Detailed Caribbean Packing List for a Baby | Puerto Rico
Detailed Caribbean Packing List for a Baby | Puerto Rico

Whether you are traveling for the first time or the tenth time with your new baby, there is always a bit of anxiety. What if they are unhappy? What if they get sick? What if I forget something that they need? Frequent travelers probably know their packing list by heart and can pack their bag and be out the door in a couple of hours. When you are traveling with a baby, there is a lot more preparation that is needed. You need to be organized and seemingly ready for any situation. You also have the added struggle of needing to bring extra stuff for your little one but less hands to carry it. This packing list has the exact essentials you need for your trip to the Caribbean with your baby and additional things you might not have thought of that will help for your particular circumstance.

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Central America, United States, North America, Family TravelAlison MullisPuerto RicoComment
A Relaxed 2-Day Itinerary for Osaka During Cherry Blossom Season
A Relaxed 2-Day Itinerary for Osaka During Cherry Blossom Season

Osaka is a go to city for amazing cuisine, nightlife, beautiful sights, tons of nearby day trips - and also their gorgeous cherry blossoms during Sakura season in the spring.  Osaka is often overlooked as a destination compared to nearby Kyoto.  This large metropolis is worth a visit or even a two-day stay.  Unlike Tokyo, where there are a million and one things to see and you feel like you might miss something if you don’t spend all your time out sightseeing, you can take Osaka at a more relaxed pace.  Use Osaka as your break while you are in Japan, while also checking out some of Japan’s best Hanami spots.

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Asia, JapanAlison Mullischerry blossom, Itinerary, OsakaComment
Nara, Japan | Day Trip from Kyoto
Nara, Japan | Day Trip from Kyoto

Nara is by far the most popular day trip from Kyoto – and for good reason. It is easily accessible by train and has just the right amount of sights to fill up your entire day, but not enough to warrant an extended stay in your packed schedule. Without a doubt, Nara’s deer are what makes the city famous but the remarkable shrines and scenery of the area should also be a major draw for visitors. Everything you want to see is in easy walking distance from the train station and a lot of it is free. If you have the JR rail pass, you will be able to access the city at no extra cost to you in under an hour.

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Asia, JapanAlison Mullisnara, KyotoComment
The 5 Must See Sakura Locations in Kyoto, Japan
The 5 Must See Sakura Locations in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is a top destination, not only for its high concentration of breathtaking Buddhist temples but also for the cherry blossoms the bloom throughout the city in the spring. The cherry blossom trees of Kyoto bloom just after those in Tokyo, so once you’ve seen the blossoms in Tokyo head down south to Kyoto. Sakura (or cherry blossom) season in Japan is an extremely popular time to travel for both foreigners and Japanese alike. The season is also very fickle and the timing of peak blossoms is dependent on the winter conditions. It is hard to accurately predict if your trip will fall within the short two-week window of blooms if you are planning more than a few months in advance. The good thing is there are many different types of cherry blossom trees, and while they all have roughly a 2-week window, those windows are spread out over March and April. The locations in this list don’t all reach full bloom at the same time and they are all must-see destinations in and of themselves, even without being covered in pinkish-white flowers.

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Asia, JapanAlison Mullischerry blossom, sakuraComment
A Gender-Neutral Travel Inspired Nursery | Modern Animal Safari Theme
A Gender-Neutral Travel Inspired Nursery | Modern Animal Safari Theme

Being born to two parents who have a fierce love of travel, not only means you’ll begin exploring the world before birth, but also that your room will be filled with aspirations of all the places you’ll see and the wondrous variety of creatures you’ll meet. Part of the joy of having kids is sharing your passions with them and seeing the world in a new light through their eyes. We are so excited to meet our little one, see them smile for the first time, and help them take their first steps – but even more, we are excited to introduce them to different cultures, watch them ride on the back of a camel, and have them explore the jaw-dropping nature around the world. And when we aren’t away traveling – we wanted a nursery to foster their adventurous spirit.

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Travel Tips, Family Travel, Most PopularAlison MullisNurseryComment
15 Must See Spots on São Miguel Island | The Azores, Portugal
15 Must See Spots on São Miguel Island | The Azores, Portugal

The largest and most popular island to visit in the Azores is the gorgeous São Miguel island. São Miguel is known as the green island for its lush and beautiful nature – you’ll truly be amazed by all of the variation of green hues. Due to its size and location, it is the most diverse of all the Azorean islands. You can go from a pine forest to the beach to the mountains to the jungle all within an hour. In this list we include 15 of the must see spots all around the island – all jaw-dropping in their own way. Best part? Everything on this list (except one) is free to visit!

