Wish You Wings

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Wish You Wings

Firm believer that you should . Sharing the family travel inspo & tips you need! ✈️❤️🌍

08/07/2024

We took some time away to disconnect, spending the long holiday weekend with family.

And on that note - I hope you never doubt that your presence and undivided attention are priceless to the people you love. 🤍

Follow along for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.

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🌎 Hey there! I'm Amanda and I love assisting other families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services, and fill out an inquiry form to get started.

12/04/2024

Friday (Not So) Funny: It's common for wine at a US restaurant to run you $/€* 8-10+ per GLASS, with a bottle costing $24-45+. Isn't that nuts? I love a glass with dinner, but very rarely drink wine at restaurants in the US.

In Europe, my husband and I love ordering a half liter of house wine at dinner. It's a pitcher or jar containing about 3 glasses in total, and this is why it's awesome:

🍷Just the right amount to finish with dinner before your kids getting antsy
🍷Not enough to cause a headache
🍷Rarely costs more than $6 or 7, sometimes as low as $3 or 4
🍷Reusable containers are environmentally friendly

So - will you please sign my petition to bring this amazingly economical portion of off brand wine to the US? Tell me if you prefer red or white in the comments!

Follow along for more relatable family travel content, tips and tricks.

*The $/€ exchange rate is close enough that I'm using them interchangeably.

26/02/2024

I’m passionate about family travel, and nothing fills my cup more than sharing my travel knowledge to help others plan trips. But - I believe that YOU as the traveler know your family best, so I'm not going to do all the work for you!

Here's what I offer:
🌟 Support you by providing resources and recommendations so that you can make your OWN personal travel planning decisions.
🌟 Teach you research and decision-making skills that you can use again and again (because trust me, you won't travel just once!)

Here's what you'll come away with:
🌟 A unique travel itinerary that aligns with YOUR personal travel goals and intentions.

No matter where you’re starting, I’ll meet you there. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my travel coaching services, and fill out an inquiry form to get started!

12/02/2024

There is some truth to this one .. but personally I’d rather be taking care of my kids in a place where champagne flows like water and shop windows are piled high macarons! 🥂 What about you?

All week long, I'll be sharing posts related to the city of love in honor of Valentine’s Day! Follow along for all the family travel encouragement, tips, and tricks.

09/02/2024

Sometimes I get a SIM card when we travel, and sometimes I don’t. Honestly, it’s nice just to unplug sometimes. You definitely won't catch me using Verizon's $10/day travel pass - that's a total rip off!

Whether you're unplugged because you're cheap, or by choice, navigation is still essential. Follow these easy steps to download a Google map for offline use before your trip. (Important: Save this post for later!)

Tips for using Google maps offline:
✔️ Download the map of your destination before you leave, but close to your trip date in order to have the most up to date version.
✔️ The map will work offline ONLY for the specific area you downloaded.
✔️ ️In general, the app works exactly the same as when you're online - search for addresses or points of interest and then get step by step, real time directions based on your location.
✔️ When used offline, Maps give you step by step directions for driving, ONLY. However, if you’re on foot, you can still search for a point of interest on the map. The map updates your own location as you walk, so just continue in the general direction of your destination until you get there.
✔️ Delete the map when you’re done to free up space on your phone.

Have you ever tried using Google maps offline? Follow me for more travel tips and hacks.

08/02/2024

The bad news 👉 When you're constrained by school schedules, traveling during peak season is unavoidable.

The good news 👉 By staying flexible in choosing a destination, you can avoid overspending (or worse - getting stuck in an overcrowded, mass tourism hotspot!)

In fact, I’ve been planning our trips around airfare prices for years. I literally want to go everywhere, so when I see a deal for our dates, I buy the tickets .. and the rest always falls into place. Flying to Europe (from the east coast of the US), my goal is to spend less than $500pp, and closer to $400 when possible.

For Spring break of 2023 (when flights to Cancun were $1200+/pp), we snagged flights to Sofia for under $500/pp and took an epic Bulgarian roadtrip. Bulgaria is beautiful and interesting, and the language barrier made for a fun challenge. Plus, we learned way more than we would have laying on the beach for a week!

Interested in learning more about planning a trip of your own? Visit my website to see the travel coaching services I offer.

