There’s something truly magical about a family holiday. Granted, they’re seemingly never stress-free: planning, packing and picky little travellers can test your patience at times. However, the special memories you’ll create exploring faraway places with your nearest and dearest will be cherished for a lifetime.

Deciding where to go is often half the battle. Catering to different tastes and personalities makes it difficult to find somewhere with something for everyone. Or at least it would be, if the USA didn’t exist. The States have long been an aspirational holiday destination for young families, and is home to some of the world’s prime tourist attractions. In this post, I'm going to discuss three important reasons why the USA is a wonderful place to visit with young children.

An Educational Experience

Family holidays are an excellent opportunity to broaden your children’s horizons and develop their world view in these formative years. Across the USA, museums, monuments and statues tell the story of this country’s fascinating history, and a visit to these sites is sure to both inspire and educate young minds. Best of all, there are lots of exhibitions that have been designed with children in mind, so they’ll never feel like they’re in the classroom when stepping back in time.

It can be compelling for children to see the sites they’ve learned about back home up close, and you never know whether a trip could ignite a new passion or interest that they want to pursue. On top of this, America is an incredibly diverse country, making it a great place to teach little ones about the importance of respecting and celebrating different cultures and ways of life.

Family-Friendly Locations

Especially in the main tourism destinations, you’ll find that most tourist attractions, restaurants and accommodations are geared towards welcoming visitors of all ages. Having easy access to the necessary facilities makes a holiday here more convenient for parents and can mitigate lots of the stressors associated with being away from home.

Some locations that are best geared towards family travel include:

• Orlando: Dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is perfect for adventurous families. From Walt Disney World to Universal Studios, fun and thrills are top of the agenda on any holiday to this part of the world.

• California: California is teeming with special spots that are tailor-made for a family holiday – think Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. For the icing on the cake, some of America’s most breathtaking national parks can be found in the Golden State, including Joshua Tree, Redwood and Yosemite.

• Hawaii: White-sandy beaches, luscious valleys and an abundance of beautiful wildlife are just some of things that await you in Hawaii. Head on a snorkelling tour of the bay to savour the local marine life, before venturing into the jungle on a Jeep tour.

It’s a Year-Round Destination

As any parent knows, timings for family holidays are often dictated by school schedules. This restricts you to only a few options throughout the year, with most trips naturally planned for the summertime. Fortunately, there are plenty of reasons to visit America at any time of the year, meaning you can be more flexible around when you choose to visit. 

For example, if you’re dreaming of a Christmas vacation, take a festive foray to New York City, where Yuletide responsibilities are taken incredibly seriously, and bright lights illuminate the cityscape. Or, the Easter holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the most popular tourist attractions at a more relaxed pace, after the peak summer season has come and gone. There is a perfect spot for your family all 52 weeks of the year – the only difficulty is deciding where to go first.

This is a collaborative post.

Fantastic Winter Holiday Ideas for all the Family

Most families decide to take their family holiday during the summer months, but there’s so many benefits to actually holidaying in the winter instead. Not only can destinations be slightly quieter, but how good does escaping the wet and miserable British weather sound? So if you are thinking of taking a winter trip the good news is that there are so many great options on the table, and in this post I'm going to run through some of the best ideas to consider.

The Big City

Okay this one isn't technically leaving the country, but there’s arguably no better place to be (especially in the run-up to Christmas) the than capital city, London. For the whole month of December the city is awash with bright lights and outstanding shows. You don't even need to spend much money to enjoy a lot of these as well, as locations such as Covent Garden and Leicester Square have plenty of lovely free festive sights on offer. You could even team your mini break with a trip to the theatre for the perfect London visit!

Explore Nature

Everyone thinks of visiting the Lake District during the summer months. However, while it is pretty great during that season, it’s also pretty great during the winter months too. There’s something magical about seeing frost - or even snow - covering one of the UK’s most gorgeous landscapes! Why not book a festive package with the Inn Collection Group, where during the day you’ll be able to go for long walks when you’re all wrapped up; and then during the evening you can cosy up by the fire for a meal and drinks. Perfect!

European Cities

There are many great European Christmas destinations that would make the perfect winter trip. Many of them excel at festive markets and culture, so you’ll be able to get your fill of winter goodness. Pretty much any capital city will do the trick. Prague, Budapest, and Munich are all fantastic during the colder months and, in the case of Prague and Budapest, can be highly affordable, too. They’re close enough where you can go for a long weekend too, so you won’t need to book any time off work.

