About Us
Trying new foods Today, so many children are picky eaters, in some respects it is due to the choices parents give them. Our Philosophy-- Don't give them a choice! We have found that our kids were willing to try new things They really don't have any other options. There are no "kid meals" offering chicken nuggets and pizza. Your Bed & Breakfast may only offer one menu and we insisted that the kids eat the meal offered and not offend our host In some cases...you may eat at the only restaurant in the village--the next nearest might be 30 minutes walk uphill. You will be surprised at what they will try... if encouraged with a smile Our kids are normal kids...one's favorite food is tacos...the other chicken nuggets...they love McDonalds...but Here are some interesting things my kids have tried * Duck **Venison **Wild Boar Gnocchi **Salad with Geese Gizzards New Family Favorites Cheese Spatzl (Germany) Tarte Famblee (Alsace, France) Fondue (Switzerland) Salad Nicoise (Mediterranean) Gulassuppe & Oxtail Soup (Germany) Pesto Pizza (Italy) and Pistachio Pesto Pasta (Siciliy) |
| Picnics We are big believers in cutting cost where you can. Many of our trips are three weeks...you simple cannot afford to eat out three meals a day. We find the local grocery stores...buying picnic supplies (see left) salami, mustard (which usually comes in tubes like toothpaste) cheese, yogurts, water, drink syrups. etc.. We visit the local markets for fruit, produce, cheese, sausages and bread and WE PICNIC We have picnicked at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, at 11,000 feet in the Swiss Alps, along the Romantic Road in Germany in front of castles...even in our hotel room in bad weather. |
| Family Travels Travel Tips Once You are There |
| Laundry We try to bring one week of clothes. Usually larger towns will have self-service laundry centers. Or, You can ask your B&B host if they will launder a load of clothes Or, you can wash in the sink (and use a hair dryer in a pinch in the morning) Bring old underwear and socks. Wash them once on the trip, then throw them away...leaving room for more souveniers. |
| Souvenir Rule You can buy it IF you can fit it in your suitcase (it goes for Mom and Dad too) |
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| Eiffel Tower |
| Eiffel Tower |
| Eiffel Tower |
| Ireland |
| Czech Republic |
| Pont Du Gard, France Along the River |
| Swiss Alps...10,000 feet |
| More Picnic Tips At your first grocery store, invest in paper plates, napkins, plastic cutlery and cups. Buy a cheap cooler (to throw away at the end of the trip) and refreezeable ice packs Buy lots of hand-wipes. Ask your B&B Host if you can put re-usable freezer packs in their freezer overnight. You can always ask...several B&B's provided lunch service...For a fee, they packed sandwiches, fruit, chips and drinks in a box lunch for the day Bring a lightweight blanket with you We used a blue "Neat Sheet" sold at Walmart |
| Enjoy every moment. Explore. Have Fun. Try anything and everything new |
One of the first things we do in arriving in a new country is to visit a local grocery store. Buy a collapsible cooler, refreezable ice packs, ziploc bags, paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic cutlery, and small trash bags. I sometimes buy a blow dryer or curling iron at a local store. Yes, you can bring your own from the US and use a converter, but you will find it is easier to buy a model that uses the local electrical current and won't over heat with use. Also you can save weight in your suitcases, by buying toiletries (shampoos, soaps, etc.) there if you are not picky about the brand. |
Calling Cards Invest in local and international calling cards. You need to call ahead one or two days to confirm B&B or hotel reservation and to notify your host if your travel plans change or you are arriving late. Again, check around for a "good" card...so many are rip offs. Check the number of minutes, how many "minutes' are actually used (sometimes a five minute call can use 15 minutes off the card) Be aware of international calling numbers, country exchange numbers (Rick Steves's books are very helpful) We made our teenage daughter buy her own calling cards at her expense but we still had to wait while she phoned home to the current boyfriend. |
Ticket Prices and Admissions Every country, city, and sightseeing attraction has a different meaning of "adult" and "Children" ticket prices.... based on ages. (Learn your numbers in the local language) Also....alway ask for "Family" Tickets... some places offer a group discount. Again, we are a family of five--sometimes we had to buy the "family ticket" and one extra admission. In Europe...it does seem to be the general rule that a FAMILY only has FOUR people Finally, if traveling with teenagers....bring High School ID's and College ID's for "Student" Discounts |
| Buy Tourist Discount Cards and Public Tranportation Passes. This can save an incredibly amount of money. Again, do your research before your go. For example, Venice has a Tourist card that provides free and discount admission to most sights, and included transportation on their water bus systems. The same with Rome...The Roma card provides metro and bus use, and free admission into the first two sights and discounted admission after that. If you plan your travel to visit expensive sights first....The Coloseum and Museums (the Forum is free)...You can save money. The Paris Pass includes the same discounts...but also includes transportation out to Versailles and pays for itself quickly. Also Salzburg, Dublin, has a great Tourist Cards. Follow Rick Steves' recommended buys or suggestions from this website. Sometimes the packaged plans are not a good buy. |