07/02/2024

Curious about family travel but not sure where to start? You're in the right place!

Follow along for all the family travel tips and tricks! If you're looking for more support, visit my website to see the travel coaching services I offer.

30/01/2024

There are 2 kinds of trips: one where you stay mostly in the same place (aka, establish a home base), and one where you move around frequently (e.g., a road trip.)

Which one is more suitable for kids? You know your crew best. But for a family roadtrip to be successful, these 2 criteria are essential:

✔️ You've pack light.
✔️ You're traveling in a place where your belongings are reasonably safe when left unattended in the car.

Your suitcases should be limited in number and with enough empty space that you're not continuously struggling to repack.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that your bags will likely be left unattended in your car in between hotel check-out/check-in times, so do your research. There are many places where your personal safety is not a concern, but the safety of your belongings as an obvious tourist is a major concern. A few suggestions:

✔️ Minimize theft risk by keeping luggage and valuables out of sight (in the trunk)
✔️ Consider luggage storage options like
✔️ Purchase travel insurance

Still have questions? Let's chat! Visit my website () to learn more about how I can support you in your travel planning journey!

26/01/2024

In the daily hustle and bustle, we’re often too busy to pause and appreciate the little things in life. A family trip is a great opportunity to slow down together.

There are all kinds of wonderful things to discover in a new place .. and unless you're going to the airport, you have plenty of time!

Tell me a place you’d like to discover with your family, and follow along for the tips and tricks to make it happen.

Photo from the Macaw Recovery Network (formerly the ARA Project), Punta Islita, Costa Rica, 2014

19/01/2024

We rented a campervan and took a road trip through Scotland when our oldest daughter was 3. Scotland is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts interested in hiking, fresh air, windy coastlines, rural teahouses, and most importantly, farm animals.

By the way, a campervan is a fantastic way to travel with kids, as your bed and your kitchen are always with you. 😄

Interested in planning your own adventure, but not sure where to start? Visit my website to see how I can help!

05/01/2024

I've been planning our family trips around airfare prices for years. If I see a good deal, I book it and figure out the rest later. I know we'll have a good time wherever we go, because our favorite place is together. 🤍

Don't overthink it .. book the trip!

Like this post if you’re happiest with your people, too.

01/01/2024

Happy 2024! I hope this year is full of fun and exciting adventures for you, near or far.

Tell me where you’re planning (or even just wishing or hoping) to visit this year in the comments!

Not sure where to start with travel plans? Check out my website to see how I can help! Link in bio.

22/12/2023

Happy holidays!

I'm so grateful to have this little corner of the internet to share my passion for travel, and I appreciate every single one of you who choose to follow along. 🤍

The sweet little travel themed gnome was handmade by my friend .

21/12/2023

We're heading into a weekend of gifts, galore! Here are some reasons to choose experiences over things:
🤍 Experiences lead to longer lasting happiness .. and less clutter.
🤍 Experiences can be shared to build deeper relationships.
🤍 Even “bad” experiences make good stories.

Swipe for some last minute experience gift ideas for kids! What would you add to this list?

Follow along for more family travel inspo!

15/12/2023

This quote made me laugh out loud. I’ve literally had several parents tell me, “My kids could never travel like that - they fight too much.”

Real talk: My kids do not fight any less than your kids.

I understand this concern, though. The stakes feel higher when you're traveling, and there's more pressure to enjoy every minute.

If it's helpful, I can promise you this: your kids' bickering is not what you’re going to remember when you look back. Take the trip!

I’ll link a great article in stories with some tips for the realities of parenting on vacation.

Thanks so much for following along, and happy Friday! 🤍✈️

20/11/2023

How to: Pack using the "Ziploc method"

Even with carry-on luggage, there are certain items that you need more easily accessible when flying as a family. I always recommend traveling with a backpack that will fit under the seat in front of you, and packing it using the “Ziploc” method.

This means organizing frequently requested items by category in gallon Ziploc bags. You can see the contents of each bag, and it limits the amount of unloading and reloading every time your kids ask for something .. which is constantly. It also prevents small items from falling under seats and getting lost.

