adventure Archives - 3 Kids and Us

South Africa – The Perfect First Timer’s African Destination

July 17, 2019 by admin

Source: Sharon Ang on Pixabay

When it comes to African countries that people visit regularly, one of the most popular is South Africa. This country, aptly named due to its location at the very southern tip of the African continent, is one of the more popular choices for people making their first visit to the area. With a rich Dutch heritage, South Africa feels like a long, lost Dutch colony, rather than somewhere in Africa. While it does have its African influences in culture, art, music and food, it’s all combined extremely well with its European past to create the perfect jumping off point for people visiting Africa for the first time. Here’s a couple of the top things you can do in South Africa – and why you should check it out his year.

Cape Town – Table Mountain

Table Mountain is probably one of the most iconic images of Cape Town. Seen from throughout the city, the mountain is an impressive sight and can be climbed the good old fashioned way or you can take a cable car up to the top if you’re not fit enough or don’t have enough time to climb it yourself. Table Mountain offers some seriously stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area from the top, especially on days where your view is not obscured by mist. Other peaks that join Table Mountain such as Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head can be viewed from the top of the mountain with Signal Hill, Robben Island and Table Bay also being visible from the top of Table Mountain. If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, book yourself a cheap flight to Cape Town and make sure to take in this impressive mountain and the stunning views it provides.

Wineries

We all know that one of the main things that South Africa is famous for is its wine. With numerous vineyards and wineries to be found in the vicinity of Cape Town, it’s easy to book a tour or three to really get a good feel for the life and times of South African wines. Some of the more prominent vineyards include Dieu Donne Vineyard, a beautiful expanse of land set in a valley in the Winelands, allowing truly unique and beautiful natural surroundings to accompany your wine tastings. Warwick Wine Estates is another fantastic vineyard for those who are discerning when it comes to their wines and offers a family friendly take on wine tasting with lots to entertain the kids while the parents enjoy wines in their beautiful garden areas.

Many of the vineyards in the Winelands offer accommodation options so you don’t need to worry about driving back to the city and can extend your wine tastings well into the evening to watch the sunset behind the high mountains and rolling hills of the countryside. Without a doubt, booking wine tours while in the area is something that you simply must do. Don’t miss out on sampling some of South Africa’s finest – you won’t regret it.

Spring Flower Tours

Each spring, the hills throughout the country come alive with different types of spring flowers blooming. There are absolute carpets strewn throughout the countryside, attracting tourists and visitors from not just other parts of South Africa but from around the world. If you want to see this impressive display for yourself, be sure to remember the changes in dates with South Africa being in the southern hemisphere and as a result, the spring season starts in September. If you like hiking, consider taking one of the popular hiking trails such as the Swart Tobie Trail near the town of Koekenapp or the Sevilla Rock Art Trail in the Cedarberg, both of which have impressive floral displays in the spring.

Kruger National Park

What’s a trip to an African nation without a safari? Most people would probably think you’re a bit funny if you go to Africa and don’t go on a safari. Luckily for you, Kruger National Park is an ideal place for safari and adventure enthusiasts who want to experience all the wonderful wildlife that Africa has to offer. Not only is Kruger National Park one of the best places in the country to go on safari, but it’s also got a huge array of different types of safari packages with safari companies that cater to budgets and tastes of all kinds. Whether you have money to burn and are looking for something extravagant or you are on a bit of a budget, Kruger National Park is the place for you.

So whether it’s your first time in Africa as a whole or you’ve travelled throughout it before, South Africa has a little something for everyone who is looking for adventure and excitement in a new, wonderful place where there’s something to experience at every turn.

Awesome Activities to Add Some fun To Your Family Vacation

June 25, 2019 by admin

When you take the kids away on vacation it isn’t the same as when you go away with just your partner and there is a call to add something extra to the vacation. Instead of spending your days reading on the beach and enjoying some wine and good food of an evening, there is a need to include some entertainment and some adventure to the trip, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. My wife and I are very fortunate that our kids enjoy the same thing as we do, my son and I were even able to get 36 holes of golf in together during our trip to Portugal last year! There are all kinds of activities which you can chose from and here are some which we have enjoyed in the last few years.

Kayaking

Kayaking is great for the family because it is relatively simple to do and each journey will take you to see something new. We have kayaked on rivers through Costa Rica, over the Hudson River in New York and even taken the kayaks out on the sea during a trip to Australia a few years ago. Easy to get the hang of and the kids will absolutely love it, even more so when they tip over apparently!

Winter Fun

We took the kids on a skiing holiday a couple of years ago to Norway and they not only fell in love with the sport but they loved all of the snow-based activities. What the kids loved most was not in fact the skiing or snowboarding, but the husky rides which we took across these huge snow planes, reaching incredible speeds which left us all a little bit scared, and very excited.

