Zanzibar was the final stop on our Africa trip, and I had mixed feelings going into it. After the intensity and magic of safari in the Masai Mara, I wanted calm. Quiet beaches. Clear water. A place to exhale. What I quickly learned is that Zanzibar can be many things — but you have to […]

An African safari sounds magical. It also sounds intimidating — especially with kids. Early mornings. Long travel days. Animals you normally only see in documentaries. Remote locations. The constant parent question of what if something goes wrong? Before our trip, I wondered all of it. Was this too much? Was it irresponsible? Would our kids […]

This was one of those bookings that felt big even as I was clicking “confirm.” Our family’s first trip to Africa.Christmas to New Year’s.A safari we may only do once at this level. I wanted this experience to be pristine, calm, safe, and special — especially because it was our kids’ first time on the […]

Flights were the hardest part of planning our Africa trip — and the part that scares most families away before they even start. Africa isn’t one easy nonstop away. Award space can be limited, routes are long, and when you’re traveling as a family, you need multiple seats on the same flights. Add holiday travel […]

Africa had been on our family’s (okay, really just my) “maybe someday” list for years. I was 10 years old when The Lion King was released, and it sparked a lifelong fascination with Africa. I memorized the songs, quoted the movie endlessly, and imagined what it would be like to see those landscapes in real […]

When I first saw that we had a long layover in Cairo, I didn’t feel excited. I felt cautious. Cairo is big. Busy. Intense. And while I love travel, I also know my limits — especially when we’re tired, jet lagged, and traveling as a family. Still, the idea of being that close to the […]

When people ask me about our Africa trip, the first questions usually aren’t about points or hotels. They’re about logistics. Visas. Transfers. Safety. Cash. Insurance. What could go wrong. And whether this kind of trip is even realistic with kids. This post is the behind-the-scenes guide I wish I’d had before we went — not […]

We wanted sunshine, clear blue water, an easy travel experience, and a trip that did not require spending thousands of dollars on flights alone. Roatán delivered all of that and more. One of the biggest reasons this trip worked so beautifully is because we flew our family of four using points, which kept our out-of-pocket […]

The Grand Roatán Kimpton Resort quickly became one of our favorite family beach trips. It offers the right mix of relaxed luxury, incredible snorkeling, family-friendly rooms, and a location that makes your trip feel easy from beginning to end. If you are wondering whether this resort is worth it, especially for families, here is everything […]

When my son was in 3rd grade, we started reading and listening to the Harry Potter books together—and something just clicked. Before long he was mixing “potions” in the kitchen, carrying around a wand made of sticks from our backyard, and even building a life-size Nimbus 2000 out of whatever he could find in the […]