I always have separate bags for:
✔️Basic first aid - meds, bandaids, wet wipes, chapstick
✔️Toys and games - cards, coloring, workbooks, fidgets, etc. - my kids pack this bag
✔️Electronics - tablets and headphones
✔️Snacks!
✔️Change of extra clothes for each kid (including diapers/wipes, if needed). When the inevitable spill or accident happens, you can grab this bag and take it to the bathroom. In cooler seasons, this bag may be bulky and better stored in your overhead carry-on .. but I still recommend packing the clothes in a separate ziploc so you can avoid digging through your suitcase in an emergency.

I typically keep this backpack fully packed throughout our trip and bring a separate, lightweight daypack for daily activities. I'll link the one I recommend in stories.

Would you try this method?

18/11/2023

Money Saving Tip # 9: Sign up for ALL the mileage clubs

I used to feel like I’d never accumulate enough miles to fly my family to Europe for free, and since we’re not loyal to a particular airline .. I may not. But since more airlines are offering the option to combine points + cash towards a ticket, I still recommend signing up for their (free!) loyalty program every time you fly.

I recently purchased some tickets for 2024 on TAP Air. We’ve only flown TAP once before, but by logging into my account, I was able to use a mere 800 miles for $100 off my purchase, which was an overall savings of 5% off our family tickets. I will likely never accumulate enough TAP miles for a free flight, but I’ll happily take a discount! Additionally, some airlines offer benefits like discounted baggage fees or in-flight purchases to loyalty club members.

You can even enroll your kids in airline loyalty programs, but as it typically requires a separate email address for each person, I admit I haven’t done that yet.

It's important to do your research before redeeming points/miles, and is a great resource! In the meantime, make sure you’re signed up so that you can start accumulating. I keep our mileage account numbers and passwords organized in an Excel spreadsheet. 😉

Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel, and visit my website to see the coaching and itinerary creation services I offer.

Photo: All aboard our favorite airline, KLM, 2023

14/11/2023

Money Saving Tip # 8: Know your passenger rights.

When you travel, sometimes things go wrong .. particularly with air travel. Fortunately, when traveling to/from Europe, you have rights as a passenger. It’s very important to understand your rights. (Swipe).

On a recent trip to Greece, we had a pretty epic delay that caused us to miss a connection. We then had a 13 hour layover in Rome AND an unplanned overnight stay in the Athens airport. It all worked out in the end, but it was certainly exhausting and frustrating at the time.

When I got home, I filed a complaint with the airline, and thanks to EU Regulation 261, they will pay us 600 euros per person, in cash, for a total of nearly $2600. It's a very straightforward process.

Our flights cost less than that, with the difference covering the first week of our hotel stays. For the second week, we used Chase credit card points .. making our entire 2 week trip to Greece completely free. I mean, I’m not sure how much more you can ask for there. 😄

I believe that plans going awry in travel is part of the journey, and that problem solving mishaps ultimately makes you a smarter traveler. But knowing that worst case scenario, you are entitled to compensation definitely helps, too. (I always recommend purchasing travel insurance, as well.)

Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel, and visit my website to see the coaching and itinerary creation services I offer.

Photo: Sacked out in the Athens airport after a major travel hiccup, 2023

09/11/2023

Money Saving Tip # 7: Split the costs

Traveling with other people is a great way to divide up travel costs. For example, renting a house together or splitting the cost of a shuttle or small group tour can offer big savings. However, with different interests, different routines, and different budgets, traveling with others can be tricky, too. To be honest, we’ve never tried traveling with another family.

BUT - I can highly recommend a set of grandparents as your travel buddies!

(Obviously, this is way more than a money saving tip - it’s a sanity saving tip!)

On our first trip with a baby, having extra sets of hands and brains made us feel more comfortable. Now that the kids are a little older, it means we might actually be able to relax for a few minutes while a grandparent takes the kids for a walk or watches them at the playground.

As a tradeoff, the grandparents have had opportunities to visit some really cool places that might have otherwise been outside their comfort zone. So many special memories have been made during these trips. It’s a win-win.

Traveling with other people can be as flexible as you want. For example, we have flown together and stayed in the same rental .. we have also flown separately and overlapped for a few days while staying in apartments on neighboring blocks. There’s no wrong way to do it.

Where would you like to travel with your extended family?

Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel, and visit my website to see the coaching and itinerary creation services I offer.

Photo: Mom and dad sneak off for a beer while the kids play with grandma, Porto, Portugal, 2022

02/11/2023

Money Saving Tip # 5: Use the Ibotta app to earn cashback on travel bookings.

You may have heard of Ibotta, an app that allows you to earn cashback on everyday purchases. Ibotta has cashback offers for groceries, as well as many online retailers. They also have a travel category!

Just by opening the Ibotta app, selecting the Travel category, and then clicking “shop” next to your desired retailer, you can earn a percentage of cashback that adds up in a big way.

Offers are constantly changing, but some current offers include:
✔️Booking.com: 6% back
✔️Expedia.com: 4% back
✔️Vrbo: 1% back
✔️National Car Rental: 1.5% back
✔️Southwest: 1.25% back
✔️United: 1.25% back
And so much MORE!

Some examples of what you can earn in just a few extra clicks, literally 5 seconds of your time:
🤑 Book a one night stay costing $200, earn $12!
🤑 Book a one week stay costing $1000, earn $60!

I’m pretty loyal to Booking.com, and I always use the Ibotta app to navigate to the site when I’m ready to book a hotel. My earnings from the past few years are nearly $1000! It’s easy to cash out your Ibotta balance via check or PayPal. You can find my Ibotta referral link in my bio.

Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel!

Photo: Eating popsicles and enjoying the view from our hotel on Naxos Island, Greece, 2022. You can bet I earned Ibotta cashback on this booking!

30/10/2023

Money Saving Tip # 4: Embrace slow travel.

Slow travel is exactly what it sounds like: resisting the urge to hop from point A to point B to point C as fast as possible. It’s a mindset where we intentionally allow the world to move a little slower, so that we can actually notice it.

There are benefits to slow travel from a sustainability standpoint. It’s environmentally friendly and has a more positive impact on local economies.

For the slow traveler, besides a deeper experience, there is another benefit: cost savings.

Although slow travel at its most extreme may mean backpacking, this isn’t realistic with kids in tow. However, we can still incorporate a slow travel mindset into family travel:

✔️ We can stay longer in one place, instead of hopping around to check boxes.
✔️ We can choose slower and more sustainable modes of transport over flying.

Here’s a slow travel example comparing 2 methods of transport in the Greek Islands: plane vs ferry.

Price: Flying is significantly more $$. On ferries, kids get major discounts. (Swipe for costs).

Time: The flight is 45 minutes, the ferry is 4 hours. However, don’t forget that you need to be at the airport 2+ hours before departure, and that doesn’t include transit time to/from the airport, which is likely far out of town. Ferry ports are usually centrally located, and arriving 30-45 minutes early is sufficient.

Experience: Flights are as expected - cramped and mundane. Ferries are fun with lots of space to spread out, restaurants and shops to explore, people watching, and comfortable seating options. You can even sit on the deck to enjoy the sea views.

In summary, flying means spending more money, not actually saving any time, AND missing out on the chaotically fun experience of Greek ferry travel.

Continuing with the slow travel mindset, we chose to stay longer on Paros to explore more villages by local bus, rather than immediately jetting off to another island. This allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of Paros, make some local friends, AND save money on unnecessary transfers.

Double tap if you agree with the slow travel mindset, too!

Photo: Catching the breeze on the Aegean Sea, Greece, 2022

27/10/2023

Money Saving Tip # 3: Book flights with airlines that guarantee FREE family seating.

When flying with kids, the thought of your family being separated on the plane causes major anxiety. Unfortunately, selecting seats together can rack up hundreds of dollars in extra fees! Suddenly that “good flight deal” isn’t looking so good.

You simply can’t count on other travelers to be empathetic enough to switch seats these days, so it’s either pay the hefty fees in advance, or risk separation. Or is it?

Nope! Certain airlines guarantee that a family will be assigned seats together when traveling with children under a certain age, typically 12-14 years old. And the best part? They do this at NO COST TO YOU. This means you can save major money by buying no-frills basic economy tickets AND breathe easy knowing your kids won’t be left unattended with strangers.

If you’re flying to Europe from the USA as a family of four, free family seating can be a savings of $400-$800, depending on your itinerary!