Canyoning

Activities when you are on holiday are so much fun and we found that canyoning is a great adventure because it doesn’t require huge amounts of skills and you get the chance to discover some beautiful natural settings. We have done this with the kids in the southern Alps and in Costa Rica and they loved finding their way through the gorges, especially the abseiling which they were able to do down a waterfall in Costa Rica. This is an activity which you can find all over the world and I can assure you that any adventurous kids will absolutely love it.

Cycling

Something we have done on just about every family holiday which we have taken is renting a couple of bikes and heading out on a trek. Most holiday destinations have some great routes that you can cycle on and it gives the kids the chance to get out and about, and most importantly to stretch their legs. What I love most about taking the bikes out when we are abroad is the fact that you don’t know what you are going to see or what you will discover, which lends itself to some amazing adventures.

Next time you take the kids away have a think about some of these activities and see if you can entertain the kids with them, it sure beats wasting a day on the beach.

Here are some more fun summer activities.

Anouk Govil And I With The Best Kayak Places Which We Have Been To

July 28, 2018 by admin

Myself an my good friend Anouk Govil have been combining our love for kayaking and traveling for many years now, and during this time we have been lucky enough to paddle across some of the world’s most incredible places. I wanted to share with you just some of our favorite places, in order to inspire you to head out with your kayak and discover these wonderful corners of the world. Without further ado then, here are some of the most special spots that my buddy and I have had the good fortune to travel to and kayak in.

Belize

Everyone understandably thinks about the Great Barrier Reef when they consider reef kayaking but have you ever considered Belize? In truth, we hadn’t either but as we were traveling down to Costa Rica for a kayak trip, someone mentioned the barrier reef of Belize and we had to try it out, thankfully we did because it is spectacular. Kayaking here is like discovering a new world under the sea, as you paddle across emerald green waters you get the very best views of the vast and multicolored reef below. This is the second largest reef in the world and it is highly recommended that you try snorkeling or kayaking here.

Galapagos National Park

The Galapagos had been on my travel list for a very ling time, but I had never really considered kayaking there. As it happens, you can gain special access to go sea kayaking in the national park, and we were fortunate enough to be granted permission. To say this trip was incredible would be a huge understatement, we were lucky enough to paddle next to sea lions, giant tortoises, penguins and we even spotted some marine iguanas on the way. The marine life is just the tip of the iceberg here however, and the hidden coves, tiny beaches and uninhabited islands made this trip one of the most special that I have ever been on.

Baja. Mexico

Baja California in Mexico was somewhere that I knew quiet well from my Springbreak days in Los Cabos, but I never realized what a rich and beautiful place it was for kayaking. As it happens, they call this place the Mexican Galapagos because of its huge array of marine life and wildlife, and what we thought would be a relatively non-eventful trip, turned out to be quite the contrary. Here you can see whales, sea lions and a huge variety of multicolored fish and birds which I have never seen or heard about in my life. What made the trip even better was the fact that the sunshines very strong down in this part of Mexico, and that made those breaks on the beaches even better. The waters here are clear, the views uninterrupted and the beaches blissful, a perfect place for a leisurely paddle on your kayak.

10 Camping Essentials To Remember On Your Next Trip

May 16, 2018 by admin

Taking your family camping is a great opportunity to spend quality time with them and reconnect. Here are 10 camping essentials to remember on your next trip.

An increasing number of families are choosing to spend quality time together on camping vacations.

It’s easy to see why going on a camping trip as a family is so popular. You get to reconnect and bond together while spending time in the great outdoors.

But for all the fun and excitement of going camping as a family, there are also so many different things to bring camping.

Even if you pack your car full of camping gear, it’s easy to forget some camping essentials back at home.

To make sure you have everything you need on your camping trip, we’ve created this list of the top 10 essential camping gear for you to use on your next trip. Keep reading to find out more!

1. First Aid Kit

On any camping trip, there are always bumps and scratches along the way. They’re nothing to worry about if you’re prepared with a first aid kit.

You can either purchase a first aid kit or create your own wilderness version, with the essential items.

If you go on any day-trips and venture away from the campsite, make sure you take your first aid kit along with you.

2. A Box of Matches

Unless you know how to start a fire out of nothing, you’ll definitely need to take a box of matches with you.

After all, a fire is a great way to keep warm during the evenings. It can get quite cold out there in the wild. Sitting around the campfire singing folk songs and telling scary ghost stories is a tradition.

With a fire, you can cook lots of different things. No camping trip is complete without marshmallows on the open fire.

It’s simply not worth the risk of camping with a box of matches handy. They’re also cheap and small. So you can easily keep plenty of matches in your camping bags for years.

3. A Long Piece of Rope

Ropes also deserve a place on our list of camping necessities. There are so many useful purposes for a camping rope, you can’t afford to go without bringing one.

You could use it either to hang wet clothes or create a shelter from the rain. But it’s also a useful item to have if you find yourself in an emergency. For instance, if someone finds themselves in the tight situation.