Don't be put off thinking these destinations are more 'adult' appealing. There's SO much for younger ones to enjoy too! Tivoli Gardens is a must for families if you're visiting Copengagen - the Han Christian Anderson inspired amusement park is fully decked out with twinkling lights and festive decorations. And of course I can't mention family winter holidays without talking about Father Christmas! Rovaniemi, Finland is the official hometown of Father Christmas, and you can visit Santa Claus Holiday Village to enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiles, excursions to see the Northern Lights and more. Of course Lapland is a famous destination for this kind of trip too.

Snow Holidays

Another option is to look at going on a snow sports style trip. It’s not really possible to ski in the UK (though there is a resort in Scotland), but there are many ski resorts that are easily accessible to us. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, then look at destinations such as Andorra or Austria, which can be really affordable. If money is less of a concern, then France or Switzerland are considered among the best skiing areas in Europe. If skiing isn't your thing then you can try your hand at a number of other snow based sports, and little ones can even learn some sport skills while there too!

This is a collaborative post.

6 Places to Travel This Summer If You’re Pregnant

There’s a lot to think about when you’re planning to take a holiday during pregnancy. You want to make sure you’ll be relaxed and as comfortable as possible, and chances are you’re going to want a little bit of luxury thrown in there too - you are growing a human, after all!

Luckily we’ve done some research to take the headache out of your decision-making process. Here are six places to travel this summer if you’re pregnant.

Paris, France

The capital of France is known as the city of romance, which is why it’s ideal for a pregnant getaway.

To enjoy the culture without the crowds (and get a bit more space for you and your bump), head to smaller, lesser-known museums like Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée Marmottan, or stroll around the picturesque parks and gardens. Jardin du Luxembourg is a favourite.

If you want to sample the best authentic French cuisine, skip the tourist hotspots and enjoy the food at small, family-run bistros instead. And if you're on a budget, The Guardian has created a fab list of the best free things to do in Paris.

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

Santorini, Greece

With its bright white buildings and clear blue skies, Santorini is perfect for those who want to clear their head and relax in peaceful surroundings.

The slowed-down pace of life means you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Why not explore the cobbled streets or people-watch outside a café? And don’t forget to watch at least one postcard-worthy sunset.

Photo by Orlando Brooke on Unsplash

The Maldives

For the ultimate in luxury, jet off to The Maldives. A popular destination for couples, this cluster of islands promises privacy and all the prenatal pampering you could wish for.

If you can bear to leave the beach, seek out local restaurants selling freshly-caught fish. There’s a dining experience to suit everyone - whether you want a laidback lunch or something more sophisticated. The National Museum and Utheemu Ganduvaru (a small palace-turned-museum with wooden interiors) are well worth a visit, too.

Photo by Aishath Naj on Unsplash

Puglia, Italy

Found in the heel of the boot, the Puglia region of Italy makes for a picturesque holiday destination. There’s plenty to see and discover, from the White City of Ostuni to the trulli zone (a group of conical houses that UNESCO has awarded World Heritage Site status).

However, if you’d prefer to relax then there’s no shortage of spaces to do so. You can take your pick from the beaches, the seaside towns and the hilltops, where you can sit back and admire the stunning views.

Photo by Daniel Corneschi on Unsplash

Lausanne, Switzerland

If you can’t decide between a city break or a countryside getaway, then why not have both? Lausanne is a pedestrian-friendly city with lots of culture and history to explore. It's leafy surroundings and location by Lake Geneva mean there’s also a lot of greenery and fresh air, which if you're an outdoorsy types, you will love.

Browse the markets, sample the food and visit the unique museums dotted around the city, then head to water’s edge for a stroll.

Photo by Chris Slupski on Unsplash

Ojai, USA

An hour and a half away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, the sunny village of Ojai (pronounced Oh-hi) is ideal for chilled out holidays. You’ll appreciate the views, with oak trees, orange groves and the Santa Ynez Mountains making for pretty surroundings. While the art galleries and independent clothing boutiques make it easy to while away the hours.

For a well-deserved treat, head to Spa Ojai and indulge in their Pampered Pregnancy package, which includes a massage, a facial and a pedicure. Holidaysafe recommend you get waited on hand and foot during this precious time, so why not take advantage?

Photo by Tyler Shaw on Unsplash

This is a collaborative post.

Weaning on Holiday | Our Top Tips

Weaning while on holiday can seem scary. Will there be suitable food for my child? What will the highchairs be like? We also had the panic of how to make Parker's bottles - or more so how will we cope without the Prep machine haha.

We've been on two holidays with babies now though (Indie when she was 6 months and Parker at 9 months), and both have been a doddle when it came to feeding. I thought I'd share some of the weaning tips we've picked up along the way. These will be more aimed at the baby led style of weaning though, as that's the route we took with both of ours.

