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Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in o Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in our step.  While we’ve always raised our girls to know they can be or do anything we couldn’t be more excited for them to have witnessed #HERstory themselves today. How y’all feeling on this glorious Wednesday? #representationmatters #thefutureisfemale
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “The time is always right to do what is right.” Nearly 53 years later and these words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are words that fit so perfectly in today’s society, that is a sad truth.

My dream for America would be for it to get its shit together. For the many Americans in denial of what is actually happening in this country to wake up. For allies to be loud all the time, not just on #blackouttuesday. The work Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped start is not done and I’m afraid it never will be. 

From visiting his birth home (swipe left) to where he was assassinated, we’ll always strive to be our children’s best teachers. Remember it starts at home! #mlkday
Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I am so happy our “how we afford to travel so much” series and photography tips have been helpful, more coming soon! Just wanted to share a little more about us. We’re Monet, James, Jordyn and Kennedy and we live in South Florida. I started The Traveling Child in 2016 to inspire parents to travel the world with their kids while providing tips to make it easier and affordable. Our motto is if kids live there, kids can visit and you’ll often find us exploring destinations most don’t consider “kid friendly”. 

Hubby and I met at the one and only University of Florida #gogators. We’ve been together for 14yrs and have our 8yr wedding anniversary coming up soon. Our love for travel isn’t new, 2 months into our relationship we studied abroad together in China.

Jordyn is 6, Kennedy is 4 and they both go to regular public school because well homeschool is not for us lol, but school has been virtual recently because of you know what. Still travel with school aged kids is possible and there are flight deals during school breaks!

James works in sales in Corporate America in an office setting so while I have my own business now we do have tips on traveling frequently with a full time job as well.

I’m Jamaican and well that means I’m a hustler lol. I’m the author of the children’s book, The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro (available on Amazon), a freelance writer for The Points Guy and wannabe photographer.  I also write for our own blog/website www.thetravelingchild.co where we share our tips on affordable travel, traveling with kids and providing the itineraries for all the places we’ve traveled to.

While travel is the main focus of this page we’re parents too so we also share things we find helpful raising these kids and sometimes random dance videos 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Now that you know a little bit about us, tell us a little bit about you! Or ask us any questions you have!
How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight deal for $395RT (tip from our how we afford to travel so much part 1 reel) and coupled that with points earned from a sign up bonus from a travel card. That cards bonus was 100,000 points which was redeemable for $1,250 in travel purchases. $395x3 plus only the taxes for Kennedy’s lap infant ticket meant we paid nothing out of pocket for the fights there! (Save and share this post.)

Is this series helpful? What do you want me to cover in part 3?

P.S. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using points and miles and 60 seconds is def not enough to go in depth. So I’m hosting a webinar on Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm EST where I’ll tell and show you how to find and book flight deals, go over travel credit cards and the other tools we use to afford travel so much. You will be able to ask all the questions you want and because of that it’s an intimate event with only 30 tickets available. Can’t wait to help you learn the tools to afford travel now so when the world is completely open you’re prepared! #traveltipsandtricks
I have so much to say but at the same time don’t I have so much to say but at the same time don’t have the words. This day will go down in history!
It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas h It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas hands are tired so I’m going to do as I said through my word of the year (check last post) and release these hair responsibilities to someone else next week, it’s time for the girls to get some braids. Buttttt if you’re looking for their natural hair routine, click the link in my bio for it. Are you team protective style or wear your hair out? 

For protective styles what are you go to’s? I need some inspo as I grow my hair back out for this in between phase. #naturalhairstyles
Words are so powerful and my word for this year wi Words are so powerful and my word for this year will be the reason I accomplish all the goals I have set forth this year. Are you letting go of anything in 2021? Do you have a word of the year, if so what is it?

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5 Reasons to Travel Throughout Europe By Train

September 10, 2017      Destinations, Europe

We embarked on a four-country trip through Europe with an infant and a toddler. This might sound expensive and daunting but it wasn’t. We made country hopping affordable by traveling throughout Europe by train. Here is why train travel is Europe is the best!

How to Get to Europe Cheaply

Getting to Europe will be the most expensive part. Always start your trip by flying into the cheapest city on your itinerary. For our most recent trip we went to Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Brussels. Scoring a deal on Delta for $400RT to Amsterdam, it was the cheapest city to fly into so that’s where we started. Here is are the websites with the best flight deals.

