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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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5 Caribbean Islands To Visit During Hurricane Season Outside Of The Hurricane Belt

May 28, 2021      Aruba, Caribbean, Destinations

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

Have you been thinking of beautiful beaches, balmy breezes, and sipping a fruity island drink with your toes in the sand? It is that time of year, but it is also coming up on hurricane season. When planning for your next island vacation, we have a great list of Caribbean islands you might want to consider outside of the hurricane belt

The Caribbean is a beautiful region of the world that many people are drawn to, and it’s no surprise that these shores are a popular destination for vacationers from all over the globe. There is always a portion of the year when it can be challenging to know which islands are safe to visit and which ones may be hit by hurricanes.

It’s nice to know there are several Caribbean islands outside of the hurricane belt with plenty of rays, gorgeous beaches, and relaxing accommodations that make the perfect destination for your next Caribbean vacation.

From Barbados to St. Lucia, here is a list of 5 Caribbean islands for fun in the sun outside of the hurricane belt (meaning they’re relatively safe).

What Is The Hurricane Belt?

A palm tree with leaves bending in the wind with an ocean in turmoil behind it due to an approaching hurricane in the Caribbean hurricane belt.

To get the technical stuff out of the way, the hurricane belt is the region between about 20° North and 35°N latitude where hurricanes are most likely to form. It is also the area of the world that gets hit by hurricanes more often than other areas. In general, this includes many of the Caribbean Islands and tropical regions in North America.

Why Is It Called The Hurricane Belt?

When a tropical cyclone forms over the Atlantic Ocean or the eastern Pacific Ocean, they are called hurricanes. The term “hurricane belt” originated in the 1970s and is in reference to how hurricanes usually form along this location of Earth, then moving westward towards North America.

Though If the conditions are right, hurricanes can pop at any time in a tropical zone with warm water temperatures of about 80 degrees F or higher; combine these warm waters with a belt of generally east-to-west flow called the trade winds and viola! A tropical storm develops.

How Is The Hurricane Belt Different From Hurricane Alley?

Hurricane alley is a slightly smaller and considered a more dangerous area within the hurricane belt because there’s a 75% or more chance of a tropical storm forming in that area in any given year.

Storm surges, flooding, and landslides can cause more damage than wind speeds. The islands outside of the hurricane belt are more stable in terms of weather, so these conditions help to reduce significant damage even if a hurricane does hit them.

Before going on vacation during hurricane season (June to November), one thing to be aware of before going on holiday is the options available to you outside of the hurricane belt. The chances of being in the path of a direct land strike by these storms are low.

5 Gorgeous Caribbean Island Getaways To Visit During Hurricane Season

A lagoon with crystal clear water surrounded by vacation huts in the Caribbean island.

1. Curacao

Curacao is an island located just outside of the hurricane belt in the Caribbean Sea and offers some great opportunities for safe travel during this time. Whether you’re looking to experience a bustling metropolis or get lost on secluded beaches, Curacao has got it all!

One of our favorite shopping districts is the Boulevard Paseo Herenda, found near the high-rise resorts in Palm Beach. After you’ve bought out the stores, there’s plenty of special events: live water shows, dancers, and nightly entertainment. With lots of cafés and restaurants throughout, everyone can find something they like during their stay at this unique destination

There may be a lot to see and do in Curacao, but don’t visit without sampling some of the savory local fare, including Keshi Yena, widely considered the signature dish of Curaçao. (Think a stuffed, baked pastry with spicy meat, but they make the pastry shell out of cheese! yum!)

A sign sitting in the white sand on Curacao Island with the blue ocean in the background in the middle of hurricane season with blue skies and not a storm in site.

The beautiful beaches are perfect for enjoying the sun or experiencing excellent scuba diving at the Curacao Underwater Natural Park. It’s home to over 130 species of coral reef fish and supports schools of dolphins, sharks, whales, manta rays, and sea turtles.

If you’re looking to explore even more remote islands within this region, then head over to Klein Curacao, which provides another opportunity for exploration without having to worry about hurricanes

2. St. Vincent And The Grenadines

One of our favorite destinations outside the hurricane belt on this list has to be St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Grenadine Islands are the “Jewel of the Caribbean” with their tranquil atmosphere, crystal clear waters, and white powder sand beaches.

Grenadine Islands off of St. Vincent lay right outside the hurricane belt and are a great option for people looking to visit the Caribbean during hurricane season

The Grenadines are gorgeous islands north-east from St. Vincent, consisting of 25 uninhabited or private resort islands, surrounded by coral reefs perfect for swimming or snorkeling – you’ll be able to see turtles, urchins, and other marine life here as well.

St Vincent is the southernmost of the Windward Islands, with a history steeped in British colonialism. While it is home to approximately 110,000 people, it is also home to a 4,000-foot La Soufrière volcano in the La Soufrière National Park.

St. Vincent is a mountainous tropical island that features lush vegetation, wildflowers, and waterfalls in its interior regions. The island’s climate is usually “cool and breezy,” making it an excellent destination to visit. And did I mention that the percentage of hurricane activity in this area is about 0%!

The capital city of Kingstown offers shopping, historical sites as well as some delicious street food! You can also check out Saba or Montserrat, both just a few hours away from Kingstown by ferry. Or, if you’re looking for more remote beach destinations, then head over to Canouan or Union Island, which also provide opportunities for safe travel outside of the hurricane belt in The Caribbean Sea.

3. Aruba

A mom with her daughter squatting down in the ocean surrounded by flamingos enjoying a Caribbean vacation during hurricane season.

