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I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at th I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at this view from the top of the Kloof Corner hike! The biggest way we’re able to afford traveling so much is by letting the deals dictate where we go. Cape Town has been on our bucket list forever but with flights typically costing $1,200-$1,800 it hasn’t been a priority. But when Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going, I don’t like the new name but that’s besides the point) dropped this Cape Town deal for less than half of what it normally costs we jumped on it!

So often I hear “but there are no deals during school breaks”, YES THERE ARE! We went to Cape Town for Thanksgiving and the girls get the entire week off of school so they missed no days. Plus since there seasons are opposite it was late spring and the weather was amazing. Scott’s emails deals directly to your inbox for the airports you choose (we select our home airport and airports we can easily fly direct to and always have cheap flights because sometimes it’s worth flying to a city for a deal (known as a repositioning flight). They offer a free version but you don’t get all the deals so we have the Premium subscription which costs $49 for a year and you can tap the link in my bio and use code TRAVELINGCHILD20 for 20% off. They have an Elite membership level for business class seats. Because someone always asks, yes they give deals for nonstop flights but please remember you can’t fly everywhere nonstop. Beloved if you’re going to Thailand from the US you’re going to have a layover.

Anyway when in Cape Town you must hike, there are so many amazing ones! This Kloof’s Corner hike is perfect for sunset. It’s not stroller or wheelchair accessible as there are stairs but if Jordyn and Kennedy can hike it in 40mins (one way up) I promise you don’t have to be super fit!

P.S. when booking a flight from the US you have 24 hours to cancel & get a refund (on flights booked 7 days in advance). So many ppl told me they hesitated on this deal because they had to see if they could get off work/what dates worked for their travel partners. Always book first, think second & just cancel within 24hrs if you can’t make it work! What’s the best flight deal you’ve booked?
Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s every Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s everything you need to know about getting into South Africa (save + share this post):

1. Your passport must be valid for 30 days after your scheduled date of departure.

2. You must have 2 consecutive empty pages in your passport.

3. There is no visa required for US citizens for visits less than 90 days.

4. There are no shots required to travel to South Africa, unless you are traveling from or transiting through yellow-fever deemed countries, then a yellow fever shot is required. You can find a list of these countries online.

5. South Africa has opposite seasons than the US so our winter is their summer. December to February are peak travel due to the weather but if you visit in November like we did you’ll get good weather and avoid the massive crowds of peak season.

Have you visited South Africa? If so, which part? If not, is it on your list?
Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners? Are you the one in your group that plans the trip or do you just show up? If you’re the planner tag your friends 😅. If you just show up do you look at the itinerary or ask all the questions even though the info was given to you 👀?

Original reel idea credit goes to @kryssedeal, sis really nailed exactly how I feel!!
#sponsored Last year we were able to cross some am #sponsored Last year we were able to cross some amazing places off our bucket list. We want you to do the same so we’ve teamed up with @vrbo to give you the opportunity to win $3,500 and turn your bucket list trip into a book-it-list one! 

Just head over to the giveaway post on @vrbo, make sure you’re following them and tag 3 people you’d want to join you on your trip! 

So what is your book-it list vacation this year?

*T&Cs apply – link in bio

 #VrboTogether #BookItList
Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post):

1. Visit the various houses of worship like Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque. Suleymaniye Camii, Ortakoy Mosque, Chora Church and the Camlica Mosque

2. Tour palaces like Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace

3. Climb the Galata Tower for amazing views of Istanbul. You can even enjoy a meal here at the restaurant on the top floor.

4. Take a cruise of the Bosphorus to see both the European and Asia side of Istanbul.

5. Visit the cities Bazaars, the Grand Bazaar where you can shop your heart out and the Spice Bazaar where you can eat your heart out. Don’t leave without trying a Turkish delight!

6. If you want to go shopping Istiklal is the place to do so. They have a wide range of stores including international chains like Zara.

