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After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. Here’s how to get here and where we stayed (save + share this post):

1. You can take the Shinkansen (bullet) train from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station if you have the JR Pass and it will only take you 15 minutes. If you don’t have a JR Pass the Shinkansen ticket costs about 1,420 yen (right now that’s about $11). 

2. If you don’t have the JR Pass you can take the Hankyu Kyoto Line or Keihan Main Line. These are regular non express trains and will increase your travel time to from 15 minutes to 45-55 minutes but they only cost 400 yen (about $3) so you can save money, especially for a large group.

3. There is also a bus that leaves picks up at Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, Universal Studios Japan and Namba and goes to Kyoto Station. I’m not sure of the costs.

4. If you flew into Osaka you can also take the Haruka Express train from the airport to Kyoto Station. 

In Kyoto we stayed at The Chaper Kyoto which is a Marriott property. The rooms are on the small side but the hotel is clean and modern. There is a bus stop down the block which we could take to get to Gion in 9 minutes. The room was about $240/night since it’s busy season.

The weather this time of year is pretty sporadic. Some days it was hot and sunny and some days cool and gloomy so definitely pack a variety of attire and bring some layers and the weather changes throughout the day. Will be sharing our itinerary soon.

Have you been to Kyoto? If you have other accommodation recommendations please share them below to help others!

📍Fushimi Inari Taisha
Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal St Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan? You need to know this (save + share this post):

1. Just because you have tickets to the park doesn’t mean you’ll get into Super Nintendo World, it requires a timed entry ticket. These do run out so it’s not a guarantee you’ll be able to enter! If you get your park tickets in advance you might be able to grab an advanced booking in the app but if these are all gone by time you get your tickets you’ll need an area timed entry ticket. These are only available the day you’re visiting & you can only attempt to get it once you’re actually in the park! We got to the park when they opened at 8am & there were only two entry times left so arrive early! You can get them on the app (you must grant the app permission to see your location so they know you’re inside) or you can go to one of the ticket kiosks.

2. To really enjoy you’ll need a power band which are sold for about $35. If you don’t have one you can walk around & go on the 2 rides but you can’t play the games & collect coins.

3. The wait times for both rides are usually 1-3 hours! To avoid this you can purchase an Express Pass (most people said this reduces wait times to a mere 15 minutes). Express Passes were sold out the day we went so we only got to ride Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge but not Yoshi’s Adventure. To avoid the 2 hour wait for Mario Kart we actually went through the singles line. We did end up in two different karts but we only waited 20 minutes to ride instead of 2 hours. Yo Shi’a Adventure doesn’t have a singles line or we would have done that too!

4. If you want to eat at Kinopio’s Cafe you also need a timed entry ticket so be sure to grab this as soon as you get inside Super Nintendo World. It’s usually a 1-2 hour wait once you get your timed entry ticket.

5. Once you leave you cannot reenter (if timed entry tickets are required at the time) so be sure to do everything you want before leaving.

Universal Studio Japan is extremely popular & tickets do sell out often so buy in advance. The most popular sites to buy them are Klook (where we bought ours) & KKDay.

Hope this helps! Who has Super Nintendo World on their list?
How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this post):

1. Kicked off the day trying soufflé pancakes, you’ll find restaurants all over the city that sell these. We personally had them at Belle-ville Pancakes.

2. Visit the Cup of Noodles Museum where you can make your own Cup of Noodles logo and then customize the flavor and toppings for your noodles. They also offer a ramen making class here in addition to the museum where you can learn the history of the company.

3. If you’re visiting in March check to see if the March Sumo Wrestling Tournament is taking place at Edion Arena Osaka. If so def try to get tickets in advance (they go on sale a month prior) or arrive early to get same day tickets. It’s a fun afternoon.

4. We also did a Tea Ceremony class but photos/videos weren’t allowed.

5. End the first day getting cheesecake at the infamous Rikuro’s for their jiggly Cheesecake.

6. The other day spend at Universal Studios Japan for thrilling rides, shows and to relive your childhood at Super Nintendo World.

