Tips for Travelling with Kids

TRAVELLING with children can be challenging at best, many couples stop traveling after they have children, or they limit their travel to places near their home or visiting family. One couple decided not to let having a two-year-old keep them from traveling the world.

AJ Ratani and Natasha Sandhir spent eight-and-a-half months traveling to 31 countries with their two-year-old. Along the way, they learned a lot about traveling with children, which they are now sharing in their new blog: The 2 Idiots Travel Blog. 

Some of the places AJ and Natasha traveled with their son include: Peru, Galapagos, Iceland, Spain, Australia, China, Japan, India, and Botswana. The blog will cover topics of interest to couples who are interested in traveling with their children.

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Extra fun for your money

HOME to seven of the world's top theme parks, #Orlando is the No. 1 family vacation destination, Theme Park Capital of the World, and most visited destination in the United States. So to Celebrate the biggest shopping week of the year -- including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday -- Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for the destination, will offer an extra 10 percent off all purchases at OrlandoTickets.com. 

On top of exclusive deals and discounts to more than 40 world-famous theme parks, attractions, activities and dinner shows, the deals will be available for purchase starting November 20 and range from free additional days at theme parks to exclusive offers. Most are valid one year from purchase, perfect for gifting a 2019 vacation.

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Brits most treasured memories revealed

A study into childhood memory has revealed some of the nation's most vivid early memories, with school trips and first pets proving to be the most popular. The research, collected by beach holiday specialists On the Beach, provides an insight into Brits' most treasured childhood memories, and reveals why certain memories are more likely to be stored and used to form the story of our lives.

The holiday company has collaborated with Peter Kinderman, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool and honorary consultant clinical psychologist with the NHS, who has provided insight into how memories are constructed - and advice which may help people remember life's best moments more clearly.

When it came to the memories we look back on most fondly, the survey revealed our happiest memories include whole days in the swimming pool on holiday (14%), moving house (11%), making a holiday friend (10%), and our favourite childhood teachers (9%).

Almost half of the people surveyed (48%) said their most vivid childhood memories were formed when the weather was hot and sunny, while 30 per cent said their strongest memories relate to cold winter temperatures.

The research also proved Brits are a nostalgic bunch when it comes to looking back on our favourite memories. A staggering 88 per cent said they talk about their best childhood memories with family and old friends, while 20 per cent said looking back on happy memories helped them feel more optimistic about life in general.

Almost half (44%) said they looked through their holiday photos and video footage on a regular basis, and more than a third of parents (37%) said they talk to their children about happy memories they have shared together in a bid to help their children remember their best experiences more clearly.



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Top tips for a family safari

LOOKING for something completely different to do with the kids for your next holiday? Well, for families seeking extraordinary adventures off the beaten track, or for those who enjoy the great outdoors and connecting with nature, international luxury travel specialist, Sanctuary Retreats has just the answer. When it comes to keeping inquiring young minds stimulated, an African safari through unspoiled landscapes teeming with extraordinary wildlife is guaranteed to broaden your family’s horizons, and ensure that everyone shares a truly memorable experience. Here are top tips for parents planning the ultimate African ‘school excursion’ with the family. 

Choosing the Right Camp - Will the kids enjoy a tented camp or find it a little too rustic? And if your kids are younger, it might also be worth considering whether the camp is fenced – although older children may enjoy hearing larger animals close by during the night, chances are smaller kids might find it a little scary. 

How long? - We generally recommend that families take in 2 – 3 camps and lodges, with a stay of 3 days or longer per camp. That gives everyone plenty of time to get acclimatized and experience the full program of activities on offer at each property, plus a little rest and relaxation in between.

Meeting the locals - Squeezing in some culture or a philanthropic component is also good idea so that your kids have a chance to immerse themselves in local traditions and experiences. 

Preparing for Game Drives - With no standard minimum age for children to go on safari, and camps can differ significantly on how they accommodate younger guests. Some have a strict minimum age for safari, while others leave it up to parental discretion. 

What to Bring? - Regardless of your children’s ages, going on safari is guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. So to keep kids engaged, definitely binoculars and a digital camera to capture every moment.

The Sanctuary portfolio includes safari camps and lodges in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as well as river cruise ships on the Nile, the Yangtze and in Myanmar.   

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Better Together: An Asian Adventure

PLANNING a family holiday can be a daunting task; and to help alleviate some of the stress, Amari properties across Thailand’s beach destinations in Hua Hin, Phuket and Koh Samui, as well as Johor Bahru in Malaysia, have created getaways just for the family.