7. See a Dervish show at Hodjapasha.

8. Walk across the Galata Bridge to see fisherman at work and then walk under it to taste their fresh catches.

9. Take a day trip to the Princes’ Islands.

10. Experience a Turkish Hammam.

11. Explore the neighborhood of Balet, enjoying the colorful building and have some traditional Turkish tea or my favorite Apple Tea.

12. Turkey has some amazing food so go on a food tour or take a cooking class. If you don’t do either just make sure not to leave without having a traditional Turkish breakfast!

I recommend at least 5 days in Istanbul but you can easily spend a week or more exploring the city.

Have you been to Istanbul? If not is it on your list? For those that have been what was your favorite thing to do?

#istanbul #bucketlistadventures
Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post): 3 n Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post):

3 nights Siwa: Shali Fortress, 4x4 safari in the Great Sand Sea, sunset on Fatnas Island, emple of Amun and Temple of the Oracle, take a look or a dip into Cleopatra Spring, Mountain of the Dead, House of Siwa Museum, float in the salt lakes.

5 nights Cairo: Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx,  Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Khal Al Khalil, Old and Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Al Azhar Mosque and the Fortress of Babylon, see an Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri. For a break from the historical things with kids spend a day at Dreamland Park, Kidzania, or Ski Egypt. Stay at Marriott Mena House.

3 nights Luxor: Hot air balloon ride, Luxor Museum, Mummification museum, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Colossi Statue of Memnon and Hatshpsut

3 nights Aswan: High Dam, Temple of Philae, Nubian Villages, Sail on the Nile by Felucca, Nubian Museum, Abu Simbel

On the way to Aswan from Luxor you can also stop to see the Temple of Horus and Kim Ombo Temple. If you have extra time visit Alexandria, Bahariya Oasis, and White Desert National Park to see the White Desert.

Have you been to Egypt? Is it on your list? There is so much to see outside of Cairo! 

#bucketlisttravel #cairoegypt #luxoregypt #aswan
OUR MOROCCO ITINERARY (save + share this post):

🇲🇦2 nights Chefchaouen- painting class, hiking, enjoying the Blue City and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Fes- Royal palaces, Moroccan dance class, visit the tannery and more

🇲🇦6 nights Marrakech- Majorelle Gardens, explore the Medina, explore the various mosques, stay in a riad, take a Moroccan cooking class and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Sahara Desert- ATV tour, sand boarding, Bedouin experience and more.

For all the details of each trip tap the link in my bio for the itineraries of each city. Have you been to Morocco? Is it on your list?

P.S. the girls were 3 and 5 on this trip

#moroccotrip #thisisafrica #travellingwithkids

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The Jamaica Packing List You Need

July 13, 2019      Caribbean, Destinations, Jamaica

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.

My family is from Jamaica, St. Elizabeth parish to be exact. I’ve grown up visiting nearly every year and have explored Ocho Rios, Negril, Portland, Kingston and of course St. Elizabeth. So trust me, you need this Jamaica packing list!

 

Jamaica Packing List

Insect Repellent

There are a lot of mosquitos in Jamaica. Unfortunately some of them do carry diseases like Dengue Fever and Zika. That doesn’t mean you can’t visit, it just means you should consider extra precautions to prevent as many bites as possible. Whether you’re into DEET or a natural form of repellent, be sure to pack some! 


Mosquito Net

If you’re staying at a resort in Ocho Rios, Negril or Montego Bay you can get away with not packing a mosquito net. However if you’re visiting Portland, St. Elizabeth or staying at a smaller boutique hotel or airbnb it’s best you pack your own. While some of these places may provide one you don’t know if it will have any holes and it’s better to be safe than sorry.


 

Waterproof Phone Case or GoPro

If there is one thing not to forget off your Jamaica packing list it’s this. Jamaica has a ton of water activities, so whether you’re snorkeling, climbing a waterfall or swimming at the beach or pool I’m sure you’ll want to capture those moments. If you don’t do water activities often you can just get a waterproof phone case. However, if you are always going on trips with lots of water involved especially snorkeling or diving I recommend getting a GoPro. I absolutely love mine, here is a video I made with it just using a selfie stick.


