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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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South Styrian Wine Road, The Perfect Weekend Trip from Graz

September 30, 2019      Austria, Destinations, Europe

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.

After spending a few days enjoying all the things to do in Graz I wanted to explore more of what Austria had to offer. If you’re into wine, beautiful scenery and amazing food South Styria is the perfect place for a weekend trip from Graz. I spent three days and two nights enjoying the South Styrian Wine Road. Here is my itinerary to help you plan your own getaway!

Thanks to Visit Suedsteiermark and Graz Tourism for hosting myself along with Christina from Happy to Wander, Suzanne from Travel Bunny and Danielle from The Thought Card in partnership with the Propel Conference.

Weekend Trip From Graz: How to Get to South Styria

From Graz, Southstyria is a 45-minute drive or you can take the local train. Based on my itinerary we took the train from Graz to Leibnitz. It is very easy to take the train within and throughout Europe, here are some reasons why.

South Styrian Wine Road Itinerary

Weekend Trip from Graz Day One: Schloss Seggau and Buschenschank Tinnauer

Schloss Seggau

Leave Graz mid-afternoon and head to Leibnitz to enjoy the Schloss Seggau, often referred to as the Seggau Castle. It dates back to the 12th century and is also home to a hotel and 300 year old Episcopal wine-cellar. Arrive early enough to start your wine tasting journey of the castles own in-house made wines at their on-site wine shop.

 

In the evening have dinner at Buschenschank Tinnauer, a local restaurant which has been owned by the same family for generations. As it’s a small family business you’ll most likely be serviced by Martin Tinnauer, the owner of the restaurant. If you’re interested he will explain the history of Southstyrian traditional cold meat meals. Sit outside and enjoy the view of astonishing hills and vineyards. 

The Owners of Buschenschank Tinnauer, Mr. and Mrs. Tinnauer

Weekend Trip from Graz Day Two: Wine Tasting, Slovenia, and Pumpkin Seed Oil Making

Vinofaktur Genussregal

For my first full day on the South Styrian Wine Road I had breakfast at my hotel before arriving at Vinofaktur Genussregal where my group was immediately poured glasses of Rosé. However, we hadn’t only arrived at our first winery, I’d go as far as to say it’s a museum.

We got a private tour where we learned about the wine industry in Austria and specifically South Styria. The tour was also our first introduction to learning about the oils produced in the area and this regions famed pumpkin seed oils. What fun would learning about them be if we did get to taste them, there are so many samples available to try. Not only oils but honey as well. I never knew there were different types of honey dependent upon the bees but we were able to try four different kinds.

Meat is huge in Austria and if you’re a meat eater you’ll be happy to know trying the infamous cold meats is also an option here. I don’t eat beef or pork but was very interested in learning all the things made from pigs. Items like medication capsules, shampoos, needles, ceramic glasses, bullets, candles, wine corks, matches, cigarettes, and more are made from various parts of pigs.

We started our visit with rosé and we would finish it with another tasting or both red and white wines. If you want to stock up on wine, this is the place to do it. There is a whole warehouse full of wine for purchase.

Lunch at Landgasthof Wratschko

After a wine and history filled morning we had lunch at Landgasthof Wratschko . Here we had another meal special to the area, Backhendl. Backhendl is the areas special fried chicken and it was delicious!

Kästenburg Winery

Our post lunch schedule was supposed to include walking one of the wine hiking trails. Unfortunately, the rain was non-stop throughout the day so we wouldn’t be able to complete this. However, we still continued to enjoy many glasses of wine. We headed to Kästenburg Winery which has opened in 1638 and continues to be ran by the same family. Six generations later the wine production is handled mainly by Jakob Jakopé, the youngest of his 3 siblings at 21.

Jakob gave us a tour of the cellar where their award winning wine is aged. He also showed us the vineyards on the property while pouring us several glasses of wine to try. 

Heart Shaped Road in Slovenia

Since it was still raining we added a nice detour to our itinerary and headed to Slovenia. Austria and Slovenia border each other and the imaginary line that separates the two is on the road. So as we drove to Dreisiebner Stammhaus, half of the car was in Austria while the other half was in Slovenia. I was sitting in the middle I was technically in two countries at one time! So why were we driving to Slovenia? The restaurant I mentioned overlooks Slovenia’s famous heart-shaped road.

While we didn’t eat at the restaurant since they so graciously allowed us to come on their property and take photos we gave a 2 Euro donation. This is typical for anyone who wants to visit and take pictures, just pay on your way out.

The Resch Pumpkin Seed Oil Press

While wine might be the main focus of most people’s visit to South Styria, the pumpkin seed oil industry is just as big here. We had the pleasure of visiting the Resch Pumpkin Seed Oil Press where we got a private tour from 5th generation producer, Bernd Resch. His whose family has been producing oil since 1842 and he currently does it alongside his dad. 

He showed us the entire process beginning with milling or grinding the seeds, followed by mixing in water and salt. Afterwards the mixture is boiled at 180 degrees and then pressed so the oil comes out. The leftover press is fed to the cows! You can get a tour every Tuesday from 9AM-8PM. While the pumpkin oil here is amazing I’d be holding on to a selfish secret if I didn’t tell you about the pesto they also make. Just buy it!!

Back to Kästenburg Winery for Dinner

After a long day of exploring it was time for dinner and we headed back to Kästenburg Winery. In addition to the winery, the family also operates an inn and restaurant where Jakob’s mom, sister and brother work. For dinner we had a mix of traditional South Styrian foods hot and cold alongside amazing glasses of wine. Dinner was phenomenal but be sure to save some room for dessert because you will love the freshly made pastries.

How to Get Around South Styria When Wine Tasting

If you follow our itinerary and do all the wine drinking we were doing, driving yourself around won’t be the best idea. Instead make a reservation with WeinMobil, a taxi service for visitors wine tasting.

Another option available to wine tasters staying in Gamlitz is the free taxi service offered to hotels, wineries and restaurants who participate in the GAST Taxi service. If you’re going from one participating establishment to another this option will be your cheapest.

Where to Stay During Your South Styrian Wine Road Adventure

We stayed at the  Weinlandhof Hotel, located in Gamlitz. The rate includes a breakfast buffet with quite a few options including hot and cold food. There is even a stove top to make your own fresh eggs. The rooms were decent but the WiFi is very limited and I had to go to the common area to use the internet. Besides that there is a nice spa and pool downstairs and massages are even offered on an appointment basis.

Enjoying the South Styria Wine Road was the perfect way to end my trip in Austria. After getting to visit here and spend 3 days in Graz, I’m very much looking forward to exploring more of the country. 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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  1. Suzanne Jones says

    October 1, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    That was such a fun trip! Reading this was a lovely reminder 🙂

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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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