Reasons to Travel Europe by Train

Costs Are Lower Traveling Europe by Train vs Flying

When looking at our options to get from Amsterdam to Paris, the train was the clear winner. While the cost for a budget airline was 37 Euros, the cost for the train was 35 Euros. I know what you are thinking it’s just 2 Euros more. However, when you add the cost of children and luggage the cost of the flights skyrockets. The budget airline charges full price for kids 2 and up. They even charges for lap infants under 2. The lap infant was 20 Euros so the cost for our family of 4 would be 131 Euros.

Budget airlines offer minimal free luggage. Most only allow 10kg (22lbs) of carry-on luggage and no checked luggage. While this can include a stroller, it would take the place of any other type of luggage you had. The stroller allowed can also only be an umbrella stroller, if you have a different stroller or car seat/stroller combo you would have to pay extra. Adults are allowed the same 22lbs of carry-on luggage. If your bag is heavier you will need to purchase additional weight starting at 13 Euros.The train however is free for kids under 4 and kids 4-12 are 50% off. There are also no restrictions on the weight or the amount of luggage you bring. Our total train cost was 70 Euros while we would have paid at least 144 Euros to fly a budget airline.

Less Hassle Entering and Departing Countries

Unless you are entering or departing London via Eurostar you do not have to go through security or customs to travel within Europe. You simply arrive to the train station a few minutes before departure, board, store your luggage, and find your seat, if you have one assigned. This alone cuts hours from your transportation time you’d normally spend arriving to the airport 2hrs in advance and then going through customs and immigration upon arrival.

You Arrive Straight to the City Center

Often times flying into large cities like Paris and London leave you in the outskirts of the city. Heathrow International Airport is 45mins outside of the city by public transportation and takes even longer driving due to traffic. St. Pancras Station on the other hand leaves you in the heart of London with many hotels nearby. This saves travel time on your arrival and your departure.

You’ll Be Taking the Scenic Route

Traveling Europe by train means you’ll get to see parts of the country you otherwise wouldn’t see and surely not from the sky. Enjoy the beautiful country side of each country your train passes through and have a relaxing ride.

Stay Connected When Traveling Europe by Train

Most Europe train systems offer free wi-fi so you can stay connected on your journey. Many also offer power outlets to charge all of your electronics. You will also be able to send and receive text messages or make a phone call in an emergency.

European Train Systems

There are many different Europe train systems. Here are are a few we have traveled by and had great experiences on.

Eurostar– What we took from Paris to London but it also goes to other destinations
NS International– What we used to get from Amsterdam to Paris and Brussels to Amsterdam
Trenitalia– Great for travel throughout Italy
Eurail– Great for extensive long term travel throughout Europe as it offers unlimited passes

I hope you have learned by it’s best to travel Europe by train and the best Europe train systems. If you found this article helpful please share it!


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cara says

    September 26, 2017 at 9:56 am

    This is such a great resource! Thank you for showing the actual break down in the cost difference between using a budget airline and traveling by train. I love love LOVE the concept of your blog, because I haven’t even had a little one yet but my husband and I hear all the time that traveling life ends once the babies are born, and it’s just something we refuse to accept and believe. My mother traveled with my brother and I all the time! Can’t wait to read more posts about your time with your family in Europe!

  2. Jasamine Hill says

    September 26, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Thanks for the tips! I have been thinking about a trip to Europe in the near future will def keep take your advice to make the most of my trip (and save money!)

  3. Randie says

    September 26, 2017 at 11:51 pm

    Wow. This was so informative. I had no idea it cost so much, especially for young children, to travel by air. It’s literally insane. Having to choose between luggage and a stroller? No ma’am.
    These tips are definitely good to have in mind when traveling. I honestly never even considered depending solely on public transportation when traveling abroad, but evidently it’s the best bet. Thank you!

  4. Taylor says

    September 27, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Great tips! First time I went to Europe we did everything via bus. Lol so slow but got to see a lot. This sounds much more interesting.

  5. Noelle says

    October 5, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Thanks for the train tips! Love your blog and beautiful family!

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Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

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