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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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Tips for Preventing and Handling Jet-lag With Kids

December 20, 2016      Tips on Traveling with Kids, Trip Planning Tips

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.

girl sitting on the plane with headphones on

As if the thought of flying across the country or world with your child isn’t scary enough, your destination could leave you with worries about how your little one will adjust to the time difference once you arrive. We have made several long haul flights with kids such as Kenya and Thailand and here are my tips on ways to prevent jet-lag or handle it, if preventing it is impossible. If your baby is under 3 months their sleep schedule is likely still all over the place and the time change won’t make a big difference for them.

How to Prevent Jet Lag When Booking Your Flight

If your flight length is between 7-10 hrs and you’re heading east book an overnight flight if possible. This is because the flight length coupled with the time difference has you arriving at your destination in the morning or early afternoon. When we traveled to Italy when Jordyn was 15 months our flight departed JFK at 8:45PM and we arrived in Venice at 11:13AM. This allowed Jordyn to go to sleep around the same time she normally would and then wake up with a full day ahead of her. She adjusted really well on this trip and only woke up during the night on the 1st day. Even if you can’t book an overnight flight try to book a flight that lands during the day, it is easier to force your child to stay up than it is to force them to sleep when they aren’t tired.

Related: Tips on Flying with Babies and Tips on Flying with Toddlers

Adjust Your Watch To Your Destinations Time As Soon As You Get on The Plane

When we traveled to Phuket as soon as we got on the plane I pretended as if we were already there. Our flight was at 7:40PM which meant it was 7:40AM in Thailand. Jordyn takes her nap during the day at 1:00PM so even though it meant her staying up past her normal bed time I kept her occupied on the plane for the first 5hrs. Then I let her sleep as it was now the time in Thailand that she normally naps. Usually she naps for 3hrs but since I knew she would be tired from being up so long I let her nap for 5hrs. I was prepared for her to be cranky so I had a lollipop ready for her when I woke her up, worked like a charm.

We had now killed 9 of the 13 hour flight and she watched movies until we landed. When we landed in Doha for our layover it was 4:30PM local time but 8:30PM in Thailand and we had 4hrs until our next flight. We ate and she played at the playground by our gate for a while and then she knocked out about 2hrs before our flight was set to depart. This leg was 7hrs and she slept the entire flight. When we landed it was morning and we went about our day.

It may not be the easiest to commit to this schedule but I promise you it will get them on your destinations time as quickly as possible which will only make your trip better. This schedule also works great for adults!

Keep Your Child on The Same Schedule

If getting on your destinations time from the flight doesn’t work for you once you arrive at your destination immediately put your child on the same schedule you would at home according to your new time zone. If you arrive at night but your home town is currently in day time it will probably be difficult to get them to sleep right away so let them stay up a little while to burn off some energy but not too late. It may take them a little longer to fall asleep but follow whatever bedtime routine you have at home so your child knows what to expect. Turn off the lights and electronics. Lay with them if you need to. Eventually they will fall asleep. If they wake up in the middle of the night remind them it’s still night time and they need to go back to sleep. If they are hungry give them a light healthy snack and get them back to bed as quick as possible. You may even need to take a walk with them but whatever you do try to have them up for no more than an hour before going back to bed. If they are still sound asleep past the time they normally get up wake them up so they get back on their home schedule.

Prevent Jet Lag by Avoiding Long Naps

If you arrive during the day try skipping your child’s nap this 1st day to ensure they sleep through the night. However, depending on your child’s age, skipping a nap could be unbearable for both child and parent. If it’s impossible for your child to skip their nap don’t let them nap for more than 1.5-2hrs as this will make it harder for them to sleep through the night.

Have A Plan to Keep Your Child Awake

If you are arriving during the day but it would usually be the time your child is sleeping at home be prepared to keep them up. Sitting in a hotel room or watching T.V. will not be a viable option. Head to the park where your child will want to play and be outdoors in the sunlight.

Sleep When Your Child Goes to Sleep

You probably got the advice of napping when your newborn naps to help sleep deprivation. You should do the same when adjusting to a new time zone. This way if your child wakes up super early you will be as rested as possible to tend to their needs.

Plan A Light First Day to Prevent Jet Lag with Kids

As it may take a few days for your child to adjust, the 1st day will potentially be the hardest. I suggest planning for a relaxed day one. This is probably not the day to do a tour of the Colosseum, Christ the Redeemer, or another once in a lifetime destination in case of a toddler meltdown.

Push Back Their Bedtime

If your child normally goes to bed at 8PM, try to get them to stay up until 10PM or so. This should make it easier for them to sleep through this first night and allow them to get back to their normal schedule or as close to it on day 2.

Adjusting to The Time Change Is Usually Harder on the Return

The excitement of being in a new place can help your child to stay up during the day even if they are tired. However when you get back home and are trying to settle back into your regular routine this is when it might take longer for your child to get back to their normal schedule.

What tips do you have on dealing with jetlag? Leave them in the comments below!

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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