3 Kids and Us

Child Friendly Holidays With a Difference

by

Where are you taking your family this Easter? Have you missed the boat and you’re worried about it being too late to book? Don’t worry as although we are swiftly approaching the Easter holidays there are still some great value last minute deals which you can find to give the kids and exciting break. This Easter why not try a break with a difference, something beyond the normal city break or sunshine holiday? To give you some ideas of what kind of trip you could take the family on this Easter holiday, here are some inspirational holidays for you to consider.

Canal Boat

Throughout the north west of England and in Wales there are hundreds of miles of canals cutting through the land and for an altogether different type of holiday you and the family can rent a canal boat and float through your Easter holidays. Canal boats come in all sizes so regardless of how big or small your family is there will be something to suit. The boats are very easy to manage and the only technical skill which you’ll need is to manage the locks when you meet them. Along the way you can stop off for pub lunches and park visits before heading back to the barge for some rest. Kids will love this type of holiday and for the best family experience we’d recommend the Llangollen canals in Wales which features an huge aqueduct which will amaze you all.

Costa Rica

Central America often gets a bad rap when it comes to traveling there but Costa Rica is a country which reminds us just why this part of the world is so beautiful. The country is very big on eco-tourism and they embrace the wild and natural landscape. Why will kids love Costa Rica? Easy, because there are hundreds of activities which they can get involved in from hiking to bike riding, ATV tours to kayaking, caving to snorkeling and just about everything else in-between. Whether you head to the coast of Costa Rica for some action on water and sand or prefer to get further inland for some fun in the rainforest, all of the family will enjoy a trip to Costa Rica.

Tokyo

If you want a city break with a difference then look no further than the Japanese capital of Tokyo. The prices may be a little hefty but there are some Easter breaks which you can still find. Tokyo is a city like no other with its neon lights, its forward thinking nature and of course its delicious food. Kids will love the games and gadgets which are littered throughout the city, parents can relax in beautiful botanical gardens and the entire family will fall in love with the local cuisine and the quirky nature of this city.

Thinking outside the box with your holiday plans is the best way to ensure that you and the family have a trip which will be truly memorable, where will your next destination be?

Choosing the Perfect Car for Traveling with Family

by

Buying a new family car is nothing short of reaching an exciting milestone for every family. As the kids grow, the family needs change, and along them the travelling gear. Trolleys, cots and play yards are replaced with backpacks, surfboards, tents and fold-frame bikes. Nonetheless, the car-shopping time is full of excitement on all sides, with discussions, suggesting and pros-and-cons lists sprouting like mushrooms after the rain. To make things worse, manufacturers are spoiling us with yet unseen choices of models, types, colours and trims. Add the dealers’ or insurance discounts into the mix, and buying the best one really gets more difficult than it seems. However, when we’re making such a big decision, it’s important to call a spade a spade, so here is some weatherproof car-buying advice for a family that loves to travel.

Study the safety rating

While the vehicle safety should be among the first concerns for buying any kind of car, when looking for a family tourer, you should stay away from anything with less than four-star NCAP crash test rating. So, when you’ve made your shortlist, head on to your regional NCAP site and check the models to see how they fare on safety. EuroNCAP, for example, is particularly focused on child safety in its crash test assessments. If you live in Australia, the good news is that recent changes to Australian Design Rules allow for Isofix seats to be used in new cars sold in Australia without any modifications.

Chose the car body

Depending on where you live – inner city, suburbs or country, as well as how many children and pets you need to accommodate, you’re going to choose between a family hatch, saloon, estate or MPV. Five-door hatchbacks tend to be more practical than saloons of the same size, not only because of the bigger boot, but also because their design makes the interior space more flexible for fitting bulky items. While many family drivers swear by the estates, in reality, full-size saloons also have plenty of legroom in the back and a spacious boot. Multi-purpose vehicles, or people movers, are probably the best solution for families with older children who don’t need so much ‘gear’ but are keen on inviting a friend or two on a family trip.

How do you like to travel?

