3 Kids and Us

South Africa – The Perfect First Timer’s African Destination

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Source: Sharon Ang on Pixabay

When it comes to African countries that people visit regularly, one of the most popular is South Africa. This country, aptly named due to its location at the very southern tip of the African continent, is one of the more popular choices for people making their first visit to the area. With a rich Dutch heritage, South Africa feels like a long, lost Dutch colony, rather than somewhere in Africa. While it does have its African influences in culture, art, music and food, it’s all combined extremely well with its European past to create the perfect jumping off point for people visiting Africa for the first time. Here’s a couple of the top things you can do in South Africa – and why you should check it out his year.

Cape Town – Table Mountain

Table Mountain is probably one of the most iconic images of Cape Town. Seen from throughout the city, the mountain is an impressive sight and can be climbed the good old fashioned way or you can take a cable car up to the top if you’re not fit enough or don’t have enough time to climb it yourself. Table Mountain offers some seriously stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area from the top, especially on days where your view is not obscured by mist. Other peaks that join Table Mountain such as Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head can be viewed from the top of the mountain with Signal Hill, Robben Island and Table Bay also being visible from the top of Table Mountain. If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, book yourself a cheap flight to Cape Town and make sure to take in this impressive mountain and the stunning views it provides.

Wineries

We all know that one of the main things that South Africa is famous for is its wine. With numerous vineyards and wineries to be found in the vicinity of Cape Town, it’s easy to book a tour or three to really get a good feel for the life and times of South African wines. Some of the more prominent vineyards include Dieu Donne Vineyard, a beautiful expanse of land set in a valley in the Winelands, allowing truly unique and beautiful natural surroundings to accompany your wine tastings. Warwick Wine Estates is another fantastic vineyard for those who are discerning when it comes to their wines and offers a family friendly take on wine tasting with lots to entertain the kids while the parents enjoy wines in their beautiful garden areas. 

Many of the vineyards in the Winelands offer accommodation options so you don’t need to worry about driving back to the city and can extend your wine tastings well into the evening to watch the sunset behind the high mountains and rolling hills of the countryside. Without a doubt, booking wine tours while in the area is something that you simply must do. Don’t miss out on sampling some of South Africa’s finest – you won’t regret it.

Spring Flower Tours

Each spring, the hills throughout the country come alive with different types of spring flowers blooming. There are absolute carpets strewn throughout the countryside, attracting tourists and visitors from not just other parts of South Africa but from around the world. If you want to see this impressive display for yourself, be sure to remember the changes in dates with South Africa being in the southern hemisphere and as a result, the spring season starts in September. If you like hiking, consider taking one of the popular hiking trails such as the Swart Tobie Trail near the town of Koekenapp or the Sevilla Rock Art Trail in the Cedarberg, both of which have impressive floral displays in the spring. 

Kruger National Park

What’s a trip to an African nation without a safari? Most people would probably think you’re a bit funny if you go to Africa and don’t go on a safari. Luckily for you, Kruger National Park is an ideal place for safari and adventure enthusiasts who want to experience all the wonderful wildlife that Africa has to offer. Not only is Kruger National Park one of the best places in the country to go on safari, but it’s also got a huge array of different types of safari packages with safari companies that cater to budgets and tastes of all kinds. Whether you have money to burn and are looking for something extravagant or you are on a bit of a budget, Kruger National Park is the place for you.

So whether it’s your first time in Africa as a whole or you’ve travelled throughout it before, South Africa has a little something for everyone who is looking for adventure and excitement in a new, wonderful place where there’s something to experience at every turn.

Awesome Activities to Add Some fun To Your Family Vacation

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When you take the kids away on vacation it isn’t the same as when you go away with just your partner and there is a call to add something extra to the vacation. Instead of spending your days reading on the beach and enjoying some wine and good food of an evening, there is a need to include some entertainment and some adventure to the trip, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. My wife and I are very fortunate that our kids enjoy the same thing as we do, my son and I were even able to get 36 holes of golf in together during our trip to Portugal last year! There are all kinds of activities which you can chose from and here are some which we have enjoyed in the last few years.