Where to stay in Osaka? The W Osaka is gorgeous but a little pricey and the Fairfield by Marriott is more budget friendly with nice, modern clean rooms just less amenities and smaller rooms (will post stories of both so you can see).

How to get to Osaka from Tokyo: We took the Shinkansen bullet train which takes 3 hours but is such an experience as it goes up to 199mph. Be sure to sit of the right side of the train for views of Mt. Fuji. You can also take a quick flight!

Other things to do in Osaka we didn’t travel time for:

1. Visit the Osaka Castle

2. Go to the top of the Umeda Sky Building

3. Go out in the Dotonbori

4. Walk around Kuromon Market

5. Watch a show at the National Bunraku Theater

6. Explore the Sumiyoshi Shrine

Which activity would you most want to do? If you’ve been to Osaka before what other recommendations do you have?

#osakajapan #travellingwithkids #cupofnoodles #universalstudiosjapan
6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAV 6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAVE + SHARE this post):

1. Link your Lyft and Skymiles accounts to earn 1 mile per $1 on US rides and 2miles per $1 on airport rides.

2. When booking Airbnb stays go to delta.com/Airbnb instead and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent on airbnbs.

3. Order groceries online with instacart? Go to instacart.com/delta to link your accounts and earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent. If you’re new to instacart you can also get 3 months free.

4. Link your Starbucks account with your Skymiles account at delta Starbucks.com and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks. Plus on days your flying with Delta, you’ll earn DOUBLE stars at Starbucks.

5. Sign up for SkyMiles dining at  Skymilesdining.com and is link your credit or debit card. Every time you use your card at a participating bar or restaurant, you’ll earn between 1-5 miles per $1 spent.

6. And nope you don’t have to use a Delta credit card to get miles for any of the above, no matter how you pay you’ll earn BUT is you do pay for them with a Delta co-branded credit card (there are several and depending on which one you have) you can earn anywhere from a additional 1-5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, even if they aren’t Delta airline tickets.

The cash price for the flight we took to Tokyo was $2,600pp so it would have cost me over $5,000 for this since it’s peak travel to Japan (never in my life would I pay that, we would have went somewhere else). Instead I only paid $118 total by using all of these ways to earn Delta miles over the past few years which gave me enough miles to redeem even though we don’t get to fly Delta on a regular since they don’t have the strongest presence at MIA airport as it’s American’s hub.

Do you use travel credit cards and/or points and miles from loyalty programs to offset the cost of travel? If so what are your favorite ones? Let’s all travel for less!
Konnichiwa from Japan! So excited to be spending s Konnichiwa from Japan! So excited to be spending spring break here with Jordyn on our annual mommy and me trip. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Japan right now (save + share this post):

1. US passport holders don’t need a visa to enter Japan for stays under 90 days but if you hold a different passport you may, so definitely check as passport holders from only 68 countries can visit visa free! 

2. Japan still has panini restrictions. Adults must have 3 doses or provide results of a (-) test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Children 6-18 are exempt if the accompanying adult has 3 doses or they have 3 doses themselves. If the accompanying adult doesn’t they too require - test results. Children under 6 are exempt from all requirements.

3. While Narita airport is well known, Haneda is actually the closet airport to Tokyo.

4. Everyone regardless of age needs to fill out a the questionnaire on Visit Japan Web (https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/). It is used for Immigration and Customs declaration procedures and will speed up your process on arrival to the airport in Japan.

5. Japan uses the Japanese Yen and the current exchange rate is $1 to ¥132 but this fluctuates so be sure to always check current exchange rates. Credit cards are widely accepted including AMEX but always travel with a Visa or Mastercard as a back up in addition to cash.

6. The train system in Japan is extremely functional and the main mode of transportation even to get in between cities. You have to ride the bullet train (Shinkansen) at least once while here! Walking is also popular and Ubers are available.

7. The rainy season is officially June-Mid July and very humid while spring and fall are the most popular times to visit. When visiting in March and April especially since it’s Cherry Blossom season expect lots of crowds and be prepared to book hotels well in advance.