Swipe to see which airlines offer this free benefit to families!*

*Guarantees that in the worst case scenario, each child will be seated with an adult, although we’ve always been seated together as a family of four.

Airfare is a huge portion of travel costs, so be sure to save this post to help you accurately compare flight options.

Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel!

Photo: KLM kids swag bag, 2023

25/10/2023

Money Saving Tip # 2: Be flexible and consider off-season destinations.

Person A: “I want to go to Rome August 7-14.”
Person B: “I want to go to Europe this year.”

Both are going to have a great trip, but who will spend more to accomplish their goal? Probably person A.

The more flexible you are, the more money you can save. When traveling as a family, we don’t have much flexibility with dates .. trips are usually planned around school breaks or other commitments. However, we can still save money on travel by being flexible in selecting a destination, and particularly by considering off-season and shoulder season destinations.

Since airfare for four makes up 2/3 of the total cost of a trip, I often choose our destination based on a flight deal. My list of places to visit is veryyyy long, so this method of planning hasn’t disappointed us yet!

For example, while many people paid out the nose to go to the Riviera Maya for spring break, we flew to Bulgaria for about 30% of the cost of a flight to Cancun. Did we get a sun tan? No. But we enjoyed the incredible sites of Bulgaria with very few other tourists. (There are benefits to off season travel besides cost savings, but that’s a topic for another day!)

Another idea is to forgo the turkey and fly to Europe for Thanksgiving. Late November is a time when domestic flights skyrocket, but most international flights do not. Spain and Portugal are sunny with mild temperatures, and hotels cost a fraction of season summer prices. You may even be able to catch a Christmas market! Swipe to see a flight search comparison for Houston, TX, versus Porto, Portugal over the Thanksgiving holiday. I know which one I’d pick. 😉

Want to talk through some potential trip options that fit YOUR budget? Visit my website (link in bio) for more information on travel coaching and itinerary creation services. Follow along for more ways to save money on family travel!

Where have you traveled to in the off-season?

Photo: Mild temps in Alicante, Spain, November 2022

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Now that you know how to get there and where to stay, you need to know what to pack! There are essentially no shops or services in Theth, so being prepared is essential! My Theth (Summer) Packing List: 🏔️ Motion sickness tablets for the ride (even if you're not prone to it!) 🏔️ Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots 🏔️ First aid kit, including basic meds, bandages, and care for insect bites or stings 🏔️ Sunscreen 🏔️ Sweater or light jacket for evening 🏔️ Reusable water bottle* 🏔️ Bathing suit and towel 🏔️ Water shoes 🏔️ Daypack/backpack 🏔️ Food and snacks* 🏔️ Lunchbox or small, collapsible cooler 🏔️ Card games, books, etc. 🏔️ Flashlight 🏔️ Cash* *Food was a concern for me when planning the trip and I really didn’t understand where and how we were going to eat there. Although there are a small number of restaurants, there are essentially no grocery stores, so we got a few groceries in Shkoder before we left - bottled water, fruit, snacks (pretzels, etc), a loaf of bread, and peanut butter & jelly. I was winging it here, but this ended up being PERFECT. We ate a big breakfast every morning (included in our guesthouse stay), packed a simple sandwich lunch for our hike, and then ate a big dinner at our guesthouse (additional charge). If I went back, I would do exactly the same thing again. It was much easier to pack lunch and eat wherever we were (usually in the middle of nowhere), rather than trying to find a restaurant when we got hungry. Our guesthouse had a small, shared fridge for us. *Tap water in Theth is safe to drink. We refilled our water bottles from an outdoor spigot at our guesthouse everyday. *Take plenty of cash. There are rumors of an ATM in Theth now, but I wouldn’t count on it to be working. We inquired at our guesthouse before arrival on the cost of dinner, which helped us budget cash accordingly. We prepaid for our guesthouse stay on AirBnB, but if you don’t prepay, ask in ad