Kayaking

Kayaking is great for the family because it is relatively simple to do and each journey will take you to see something new. We have kayaked on rivers through Costa Rica, over the Hudson River in New York and even taken the kayaks out on the sea during a trip to Australia a few years ago. Easy to get the hang of and the kids will absolutely love it, even more so when they tip over apparently!

Winter Fun

We took the kids on a skiing holiday a couple of years ago to Norway and they not only fell in love with the sport but they loved all of the snow-based activities. What the kids loved most was not in fact the skiing or snowboarding, but the husky rides which we took across these huge snow planes, reaching incredible speeds which left us all a little bit scared, and very excited.

Canyoning

Activities when you are on holiday are so much fun and we found that canyoning is a great adventure because it doesn’t require huge amounts of skills and you get the chance to discover some beautiful natural settings. We have done this with the kids in the southern Alps and in Costa Rica and they loved finding their way through the gorges, especially the abseiling which they were able to do down a waterfall in Costa Rica. This is an activity which you can find all over the world and I can assure you that any adventurous kids will absolutely love it.

Cycling

Something we have done on just about every family holiday which we have taken is renting a couple of bikes and heading out on a trek. Most holiday destinations have some great routes that you can cycle on and it gives the kids the chance to get out and about, and most importantly to stretch their legs. What I love most about taking the bikes out when we are abroad is the fact that you don’t know what you are going to see or what you will discover, which lends itself to some amazing adventures.

Next time you take the kids away have a think about some of these activities and see if you can entertain the kids with them, it sure beats wasting a day on the beach.

Awesome Holiday Ideas For 2020

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We may only be in June 2019 but now is certainly the time that we should be looking ahead to 2020 and the awesome travel destinations that it has in store. Each year brings with it new adventures and new locations and if you are looking for a new and awesome holiday destination for next year then we have some absolute crackers for you. No matter what you are into there is something here for you so without further ado let’s take a look at where you could be taking a vacation to in the year 2020.

The Beauty of Dubrovnik

Croatia has been steadily building in popularity for a long time now and if you haven’t been yet then make 2020 the year that you change that. Dubrovnik is the city of choice for us, a stunning architectural masterpiece of a city with baroque charm and gothic style. The city sits right on top of the azure blue Adriatic Sea and offers the best of a beach holiday and a city break. The old town is where you should stay, a quiet, pedestrian-only oasis where you’ll find the the very best of Croatia .

Thai Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

If animal welfare is something which you regard highly then why not take a trip to Thailand and visit this fascinating elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai? These elephants are rescued from being exploited for the animal tourism trade and they are shown love and affection at the sanctuary. Chiang Mai itself is a super cool, hippy paradise where you’ll find amazing food, cheap hotels and plenty of fun and friendly people to meet.

The Remote Sanctuary of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are being called the ‘new Iceland’ thanks to its remote tranquility, lush green vegetation and blissful environment. You’ll be in awe of the natural landscape here and each of the 18 volcanic islands offer something a little different from the last. The islands are connected through ferries, causeways and bridges and exploring them is just an incredible way to spend your holiday.

Beat The Tourists to Chad

Chad is often overlooked when it comes to African safaris but all that seems to be changing and now is the time to get in whilst its still quiet. There is a huge array of wildlife here to enjoy in the Zakouma National Park and the wildlife are yet to fear the tourists, meaning that the planes are literally teeming with lions, zebra, giraffes and herds of elephants.

Disappear to the Raja Ampat Islands

If you are looking to discover something new then the Raj Ampat islands could be the place for your holiday next year. Situated just off the western coast of Papua New Guinea these 1,500 islands are a scuba diver’s mecca and under the ocean you’ll find 75 percent of the world’s coral species. Luxurious hotels adorn many of the islands and although it is open for tourism, you could easily spend a fortnight there and not see another soul.

If you had the choice, which would be your destination for 2020?

Romantic Activities for you and Your Partner in Venice

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If you are looking for the perfect romantic getaway with your partner then look no further than Venice, a place which has gained a reputation as being the ideal spot for love birds. My partner and I toured Europe last year and this was the place that really blew our socks off.  Some places gain a certain reputation but fail to live up to it, in the case of Venice however this couldn’t be further from the truth and every sight, sound and smell here simply oozes with love. If you and your partner do decide to visit this gorgeous Italian city then here are some romantic activities which you can both indulge in.