• If you're bottle feeding, take enough formula with you for the duration of you trip. You may be lucky enough to find formula at your destination, but it'll most likely be a different brand. Be careful with bottled water too - make sure to check the mineral and salt content, and it will still needs boiling too!

• If you've travelled to a hot country make sure to keep baby hydrated. Younger babies may want more feeds, although never put extra water in bottles. We made sure to get them used to a free-flow beaker before travelling so they could sip water throughout the day. 

• Definitely take advantage of all-inclusive packages! These are perfect for weaning as there is so much food to offer. Both kids tried so many new and different foods while on holiday, that we would never have at home. And if they didn't like a certain food you could just go back and get them something else! Just make sure all food is piping hot and always check that meat if properly cooked. If you are worried though, most local shops stock baby food, so there's no need to load up your suitcase.

• Make sure to pack your own cutlery, bowls, and lots of bibs. Most hotels won't have suitable things for little ones, so it's always best to take your own! We took a whole load of bibs too so that we didn't have to worry about washing them constantly. For day trips and the flights we used disposable bibs - so easy to use and can just be chucked in the bin after. If ever in doubt though, a muslin round the neck works just as well!

• If you're worried about highchairs, take your own! There are plenty of travel highchairs around but the one we love is the fabric chair harness by The Gro Company. It was so cheap and folds up really small (I keep it in the changing bag most of the time).  

These are just some of the tips we've picked up along the way. Weaning on holiday doesn't worry us at all now, and I do look back and wonder why I ever panicked! As long as you've packed the essentials and are prepared, weaning on holiday can be just as easy as weaning at home - we almost found it easier as we didn't have to clean up the mess haha.

I'd love to hear your weaning tips while travelling? 

Going on Holiday with Trunki | Review

From the second we booked our Familymoon we knew we wanted to get Indiana a Trunki. So I was over the moon when Trunki sent Indie one of her very own for us to try! We went for the new Gerry the Giraffe design which retails at £39.99, but there are 21 different designs to choose from, as well as a 'create your own' option.

If you've never heard of Trunki before, they're basically a ride on suitcase for kids. They've even be hand luggage approved making them perfect for any type of trip - be it a sleepover, a UK break or a holiday abroad. We took ours on our recent trip to Crete, and it made travelling at the airport so much more enjoyable for Indiana.

The cases have so many cool features that make them much more than just your boring suitcase. Firstly the designs are gorgeous. They're fun, bright and so colourful! If you did decide to put it into the hold you'd have no trouble spotting it when you collect your suitcases. 

They're also HUGE! I was worried at first that we wouldn't actually get much in there, and tried to pack as little as possible on the way there (just in case it broke from the weight). Honestly I needn't have worried though, and I was surprised at just how much I could stuff in there on the flight home! The strap keeps everything secure, and the case can also be locked when it's in use so there's no worry that it will all fall out.

Indie never complained that the Trunki was uncomfortable, and was happy to sit on it to be pulled along. Once sat on it and holding on I wasn't worried she was going to fall off either. Indie is 2 and a half (but quite short for her age) and was still a little too short to really push herself along. She is probably too small to pull it along herself too (especially when full), so these features were a bit lost on her.

The large shoulder strap made it easy for Jack and I to carry it when we needed to. This is the same strap that you use to pull it along, which did get a little frustrating. I found it quite fiddly to get the clip on and off when switching between pulling it and carrying it - which isn't ideal when trying to deal with a toddler and an airport!

Although I love nearly everything about the Trunki, I will say it does have it's flaws. Firstly the hinge opening is an issue. The way it opens makes it VERY difficult to actually use on the plane. I heard about this from others, so actually packed Indie a backpack full of things we actually needed with us, and kept the Trunki in the overhead locker for the whole flight. The hinge also came apart a couple of times, even when it was hardly full - this was easy to pop back together, but wasn't something I expected from a brand new item!

It is also slightly difficult to turn once full and your child is riding on it. This wasn't really an issue for us as we weren't it too much of a rush, but I wouldn't advice turning tight corners with a child on it haha. Overall it is easy to pull along, and it also dealt with the moving travelators well too!

Overall though we absolutely loved using our Trunki. Yes we did carry it through security and on and off the plane, but we would have had to do that with any carry on bag we had. Indie loved that she had something of her own, and the design is unbelievably cute! I know we'll be using it for years to come, especially as it comes with a 5 year guarantee and the unisex design means Parker can use it once Indie has outgrown it! I've included a video below that shows what we packed for our outbound flight in our Trunki. It really does hold loads!

Disclosure - I received this product for the purpose of this review. However all opinions are honest and my own