But of course, you need to be able to take advantage of the many uses of ropes, by being able to tie different kinds of knots yourself.

4. Peanut Butter

Unless you have a nut allergy, you should totally make sure you bring a jar of peanut butter along with you to every camping trip.

There are so many excellent benefits of peanut butter.

It lasts for ages without going bad. It’s also a great source of protein and fat.

Whether you’re eating it straight out the jar with a spoon, or spreading it on bread, it’s a great energy boost on your camping vacation.

5. Travel Spices

Part of the joy of camping is having yummy food while living outdoors. But just because you’re living in a tent, it doesn’t mean you have to eat unseasoned meals.

By bringing a box of travel spices along with you, you no longer have to eat food without any flavor.

There are plenty of portable travel spice racks that you can take with you on your camping trip. They are easy to store away in the bottom of your backpack.

Next time you want herbs and spices on your barbeque, you’ll be prepared.

6. A Flashlight

Have you ever arrived at your campsite after dark? All your problems are solved if you have a flashlight!

Yes, I know you have your cell phone. But you really can’t beat a proper flashlight when you go camping.

After all, you never know when your cell phone is going to run out charge at the worst moment when you’re trying to get back to your tent.

The best flashlights are headlamps. This frees up your hands for doing other things during the night.

7. A Map

Of course, we have Google Maps on our cell phones now. But your cell phone GPS really isn’t as reliable as a map.

This is especially true if you’re camping in the middle of nowhere. It might be news to you, but Google hasn’t quite conquered every path in the world yet. Besides, just getting signal in remote areas is sometimes impossible.

8. Compass

That’s why you not only need to make sure you have a map, but you should also have to make sure you have a compass.

This way you’re not solely dependent on your cell phone GPS telling you the difference between your North from your South.

9. All-Weather Wear

What do you do before you set off on your camping trip? You check the weather forecast of course.

But anyone who casually follows the weather forecasts will know that they occasionally get it wrong.

Then you could be up the creek without a paddle. But also wet.

The best way to prepare for a camping trip is to ensure you’re prepared for all weather scenarios.

Make sure you pack a waterproof coat, a sun hat and a spare set of clothes if things take a turn for the worse. Find all the camping gear you need, click here for more.

10. Swiss Army Knife

Swiss Army Knives are certainly the most popular choice of pocket knife. But any pocket knife will do the job.

Whether it’s opening a bottle or carving something into a stick. It’s always useful to have a pocket knife with you on your camping vacation.

Ensure You Have The Camping Essentials

Camping is a wonderful way to spend a family vacation, or a romantic break away as a couple.

But it’s also important to make sure you have your camping essentials to ensure everything goes smoothly.

If you found this blog post interesting and useful, check out our other blog posts of travel.

Fun Times In Florida – Things You Need To Catch On Your Trip

March 15, 2018 by admin

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Road trips can be some of the most fun you will ever have in a summer, fall or spring. Winter road trips can be great but they’re usually reserved more for the summertime – roof down, cold drinks on the go and the tape deck blasting out the best tunes of your teenage years. So if this sounds like the trip to end all trips, where should you go? What spot has a great amount of things to see and do while having it all accessible by great stretches of road for miles and miles? Check out these great stops to make in one of the best states for road trips – Florida!

The Parks

One of the main reasons many people come to this part of the United States is mainly to see the numerous amazing amusement parks on offer. You can head to Disney World Florida for cheaper by booking tickets online and in advance or you can check out other great parks like Universal Studios, where your favourite films come to life in amusement park rides and fun houses. Check out Sea World – one of the world’s biggest and best parks for spotting your favourite marine life, but if you want to spend the day in the water yourself you can visit one of the numerous great water parks like Buccaneer Bay or Typhoon Lagoon!

Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre

A seriously great day out for anyone in your party that likes astronomy and space travel, the Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre really lets your imagination fly. Visit the Cape and plan your trip to coincide with a rocket launch if possible and then head to the Space Centre to explore the history of mankind’s space exploration including some of the old pieces of Saturn V rockets that were used to shuttle the astronauts to the moon and back. Explore the whole story in the museum which is dedicated to bringing space exploration to life for the everyday person. Be sure not to miss the real moon suit worn on the moon’s surface!

The Keys

Probably the best for sun, sea and sand seekers, this part of the state is awash with gorgeous islands that sometimes feature secluded beaches where you won’t see another soul for hours! Not only that but this is a great option for those looking for a road trip with a difference. By taking the Overseas Highway, you can literally drive to all the islands and back to the mainland again which means this is probably one of the best ways to see some truly gorgeous islands without needing to fly anywhere! So which stops will you make on this great island hopping adventure?

There we have a couple of great suggestions on things to see in Florida on your next amazing road trip! So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, some awesome snacks, great tunes and hit the open road for a trip through Florida you won’t soon forget!