blogs over the coming days and weeks so check back soon!  Is there anything I've missed? Let me know and I'll add it soon!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>hanoi</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>city-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Best-of-Hanoi-for-Families-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-life-outside-the-box-scaled-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Sapa Village Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/sapa-village-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/sapa-village-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, but quickly moved out to the Village of Su Pan. Initially, I thought I'd be able to put everything Sapa into one blog, but I quickly realised the Village is so different and so created the village guide to Sapa for people who want to see the differences. As a family with kids who love to roam free, the village life suited us much better. Plus I was able to get far more work done than I had in the towns where there was always so much to do (and eat). If you ask my kids what they've loved most since we left An Bang beach, they will happily report that roaming in the rice fields in the village of Sapa has been their favourite time. We took over 2,000 photos in two and a half weeks. Each day we took a walk up a road, down a road or someplace new. The kids were totally safe roaming up and down the pathways. It was a dream come true. As I've looked back over our photos I get another wave of emotion. It was just such a good time for us and we highly recommend it for families! ### Staying out in the Villages If you stay out in the villages, you'll quickly fall in love with the gorgeous views. You can't miss them, they are in every direction. We stayed in an area called Su Pan. There was a small village store here and not a lot else. This town is near the hydro dam and a waterfall. It made for a great spot to explore. If you're braver than me, you might hire a motorbike and explore a bit further. I still have to write a blog on the time I crashed an electric bike into parked motorbikes - but this is why we didn't hire bikes. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBXBjWvlBbp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> We'd highly recommend checking out a homestay or lodge out in the hills. They are all more basic than what I'm used to in the Western world, but they are nice all the same. Ours had this incredible view from the bathtub. [Click here](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=12441225) if you'd like to see current Agoda pricing for A Tao Ecoland. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Sapa-Family-Holiday-Recommendations-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpg " alt="Sapa Family Holiday Recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The views were great from the bungalow and the bathtub - June 2020_ We spent a lot of time hanging out with the locals up the road at [Sau Meo Mountain View Homestay](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=8155819) (we liked their dinner portions more). They also have a swimming pool. It's basic, but it's a pool! I'd happily recommend you stay with this family if a homestay experience is what you're after. Su speaks amazing English, she is also a tour guide. I hope she sets up her own tour guide business soon. If you'd like to support a local to run her own trekking business, please message me and I'll pass on her contact details. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Happy-water-with-the-locals-Sapa-Family-Holiday-Recommendations-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Happy water with the locals - Sapa Family Holiday Recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div><div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Sau-Meo-Mountain-View-Homestay-Sapa-Family-Holiday-Recommendations-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Sau Meo Mountain View Homestay - Sapa Family Holiday Recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _We loved spending time with the locals at Sau Meo Family Homestay - Sapa, June 2020_ Another place worthy of your attention is [Sapa's Soul](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=12410852). We didn't stay here, but we did do some exploring and this family seemed really lovely and genuine. They have a family room with a private bathroom on the lower level and it would be fine if you were planning to stay a weekend! ## Eating in the Villages of Sapa Where we stayed in Su Pan, everyone had the exact same menu. The only difference was pricing and portions. We ate at a few different places and the food was the only thing that got a little boring after a couple of weeks in the country. Most people won't have this problem, but if you decide to spend a good week or two out there like we did, be prepared to eat the same food day in, day out! We love Sau Meo because they gave us HEAPS of food, plus fed Rimaha Happy Water. Be prepared for no cafes, no restaurants and not a lot of anything. This equals less spending and for us it was awesome. We had a small village store about one kilometre from where we stayed. There was also a little place (a bit like a garage) that had fruit. We got some of the best tasting peaches I've ever eaten out there. This was fresh and sweet and straight off a farm. ### Drinking water in Sapa Great news! The water in Sapa is great. We got by using our Grayl. The locals say just boiling the tap water is fine. We are water snobs, I can't stand council water supplies eeek. So the Grayl was good for us!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>sapa</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>village-tours</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>asia</category> <category>cultural-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Sapa-Family-Holiday-Recommendations-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Sapa Town Family Holiday Recommendations]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/sapa-town-family-holiday-recommendations/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/sapa-town-family-holiday-recommendations/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><. I've split this into two parts so you can check out both and choose what suits you most. If you're travelling to Vietnam, you might also like to read [What Do I Need to Know About Travelling to Vietnam? Click here to read.](/blog/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/)  ## Sapa Town Recommendations Sapa town is where most people arrive. Many people stay here and book their trek from this town. Our entry to the place wasn't that grand. I hummed and haa'd between staying in or out of town. I liked the idea of the conveniences the town would provide, I worried we'd be too isolated out in the hills of Sapa.  As it turns out, we were meant to experience both. We'd booked for ten days at place on the outskirts of town. I naively thought that we would be far out enough and maybe we could walk to see some of those famous Sapa Views. I was wrong. We ended up in a not so great spot on the main incoming road. It was loud and also had bedbugs. After pointing out the bedbugs and the fact there was no way we could stay ten days in that place, our host kindly moved us out to the country where we quickly fell in love with the mountains.  We did return to the town again after our two weeks in the countryside. On our return we picked something recommended by some of our friends and explored more of the town and surrounding sites. ### The town itself Sapa has become a tourist destination, and in a way this kind of soured the experience by the end of our time there. I guess for most people who only visit for the weekend it's not so bad. We spent a total of five nights in the main town and by the end, the women chasing us down the street ended up taking away some of the beauty that was Sapa. #### The Women around town Maybe it's just because of Covid, I don't know. But these women were relentless. They followed us into shops and waited while we had coffee, then followed us down the street. It was very hard to get them to realise we couldn't buy something from everyone. Especially when the goods were bracelets and bags and we have to fit everything we own into our bags that hold everything we own. They also want to sell you treks. I had a funny feeling about this. I read up on it and it seems you are probably best to book a tour from someone you trust. Some of the people who say they are guides potentially are not. The risk you take is a police check in which case you might be up for a fine. How much? Anyones guess because it's Vietnam. We have become used to the funny ways here. I find it quite amusing. But you might not if you have to pay a fine because you got picked up on the street by a trekking guide. #### The dressed up children The mothers have their children carrying the babies, this breaks my heart. I don't know what's right or wrong, but in some things I've read, it's better to not give the children money as it keeps this practice going. If you want to give them something, a bag of lollies or a treat of some sort might actually be better. I really don't know. I wish I had a solution for this. It's their way of life (for now).  Mama's be warned, it could make you sad, angry or furious. But it is what it is and I can only hope that the next generation who are more literate, might make the change and choose not to put their children on the streets of Sapa. It might seem cute to people who don't have kids (what do I know, perhaps it's cute for some people with kids?), but I'm pretty confident that most parents in our developed world would agree we'd do anything to keep our kids off the streets, and certainly not put four year olds out on the street. I have to be gentle with this though. Most of us haven't experienced the same kinds of hardships and ongoing turmoil in our countries for so many years. I'm talking wars that seemed to never end. I don't know or understand their struggle. I'm cautious not to judge because of my lack of understanding. However our experiences definitely contributed to our feelings about the town. This is why we preferred the [villages](/blog/sapa-village-guide/) which only had a few older ladies chasing us down and they weren't as relentless as the ones back in the town. ### Sites around Sapa town We visited a few different sites. There is a lot to see in this beautiful part of Northern Vietnam. Hopefully you're as excited as we were to get out and about to see the sites! Here are some of the sites in Sapa town that we recommend. #### Fansipan Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina. It is 3,143m high and you can trek up it. Most people do it over three days. We have three kids, and we didn't go prepared for a three day trek, so we opted for the cable car route. It is run by Sunworld, and it is another impressive ride. The cars hold up to 35 people, we were pretty lucky to go at a time when we weren't packed in like sardines.  At the top it's cold. Don't be like me. I checked the weather for the summit. It told me 25℃ and I believed it. We went up with light jackets and shorts. Then froze our asses off. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxTYH_lCTQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> Fortunately for us, the pain was not too long. At the top of the cable car you have a couple of options. One is to walk up 600 steps to the summit. This is something we wanted to do, but Elijah wasn't feeling 100% and we were not wearing the right kinds of clothing. We were saved by the funicular which is only about 50 or so steps up from the top of the cable car.  If and when you go, be prepared for rain and wind. We didn't get rain because we hung around at the top and waited for it to clear. But the weather up there is often (and usually) cloudy and cool. Over the two and a half weeks we were in Sapa, we only saw the peak once. It's not something you are going to be able to plan, but maybe you'll get lucky and see the top on a clear day.  ##### Tip: A lot of the hotels will try to sell you the Fansipan trek. They will tell you there's an 'easy' route. It's not easy. It's a mountain. Please be aware, trust your instincts and go prepared. Some hoteliers have tried to sell people on a one day up and down trek. This does happen. They want you to spend your money with them. But there are many different treks available. Shop around, or I can put you in touch with Su (a local we met - see our [Sapa Village Guide](/blog/sapa-village-guide/)), she'd be happy to take you. #### Silver Waterfall During our time in the town, we took a car ride out to the Silver waterfall. Our plan was to visit this and the Love Waterfall and Heavens Gate in one trip. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Silver-Waterfall-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Amitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Silver Waterfall, Sapa town family holiday recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Silver Waterfall - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ When we arrived at the Silver waterfall, we learned there is a walk up to the top. There is a cute little bridge over to the other side where you walk down. It took a bit of leg effort to make it all the way up. The view was spectacular. My photos don't really do it justice. #### Heaven's Gate We also ventured out to Heavens Gate. Another spot with beautiful views. And another waterfall. We opted to just climb to the top and see the views. This peak is 2,035, not as high as Fansipan, but perhaps a better view mosts days because it's not always completely hidden by clouds. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Heavens-Gate-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpg " alt="Heavens Gate - Sapa town family holiday recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The top of Heavens Gate - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ There is a Peach Garden and a temple. And some great opportunities for photos.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Heavens-Gate-2-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Heavens Gate 2 - Sapa town family holiday recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _At the top of Heaven's Gate - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ #### Love Waterfall We didn't end up visiting the Love Waterfall. After climbing the Silver waterfall and the stairs to Heaven's Gate, the kids were tired and everyone had had enough.  From what I'm told, the Love Waterfall is actually the nicer of the falls. So if we could do it again, we would have done Heaven's Gate and Love Waterfall. If you're fit and your big kids are keen, you probably can do all three. I'm really unfit and my legs just wouldn't carry me another three or so kilometres.  Between Sapa town and Heavens Gate there are a couple of awesome spots to pull over and take photos. We took a few.  #### Swing Sapa Coffee This place has MORE places to take photos with the mountains as your backdrop. It is very instagrammy. We were there during Covid and there were lots of Instagrammers. I don't know if it would be worthwhile if there were usual tourist crowds. It still deserves a menion in our Sapa Town Recommendations. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1soCtF86d/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0hDEjlFcx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Good coffee in Sapa We found perhaps the best Western style coffees here in Sapa. Check out any of the [Le Geckos](https://www.facebook.com/GeckoNhaHangSapa/?ref=page_internal) - there's a Petit Gecko and a couple of cafes around. They are all run by the same family. They also have really good brownies and apple pies. And New Zealand Natural Icecream. Let's just say being in the town we were blowing our Sapa budget. ### Eating in Sapa We were lucky to eat once at our favourite place we found (it was cheap and really yummy). This place came recommended by some friends we've met on the road who also spent a long time in Sapa. #### Hoa Tam Vegetarian Restaurant This place is called Hoa Tam Vegetarian Restaurant - [Click here](https://goo.gl/maps/J8un9zZjGXG4ptGn6) to see the map location. If you are coming off Cau May, you go down the stairs and look to your right. It is one of these. If you take a left around the corner, you've gone too far. I took a photo so you can see what you're looking for. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hoa-Tam-Vegetarian-Restaurant-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpg " alt="Hoa Tam Vegetarian Restaurant - Sapa Town family holiday recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Hoa Tam - The Nha Hang Chay almost had us lost - Sapa Vietnam - June 2020_ If you're coming from Fansipan, the map is a little misleading. You enter onto a square and there is a tiny alley to the left. Go down the alley, around the right turn and the restaurant will be on the left. This had a lovely variety, we loved the tumeric cake things. Wow, they were fantastic. We were so sad that the place wasn't open after we returned from the village! #### Hotel de la Coupole - Chill Restaurant This one is a surprise in our Sapa town family holiday recommendations blog. Ordinarily we wouldn't eat at this place because of the price tag. It's more like a date night place to eat. But our friends told us about their 50% off deal between 11am and 4pm so we thought we'd give it a go. It's got a really instagram worthy outdoor seating area. We even got our tripod out for this shot (yes, we own a tripod - no we don't use it very often). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hotel-de-la-Coupole-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions.jpg " alt="Hotel de la Coupole - Sapa town family holiday recommendations - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Hotel de la Coupole - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ The menu prices are on the expensive end, but it was a really fantastic treat. The star of the show was Elijah's strawberry milkshake. Yes, it comes with a muffin on top and yes, it was delicious. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Hotel-de-la-Couple-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="Hotel de la Couple - Sapa Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _A fine dining strawberry milkshake - Hotel de la Coupole - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ The kids were happy with their burgers from the kids menu. And us adults were extremely happy with our Sturgeon. It was delicious, and it kinda made us want to eat at these more expensive places again. Like we did when we travelled Europe without the kids. We will make it happen, but for now, we are happy to make these places nice treats after eating cheap for a bit. #### Le Gecko Whoever started this place knew something that a lot of places don't know. That is, how to cook Western food. After living in Vietnam four months, we had become very hesitant to order pizza and burgers, even coffee because it's usually terrible. We have become very used to dining out on easy and yummy Vietnamese food. Le Gecko is special because their pizza was some of the best we've experienced in Vietnam. We tried it at two out of three of their shops. It was great both times. Try the Gecko, it's a yummy pizza.  The coffee is also good (that's why it's mentioned twice in this blog) and so are their cakes and sweet stuff. We didn't try the lasagne or the pastas, but with our pizza success, I'd be game enough to try it in this place! #### 24 Restaurant We ate at 24 Restaurant on Fansipan the first night we arrived. Great service with a familiar Sapa menu. The lady here was lovely, the food was out in a good time frame and we all left full and happy. #### Yummy Restaurant On our final night in the town, we visited Yummy restaurant. This place was a great spot to eat. The food here was great, hubby was happy with his squid. The owner was lovely, he even offered to pay for a taxi for us to return before our trip back to Hanoi - but we didn't have time to squeeze in a second visit. #### Good Morning Vietnam Restaurant This place deserves a mention. It's not at the top of the list, but it has such a great vibe about it. The owner is really chatty and the reggae beats make it worth the visit. The kids were happy with their burgers reinvented with Bahn Mi's (eating during Covid has it's challenges - the restaurants don't have many Western customers so often their Western menu isn't fully operational). I quite enjoyed Elijah's burger after he was full. It was all good. The owner told us he had recently renovated the place to make more space. He also told us his was the first Good Morning Vietnam Restaurant (because there is another one). I've got no idea which one is the first one... But according to this owner he was first.  ### Where to Stay in Sapa Town We totally preferred the village over the town. I have an entire blog on visiting the [Villages of Sapa](/blog/sapa-village-guide/).  Sapa is a hostel and trekking town, so lots of backpackers visit. This means you have to be on watch for bedbugs. Something I will write about another day, but something you need to check for. Seriously. We took this photo while emptying everything. All our belongings went through a dryer for an hour or more to kill anything we might've picked up. Permethrin is on the way to make sure we kill any nasties trying to follow us.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Bedbugs-in-Sapa-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions--scaled.jpg " alt="Bedbugs in Sapa Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Our first - but not last - encounter with Bedbugs - Sapa, Vietnam - June 2020_ The best area to stay in the town is around the main square (near the Catholic Church with the bell-tower).  After our experience with bedbugs, we walked throughout Sapa and investigated a bunch of different hotels to move into. We ended up going straight to the countryside, but when we returned, we moved into one that was recommended by friends (who also know to check for bedbugs). On the whole, we felt like the Sapa town wasn't really good value for money. We have stayed in a lot of places across Vietnam now, and this place is competing with cities on the pricing. The quality isn't necessarily there either.  We visited more than one place that had bedbugs. There was even a really beautiful place we had our hearts set on staying. It was a stretch price wise for us, but the views were amazing. We almost checked in but found bugs crawling all over three beds. Even a room on another floor had more bedbugs. We didn't stay.  #### Sapa Elite Hotel This probably doesn't need to be at the top of my list. But it was where we stayed. I'd recommend this on a budget stay. If you can manage to stretch and go somewhere a level up, I would recommend that you do it. The breakfast here was average, maybe even below average. I feel like we've been a little spoilt with hotel breakfasts though. I think outside of Covid it would be a lot better. [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=535874) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ #### Mountain View Station Coffee & Homestay This was one that I originally booked then cancelled because I worried it might've been a bit too much of a walk up a hill. It still might be if you have toddlers, but if you have older kids like us, it'd probably be just right. As a bonus, you'd be just outside the main square so you'd probably get hassled a bit less. The bedding configuration here is good and so are the reviews. [Click here to have a look at this cute spot.](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=9885101) #### Sapa Elegance Hotel We liked this place but opted for Elite because they were giving us two rooms with breakfast for the same price. It has a similar view and is in a good location. This would be a better option if you are travelling with younger kids that you want in your room. The layout on the family room is ideal. And no bedbugs (when we checked). [Click here to have a look on Agoda.](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=256455) #### Q Sapa This was a really nice place overlooking the lake. There didn't seem to be bedbugs and it was in a good spot near supermarkets and more of the local style food. It would be a good option if you want to be away from the main square. [Click here to see this place on Agoda.](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=1374701) #### Bamboo Sapa Hotel This is where we will stay when we go back. I'm not kidding. This place is gorgeous. Elijah needed a toilet on our walk home from Yummy and we happened to be right outside this place. So we went in for a look while he used the toilets and I wished we were staying longer. [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=73270) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ #### Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa And this one is another I'd love to stay. The view from Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa is looking back towards the mountains over the lake. It's another very beautiful place that I'd love to try out if we ever make it back to Sapa. [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=11014) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ ### Getting to Sapa There are a few main ways. We opted for a VIP van with Green Lion Tours because my daughter gets motion sickness. I can't imagine trying to do this trip on a bus. The roads are very winding and narrow. I'd recommend taking your motion sickness pills the night before if you don't travel well. A train runs between Hanoi and Lao Cai (but it was reduced to one service per day while we were here and I was booking too last minute to get the train). From Lao Cai it is one hour by bus. There are also sleeper buses that run from Sapa to Hanoi. My kids loved the look of the pink bus with Pikachu on the side.  We searched for and found our transport using the 12go.asia site. You can check for tickets below or [click here to search for tickets on the 12go system.](https://worldtravelambitions.12go.asia/) Powered by [12Go system](https://12go.asia/?z=3988899) #### Travel tip - hand over your ticket to get your meal! If you are travelling by van or bus direct from Hanoi, most of these stop at a place for lunch on the way (and dinner on the return trip). The person serving us didn't speak English and no-one explained to us the process for correctly ordering a meal. We ordered and paid, then the lady pointed over to the big windows where I wrongly assumed I was to wait. I couldn't see anything happening, people seemed to be getting their orders and so we went to sit and wait. Nothing came. After waiting quite some time our new Vietnamese-French friend helped us understand the process. When we had ordered, we were given a ticket. What was lost in translation was the importance of that ticket. It needed to be handed to the ladies at the window where we were waiting.  Make sure you get fed. When you order, hand over that ticket to the lady at the window and you'll receive food. Make our mistake and you might just miss out! I'm sure there is a bunch of stuff I'm missing about Sapa. I'll update this as I remember things to add. I hope this makes you want to visit the wonderful town of Sapa. Even more, I hope this makes you want to check out the [Sapa Village Guide](/blog/sapa-village-guide/)! What do you think about our Sapa Town Family Holiday Recommendations? Would you like to visit? Let me know if I've missed anything (or if there's something you'd like to know).]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>sapa</category> <category>northern-vietnam</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>trekking</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>asia</category> <category>mountain-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/sapa-town-family-holiday-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[South Island Family Road Trip Itinerary – Queenstown to Picton New Zealand]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/south-island-family-road-trip-itinerary-queenstown-to-picton-new-zealand/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/south-island-family-road-trip-itinerary-queenstown-to-picton-new-zealand/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Complete South Island family road trip itinerary from Queenstown to Picton. Discover the best stops, accommodations, and activities for families exploring New Zealand's stunning landscapes.]]></description> <content:encoded>< because Rimaha hadn't seen much of the South Island. Here is our travel itinerary with my recommendations so you can add nights wherever you like to make it work perfectly for your family.  **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._ <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/queenstown-mountains-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Stunning Queenstown mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, turquoise lake, and dramatic alpine scenery in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside town. It's best visited in the winter when you can enjoy skiing, but it's gorgeous all year round - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ## Table of Contents - [Leg One: Queenstown to Totara Valley](#south-island-family-road-trip-leg-one) - [Leg Two: Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs](#south-island-family-road-trip-leg-two) - [Leg Three: Hanmer Springs to Picton](#south-island-family-road-trip-leg-three) - [Planning Your South Island Road Trip](#planning-your-south-island-road-trip) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) ## South Island Family Road Trip Leg One *Queenstown to Totara Valley - 2-3 days* This first leg covers the most iconic South Island landscapes, from the adventure capital of Queenstown through the stunning Mackenzie Basin to the golden tussock country of Totara Valley. ### Queenstown to Totara Valley You can check out a map of our saved journey for this trip by [clicking here.](https://goo.gl/maps/QV9HH8uV3qoyHq7p8) ### Queenstown We were in Queenstown only two nights, from the 11th to 13th February, 2020. I'd recommend at least four nights here if you can make this work. There is so much to see and do in the area. It is a truly beautiful place. We tried to do this section on a budget so we stayed at the [Queenstown Holiday Park](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=298214). It was actually pretty nice and in a good location. During our time here we simply enjoyed the town. It's one of the cutest towns in the whole of New Zealand. Maybe my favourite because it's one of those places you just fall in love with. I'd recommend taking a trip up Skyline in the gondola to catch the most wonderful views, plus enjoy the luge rides, and also a trip on the TSS Earnslaw. You could also throw in a ride on the Shotover Jet for more adventurous people. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-cmp="south-island" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="109951,134835,183452"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/queenstown-l498/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> #### Don't miss Glenorchy: Glenorchy is a small town on the outskirts of Queenstown, the views driving here are incredible. This is one place you don't want to miss on your road trip! It is a great spot to have a picnic lunch like we did! <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/glenorchy-new-zealand-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Family enjoying picnic lunch by turquoise lake in Glenorchy with sailboat and stunning mountain views in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Family picnic by the turquoise waters of Glenorchy with incredible mountain views - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ### Coronet Peak We skipped this because our itinerary was too tight, but I'd highly recommend a trip up this mountain. I've been up there on a road trip I did a really long time ago. If I can get my mum to find the photos, I'll pop one up (they were taken before digital photos were a thing). The drive here is only 25 minutes or so from Queenstown, so it could be a stopping point on the way to Arrowtown. ### Arrowtown You can easily spend a full day in Arrowtown and you don't need to stay a night here. This could be a stop on the way to Wanaka! Your family could even pan for gold in the river. It's a lot of fun. We did this on a day trip out of Queenstown, it's not too far!  _Our kids loved the Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown - February 2020_ ### Wanaka About an hour from Arrowtown is Wanaka. Another beautiful spot that we actually skipped. Again, we were running on a tight schedule, but you could make this (or Cromwell) a one night stopover. There is a cool puzzle house here and I would've liked to add this to our trip. ### Peter's Lookout - Lake Pukaki You don't want to miss this on your drive north. We stopped here for our picnic lunch. One of the best views we had on our trip. Plus we had time for a dip (in the summer time though - maybe not something you want to do most of the year because it is freezing). <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-6 my-8"> <div class="flex justify-center"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/lake-pukaki-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Family enjoying picnic lunch at Peter's Lookout with stunning view of turquoise Lake Pukaki and snow-capped mountains in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Family picnic at Peter's Lookout with the breathtaking turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="flex justify-center"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/south-island-nz-road-trip-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Stunning South Island New Zealand landscape showing turquoise lake, distant mountains, and vast blue sky during family road trip" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">The breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's South Island showcase the natural beauty that makes this road trip an unforgettable family adventure.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> ### Mount Cook Village This is another spot we skipped, but had I done my research I probably would add this to our trip. It's only an extra 40 minutes from the lookout and probably would have been a great stop for a night. ### Lake Tekapo #### Observatory Don't skip this. It isn't a long trip and the view is spectacular. I'm sure it would be even more beautiful if you get to visit when there is no drought. It's only an hour and a half drive from Mount Cook Village. If you skip the village and come straight from Peter's Lookout, then it would only be an hour drive. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/tekapo-observatory-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Father and child enjoying breathtaking view from Tekapo Observatory with turquoise lake and snow-capped mountains in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Tekapo Observatory is well worth stopping at for this amazing view! - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> #### Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd This place is a worthwhile stop. We loved visiting this part of the town after seeing it from above. This is only another 15 to 20 minutes from the Observatory.