Here are the facts you need to know to about driving in the Albanian Alps: 🏔️ The road to Theth (the main village in the mountains) is now fully paved and has modern guardrails. 🏔️ The drive time from Shkoder is approximately 2.5 hours. 🏔️ The road is single lane and very remote, with lots of hairpin turns. 🏔️ There’s only one road to and from Theth, so it’s relatively busy with two way traffic. 🏔️ While staying in Theth, you don’t need a car. Here’s what we did: We opted NOT to drive to Theth, and took a shuttle instead. Our hotel in Shkoder arranged the shuttle as well as long term parking for our rental car (€2 per day). A driver from @thethiguide picked us up at our hotel in a comfortable van, and dropped us at the door of our guesthouse in Theth for €12 per person. While in Theth, we walked everywhere, although we opted to take a taxi shuttle to the start of the Blue Eye hike for €5 per person (small children were free). Most people walk to the start of the hike themselves, but it was a little too far for us with kids. At the end of our time in Theth, we took the shuttle back to our car in Shkoder for €12 per person. Our guesthouse arranged for us to be picked up at the door. When planning our trip, it was really difficult to know the exact condition of the road to Theth and what the driving experience would be like. I can tell you that for us, it was quite a wild ride and we were SO relieved that we did not do it ourselves. Our driver was skilled and confident in navigating both the roads and the oncoming traffic (and it also gave us a chance to chat with him and learn more about the area!) Overall, we were 100% happy with our decision to leave our car behind. It was well worth the extra cost and the whole experience was much more relaxing. I hope this helps you make the best decision for you. Stay tuned for more information on lodging and activities in Theth, plus a recommended packing list! Follow along @wishyo

Never heard of the Albanian Alps? You’re not alone. Tucked away in the north of the country, the Albanian Alps offer an affordable and authentic mountain experience for adventurous travelers. It’s a place of astounding and unspoiled natural beauty. There isn’t much information online about traveling in the north of Albania, especially as a family. When planning our trip, I felt like I was guessing on a lot of things. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing what I learned - including my best tips for planning your own trip to this incredible region. Stay tuned for information on transportation, lodging, activities, plus a packing list! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #albania #albaniatravel #albaniaitinerary #roadtrip #theth #albanianalps

It’s safe to say we are LOVING the new Capital One Lounge at Washington Dulles, which is typically our home airport. 🥂 But - bad news for Capital One Venture card holders! The 2 complimentary visits to Capital One airport lounges per year perk ENDS FOR GOOD December 31, 2024. (After that, Venture card holders can pay a discounted rate of $45 per person per visit - quite steep for a family! 😬) Still want free lounge access in 2025? You’ll need to upgrade to the Venture X. This is my favorite credit card, by a landslide. Although the $395 fee may seem steep, it’s more than offset by a $300 annual travel portal credit and 10K point anniversary bonus. It also comes with Priority Pass, giving you free access to 1500+ lounges worldwide. We have saved hundreds this year on lounge fees and/or airport food! If you’re a frequent traveler, I highly recommend the Venture X, which currently has a 75K bonus offer. And yes - you can apply and earn the bonus even if you currently have a Venture card! Find my referral link in my bio or comment “X” for a DM. Do you enjoy airport lounge access? Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #capitalonelounge #airportlounge #capitalone #loungeaccess #prioritypass

Mom Fail! We visit the zoo often and typically say “no” to extras .. but apparently we could have been saying “YES!” this whole time, instead. Don’t be like me - read the fine print and make the most of your membership benefits! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #experiencesoverthings #zoo

Here are some tips for driving in Albania. 🇦🇱 Confident drivers only: Albanian roads are lawless. You need to be very assertive in traffic, uber aware of your surroundings at all times, and able to drive on steep, narrow roads - forwards and in reverse! 🇦🇱 Make sure you have good insurance: We used Enterprise. At pick-up, they took pictures of the car from every angle and emailed them to me in a document. At drop off, we pulled up the document to show all the damages were pre-existing, and we were good to go. A few times we even checked the document ourselves to see if our car had been hit on the street, or if the damage was already there. 😂 🇦🇱 Stick to main roads: Traffic is always terrible and Google maps will tempt you with a ‘shortcut.’ Don’t fall for it! Google shortcuts were often not even actual roads, and never worth the stress. Just wait out the traffic. 🇦🇱 Consider arranging private transport in the mountains: We left our car in Shkoder and took a shuttle to visit the mountain village of Theth. We didn’t need a car in Theth, and the drive would have been too stressful. Our shuttle driver told us there are a lot of flat tires on that route, and since it’s very remote, it’s difficult to get assistance. It was only 12€ per person to take a shuttle and that was the best choice for us. All that being said - renting a car is definitely the best and most efficient way to see Albania. However, if you're not feeling confident enough to drive, it can also be done using a combination of buses and taxis. (There are no trains.) If traveling as a group or family and budget isn't an issue, you could consider hiring shuttles between destinations. We used and can recommend @thethiguide. 📍En route to Theth, Albania Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my