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Portugal, EuropeAlison MullisAzoresComment
One Day on Faial Island in the Azores | Self-Driving Itinerary
One Day on Faial Island in the Azores | Self-Driving Itinerary

Known as the Blue Island of the Azores, Faial is part of the central group of the Azores and is especially beautiful in July and August when the island is covered in bright blue hydrangeas. It only takes 1 hour to circumnavigate the island on the main road meaning you can fit all the main sights in just one day. Due to the unpredictable weather in the middle of the Atlantic, we’d still recommend you to stay at least two days on Faial. You can split this itinerary across two days for a more relaxed pace or keep it all in one day if the weather doesn’t cooperate on one of the days.

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Portugal, Europe, BudgetAlison MullisAzores, Faial Comments
Staying in a Windmill on São Miguel Island in the Azores
Staying in a Windmill on São Miguel Island in the Azores

With the rise of Airbnbs and vacation rental homes, some unique accommodations are popping up all over the world. You can stay in a canal boat in Amsterdam, a treehouse in the rainforest, a castle in Germany, or a cave in Australia. We are always on the lookout for the coolest Airbnb we can stay at in each destination we visit, and so far this spectacular windmill in the Azores takes the prize! What can be better than having 360º views from your bedroom of the Atlantic Ocean and the gorgeous Azorean landscapes?

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Europe, Portugal, Editor's PickAlison MullisAccommodations Comment
Tips for Visiting Japan while Pregnant
Tips for Visiting Japan while Pregnant

We traveled to Japan when I was 11 weeks pregnant, in the midst of some pretty challenging morning sickness in my first trimester. We booked the trip several months ahead knowing that if things worked out, I would be pregnant on this trip. Unlike a lot of destinations, there isn’t too much you can’t do while pregnant. However, there are definitely things to be aware of before making your trip to the land of the rising sun. Japan makes a perfect babymoon for the couple who isn’t too keen on spending day after day laying on the beach. Beautiful sights, amazing culture, excellent food. It is also a destination that might be more of a hassle with a little one, making pregnancy a perfect time to knock Japan off your bucket list.

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Asia, Japan, Family TravelAlison MullisPregnancy Comments
Day Trip to Himeji Castle and Hiroshima from Osaka
Day Trip to Himeji Castle and Hiroshima from Osaka

While Osaka is a one-of-a-kind city, offering an atmosphere unique from Kyoto or Tokyo, it does lack the number of attractions those other cities have. What Osaka does provide is a perfect transportation hub to allow you to make multiple day trips throughout the Kansai and Chügoku regions. One of the best day trips from Osaka, if you are short on time, is visiting both Himeji and Hiroshima. These two cities highlight some of the distinct eras in Japanese history. From Himeji Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal period, to Hiroshima, the site of WWII devastation and the eventual rebounding of Japan. Both cities can be visited easily along the same Shinkansen route.

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Asia, JapanAlison MullisDay Trip, One Day, himeji, hiroshima, HistoryComment
DIY Walking Tour of Arashiyama | Kyoto, Japan
DIY Walking Tour of Arashiyama | Kyoto, Japan

A small district on the outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama is where you want to go to explore the famous bamboo grove, see wild macaques, and enjoy gorgeous cultural gardens. After a short 20-minute transit trip from central Kyoto, Arashiyama can be completely explored on foot. All of the main attractions, shops, and restaurants are within a short walk of each other. This DIY walking tour can be done at a slower pace to fill up a whole day or can easily be a half-day excursion.

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Asia, JapanAlison MullisKyotoComment
Cost of 2 Weeks in Japan during Cherry Blossom Season | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Cost of 2 Weeks in Japan during Cherry Blossom Season | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Japan is notorious for being on the pricey side, especially for a popular time like Cherry Blossom season. While accommodations and food are definitely more expensive than most tourist destinations – we were pleasantly surprised that we were able to keep the total cost of the trip down without sacrificing experiences. To put it in perspective, we spent the same amount on our 13 day trip to Japan as our 9 day trip to Peru. Japan is relatively inexpensive when it comes to occupying your time and even internal transport. Most gardens and shrines are free to visit and cheap convenience stores and vending machines are aplenty. There is still the initial shock of hotel prices and the cost of a rail pass, but Japan doesn’t have to be the ultra-expensive travel destination it is made out to be.