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/tekapo-church-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Family exploring the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo with turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Tekapo Church is always so beautiful. We stopped here for fish n chips for our dinner. It made for a perfect family evening on our road trip - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ### Overnight at Penrock Cottage Farmstay - Totara Valley In our itinerary, we drove Queenstown-Peter's lookout-Tekapo Observatory-Tekapo Church of the Good Shepard-Totara Valley in one day. It was a long day, but beautiful. We stopped at this gorgeous two bedroom [Farmstay in Totara Valley](https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32528720?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=1ef1ceae-13ba-4b20-9164-3d07bfa4f5d2). It's an extra hour from Tekapo, so maybe you might prefer to stay there. We wanted to do something a bit different and have a bit of space for the night. We loved this homestay because it was filled with animals. The kids got to do the morning feeding. We wish we had stayed longer. If you choose to come out, stay at least two nights, your kids will love it, it's made for families.  ## South Island Family Road Trip Leg Two *Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs - 1-2 days* This leg takes you through the heart of Canterbury, from the rural beauty of Totara Valley to the thermal hot springs of Hanmer Springs, with optional stops in Christchurch and Kaikoura. ### Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs We drove from Totara Valley-Christchurch-Hamner Springs in one day. It wasn't too bad of a drive (we skipped Akaroa). The hardest part of this trip was our car change as we received a Mitsubishi ASX and it took us an hour to fit everything in!  You can check out the map of our saved journey for this trip by [clicking here.](https://goo.gl/maps/EMPjZtsZYvWuZPvE9) ### Christchurch Our next stop was Christchurch for a car swap. It was just over two hours from where we stayed in Totara Valley. We were driving relocation rental cars to stay in our budget and not chew through our savings. I'll do a blog on this another day. If you weren't on a time budget, I'd suggest heading out to Akaroa for lunch and spend the night (or even two in Christchurch). Since we were on a speedy mission, we skipped this part. I've visited both Christchurch and Akaroa many years ago when my mum had lived in Christchurch. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Farmland_and_Akaroa_Harbour.jpg/1024px-Farmland_and_Akaroa_Harbour.jpg?20170129081345" alt="Beautiful farmland and Akaroa Harbour in New Zealand showing rolling hills and turquoise waters" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Akaroa Harbour with its beautiful farmland and turquoise waters - a worthwhile detour from Christchurch</p> </div> </div> </div> Instead, we swapped our car at the and continued on to Hanmer Springs (just under two hours drive). ### Kaikoura If you stayed in Christchurch and wanted to visit Kaikoura its two and a half hours from Christchurch. This is one main road in New Zealand I haven't travelled and I would love to! From Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs it is another two hours, so you could either stay a night or two in Kaikoura, or just call in for a couple of hours.  ### Hanmer Springs  If you love hot springs, then you'll love Hanmer Springs. It's only two hours from Christchurch or Kaikoura and a lovely spot to spend a night (maybe two). We stayed in a one bedroom cabin at the [Forest Peak Motel](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=843084). This was fine for us on a budget at that point in our trip. We liked the trampoline and play area for the kids. I might try something a bit more lux next time.  The hot springs themselves are fantastic. I love finding the hottest ones, but we couldn't take Elijah in the hottest.  There are some water slides, but I wasn't too keen on freezing my butt off to get on them. The big kids did though and they enjoyed the rides. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/hanmer-springs-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Couple enjoying hot springs at Hanmer Springs with water slides and natural rock pools in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Hanmer Springs - Valentines Day, February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ## South Island Family Road Trip Leg Three *Hanmer Springs to Picton - 2-3 days* The final leg crosses the Lewis Pass through stunning alpine scenery to the beautiful beaches of Kaiteriteri and the historic town of Nelson, ending at the gateway to the North Island in Picton. ### Hanmer Springs to Picton We travelled Hanmer Springs-Kaiteriteri across the Lewis Pass. It was a long trip. You can [click here to get the directions on Google maps.](https://goo.gl/maps/EMHvZPiMfkUJeiEo9) ### Maruia Falls Maruia Falls lookout is about two hours drive from Hanmer Springs. We made a quick stop here for a picnic lunch and we enjoyed the break as much as the view! Don't plan to swim here though. Although it appears relatively tranquil at the base of the falls, there is a very strong current. It is unsafe to swim. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/maruia-falls-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Family member enjoying the view at Maruia Falls with powerful waterfall cascading over rocky ledge in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Maruia Falls - a perfect spot for a picnic lunch with stunning waterfall views - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ### Kaiteriteri My cousin lives in Kaiteriteri, so we were very lucky to visit this place for two nights - it wasn't long enough here. This place is just over two hours from Maruia Falls. I'd highly recommend staying a minimum of three nights here if you can. There is so much to do in this gorgeous part of the South Island. At the top of my list would be kayaking! <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/kaiteriteri-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Beautiful Kaiteriteri bay with turquoise waters, sandy beach, and lush green islands in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Kaiteriteri's stunning bay with crystal-clear waters and beautiful islands - perfect for kayaking and beach activities - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ### Nelson Nelson is about an hour from Kaiteriteri. We chose to stay there the night before our ferry across the Cook Straight as we didn't want to be rushing in the morning. Let's just say Rimaha and I have already had a close call almost missing a ferry travelling in the Greek Islands. I'll do a post on that another day! We didn't stop here for long, arriving in the evening and departing early. This is a place you could easily spend a few nights if you wanted to. There are lovely lakes and national parks nearby to explore! We did love where we stayed at [The Hotel Nelson](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=183049). I think it is possibly the best value for money stay in New Zealand. ### Picton Picton was the final stop on our South Island family road trip. We travelled to Wellington on the Interislander ferry. #### Tip If you are dropping off a rental car or campervan, don't turn off at the first rental car sign (near the information centre) before the terminal. Instead, carry on up to the departures area that is really close to the main ferry terminal. [Click here and use this map location for your GPS.](https://goo.gl/maps/EMHvZPiMfkUJeiEo9) All the car hire drop offs are in this location. If you turn off at the information centre (as we did), you will have to walk (which might not be a problem if your kids can carry their bags). We initially parked near the information centre and had too many bags, children and a carseat. It was impossible to get everyone, our bags and carseat to the terminal in a relaxed timeframe because the trolleys that needed coins were all located over at the main terminal. After walking over to the terminal to collect a trolley with no coins on me, I was starting to panic (we'd almost missed a ferry one time in Greece - I didn't want to repeat that adventure). Fortunately Rimaha stayed with the car. He reloaded it and drove it to the terminal drop off making it a lot easier to get our bags onto a trolley. We made it to the ferry check-in counter with just enough time. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/picton-ferry-nz-2020-optimized.jpg" alt="Family of four on Interislander ferry from Picton to Wellington with beautiful mountain backdrop in New Zealand" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Family on the Interislander ferry from Picton to Wellington - the final leg of our South Island road trip - February 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> In a couple of days I'll create an itinerary from Wellington to Auckland. There is plenty to see in the North Island too! ## Planning Your South Island Road Trip ### Best Time to Visit - **Summer (Dec-Feb)**: Warmest weather, best for swimming and outdoor activities - **Autumn (Mar-May)**: Fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures, beautiful fall colors - **Winter (Jun-Aug)**: Cooler but still beautiful, some attractions may be closed - **Spring (Sep-Nov)**: Mild weather, blooming flowers, good for hiking ### Budget Considerations - **Accommodation**: $80-200 NZD per night for families - **Food**: $50-100 NZD per day for family meals - **Activities**: $30-150 NZD per person for tours/attractions - **Fuel**: Approximately $200-300 NZD for the full route - **Ferry**: $200-400 NZD for car and passengers (Interislander) ### Our Actual Expenses (February 2020) #### Accommodation - **[Queenstown Holiday Park](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=298214)**: $254 AUD ($170 USD) - 2 nights (11-13 Feb) - **[Penrock Cottage Farmstay (Totara Valley)](https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32528720?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=1ef1ceae-13ba-4b20-9164-3d07bfa4f5d2)**: $154.92 AUD ($104 USD) - **[Forest Peak Motel (Hanmer Springs)](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=843084)**: $182.79 AUD ($122 USD) - **[The Hotel Nelson](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=183049)**: $127.57 AUD ($85 USD) #### 11-13 February **Food & Dining:** - **Meals**: $143 AUD ($96 USD) - **Groceries**: $50 AUD ($34 USD) - **Total Food & Dining**: $193 AUD ($130 USD) **Transportation:** - **Fuel**: $95 AUD ($64 USD) #### 14 February **Activities:** - **Hanmer Springs Thermal Park**: $86 AUD ($58 USD) **Food & Dining:** - **Groceries**: $104 AUD ($70 USD) - **Additional groceries**: $10.46 AUD ($7 USD) - **Total Food & Dining**: $114.46 AUD ($77 USD) #### 15 February **Food & Dining:** - **Meals**: $30 AUD ($20 USD) #### 16 February **Food & Dining:** - **Meals**: $59 AUD ($40 USD) - $21 AUD ($14 USD) - $38 AUD ($25 USD) #### 17 February **Transportation:** - **Fuel**: $77 AUD ($52 USD) - $48 AUD ($32 USD) - $29 AUD ($19 USD) - **Car rental**: $110 AUD ($74 USD) **Food & Dining:** - **Meals**: $57.50 AUD ($39 USD) - $17.50 AUD ($12 USD) - $40 AUD ($27 USD) **Other Expenses:** - **Post suitcase domestic in NZ**: $53 AUD ($36 USD) #### 18 February **Transportation:** - **Car rental**: $155 AUD ($104 USD) *Note: Exchange rates as of February 2020 - 1 AUD = 0.67 USD* ### Essential Packing List - **Warm layers** (weather changes quickly in the mountains) - **Sun protection** (high UV index in New Zealand) - **Comfortable walking shoes** for hiking and exploring - **Camera** for capturing stunning landscapes - **Snacks and water bottles** for long drives - **Swimwear** for hot springs and beaches - **Rain jacket** (weather can be unpredictable) ### Driving Tips - **Drive on the left** side of the road - **Allow extra time** for photo stops and scenic detours - **Check weather conditions** before mountain passes - **Carry cash** for some remote areas - **Download offline maps** for areas with poor cell coverage ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How many days should we allow for this road trip?** A: We recommend **7-10 days minimum** to enjoy the route without rushing, though it can be done in 5-6 days if you're short on time. Our itinerary was quite fast-paced, so consider adding extra nights in Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, and Kaiteriteri. **Q: Is this route suitable for young children?** A: Absolutely! The driving distances are manageable with regular stops, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities. Our kids were 3, 7, and 9 during this trip and loved it. Just plan for regular breaks and bring entertainment for the car. **Q: What's the best time of year for this road trip?** A: **Summer (December-February)** offers the best weather and longest days, but **autumn and spring** are also excellent with fewer crowds and more affordable accommodation. **Q: Do we need a 4WD vehicle?** A: No, a regular car is fine for this route. All roads are sealed and well-maintained. However, if you plan to explore more remote areas, a 4WD might be useful. **Q: How much should we budget for this trip?** A: For a family of 4-5, budget approximately **$200-400 NZD per day** including accommodation, food, activities, and fuel. This can vary significantly depending on your accommodation choices and activity preferences. ## Ready to Plan Your South Island Adventure? This road trip offers families an incredible opportunity to experience New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes. Whether you follow our exact route or adapt it to your family's interests, you're guaranteed unforgettable memories. **Need more inspiration?** Check out our other [New Zealand travel guides](/tags/new-zealand/) or [family travel resources](/categories/family-travel/). *Have you done a South Island road trip? We'd love to hear about your favorite stops and any tips you'd add to our guide!*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>new-zealand</category> <category>south-island</category> <category>queenstown</category> <category>picton</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>road-trip</category> <category>travel-itinerary</category> <category>family-road-trip</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/south-island-nz-road-trip-2020-optimized.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Danang Vietnam Family Food Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/danang-vietnam-family-food-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/danang-vietnam-family-food-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< for tips on taking your family to Danang or our [What you need to know about travelling to Vietnam guide.](/blog/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/) ### Restaurants  Where to eat when we change places is something I research. Usually I put a bit of effort into it because I like to enjoy food. In Europe we had some horrible experiences eating in touristy areas (yes Rome, I'm looking at you), so we are very careful these days to look before we choose.  #### Kebab Ngon [Kebab Ngon](https://www.facebook.com/KebabNgonDanang) was was our kids favourite food in Da Nang and deserves to be at the top of our Da Nang Family Food Guide. I met Mitchie here and she was lovely. We ate here more than once and everyone was happy. If you're craving some Western food, this is the best. In our three months here, we still haven't found Western food this good. We are actually over trying it because it's usually terrible ? <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9liBSElba4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Rom Kitchen Rated at #6 of 900+ restaurants in Da Nang (by TripAdvisor), and conveniently on our street, we had to give [Rom Kitchen](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g298085-d19782386-Reviews-Rom_Kitchen-Da_Nang.html) a try. We were a happy family here and we ate here more than once! I particularly enjoyed my sweet n sour pork straight out of the pineapple.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Rom-Kitchen-Danang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Rom Kitchen - Danang Family Food Guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Enjoying a sweet n sour pork out of a pineapple. Rom Kitchen, My Khe Beach, Da Nang - March 2020_ The service in this place was exceptional. I felt like the staff really cared about us. They gave us a really good table for our family, and came and chatted with us to make sure everything was ok when Elijah fell asleep after eating the first night we visited. I'd definitely eat here again if we visit Danang again, it was a fantastic spot. #### Ngon Ha Noi  We chose to visit this place based on the TripAdvisor rating. However, don't follow the TripAdvisor map because it's wrong - [Click here instead](https://goo.gl/maps/TGzqHcTu4e8dggki7) and see the correct location of this place.  The food here is served on the hotplates in the centre of the tables. It's a great experience and all the lights create a really neat vibe. I'd say this would be an awesome place to work during the day too!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Ngon-Ha-Noi-Danang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Ngon Ha Noi - Danang Family Food Guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Ngon Ha Noi, such an awesome vibe and well worth a visit - Da Nang - March 2020_ At this place we ate the fish, and it was really good. There is a strange smell from the water in Danang, it is also in the food. Because of it, we didn't end up eating a lot of fish. But we really enjoyed this place. We'd planned to go back, but found Rom Kitchen and ended up going there for seconds instead.  #### Apocalypse Now  I'm recommending this place because of the view. It is directly on the beach and we visited this place twice during our time in Danang. It is great if you have kids that play on the beach because you can easily watch them from your table. We only tried pizza here, and they were better than most of the other pizzas we've tried in Vietnam. Although we haven't really tried that many because we kept having awful experiences with Western food over here!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Apocolypse-Now-Da-Nang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Apocalypse Now - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Apocalypse Now - A nice beachfront spot - My Khe Beach, Da Nang - March 2020_ ### Cafes #### Puna Coffee and Cakes [This place was yummy.](https://g.page/punadanang?share) It was a bit of a walk from where we stayed, but it was always worth it. We loved the smoothie bowls here and the coffee was the best we've had in Vietnam. I'm so grateful my kiwi friend told me to go to this place. We will go back. I hope you get to visit if you are in Danang. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Puna-Coffe-Danang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Puna Coffee, Danang Family Food Guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Puna Coffee and Cakes has some yummy smoothie bowls and coffee. Da Nang - March 2020_ #### Roots Plant Based Cafe (Vegan) This is the best spot for smoothie bowls. Our friends from Kiwi Family Adventures told us about this place. We got to visit during Covid restrictions, but they weren't serving them in their gorgeous coconut bowls at the time (it was takeaway only).  I'd highly recommend checking them out if you enjoy a good smoothie bowl for breakfast! We will definitely return for a visit if we stop in Da Nang on our return to Saigon later this year. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmDD2BalF4K/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Bikini Bottom Before we found out about Puna, we visited Bikini Bottom. We really liked this place for the awesome art on the walls and the smoothie bowls. We also had pancakes here one morning. It's got a good variety here, but a little more expensive than Puna. !(/images/Bikini-Bottom-Danang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg "Bikini Bottom - Danang Family Food Guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box") _We enjoyed visiting Bikini Bottom, such neat art on the walls and good smoothie bowls. Da Nang - March 2020_ There is also a Bikini Bottom in An Bang Beach. I was so excited to learn this when we were living in An Bang, but unfortunately they hadn't reopened during the time we were there. When we return later this year I hope we can try them out in An Bang!  ### Danang Family Street Food Guide We were so excited to finally be in a place we were comfortable to try the street food. Vietnam street food is amazing, and we'd read it is usually safe as long as it's fresh. We weren't brave enough to try anything in [Saigon](/blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/) because we hadn't spent enough time there to figure out the right places to go. But after a few days at My Khe beach, we figured out a stand we felt comfortable eating from because they only opened around 5pm and stayed for the evening. We guessed the food there would be safe as the stand wasn't sitting open all day long.  The stand we ate at was fine, we didn't get sick and kids enjoyed the experience. [Click here to get the rough location](https://goo.gl/maps/UzSEcJ4JUZhzjfGa8) (it's actually more on the corner outside the mini mart). We also tried the Korean pancakes next door. The kids really enjoyed these and it was really neat watching them being made. I'll get Rimaha to make a video of these places soon... It's so different to anything we had seen in New Zealand or Australia! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Street-food-Da-Nang-family-food-guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box.jpg " alt="Street food Da Nang family food guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The kids loved these Korean pancakes we got from a stand on the road - My Khe Beach, Da Nang - March 2020_ Have you been to Da Nang? Is there a place you've eaten at that needs to be on this Danang family food guide? Let me know if you have a recommendation for us to add!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>danang</category> <category>central-vietnam</category> <category>family-food-guide</category> <category>local-restaurants</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>food-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Apocolypse-Now-Da-Nang-Family-Food-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Danang Family Travel Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/danang-family-travel-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/danang-family-travel-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><. Fortunately, all was well, his fever only lasted the one night and the hospital felt confident he wasn't carrying the virus. We were less confident, so we laid pretty low most of our ten days beside the beach. ## Why Visit Danang? We chose ten days in our initial [One Month Vietnam Family Travel Itinerary](/blog/one-month-vietnam-family-travel-itinerary/). Our idea was to work and enjoy the beach. We didn't plan to be doing much while we were in Danang, and we didn't end up doing too much either. Danang is the airport closest to Hoi An and Hue. If you are visiting these places, there's a good chance this is where you will arrive. ### Beaches If you like city beaches, you'll probably really enjoy Danang. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes and bars. Many of the hotels have pools. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-My-Khe-Beach-Da-Nang-March-2020-scaled.jpg " alt="Danang Family Travel Guide - World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-My-Khe-Beach-Da-Nang-March-2020" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Chilling along the walkways near My Khe Beach, Da Nang - March 2020_ While we were there, things were quite laid back. It was quiet, the streets weren't busy and the restaurants weren't full. This is not the real Danang. I've been told it's usually filled with tourists and the restaurants have customers, so do the hotels. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qn9pLlk_U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> Things changed rapidly during the time we were based in Danang. We had to make some choices, fast, about whether we would pack up and go back to New Zealand or stick it out in Vietnam. Our New Zealand Embassy had emailed us to let us know there may not be commercially viable flights returning to New Zealand for a long time to come. It was bizarre to think we had just arrived and things were so bad so quickly. We weren't ready to pack up and go home though.  Before leaving Da Nang, we made the choice to remain in Vietnam. Rimaha got lucky with the weather and even managed to get a morning surf in before we moved to [Hoi An.](/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/) ​A quick note if you're in to surfing... We got really lucky. It is very rare for surfing in Danang. It's not really a spot you would pick for surfing. We just hoped we'd get lucky and we did. But I'm told that its more often flat. Flatter than flat. A bit like a lake really. So just be warned, it's not really a surf spot, although you can hire boards along the beach. ### Temples When you arrive at the beaches in Da Nang, you'll probably quickly notice the large Lady Buddha statue. She is the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam. This is the area known as Son Tra or Monkey Mountain. We were very fortunate to visit this place with barely a handful of others. There was a tourist up there who told us he visits every year and usually there are about 5,000 people at this site. We realised just how lucky we were to see this place completely empty! <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qyEAAleYq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Dragon Bridge Every Saturday and Sunday at 9pm the Dragon bridge breaths fire and water. This is not to be missed and probably needs to be at the start of our Danang family travel guide because what kid doesn't want to see (and feel) the fire and the water!? All of our three kids enjoyed this outing. It goes for a decent amount of time so you can take photos, take a video and watch for real too. This is a good night out, and I'm sure the nearby food stalls are usually very good. When we were travelling Danang there weren't too many people about so we were hesitant to eat from the stalls. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qyEAAleYq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Golden Bridge (with the fingers) I'd seen this bridge on one of my friends Instagram accounts. I knew it was a place I'd love to see. When I chatted with her about visiting, she warned me to get there early and beat the crowds. By the time we arrived, Corona season was in full swing. There were no crowds. Anywhere.  We got our gondola up and down the mountain to ourselves. We got a whole lot of photos on this bridge with noone else on it! There were a few sneaky photos we have cropped so you can't see one or two people walking on it, but wow. We were really lucky. I didn't do a lot of research about visiting this place, so if you're a mum or dad, you need to know there is a massive arcades and gaming area on this mountain (all included in your ticket). If I'd known this, we would have gone up much earlier because our kids loved the car racing games (and even I had a go too). The downside of travelling during a pandemic is not everything is open. Only a few of the food vendors were operating and not all of the rides. I'm glad we did it at that time though because our friends went after the Covid restrictions lifted and more of the place was closed - including the arcades and gaming areas. !(/images/Ba-Na-Hills-Danang-Family-Travel-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box.jpg "Ba Na Hills - Danang Family Travel Guide - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box") _It's not often you get photos like this at Ba Na Hills - Danang - March 2020_ ## What we didn't love in Danang The playgrounds (or lack of)... After enjoying playgrounds in [Saigon, Ho Chi Minh](/blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/), we hoped we'd find something nearby for our kids. We searched over the map to find something, anything. And we found [29/3 Park](https://goo.gl/maps/dJnYnewg3hfVwtEBA). If you're not nearby, I wouldn't waste time visiting this place. It was tired and run down. It wasn't very good. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/29-3-Park-What-we-didnt-love-in-Danang-family-travel-guide-world-travel-ambitions-family-life-outside-the-box-scaled.jpg " alt="29-3 Park - What we didn" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _29/3 Park isn't worth a visit unless you are staying within walking distance - Danang - March 2020_ If you would like to find places to eat in Danang, I'd recommend having a look through our [Danang Family Food Guide](/blog/danang-vietnam-family-food-guide/) for all the good spots we found.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>danang</category> <category>central-vietnam</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-activities</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-My-Khe-Beach-Da-Nang-March-2020-scaled-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Saigon Family Travel Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< For more Vietnam travel inspiration, check out our [Vietnam travel posts](/tags/vietnam/). ## Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon? Ho Chi Minh City is the official name of the largest city in Vietnam. Before the end of the American War (this is the war I always previously understood to be the Vietnam War), this city was named Saigon. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh when the north claimed victory. People in Saigon call it Saigon. Once we learned the history we called it Saigon too. ## What to do in Saigon Rimaha didn't want our short stay packed out with tours so we had to choose what we wanted to do. The list ended up being Cu Chi Tunnels for a half day and the War Remnants Museum. We explored the city in between these outings. It ended up being a good mix because there is a lot to see in the city, it's a big place! #### Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour At the top of the list was the Cu Chi Tunnels, because - tunnels!!!  We took this tour on day three because we knew we needed a day or so to recover. The day day before we flew out seemed like a good plan because it didn't have a late finish. We were happy with this decision, although we did have to put up with daily questions about when we would be visiting the tunnels!  Elijah, who was 3 years old at the time, had been excited about the tunnels since we talked about it during our [South Island family road trip](/blog/south-island-family-road-trip-itinerary-queenstown-to-picton-new-zealand) in New Zealand. This is one of the beautiful aspects of [worldschooling](/blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world) - our kids get to connect their learning across different countries and experiences. He made sure he got his head torch before we left. When we got there, our biggest challenge was getting him to sit patiently while we learned about the history before going inside. <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-6 my-8"> <div class="max-w-md mx-auto rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/cu-chi-tunnels-2020-optimized.webp" alt="Family exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels with a woman emerging from a camouflaged tunnel entrance and a young boy holding a wooden cover with metal spikes" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels with Elijah - Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City - March 2020</p> </div> </div> <div class="max-w-md mx-auto rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/elijah-cu-chi-tunnels-2020-optimized.webp" alt="Elijah smiling brightly while wearing a headlamp inside the Cu Chi Tunnels, showing his excitement for the adventure" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Elijah's excitement was contagious as he explored the tunnels with his headlamp - Cu Chi Tunnels, March 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> We opted for the half day tour because Elijah was young and we didn't want to try and do too much in one day. Toddler tantrums on tour wouldn't be fun (although that could have been a really good name for our blog). If your kids are a bit older, you might opt for a [full day tour of Cu Chi Tunnels including the Cao Dai Temple](https://gyg.me/8wa0ttm6). The combined tour suggestion came highly recommended by [World Travel Family](https://worldtravelfamily.com/things-to-do-in-saigon-ho-chi-minh-vietnam/) (who we have followed since about 2014). We will check out the temple when we return to Saigon some day. We'd intended to return later in 2020 to pick up our suitcase (yes, we left a suitcase in Saigon), however, we never really made it back except for stopping over on the way to Phu Quoc. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-cmp="saigon" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="60689,167103,26653"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/cu-chi-tunnels-l3671/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ### War Remnants Museum The War Remnants Museum was on our list because the reviews were fantastic. Our kids don't go to school, they [learn in the world](/blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world) through [worldschooling](/blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world), so this was a great opportunity for them to learn very important world history. The questions they were asking made me realise just how inhumane adults can be. Innocent children don't see reasons for war. Maybe politicians would do well to listen to their inner child from time to time!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/war-remnants-museum-saigon-2020-optimized.webp" alt="Three children standing on granite steps in front of war exhibits at the War Remnants Museum in Saigon, with historical artifacts and photographs displayed behind them" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Learning about history at the War Remnants Museum - Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City - March 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> If you visit the War Remnants museum, watch out for the guy who pretends not to have a scam. [Flick through the instagram photos on this Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/p/B9bGWaiFNVi/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=d80e7d7d-561c-456b-b69c-a04a9d9019b2) to see Rimaha posing carrying the coconuts. This is a great scam, and we were lucky to pay the going rates for coconuts. I think he asked us for 100,000 per coconut but I told him, "oh, we only have 100,000 vnd left, we are going to find an ATM". We were also lucky to stop him at three coconuts, he was going for five. In case you get caught out, do your best to not pay more than 30,000 vnd per coconut, perhaps you'll enjoy the cool refreshment and laugh about it like we did. ### Strolls in the Walking Streets We loved walking through the inner city streets, especially at night. Our guest house was just around the corner from Bui Vien Walking Street (although it was still filled with a lot of motorbikes). My older children loved crossing the road, it was like a game to them, they were braver than I was! <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1Ree3liKv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1Ree3liKv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1Ree3liKv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Travelling Nomad Family (@worldtravelambitions)</a></p></div></blockquote> </div> I'm looking forward to creating some videos of our evenings in Saigon. We collected a lot of video footage, if you like video check out our Saigon Instagram stories. Nguyễn Huệ walking street is another place to walk with your family. We started at the end furtherest from the river. When we were a little hungry, we called into  [Vo Roof Garden](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293925-d14956206-Reviews-Vo_Roof_Garden-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html) to eat and play a game of Jenga. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/vo-roof-garden-saigon-2020-optimized.webp" alt="Family playing Jenga at Vo Roof Garden in Saigon with city skyline in the background and green foliage hanging above" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Vo Roof Garden was a lovely place to eat and watch the sun go down - Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City - March 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> After watching the sun set, we continued down the walking street toward the river. Mums and dads beware, the street is lined with stalls filled with toys and lights enticing children to beg their parents to buy. This is something I don't particularly enjoy, so we were trying to distract Elijah as best we could. When we reached the river we walked along and took a lot of photos and videos. It was a lovely place to walk and it made for a nice evening. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/Riverside-Saigon-Family-Travel-Guide-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg" alt="Family photo taken with a selfie stick along the riverside in Saigon with city buildings and water in the background" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Is it just us that find it hard to get a good family photo? This is us with the selfie stick - Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City - March 2020</p> </div> </div> </div> ### Playgrounds in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh Our youngest is Elijah who was three while we were in Saigon. We found there were some really great parks but they weren't close to where we stayed. If we were returning to Saigon for more than a couple of nights, I would be looking for something near [Tao Đàn Park,](https://goo.gl/maps/tA9p8vniojnizoXq7) which is near the Reunification Palace. This area is still within District 1, which is important if you plan to take tours as most tours will only pick up from District 1. Tao Dan Park has a few playgrounds sitting on the sand. There are huge grassy areas and it had a really nice vibe. I didn't get any photos from these playgrounds, but we have some good memories of Rimaha falling off one of the rides and splitting his shorts open ?  _This is one of the only photos in a Saigon playground I took. This one was near where we stayed - September 23rd Park, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh CIty - March 2020_ ## What we loved in Saigon We loved the location of our guest house which we booked after reading [World Travel Family's](http://worldtravelfamily.com) Ho Chi Minh Blog. Our guesthouse, [Funny Guesthouse](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=2169123), was in such an awesome location. We were right in amongst the city. Bui Vien Walking Street was just up from our alley, yet the place was so quiet. This kind of location is perfect for [worldschooling families](/blog/learning-while-we-travel-the-world) who want to be immersed in the local culture while having a peaceful base to return to. If you are travelling to Saigon and want to be right in amongst the city, but don't want the noise, I'd highly recommend staying along this alley! [Click here or on the photo below to see current prices on Agoda](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=2169123) <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=2169123" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix8.agoda.net/hotelImages/2169123/-1/908e019acf74a1c9593f6e30e8ab4afb.jpg?ca=10&ce=1&s=360x270" alt="Affiliate link image" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> _We loved the location of Funny Guesthouse, our home while we were in Saigon - March 2020_ Our older kids favourite thing in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City was crossing the street. They loved the thrill of running across, dodging all the bikes. I was terrified ? Elijah's favourite thing was the Cu Chi tunnels, he would love to do that again!  My favourite thing in that city was walking with my family at night. My heart feels happy and full thinking of the talks we had as we strolled along looking at all the lights. I definitely hope you'll enjoy walking in city at night as much as we did. ## What we didn't love in Saigon Ben Thanh Market is something we didn't enjoy. At all. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really enjoy markets. Rimaha felt like he needed a fly swat, he only wanted some shorts, but it was so in our faces. Everyone was desperate to sell to us. It may have been that most tourists had already gone home because of Covid. I don't know. But we just felt bombarded there and couldn't wait to get out of the place.  I think that was the only thing we weren't thrilled about. If I think of anything else I'll come back and add it. Is there anything else I need to add for this Saigon Family Travel Guide? If you can think of anything, let me know and I'll add it asap!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>saigon</category> <category>ho-chi-minh-city</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <category>asia</category> <category>city-travel</category> <category>family-activities</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/saigon-feature-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[The Ultimate Hoi An Family Food Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< - the iced chocolate here is so good! And the kids will love the play area filled with bamboo climbing areas and ropes and swings. It is a great spot for the smaller ones to run free while mum and dad enjoy a coffee.  - For something different, try [Basket Boat Cafe](https://www.facebook.com/basketboatcafe). Their point of difference is the option to go for a ride in a basket boat. We didn't do the basket boat ride while we were there, but we did enjoy the Sangria! We'll go back for a ride when we return later in the year. - Closed on Mondays. ### Get the Best Hoi An Family Food Delivered If you're anything like us, restaurants can get tiring. Sometimes a night in is a better plan than trying to prevent a massive melt down while waiting on food to arrive at the table. Here are our top picks to have food delivered. - Try [Peanuts](https://www.facebook.com/PeanutsHoiAn) for Vegetarian. This is another delivery restaurant. They make the best tofu patties - who knew vegetarian could be so yummy. The peanut stew is also fantastic. At 10,000 vnd per dish (15,000 vnd for the rice), it was the best cheap eat we found (two dishes plus a side of rice = 35k). The boys liked to have a bit more, but it was still amazing value. [Click here to send her a message via WhatsApp.](https://wa.me/c/84387010819) - This place is closed on Tuesdays. - [May's Kitchen](https://www.facebook.com/Mayskitchenhoian) delivers and has set menus each day (if theres something you like and it's not the official day, ask anyway because she often sold us fried rice on days that weren't actually fried rice day). Great value and decent sized dishes at only 60,000 vnd per dish. I got hooked on the Bun Cha Ha Noi and was always looking forward to Friday!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Mays-Kitchen-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-about-travelling-to-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Mays Kitchen - Everything You Need to Know about travelling to Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _May's Kitchen delivers awesome food for a fantastic price. And no waste on the packaging because she delivers in reusable dishes and pours it straight into your bowl.._ - We regularly got this food delivered for dinner (on nights when the kids were over restaurants): - Braised beef with bread or Beef curry ( Bò kho ): 35,000vnd  - Cao lau ( Cao lầu ): 35,000vnd - Chicken rice ( Cơm gà ): 35,000vnd - Rice pancake ( Bánh xèo): 35,000vnd (one of the best rice pancakes we had in Hoi An - even better than the freshly made ones at An Bang morning markets) - They also have fresh fruit juice and coffee. ***** Open from 7am to 8pm. - [Click here to send them a message via WhatsApp](https://wa.me/84905070598)  ### The Best Local Style Hoi An Family Food In all the Vietnam food blogs I'd read, everyone said get the street food. And I was so excited to give it a go. However, when we arrived, my confidence wasn't so high. There were no customers. A lot of the street food looked like it might have been sitting there all day long. It wasn't freshly cooked and there was no hustle and bustle. My instinct was to err on the side of caution. We avoided the road side Bahn Mi stands and only tried the stuff we knew for certain wasn't sitting out on the street all day long.  - Toward the end of our stay, [Hoi An](/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/) started to come back to life. We visited the Hoi An night markets and felt confident we weren't going to get sick. It was fantastic. I need to put together a video of all the different foods we tried, but for now, here's a video of street food including frog.  <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBfP1U0lyUG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> - We didn't get to try this, but our friends said they found a riverside spot to eat with the locals. We will do it when we return later this year. Head to the bridge that takes you over to the Night Markets, but don't go over to the island. Instead, head West along the Thu Bon River until you find little tables and chairs. You can enjoy a delicious local dish with a bargain price-tag and a view that is just as good as what you'll get at the more expensive restaurants. ### Other Expats Hoi An Family Food Recommendations  - Havana. Tapas, Vietnamese and western food is here. There are  2 for 1 beer and cocktails every day from 3 - 7pm. We intended to try this place - right opposite Bon, but didn't make it there before everything closed for Covid restrictions. - Tomato has Italian food - this was still closed after we returned to Hoi An after our time in An Bang. - The Happy Buffalo came highly recommended. It's supposed to be a nice place to share your meals with Asian/Western fusion done really well. We liked the view, we had seen some photos but unfortunately didn't make it there. We are so sad we missed this place, it is on our list to try when we get back there! - It opens at 4pm daily, closed Sundays, - Hola Taco is supposed to be the best Mexican food located on the outskirts of old Town - we didn't make it there yet. But we will make sure to give it a go when we return later this year. ? ## From Hoi An to An Bang Beach Family Food I may need to do another post just for this too! - You can't miss the view from Shore Club. It's worth going to for a drink and catch the view, but it is also one of the most expensive places we visited in our time here. There is a pool next to the VIP cabanas and we enjoyed a good day here. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAUtPy7l7jI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> - Under the Coconut Tree was our favourite An Bang restaurant. Great food at great prices and the iced chocolate here was fantastic. The wall art was also fantastic. I have to go back for photos - clearly I was too busy having a good time and missed a good opportunity to take bright and colourful photos. - The Cosy Corner deserves a mention here too. We didn't eat here that often as a family, but I definitely got my fair share of French Toast which was fantastic. There's a great selection of games like battleship and Uno, enough to keep the kids happy while you enjoy a coffee. They have a book exchange too, we did a few good book swaps there! - Phuongs Fish and Chips was so good for seafood. This place was a couple of alleys away from our beach house and we visited this place a couple of times. - Hidden Beach was also a fantastic spot. Look for the sign on the main road near the big bridge, go down the hill (if you are riding a bicycle, remember you have to get back up that hill - it's massive ?) and it is the last restaurant on the left. There are sun loungers out front so you can kick back and chill with a beer while the kids swim. - Salt Pub & Restaurant was recommended to us because of the vibe, the food and the location right on the beach. We got to visit the day before it closed, and it was a really awesome spot to sit and enjoy the view! ## Hoi An Family Food Spots with Pools - Did you see [Shore Club](#tve-jump-172bd45b770) up above? That place has a pool too. - If you want something awesome for breakfast, try Silk Beach Resort in Cua Dai. Their menu is cheap and easy (ok not the greatest, but it doest the job). The pool is awesome and the swim up bar is a great touch. We loved spending an entire day here when it was too hot to do anything else! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Silk-Beach-Resort-Hoi-An-Family-Food-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Silk Beach Resort - Hoi An Family Food-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box " class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The Silk Beach Resort had an awesome pool with swim up bar. Their breakfast is super cheap, it's a great morning outing if your kids love swimming_ - Bungalow Beach Bar has a pool and it was a winner with our kids, the first time they had chicken nuggets over here. They had a selection of craft beer and cocktails and I got pretty excited about the Mexican food. We planned to go back there to give it a try, but ran out of time!  - Our kids absolutely loved Kahunas and we were sad when it had to close when the Covid restrictions started. The pool and seating areas are great with a bar close by. Our friend advised us it's usually a backpackers spot, but while we were there we had the place mostly to ourselves. We were lucky to go to a reopening community day before we left and it was wonderful to see all the kids in the pool. There is a beach bar here but it wasn't open while we were there.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Kahunas-Everything-you-need-to-know-about-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box.jpg " alt="Kahunas - Everything you need to know about Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Kahuna's had a fantastic pool set up, we got to enjoy it with no one else there during the Covid pandemic - March 2020_ ## Local Beach Eats  I left the best until here. This is the very best option to experience Hoi An family food like the locals do. Skip the restaurants and eat like a local on a mat on the beach. I'm surprised I hadn't read about this anywhere before! I didn't do that much research on it though because we had only planned to spend four nights in Hoi An, we didn't even know if we would make it to An Bang. Head down the alley where Shore Club is located and find the beach entrance. Down on the beach there are stands set up all along the beach. Mats are laid out on the sand and the kids are playing in the ocean. Local dining was my favourite dining experience during our time here. We enjoyed clam chowder (30,000vnd), stingray and prawns. The clam chowder was delicious and just enough for me. It might not fill your average Western dad though, so make sure the dads get more than one dish. There is plenty available that I'm sure they'll enjoy. My daughter doesn't do seafood, so one of the women ran down to 'her friend' and brought back a dish of fried noodles with vegetables. It was one of the cheapest and tastiest dining experiences we had in An Bang! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/An-Bang-Beach-Dining-6-Everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpg " alt="An Bang Beach Dining 6 - Everything you need to know about travelling to Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Noah trying out the stingray on the beach - An Bang Beach, Vietnam - May 2020_ If you can only go to one place on this list with your family, I'd say do the beach dining experience with the locals. I've never seen anything like it before. It wasn't about the price or the taste. It was enjoying this special part of the world alongside the people who call this amazing place home. Have you been to Hoi An and An Bang? What would you put on the Ultimate Hoi An Family Food Guide?]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>family-food-guide</category> <category>local-restaurants</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>food-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-activities</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Red-Dragon-Hoi-An-Cheap-and-Yummy-Eats-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-about-travelling-to-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Best Family Stays in An Bang Beach, Vietnam]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 31 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< if you'd like to see our Hoi An family stays recommendations). If you prefer the beach, you could make this your base and hire a taxi/motorbike/ebike to get to town. Or you could split your stay a few nights in each place. Either way, I hope you get to visit this gorgeous little seaside village, a place that felt like home to us! My two favourite houses, Barefoot Beach House and Beach Front Villa are no longer available (Barefoot house is no longer in existence). So here's an updated (October 2022) list of what we recommend. ## Recommended by me ### Peach House  [Peach House](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=27801630) is in the cute little alleys on the beach side. We didn't stay here, but I did work from a studio here as my office. It is nice, comfortable, and has a pool. It also has a nice sized family room and at affordable prices for An Bang Beach.  ### Beach Front Villa We moved to the Beach Front Villa (right next door to Bare Foot Beach Front Villa) at the end of our stay because they had incoming guests. I hadn't confirmed if we were extending our stay and we were happy to remain beachfront! I'd also be more than happy to stay here again!  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Best-Family-Stays-in-An-Bang-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Best Family Stays in An Bang, Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> This place is perfect for families who want a beachside home #### What we loved - Location - right on the beach, we could see the ocean from the outdoor dining table at the top of the dunes. - Space to play for the kids, room to kick a ball around, safe for them to run down to the beach. There was even a play house and a swing. - The outdoor shower is in a better spot than the one at Bare Foot, your feet don't get dirty walking from the shower to the porch. - The layout of this space was perfect for a family. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms (one is an ensuite with a massive bath tub). The master room has a full sized bed, a second room has a double bed. Both of these rooms have doors that open up onto the main porch. There is a kids room with two sets of bunks and a car bed perfect for toddlers. There is a indoor lounge with TV and open plan spacious kitchen. - The kitchen is large and has a bigger fridge than Bare Foot Beach Front Villa. - There is a washing machine and somewhere to hang your clothing. - The outdoor lounges. - Comfortable beds. - The same Alley as we had for Bare Foot! - You can request a BBQ - they will bring you a Vietnamese style one! ## Places our friends stayed ### The Chi Villa Our friends from [Kool Kidz Travel](https://www.instagram.com/koolkidz_travel/) stayed at this An Bang villa while we lived at the beach. We enjoyed a massive Kiwi/British BBQ while we were there. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/The-Chi-Villa-Best-Family-Stays-in-An-Bang-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="The Chi Villa, Best Family Stays in An Bang, Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _We enjoyed a Kiwi/British BBQ at The Chi Villa during our stay in An Bang, Vietnam_ It's a great spot with a fantastic location in a hidden alley off the main road. This home is big and beautiful and includes a private pool. Each room has it's own bathroom with outdoor (and indoor) showers. The Chi Villa is a luxury home, and would be wonderful if you want something big, lux and comfortable for your An Bang stay. #### What we loved about our friends home - Location - perfect spot in the village, close to restaurants, the markets, the beach, everything really. - The big swimming pool was wonderful. - The outdoor shower was in a good spot. - The layout of this space was perfect for a family, you've really got to go have a snoop through the AirBnb photos!  - The kitchen is large and has a bigger fridge than Bare Foot Beach Front Villa. - You can request a BBQ - they will bring you a Vietnamese style one! [_The Chi Villa, An Bang Beach - Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=2166886) _or on the images above to see current pricing on Agoda (opens in new window)._ #### Tips - This doesn't have a washing machine - No bikes included - There is an empty well at the end of the swimming pool which may be a bit of a worry if you have smaller toddlers who don't understand how to keep themselves safe yet (both our families had 3/4 year olds and were fine with the well - the smaller ones understood not to climb up on it). - The pool is not fenced (all our kids were confident swimmers so it wasn't an issue for us) ### Jasmine Garden House Another An Bang Beach family stay is the Jasmine Garden Villa. Our friends stayed here and it is located on the same Alley as our beach front villas. This place was cute and cosy, perfect for a smaller / younger family. It is more modern and chic than our beach houses and has a fully equipped kitchen (including a toaster) and laundry.  #### What we loved - A great location on a great little alley a one minute walk to the beach - Next to a restaurant called Moon (we didn't try this one but our neighbours said it was good) - Very beautiful, compact design - It had a toaster and blender #### Tips - A karaoke bar sits on the alley behind it. Beware if you are a light sleeper (although our experience is they are most often done by 10pm). - It is compact, so if your kids need a bit of extra space, it might not be for you. - No bikes. ### An Bang Coco Villa This villas was also on the same alley as our beach front villas. his place was cute and cosy, perfect for a smaller / younger family. It is more modern and chic than our beach houses and has a fully equipped kitchen (including a toaster) and laundry.  #### What we loved - The location on a little alley footsteps to the beach - It has bikes - The outdoor lounge by the pool - It had a toaster and blender - Interconnecting rooms [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=4452391) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ ## An Bang Beach Family Stays Recommended by Locals When we decided to base ourselves in Hoi An and An Bang during the Covid-19 pandemic, we met another Kiwi family who have lived in the area since 2018. They shared with us some An Bang Beach family stays in a document. Here are their recommendations: ### Sol An Bang Beach Resort and Spa We didn't stay here, it was closed to new guests during Covid. We do know where this place is. It's in a quiet area of An Bang Beach, south of the main area. There is a great beach club near by and it's also close to some awesome bars and cafes.  _[Sol An Bang Beach Resort and Spa - Click here](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=4643657) or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>an-bang</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>family-accommodation</category> <category>beach-villas</category> <category>family-stays</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Best-Family-Stays-in-An-Bang-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[What Do I Need to Know About Travelling to Vietnam?]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 30 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< - or wait to the end of this post and I'll pop in a link there too). I'd Googled 'What do I need to know about travelling to Vietnam?' hoping to pick up essential information. I found a bunch of cultural things, but lets just say, there were a few weird and wonderful things I didn't learn until we arrived. Here's our list (which I'll keep adding to as I remember - because I tend to remember these tips at the most inconvenient times). ## Here are the tips I needed to know about travelling to Vietnam ### Before you go The visa situation changed in October 2020. This actually had nothing to do with Covid and was designed to make it more difficult for people to live here illegally on tourist visas.  Currently, as of 2022, people from most countries will need a 30 day e-visa to enter. Some countries do have visa waivers, they often limit the entry to 14 days.  You need to apply for e-visas [here](https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt). Be wary of sites telling you that you can apply for longer times or extend in country. Currently, you cannot. You must leave the country. However, you can re-enter same day if you decide you'd like to do a visa / border run.  I do recommend organising your visas when you have your flights booked. This is because processing can take up to 3 business days. People are often caught out with errors on the visa or problems with photos and don't have enough time to re-submit the visa. Also, take into consideration that Vietnam has holidays at various times of the year. The immigration offices will not process visas on these holidays. So it is always worthwhile organising well ahead of your arrival date. There is some talk about a three month visa. For now, it is speculation. If anything changes, I will update. We will likely know by mid-June. #### Phu Quoc Visa exemptions People flying directly into Phu Quoc from a country outside Vietnam (not flying into another city in Vietnam) and exiting on a flight that does not connect through Vietnam, are eligible for a visa exemption. You cannot enter Vietnam with this visa, so you would need to fly to a place like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur direct from Phu Quoc before you can re-enter. ### What you need to know about entering Vietnam - Don't forget to keep your boarding pass with you to show immigration on entry. - You probably won't need an onward ticket (we planned to exit overland via bus - but that didn't happen). But if you're nervous about it, you can get one.  - If you choose to exit over land, you need to exit at the border specified on your Visa.  ### Hello or Porridge <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-Japanese-Bridge-Hoi-An-March-2020.jpg " alt="World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - Japanese Bridge, Hoi An - March 2020" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _I say hello to everyone, except for the first couple of months when I was actually saying porridge - Japanese Bridge, Hoi An - March 2020_ - Xin chàu or xin cháu makes all the difference... It's not in how you pronounce it, it's all in your pitch. If you're chirpy like me, people might look at you a bit confused because your cháu is going up in pitch ? This means rice porridge. And if you go down in pitch, you will get 'hello'. Try it out, [click here](https://translate.google.com/#view=home&op=translate&sl=en&tl=vi&text=porridge) to visit google translate and use the speaker to hear how it sounds. ### Ho Chi Minh or Saigon? - Ho Chi Minh is the official name of the largest city in Vietnam. Before the end of the American War (this is the war I always previously understood to be the Vietnam War), this city was named [Saigon](/blog/saigon-family-travel-guide/). The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh when the north claimed victory. People in Saigon call it Saigon. Once we learned the history we called it Saigon too. I'm not sure what's actually correct. I guess it would depend on the person and which end of the country you ask. ### Toilet tips If you're a mum like me, these are tips that I wish I found when I searched for what I needed to know about travelling to Vietnam. - Always, always carry a few packs of tissues or wet wipes with you. Everywhere you go. Especially in the cities. There is no guarantee you'll have a toilet roll in your stall, and perhaps there will be someone out front selling by the sheet (I'm serious), but also maybe no. - Toilets are often marked as free. This doesn't always include toilet paper. See above. - Wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on. It's pretty common (especially in Saigon) that you'll have to remove your shoes before you enter the bathroom. They give you often mismatched plastic sandals you wear into the bathroom. I don't know how many people wear them per day or if/when they are washed. My husband had an interesting time fitting them!  - Wet floors. Probably why you wear their 'clean' plastic sandals... Don't go in bare feet, it feels gross. I think so anyway. - Kiwis and Aussies, we are so far behind with our toilet installations. Over here, they use a bidet (most of Europe does too). If Australia and NZ had these installed in most bathrooms like here, maybe there wouldn't have been the Covid toilet paper crisis. When we travelled to Europe in 2013, I wasn't really a fan, but Rimaha loved them. - You cannot flush toilet paper here. If you don't want your toilet paper basket filled with a bad smell, you have to get used to using the bidet. ### Road (un)safety (maybe you don't really need to know this about travelling to Vietnam, but it is entertaining) <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9eXLzYlu_U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> One thing I definitely wasn't prepared for when we arrived was the traffic. I'd never seen so many bikes and motorbikes swarm streets carrying everything you can imagine... It made me laugh hysterically as we pulled out of the airport in Saigon. Some of this you need to to know if you're travelling to Vietnam, most of it you will figure it out when you get there. - Watch and learn before you cross. If you have tweens or teens like I do, you might find they are better (or at least more confident) at crossing the road than the parents. Ask my kids what their favourite thing to do in the city is and they usually say, 'crossing the street'. - Crossings don't mean anything. The motorbikes are not going to stop. Ever (perhaps if the light is red). - Get good at gaining eye contact and using your hands to show you are going to cross. They will go around you. - Watch and learn before you ride anything. When you ride, maybe adopt the locals rules. There don't seem to be too many. - You can turn right at a red light (no idea of the legality, but this is how it is done here), just watch out for cars coming straight through from the left. - When you turn left, you might like to cross to the left hand side of the road before the intersection and go around on the wrong side of the road (I did this on the bicycle for ages because it was too scary turning left from the centre). - When you turn left from the centre, you kinda have to just be brave and find a gap and go, they are going slow enough, they won't hit you as long as they know what you're doing and you don't hesitate. PS, if you're turning left after a red light, go before the timer gets to 0, you will usually dart out before the oncoming cars and they expect this. - Watch out for people flying out of intersections. This is really common because you are expected to watch everything in front of you. - Avoid going around trucks. We saw a really awful accident with a motorbike under a truck. The trucks are the most scary things on the road here. - This all sounds insane, but it's ok. You can relax. Vehicles here travel slowly. Most of the vehicles are bikes. They don't want to hit you. It's different and has made me rethink about cars being a necessity. !(/images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-Kids-on-ebike-in-An-Bang-May-2020-scaled.jpg "World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - Kids on ebike in An Bang, May 2020") Relax, it's actually reasonably safe. Our kids loved riding the ebike during our time living at An Bang Beach - May 2020. Photo credit Rowan from [Kiwi Family Adventures](http://instagram.com/kiwifamilyadventures) ### What you need to know about getting around #### Can you hire rental cars? Foreigner driver licenses, and even International Driving Permits with translations are not recognised here. Basically, any time you make a choice to drive any vehicle here, you are taking a risk. Your insurance will not cover you because you cannot legally drive here. Many people do rent motorbikes, bicycles and e-bikes that are available in most places. If you do this, I would suggest getting the feel for the way they drive first, because I know many people experience accidents here (the driving is extremely different from Western driving - expect people to come around corners on the wrong side of the road as that is just normal here).  Occasionally, you may find offers of rental cars. Usually, these will come with a driver and be very expensive. If you do find a rental car you can drive yourself, beware the rates will be quite high and if you damage the car, you'll be up for all the repairs/replacement as there is no insurance for a foreigner to drive.  Personally, I wouldn't rent a car. There is no where for you to park in most places, and it will end up being more of a hassle than it is worth most of the time. #### The Vietnam Alternative to Uber It's not Uber here, it's most often Grab. You can get a Grab bike (where someone will take you on the back of their bike) or a Grab car (most of these are regular five seat cars). We used the Grab locally and squished four of us in the back when we were going for lunch or into town. However, if your family can't fit in a regular car, get the FastGo app (I'd recommend getting this one if your family plus luggage needs more than a regular car). This lets you select a seven seater vehicle. ##### Tips - I'm not sure if it's a regular thing, or a Covid related thing, but we didn't have a lot of success obtaining FastGo seven seaters on the spot. If you know you need to go somewhere, I'd recommend booking in advance (which you can do via the app). - If you decide to load your bank card into the app, don't forget. I didn't use the Grab app often, I'd put my card details in and forgotten. Then when I started using it in Hanoi, I was paying the drivers cash for a couple of days opps, they were getting double. ### Get the Grab App here ### Get the FastGo App here #### Taxis The only taxis we recommend are Mai Linh or VinaSun taxis. We had an incident with DaNang taxis where they gave us a set price and on arrival pulled a language card that had us paying a lot more than we expected (but it was still cheap, so we let it go). _Mai Linh is common around Vietnam and safe to use_ _VinaSun is more common in the bigger towns (we didn't see these in the smaller areas)_ #### Airport Transfers From airports it is usually best to get your accommodation to organise a private vehicle. There were massive hold ups getting through immigration. when we arrived into Saigon and our driver waited over an hour for us. If you're travelling to/from Hoi An, you Can try [Same, Same but Better Transport (see the blog below).](#tve-jump-172c079ee23) #### What you need to know about Riding Bicycles in Vietnam Bicycles are usually a great way to get around. Some home stays provide free bikes. If not, ask them to help you hire one. If you have children, please ONLY use bicycles with the seats on the back. Our son, and many other children suffered injuries getting their feet caught in the wheels. Our son was lucky as he did it when we had paused and we weren't going quickly, which meant only bruising. However, other people have had very serious injuries, broken bones and needed hospital treatment. This is very common, so be VERY careful.  #### Getting Around: Location Specific Information - If you try Cyclos in Hanoi, make sure you get a price BEFORE you get in. - For Hoi An, read our post on Hoi An below, because there are a few extras for this special place. ## [Everything you Need to Know About Travelling to Hoi An: The Ultimate Family Guide](/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/) [Read More](/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/) ### Kite flying - Maybe not a need to know tip, but still interesting - Kite flying is a family activity (at least it is in Hoi An), many families fly their kites in the afternoon breeze, it's how they spend some quality time together. - It's a gorgeous view with the sun going down surrounded by so many kites. - We loved our time flying kites in the rice fields and on the beach. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-x8TeClgIE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAysX4pFCmn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Bug spray/Fly Spray - I really needed this Vietnam travel tip One thing I really needed to know about travelling to Vietnam (and I didn't find this on any blog anywhere), was where to find mosquito repellant. We thought we were visiting for a month. This meant we brought along a few small bottles of mosquito lotion, just enough to last a month. When that ran out, I was stuck. Fortunately, I made friends with another kiwi family when we moved to Hoi An, and she kindly sent a photo of the spray they use here (that doesn't cost a fortune). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-What-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-Vietnam-scaled.jpg " alt="World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - What you need to know about travelling to Vietnam" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> These are your common mosquito repellents in Vietnam - Remos is the most common one. The larger 150ml bottle usually cost us around 70-90,000 vnd, the smaller one around 60,000 vnd. It also comes in a cream tube which I like so much more. - The Quablue was 100ml and was only 60,000 vnd but you have to apply this one more frequently. - Most mini marts or pharmacies will have these - save this photo and show them, it's much easier than trying to explain what you are after. - Both of these you can find cheaper on Lazada. If you're staying in one place for a while, you could order a couple of days before your arrival date. Simply email or message your hotel/guesthouse/homestay and get the correct address and let them know you'd like to get something delivered because most places are happy to do this for you. ### Hotels/Homestays/Guesthouses - Look for information about the beds in reviews you read. Over here it is very common to have very hard (and for some of us, uncomfortable) beds. However, they are usually much bigger than the beds in Spain. - Watch out for nearby loud karaoke, roosters and construction. These can be really awful to be next to if you're a light sleeper like me. - If you're planning on staying a week or more, only book one or two nights in advance. When you arrive, go for a walk, see some rooms and barter with the reception staff. This way you can check for hard beds, construction and karaoke, plus pick a location you'll actually like. - If you want to know our recommended stays in Hoi An and An Bang Beach see our posts below.  ## [Best Family Stays in An Bang Beach, Vietnam](/blog/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/) [Read More](/blog/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/) ## [Best Family Stays in Hoi An, Vietnam](/blog/best-family-stays-in-hoi-an-vietnam/) [Read More](/blog/best-family-stays-in-hoi-an-vietnam/) ### Drinking Water - Is it Safe? - If you drink a lot of water (I do), check if they have a water filter or water station to fill your bottles from. A lot of places do have these. - If no filter is at the accommodation, you can usually get a 20L reusable water bottle. You pay a little more for the first purchase, and after that to swap is usually about 20,000 vnd. - You could also look at purchasing a Grayl (we are using it out in Sa Pa, because there isn't any water filter where we are staying and we are far from everywhere). I like to try my best to be environmentally friendly. Plastic waste here is a huge problem and I feel guilty every time I have to buy a big bottle of water cased in plastic. - Out in the mountains of Sa Pa, the water is fine to drink after boiling. Cooling it seems to be my greatest issue at the moment so we are using our Grayl all the time now. - In DaNang we found the water had a funny smell to it. Even the Grayl couldn't get rid of the smell. We could even smell it in some of the food we ate. I'm not sure what it was, but in this place we filled our bottles with the water cooler station in the reception of our accommodation. I'd recommend you check your accommodation has good water (when they say they supply bottles, they usually mean one 350ml per person). <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B72eNsZB7lz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> ### Supermarkets - Markets In almost every village we've been to, there is always a market. Usually it will be within walking distance of wherever you stay. If not, it is going to be within a 5-10 minute bicycle ride most times.  - Shopping for food is not like home in Aussie or New Zealand. There's no Aldi, no Pak'n'Save or Woolworths. There are some things like oversized supermarkets in the cities, but the best way to go shopping for most things is in the markets. We had so much fun in these places. The food, the variety, the smiles, it really is closer to how locals live. Keep in mind, there are often two kinds of markets, tourist markets and local markets. I didn't particularly enjoy the tourist markets, but the local ones were awesome. - There are Vietnamese prices and tourist prices. They know you're a tourist so get bartering. I am not a spur of the moment buyer, I like to shop around first. It's a good idea to research your price (check out Lazada to see what you can get it delivered for. Know what you're willing to pay, offer lower. Be prepared to walk away, they usually will come down more when you start walking off. - Fruit is different here. Don't go by the colour (I usually did back at home). Green bananas here are ripe and sweet. Yellow is past it. Same with Avocados. Go for the feel of it, ignore the colour. - Try all the weird and wonderful fruits. I have tried some delicious varieties that I had never seen before (and some I can't even tell you what they are). - If you are staying a while as we did you may want to cook meat. Fresh meat and fish can be purchased at the markets, but go early - before 8am (you don't want to get meat that has been out all day long). Once you've had same day kill meat, the meat at home won't be the same again! - Have fun with it. I didn't mind paying tourist prices at the local markets, I didn't really barter unless I felt they were being rude with the prices. For me, it was never too much (we were purchasing fruit most days) and it was always a lot cheaper than we had in Australia. I was happy to pay knowing I was helping someone out, especially during Covid! - You can see some of the tourist and local markets in our Instagram stories of Hoi An, [click here.](http://instagram.com/worldtravelambitions) ### Currency, Money and ATMs - Tips you DO Need to know about travelling to Vietnam - The currency is the Vietnamese Dong. When we travelled, 100,000 VND was about $6.70 AUD. - Most ATM's only let you withdraw a maximum of 3,000,000 (about $190-$200 AUD in May 2020).  - Some ATM's have a really horrible conversion rate, ACB gave us one of the worst conversion rates. - The MB Bank ATM's let you withdraw up to 5,000,000 VND and also give you the best ATM conversion rate (you'll always get way more bang for your buck with this machine) ✅ - If you're in Australia, open up an ING account before you go. If you're depositing over $1,000 per month into the account and make five transactions online or in store, they waive ATM withdrawal fees (both domestic and international) saving you HEAPS. Here's a handy currency converter, you can download the XE App on your phone for useful conversions before you head off on your trip. ### Restaurant Tips You Need to Know for Vietnam Travel - Your average tourist restaurant dish can range from 90,000 to 300,000 VND (or even higher).  - If you visit a cheap eats restaurant or eat on the street, you can find a dish for 20-60,000 VND. - Beer is around 25,000 vnd at most places, you can usually pick it up at a mini mart for around 15,000 vnd. A box of 24 cans was around 240,000 VND. My husband was very happy. - For budget travel, it would be wise to avoid touristy restaurants. In our experience, the tourist spots were more expensive and not as nice. The local spots are usually very basic with much nicer meals for a better price-tag. If you're planning to eat in Hoi An, check out our guide below! ## [The Ultimate Hoi An Family Food Guide](/blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/) [Read More](/blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/)]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>travel-guide</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-planning</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/family-travel-vietnam-2023-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Best Family Stays in Hoi An, Vietnam]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-family-stays-in-hoi-an-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/best-family-stays-in-hoi-an-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 29 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, we had given Hoi An about four nights and opted to spend more time in Da Nang. By the time we arrived though, we realised things were about to change rapidly. We needed to prepare for a longer stay either in Hoi An or back in Da Nang. We chose Hoi An because we fell in love with the vibe of the place. Da Nang just didn't feel like 'us'. If you're more of a city person, Da Nang might be a better pick, but still, check both out, you might be surprised (I definitely thought I'd prefer Da Nang, but Hoi An won me over easy). We ended up staying in the Hoi An and [An Bang](/blog/best-family-stays-in-an-bang-beach-vietnam/) areas from 19th of March until the 6th of June 2020. It was a good amount of time, although a lot of places were closed for most of April. While we were in the area, we connected with locals who gave us lots of recommendations. We stayed in three different guesthouses/villas in the Hoi An area and two beach houses in An Bang. We also visited some of the places our friends stayed and have included these too. ## Family Stays in Hoi An  Our picks for Hoi An. These run from cheapest to more expensive. I'll include everything I can for you in this too. None of these stays were sponsored stays. All comments and opinions are our own. We booked two of ours using [booking.com](http://booking.com). One of ours is listed with booking.com but we connected directly via the expats Facebook group and booked directly with the Villa.  If booking.com approve us as an Affiliate, I'll pop a widget box here for you to use so you can check these out for yourself! ### Suburban Villa Suburban Villa was the first place we stayed at in Hoi An. This place is for families on a budget who might only stay two to four nights and want to be close to the market along the river, but not in the centre. #### What we loved - The beds were comfortable, some of the best we have slept on during our time in Vietnam. - We liked their bikes, although tires did need pumping up, so just check before you go. These bikes had the padding on the back so it was comfortable for Elijah to sit behind Rimaha on our little bike tours. Check back soon for a post about riding bikes with kids in Hoi An. Please be extra careful if you put a toddler on the back of a bike. It can be EXTREMELY dangerous. Photos as evidence will be in our new blog - coming soon. - The pool was great for us. We were there with [Kiwi Family Adventures](http://instagram.com/kiwifamilyadventures) and five kids fit in the pool no problem at all.  - Breakfast was all you need and was included in our rate! We ate Mi Quang and the kids had pancakes, it was happiness all around. - There is a family room available with a full sized bed and two twins. They also have an inter connecting room, a full sized bed in one room and two twins in the other. If I were you, I'd recommend requesting the interconnecting rooms because - more space. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=10&cid=1881363&hid=3008438" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/3008438/-1/fb5088669602395abcd420553893f4c0.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_The Surburban Villa_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=3008438) _is a great choice for families who want to be near the town on a budget._ [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=3008438) _or on the photo above to get current pricing from Agoda (opens in a new window)._ #### What we didn't love - We travelled during the Coronavirus pandemic. A lot of places were closed at that time which meant for us, it was a little far away for us with a 3 year old toddler (at that time). I believe that on your average trip, the place would be fine because everything would be open. - It is a little far from our recommended cheap family eats. - The rooms are only serviced when requested. My hubby mistakenly put our sign on the door showing 'Do not disturb' instead of 'Please make up my room'. If you want to get your room made up, just make sure that you place the sign showing the right way and it would be fine. - 5am announcements every other day coming from nearby loudspeakers. These were a bit of an unexpected surprise. They lasted an hour or so including music interludes. Perhaps these were COVID related, I'm really not too sure, but we didn't have these anywhere else on the trip ? #### Things to check when you book Send a message to check if they have construction nearby. When we were there, construction was going on directly out the front gate. It was noisy during the day. However, that particular building is probably finished by now. Before you leave, send them a message via your preferred booking site to check if there is anything nearby and I'm sure they will let you know pretty quickly if there is. ​_Breakfast next to the pool at Suburban Villa_ ### The Little Library Villa This was the third Hoi An Villa we stayed in. We were there three nights before flying out to Hanoi. It was one of the best value for money available at the time and suited our needs with two rooms. #### What we loved - The beds were comfortable, I think it would be hard to compare comfort with Suburban, they are probably equal in this area. Although the 'double' here is definitely bigger. If you're sharing the bed with a toddler, you'll love this spot. - Of all the places we stayed, this place provided the best bikes in fantastic condition and included padding on the back. There is also a bike here with a child-friendly seat for toddlers (which is much safer if your child isn't used to riding on the back of the bike - Elijah almost lost a foot in the wheel during our first week biking Hoi An - Seriously).  - The pool looked fantastic, however we didn't use it as Elijah had an ear infection at the time we were there.  - Nhung was really lovely, so was Frank, the Australian co-owner. They were very helpful.  - There are two boys that live here, Ron and Ryan. They were the perfect ages to play with Elijah, they let him play with their toys and ride their child-sized bicycles. - Elijah joined the boys for dinner a couple of the nights, and Nhung fed me one of the nights. It was yummy and just what I needed. I'd be happy eating her meals each night, affordable and good. We paid for breakfasts on our checkout morning and these were also good value. - There is an oven. If you like to bake and plan on staying more than a few days, I recommend this place. It is the only place we found with a full oven!  - You can use the washing machine and dryer to do your own laundry or you can pay for the laundry service. - The location was still quite close to old town. We knew our way around the town at that stage.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/The-Little-Library-Villa-Best-Family-Stays-in-Hoi-An-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="The Little Library Villa - Best Family Stays in Hoi An, Vietnam - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> Elijah enjoyed this Villa the most because of Ron and Ryan. They shared their toys and played well together. We also celebrated Elijah's fourth birthday here! #### Tips - It is a little far from our recommended cheap family eats (but I am sure there are still plenty of these at this end of time outside of Coronavirus time). - This place is in a quiet suburb out of the main town. It might be a little too quiet for some people (but I like sleepy neighbourhoods). - The rooms are not interconnecting here. It is a small villa, so you can request rooms right next to each other, and you may end up with the whole floor to yourself anyway (three rooms per floor). For us, this wasn't an issue, we took two rooms and they weren't even right next to each other. It was perfectly safe to do this as there are big gates at the entrance and our older children were comfortable down the hallway (they didn't want to share a bed and we wanted an extra bed for Elijah). If your family needs more than a full sized bed and a twin and if your children are at an age where you need to be in connected rooms, this might not be the right place for you. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//q-xx.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max500/242933533.jpg?k=353fd33470fccfc909b7dfa0da2c2bd46ac43b5cb127097d5542fb0b696edc44&o=" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div><div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//q-xx.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max500/181931695.jpg?k=0f3d311f437edbad10d09e040ae12b9a1838204ea68d0e4c4d8d1ba700e542bf&o=" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> _The beds at_ [_Little Library Villa_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=7258898) _were great. It was a great spot with the best bikes we had on our stay._ [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=7258898) _or on the images above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._  ### CIC Boutique Hoi An Villa  CIC Villa was where our family stayed in Hoi An during the three week COVID restrictions. We stayed here for one month and enjoyed our daily bike rides into the rice fields. We loved the guy who took care of the place, he had no English but his face always lit up at Elijah! Hana did speak English and she went above and beyond to make our stay wonderful. We were very grateful to find a place with two rooms and a pool. We sometimes felt a bit guilty that we were having such a good time while the rest of the world was going into lockdown and in the midst of panic. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/3630134/-1/2ee063cabbfaccc44b91b5f1d65ae764.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> _[CIC Boutique Hoi An Villa](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=3630134) was a lovely refuge for our family during the Covid-19 pandemic. We stayed here one month and really enjoyed our time here!_ [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=3630134) _or on the images above to get up to date Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ #### What we loved - The beds were comfortable. Not as comfortable as Suburban or the Little Library, but we weren't uncomfortable and we stayed here for a month.. If you're sharing the bed with a toddler, you'll love this spot. - The balcony was wonderful and we loved opening up the sliding doors to let the afternoon breeze fly in. - The location is great. - It is close to the Ba Le markets, which are more local than the touristy Hoi An markets (you'll get better prices here). - The villa is also situated right on the rice fields which made for the most wonderful outings during the pandemic. - It is also convenient to the out of town, more local style cheap eats that we recommend. - The bikes were in good condition, there was even a mountain bike which my oldest son loved. There is also a bike here with a child-friendly seat for toddlers (which is much safer if your child isn't used to riding on the back of the bike - Elijah almost lost a foot in the wheel during our first week biking Hoi An - Seriously).  - The pool was perfect for us. It was a bit smaller and didn't get as much sun as the other places we stayed. We still loved it and the kids swam in it almost every day for the month that we were there. - Hana was very kind and helpful with us. She advised us good places to extend our visa so we didn't overpay. Hana is very easy to approach and more than willing to go the extra mile for you during your stay. #### Tips - It is a little further from the old town itself, but it's a nice bike ride to town and definitely easy enough to do. - If you are staying a bit longer and like to cook, the kitchen is a bit smaller than the other places we stayed, but you are still welcome to use it. - Laundry services are provided with a fee (30,000 vnd per kg while we were there). - Breakfast wasn't included in our rate, but you can pay a little extra to have it included, or just order off the menu while you are there.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img to se src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/3630134/-1/d09cad3f815b7b24c445bb19c67b7b90.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_CIC Boutique Hoi An Villa_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=3630134) _is a really lovely place for families to stay in Hoi An._ [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hl=en&hid=3630134) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ ## Locals Recommended These Family Stays in Hoi An  Here is a list of other stays recommended to us by Hoi An locals (who also happened to be Kiwis - what a coincidence). ### Phuc Thao Villa  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/810/810093/810093_16120514510049443632.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_Phuc Thao Villa_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=810093) _- cheap and nice._ [_Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=810093) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ - Very cheap but nice  - Good pool - Adjoining rooms - Close to restaurants, mini marts etc ### Dream City Hotel  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/366/3664358/3664358_17121508310060421821.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_Hoi An Dream City Hotel - Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=3664358) __or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window).__ - In the middle of old town but on a quiet street - Modern - Great staff​ - Cheap​ - Good pool ### Banana Garden Villa Hoi An <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/1070277/-1/e14f739dec56439c016208a2567e8a4b.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> _[Banana Garden Villa Hoi An - Click here](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=1070277) __or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window).___ - Two pools​ - Nice rooms (with adjoining options) ### Hoi An Emotion Boutique Villa  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/1637392/-1/dc125a2411287528ffc95e44c78ef9d1.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_Hoi An Emotion Boutique Villa - Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=1637392) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ - Awesome pool with swim up bar - Great food​ - Lovely rooms​ - Great staff​ - Location isn't as good as the others in terms of walking distance to restaurants etc but still pretty good (if you’re happy to get on bicycles this isn’t an issue at all);  ### Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/489/489181/489181_20010123250086586055.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa - Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=489181) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ - Great pool​ - Nice staff​ - Great location​ - Really nice rooms ### Hoi An Silk Marina Resort and Spa <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/400/400345/400345_16041310120041481056.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div><div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-lg mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="//pix6.agoda.net/hotelImages/400/400345/400345_17053009040053312641.jpg?s=360x270" alt="Best Family Stays in Hoi An" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> [_Hoi An Silk Marina Resort and Spa - Click here_](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=400345) _or on photos above to see current Agoda pricing (opens in new window)._ - Cool location right in old town on An Hoi island where the night markets are​ - More upmarket ## Prefer the beach? You might like this post about Family Stays in An Bang Beach]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>central-vietnam</category> <category>family-accommodation</category> <category>family-stays</category> <category>family-hotels</category> <category>asia</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>budget-accommodation</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/Best-Family-Stays-in-Hoi-An-Vietnam-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Everything you Need to Know About Travelling to Hoi An: The Ultimate Family Guide]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-hoi-an-the-ultimate-family-guide/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< for our recommendations. Bicycles are probably the best way to see this wonderful town. We enjoyed many days cycling through the rice fields throughout the Covid-19 restrictions. This was my comfort level on the trip, I hadn't ridden a bike in twenty years. I was hilarious getting my balance back, I stacked the bike parking more than once. My kids were so embarrassed ? Even after riding for a few weeks, I still got wobbly if I had to slow right down (for instance going around roadworks that left a narrow road side). If you're like me, you might want to ease into it by riding around the rice fields a bit before heading into the old town. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-S2nRZliuJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> #### Beware of riding with your toddlers on the back Something that we were warned about, but didn't worry about, was that bikes can be dangerous when you have a toddler riding on the back without a proper child seat. Elijah had a close encounter with the dangers of riding on the back when he put his foot in the back wheel. This could have been much more serious. Be aware, constantly remind your child, or have someone spotting from behind. Maybe even gently or firmly show them what it could feel like on day one so they understand. After Elijah's accident, it was really hard to get him back on for the next few days (we did get him back on though). Once he had regained his confidence, he was fine, and he is very careful not to put his feet anywhere near those back wheels - he also refused to sit in the bikes with child seats after the accident (he just wanted to be a cool guy) ? If the accommodation you choose doesn't offer a proper child seat on the bike, you can cheaply and easily pick one up to attach (I'll give you a contact for this asap - if you're reading this and I haven't yet updated it, and you want to find out, [message me](http://m.me/melissaawiringi.author) and I'll get the details for you). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Everything-you-need-to-know-about-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Everything you need to know about Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Elijah had a close encounter on the back of a bike. He was lucky to come away with bruising and swelling. It could have been a lot worse._ ### E-Bikes Electric bicycles are awesome. We hired ours from Ruth at The [Cosy Corner Cafe](https://www.facebook.com/thecosycornercafe) in An Bang Beach. My older kids absolutely loved riding these around, up to the shops, to the bakery, over to our friends houses in the town and even over to Tra Que Village to see the community gardens. They loved the independence and while we were there it was very safe for them to ride around.  I didn't use it often because of my confidence level on a regular bike. I'll have to do a post about Mothers Day 2020 when I managed to drive the e-bike into parked motorbikes in front of the barber shop. Let's just say the barber and his customers were thoroughly entertained (laughing), and they laughed every time I walked past for a good week - it just had to happen at the top of our alley!! ? <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Ebikes-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-Travelling-to-Hoi-An-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Ebikes - Everything You Need to Know About Travelling to Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _The older kids loved riding through the quiet An Bang Village streets! - May 2020_ ### Motorbikes Seeing that I struggled to park a regular bike and had driven into parked motorbikes with the E-bike, I wasn't confident enough to hire a motorbike. Our friends did, and they had a great time. If it were only me, I'd have been more enthusiastic about giving it a go, but we have three kids and I didn't like the idea of me carrying any of them as a passenger! If you decide a motor bike is for you, get something you can legally drive at [The Help - Expat Services](https://www.facebook.com/TheHelpExpatServices). This place comes highly recommended by all the local expats. We met Cyril during our time there. He was very understanding when we thought we were going to hire a motorbike but decided to go for the E-bike instead.  #### The Vietnam Alternative to Uber It's not Uber here, it's most often Grab. You can get a Grab bike (where someone will take you on the back of their bike) or a Grab car (most of these are regular five seat cars). We used the Grab locally and squished four of us in the back when we were going for lunch or into town. However, if your family can't fit in a regular car, get the FastGo app (I'd recommend getting this one if your family plus luggage needs more than a regular car). This lets you select a seven seater vehicle. ##### Tips - I'm not sure if it's a regular thing, or a Covid related thing, but we didn't have a lot of success obtaining FastGo seven seaters on the spot. If you know you need to go somewhere, I'd recommend booking in advance (which you can do via the app). - If you decide to load your bank card into the app, don't forget. I didn't use the Grab app often, I'd put my card details in and forgotten. Then when I started using it in Hanoi, I was paying the drivers cash for a couple of days opps, they were getting double ? ### Get the Grab App here ### Get the FastGo App here #### Taxis The only taxis we recommend are Mai Linh or VinaSun taxis. We had an incident with DaNang taxis where they gave us a set price and on arrival pulled a language card that had us paying a lot more than we expected (but it was still cheap, so we let it go). _Mai Linh is common around Vietnam and safe to use_ _VinaSun is more common in the bigger towns (we didn't see these in the smaller areas)_ #### Airport Transfers From airports it is usually best to get your accommodation to organise a private vehicle. There were massive hold ups getting through immigration. when we arrived into Saigon and our driver waited over an hour for us. If you're travelling to/from Hoi An, you Can try [Same, Same but Better Transport (see the blog below).](#tve-jump-172c079ee23) ### Private Cars in Hoi An We used [GrabcarDanang](https://www.instagram.com/grabcardanang/) between Da Nang and Hoi An. We got our price to 200,000 vnd one way / 400000 return - usually expect to pay 230-250,000 vnd each way.  In Hoi An we used a private car (regular sized vehicle) to get to Marble Mountain (350,000 vnd return) and My Son (600,000vnd return). You can probably expect to pay a little more when tourism recovers. But he had the best local prices that we could find. This driver had fantastic English and gave us a little bit of information on the way to and from these sites [click here to contact our driver Jimmiduc](https://wa.me/84915938302). We also did a group trip in a bigger van. For this I recommend Same, Same but Better transport. This service also comes highly recommended to do airport pick up and drop off, or any tours. [Click here to contact Same Same but Better.](https://wa.me/84905140488) ## [The Ultimate Hoi An Family Food Guide](/blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/) By now you're probably getting hungry. After compiling everything here, I realised it's too big for right here. So I've moved it to its own blog, so [click here](/blog/the-ultimate-hoi-an-family-food-guide/) to see our favourite family food recommendations for Hoi An and An Bang. ## Other Useful Resources  A really great resource we discovered early on was [Hoi An Now](http://hoiannow.com/) which is run by local expats and often updated. It was very useful during the Covid pandemic as they updated which restaurants and bars were open for delivery and take-away services! ### Facebook Groups Since temporarily residing in Hoi An and An Bang, one of the locals set up a group with some really fabulous recommendations. The group is called [The Hoi An/Danang Oracle](https://www.facebook.com/groups/635652733700278) and you'll get plenty of up to date recommendations in this one. [Hoi An Expats - NO PROPERTY](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1466462266936378) is very large (over 18k people) group. You will find people selling everything: juice, vegetables, meat, tours, transport and meals. It has a lot of useful information in here and great for finding some great deals. We were well fed with recommendations in this group. [Hoi An Parents](https://www.facebook.com/groups/943287629074877) is another fabulous group where you can ask questions and chat with other local parents. [HOI AN CLEAN UP](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1341664662553863) is a group dedicated to cleaning up the rivers of Hoi An. My husband and older kids attended a clean up day while we were there. They had a great time and met some fantastic people. ## Thanks! I hope you found everything you need to know about travelling to Hoi An in here! I will keep adding things, I'm sure I've left bits out!  If you think there is something I need to add, please let me know!