Things you should know...CHINA

Travel to the orient provides an abundance of research for westerners, like myself. When I travel with kids I like to reduce surprises for myself and, subsequently, for my family as well. This means, a whole lot of research into customs,






people, places and things to do-before I go! Most travel books cover a lot of info that the solitary traveler or family have no need of. SO, go grab some books from your local library, thumb through them at your leisure and only stop to read the info about where you are actually going, or if it looks like something you would like to do. I also cannot understate the need for dependable research online. It is very easy to get sucked into useless site after site--so use your trusted ones and you usually can't go wrong. Some of my favorites include: tripadvisor.com, ricksteves.com, and the local government tourism bureau. My family also went and got travel shots this week. Luckily we won't be off the tourist reservation much, but they are always a good idea. After many tears, the kids helped me through them. Typhoid in one arm and Hep A in another. The CDC has a website with travel advisories and shots they recommend. If you conscientiously object to immunizations, then you might not need one!






The only other downside to this trip is the costly visa's. Just be aware--tourist visas into China are $140 US per person + service fee if you use an online service. I do recommend an online service for your first trip-- just to see how it all works. All of our other visas will be obtained on route through our cruise line.

Yes I said it--we are going on a cruise! More on that later.....in the meantime...I'll keep doing my research and hope all of you get out there and have a ball!!

Location:Homebase

What do you do with kids in CHINA?

We are travelling as a family this spring to China for our first time--I know, I know. Too exotic? Nope--just right. For those seasoned travellers--what have you done in China with kids and how did it work out? For those unseasoned--what do you dream of doing? Post your comments and let the discussion fly. Have a ball!

~L

Two Kids, Will Travel

This site is dedicated to all things travel--with kids! I used to think the only people who traveled were non-American, with no children, and only to exotic places I'd never heard of. Our family decided to take a different approach. When we began our travel days with children, we noticed how scarce information was on the subject. There was, however, a common theme; organized chaos. Many websites focused on how traveling with children was not like traveling as an adult, and how you should buy everyone around you a new watch for simply showing up with your child. Well, we didn't have that in our budget!

As we started excursions with our immediate and extended family, we discovered just exactly what the limits of family travel are and were. Children on holiday have both surprised and inspired me. If there is one thing I've learned--it's that you can travel with kids and have a great time doing it! My kids have had to the chance to go everywhere, and they ate the local food. Our favorite memories have been made on the road and around the table, over a meal unlike anything at home. You will also see our versions of foods we have had on vacations. All the recipes are kid tested. If you've never traveled, have only limited travel, or are seasoned travelers--sit back, enjoy the site, leave a post or two, and keep it kid friendly. Our greatest hope is to inspire a nation of family travelers, with the tools they need to enjoy and feel comfortable with travel. Get out there and have a ball!

~Liesl