I first visited Japan in 2015 and so excited to see how it’s changed since then and do some things I didn’t do before. We’ll be visiting Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. If you have any recommendations especially on the best places for ramen and mochi ice cream please let us know!

Have you been to Japan?
When I tell you the #GalaxyS23 Ultra has it all an When I tell you the #GalaxyS23 Ultra has it all and I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the features this phone has. Can’t wait to share more but I promise you don’t want to miss out on these amazing features. 

Tap the link in my bio to learn more about the Galaxy S23 Ultra and consider switching to @SamsungMobileUSA! 

#SamsungPartner #TeamGalaxy #WithGalaxy
3 Ways to Get Good Pictures of Your Kids (save and 3 Ways to Get Good Pictures of Your Kids (save and share this post)!

Because spring break, Easter and graduations is coming up I’m resharing my tried and true tips of taking good photos of your kids.

Have you tried these? What trips do you have coming up that you can test these out on?

#phototips #travellingwithkids

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The Best Places to Go for Halloween

October 4, 2022      Destinations, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee

Though Halloween is widely celebrated on October 31st, there are festivities going on all season long. Along with trick-or-treating you can discover plenty of parties, parades, and other spooky events starting as early as September. For those who take Halloween to the next level and want to celebrate beyond just trick-or-treating, traveling is the best way to go. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, or a night of terror, here is a list of the best places to go for Halloween.

Best Places to Go for Halloween in the U.S.

Orlando, Florida

While there is a lot to do in Orlando besides theme parks, the parks here make Orlando one of the best places to go for Halloween.

Living in Miami, we visit Disney often and have had the opportunity to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. During this special event Disney decorates the park with festive fall touches that bring the perfect amount of Halloween spirit. As the name suggests, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is the perfect Halloween celebration for those who want fun without the scares. Your little ones can dress up and trick-or-treat without worrying about any spooky encounters. During this time at the park you can find Halloween themed menus, Halloween shows, and a parade. It’s the perfect Halloween party with a Disney touch.

Join the Monster Party at Legoland’s Brick-or-treat Halloween event filled with frightfully festive fun. Featuring six themed zones throughout the park, you can experience the costume parade, limited-time attractions, live shows, character meet and greets, and of course trick-or-treating. Rides and attractions are decorated with Halloween decor to add to the thrill. You’ll also be able to try new specialty treats like the Lego Monster Rocker Apple Fries. This jam-packed Halloween event is the perfect amount of spooky and fun making it an awesome family-friendly celebration. Access to this Lego Halloween themed party is included with regular admission tickets. They also offer package deals to stay at the Brick-or-Treat Hotel.

For those who enjoy the horror and fright of Halloween, Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is where you want to be. This premier Halloween event features horrifying haunted houses, terrifying scare zones, and energetic live entertainment. Within the park you can find Universal cast members dressed up in the most dreadful costumes, some even jumping out at you with chainsaws and scythes. Though they won’t actually harm you, you’ll be looking over your shoulder quite often during your visit. Halloween Horror Nights offers 10 haunted houses for you to walk through with changing themes every year. Halloween Horror Nights 2022 has some newly themed haunted houses including a house inspired by the 1978 horror classic film Halloween. To add to the fun, you’ll also be able to enjoy Halloween themed food and festive specialty drinks at select dining locations within the park. The age requirement for this event is 13 and up.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Although New Orleans is widely known for its lively Madi Gras celebrations, their Halloween festivities are just as exciting. Spend your Halloween at New Orleans’ official Halloween celebration known as Krewe of BOO! This big event is more than just a parade, and hosts a weekend long celebration full of festivities. From happy hours in the French Quarter to extravagant costume parties, you’re bound to have a great time. For even more Halloween fun take a Haunted ghost tour through the neighborhood of Treme with French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours. I did this tour on a weekend trip to New Orleans and it was a great experience.

Las Vegas, Nevada

I absolutely love Las Vegas, so much that I’ve been a dozen times. While most people think of Vegas for gambling, parties and shows it’s one of the best places to go for Halloween. Activities include Moapa Valley Corn Maze for acres of fun, and experience HalloVeen at the Magical Forest which offers rides, carnival games, trick-or-treat stations, and much more. My family spent Halloween in Las Vegas while on a 6 day road trip through Nevada.