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Budget, Asia, Japan, Most PopularAlison MullisBudget Comment
Cruising the New Zealand Sounds on a Cruise Ship
Cruising the New Zealand Sounds on a Cruise Ship

The highlight of any cruise to New Zealand is sailing through the stunning Sounds – Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound. The New Zealand Sounds are located at the southwestern end of New Zealand’s South Island and are part of the Fiordland National Park. The Fiordland National Park is filled with a dozen of both long and short fjords accompanied by snow-capped peaks, gorgeous waterfalls, and glacier-carved valleys. You don’t even have to leave your balcony to spot dolphins in the water below or be amazed by the striking height of the fjord walls. Here we show just how magical a day exploring New Zealand’s fjords can be and how to make the most of your trip.

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New ZealandAlison MullisFjord, National Park, Wildlife Comments
How to Spend 3 Days in Sydney, Australia | First-Timers Guide
How to Spend 3 Days in Sydney, Australia | First-Timers Guide

Sydney showcases what the rest of Australia has to offer: stunning beaches, inspiring architecture, a vibrant and diverse food culture, and some of the most breathtaking nature within a couple hours drive. As Australia’s largest city, Sydney operates as both a thriving modern city but also as a relaxing beach town. Sydney has some of Australia’s most notable landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This guide details everything you need to know for planning your 3 days in Sydney as a first time visitor – where to stay, how to get around, and what to do.

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AustraliaAlison MullisSydney, Itinerary Comments
A Visitors Guide to One Day in Melbourne, Australia
A Visitors Guide to One Day in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne has consistently won the world’s most liveable city and for good reason. It is also a favorite for many travelers to Australia (us included). Not only is it close to the water, but a trip to Melbourne offers access to world-renown restaurants, cultural events, stunning architecture, a laidback atmosphere, one of the best street art scenes, and many amazing day-trips. While you could spend a week lounging around the city, one day is all you need to see the main sights and get a feel for the city. The true draw to the state of Victoria is the famous Great Ocean Road, so after your day at Melbourne, rent a car and get out of the city!

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AustraliaAlison MullisOne Day, VictoriaComment
Detailed Itinerary for 9 Days in Peru | Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Lima
Detailed Itinerary for 9 Days in Peru | Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Lima

Peru is a destination unlike any other. There is an incredible number of varied landscapes – from deserts to rainforests to mountain highlands to stunning beaches. You could spend 2 months in Peru and still have sights you have yet to see. 9 days is a perfect amount of time to explore two or three regions of Peru and to get you excited about visiting the rest on future trips. This 9-day itinerary focuses on the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca regions – the two most popular destinations for first-time visitors to Peru.

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South America, Peru, Editor's PickAlison MullisItinerary, Lake Titicaca Comments
One Day of Hiking in Picton, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion
One Day of Hiking in Picton, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion

On the gorgeous Queen Charlotte Sound, the picturesque seaside town of Picton, New Zealand is the main ferry port for New Zealand’s South Island. It is also a popular port of call for cruises due to the amazing hiking trails in the area, access to a scenic sheltered bay, and the nearby Marlborough wine region. A day in Picton could mean kayaking out in the Queen Charlotte Sound, swimming with dolphins, tasting some of New Zealand’s best wines, or exploring the many nature trails. You can have an amazing day just walking through the trails, without spending any money. We visited Picton by cruise ship and had a limited time to explore – this is how we made the most of our 8 hours in Picton!

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New ZealandAlison MullisOne Day, Picton, Cruise, Hiking Comment
Driving the Otago Peninsula from Dunedin, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion
Driving the Otago Peninsula from Dunedin, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion

At the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island, Dunedin is the gateway to the Otago region. It is a region of dramatic coastal landscapes, rare wildlife spotting, and unique architectural history. Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island and a popular destination for both road trippers and cruise passengers. We visited Dunedin as the first stop on a Cruise circling around New Zealand. To get the full experience of this area, forgo the organized tours, rent a car, and explore on your own. Here, I outline how we self-drove Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula in one day.

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New ZealandAlison MullisOne Day, Cruise, Road Trip Comment