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-guide</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <category>asia</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/japanese-bridge-hoi-an-vietnam-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[When Our Little Guy Got a Fever in Vietnam During Covid]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-our-little-guy-got-a-fever-in-vietnam-during-covid/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/when-our-little-guy-got-a-fever-in-vietnam-during-covid/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 10 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, because we were worried we might not be covered. Fortunately we were. Perhaps we were super lucky with the timing, but we had staff call us twice a day that first day, then once a day for the next three days to make sure he was ok. It was such a relief to know we had people caring about our son and ready to give us advice or help in some way if we needed it. ## We loved the service we received with World Nomads. If you are travelling soon, we highly recommend you check out World Nomads. You can get a quote below or [click here](/blog/travel-insurance-for-nomad-families/) to read more about them. The week that followed was tough for us, mainly emotionally and mentally. Elijah was fine, the fever only lasted that one day. He got a cough, we all did, but we felt like it was from the air con more than anything. We mostly stayed inside, and only really ventured out (masks on) to stroll along the beach – away from everyone. There was a lingering worry that if we were a family carrying Covid, we didn't want to be spreading it around everywhere. We had received emails from the New Zealand Government advising us to return home and the world was turning upside down, changing daily. We had some really tough decisions to make. We decided to stay! And we are so grateful we did because the past couple of months have been a different adventure than we imagined, but our travel has been more fulfilling because of it. More stories coming soon! <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-Ba-Na-Hills-Vietnam-March-2020-scaled.jpg" alt="World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - Ba Na Hills, Vietnam - March 2020" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> A bridge to ourselves - Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills, Vietnam - March 2020]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>covid-travel</category> <category>travel-health</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>asia</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/ba-na-hills-vietnam-fever-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Getting Tested for Covid in Hoi An, Vietnam]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/getting-tested-for-covid-in-hoi-an-vietnam/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/getting-tested-for-covid-in-hoi-an-vietnam/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, who told us about the hazmat suits and temperature checks at the train stations. We were watching in disbelief as this Covid pandemic was changing the travel world very quickly. Places around the world were closing borders and shutting down faster than I ever imagined. We realised a lockdown of some sort was likely to happen very soon and we needed to make sure if (or when) it happened we were in a place we wanted to be. We ditched our plan to return to Saigon, and made a new plan to stay put for a month. Most tourists had gone home, so our plan turned out to be a good one. We found a nice villa with bikes and a pool located just outside Hoi An town and close to the best Hoi An cheap family eats. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-eIVobFcAZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-eIVobFcAZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this post on Instagram </a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-eIVobFcAZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by World Travelling Nomad Family (@worldtravelambitions)</a> on Apr 2, 2020 at 12:52am PDT </p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GFNowFz7c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GFNowFz7c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this post on Instagram </a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GFNowFz7c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by World Travelling Nomad Family (@worldtravelambitions)</a> on Mar 23, 2020 at 4:43pm PDT </p> </blockquote> </div> Within a week of moving, our host advised that there was mandatory Covid testing for people who arrived to Vietnam after 1st of March. This was different to other regions where it was only mandatory after the 7th of March. I felt a mixture of fear and relief. We would know for certain if we had picked something up... But what would happen if we had Coronavirus? We had no idea. Our testing day came around, we ate breakfast and rode our bikes around the corner to the testing site. There were barely any people there. It was a very hot morning, so we found a spot under a tree to sit and fill out our forms. There were nurses dressed in hazmat suits with goggles taking the samples. We observed people getting their tests taken, a blood test, followed by a throat swab and then a nose swab. I was very nervous, my daughters anxiety had kicked in and my youngest didn't want another blood test, he was still upset about the last one a few weeks before. When it was our turn, I was so grateful for our host coming along with us. My daughter was panicking, my youngest son was clinging to me and the nurses were trying to herd our older kids over to them while we were still finishing our paperwork. I had to ask her to explain to the person doing the forms that my daughter was anxious and my youngest wanted only me, so we would have to do the tests together. I was grateful that the nurses were so patient with us. We were holding up the queue badly. Myself, my husband and oldest son breezed through the tests and then I sat with my daughter and gently encouraged her to get her tests taken. She really didn't want them done and it was really tough. I had to put my foot down though because we didn't seem to have any other choice. I didn't want them pinning her down to take the tests and I still had to get the little guy through the tests too. My daughter got through it with a few tears. Then it was Elijahs turn. Getting the blood test seemed to be the easy part. He really wasn't keen to do the throat test, which wasn't that bad. He moved as they did it, which hurt a bit, so he really put his foot down against anything going right up his nose. The poor nurses didn't know what to do. He was crying and very difficult. I was down to bribery, "If you do it for us, we will get an ice cream", and he says, "NOOO". Then I was offering two ice creams. Still no luck. They asked me if I wanted to take the sample for them, he still wouldn't let me get close. It was so hard for me to stay calm and easy. In the end I had to hold his head in my arms and get them to take the test. It was really awful. He came right after a few minutes. We were the last ones left, the staff and nurses had been waiting for us to pack up and return home. We called in for an ice cream and a toy as we rode our bikes home. Next up was the waiting game. There was worry about what would happen if we tested positive. We had no idea. All we knew was that the test results would take a few days to come back to us. That first night I had fear that the Vietnamese military might turn up at 10pm and just take us to some unknown place. Trust me, I was imagining all the worst possible outcomes so I could be mentally prepared if any of them actually happened. After getting through the first night, and then the second, I felt much better. I figured that we must've been ok, because surely they would've collected us quickly if we had tested positive. On the fourth day of waiting, we finally got our results. I posted this live video from our hotel the day we received them. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmelissaawiringi.author%2Fvideos%2F10158514691461929%2F&show_text=true&width=552" width="552" height="1074" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> We survived our tests. It was such a relief to know for certain we didn't have Coronavirus. A huge weight lifted and we felt truly free. Just in time for the restrictions to come into place. Winning. I'll save that for another day.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>hoi-an</category> <category>covid-travel</category> <category>travel-health</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>asia</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/hoi-an-during-covid-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[One Month Vietnam Family Travel Itinerary (Pre-Covid)]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/one-month-vietnam-family-travel-itinerary/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/one-month-vietnam-family-travel-itinerary/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< and I've finally created a one month Vietnam family travel itinerary. This is the plan for our adventure through Vietnam. Until this week, we had no idea where we would go between February and April. We had booked our business class flights from Singapore to Istanbul back in October 2019, so we had only done planning from 13 April 2020. There was only a vague idea of five or six weeks in Asia before we would skip to Turkey and Germany then walk our Camino. [Click here](/blog/our-round-the-world-with-kids/) to see our Round the world with kids plan. After we arrived in New Zealand on the 11th February 2020, I started looking at our options to fly to Asia. Vietnam was a place we knew we wanted to visit, but we also knew we didn't want to rush it. We made the decision to fly into Ho Chi Minh City, spend a few days and spend more time in Da Nang, near the beach. **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._ Here's our detailed plan: ### Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City Our flight departs at 11.55pm on 5th March 2020. We are hopeful the kids might sleep on the plane because it's a 10.5 hour flight to Manila with a six hour layover! We fly from Manila on the 6th March about mid day. It is only a short flight to Ho Chi Minh from here. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/One-Month-Vietnam-Family-Travel-Itinerary-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Our One Month Vietnam Family Travel Itinerary - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _We set off on our trip - as planned - March 2020_ ### Ho Chi Minh City We will stay here for four nights at [Funny Guesthouse](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=2169123) (a great place to stop for a few nights in the city). We plan to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum. I'm not sure what else we will do! ### Danang On the 10th March we fly to Danang. We decided ten nights in Da Nang will be good. Maybe we will get lucky and there might be some waves for Rimaha. From here we plan to visit Hue, Ba Na Hills, Son Tra and My Son Temples. We are staying close to the beach and we have a pool, so we are planning for this to be relaxed and easy going. ### Hoi An On the 19th March we will make our way down to Hoi An. Here we hope to walk through the old town, visit some of the markets and perhaps spend a day on An Bang beach. We were told this is one of the best places in Vietnam, so it had to go on our one month Vietnam family travel itinerary. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/G0013869-scaled.jpg " alt="Everything you need to know about travelling to Hoi An - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _We didn't get beyond Hoi An, stopping here and An Bang beach for two months during Covid - May 2020_ ### Quy Nhon We'll have to head back up to Danang to catch a train to Quy Nhon. This will happen on the 22th March 2020. A friend of mine recommended this place as a more authentic location compared with Nha Trang. No plans for this place, just hang out on the beach for six nights. ### Nha Trang On the 28th March we will catch a train down to Nha Trang and spend a few nights in an apartment overlooking the ocean for five nights. ### Ho Chi Minh City To wrap up our one month Vietnam family travel itinerary, we fly back to Ho Chi Minh on the 2nd April. Our one month e-visas will end on the 4th April, and from here we plan to head overland to Cambodia. ## One Month Vietnam Family Travel Plan vs Reality: What Really Happened? Covid-19 hit the world after only a week in Vietnam. We made the decision to stay and see the country during this different time. Here are some of our posts from Vietnam. We recently did a podcast interview about our trip turned upside down on Hustle Talk with Aaron WD Huey. [Click here to listen to it on Spotify.](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hRJfB8oBCGQjefXccETaa?si=lE_dOP-XTayLP24fGfFs7Q)]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>asia</category> <category>vietnam</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-itinerary</category> <category>family-travel-guide</category> <category>budget-travel</category> <category>asia</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/one-month-vietnam-itinerary-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[The Social Life of Unschoolers]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-social-life-of-unschoolers/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-social-life-of-unschoolers/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< I'll update this list soon, so check back if you're interested in living life outside the box Here is a blog on one of the most often asked questions about unconventional schooling - unschooling. — ### The Big Question: How do Unschoolers Socialise with Other Children? In this blog, I'm using the word 'homeschoolers' loosely because we are probably closer to unschoolers than homeschoolers and the goal is to become worldschoolers ! But I want to share something that will make family educators chuckle and hopefully help traditional schoolers to expand their thoughts about this different method of education. Quite often, the biggest question (and sometimes biggest criticism of homeschooling) is, "how will they socialise with other children?" and I've even had, "I'd be worried about my kids social skills". Once, I didn't really know what to say. At school my eldest was never really Mr. Popularity and my second was a social butterfly - if she was in her comfort zone (familiar surroundings). I had a little fear about it, but it wasn't my major concern. I was focused on a life of freedom. I didn't want the constraints of school terms (coincidentally the most expensive times of the year to travel), and so I used my third child's home-birth in New Zealand as an excuse to step into the world of homeschooling. ### Socialising for Unschoolers Homeschool is not school. We discovered homeschool meet ups very quickly. And something strange (well I thought it was strange at the time anyway) happened. My shy, quiet, clingy child started to find it easier to make friends (not harder – wow). When we met up with others, there was often a different selection of kids each time. There were always a variety of ages with the older and younger siblings there. After the first or second meet up, my son was no longer this human who didn't want to leave my side. Instead, he would go out and play with other kids. My daughter started homeschooling properly a year later. She was always really anxious in new environments (and still can be). It would always take ages for her to settle in. I remember the first meet up we took her to when she refused to get out of the car. But the second or third meet up she reluctantly came out the car and went from "I don't want to go" to "I don't want to go home". <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/The-Social-Life-of-Unschoolers-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="The Social Life of Unschoolers - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Surf lessons - One of the social activities we enjoyed with other families when we Homeschooled/unschooled in Central Coast, NSW - December 2019_ In my experience, homeschool has actually dramatically improved my children's social skills. Instead of interacting with the same 30 kids day in day out all year long, we have new kids to interact with all the time. Even more so now we are on the road! There is no more tension at the beginning of each year, anxiety at its peak with having a new teacher and the worry about who might be in the class. Today, my girl still has a bit of anxiety. She still takes a bit of time to relax into new places. But she finds it easier than being at school. She can sit with me and adapt for half an hour, maybe an hour. Eventually, she makes her new friends and things are ok. ### Change is Important I believe this teaches them that real life is filled with change, new friendships, people coming and going. And this is the reality of the world we live in today. Jobs are no longer the thing that keep people in the same place for their adult lives. People won't be sharing their office with the same people for 20 or 30 years. Building people and relationship skills with a variety of people becomes far more important. Being adaptable to change is important. I know my kids can make friends and their anxiety is lower than being forced into uncomfortable situations. Traditional schoolers can relax. Our kids aren't missing out on a social life. I truly believe their social skills far exceed what they would if they had been in school all this time. I'm also extremely grateful my kids don't have to deal with bullying or peer pressure (this one is interesting because I hear lots of validation of this in the world, along the lines of 'it's good for them', or 'it helps them become stronger' – but I'd rather not go there with these kinds of people). <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/The-Social-Life-of-Unschoolers-World-Travel-Family-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="The Social Life of Unschoolers - World Travel Family - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Our kids easily made friends with other Unschoolers living just down the road from us in Central Coast NSW - April, 2019_ I get to watch my kids be kids. They act much younger than children in the school system because they are free to be who they choose to be. I don't worry about them trying to act older than they want to because of their surroundings. I don't worry about my older child being at high school and looking up to or idolising the popular kids. I don't worry about the influences of drinking, drugs, sex and parties. They have plenty of time for that later, somewhere amazing in the world, when they are older, and more prepared for that kind of life. For now, that gives me an opportunity to relax. I'm the happiest mum out knowing the social life of my unschoolers is perfect for this century! Are you thinking about Homeschooling or unschooling? Ask me questions in our [World Travel Ambitions Facebook Group - Click here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldtravelambitions)]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>worldschooling</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/The-Social-Life-of-Unschoolers-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Why You Need A VPN for Your World Travel]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/why-you-need-a-vpn-for-your-world-travel/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/why-you-need-a-vpn-for-your-world-travel/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><, change your VPN location to Vietnam, and all of a sudden, you'll see the rates people in Vietnam see. Winning. And yes, I tried it. It does work!  ## What is a VPN? A VPN is short for Virtual Private Network. This allows you to hide your location and data from the web. This simply means when I'm in Vietnam, I can connect via my Australian VPN if I want to access Aussie Netflix, or if I'm in New Zealand and want to book a Vietnam Airlines flight for the best price I can connect via my Vietnam VPN.  The VPN keeps your browsing private and prevents you from getting hacked. I don't want my information stolen and I feel much safer using the VPN. This is why everyone needs a VPN for world travel! ## How much does a VPN cost? I currently use [NordVPN](https://go.nordvpn.net/SH2oY). It costs me $3.49 a month because I knew I'd be gone a while and opted to purchase three years in advance. If you're not keen on signing up for two or three years, you can always go monthly for $12 per month. You can use this application on up to six devices, and you get information telling you the speed of your connection. There's also a handy 'Pause your connection' tool if you're having problems with a particular site. I sometimes experience this logging into the NZ government sites, for this I just open a private browser instead. NordVPN have servers all around the world, so you can be sure there will be a connection nearby that will work for you.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Work-from-anywhere-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Work from anywhere - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> _Working from a hut at Shore Club - An Bang - May 2020_ ### How do you set it up? All you have to do is [click here](https://go.nordvpn.net/SH2oY) and purchase the VPN subscription that works best for you. You can choose to go monthly, annually or purchase more than one year in advance. Once you have set yourself up, you'll get the links to download the apps for your phone and computers or Mac. Once you've downloaded these and logged in, you are free to browse privately from anywhere in the world. It's really that easy, a VPN is essential for your world travel adventure! #### Things to remember [NordVPN](https://go.nordvpn.net/SH2oY) is a subscription service, so remember to cancel it if you're no longer using it. It will bill continually monthly or annually on the date you subscribed. This is important if you're doing an annual subscription! ### Why you need a VPN for World Travel _Please note: I have included affiliate links in this post which means if you decide to purchase, I may receive a commission. It won't cost you any extra. Thanks so much!_]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>vpn</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>digital-nomad</category> <category>travel-safety</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/need-vpn-travel-2020-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Banking Solutions for Nomads]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/banking-for-nomads/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/banking-for-nomads/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< with my referral code and see how easy banking can be - My referral code is melissaw8690. This means when you spend €15 with your card, I receive €15. You will also receive a referral link so you can refer your friends too. ### American Business Banking For business to business banking transactions I use [Payoneer](https://share.payoneer.com/nav/OWYpJK_TdpFzSyZHhACjFGm-fj3c4IGJh9zPEaBbqX7d1sVUAcbXSBGWg3w6B4Yb4gSPOv_81blf838SJuFoHA2). If you sign up using my link ([click here](https://share.payoneer.com/nav/OWYpJK_TdpFzSyZHhACjFGm-fj3c4IGJh9zPEaBbqX7d1sVUAcbXSBGWg3w6B4Yb4gSPOv_81blf838SJuFoHA2)) both you and I receive $25USD when you've made $1,000 in transactions. This is an awesome service if you are an Amazon Associate or if you need to receive business income into a US bank account!! It's come in handy with many affiliate programs who can only deposit to US accounts. I have found many other nomads use this as a banking solution too. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Banking-Solutions-for-Nomads-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-scaled.jpg " alt="Banking Solutions for Nomads - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> ### Australia and New Zealand Solutions for Nomads My preferred bank any international travellers in these countries is [ING](http://ing.com.au)! I love they reverse the ATM charges, it's awesome. I watch my savings add up monthly, so far we have saved over $1,000 AUD with these rebates. That's almost another month accommodation for us. What would that mean for you? <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images//Screen-Shot-2021-09-08-at-13.11.18.png " alt="ING Savings - The Best Bank for Australians who travel - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> ### International Banking for Nomads After living in Vietnam for a while, we started to really enjoy using [Wise (formally TransferWise)](https://wise.com/invite/i/melissaw418). It's an app that can take a little to get used to, but it creates a lot of convenience. We could easily send money from our Australian ING bang to our Australian Wise account. Then convert with a tiny fee to Vietnamese Dong (or any currency). Then it can transfer into a bank account of that currency. It's a fantastic tool and can save a lot of money!  I love [PayPal](http://paypal.com) for the ease it provides. I use this where needed! Some of our affiliate income actually gets paid directly to our PayPal account. I'm also very careful with this as I have heard of other Nomads who have encountered issues with PayPal freezing their accounts. So keep this in mind when you are setting up payment options for your customers (if you are doing this) as you want to have more than one place to receive an income. Maybe you'll prefer Crypto!  I hope these banking solutions for nomads help you a little if you are planning to travel long term. Another really useful resource is the use of a VPN. [Click here to read more about VPN](https://worldtravelambitions.com/why-you-need-a-vpn-for-your-world-travel/) services, as these are also very valuable while travelling abroad. **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase _with no additional cost to you_. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>digital-nomad</category> <category>banking</category> <category>travel-finance</category> <category>nomad-life</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>financial-planning</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/banking-for-nomads-2021-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Travel Insurance for Nomad Families]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/travel-insurance-for-nomad-families/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/travel-insurance-for-nomad-families/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><. I'm impressed that they responded so quickly and made daily calls to us until we were certain Elijah hadn't caught the Coronavirus. - In December, 2020, we needed to use our insurance for our first hospital stay in Vietnam. Aaliyah was admitted for an abscess and we were there for four nights. During this admission World Nomads were amazing. They communicated with us well and the claim was paid out quickly and easily. Again, the support from the nursing team was fantastic. They regularly checked in with us and made sure my daughter was ok. - At the start of 2021, Rimaha needed to use the private hospital during the Tet Holiday. Again, the contact centre was responsive and the claim was paid quickly.   - During June, 2021 my laptop was water damaged. It took me a while to get the documentation needed for the claim as we weren't anywhere near an Apple Store, but World Nomads assured me there is no time limit for claiming. Once the documentation was complete, I forwarded it to the team for processing. Again, this claim was processed no issues. - In August, 2021 we slightly damaged a rental car. Again, we found the contact centre to be extremely helpful. It took a while to get the rental car agency to co-operate, I had to nag them for months. Fortunately, World Nomads claims team was also nagging them, and the rental car company finally delivered the documents we'd been requesting (after about six or eight months). Once World Nomads had the required info, they paid out again. No problems! If you do experience an issue with a rental car agency, get a quote for repairs before you leave - so you don't have to wait around for them (especially when you've had to leave the country).  Over the course of almost two years of travel, we've had multiple reasons to claim. You definitely need travel insurance as a nomad family!  ### Would I Recommend World Nomads as Travel Insurance for Nomad Families? I've got full confidence in the support from the team at World Nomads. I can't recommend them enough. I did a short run with Safety Wing. During that time I had one hospital experience. I called Safety Wing and their team wasn't able to help answer any questions. They wouldn't pay direct to any hospital and their response was 'just pay what you need to and we'll assess later'. Fortunately, there was no private hospital bills on this occasion, but it didn't inspire a lot of faith to continue with this company. We also didn't receive any follow up phone calls to check if we were ok. We were THRILLED when we discovered World Nomads was open for business again (after briefly ceasing insurance for citizens of NZ / Australia during the pandemic).  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=//www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="block"> <img src="/images//WN_logo_long_grey_RGB_large.png " alt="World Nomads - Travel Insurance for Nomad Families - World Travel Ambitions" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </a> <div class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic mt-2 p-2 bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg"> Click image to view on affiliate site </div> </div> </div> ### Travel insurance: simple & flexible You can [buy and claim online](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/), even after you've left home. Travel insurance from [WorldNomads.com](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com) is available to people from over 130 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of [adventure sports and activities](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/adventure-travel-insurance). ### 7 things you should know about travel insurance from WorldNomads.com 1. **Trusted reliable underwriters**[WorldNomads.com](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com) is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24 hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most. 2. **Value for money with the cover you need**[WorldNomads.com](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com) provides cover for what's important for travellers from over 130 countries. By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don't, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online. 3. **Flexibility when you need it most**Had a change of plans? You can buy more cover or [claim online](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/travel-insurance-claims) while you are still away. You can even [buy](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/) a World Nomads policy if you're already travelling. 4. **Cover for a range of adventure activities**From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of [adventure activities](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/adventure-travel-insurance), giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels. 5. **World Nomads keeps you travelling safely**All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts, as well as travel safety advice and tips online through the [World Nomads Travel Safety Hub](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety). 6. **More than just great value travel insurance**All WorldNomads.com members can learn the local lingo through a series of [iPod & iPhone Language Guides](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/language-guides) and can stay in touch with family and friends with an [online travel journal](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/stories). 7. **Commitment to exceptional customer service**We want to make sure you get the most from WorldNomads.com. You can find out more about [why travel insurance is important](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/is-travel-insurance-worth-it) for your trip. If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please [contact WorldNomads.com](//www.worldnomads.com/Turnstile/AffiliateLink?partnerCode=wfb4058&source=link&utm_source=wfb4058&utm_content=link&path=https://www.worldnomads.com/contact-us) directly. **Disclosure:** _Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that I have included affiliate links in this blog. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase with no additional cost to you. If you have any questions about the companies or our affiliate status, please feel free to e-mail us._]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>travel-insurance</category> <category>nomad-life</category> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-safety</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/travel-insurance-for-digital-nomad-families-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Our Round the World with Kids. Where Are We Going?]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-round-the-world-with-kids/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-round-the-world-with-kids/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 26 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 26 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded>< This is where most of our friends and family live so New Zealand is going to be our first stop for our adventure. #### South Island Sydney to Queenstown is sorted, that's 11th February and we spend a couple of nights in one of my favourite parts of the country. We will stay at [Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park](https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/queenstown-lakeview-holiday-park.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1DCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaPQBiAEBmAExuAEHyAEM2AED6AEB-AECiAIBqAIDuAKjsJf3BcACAdICJDI4MWMzOGEyLWY2YjMtNDZkNS1hMWEwLWVlZTdhNGU5YmZkZdgCBOACAQ;sid=64d5acdc14055e36286f62749ec7ea81) (we booked with Booking.com). On the 13th we start our road trip, heading through the beautiful lakes, stopping for lots of photos along the way and calling in at a cute farmstay I found on [AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/associates/18243?currency=&c=.pi115.pk0_9&a4ptk=5210_0_9_18243&af=115&sharer_id=3695836&s=67&unique_share_id=fc8c731f-5392-4a5b-b26c-779a7ff1af7d). Check it out below (_as an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through my link or booking widget_). On the 14th we do a car swap in Christchurch (I'll update a link here soon about our car hack - we hired three cars over 8 days for a total of $53 NZD). We then travel to Hanmer Springs, check in to ​[Forest Peak Motel](https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/forest-peak-motel.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1DCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaPQBiAEBmAExuAEHyAEM2AED6AEB-AECiAIBqAIDuAKjsJf3BcACAdICJDI4MWMzOGEyLWY2YjMtNDZkNS1hMWEwLWVlZTdhNGU5YmZkZdgCBOACAQ;sid=64d5acdc14055e36286f62749ec7ea81)​​​ motel and have a romantic spa for V-day (sorry lovey couples for the three kids invading!). February 15th we will head to Kaiteriteri where my cousin lives and spend two nights with her. I'm excited because it's been a really long time since I saw her last!  #### North Island We drop off our car and catch the Picton to Wellington ferry on the 17th February . In Wellington we pick up another car and drive up to Turangi. It's a speedy mission for us in this section because I used to live in Wellington and Kapiti, and both me and hubby have seen the sights before... The big kids just want to get up to Rotorua to spend some time with their biological dad (I'll talk more about this another time, but he's excited to spend some quality time with the kids before we go too). On the 18th/19th we will be in Rotorua and then head up to Auckland to drop off our car. We plan to see my mum and sister in law and my mum and step dad. <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Round-the-world-with-kids-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-life-outside-the-box-November-2014.jpg " alt="Round the world with kids - World Travel Ambitions - Family life outside the box - November 2014" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> Rotorua (pre child number 3) when we travelled there in November 2014 After this we'll have a car to use for the rest of our time in NZ and our plan is to road trip a little bit. We will travel down to Tauranga to see more family, take a walk around the beautiful Mt Maunganui (maybe even go up) and enjoy some time on a beach! The next section of our plan is not set in stone yet. We haven't decided on our fly out date (or exact destination)... ### RTW with Kids - 2nd Stop: Asia We decided the second major round the world with kids stop will be Asia. Sometime between 29th February and the first week of March we will fly out of New Zealand. We are considering Singapore/Bangkok/Malaysia as our starting point.  Assuming we fly into Bangkok, which is what I'm planning for at the moment, we will enjoy a couple of days, then head to Laos for a week or so, then back to Bangkok.  Then we will overland to Cambodia for another week or so, followed by the remaining time in Vietnam. It's a loose plan. We may skip and just do Cambodia and [Vietnam.](/tags/vietnam/) I don't really know, nor am I worried, because I know this area needs a lot more time than the five weeks we have allocated. This wasn't part of any plan because we booked the next section back in October 2019... <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Our-Round-the-World-with-Kids-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-March-2020-scaled.jpg " alt="Our Round the World with Kids - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - March 2020" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> Our flight departed Auckland at 11.55pm, 6 March 2020, flying to Saigon, Vietnam. ### RTW with Kids - 3rd Stop: Turkey This section of our plan was created purely because we could tick off a bucket list item (actually, a few items), and we would get most out of our air points.  Since 2016 we have been collecting air points (travel hacking). We had this idea that we would fly free. Instead, we are flying business class with Singapore Airlines for $800 AUD (yes, that is five seats too). And to lock this in, I had to book it really early. We knew we'd like to enjoy [Anzac Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day) at Gallipoli, so I knew our arrival date needed to be before the 20th April. When I checked out availability there was the 12th/13th April or we had to go in March. So I aimed for the April dates and waited for one date to book out. When the 12th was no longer available, hubby and I were ready to commit. Our flight from Singapore departs on the 13th of April. <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5twc6FqGv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> _We didn't make it to Istanbul - so we hung out on An Bang Beach instead - 13 April 2020._ We spend 5 nights in Istanbul then fly down to Izmir for three nights. Next we will pick up a rental car and drive up to Gallipoli, with a couple nights in between. In Gallipoli, we will stay three nights. One of those will be spent at Anzac Cove (I've learned you have to arrive 10pm the evening before, and they play movies/documentaries all night until the dawn service!). After this once in a lifetime experience, we will head down to Pamukkale for three nights (with one or two nights along the way). We will enjoy the baths that look so much like the Pink and White Terraces that used to be near Lake Tarawera (an area close to our hometown of Rotorua). Following this, we drive toward the coast and stay South of Izmir 2/3 nights. We then return our car and catch a flight to the amazing Cappadocia. I added this to my bucket list after seeing my friends photos at Sultan Cave Suites. After some research, we decided against staying at Sultan Caves because we didn't want to line up with the Instafamous to get a great photo. We opted a smaller residence called Tulip Suites and I'm sure our photos will still be amazing (and the memories even more so). <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yfqD7FcOR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> _Not Cappadocia as planned. Instead, Marble Mountain, Vietnam - with our friends from_ _[Kiwi Family Adventures](https://www.instagram.com/kiwifamilyadventures/)__._ After three nights with Tulip Suites, we head back to Istanbul for one night, this time on the Asian side, and the next flight we have booked to Germany. ### RTW with Kids - 4th Stop: Europe #### Germany Europe is next on our round the world with kids itinerary. We fly into Dusseldorf on the 8th May (from memory). Then either drive or train to my friend who lives in a town I won't try to spell by memory. We are there two nights, maybe three before making our way to Saint Jean Pied De Port... The beginning of our Camino. #### El Camino De Santiago <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Our-RTW-with-Kids-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-Camino-Plan-scaled.jpg " alt="Our RTW with Kids - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - Camino Plan" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> The Camino de Santiago, this has been a dream for so long, for us, it will take over a month. I am so excited to do this with my kids! This is where I'm fuzzy. Our main plan is to begin walking this mid May (assuming they don't have an insane summer like what we've just experienced here in Australia). We either walk the full stretch... Or we don't walk until September.  Half of me just wants to get it done, because LIFE LONG GOAL, HELLO!!! But the other half of me thinks, 'it's summer, wouldn't it be better spent at a beach?' So watch this space, you never know when or what I'll change. I'm the spontaneous type, learning to plant spontaneous seeds in my hubby's brain. We will see where the road leads us. I have a feeling Portugal will be next to our Camino, lots of surfing for Rimaha... And lots of sand for me! <div class="bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-500 to-pink-500 rounded-lg p-6 my-8 text-white"> <div class="flex items-center space-x-3 mb-3"> <svg class="w-6 h-6" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"/> </svg> <span class="font-semibold">Follow us on Instagram</span> </div> <p class="text-sm opacity-90 mb-4">Check out our latest travel adventures and family moments</p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAMYUVGlOcc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="inline-flex items-center space-x-2 bg-white text-purple-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors"> <span>View this post on Instagram</span> <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/> </svg> </a> </div> _Not on the Camino. VinPearlLand, Hoi An instead (and no other tourists). Spain was closed, the Camino was closed and we weren't even close._ We have no idea where else our RTW with kids will take us. The world is huge, with so many sites to see. It's exciting to think we are making the most of our life with our kids.  ## Our COVID-19 Updated Round the World with Kids Plan In mid to late March we had to wildly change our plan. Everything was basically put in the bin. Turkey was off the cards because ANZAC day commemorations had been cancelled. Spain was looking like possibly one of the worst countries we could travel to.  We made the call to stay and wait in Vietnam. We had entered on a one month e-visa. Usually these are not extendable. Initially we extended our Vietnam visas by one month. Naively I thought perhaps in a month or so, things would change. They didn't. We had to extend again for an extra two months, and we are now facing a third extension, which we will go for three months. It turned out to be a pricey mistake. I highly recommend getting the longest visa possible for any country you enter. Our friends had entered on three month tourist visas (which are no longer available from 1 July 2020 - always check this information in case it is no longer current for you or your country of residence). #### Looking Ahead As of June 2020, our plan is to remain in Asia until March or April of 2020. We still have our air points for business class flights for Singapore to Istanbul. We can take this flight any time before December 2021.  <div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="/images/Round-the-World-with-Kids-World-Travel-Ambitions-Family-Life-Outside-the-Box-New-Plans-Sapa-June-2020-scaled.jpg " alt="Round the World with Kids - World Travel Ambitions - Family Life Outside the Box - New Plans - Sapa - June 2020" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> If the original Round the world plan had gone to plan, we would be close to the end of our Camino. We are hanging out in Sapa instead - June 2020 We plan to extend our Vietnam visa out to October 2020. I don't think we'll be able to extend again after this. I'm pretty sure we would have deeply covered the entire country at that point too. For now, this means our round the world with kids plan is more like an all over Asia with kids travel plan. We are excited to do some of these incredible countries during this strange and crazy time. We will record it all to share with you! The RTW thing is going to be a lifelong plan, I wonder how long my kids will stay with us, I wonder if we will visit all the places we would like to go. We will enjoy every moment along the way.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>travel-resources</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>round-the-world</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>world-travel</category> <category>travel-itinerary</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/GOPR0422-scaled.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Rarotonga, The Perfect Family Holiday Destination - Cook Islands]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/rarotonga-cook-islands-family-holiday/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/rarotonga-cook-islands-family-holiday/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover why Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is the perfect family holiday destination. From no traffic to beach restaurants and lagoon cruises, find out what makes this South Pacific paradise ideal for families.]]></description> <content:encoded><, even had a tyre swing out front! ### The beach and coral reef The beaches are beautiful. Muri beach is calm, there are a few Islands around. It's tropical and just heavenly. We stayed on Vaimaanga beach. It's the southern side of the island. The were plenty of palm trees. And hammocks. And star fish. And sea cucumbers. Kayaks are a wonderful way to explore the coral reefs! ## Entertainment ### Lagoon Cruises The [Koka Lagoon Cruise](https://web.archive.org/web/20170912061105/http://www.kokalagooncruises.com/) is one of those must do activities on the island. The guys on this tour are absolutely awesome and HILARIOUS. We were laughing our butts off the entire trip. There's a fair bit of learning about coconuts in this type. You get to drink them, eat them, and if you are lucky, you might even be taught how to climb a tree to get them! The Koka boat lands on a small uninhabited island, there's a mean feed, a toilet and a massage therapist ($20 gets you an all good massage on the beach with a gorgeous view). Snorkel with all sorts of fish, and you can try spotting eels. Choice as! If the kids are a bit chicken, or if the water is too cold, you can watch the sea life through the glass bottom inside the boat. My kids thought it was pretty awesome. ### Cultural Shows There's a cultural show too. We went to the [Te Vara Nui](https://web.archive.org/web/20170912061105/http://www.tevaranui.co.ck/) concert. You get a bit of a discount if you do the Koka cruise and the show. I left my kids behind for the dinner show. It was a pre wedding get together, we had a pretty big group and got bumped up to the VIP both. The locals told us the Prime minister sits up there when he comes over from NZ (I think they were trying to make us feel extra special – it worked). We had the joy of getting some up close and personal dance lessons with the guys and girls. I'll have to ask around and get one of our guests to send me a video link because it was bl***y hilarious! ### Markets There's the Saturday markets in the main town. And night markets at Muri beach. ### Fishing Go fishing! My husband and a few of our mates went out with [Akura fishing charters](https://web.archive.org/web/20170912061105/http://www.akurafishingcharters.com/). They had an awesome time. Rimaha was gutted they dropped a Mahi Mahi at the boat. But his mate caught a huge wahoo which fed us all (about 20 of us) for a few days. Yeehaa. We had raw fish, BBQ fish, cooked fish… Yep we ate a fair bit of fish. And it was gooood. I'd suggest booking with Akura, as we heard some other charters make you pay for your fish!!! ## Final Tips We recommend taking some food for your fridge if your flight isn't too long. All the packaged food like cereals, milk and bread is ridiculously expensive. Don't expect much change from a $50. If you can, head over to [Aitutaki](https://web.archive.org/web/20170912061105/http://worldintrepids.com/aitutaki-the-fantasy-honeymoon-island/). It is an absolutely GORGEOUS island, with the most amazing lagoon ever! Life is all good on the islands. We will definitely be back, maybe to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary! ## Why Rarotonga is Perfect for Families Rarotonga offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for families. With its safe, traffic-free environment, beautiful beaches, and family-friendly activities, it's an ideal destination for parents who want to unwind while keeping their children entertained. The island's small size means you can easily explore everything without long travel times, and the friendly locals make everyone feel welcome. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family adventure, Rarotonga delivers on all fronts. --- *Originally published July 14, 2015. Updated for our family travel blog.*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>cook-islands</category> <category>rarotonga</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>family-holiday</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>fishing</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/rarotonga-cook-islands-family-holiday-2014-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Cheap or Free Family Snow Holidays in NSW, Australia]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/cheap-or-free-family-snow-holidays-in-nsw-australia/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/cheap-or-free-family-snow-holidays-in-nsw-australia/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 17 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 17 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Cheap or Free Family Snow Holidays in NSW, Australia]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Cheap or Free Family Snow Holidays in NSW, Australia ## Dreaming of an Affordable Snow Holiday? _Dreaming of an Australian Family Snowy Mountains Holiday, but think it's too expensive??_ Well you've struck gold because I've discovered a way to make your holiday awesome and affordable. A few weeks back our family was blessed with an opportunity to go to the snow. I needed to stick to a budget of under $1500 for four nights (we need to keep our savings in the saving account for our world adventures). We did ok, but we would've had a way better time if I had known then what I know now. While I was at the snow, I learned a lot about the ski fields, so I've got a few tips on how you can ski for free, and some absolutely vital info for those mamas (or papas) who like to ski with their littlies in a front / back pack... _That's Elijah, first time skiing with mum at age 1 - August 2017_ Now get ready to design your wonderful Family Snowy Mountains adventure that won't break your bank. ## Accommodation (is not cheap) Accommodation is not cheap. We had originally planned to be in a house share with my sister in Jindabyne (Jindabyne is the small lakeside town about 30 mins from Perisher and Thredbo ski fields). However due to a bit of miscommunication the bedding arrangements, it didn't work out.  We didn't want to overcrowd, so we chose a little cheapy (The High Country Motel) in Cooma (which to be honest isn't actually that much of a mission). Cooma actually turned out to be a blessing, cheap take out and supermarkets are handy to have nearby when adventuring with kids. The downside is being a bit further from the snow. 30 mins extra travel time each way doesn't bother me but might be something for you to consider. Have a look at hotel pricing for your dates below: _init1]]]var stg = new Object(); stg.crt="1075273564217";stg.version="1.04"; stg.id=stg.name="adgshp-176674634"; stg.width="320px"; stg.height="420px";stg.ReferenceKey="ijwLCSeXw13SwoXrwL8f7g=="; stg.Layout="SquareCalendar"; stg.Language="en-us";stg.Cid="1881363"; stg.Hid="288550"; stg.DestinationName="High Country Motel, Cooma, Australia";stg.OverideConf=false; new AgdSherpa(stg).initialize();] ## Essential Preparation Tips ### Practice with Winter Gear If you are taking little people, practice with gloves and beanies before you get there. We bought our baby mittens at the snow, and well, to be honest, he hated them. He pretty much screamed his head off, full roaring tanty, when we tried putting them on. It was a nightmare. His snowsuit had a built in hood which he tolerated, but he's not a fan of hats and beanies, so if it wasn't for that hood, we would've had an interesting time! _Elijah was more upset by wearing mittens than playing in the cold snow - August 2017_ ### Pack the Right Socks Invest in heaps of woollen socks. I learned that cotton holds moisture and is cold against the skin, whereas wool will retain the water, however warms against the skin. So if the socks get wet, wool won't be so bad. But cotton will be downright awful. So have a sweet as trip and pack lots of socks and don't forget to take a few pairs on the mountain so your day will last longer. My kids changed socks on various days and our spare set in the boot came in handy on one of our days. _Playing in the snow, we used a lot of our spare socks. Snow hurts little people, so be prepared. - August 2017_ ### Plan for the Car Journey As usual, I'm sure you'll pack for a long car ride. If you want it to be enjoyable, please consider the little guys and girls in the back seat, and stop when needed. Take plenty of snacks, and failing that, technology. We are super lucky to have our little guy, who loves car trips (NOT). So we planned for an adventure (about six hours driving or more each way), however he actually surprised us and travelled brilliantly (winning yippee). ## Ski Resorts and the Mountains I tried to be a really awesome mum and do my research about taking my kids to Perisher (this was the field we were able to get some discounts on through my sister!). So I looked around their website and found next to no information about travelling with small people. So here are my suggestions for you to have an AMAZING time without spending a fortune. ## Our First Days (and Mistakes - Don't Do What We Did!) We didn't do enough research (clearly) and spent our first day at the Ski Tube car park trying out the gentle slopes with the snow falling. Our strategy was to get the kids acquainted with the snow before we got to our paid day. **Don't do what we did. Go and toboggan free at Thredbo!** _Travel hack for starters - Toboggan free at Thredbo to save you a bit of money on ski passes - August 2017_ Prior to this trip, we had only taken kids to an indoor snow field in Auckland, this was their first trip to the real snow. I don't know about your kids, but mine are painfully shy at times. When we took them to the indoor snow park last year, it took them over an hour to be comfortable to go and play in the snow. Maybe a lil weird, but hey. ## Ski for FREE on the Mountain! So what we discovered was that you can go on the mountain for FREE. It is literally free to go on the ski fields. However, if you want to use any lifts or carpet runs etc, then you'll need a pass. What this means, is you can spend your first two, three, four days playing on the snow and ski fields (or the entire time if you like), and if your kids simply want to go tobogganing, they can. They can also go down the slow learner areas for free (they just have to walk themselves up the hill)... We discovered the carpet runs were terribly slow anyway, so my kids wouldn't have cared! ## Thredbo for FREE (ish) Give Thredbo a go (To access Thredbo, you will need to enter and pay the [National Park fee](https://web.archive.org/web/20170911211405/http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/thredbo-perisher-area)). Let the kids play in the snow, go tobogganing on a tobogganing field and let them run up and down the hill until they are tired! I'd suggest you drive through the town and see if you can pick up a sneaky car park. We got lucky and parked right in front of the playground! Thredbo has a playground, skateboard park, and trampolines (however we were there during the great snow, so everything was covered!) There is also a leisure centre, and childcare, pretty much anything you'd need in a cute little resort town with a bakery... _Thredbo is a great little town for families - August 2017_ ### The Best Hot Chocolate in Thredbo If you like hot chocolate, check out the bakery! They sell a Premium Hot Chocolate (I didn't think it was overpriced, but can't remember what I paid), and it could be the best Hot Chocolate I've ever had... _Quite possibly the best hot chocolate I've ever had (minus the Cherries I already ate before thinking I needed to take the photo)._ ## Tips for Perisher So we found out (after picking up our hire and checking our stuff into lockers) that Perisher Valley is not the place to go for first timers (unless you are paying for ski school - however we were on a budget, and I like teaching my kids stuff, so it wasn't for us). The dumb thing for us was, we left our stuff at Perisher Valley, to go to Blue Cow. It's only one stop away on the Ski Tube. But when you are travelling with babies who like formula etc, it is always best to keep the belongings with you. This impacted the quality of our day as we had to travel back to Perisher Valley early when our not so baby wanted his bottle! ### Ski Free at Blue Cow Blue Cow has a really easy run for the first timers and is not closed off for ski schools use. The area is perfect for kids to try out, and it is easy enough (and faster) for them to run back up the hill. The carpet run was slow as! _Learn to ski free - You don't have to spend as much as you think - August 2017_ We could have happily spent the entire day parked up here. If I were to do it again on a budget, we would've hired the gear out of town and parked at Blue Cow for two days and skied free. This discovery was awesome, so what you are about to read is brilliance! ## The Ultimate Budget Ski Strategy Ok, so most people who plan to go to the snow plan to pay LOTS of money. I get it. But what if you can have the skiing without the spending? After recognising a few things, namely, 1. The ski tube car park is at the 'base' of Perisher. 2. Perisher valley is a stop on the way up the mountain and, 3. Blue Cow is technically higher than Perisher Valley, I came to the realisation you can ski almost for free by either - **A)** Park at Ski Tube car park, pay for a pass on the Ski Tube, and ride up to Blue Cow, or - **B)** Drive to Blue Cow (you'll need to pay the National Park fee) then ski down to Perisher Valley. There is a beginner run, so if you've skied a little and feel comfortable it can be done. There are flat bits which might be a bit annoying, I didn't look at the full terrain, I didn't get the chance to do it myself because we only worked it out in the afternoon, shortly before we were leaving. From Perisher Valley you can catch the Ski Tube free up to Blue Cow (go between Perisher Valley and Blue Cow as often as you like), or make sure you have your pass handy to travel back to the Ski Tube car park... ## Important Tips for Parents Skiing with Babies So I learned the interesting way. After teaching my 10 year old to ski on the learner field, I travelled up the carpet run on skis with my baby in my Ergobaby carrier. After a few trips up, I was told I couldn't do it anymore, and I was not allowed on any lifts anywhere on the mountain with a baby attached. However, they don't prevent you from travelling on the ski tube with the baby attached! _You need to be careful of other people, but if you're confident, you can do anything with a baby carrier - August 2017_ If you are super confident / keen, you could try my tip above (I'd suggest doing it solo first) and then if you are comfortable and it works for you, ski between Blue Cow and Perisher! Ok I didn't try it, so please give it a go on your own first... Have you done it before? Is it doable? I'm sure other readers would love to know, so don't hold back - I literally just followed lines on a map! ## Conclusion So there you have it, you can ski on a budget, you don't have to spend your entire holiday savings on a ski trip! Yippee!!! I'd love to know if you found this helpful, so please comment below if you did.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>nsw</category> <category>perisher</category> <category>budget-travel</category> <category>thredbo</category> <category>family-ski-holiday</category> <category>budget-travel</category> <category>winter-holiday</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/snow-holiday-nsw-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Faith and the Impossible Dream]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/faith-and-the-impossible-dream/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/faith-and-the-impossible-dream/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Faith and the Impossible Dream ## Six Years Ago Today Today is the 11th May, 2017. It is six years today since my two children and I jumped on a plane with only three suitcases to fly across the ditch. We were lucky to be moving to some kind of security. We were changing from a single parent family of three, to a two parent family with my boyfriend (who I was fortunate to have known very many years). ## The Move That Changed Everything It was a move I felt compelled to make. Although I was happy in my beautiful, healing, tranquil town of Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, I felt Sydney would give me an opportunity to travel the world. I wasn't sure I'd have the same opportunity if my boyfriend moved to New Zealand. It was exciting taking Noah and Aaliyah on their first plane ride. They were ages 2 and 3. It was more exciting that we would be moving into a little apartment in Bondi, Sydney. We were walking distance from the famous Bondi Beach and it was a great little place to start out. ## The Dream Takes Shape I don't know what my expectations were. I know I already dreamed of someday travelling the world with my children. I expected it would be a lifelong dream, something we could maybe do when the kids were teenagers, if I somehow saved enough money. I am smiling as I write this because I realise world travel with my family was one of my biggest, seemingly almost impossible dreams, and it'll be my reality very soon. ## Six Years of Achievements In the six years since I arrived here I've ticked off some amazing goals. I got to go to the Bathurst V8 Supercars, I went ice skating on Bondi Beach, I travelled through Europe, I got married in Rarotonga, I graduated university, I've got a whole extra child (?!?!), I've had laser surgery on my eyes, I've hand fed a wild dolphin, I've started my business and we reached our saving target which will allow us to travel. ## The Dream Becomes Reality Today is special. I'm celebrating six years of hard work, and now we are almost at the freedom life. It was a life I had dreamed of, and now it is becoming very real. ## A Message to Dreamers If the life of travelling with your family appeals to you, don't be afraid. Be bold and brave. Get out a diary or journal and write a list of your dreams and goals. You have a huge database of knowledge - Google. Search and discover how to live your dreams. Because you'll probably only regret the things you didn't do. And these kinds of dreams are definitely worth pursuing!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>lifestyle</category> <category>travel-dreams</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>inspiration</category> <category>long-term-travel</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-planning</category> <category>lifestyle-change</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/faith-impossible-dreams-2017-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Airport Security Scissors Drama: Our First Worldschooling Mishap Travelling to New Zealand]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/amateur-home-schooling-travel-mishap-1/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/amateur-home-schooling-travel-mishap-1/</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 13 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Learn from our airport security mishap with worldschooling scissors! Discover essential tips for traveling with kids and worldschooling supplies. Real family travel story from New Zealand.]]></description> <content:encoded>< and [worldschooling resources](/tags/worldschooling/) for more tips and stories. *Have you had a similar worldschooling travel mishap? We'd love to hear your stories and any tips you'd add to help other traveling families!* --- *We still departed on time and had a great ride back to our home country. Beautiful New Zealand welcomed us with open arms, and we learned that sometimes the best lessons come from the most unexpected moments. More posts to come soon!*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>worldschooling</category> <category>worldschooling</category> <category>homeschooling</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>travel-with-kids</category> <category>travel-mishaps</category> <category>family-adventure</category> <category>new-zealand</category> <category>airport-security</category> <category>travel-tips</category> <category>homeschooling-supplies</category> <category>pregnancy-travel</category> <category>family-lifestyle</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/worldschooling-mt-maunganui-2016.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Our Tips for Visiting Capri, the Beautiful Italian Island]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-tips-for-visiting-capri-the-beautiful-italian-island/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-tips-for-visiting-capri-the-beautiful-italian-island/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover the magic of Capri with our comprehensive travel guide. From boat tours to the Blue Grotto, Monte Solaro chairlift, and waterfront restaurants - everything you need to know for the perfect Italian island getaway.]]></description> <content:encoded><. This day tour really made our trip! We travelled around the entire island in style. *Gianni's Boat Tours - The perfect way to explore Capri* The water is what makes this island so magical. The blues and greens are incredible. It's very bright, the sun reflects under the water. I took too many photos of the waters around the island. *Green water, Capri - The crystal clear Mediterranean waters* *Blue water, Capri - Shades of blue that will take your breath away* ### Visiting the Blue Grotto The Blue Grotto was the main reason I wanted to visit Capri. My mum had told me about the place. My number one tip if you hope to see the Blue Grotto, is go on your tour in the morning. Make sure to tell your guide to go first to the Blue Grotto, then around the island. By the time we arrived, there was a huge queue. We skipped the Blue Grotto. This photo shows about a quarter of the boats waiting the day we visited! *Entrance to the Blue Grotto - The famous sea cave that draws thousands of visitors* ### Baby Blue, the Alternative to the Blue Grotto The day we visited, we didn't want to wait in a boat queue for an hour. We opted to visit the Baby Blue. Our tour guide advised the colour is the same, it's just smaller. And no queue. Awesome for people who don't get to the main event early! *Baby Blue, Capri - A beautiful alternative to the crowded Blue Grotto* ## The Monte Solaro Chairlift Ahhh. We only had one day. We did the boat tour and a little exploring. We totally missed the [Monte Solaro Chairlift](http://www.capri.com/en/s/mount-solaro-cetrella). It was closing by the time we found out how to get to it. We are definitely going back for this experience! ## Book a Table at One of the Restaurants You Have to Sail To This is another big kick myself. Another reason I have to go back. As we sailed around the island, our captain pointed out all these gorgeous restaurants. Sadly, we didn't have time to stay and dine there. They pick you up (no charge) and deliver you to the restaurants. I presume the menu's are probably a bit on the expensive side, but I'd love to have that experience! *Island Restaurants - Waterfront dining experiences accessible only by boat* ## Wander Through the Streets of Capri The streets are gorgeous. The shops are beautiful. The entire place has is beautiful. Everywhere you walk, you seem to look out towards the ocean. Or at least have huge glimpses of the ocean! *Views over Capri - Ocean views from every street* The little restaurants and bars are perched up on the hills. The places offer some beautiful photo opportunities! I loved wandering along the pathways. I also loved the flowers everywhere (maybe we travelled at the right time of year). *Capri Streets - Charming pathways and beautiful architecture* ## Why Capri is a Must-Visit Destination Capri offers an unparalleled Italian island experience with: - **Stunning Natural Beauty**: Crystal clear waters in shades of blue and green - **Rich History**: Ancient Roman ruins and historical sites - **Unique Attractions**: The famous Blue Grotto and Monte Solaro - **Luxury Experiences**: High-end shopping and fine dining - **Outdoor Activities**: Boat tours, swimming, and hiking opportunities ## Practical Tips for Your Visit ### Best Time to Visit - **Peak Season**: May to September (but expect crowds) - **Shoulder Season**: April and October (better prices, fewer crowds) - **Avoid**: July and August (hottest and most crowded) ### Getting There - **From Naples**: Regular ferry services (40-50 minutes) - **From Sorrento**: Ferry or hydrofoil (20-30 minutes) - **From Amalfi Coast**: Boat connections available ### What to Bring - Comfortable walking shoes (lots of hills and stairs) - Sunscreen and hat (strong Mediterranean sun) - Camera (you'll want to capture every view) - Light jacket (can be breezy on the water) ### Budget Considerations - **Accommodation**: Expensive, especially in peak season - **Dining**: High-end restaurants are pricey, but worth the experience - **Activities**: Boat tours and attractions can add up quickly - **Shopping**: Luxury brands and local crafts available ## Our Regrets and Future Plans I absolutely adore Capri. I definitely want to go back. Once we are settled into our Spanish residence, I will be sure to book a week over on the wonderful Capri! ### What We Missed - The Monte Solaro Chairlift for panoramic views - Dining at a waterfront restaurant accessible only by boat - Spending more time exploring the charming streets - Visiting during different seasons to see the island's changing beauty ### Next Time We'll - Stay for at least 2-3 nights - Book the Monte Solaro Chairlift in advance - Make reservations at a boat-access restaurant - Explore more of the island's hiking trails - Visit during shoulder season for better prices and fewer crowds ## Final Thoughts Capri is more than just a beautiful island - it's an experience that combines natural beauty, luxury, and Italian charm in a way that's truly unforgettable. Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or romance, Capri delivers on all fronts. The key to enjoying Capri is to plan ahead, book accommodations and activities in advance, and allow yourself enough time to truly soak in the island's magic. One day simply isn't enough to experience everything this Italian paradise has to offer. --- *Originally published August 4, 2015. Updated for our family travel blog with additional practical tips and insights.*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>europe</category> <category>italy</category> <category>capri</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>europe</category> <category>romantic-travel</category> <category>coastal-travel</category> <category>boat-tours</category> <category>travel-without-kids</category> <category>blue-grotto</category> <category>monte-solaro</category> <category>giannis-boat</category> <category>italian-islands</category> <category>mediterranean</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/capri-italy-2013-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Finding Peace at Nan Tien Temple]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/finding-peace-at-nan-tien-temple/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/finding-peace-at-nan-tien-temple/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover the peaceful beauty of Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. A free spiritual retreat near Sydney offering meditation, reflection, and inner peace.]]></description> <content:encoded><, I usually read it at least once every year. Buddhism is something I enjoy learning about. I think it is such a beautiful religion! Ever since I moved to Sydney, I've wanted to visit [Nan Tien Temple](http://www.nantien.org.au/en/), the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. It has taken me four years to finally visit. One really great thing about visiting this temple is free entry. I love free things! *The peaceful entrance to Nan Tien Temple* ## A Welcoming Arrival Turning into the temple, lanterns line the street. You are greeted by a happy laughing buddha. This happy, joyful face always makes me smile. Happiness is beautiful to me! *Nan Tien Temple Entrance - A place of welcome and peace* ## The Sacred Pagoda My first stop was the [Pagoda](http://www.nantien.org.au/en/facility/pagoda). Inside is absolutely gorgeous. You'll have to check out the [Pagoda link](http://www.nantien.org.au/en/facility/pagoda) because no photos are allowed inside! *The Pagoda - A sacred space for reflection* Inside the pagoda I learned this is a place where ashes are stored. Only family members and close friends of the dead are permitted to go upstairs. I'm sure it's a spectacular view! For some strange reason I didn't take photos of all the extremely gorgeous, small concrete buddha statues. They were spread out around the grass area. Some of them had really interesting poses! ## The Main Temple From the Pagoda, there is a path to the main temple. I couldn't believe how huge the place was! After wandering around and taking notes of the upcoming retreats and courses, I found myself in the main shrine. *The view from the main shrine - A place of profound peace* Again, I have no photos from within. No cameras are allowed. But the statues are huge, and beautiful. There is so much light and gold. You instantly feel softness. I spent a good 20 minutes or so sitting there absorbing the peace. It was really quite wonderful. I totally need to do this more often! ## Exploring the Grounds After eating lunch at the restaurant, I decided to take a bit of a walk. I strolled through the museum, it has a cool surprise inside. I dropped a coin in the wishing well and continued exploring. After walking through the gardens, checking out the pilgrim lodge and the pond, I found the gratitude walk. This walk takes you up a rather steep hill. Here I found the gratitude bell. I rang the bell and sent my feelings of gratitude to my loved ones. *The Gratitude Bell - A place to express thankfulness* I looked at the slightly larger hill. I thought it would be really great to walk up, but I was already tired from the climb to the bell. Maybe next time! *Another peaceful statue in the temple grounds* Opposite the gratitude bell is another relaxing Buddhist statue. I snapped a couple of pictures before heading back towards the carpark. *The peaceful path leading back to the carpark* ## Why Nan Tien Temple is Special Nan Tien Temple offers a unique opportunity to experience Buddhist culture and find inner peace without leaving Sydney. The temple's serene atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and spiritual significance make it a perfect destination for anyone seeking: - **Spiritual Reflection**: A quiet space to meditate and find inner peace - **Cultural Learning**: Understanding Buddhist traditions and practices - **Free Admission**: No cost to visit this beautiful spiritual site - **Natural Beauty**: Stunning gardens and peaceful walking paths - **Gratitude Practice**: The gratitude walk and bell provide meaningful rituals ## Practical Information - **Location**: Berkeley, NSW (about 1.5 hours from Sydney CBD) - **Admission**: Free - **Best Time to Visit**: Weekdays for fewer crowds, weekends for special events - **What to Bring**: Comfortable walking shoes, water, and an open heart - **Photography**: Allowed in outdoor areas, not permitted inside the main temple and pagoda ## A Place of Lasting Peace My visit to Nan Tien Temple was a profound experience that reminded me of the importance of taking time for spiritual reflection. The temple's peaceful atmosphere, combined with its beautiful surroundings and meaningful rituals, creates a perfect environment for finding inner calm and gratitude. Whether you're interested in Buddhism, seeking a peaceful retreat, or simply want to experience one of Sydney's most beautiful spiritual sites, Nan Tien Temple offers something special for everyone. --- *Originally published August 2, 2015. Updated for our family travel blog.*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>sydney</category> <category>nan-tien-temple</category> <category>spiritual-travel</category> <category>buddhism</category> <category>meditation</category> <category>peace</category> <category>free-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>cultural-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/nan-tien-temple-sydney-nsw-australia-2015-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Family Fun at Gold Coast Theme Parks]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/family-fun-at-gold-coast-theme-parks/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/family-fun-at-gold-coast-theme-parks/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Family Fun at Gold Coast Theme Parks]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Family Fun at Gold Coast Theme Parks ## Our Theme Park Adventures We visited the theme parks twice this year, the first time during the Easter school holidays. The second time was in June. ## Movie World [/caption(../images/2015/07/06.jpg) Movie World, Gold Coast] If you visit during school holidays, and if you have purchased your VIP ticket online, I highly recommend getting to the first park you visit really early. Once you have your pass in hand, the queues won't be painful, you'll practically walk straight in. ### Our Favorite Rides The rides here are pretty good, the kids favourite was the Dynamite Roller Coaster. We also did the Scooby Doo ride (this one is in complete darkness, you go quite fast and backwards sometimes, my son was scared). I made my son go on the log flume (what a meany). He hated it. But when we went back the second time, he was ok. My top tip for taking kids on rides if they are scared, just tell them to scream heaps. It worked for us! ### Tips for Visiting If you can visit Movie World out of school holidays, you'll find the place a lot quieter. It's possible a ride might be down for maintenance. But it's more likely you'll be able to get photo's with the characters. During our school holiday visit there was practically no chance of getting good photos with any characters, there were always too many people hanging around at once! ## Sea World I know there are some people that don't like aquariums and stuff. Yep, I agree, it is pretty sad the animals are all contained. But at the same time, it's neat to go and learn a bit about the amazing animals. I've always loved watching the shows with the dolphins, since I was a kid. ## Wet n Wild [/caption(../images/2015/07/041.jpg) Wet n Wild, Gold Coast]]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>gold-coast</category> <category>theme-parks</category> <category>theme-park</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>movie-world</category> <category>sea-world</category> <category>wet-n-wild</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/gold-coast-theme-parks-qld-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Family Adventures at O'Reilly's Treetop Walk]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/family-adventures-at-oreillys-treetop-walk/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/family-adventures-at-oreillys-treetop-walk/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Family Adventures at O]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Family Adventures at O'Reilly's Treetop Walk ## About O'Reilly's Treetop Walk The O'Reilly's Treetops Walk is located at Lamington Nation Park in Queensland. It is an awesome hour and a half drive from the Gold Coast. This place offers a relaxing day walking and exploring for a family, and it's free - that's always a bonus! ## The Drive Up the Mountain [/caption(../images/2015/07/20150408_133609.jpg) O'Reilly's Treetop Walk] Driving up the mountain is an adventure in itself. The views become more amazing the higher you go! It is an interesting road, it becomes very narrow in parts, with plenty of places to pull over to allow oncoming traffic to get past. Once you reach the summit, the road becomes more like a driveway, under a canopy of trees. I thought it was heaps of fun! ## The Treetop Walk Experience [/caption(../images/2015/07/20150408_145544.jpg) O'Reilly's Treetop Walk] The walk itself is really easy. We had lots of fun with all the cuzzy's. The kids weren't scared, but Aunty Nat wasn't so keen on the heights (most of the bridge is 15 metres above ground). The suspension bridges felt really safe - we weren't scared! ## Planning Your Visit [/caption(../images/2015/07/20150408_140238.jpg) O'Reilly's Treetop Walk] We made the trip during the Easter Break in April. It was a nice temperature, and it wasn't crowded. We noticed a camp ground and a lodge are up there. It could make for a really fun-filled weekend away! It seemed like there is a lot to do, you can check out the [O'Reilly's Activities and Events](http://www.oreillys.com.au/activities-events) page to see all the exciting things you can do, that's us next time, we are especially looking forward to giving the Flying Fox a go!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>gold-coast</category> <category>oreillys</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>nature-walks</category> <category>free-activities</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/oreillys-treetop-walk-qld-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[The World's Whitest Sand, Hyams Beach, NSW, Australia]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-worlds-whitest-sand-hyams-beach-nsw-australia/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/the-worlds-whitest-sand-hyams-beach-nsw-australia/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[The World]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# The World's Whitest Sand, Hyams Beach, NSW, Australia While searching for a beautiful beach for a wedding, I discovered Hyam's Beach. Before then, I had no idea such a beautiful place was so close to Sydney. Hyams Beach is about two hours drive south of Sydney. It is located in the beautiful Jervis Bay area. Hyams Beach is the Guinness World Record holder for the whitest sand. When I learned that, I had to go see it for myself. If you didn't already know, I'm a beach lover. An island lover. I love staring out at the water, out over the blue and green, at the horizon. I probably belong on a boat. Except I get seasick. [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_095601.jpg) Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW] ### A tip for your trip to Hyams Beach Take a small jar, or something to take some sand home with. My kids asked me, "can we take home some of the whitest sand?" We only had a paper cup. Sure enough, they found a way to bring home sand... In their pockets! [/caption\]]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>hyams-beach</category> <category>jervis-bay</category> <category>nsw</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/hyams-beach-nsw-australia-whitest-sand-2015-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Our Recommendations for Visiting Santorini]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-recommendations-for-visiting-santorini/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/our-recommendations-for-visiting-santorini/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Our Recommendations for Visiting Santorini]]></description> <content:encoded>< ## Accommodation I found [Blu Rooms](http://www.blurooms.gr/) in Akrotiri. This was the best accommodation I've discovered so far. It cost us €280 for four nights including breakfast. Breakfast was brilliant, the view's were perfect. [/caption(../images/2015/07/20130711_175023.jpg) Blu Rooms, Santorini, Greece] We had a balcony from our bedroom, and did I mention the view. We woke up to views of the caldera, and the gorgeous blue ocean. [/caption(../images/2015/07/20130713_063502.jpg) Fira to Oia, Santorini, Greece] [/caption(../images/2015/07/20130713_093048.jpg) Fira to Oia, Santorini, Greece] My other tip if you do this walk, is leave out Skaros Rock. If you really need to do it, put aside an hour or so and so it another day. [/caption(../images/2015/07/20130713_071706.jpg) Skaro's Rock, Santorini, Greece] We took some photos. Then we were back down and back up those steps again. I would skip this part if I did it again! #### Go to the beach I'm a beach lover. If I am on an island, or near water, I will go to the ocean! We tried out Perissa beach and I enjoyed ice-cream sundaes while Rimaha drank his beer and played the guitar. [/caption(../images/2015/07/p1030103.jpg) Red Beach, Santorini, Greece] [/caption\] ## Meet the locals of Santorini The people we met in 2013 were amazing. From Nastassa and her family to the guy who rented us a car, and the taxi drivers. We found everyone friendly, with a sense of humour we loved. The people were genuine, and told us how much they appreciated us visiting and spending our money there, they told us to recommend their country, they told us they need us travellers. The people make this place special. You can drive around this place and find little homes that double as a restaurant. We tried one place, we were in the middle of nowhere. It was really random, and the lady gave us free dessert made of carrot. These are the experiences that make your trip special. ## A tip for ferry travel in the Greek Islands - Be on time! I'm throwing this in as a useful tip. Our ride (organised by our car rental guy) to the ferry in Santorini did a "no show", he was supposed to be catching the same ferry as us. He was going to pick us up. We were admiring the view from the dining room at the Blu Rooms, and noticed our ferry coming into the harbour. It was quite a panic, but our hosts sorted everything for us. Another ride arrived soon enough, but it an on edge, by the skin of our teeth adventure. We were at the top of the cliff watching our ferry pull into the harbour. My hopeful thought train started, "well, it's only just arrived. They still need to tie up and let the people off." Then when the arriving passengers were off the ferry in less than two minutes it became, "oh, bugger, that was way faster than I expected, but they still have to get all those people on." At this point we were about mid way, zig zagging down the cliff side. At the three quarter mark, everyone was on board. I was freaking out. We pulled up, Rimaha said "RUN", so I did, with only the guitar and carry on stuff. He ran, just as quick, with both our backpacks. As we approached the wharf, the ropes were thrown off the ferry and it began to pull away. Behind us another group ran... I sank to my knees, thinking "oh crap. It's gone. It's not coming back." Fortunately, the crowd of Aussies following us also needed the same boat. Their story was even worse than ours. They'd been at the ferry terminal an hour, watching and waiting for "their ferry" to go. Turns out, they were watching the wrong one! Anyway, it all turned out ok. We begged the guy on the wharf to radio the captain, which he did. And the boat reversed back for us. It was a bit shame being "those late people" when we were finally on board. But hey, we got our boat. So if you are going on a ferry, get there early. Don't rely on someone else who plans on catching the same boat. Just be early. And make sure the boat you are looking at is actually your boat! Enjoy your Greek holidays - I wish I was there. Instead I'm here in Aussie freezing my butt off!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>europe</category> <category>greece</category> <category>santorini</category> <category>greek-islands</category> <category>cyclades</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>sunset-views</category> <category>europe</category> <category>romantic-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/santorini-greece-2013-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Visit Palm Beach, Australia]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-palm-beach-sydney-australia/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-palm-beach-sydney-australia/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Visit Palm Beach, Australia]]></description> <content:encoded><. Tranquil water, boats and jetty on one side, and a beautiful beach over the other side. Both places have a hill that you can climb for a view over the ocean. It's only taken us four years. We finally travelled to the opposite end of Sydney to see the famous (in Australia and New Zealand) beach. On arrival, we headed towards the surf club. [/caption(../images/2015/07/wpid-20150704_100907.jpg) Palm Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia] [/caption(../images/2015/07/wpid-20150704_101615.jpg) Palm Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia] Back down the hill, Aaliyah had forgotten her tanty (thank goodness), so we visited "Alf's bait shop" which had a beautiful looking restaurant attached to it. We walked along the jetty, and took some photos. I discovered a sea plane flies out of this place. This is one adventure to add to the bucket list I think! I haven't been in a sea plane since I was a kid, is a plane flying off a lake still called a sea plane? [/caption(http://thewiringisfamilytravelblogfiles.wordpress.com/2015/07/wpid-20150704_105440.jpg) Palm Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia] [/caption\] After a short walk back to the car, we discovered the baby was not yet ready for a car ride, so we headed back to the surf club and grabbed ice cream for the kids (and the big kid - me). My friend headed home while me and the kids visited the beautiful [Whale Beach](http://thewiringis.com/2015/07/12/visit-whale-beach-australia/). I can't wait to get back there and journey to the light house. I'll make sure to update this post once I do it!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>sydney</category> <category>palm-beach</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>free-activities</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/palm-beach-sydney-nsw-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Visit Whale Beach, Australia]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-whale-beach-australia/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-whale-beach-australia/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Visit Whale Beach, Australia]]></description> <content:encoded><. I wasn't disappointed! [/caption(http://thewiringisfamilytravelblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/wpid-20150704_115912.jpg) Whale Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia] The sand here is darker than many of the NSW beaches I've visited. It makes for some really pretty pictures... I'll have to create a photo gallery for this beach, I've got too many photos! We took a walk to the pool and the kids posed for some more photos. They were really happy walking around the edge of the ocean pool, trying not to get wet as the waves broke across the rocks. [/caption(http://thewiringisfamilytravelblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/wpid-20150704_122053.jpg) Whale Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia] After a while I looked around and was reminded this car park is supposed to be paid for. I realised oops, I didn't get a parking ticket because I thought we were only going to be five minutes taking photos! So we ran back to the car (fortunately, no parking ticket) and started heading home. This place seems a lot quieter than [Palm Beach](http://thewiringis.com/2015/07/12/visit-palm-beach-sydney-australia/). I'd hazard a guess and presume it is still pretty popular in the summer time though! It's well worth a visit if you love beaches though.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>sydney</category> <category>whale-beach</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/whale-beach-sydney-nsw-australia-2015-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Ocean Walks around Sydney]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/ocean-walks-around-sydney/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/ocean-walks-around-sydney/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Ocean Walks around Sydney]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Ocean Walks around Sydney I've lived in Sydney twice, for half a year before I had my son, and so far four years, since 2011. It is a beautiful city. I'm really lucky to live here and have seen so much of this great place. Almost everywhere you drive here, you see beaches, or ocean, I feel really lucky! Three days a week I travel over a bridge and see boats, tranquil water and beautiful homes. I know I'm truly lucky! So here are some of my favourite places to walk around Sydney... ## Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach My number 1 favourite is walking from Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach. The views are unbelievable. I have read in the past that this is part of one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world and (so far) I'd have to agree. I should have so many photos, but typical... I can't find many of them. So here are a couple that I could find! I'll create a link to a photo gallery when I find the rest!! (../images/2015/06/280481_10150342759776929_4419964_o.jpg) (../images/2015/06/266539_10150342761786929_3583432_o1.jpg)This walk can be started as far as Coogee Beach, possibly even further... But with kids, Bronte to Bondi was perfect! You can even continue on as far as The Gap, Watson's Bay... I definitely was not keen to go that far! ## Sea Cliff Bridge Walk (../images/2015/06/wpid-wp-1435490981586.jpeg) My next favourite walk is the Sea Cliff Bridge walk by Coalcliff. This bridge can be found just over an hours drive from Sydney. It is a road that winds along the cliff, and in some places, it is over the ocean. There is a nice wide pathway, and it's a beautiful walk looking out to the ocean.(../images/2015/06/wpid-wp-1435490579545.jpeg) (../images/2015/06/wpid-wp-1435490865647.jpeg) Once you have finished your walk (or before you start), you can relax with a picnic at Stanwell Tops. (../images/2015/06/wpid-wp-1435491084003.jpeg) (../images/2015/06/wpid-wp-1435491046923.jpeg) ## Valcluse to The Gap, Watson's Bay When we first moved to Sydney, we were lucky to live in Bondi. We spent a lot of time at the beaches, and one of our favourite weekend activities was walking from Vaucluse to Watson's Bay. Back then we didn't take the kids up the stairs to the top because they were always tired by the end. But this year we went up! Our starting point is usually around Christison Park (but you can start further, like Bondi, Bronte or Coogee). You will see this lighthouse on Old South Head Road. It is pretty hard to miss... (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435828161497.jpeg) If you walk during whale season (July to November), make sure to look out to the ocean carefully. Once we were sitting on a hill having a picnic. I noticed a couple of splashes, and these happened to humpback whales! That was the first time I saw whales from land and it was a really awesome moment. I think we got a bit lucky, but one of the locals there told us that you see them quite frequently along that cliff. There are some really good city views... (../images/2015/07/20150510_1333161.jpg) (../images/2015/07/20150510_1348062.jpg) And some sweet as ocean views... (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435828553827.jpeg) (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435829240243.jpeg) Watson's Bay is a lovely place to end your walk. You'll find an enclosed playground and a place to get gelato (Sydney prices though)... And when you are all tired, you can catch a bus back to where ever you parked your car. Perfect! ## Oatley to Como Rail Bridge Since 2013 I have caught the train over one hundred times to the city - I used to commute to work in the city. I used to look forward to the moment we would get to the bridge, and I would stare out at the beauty (moored boats, tranquil water) for those five or ten seconds crossing the bridge. (../images/2015/07/20150506_114445.jpg) (../images/2015/07/20150506_114837.jpg) Finally, in 2015 (after crossing this bridge 150 times), I got my A into G and made a day of it. I caught the train to Oatley train station (a 30 minute train from Central). It is a short walk from Oatley Station to the bridge. Along the way there is a playground, (I seem to be super awesome at finding these everywhere I go). There are a few places along the way to stop and take in the peace and quiet, and then you will find yourself on a bridge. It looks a bit like road markings, but there are no cars on this bridge... Once you finish the walk (if you end in Como) there is a place called Pleasure Point, with grassy areas and a playground. The local pool is there, although it may only open in summer because there was no water in it when I went past. There is a little cafe down there with a pretty view... When everyone (or just you) is tired, it's a short walk up a hill (ok it's a bit of a steep hill - just in case you are travelling with toddlers and don't like carrying little people - sometimes tantruming, up hill) to Como Station. The train will run you directly back to the City or down to Cronulla. ## The Cronulla Coast Last, but not least is the Cronulla Coast. I live about five minutes from Cronulla. So I can't post a blog about walks in Sydney without mentioning this place. It's big, and has something for everyone. It is beautiful! (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435827140980.jpeg) My tip for this walk is take bus number 971 to the Fisheries, at the end of Nicholson Parade. You will find Cowra Place just off Nicholson, walk down the street and find an access between some houses. (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435828033153.jpeg) This leads you to Salmon Haul. The walk from this point will take you around 30 minutes to an hour. There are a couple of small playgrounds along the way and another one once you reach South Cronulla beach. It is perfect to do with the kids, you can stop and play in the rock pools along the way, or sit on more grass and admire the view. Ok, yes, I am a sucker for sitting on grass and looking at the ocean. The simple things! (../images/2015/07/wpid-wp-1435827309214.jpeg) Another day I'll do a post on the Cronulla area. For now, enjoy!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>sydney</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>nature-walks</category> <category>coastal-walks</category> <category>free-activities</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/bronte-to-bondi-walk-sydney-nsw-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Visit to beautiful Huskisson Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-the-beautiful-huskisson-beach-jervis-bay-nsw/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/visit-the-beautiful-huskisson-beach-jervis-bay-nsw/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Visit to beautiful Huskisson Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[# Visit to beautiful Huskisson Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW Jervis Bay has been on my to do list for a really long time! Our family did a really quick day trip back in January, I fell in love with the green rolling hills, the ocean, the slow pace. It reminded me of New Zealand. We spotted a holiday Park on this first to and decided we needed more time in this magical place. We booked a weekend away in May. However, we experienced a huge storm the weekend we booked, so postponed for a couple of weeks later. That weekend we experienced similar weather, so postponed again. Third time lucky, and we got sunshine. We visited towards the end of June, the first weekend of Australian school holidays. I expected the area would be busy, but it was still peaceful, the masses had not arrived. My husband finished night shift Friday morning, so once we arrived we grabbed a takeaway dinner and went back to our cabin to relax. On Saturday I was up before dawn. I was down on the beach just after six am to admire the sun rise. I had clearly forgotten how long this process takes, and my hands were really cold by the end of it. But, it was worth it. I got some beautiful photos! I even saw a pair of pelicans cruise past. [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_071157.jpg) Sunrise, Huskisson Beach] After a quick coffee and feeding the kids, we were off on our adventure. We took off to see [the World's Whitest Sand, at Hyam's Beach](http://thewiringis.com/2015/07/15/the-worlds-whitest-sand-hyams-beach-nsw-australia/). We ended up coming back early because of a mishap in the water. We spent our afternoon at [Booderee National park.](http://thewiringis.com/2015/06/28/booderee-national-park-jervis-bay/) This was a beautiful place to visit! Later in the afternoon Rimaha wanted to catch the League at the pub.  We soon learned the only place showing Fox Sports in Huskisson was not kid friendly. The kids and I headed across the road for ice-cream and then down to the wharf. I spotted fish and the kids found the playground. [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_154821.jpg) Playground, Huskisson] [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_165052.jpg) Sunset, Huskisson Beach] [/caption(http://i0.wp.com/thewiringisfamilytravelblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/wpid-20150626_155847.jpg?w=792) Huskisson Beach Tourist Resort] I think the holiday park is perfect for families. Two of the three playgrounds are on the grass area overlooking the ocean. I was a very happy mum watching my kids play with an ocean backdrop! There is a swimming pool (we didn't use it as it is now winter, and I can feel the cold). There is also a tennis court. My husband and son played three times while we were there. There were no issues with availability. Stand up paddle boards and kayaks are available for hire, so hopefully next time we go down, we can take out a kayak! There were many kids roaming about the holiday park, and I felt totally at ease letting my kids run between the playgrounds. It was nice that I could see two playgrounds from the balcony. [/caption(http://i0.wp.com/thewiringisfamilytravelblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/wpid-20150626_160951.jpg?w=792) Playground at Huskisson Beach Tourist Resort] The Seaview and Bayview cabins look out across Jervis Bay. There are a variety of other cabins available near the pool or playground. I hear this place books out in peak times, so if you are thinking of booking at a busy time of year, you should get in touch with the holiday Park early. Our cabin was directly opposite one of the playgrounds. We also had two BBQ areas across from our cabin, and the beach access was only footsteps from our doorstep. (http://i0.wp.com/thewiringisfamilytravelblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/wpid-20150626_160407.jpg?w=792) Our cabin was cosy and warm, the heat pump came in handy! We had two bedrooms and a bathroom. The cabin had two televisions - which may be a good thing if visiting on a rainy weekend, fortunately we didn't have time to watch them! **The best part about this place:** The location... A beach right on the doorstep, playgrounds with an ocean view and a walkway to town along the coast. And the top notch service is also worth a mention. The staff were really accommodating when we postponed twice. Not many places let you do that these days! **The worst part about this place:** In all honesty, I loved the place. Some people may find the size of the master room a bit small, but it really didn't bother my family. **Overall:** I want to go back for an entire week! A holiday park that tolerates guests calling up and changing plans on day of arrival is wonderful. They were friendly and the place was just a dream for us. I definitely recommend this place as a base for an adventure if you would like a family friendly holiday! ## Food Our first food stop was dinner on Friday. Rimaha finished nightshift Friday morning, so we needed takeaway! We grabbed Indian from Raj's. It was yum - although we had planned on Italian, but we needed something open! We went across to Fudge Addiction and grabbed a few pieces of fudge for after dinner. I thought it was great, three pieces for $10, and I like sweet food, fudge and chocolate is perfect! We returned there for our ice-cream on Saturday, three ice-cream's for $10 is pretty awesome if you ask me! Our Saturday night dinner was a BBQ, we were supposed to cook on the outside BBQ, but it was a bit cold, so we cheated and cooked on our stove... Almost like camping... next time we will do a real BBQ! There were plenty of real campers making real BBQs at the holiday Park. We grabbed pies for breakfast from Husky Pie. The moment I walked in I felt like we struck gold. There are lots of pies, and even more sweet things (tarts, sweet pies, muffins, doughnuts, slices and cakes). I like pies, but I LOVE sweet bakery food. I think I could have gone back there every day for two weeks trying out all the different cakes and slices! I found the prices reasonable, much cheaper than Sydney prices, and decent sized portions. I thought this was awesome, as in my experience, touristy places usually hike up the prices! Because it was so yummy on the first day, we were back again for breakfast after our check out. If you like bakery food, go find the Husky Pie! The local pub is the Huskisson. You can't miss it. It over looks Huskisson Beach. The sports bar is over 18 only. No kids, so if mum or dad like to watch sports and you are travelling with kids, one of you might have to find something else to do for an hour or two! We visited the bistro on our last trip. The food was all good, just the usual pub type meals. I loved our stay in Huskisson. I hope to go back before we set off on our big adventure. If you happen to be spending a bit of time in Australia, it's worth heading down to Jervis Bay!]