This is where you need to think whether a normal 2-wheel drive car will be enough or you need something with more power and clearance. Although in the last couple of years, the popularity of SUVs has exploded with manufacturers flooding the auto market with SUV-like versions of established lines in every niche, a thoroughbred high towing SUV can be immensely valuable for families who like to get the most out of their travels. Additional clearance and all-wheel, or four-wheel drive allow these vehicles to handle less than ideal road surfaces while towing a caravan or a boat trailer.

Set your budget

Unless you have your cash ready, you need to consider your financing options. Ask yourself how much you can really afford to set aside each month. For most families, the monthly new-car instalment should not go above 15% of the monthly take-home pay. The same rule applies for used cars, which are bound to be less expensive. If you’re leasing, arrange for a monthly payment of less than 10% of your take-home pay. On top of the car payments, you need to figure in the fuel and insurance costs. If you’re not sure what kind of cars you can afford through a certain monthly payment, there are plenty of online affordability calculators, listing the vehicles according to price range and the financing options.

Ask about after sale services and warranty

Buying happens once, but servicing is an ongoing process. So if you’ve settled down to two candidates, give the advantage to the one whose dealership is closer to where you live. Do you know a family that owns four cars, different models of a particular manufacturer? While the reason behind this might always be a personal preference, past experience or loyalty to a specific make, in many cases, it’s the local presence of the company’s showroom and workshop that makes the choice. Having two or more cars of the same make serviced and maintained close to your home saves you a lot of time and inconvenience.

Before swooping down on a new car, you need to research all the options, with your budget, driving habits and lifestyle in mind. Instead of sticking to individual traits like safety rating, body type or a particular make, you need to observe these as a whole and see which one would really suits your family in the years to come.

How to Make the Most of Your Next Travel Destination

by

When you are a nomadic family, the anticipation of visiting your next destination is something that can’t be beaten, until you get there. With new cultures and languages to learn about, there are many educational benefits that shouldn’t be missed out on. However, making the most of your time there can be a struggle when you have work and family commitments every day. There is luckily nothing to say that you can’t make the most of your next destination. In fact, there are numerous tips you can follow which will help you find a home there, where both you and your children can make the most of your surroundings.

Learn some of the language

When you are staying in a location for a few months at a time, it’s wise to learn some of the native language of the country. Not only does this show respect to the people that live there, but it can be a great benefit to add another language to your repertoire. Learning an entire language in this time is unrealistic, but having basic phrases and some understanding of how to hold a conversation will be helpful. Apps like Duolingo are perfect for when you want to learn on the go and are ideal for younger family members who want to start learning, too.

Immerse yourself in the culture

It can be both exciting and overwhelming to be thrown into a new culture. Like most things, it is unlikely you will reap the most benefits unless you delve into it as deep as you can. This can be another educational experience in and of itself. There are many ways to fully immerse yourself, such as adopting the local food into your diet and practicing native customs. In your first days there, you should take the time to learn about the history of your new destination, moving on to enjoy fun activities during your time there.

Enjoy some fun activities

Some countries will offer fun activities that you can’t find anywhere else. For example, authentic yoga practice in India. However, it is natural to want to enjoy some home comforts when you are traveling across the world. Activities like camping and attending the cinema are some of the most popular, but there is nothing better than seeing a musical act you love perform live in a place you never expected to see them. Finding where your favourite act is performing next and buying tickets from a trusted site like ticketsales.com will ensure you have the most enjoyable experience.

Live like a local

There are many parts of a new location that regular travellers may not get to see on a whistle-stop tour. The advantage of living somewhere for a longer period means you have more time to find hidden treasures and make some amazing memories. The key to doing this is to live like a local. Asking the local people where the best spots are for exploring means you may often see some impressive scenery or learn something new for free.

Chennai: The bearer of the South Indian Heritage

by

Chennai is a metropolitan city based in India and it is renowned for being the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is a hub for education and technology mainly for the South Indians. It has also been ranked 36th in the largest urban area by population in the world. Chennai is frequented by health tourists but apart from that, it is also the home for the Tamil film industry. The city also holds the colonial history in forms of buildings and other architectural places. A huge part of the industrial sector is dedicated to automobiles and so Chennai is often called the ‘Detroit of India’.

If you want to visit Chennai from anywhere around the world, it is best to take a flight to the Chennai International Airport(MAA). It is connected to all major cities and destinations from around the world. You can definitely book Cheapest Dubai to Chennai flights or even tickets from any other Middle Eastern country to Chennai. Just make sure that the website is safe and secure.

