We love family travel. Sure, it isn’t without its challenges and we often ask ourselves, “Is this worth it?” but the answer for us is always yes.
Parenting may have changed us in some ways, but our love for good food, indy bookshops, creativity and all the wonders of travel remain. And our trips have the same essence as when we were a couple – just with a few more playgrounds and kids’ museums!
We still look for style, creativity and beauty in everywhere we go – and the places we stay as a family tend to be places we’d have stayed even before we had kids. Although we’ve also discovered some wonderfully stylish family hotels along the way.
We’ve travelled far and wide since having Otis in 2018 and Arlo in 2020. And we’ve put together lots of family travel guides, including itineraries and things to do with kids, plus tips for travelling with a baby, toddler and beyond.
These are perfect if you’re keen to travel as a family but don’t want to sacrifice style and creativity. We think happy parents make for happy kids!
Family travel tips: Tips for travelling with a baby | Flying with a baby survival guide | Where to stay with a baby | Ultimate guide to Home Exchange | Bucket list family vacation ideas
UK: Birmingham with kids | Bristol with kids | Cornwall with kids |London with toddlers | Edinburgh with kids | Manchester with kids | UK family Christmas trips
Europe: Barcelona with kids | Barcelona with a baby | Majorca (Puerto Pollensa) family holiday | Croatia (Sibenik) family holiday
USA: California with kids | Charleston with kids | Chicago with kids | Los Angeles with kids | New York with a baby | Portland with kids | Sacramento with kids | San Diego with kids | San Francisco with kids | Savannah with kids | Tuolumne County with kids
Asia: Koh Lanta with kids
Family road trip itineraries: California road trip | Pacific Coast Highway road trip | Southern USA road trip | Portugal road trip
Glamping in New England is ideal with gorgeous lakes, coast and woodland that beckon you outdoors. Camping is always an option, but if like me, you prefer a bit more comfort, these New England glamping sites are winners. They were among our favourite and most memorable stays on our New England road trip. Let us … Read more
Lucky you! If you’re reading this post, I presume you’re planning a road trip from Boston to Maine, and if so you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the most charming road trips we’ve ever done. You’ll pass through colourful seaside towns, picturesque coastal byways, a feast of American history, and top it all … Read more
I didn’t have Boston pegged as a brilliant destination for families – in my mind it was more of a “grown-up” destination, one for history buffs and academic types. But my pre-conceptions were wrong, and Boston is a brilliant city for families. It’s in part due to its size, which is manageable in comparison to … Read more
Florida, the Sunshine State, is forever one of the world’s top destinations for a family holiday, and not just because of Disney. From pristine beaches to exciting wildlife encounters, and distinctly off-beat Floridan attractions, there are things to do for all ages. It makes for an epic family vacation. We haven’t been (yet!), so we … Read more
On our most recent trip to California, I was hell bent on finding the perfect California beach town – a place that epitomised my idealised dream of laidback vibes, long sunny days and the roll of Pacific waves. In my mind’s eye it’s a perfect pastiche of all the California TV programmes and films I’ve … Read more
Los Angeles is a proper sprawl of a city with a massive range of different neighborhoods and vibes. You’ve got everything from the glitz of Beverly Hills to the eclectic madness of Venice Beach, and then every option in-between. Where you choose to stay in Los Angeles will hugely shape your impression of the city, … Read more
We haven’t yet been to Orlando, so here’s a guest post from Micah Buffington, a working mum of three who blogs about family travel at Work. Play. Mommy. Micah visits Orlando often, so here are all her top tips for the best things to do in Orlando with kids… Our family loves visiting Orlando, Florida … Read more
There’s no doubt planning a trip to Disneyland can be overwhelming. There’s so much to see and do, and because it’s such an investment, there’s a lot of pressure to make the most of your time there. There’s nothing worse then dropping hundreds, or even thousands, on a trip only to spend the whole day … Read more
At Bridges and Balloons, we talk a lot about finding that elusive balance between a holiday kids enjoy and one that retains the style of travel you enjoyed pre-parenthood. Many people are put off the idea of travel altogether once they have kids, while others see package holidays as the only available “easy” option. But … Read more
Fellow parents often tell me that one of the things that puts them off traveling with a baby the most is all the stuff they’ll have to bring and organise – and the daunting task of working it all out. So, to make it a little easier, I’ve put together this baby checklist for travelling, … Read more