It would be hard for anyone to dispute; Aruba is one of the most popular destinations in The Caribbean Sea in or out of hurricane season. With good reason – it has beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by turquoise water!

This destination, steeped in old-world charm, has a range of options for all types of travelers. Choose from luxury resorts that offer five-star service or vacation rentals for your family and friends for a more laid-back vibe.

Aruba boasts a wealth of adventure seeker activities, including biking and hiking trails that take you through scenic landscapes. You’ll find lush vegetation, flamingos, and a thrilling variety of reptiles. Herpetologists aren’t the only ones who will be thrilled with the endemic Aruba Leaf-toed Gecko, the turquoise Aruba Whiptail lizard, and let’s not forget about the Baker’s cat-eyed snake! (On second thought, let’s forget the snake.)

Shopping plaza in Aruba with buildings and stores.

Aruba is also known as one of the best places to find duty-free shopping and if you just can’t resist bringing home some great souvenirs, then head over to Royal Plaza Kukoo Mall. The shops sell everything from jewelry, shoes, handbags, electronics, and designer clothing at discounted prices

After a day on a beautiful beach for you party people, Kukoo Kunuku’s “Best Way To See Local Spots” promises not to disappoint. Choose your chaos on the party bus for wine tours, pub crawls, or Happy Kukoo Hour tours. Or get a group of your nearest and dearest and book a private party. It looks like you have no choice but to have a whole lot of fun!

4. Bonaire

Bonaire is a Dutch Caribbean island with low-key luxury resorts, pristine beaches, and plenty of water sports. The small island’s nickname “Sea Horse Island” comes from its shape: two perimeters of land framing the sea on all sides. It lies near Curacao in northern Leeward Antilles Islands, just between Aruba and Venezuela.

For those seeking tranquility outside the hurricane belt, Bonaire is a great option. This Caribbean island gets an average of nine hours of sun, per day, throughout the hurricane season and has plenty of beaches you can explore. There are fantastic dive sites like Klein Bonaire National Park and the famous Chachacha Beach in Kralendijk.

A man jumping off a boat into the ocean to swim in the Caribbean sea

Bonaire is a popular destination for tourists and divers worldwide because of the eco-preservation enforced since the 1970s. These efforts have maintained the incredible local dive sites as some of the best in the world, rich with marine life.

Some of the best things to do in Bonaire are to head for some of its hidden gems:

  • Visit the Dutch colonial town where you can explore historic buildings such as Fort Oranje & Christoffel Columbus House
  • Take a hike in the rainforest and try to spot some of Bonaire’s famous flamingos
  • Snorkel with sea turtles from one side of the island to the other
  • Kayak and explore Bonaire’s coastline with its white-sand beaches, secluded coves & friendly locals

Keep in mind when visiting Bonaire is that while there have been no hurricanes reported there in recent history, they do occasionally happen near neighboring islands which can disrupt air travel. On its own, this Caribbean island offers relative safety outside the hurricane belt. So if you’re looking for a more laid-back destination that also provides peace of mind, this may be your best bet!

5. Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad light house on a bay show casing lush greenery and turquoise waters right outside of the hurricane belt.

Trinidad is a two-island nation in the Caribbean. It’s best known for its Carnival celebration, which begins on January 18 and lasts until Ash Wednesday. But since we are planning a chill Caribbean vacation during the summer months, you can keep this in mind when you fall in love with these sister islands and want to head back.

Tobago is another portion of this Caribbean island, located just northeast of Trinidad. It’s known for being more laid-back and less expensive than its sister country.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, is a feast for the eyes. It’s well-known as one of the most colorful cities in the Caribbean, and it doesn’t disappoint with its vibrant culture, music scene, cuisine and historic buildings.

The two islands are famous for their steel bands, congas (a drum), and calypso music. You can’t go wrong when it comes to food–from roadside shacks cooking fresh seafood dishes on open fires to high-end restaurants serving sophisticated international cuisine.

Who doesn’t want to see a scarlet ibis, the national bird of Trinidad that looks like a blood orange flamingo? You need to visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, a 12,000-acre mangrove forest, and you can set up a birding tour if you like. If the island’s northern rainforest is calling you, there are many delights at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, along with the elusive Guiana dolphin.

A bay in Tobago with blue waters a few boats and lush greenery all around.

The country’s beaches are considered some of the best in the Caribbean. (Hmmm seems almost every Caribbean destination worth its salt makes that claim!) But in Tobago, Pigeon Point is often called the most beautiful beach, and you won’t find many who disagree. Turquoise waters, palm trees and white sands provide you with the classic Caribbean beach experience.

No matter which island you are on, both have a “Fort George,” Ok, Tobago’s is Fort King George, but both offer stunning views and a taste of colonial history. Just be sure to tell the rest of your party which island you are meeting up at if your rendezvous point is at the “fort!”

Fortunately for summer travelers, Trinidad and Tobago lie just below the hurricane belt, so there is less chance for a hurricane to interrupt your Caribbean getaway. While not occurring during hurricane season if you want to experience one of the most amazing events in Trinidad you should definitely plan a trip to attend Trinidad’s Carnival. An experience of a lifetime, you can read what to expect and how to prepare for it here.

I played Mas with Rogue and this was the Kitana costume.

Hurricanes can be a genuine concern for many of us when planning vacations for those summer months of June to November

If you’re looking to relax, regroup, and restore but don’t want to worry about being in the path of a storm, consider visiting one or more of these five Caribbean islands that are outside the hurricane belt during the summer months. These beaches offer respite from your busy life without having to be on high alert every minute!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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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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