After landing in the city you will get awed by the population and the culture of the people. We will definitely recommend you some places that you must visit without any fault. So, here are some of them:

  • Marina Beach: This beach is quite famous for being the second longest beach in this world. You will be greeted with white sands and a great roaring sea which is the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched over 13 kilometers and it is visited by more than 30,000 visitors on a daily basis. Occasionally you can also spot the olive ridley sea turtles that make nests in the shore. Definitely sip on the tender coconut and enjoy your crispy murukkus.
  • Government Museum and the National Art Gallery:Chennai has one of the oldest museums present in India. These places aren’t only for knowing Chennai. They also open up your knowledge about India as a whole. It has a nice collection of South India bronzes having its origins both in the ancient and modern times. Apart from that, there are rare marble sculptures which play an important role in knowing about Buddhism. The Art Gallery is famous for its collection of 16th and 18th-century paintings hailing from Rajasthan, the Mughal Empire and also from the Deccani school of art.
  • Sri Parthasarathy Temple:Religion has always been an important part of the Indian culture and the ancient people depicted it beautifully through their art. You can experience that in this temple that hails from the 8th It is based on the Pallava architecture and it is one of the most important Vaishnavites sites present in India. The renovation was done to it in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kinds but as a whole, it still remains the same.

Chennai is a bustling city with a rising economy in India. We will always recommend you to roam around the city to learn about this beautiful place and engage in the culture of the Indian heritage.

Top 5 activities you must try out in Uganda

by

Uganda, a place that shines like a pearl in the continent of Africa is finally coming out in the mainstream travel and tourism after being in the shadows. Uganda might seem small but it surely is packed with activities that have often reached out globally. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the many activities that the travellers are fond of. If you are planning a trip to Uganda then do follow our list of activities that we have suggested. Obviously, there are activities other than Gorilla trekking. So, how about we dive into the list of fun-filled activities that you’d want to look out for!

  1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the most sought-after activities in Uganda. The trek is offered at the Bwindi Forest which is home to half the global population of mountain gorillas. If you are patient enough to look out for other animals then you’d find primates such as blue monkeys, grey-cheeked monkeys, and chimpanzees. This place is also the home for almost 350 species of birds. This landscapes that melt into the mountain ranges is a sight to behold apart from game watching. The trek is also interesting as you would have to traverse along the rugged peaks and valleys with the occasional intrusion of waterfalls.

  1. Nalubale River Rafting

Who would’ve thought that river rafting is prevalent in Uganda since we have a generalized perception of how we know Uganda? To burst that bubble, give yourself the ultimate white-water rafting experience at Nalubale. Be sure to follow your instructor since they value your safety. The experience might be a bit rugged for the ones who have never done rafting, but you will definitely take this experience to your home.

  1. Day Tour to Ssese Islands

If you are trying to escape the loud city, then Kampala might not be the ultimate choice for you to be. So, instead of taking the usual Kampala tour, take a detour to this slow-paced island while taking a long walk along the sandy shores. This place is not your usual touristy spot, so expect the clandestine ambience that you were searching for. This can also be great for romantic getaways. Travellers often restrict themselves to Buggala Island which is the most accessible one from the lot. But for the souls hungry for some adventure, they can venture to the other islands like Bukasa or Banda (only at their own risk).

  1. Adventure-activities at Jinja

The source of the river Nile, Jinja has become the focal point for various adrenaline filled activities. For those who are looking for these kinds of adrenaline packed activities, it is advisable that they drop by Jinja. Activities may include river rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping et al.

  1. Chimpanzee Trekking

Another activity in Uganda which you must look forward to is Chimpanzee trekking. Although their kind thrives in over 21 countries across Africa, it is here in Uganda that you are sure to spot them swarming all over emerald wildness.  You can take a Chimpanzee safari through the twisting trails of the Kibale or in the Budongo forest. Kyambura Gorge also offers a good option here.

Uganda is a land which is culturally and biologically diverse and is packed with natural splendours that will baffle you at every passing moment.

Recent Posts

Write For Us

Like What You See?

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!