Do You Travel With Kids?

Every once in a while I hear stories from adults who go to fabulous places and then they mention that they left their kids at home. It may just be the way I was raised, though my BFF and husband have the same views and we all had vastly different childhoods, but I feel like going on a vacation means you go as a family. Unless you are in need of a weekend getaway to reconnect with your spouse, wherever you go, your kids go as well. Not only does it bring your family closer together, it creates lifelong (usually happy) memories and your kids might learn a thing or two about a new culture, their food and their history. I feel like parents who go away, especially to exotic places, on their own are vastly depriving their children of world knowledge and life lessons, no matter what age they are. I'm aware travel isn't cheap, but your kids should not be left out because you can't afford for your whole family to go to destinations. You should save for longer or go to less expensive cities until you can travel more far and wide. Apparently, a lot of travelers agree with me. Do you?

Do you agree that children should travel when they're younger? Do you travel with your kids?

Four Cool Places to See Views of Paris

Sometimes when you are on vacation, it can be fun to see the whole city (or a large part of it) from above. Paris is a very interesting city and it's quite large. I've talked about seeing what's underneath the city at the catacombs and the Pere Lechaise Cemeterie, but what about seeing a bunch of the city's landscape from some of it's awesome landmarks? Here are four that I think are fun:

Eiffel Tower

It's the most obvious, but you can see quite a lot of the city from the top, while also checking off a must-do on your list. Ask someone to snap a photo of you with your love and you'll have a romantic shot to look back on.

Arc de Triomphe

It's one of those landmarks that you figure you will see, but on our first trip to Paris, we only saw it from down the street. Make sure to load up on protein and wear comfortable shoes before you visit, because there are 488 steps to the top, many of which are up a winding spiral staircase. It's a long hike, but the view is definitely worth it.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Another attraction that requires a lot of walking. There are many steps to the top of the Cathedral, but once up there, you can see the Seine and much of the touristy area of Paris. You'll also get up close and personal with the gargoyles on the roof. I wasn't up for another climb, so I didn't do this on my visit to Notre Dame, but it's on my list for my next trip there.

Montparnasse Tower

An easier way to view Paris from the top is on Tour Montparnasse 56. Ride to the top floor of the tower where you can view and take photos of Paris from inside. There are interactive monitors that can help you learn more about the city's history, telescopes, a gift shop and a cafe. Head up a short flight of stairs to the roof and get 360 degree views. On our visit, it was quite cold and windy, but we still had amazing views from inside and outside.

Do you have a favorite place to view the city from?

10 (More) Things to Keep in Your Carry-On

Last week I started talking about how you can keep things in your carry-on to make packing easier. There are just some things that you should have with you every time you travel with will help your trips go more smoothly and are convenient to have on hand. Perhaps you have other must-have items in your arsenal, and I'd love for you to share them!

Ziptop bags - These can come in super handy for so many things: dirty clothes, leftovers, snacks, wet items and more. Didn't have time to let your bathing suit dry before heading home? Toss it in one. Picked up some fried chicken and have leftovers? Bag it up and take it with you.

Lip balm - Changes in climate can wreak havoc on your lips, but so can being out in the sun all day, winter winds and the stale air on the plane. Keep your pucker soft and supple with moisture that fits in your pocket.

Snacks - Being hungry can make you cranky and ruin your day. You're not always going to have access to food when you're traveling, so make sure to toss some filling snacks into your bag. Some favorites: granola bars, nuts, carrot sticks, fruit and muffins.

Water bottle - You need to stay hydrated, especially on the plane where the atmosphere just saps your moisture. If you have a reusable bottle, you can save money by filling it up wherever you go. A folding water bottle is also a space saver when you aren't using it.

Non-electronic entertainment - What happens when you run out of battery and aren't near an electrical outlet? Boredom, that's what. I always keep a pack of cards, a travel game or a puzzle book in my bag. Usually, all 3 make it in there, so I can play alone or with my husband. My favorite travel game is Fluxx. Everyone can play it.

Antibacterial wipes - Do you know how many germs are on all the things you touch when you travel? From the tray table on the plane to the bathroom doorknobs, you are subjected to all kinds of yucky bacteria. Besides being able to wipe down questionable surfaces, these work great when you spill something or have dirty hands and aren't near a sink.

Gum - Gum is always handy: for keeping your ears clear on the plane, helping with dry mouth and freshening your breath after eating and not having the opportunity to brush your teeth.

Mini power strip - 95% of the time I travel, I find that there are only two free outlets in the room, both of which are usually in the sink area. I don't know about you, but I don't want to plug my phone in near running water. Probably you have more than one thing to plug in, too. I have this Belkin one and it's awesome.

Pen - You never know when you'll need a pen. Fill out the crossword during take-off, fill out customs forms, write down directions, etc. 

Tea Bags - Water isn't always what you want, but then again, sometimes you need something to help you sleep, relax or soothe your throat, so taking a small selection of tea bags can be very helpful when you travel. Toss in some sugar or Splenda packets if you don't like your tea plain.

What other items do you include in your must-have items?