Gondola Ride For Two

Gondola’s are an iconic image of Venice and to take one out on the water with your partner is just about as romantic as it gets. You won’t be sailing the boat of course, that will be left up to the experts who will take you floating by some of the gorgeous architecture throughout Venice. The gondolas go from the main bridges of Rialto or Accademia.

Walk in the Footsteps of Casanova

Nobody has a reputation for romance like the famous lover Casanova, save for Cupid himself perhaps, and you can walk in his footsteps here in Venice. Enjoy a glass of wine at the Do Spade bar close to the Rialto Bridge which is where he would meet his lovers or head to Doge’s Palace which is the prison from which he escaped from.

Watch the Sunset at St. Mark’s Square

Sunset is always a romantic event and here in Venice it is even better given your surroundings. The best place to catch it is on St. Mark’s Square, the heart of romance here in Venice. The square is packed with live orchestras, opera singers and people dancing, what better way to watch the sunset?

Explore the Dorsoduro

Just near the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro district you will find that the canals narrow and become more like a water village. Throughout this area of Venice you’ll find handmade gifts and street sellers offering their wares, walk through with your partner and buy yourselves some romantic souvenirs to remind you of your time in this beautiful city.

Take Lunch on Torcello

Ernest Hemingway famously wrote about taking a water bus over to Torcello island which is around 10km from St. Mark’s Square. Here you can visit the ancient Byzantine cathedral to the famous Locanda Cipriani restaurant where you can enjoy a romantic Italian meal for two under the shade of the pergolas.

Watch a Performance at La Fenice Theatre

The La Fenice theatre is a Venetian icon and you can enjoy ballet and opera here on most evenings. The journey to the theatre itself is romantic and then once the doors open up you are greeted by the most stunning and intricately designed theatre which you are likely to see, and this is all before the action starts. Watching an aria with your loved one in this glorious setting is about as romantic as it gets.

 

Best Tips to Prepare Kids for a Trip

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While you’re busy preparing for your upcoming trip and making sure everything is packed, checking flights and hotel bookings, and arranging transportation – don’t forget to prepare your kids too. Traveling can be a stressful and even scary experience for kids, especially if you’re stressed out too.

To help you to prepare your kids for a trip, there are a few tips that you should definitely try out:

Start a countdown

Let your kids know that you’re all going to be going on a trip – and start a countdown. For toddlers it may be best to wait until the day itself and start counting down by the hour while explaining to them what will happen after that.

If you have kids that are old enough to understand the trip however, starting the countdown a week in advance can help build up the excitement. That will alleviate any apprehension they may feel about it, and get them pumped instead.

Explain (as best you can) exactly how you’ll go on the trip

It is important that your kids understand exactly what is going on, and you should try to explain it to them as clearly as possible. Take them through it step by step, such as: We’ll get in the car, drive to the airport, take out the luggage, put it through the security check, get on the plane, etc.

Try to act out each step so that your kids understand what is going to happen, and then remind them of the steps periodically until you depart.

Teach them about the place you’re visiting

One of the best ways to get kids excited is to let them know a bit more about the place you’re visiting and what makes it special. Nowadays there are lots of kid-friendly travel videos that can help, or you could choose a video that is similarly-themed.

If you do find a good video that your kids enjoy you may want to use Online Video Converter to convert it, put it on your smartphone and take it with you. It will make it easy to convert MTS to MP4 online or to any other format you need.

 

Get kids involved

Kids tend to feel more comfortable about things that they’re involved in – so make it a point to involve them in some way. The exact way in which you do so can vary based on their age.

For school-aged kids you should even involve them in the planning of the trip and float ideas of the places that you’re going to visit past them. For younger kids you can get them involved in the packing, and ask them to pass you things or find stuff for you.

While you’re actually traveling you can look into ways to keep your kids calm. If you’ve taken the tips listed above to heart, odds are they’ll be excited and looking forward to getting to their destination – which should make your job a whole lot easier.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!