Franklin, Tennessee

We visited Franklin in October 2020 and discovered that they go all out for Halloween (details on our trip here). Along with trick-or-treating each year there are tons of festive activities going on. Stop by Landmark Booksellers for a special Halloween story time, and head to Main Street for trick or treating. The houses are decked out with Halloween decorations which makes the experience even more epic. We went to a home who turned their entire garage into a walk through Halloween house, homes that were shooting candy off the roof, and more. I have no idea how we’ll ever top this experience, it was truly one for the books.

Salem, Massachusetts

Experience one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the world at Salem Haunted Happenings. Salem welcomes over half-million visitors to join the parties, parades, vendor fairs, walking tours, museums, attractions, and special events. You can also find unique shops and a variety of food. There is so much to do at this Halloween event that they even offer a selection of accommodations including full-service hotels and historic bed & breakfasts.

Best Places to Go for Halloween Outside of the U.S.

Contrary to what some people might think, Halloween is not just celebrated in the US. While trick or treating may not be as popular in other countries the Halloween festivities can be huge, many rivaling the US. Check out the best places to go for Halloween Outside of the U.S. below.

Dublin, Ireland

What better place to go for Halloween than the place where it originated. Halloween festivities in Ireland are almost limitless as they have a deeper connection to the holiday. There is something for everyone whether you want to have a night of friendly spooky fun or a night of horror. 

Kick off the festivities with Halloween at Luggwoods for an adventurous outdoor treasure hunt. In the Enchanted Forest you and your crew can venture down the spooky forest trail to find the ingredients for the friendly witch’s brew. The forest is decorated with bright and festive Halloween decor making the adventure all the more fun. Of course you will be able to snag some treats while you’re there. Halloween at Luggwoods is suitable for small children and children up to 12 years old.

Not only has this event won multiple awards, but it is said to be one of the most terrifying Halloween celebrations in the city. The Nightmare Realm is one of Dublin’s largest indoor scream parks, and is the best place to spend Halloween for those who love a terrifying thrill. There is so much to do and see inside this park including a live DJ, food court, and Halloween town. This huge event also features games, giveaways, and so much more. Be prepared to encounter crazed clowns with chainsaws, vampires, and other ghouling creatures during your visit.

Scotland, United Kingdom

Calling all pumpkin lovers! Clyde Valley Family Park in Scotland UK hosts their annual Pumpkin Festival to celebrate Halloween. The park is decked out with spooky Halloween decor and themed music to enhance the experience. The festivities include pumpkin carving, word hunt, Halloween themed photo-op stations, a creepy corridor, and a fancy dress competition for both kids and adults. Along with all of these fun activities every child gets a free pumpkin. This Pumpkin Festival is a great family-friendly event that you’ll enjoy.

Hong Kong, China

Although still relatively new to celebrating, Hong Kong holds plenty of events to celebrate Halloween. Spend your Halloween at some of the biggest events of the season including Hong Kong Disneyland’s Haunted Halloween Celebration, Ocean Park, and Lan Kwai Fong Halloween Street Party. These events offer a variety of activities for adults and kids. Experience themed attractions, spectacular costumes, and exciting live entertainment.

Ontario, Canada

The award-winning Pumpkinferno event in Ontario Canada is a must if you’re visiting the country for Halloween. Take a mesmerizing stroll through the outdoor exhibit that features over 7000 pumpkins that have been carved and decorated. This spectacular illumination of handcrafted pumpkins is available to see starting late September through October. This event makes for an unforgettable experience, and a totally Instagram-worthy photo-op.

This year we’re headed to Williamsburg, Virginia for Halloween and we’ll see how they stack up against this list of the best places to visit go Halloween. Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it. Comment below with your favorite place to celebrate Halloween!

This year we’re headed to Williamsburg, Virginia for Halloween and we’ll see how they stack up against this list of the best places to visit go Halloween. Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it. Comment below with your favorite place to celebrate Halloween!

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Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

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