Travel Research Archives

Kidspot Voices of 2015 Food & Travel Finalists : A Big Thank You

Last year I was invited to attend the Kidspot Voices of 2014 Gala event as a part of the KidStyleFile team. It was a wonderful night where I met the gorgeous Phoebe from Little Grey Box and Bec from Mumma Tells. Little did I know that they would become my inspiration. As I headed off to the Star …

Wanderlust Travel Linkup for June + An Overnight Trip To Victoria.

Can you believe that it is June already? Winter has hit Sydney with what feels like an Antarctic wind blowing across our city. I hope it’s a little warmer in your town. I hope you enjoyed sharing your May adventures over at The Climbing Tree last month. Reading your posts was so interesting and added a plethora of destinations …

There’s no doubt about it: babies are precious cargo. It’s therefore understandable why parents go to great lengths to find the best way to secure their babies when travelling. As well as keeping them safe, in most states here in Australia there’s also a legal obligation to use child restraints and safety seats. But seats …

Liebster Blogging Award : A Surprise Thrill To Make Me Smile

To be a serious Travel Blogger there is often an expectation that you travel all the time. That travel becomes part of your identity, your career and your lifestyle. For us that will always be difficult. Just before the new millennium, T became very sick on returning from a huge European adventure. He wasn’t expected …

Up until recently, Master R has suffered from motion sickness. The nausea comes on quite quickly, is unpredictable and provides no time to quickly grab a towel or bag. Despite prompting and practice he has never worked out that learning forward onto the xx . As you know, we love to travel and have never …

5 Strategies to Support Your Travel Anxiety

I need to fess up. I have a little secret I’ve been harboring. While I am a seasoned traveller I actually suffer excruciating anxiety during the lead up to a flight. However, I also think anxiety is perfectly natural. We all suffer it from time to time. But how can we recognise it and prevent it …

Qantas Joey Club Flies Onto the Tarmac : A New Generation of Frequent Flyers

It has been over a decade since T and I joined the Qantas Frequent Flyers program. Within a couple of years we were able to use our points for business tickets to Perth return, upgrade a few flights and even book a quick trip to Melbourne for a weekend. For a while now we have been …

Sydney Opera House - Accessibility Strategy : Access All Areas

During the day I am a special educator. I have a strong passion for accessibility advocacy and quickly assess the locations we visit as a family to determine if they would be suitable places to visit with my students and to promote to my wider school community. Over the years physical accessibility has become something …

Valentine's Day : Keeping the Romance Alive with Kids The concept of romance, or a happy partnership is often raised when I'm talking with my girlfriends. Romance. If you ask me it pretty darn important in a successful marriage. Incredibly important if you plan to be happy when travelling. I've found that there is a common thread in our discussions on happiness. On healthy, loving relationships between a couple where the spark is still very much alight. Whilst I'm not real expert on relationships, ours is still strong after 15 years. I think I know why. 1. Shared dreams. If you're wishes are similar, whether it's a dream travel destination, your forever house or a car that can tow a caravan, it will fuel discussions. Working towards it together and setting goals to reach that dream bring a sense of success. This also lends itself to fulfilling dreams on special occasions - a surprise dinner at a restaurant we have both been wanting to try or a unexpected trip away. 2. Together time. With two kids under foot we find it incredibly important to have a date night every now and again. It's not scheduled religiously, rather created as we feel we need that reconnection. Sometimes we might head to a local ice-cream shop in the evening together while the grandparents watch the kids. Sometimes a movie. Sometime dinner. The location is not really important. The focus is on just the two of us without needing to share our space with the kids. I'm a firm believer that anywhere can be romantic if you frame it well. 3. Individual bucket lists. When we travel we have learned that the two of us can have some very different expectations from the trip. I like to visit museums, galleries and historic sites. T is interested in food (both where to eat and where the produce is sourced), cars, sport and people. If we travel to a location and just focus on the interest of one the other becomes overwhelmed. Successful trips combine both our passions and bring us together. Of course, romance always blossoms straight after one of those items is ticked off our list ;-) 4. Romance doesn't need to be expensive. It's true, right? Love isn't roses and chocolates, perfume and jewellery. Whilst they can be little tokens of love, they aren't really togetherness. I think that true romance is demonstrated through the little things. Boarding a boat that T has refused to go on (he really did have a boat phobia!) only to find him sitting next to you 10 minutes later. Opening a package to find the $2 vending machine ring you wanted as a little girl that he somehow found on ebay and surprised you with. Kisses under the Milky Way. Holding hands in the Chinese Gardens. Little acts that don't need strategic thinking will bring happiness to your partnership. Gosh, cheese toasties in bed can be romantic these days. 5. Go early to bed together (without a book). I think this needs to be out there. I know, I know...sometimes the only time we have to 'ourselves' is after the kids go to bed and the chores are done. This can sometimes be as late as 10.00 pm, right? All we want to do is sit back and relax and watch that guy in The Arrow. At least once a week, maybe even two or thr

The concept of romance, or a happy partnership is often raised when I’m talking with my girlfriends. Romance. If you ask me it pretty darn important in a successful marriage. Incredibly important if you plan to be happy when travelling. I’ve found that there is a common thread in our discussions on happiness. On healthy, loving relationships …

An Aussie Kid Perspective of the American Toilet

I was in a dreamlike daze as we arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Sydney, Australia after a 15 hour flight. However, it was very similar to Sydney. There wasn’t that much difference. It wasn’t until we hopped into our shuttle and headed off to Anaheim that the differences became apparent. Although they quickly became the …

A Flight With Virgin Australia : Serious Business From Sydney to LAX

On our first ever overseas trip as a family my brother organised business class tickets as a Christmas treat (and an obvious reward for being a brilliant big sister for the last 30 years!). We were unsure what to expect and I must admit that I was a bundle of nerves leading up to the …

Sailing the Seven Seas : Should We Consider a Family Cruise?

When discussing the Kid Bucket List with others I am often asked why we haven’t included a cruise on our list. To be honest, the thought has never really occurred to me as it instantly conjures up an image of cocktail dresses, over social travellers and some calamity or another – I obviously watched the …

Last week I received a nomination for a Liebster Blogging Award. Oh the thrill. It brought a smile to my face. I’m still a little giddy. I have finally found a moment to read each question and provide a response. I hope you enjoy the read What is your favourite memory from travelling with your …