Portable Battery Pack

Chances are you’ll be out and about exploring the island or relaxing on the beach all day. Either way you won’t have access to an outlet so be sure to bring a portable battery pack. This one by Jackery Giant is my favorite, it can charge two phones or iPads at once and recharges my phone up to 3 times.

Thinking of Visiting Other Islands: See Our Itineraries for Aruba, Cuba, The Bahamas, and Grand Cayman

Snorkel Mask

I know I’m a little weird but yes I travel with my own snorkel mask. I just don’t like biting the mouth piece that everyone else has used. I’m also more comfortable with the full face masks so I always bring my own. Doing this also saves me money on excursions where you have to pay extra to rent snorkel gear.

mom and daughter wearing snorkel masks

Beach Bag

Even though I forget mine 50% of the time I always wish I’d have remembered or am thanking myself I did. The times I have to bring my backpack instead I get so irritated when there is sand all in it or it inevitably gets wet. To help I also pack a wet bag so I have somewhere to put my swimsuit if I change before getting in the car.

Quick Dry Towel

While you will have access to beach towels at your resort you may or may not be able to take them with you on excursions. If you’re staying at an Airbnb they most likely won’t even provide beach towels. That’s why I always travel with my own lightweight quick dry towel. I’m team carry-on so I don’t have space for bulky towels and wet towels are annoying.


Sunscreen

Listen, the sun in Jamaica is no joke, especially during the summer months. You can definitely buy sunscreen in Jamaica as a last resort but expect to pay top dollar for it. That’s why it’s better to pack your own. We personally love Black Girl Sunscreen as it doesn’t leave a white residue on our brown skin. 


Aloe Vera Gel

If you forgot to apply your sunscreen or just burn easily in general you’ll be happy you packed some Aloe Vera Gel. It is the cure for burning skin as it cools down the area burned. I like to keep mine in the fridge as when it’s cold it gives a more instant relief.


Jamaican Dollars

While I’m typically team use my credit card for everything Jamaica is the exception. The resorts will accept credit cards (although not always American Express) but local vendors and smaller attractions may not. It’s best to exchange your US dollars to Jamaican dollars as you will always get a better rate with local currency on the island. 

Water Shoes

If you plan on climbing any waterfalls in Jamaica you will need water shoes. Again, pack your own because desperation will get you and it will cost more for a pair outside of the waterfall you’re visiting.


Sneakers

Yes, I know you are visiting a tropical island but pack your sneakers. If you want to go zip-lining, ATVing or any other adventurous activity you will need a pair of sneakers to participate.

Car Seats

If you are traveling with children bring your car seat. The roads in Jamaica are no joke and you’ll want your kids strapped in for what sometimes can be a bumpy ride. If you’ve never traveled with a car seat, here are some tips. 

Items to Help You Pack for Jamaica

Packing Cubes

If you’re not already using packing cubes you are missing out on a great travel hack. Packing cubes allow us to easily pack light and stay organized. They are seriously the best invention ever!


Travel Size Bottles

Since we do travel carry-on only we can’t pack full size hair products, sunscreen, etc. Travel size bottles make sure we stick to the 3.4 oz rule for liquids so nothing gets taken away from TSA.


Carry-On Suitcase

If you don’t have a carry-on suitcase I love our AWAY ones. While they are a bit expensive, they are the best pieces of luggage I’ve ever had. I’ve had no issue rolling them down cobble stoned streets and they come with a lifetime warranty. I used to always buy my luggage from Ross or TJ Maxx for the savings but honestly with as many times as I’ve had to replace them I could have had a family set of AWAY a long time ago. You can save $20 on your purchase here.

two toddlers with suitcases

This Jamaica packing list should have you fully prepared to have an amazing Jamaica vacation. Did you find this post helpful? Please share it!

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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