Our travel routine usually involves a full day of adventure with an early evening break before dinner. The kids read or play on their tablets, my husband checks emails .. and I go for a walk. My favorite strolls of all time were in Theth, Albania. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks that reflected the evening light in all directions, I wandered down dirt paths smelling flowers and talking to farm animals .. which was pretty much the best! I connected with this cow in particular, who's “moo” sounded almost like “hey, ma!” ?! We saw her frequently and the kids always said, “Look mom, there's your friend.” I'm telling you, this cow just got me. She knew I was taking some “me time” and she approved. All this to say, traveling as a family is wonderful, but it's ok if you need a few minutes by yourself, too. Do you take any “me time” when traveling as a family? 📍 Theth, Albania Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #albania #albaniatravel #albaniaitinerary #momlife #parenting

If you’ve seen social media content about jaw droppingly beautiful beaches in Albania, it’s most likely about the beaches in the south - “the Albanian Riviera.” When planning our two week roadtrip through Albania, we considered making the trek from the mountains of the north to the beaches of the south, but I am SO GLAD that we didn’t. As it turns out, our drives in Albania always took twice as long as expected due to traffic and road conditions, which would have set us up for a 10 hour + drive. As driving in Albania is a bit stressful .. no thanks! Instead, we opted to stay in a small, family run resort in central Albania near Lezhe, which fit better into our itinerary. We visited a locals beach just a few minutes from the hotel. Having vacationed in Greece the past few summers, this was not the same beach experience .. but it was uncrowded and clean, with warm, calm water. Two sunbeds and an umbrella ran us just 5 euros for the whole day and the kids loved it. While I don’t think we could have stayed for a week, it was a perfect spot to relax and unwind after our adventure in the mountains, and still allowed us to stick to a sensible itinerary. Pro-tip: Resist the urge to pack it all in, and choose an itinerary that makes sense for your family. 📍Lezhe, Albania Be sure to save this post for your trip to Albania, and follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #albania #albaniatravel #albaniai

DIY personalized gift alert! This is an easy and affordable project idea. After purchasing the kit of letter stamps and a hammer, you can make unlimited washers for only 10 cents each! Each washer takes about 2 to 3 minutes to make, and there’s no skill involved in this process. We each have our own key ring of countries visited. Other ideas for personalized washers include: states, campgrounds, National Parks, sports stadiums, and more! Kit and supplies are linked in stories, or comment “shop” for a DM. Would you try this DIY project? Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #travelergift #holidaygiftidea #giftidea #founditonamazon #handmadegift #personalized

This summer, the kids that we had carried and bribed on trails for years suddenly became independent hikers .. that left us in the dust. I think it was one of those parenting phases that you don’t recognize until you’re out of it. So to all the mamas still putting in the hard work to gear up and get out there in nature, I see you. But don’t blink. You’ll be left in the dust soon, too. (If you need me, I’ll be doing cardio to prepare for our next family adventure.) Do you enjoy hiking with your family? 📍Theth, Albania Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #albania #visitalbania #albaniatravel #hiking #hikingwithkids

It’s true! Albania has had heavy Italian influence for centuries, which shaped its cuisine as well. Italian food is served in many restaurants in Albania. We ate lots of delicious Albanian food on our trip, but it was nice to be able to fall back on pizza and pasta, too! Psst - this makes Albania a great destination for traveling with kids! 📍Theth, Albania Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #albania #visitalbania #albaniatravel #albanianfood #pizzanight

