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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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Sleeping On The Go With Young Kids

June 16, 2017      Tips on Traveling with Kids

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.

​One question I get asked often is what we do about sleeping arrangements while we are on vacation. It’s varied a lot and quite honestly sometimes it’s been uncomfortable! Luckily as our travels have continued I’ve found a few products that have improved our comfort level in the sleeping department. Here are some of the products that have worked for us.

Tips for Sleeping On A Plane with Kids

Products to help infants sleep on a plane

On international flights we always request a bassinet. After booking your flight you can call the airline and secure this free of charge. There are limited seats that can accommodate a bassinet so don’t wait until the last minute.  I’ve found on most airlines the weight limit to use these are between 20-25lbs.  For domestic flights since the bassinet it not an option I use my carrier once the flight has taken off. This allows me to be hands free and both girls have always loved the carrier and slept amazingly in it.

baby bassinet on airplane

Products to help toddlers sleep on a plane

Flight hammocks are a real thing and a lifesaver! We were lucky enough to get our hands on the Fly LegsUp and wow!!! It basically turns your economy seat into a bed for your toddler which also gives the adults more comfort as said toddler is no longer laying on and/or tossing and turning on you.

Here’s a picture of Jordyn using it on one of our flights while traveling to Thailand. For my full review click here and use promo code MRSCLAUSE for 20% off your order.

little girl sleeping on the plane

Adults: Fly LegsUp also sells an adult version which I recently used on our flight home from Copenhagen. It serves as a foot rest which allowed me to elevate my feet and sleep sideways with my head against Jordyn’s seat. It’s best used in an aisle seat unless you know the other people in the row with you. I’m 5’2” and it definitely improved my comfort level but I’ll have to get my husband to try it out to see if it has the same affect on taller individuals.
​Viator​​
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Tips for Sleeping At Our Destination

The Best Travel Cribs for Babies

At Kennedy’s age she still needs a crib or pack n play because there’s no way she can sleep in a bed on her own. While some hotels do provide cribs or pack n plays they are not always in the best condition. Unfortunately we’ve had at least three instances when the hotel provided a not so clean pack n play or they had run out.  Due to this we’ve either had to co-sleep or once Kennedy even had to sleep in her car seat because Jordyn and I were sharing a bed and I didn’t trust Jordyn to co-sleep with Kennedy at that age. Thankfully I have finally found some products to help in these situations.

BRICA has a Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet for babies who are under 15lbs and can’t push up on their hand and knees. It comes with a padded bottom and fitted sheet. You can place it directly on the floor and it’s even great for laying our at the park or beach.

Picture

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​For older infants you can invest in a travel crib.
We just got the Phil & Teds Traveller Cot and I’m speechless. It only weighs 6lbs, yes you read that correctly, 6lbs! It comes with a carrying shoulder bag that can easily fit in the overhead bin as a carry-on and if you’re checking a regular sized suitcase guess what?!? It can fit in a suitcase!! I have been blown away by it. Read my full review here.

Phil & Teds Traveller Cot

​The Best Travel Bed Rails and Travel Beds for Toddlers

Even though Jordyn has outgrown a crib and can sleep on a big girl bed the fear of her rolling off the bed is still very real and unfortunately it has happened. At home she has bed rails on her bed but they are too big to travel with. Because of this when we travel she either sleeps in between my husband and I if we only have one bed in the our hotel or airbnb or if we have two beds one of us sleeps with her and the other sleeps alone.

That all changed when I discovered inflatable bed rails!! I used the Wally Inflatable Bed Rails by The Shrunks. They are easy to travel with as they don’t take up much space which is great for me as I’m all about light packing. Once you blow them up they go under the fitted sheet of the bed and prevent your toddler from falling off just like any bed rail you might have at home. For my full review click here.

The Inflatable Bed Rails are great for when you have an extra bed to spare but if your hotel or Airbnb only has one bed or your visiting family/friends without an extra bed for your child The Shrunks Junior Toddler Bed is the perfect solution. An air mattress made specifically for toddlers weighing only 2.6lbs its a great solution for travel. You can read my full review here.

 



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What sleeping solutions do you use when traveling with your little ones? Drop them below!

​Disclosure: “Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. The commissions earned helps me offset the costs of running this blog so please support if you choose to purchase, it is much appreciated.”

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Comments

  1. Kiah says

    July 11, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    THIS IS A GAME CHANGER! As a mom of two I need this for all the travel for family and work that I do!

  2. April Kitchens says

    July 11, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    I always love your IG posts! We have only done road trips with my little and I got her a neck pillow that she loves. I take our pack and play too for sleeping.

  3. Monet says

    July 11, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Hi April,
    Thank you so much! Ohhh what neck pillow do you use? I would love a good one, I hate to see Jordyn’s head bobbing up and down when she sleeps in her car seat.
    Monet

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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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