Take in the Andaman Blues with Amari Phuket - The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is the perfect base to explore Thailand’s south. Located on a tranquil end of Patong Beach, Amari Phuket is a calming retreat just a stone’s throw away from bustling activities of Patong; filled with beachside activities, markets for exploring the local way of life, and plenty of adventures to keep the little ones occupied.

Theme Park Fun with Amari Johor Bahru - Centrally located in the city, Amari Johor Bahru makes it easy to explore this unique spot in the southern tip of Peninsula Malaysia. From delicious food and street art, to the Angry Birds Activity Park just a short walk from the hotel, the city has activities for the whole family.

Enjoy an Island Escape with Amari Koh Samui - Freshen up on the island of coconuts, Koh Samui. This island in the Gulf of Thailand is renowned for its vast coconut plantations and offers a unique perspective to the south with its picturesque beaches and rolling hills providing plenty of activities for the family. Nearby is Angthong National Marine Park, home to 42 islands. A highlight of the park is Emerald Lake, a stunning inland saltwater lagoon that is a must-see.

Splash Away at a Waterpark with Amari Hua Hin - Beat the tropical heat with a day at a waterpark with Amari Hua Hin, which is ideal for a quick jaunt from Bangkok as this royal seaside retreat is only a three-hour drive away. The city has been the go-to seaside escape for Bangkok residents as well as tourists alike. Amari Hua Hin offers the perfect break from bustling Bangkok, providing guests with a haven to slow down and relax. Hua Hin is also home to Vana Nava, the only jungle-themed water park in Thailand with waterslides and activities for all ages, including a dedicated Kids Zone water playground so even the little ones can cool off.

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Warner Bros Abu Dhabi to open its doors late July

MIRAL, Abu Dhabi's creator of destinations, announced today that Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park, will open its doors to the public on 25th of July 2018.

When the highly-anticipated Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi opens this summer, it will feature six immersive lands including DC's Metropolis and Gotham City, as well as Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza. When guests step through the iconic Warner Bros. shield, they will enter a world where Super Heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight for justice and animated stars like Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo come to life in the most brilliant and awe-inspiring ways.

www.wbworld.com


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Snippets from around the world . . .

THE Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is the only museum to honor the life and work of Springfield, Massachusetts, native, Theodor Seuss Geisel. The museum features interactive experiences for children, with a strong focus on promoting literacy, artwork, memorabilia and furniture. 

www.springfieldmuseums.org

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Three Centara resorts are the best hotels for families

TRIPADVISOR has just released its prestigious Traveler’s Choice Awards for their users’ favourite #hotels. In the #family category, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort in Pattaya was ranked number 1 in #Thailand. Centara Grand Beach Resort in Phuket was number 4 and Centara Karon Beach Resort, also in Phuket, was number 7.

This year marks the third time Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort has won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award for family-friendly accommodations. Other Centara resorts in Thailand have received the recognition from TripAdvisor users each year since 2014. Centara was also recently listed among Smart Travel Asia’s Hot 25 Family Hotels.

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Picture Credit: pintrest

Airside Andy lands in London City Airport

AIRSIDE Andy has teamed with London City Airport to launch the very first Airside Andy dedicated children’s play area. Located in the Western Pier of the airport, this area opened last month and is designed for families travelling with young children.

Designed for children aged 3 – 8. Airside Andy is free to play, with in-app purchases and memberships available to enhance the in-game experience. It is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO), built exclusively for tablet and mobile and available through iTunes and Google Play, where kids can explore the busy world of the airport, and learn to manage short term and long term goals.

The star feature of this space is the Airside Andy play-tech pod. This is designed to look like a mini baggage carousel, complete with two tablets which are attached to suitcases. Each of these tablets are loaded with 21 games, including the Airside Andy game itself.

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Picture credit: Pintrest airside andy

Baby Boomers Top 10 Destinations

WITH an increasing number of baby boomers opting to travel later in life, new data from Emirates has revealed the top 10 destinations visited by this group of travellers. The top #destinations highlight the baby boomers’ love for all things European. On average, baby boomer’s trips spanned 20 days and they travelled twice a year.

The top 10 Emirates destinations for baby boomers are: 

1.   London 

2.   Rome 

3.   Paris 

4.   Dublin 

5.   Athens 

6.   Barcelona 

7.   Manchester 

8.   Amsterdam 

9.   Milan 

10. Frankfurt

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