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>jervis-bay</category> <category>huskisson</category> <category>nsw</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/huskisson-beach-jervis-bay-nsw-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/booderee-national-park-jervis-bay/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/booderee-national-park-jervis-bay/</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay]]></description> <content:encoded>< because it was close to where we were staying in [Huskisson](http://thewiringis.com/2015/07/01/visit-the-beautiful-huskisson-beach-jervis-bay-nsw/). The cost for entry for 48 hours was $11. There is an extra charge if you plan to camp there. We discovered there are too many beaches and walks to do in one day. ## Exploring Cave Beach We started at Cave Beach. The road trip here was about 15 minutes drive from [Hyams Beach](http://thewiringis.com/2015/07/15/the-worlds-whitest-sand-hyams-beach-nsw-australia/). There is a short walk to a lookout, it has a view over the beach towards the sea. [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_111336.jpg) Cave Beach, Booderee National Park] [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_113326.jpg) Cave Beach, Booderee National Park] [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_120430.jpg) Diamond Python, Cave Beach, Booderee National Park] [/caption(../images/2015/06/20150627_125429.jpg) Cape St George, Booderee National Park] ## A Perfect Ending We enjoyed our snack anyway, from a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean. The kids were tired of walking and Noah was hanging out for a game of tennis, so we headed back to our holiday park. ## Planning Our Return I left with a feeling that I'd really like to return and see much more of this beautiful place! Hopefully next time we can also find a place to learn a bit about the local aboriginal people. I can't wait for next time.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>australia</category> <category>jervis-bay</category> <category>booderee-national-park</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>national-park</category> <category>nature-walks</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/booderee-national-park-nsw-australia-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Mount Maunganui with Kids: A Complete Family Guide to New Zealand's Beach Paradise]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/mt-maunganui-new-zealand/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/mt-maunganui-new-zealand/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover Mount Maunganui with kids! Our complete family guide covers the best activities, where to stay, and insider tips for an unforgettable New Zealand beach holiday.]]></description> <content:encoded>< for more inspiration. *Have you visited Mount Maunganui with your family? We'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you'd add to our guide!*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>new-zealand</category> <category>mount-maunganui</category> <category>bay-of-plenty</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>nature-walks</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>new-zealand-travel</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/mt-maunganui-nz-2014.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Saturnia - A secret spot in Tuscany]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/saturnia-a-secret-spot-in-tuscany/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/saturnia-a-secret-spot-in-tuscany/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Saturnia - A secret spot in Tuscany]]></description> <content:encoded><, New Zealand) pink and white terraces. When I found these, I had to go! Plus, I hadn't seen photos there from anyone I knew... I was the first, and I like that! [/caption Driving through Tuscany] 3. Driving through the winding Tuscany countryside is beautiful. Thousands of happy sunflowers (are they classed as a paddock or a farm, or something else?) to see. Tree lined roads, or were they driveways? It's perfect road trip material. [/caption Saturnia Sunset] 5. Saturnia is unique, it was a moment of peace between the hustle of Rome, and the tourists of Pisa! Time stopped for a minute there. It was a welcome step back into slow mode! [/caption\] ## Extra Little Tips Being a small place, I assume your possessions are quite safe. But I couldn't ask anyone. We were careful, and only took in our towels and the car key. The temperature of the Terme isn't the hot I'm used to. In [Rotorua](/blog/rotorua-new-zealand-locals-guide-geothermal-wonderland/), where I'm from, the hot springs usually offer a variety of temperatures, and I like them really hot. This place was warm. Which was probably a good thing because it was in the middle of summer. I can't imagine it would've been pleasant if it were as hot as those I'm used to! It might not be hot and toasty in the middle of winter though! We stayed in a lovely place just up the hill from the hot springs (called B&B La Cantoniera, but this place is no longer listed with Booking.com). If you are thinking of going, I'm sure there are plenty of places to choose from with reasonable rates. If you are travelling to Italy, and would like a lesser known place to add to your already long list of destinations, give Saturnia a go. It's small, no crowds, peaceful and a really great place to stop and take in Tuscany.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>europe</category> <category>italy</category> <category>tuscany</category> <category>saturnia</category> <category>hot-springs</category> <category>europe</category> <category>wellness-travel</category> <category>natural-springs</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/saturnia-tuscany-italy-2013-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Aitutaki - The Fantasy Honeymoon Island]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/aitutaki-fantasy-honeymoon-island/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/aitutaki-fantasy-honeymoon-island/</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover Aitutaki, the fantasy honeymoon island in the Cook Islands. From overwater bungalows to lagoon cruises, explore this perfect romantic paradise.]]></description> <content:encoded><. That was where most of my photos were taken. If you go on this tour, don't forget to take your passport. You can get it stamped at One Foot Island (and I must say, it is my favourite passport stamp). *Catch a boat to Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa* ## The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa [The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa](http://www.aitutakilagoonresort.com/) is on its own little private island and we totally loved the seclusion of our overwater bungalow. I wanted to make the most of our time there. We ventured out for food, and a cocktail here and there. We can boast we were the first to play pool on the newly arrived pool table. I kayaked along the shallow sandy lagoon, from the lagoon side bar to the bungalows. We spent a bit of time playing oversized chess looking out to the lagoon. I spent a lot of time in the hammocks, and didn't want to take my eyes off the magical scenery. *Overwater Bungalows at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa* ## Future Plans Next time I go, I plan to see more of the real island. I'll probably stay somewhere a bit cheaper, and perhaps if they are lucky, the children will come along. I cannot wait to visit this paradise again. And I can only hope it will be sooner rather than later! *Aitutaki Lagoon - Pure paradise* ## Practical Tips From my research at the time, accommodation on the island was a bit pricey. It would be worth having a look for a holiday rental if you are travelling with a family. Even if you only manage a day tour or an overnight there, it's totally worth it. Make sure you do a boat tour, these tours take you to the most beautiful parts of the lagoon. *The Vaka Cruise, Aitutaki* ## Why Aitutaki is Perfect for Honeymoons Aitutaki offers the ultimate romantic escape with its pristine lagoon, overwater bungalows, and secluded atmosphere. The island's natural beauty creates an intimate setting perfect for couples celebrating their love. Whether you're kayaking through crystal-clear waters, enjoying cocktails at sunset, or simply relaxing in a hammock overlooking the lagoon, every moment feels magical. The resort's private island location ensures complete seclusion, while the lagoon's shallow, warm waters provide endless opportunities for romantic activities. It's the kind of place where time seems to stand still, allowing couples to focus entirely on each other and their new life together. I hope you make it to this paradise on earth, I'd love to hear about your experience! *Samade Sunset, Aitutaki - The perfect end to a perfect day* --- *Originally published February 23, 2015. Updated for our family travel blog.*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>cook-islands</category> <category>aitutaki</category> <category>honeymoon-destination</category> <category>luxury-travel</category> <category>overwater-bungalow</category> <category>lagoon-cruise</category> <category>romantic-travel</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>island-paradise</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/aitutaki-honeymoon-island-cook-islands-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bay of Islands New Zealand: Complete Family Travel Guide to Paihia & Russell]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/bay-of-islands-new-zealand/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/bay-of-islands-new-zealand/</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover the stunning Bay of Islands, New Zealand with our complete family travel guide. Explore Paihia, Russell, and Waitangi with insider tips for free and paid activities, sailing tours, and the best family-friendly experiences in this tropical paradise.]]></description> <content:encoded>< for more inspiration. *Have you visited the Bay of Islands with your family? We'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you'd add to our guide!*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>new-zealand</category> <category>bay-of-islands</category> <category>paihia</category> <category>russell</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>beach-holiday</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>waitangi</category> <category>sailing</category> <category>dolphin-watching</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/bay-of-islands-2010-optimized.jpg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[From Instagram Dreams to Reality: Our Magical Paros Engagement Story]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/a-paros-proposal/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/a-paros-proposal/</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[From dreamy Instagram inspiration to reality: discover how a picture of Hotel Senia's sparkling pool led to the most magical proposal on Paros Island, Greece. A romantic story of love, travel, and perfect timing.]]></description> <content:encoded>< - [Arriving in Paros: When Dreams Meet Reality](#arriving-in-paros-when-dreams-meet-reality) - [Exploring Paros: Hidden Beaches and Island Adventures](#exploring-paros-hidden-beaches-and-island-adventures) - [A Change in Dining Plans: From Fancy Restaurants to 12-Euro Kebabs](#a-change-in-dining-plans-from-fancy-restaurants-to-12-euro-kebabs) - [The Sailing Adventure That Wasn't: When Plans Change](#the-sailing-adventure-that-wasnt-when-plans-change) - [The Perfect Proposal: July 18th by the Pool](#the-perfect-proposal-july-18th-by-the-pool) - [Planning Your Own Paros Proposal?](#planning-your-own-paros-proposal) - [What We'd Do Differently Next Time](#what-wed-do-differently-next-time) ## The Dream That Started It All: Finding Hotel Senia In 2012, I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks. A sparkling pool, perfectly positioned to capture the most stunning sunset I'd ever seen. My heart skipped a beat. This wasn't just any pool - this was the pool where dreams come true. ### The Instagram Photo That Changed Everything **The image that changed everything:** A sparkling pool, perfectly positioned to capture the most stunning sunset I'd ever seen. I was completely mesmerized. I soon discovered this magical place was the [Hotel Senia](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=10&cid=1881363&hid=10265178), located on Paros Island, Greece. From that moment, I knew we had to go there. <br /> <table align="center" style="margin: 0 auto;"><tr><td> <a href="https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=10&cid=1881363&hid=10265178" target="_blank"><div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="//q-xx.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max500/531009395.jpg?k=ecd5d04229a0cd8741d8b9a740115adccf98874df5bc5ad84c6c00da81098a37&o=" alt="Hotel Senia Paros - The magical pool where our proposal took place" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div></a> </td></tr></table> <div align="center"> *This sparkling pool was a dream for us to visit* </div> ### Planning Our Greek Islands Adventure I set about booking immediately, and this helped us decide our end point. We would start out galavanting across as many places as we could for the first two and a bit weeks, then spend the last couple of weeks relaxing on Greek Islands, finally heading home to Sydney from Athens. (You can read more about our [round-the-world travel planning process](/blog/our-round-the-world-with-kids) here.) ## Arriving in Paros: When Dreams Meet Reality We arrived in Paros after a relaxing time in [Santorini](/blog/our-recommendations-for-visiting-santorini). By this point in our trip, I had given up hope on the perfect proposal moments I had dreamed of: ### Missed Proposal Opportunities - **The Eiffel Tower** - missed opportunity - **San Sebastian** - no ring appeared - **Santorini sunset** - beautiful, but no proposal I had resigned myself to another year of girlfriend status (not implying anything bad about this, but I really badly wanted to be married before I hit 30). Little did I know, the best was yet to come... ## Exploring Paros: Hidden Beaches and Island Adventures We experienced the island with a little rental car, which gave us the freedom to explore every corner of Paros. Our days were filled with: ### Our Paros Island Activities - **Beach club relaxation** - perfect for unwinding after our busy travel schedule - **Island exploration** - driving down small dirt roads (or perhaps driveways?) in search of hidden gems - **Beach hunting** - trying to find that perfect, uninhabited beach ### The Reality of Greek Island Beaches **The reality of Greek beaches:** Clearly I hadn't been to Greece before, as every "impossible to reach" beach we found had humans on it! There was one beach with no people on it, but it also lacked sand. There were lots of stones and rocks, but it didn't make for a very comfortable swimming location. Lesson learned: in Greece, if there's a beach, there are people! ## A Change in Dining Plans: From Fancy Restaurants to 12-Euro Kebabs In Paros, at the end of our journey, we made a decision that would save us thousands: **we decided to skip restaurant dinners.** After almost a month of endless date nights out, spending hideous amounts of money, I was over the whole eating out buzz (when we started the trip it was a real novelty - parents understand what I'm talking about!). ### Why We Were Tired of Restaurant Dining **The restaurant routine I was tired of:** - Getting seated - Getting a menu - Pondering the menu - Ordering - Waiting - Eating (always enjoyable!) - Waiting for the bill By the end of our trip, I was done with the daily two to three hour meal experience. ### Our Budget-Friendly Dining Solution **Our new dining strategy:** We got takeaway. Huge kebabs, chips and drinks. And they cost us **12 Euro. For both of us.** We did have a laugh, figuring we could've saved between 2 and 3 thousand if we just had takeaways like that every other night! Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best. ## The Sailing Adventure That Wasn't: When Plans Change Both Rimaha and I had hoped to go sailing on a yacht. However, the booking agent in Paros mistook the words "sailing trip on a yacht" to mean "a boat tour." ### Making the Most of Our Boat Tour We were a little disappointed, but we did see some amazing islands and spent a day in Mykonos. ### The Silver Lining **Silver lining:** Seeing as we arrived during their very strong Meltemi winds, we wouldn't have been able to sail even if we had booked correctly. So it all worked out fine in the end! ## The Perfect Proposal: July 18th by the Pool One evening, July 18th, the day before we headed to Athens, we were sitting by the Hotel Senia pool. The setting was absolutely perfect: ### The Perfect Proposal Setting - **A small table** for just the two of us - **A fabulous view** of the setting sun over the Aegean Sea - **My wonderful darling** with his new guitar he bought in Spain ### The Moment That Changed Everything **The moment I'll never forget:** He started singing and playing K-Ci & JoJo's *All My Life.* I could tell he seemed a bit nervous, but I had no idea what was coming. My heart was racing, but I thought he was just being romantic. Little did I know, my entire life was about to change in the next 30 seconds. When the song finished, he put down the guitar, got down on one knee, and proposed. ### The Perfect Surprise **I was completely blown away.** I had waited the entire trip, hoping and wishing for a moment that felt as though it might never happen. And here it was, with only a few days until we were to return home. On an unsuspecting island in Greece. It was the perfect proposal, even if it hadn't been in my daydreams. That is probably what makes it even better - that I had given up on a fantasy proposal and it happened when I least expected it! ## A Place to Return To: Future Family Memories Someday we'll make it back there. And we'll be able to bring our children to show them the place where one of my big dreams became a reality - where their parents' love story took its most important turn. ## Planning Your Own Paros Proposal? If you're inspired by our story and considering Paros for your own special moment, here are our top tips: **💍 PAROS PROPOSAL QUICK FACTS** - **Best Time:** July (perfect weather, golden hour lighting) - **Average Cost:** $200-400/night at Hotel Senia - **Booking Lead Time:** 3-6 months in advance - **Success Rate:** 100% of couples who follow our tips get engaged! 😉 ### Best Time and Location for a Paros Proposal - **Best time**: Late afternoon/early evening for golden hour lighting - **Location**: Hotel Senia's pool area offers the perfect backdrop - **Weather**: July offers the most reliable weather (though Meltemi winds can be strong) ### Photography and Booking Tips - **Photography**: **Capture your once-in-a-lifetime moment** with a professional photographer - [book your proposal photo shoot now](https://gyg.me/WRk4R25V) and preserve the magic forever - **Booking**: Book Hotel Senia well in advance, especially during peak season. Check [Hotel Senia rates and availability](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=10265178) for the best deals. ## Discover Paros Activities *Browse and book amazing activities and experiences in Paros and the Greek Islands.* <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-cmp="paros_proposal" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-q="Paros"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/paros-l88737/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ## What We'd Do Differently Next Time ### Photography and Documentation - **Book a photographer** to capture the moment professionally - [find local photographers](https://gyg.me/WRk4R25V) and preserve your perfect proposal moment forever - **Document more** - take more photos of the island's hidden gems ### Extended Stay and Activities - **Stay longer** - we wish we had more time to explore Paros - **Try the sailing trip** - maybe book directly with a sailing company or [create your own romantic sailing adventure](https://gyg.me/4Y6pAmE2) and sail into your perfect proposal moment ## Share Your Story Have you had a special travel moment or proposal story? We'd love to hear about it! Share your romantic travel memories in the comments below. **Planning a trip to Paros?** Check out our other Greek island guides and travel tips for making the most of your Mediterranean adventure. For more information about Paros, visit the [official Paros tourism website](https://www.paros.gr/) or check out [Greek National Tourism Organization](https://www.visitgreece.gr/) for comprehensive travel information. **Ready to Create Your Own Paros Proposal Story?** Don't let your dream proposal slip away. Book Hotel Senia now and make your Greek island engagement dreams come true. <br /> <table align="center" style="margin: 0 auto;"><tr><td> <a href="https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=10&cid=1881363&hid=10265178" target="_blank"><div class="flex justify-center my-8 max-w-2xl mx-auto"> <div class="w-full"> <img src="//q-xx.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max500/80945580.jpg?k=4ee64bb6ac4254871b7eb6e1031aa69d24bad827aa18a7f9f863c2368a7bf752&o=" alt="Book Hotel Senia Paros - Experience the magic where our proposal story began" class="w-full h-auto object-cover rounded-lg shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow duration-300" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div></a> </td></tr></table> <div align="center"> *Book your holiday at Hotel Senia by [clicking here](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=10&cid=1881363&hid=10265178)* </div> ## Frequently Asked Questions About Proposing in Paros ### Is Paros a good place for a proposal? Absolutely! Paros offers stunning sunsets, beautiful beaches, and romantic settings perfect for proposals. The Greek island's natural beauty and intimate atmosphere make it an ideal destination for romantic moments. ### What's the best time of year to visit Paros for a proposal? July and August offer the most reliable weather, though they can be crowded. May, June, September, and October provide good weather with fewer crowds, making them excellent choices for a more intimate proposal experience. ### How much does it cost to stay at Hotel Senia? Hotel Senia offers various accommodation options. Prices vary by season, but booking well in advance can help secure better rates. You can check current rates and availability at [Hotel Senia on Agoda](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1881363&hid=10265178) for the best deals. ### Are there other romantic spots on Paros for proposals? Yes! Paros has many beautiful locations including Naoussa harbor, Parikia's old town, and various secluded beaches. The island's traditional architecture and stunning sunsets provide numerous romantic backdrops. ### What should I pack for a Paros proposal trip? Pack light, breathable clothing for warm weather, comfortable walking shoes, a camera for capturing the moment, and don't forget sunscreen. If you're planning a beach proposal, consider bringing a change of clothes.]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>europe</category> <category>greece</category> <category>paros</category> <category>greek-islands</category> <category>cyclades</category> <category>romantic-travel</category> <category>proposal-story</category> <category>europe</category> <category>island-travel</category> <category>sunset-views</category> <category>engagement-story</category> <category>greek-islands-travel</category> <category>hotel-senia</category> <category>travel-romance</category> <category>european-proposal</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/A-Paros-Proposal-World-Travel-Ambitions-scaled.jpeg" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Rotorua, New Zealand: A Local's Guide to the Geothermal Wonderland]]></title> <link>https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/rotorua-new-zealand-locals-guide-geothermal-wonderland/</link> <guid isPermaLink="true">https://worldtravelambitions.com//blog/rotorua-new-zealand-locals-guide-geothermal-wonderland/</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate> <description><![CDATA[Discover Rotorua, New Zealand through a local's eyes. From free mud pools to thrilling adventures, explore the geothermal wonderland that shaped my childhood and continues to amaze visitors.]]></description> <content:encoded>< to look for cheap fares. There are also regional buses. I hear they aren't too bad, but haven't tried these myself. ## My Favorite Free Activities in Rotorua ### **Explore the Redwood Forest** The Redwood Forest (Whakarewarewa Forest) is like stepping into another world. These towering giants create an atmosphere that's both peaceful and awe-inspiring, with a forest scent that I can't get enough of. I love the variety of trails. From easy family walks to more challenging hikes. The forest is home to some of the tallest trees in New Zealand, and walking among them never fails to make me and my littles feel more relaxed. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/redwoodforest-2016.jpeg" alt="Family enjoying a walk in Rotorua's Redwood Forest with baby in carrier among towering trees and lush ferns" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">The majestic Redwood Forest offers both ground-level walks and thrilling treetop adventures - perfect for family outings like this one with our little one.</p> </div> </div> </div> ### **Walk Around the Blue Lake (Tikitapu)** There's something magical about the Blue Lake that keeps drawing me back. The 1.5-hour walk around Tikitapu is my absolute favorite way to spend a morning. The water is so clear you can see the bottom, and the surrounding native bush creates a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. It's perfect for families – the track is well-maintained and suitable for all fitness levels. **Pro tip:** Visit early in the morning when the lake is at its most serene, and don't forget your camera – the reflections are absolutely stunning! ### **Visit the Free Mud Pools at Kuirau Park** **This is my top tourist tip!** Kuirau Park is absolutely free and offers an incredible introduction to Rotorua's geothermal wonders. You can watch bubbling mud pools, feel the heat from thermal springs, and even dip your feet in the warm waters – all without spending a cent. It's perfect for families and gives you a real taste of what makes Rotorua so unique. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/kuirau-park-rotorua-2014.jpg" alt="Young boy at Kuirau Park mud pools in Rotorua showing geothermal activity and wooden safety railings" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Kuirau Park offers free access to incredible geothermal activity, including bubbling mud pools and hot springs - perfect for families to experience together.</p> </div> </div> </div> ### **Swim at Stoney Point Reserve, Lake Tarawera** **Another free local secret!** Stoney Point Reserve at Lake Tarawera is my favorite local spot to chill by the lake for a few hours. The water is crystal clear, there's a playground to keep the kids entertained, and plenty of trees provide welcome shade on sunny days. It's the perfect place to spend a relaxing day or even just a peaceful afternoon – whether you're swimming, having a picnic, or simply soaking up the beautiful lake views. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="/images/lake-tarawera-2014.jpg" alt="Family of four enjoying a day at Lake Tarawera with clear blue water and green hills in the background" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">A perfect family day at Lake Tarawera - clear water, beautiful scenery, and plenty of space to relax and play.</p> </div> </div> </div> ## Must-Do Paid Activities in Rotorua ### **Skyline Skyrides and Luge** The Skyline Skyrides are a Rotorua institution, and for good reason! The gondola ride up the mountain offers spectacular views over Lake Rotorua and the city. But the real fun begins with the luge – it's like a go-kart on a track, and it's absolutely addictive. My kids love it, and honestly, so do I! <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/The_Luge_track_from_the_Gondala_above1_-_Rotorua_%28112996725%29.jpg/800px-The_Luge_track_from_the_Gondala_above1_-_Rotorua_%28112996725%29.jpg" alt="The Luge track from the Gondola above at Skyline Rotorua" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">The Skyline gondola offers breathtaking views, while the luge provides thrilling family fun.</p> <p class="text-xs text-gray-500 text-center mt-2">Image credit: Charlie Brewer from Sydney, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons</p> </div> </div> </div> ### **Helicopter Tours** For a truly spectacular experience, consider a helicopter tour. Seeing Rotorua's geothermal landscape from above is absolutely breathtaking – the colors, the steam, the scale of it all is incredible. It's a splurge, but if you're celebrating something special, it's worth every penny. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-cmp="rotorua" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="195881,487470,813132"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/white-island-l35858/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ### **Zorbing Adventure** Zorbing was invented right here in Rotorua, so it's only fitting that you try it! Rolling down a hill in a giant, water-filled ball is as fun as it sounds – and surprisingly safe. It's perfect for families and groups, and you'll be laughing the whole way down. <div class="flex justify-center my-8"> <div class="max-w-md rounded-lg shadow-lg overflow-hidden"> <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Zorb_02.jpg/800px-Zorb_02.jpg" alt="Person zorbing down a hill in a giant inflatable ball at Rotorua" class="w-full h-auto object-cover" /> <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50"> <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 text-center italic">Experience the thrill of zorbing – rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball!</p> <p class="text-xs text-gray-500 text-center mt-2">Image credit: Harry Malsch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons</p> </div> </div> </div> ## Family Friendly Activities around Rotorua Rotorua is great for families to visit. Some places we've enjoyed over the years visiting the Agrodome, the gondola and luge at Skyline Skyrides, playing at the Lakefront Playground, and enjoying the nature. The following activities also are highly recommended, some of these I need to try: **The Hobbiton Tour:** while this isn't Rotorua, it's between Auckland and Rotorua, and it's one activity a lot of families enjoy! **The glowworm caves:** another spot that isn't located in Rotorua, but reachable from Rotorua. I still remember going through the caves when I was a child. The memory lasts, so it's definitely a worthwhile visit with your children. **Zipline adventure:** If you've got older kids that like a bit of adventure, the zipline over waterfalls experience would be a great addition to your trip. There are plenty of things for families to do in Rotorua. If you visit, you will have so many things to choose from, I am sure you'll have the best time. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="478326,25697,419163"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/rotorua-l1398/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ## Thermal Parks Worth Visiting ### **Orakei Korako** Orakei Korako is often called the "Hidden Valley" and it's easy to see why. This thermal park is less crowded than some of the others but offers incredible geothermal features. The silica terraces are absolutely stunning, and the colors are like nothing you've ever seen. ### **Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland** Ah yes, the Champagne Pool! That's the one you were thinking of – it's at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. This incredible hot spring gets its name from the constant bubbling that looks like champagne. The colors are absolutely surreal – deep orange around the edges fading to a brilliant turquoise in the center. It's definitely worth the visit! ### **Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia** No visit to Rotorua is complete without seeing Pohutu Geyser in action. This incredible natural wonder can shoot water up to 30 meters high! Te Puia also offers an amazing cultural experience where you can learn about Māori traditions, watch traditional performances, and even enjoy a hangi feast. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="3" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="386853,850909,490301"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/orakei-korako-l142803/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ## Cultural Experiences Not to Miss ### **Traditional Hangi and Concert** You absolutely must experience a traditional hangi and concert while you're here. The food is cooked in earth ovens using geothermal heat, and the cultural performances are incredibly moving. There are several places that offer this experience, and each one is special in its own way. <div data-gyg-href="https://widget.getyourguide.com/default/activities.frame" data-gyg-locale-code="en-US" data-gyg-widget="activities" data-gyg-number-of-items="2" data-gyg-partner-id="DHFT5GH" data-gyg-tour-ids="115647,167172"><span>Powered by <a target="_blank" rel="sponsored" href="https://www.getyourguide.com/rotorua-l1398/">GetYourGuide</a></span></div> ## Planning Your Rotorua Adventure **Best time to visit:** Rotorua is beautiful year-round, but spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities. **Getting around:** While you can walk to many attractions in the city center, having a car gives you access to the thermal parks and more remote natural attractions. **Family-friendly:** Rotorua is incredibly family-friendly, with activities suitable for all ages. Most attractions offer child-friendly options and facilities. ## Final Thoughts Rotorua will always hold a special place in my heart – it's where I grew up, where my children were born, and where I learned to appreciate the incredible power and beauty of nature. Whether you're here for the geothermal wonders, the cultural experiences, or simply to enjoy some of New Zealand's most beautiful landscapes, Rotorua has something magical for everyone. The key to enjoying Rotorua is to embrace the unique combination of natural wonders and cultural richness that makes this place so special. Take your time, breathe in the sulfur-scented air (you'll get used to it!), and let yourself be amazed by the incredible forces that shaped this landscape. Have you visited Rotorua before? What was your favorite experience? --- *Planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out our [New Zealand travel posts](/tags/new-zealand/) for more insider tips and must-see destinations.*]]></content:encoded> <author>melissa@worldtravelambitions.com (Melissa)</author> <category>oceania</category> <category>new-zealand</category> <category>rotorua</category> <category>bay-of-plenty</category> <category>family-travel</category> <category>family-activities</category> <category>geothermal</category> <category>oceania</category> <category>local-guide</category> <category>free-activities</category> <category>thermal-parks</category> <enclosure url="https://worldtravelambitions.com//images/rotorua-feature-optimized.webp" type="image/jpeg" /> </item> </channel> </rss>