Albania was such an adventure for us and we learned a lot. Here are 3 tips to make your trip to Albania easier. (Be sure to save this post!) Cash Only - everywhere. Even some hotels required payment by cash. ATM fees in Albania can be really high ($7 +), so plan ahead. Consider asking your bank to lift your daily withdrawal limit (if you have one) in order to reduce the number of transactions you need to make. Bringing cash from home is also a good option as it’s common to exchange money in Albania. Find a commission free exchange shop like Iliria’98. We exchanged our remaining Lek to Euros before we left at a great rate - you can check current rates online. Ask for Help - Things in Albania seem to run on an “I know a guy” system that you’ll never figure out as a tourist. From what I can tell, most things are organized by texting. 😆 Everytime we asked a question about tours or transport, our hotels and guesthouses told us to let them handle it. I know it’s hard if you’re a big planner, but save yourself a headache and allow your hotel to make arrangements for you, at no extra cost. Confident Drivers Only - We have rented cars in many countries, but Albania is in its own league of road perils and complete lawlessness. I’d describe most drivers as irresponsible at best, and dangerously selfish at worst. I once read that Albanian traffic circles are comparable to “gladiator arenas,” and that’s accurate. In addition, hoards of bike riders weave obliviously through traffic, along with animals, carts, tractors, and scooters of all kinds. Main road conditions were good, but one turn off a main road could lead to trouble .. narrow one lane streets with major jams, unpaved roads and sketchy bridges, roads that definitely weren’t actually roads (thanks Google!). Mountain roads in the north were in another league entirely, and even if you’re a confident driver, you may want to consider alternate transportation to any mountain destinations wher

As our August trip to Albania approached, I realized that we’d be arriving during a major heatwave - temps of up to 107F/42C. I started scanning Google Maps for lakes, pools, swimming holes, etc. and found a place called Prekali Canyon. This was not a place I’d read about in any blogs or guidebooks, but the calm, crystal clear pebble pools of Prekali turned out to be the perfect place for our family to escape the heat. Tips for visiting: 🤍 Located about 40 minutes drive from Shkoder, only reachable by car. Road is fully paved but one lane. 🤍 Several small restaurants can be found along the canyon. We found off road parking at Bar & Restorant Ura E Shtrenjte (about $1.50 for the day). 🤍 It was during the week and we had the place almost to ourselves, although more people arrived in the late afternoon. I would imagine it gets crowded on weekends. 🤍 Super calm, clear water and great family fun! We took goggles and saw lots of little fish. 🤍 Bring water shoes, life jackets/floaties for kids, sunscreen, towels, snacks, and cash for drinks & parking. 📍Save this spot for your trip to Albania! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #shkoder #albania #visitalbania #offthebeatenpath #hiddengem

This is Tanner’s Bridge in Tirana, Albania, an 18th-century Ottoman period stone footbridge by which livestock and produce used to enter the city. The bridge was restored for pedestrian use in the ‘90s. Does this bridge show up on Google under “top things to do in Tirana”? Absolutely not. It was an unexpected discovery that ended up being one of our favorite spots in the city. Ancient cobblestones, no railings, sheer joy. 😁 We actually skipped most of the main attractions and museums in Tirana as they were a bit heavy for kids. Instead, we strolled, ate lots of cheap ice cream, went to bookstores, rode the carousel, and walked that bridge about 50 times. No regrets. When travel planning, I always suggest: ✈️ Visiting only attractions that truly interest (and/or are age-appropriate for) your crew ✈️ Leaving time and space in your itinerary for unexpected discoveries I'd love to hear about one of your unexpected favorites on the road! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks. *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #tirana #albania #visitalbania

My husband is a gadget guy, whereas I’m more of a minimalist. When he ordered these straps for an upcoming trip, I challenged him to find at least 3 ways to use them - or I was going to return them. 😆 As it turns out, he succeeded, and I begrudgingly admit they’re incredibly handy! With these straps, you can: 🧳 Hook just about anything to anything, including backpacks, luggage, shoes, hats, water bottles, jackets, pillows, sweatshirts, etc. 🧳 Stay hands free while ensuring nothing gets lost or left behind (especially useful with kids!) 🧳 Feel more relaxed having an extra layer of security - no one can walk off quickly with your belongings at the beach, etc. What would you use these straps for? Just a couple bucks and linked in stories, or comment “shop” for a DM! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks! *** 🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about my 1:1 travel coaching services. #traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #travelgear #luggage #packingtips #amazoninfluencer #founditonamazon

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