If you think that you’d never manage to travel with just hand luggage, this post is for you. Until I was forced to travel with only one small bag, I didn’t think that I’d be able to do it – but I’d never really tried to. And then I was booked on a flight with […]
Which vaccinations do I need for Thailand?
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand you may be wondering what to do about travel vaccinations and antimalarial tablets. Before my Thailand holiday with my husband and two teenage children, I researched which jabs we needed, and whether or not we should take antimalarial medication. A few people have asked about what we did, […]
The one where I claim flight compensation
When my flight from London to New York was cancelled, I was rebooked on a flight the following day, from a different airport. On my return, I claimed compensation for the cancellation. I’m sharing how I did this here, in case it’s helpful for you. This is what happened. The closer it got to our […]
Travelling with a child who has anxiety: advice for parents
I have to start by saying that, luckily for me, I don’t have anxiety issues. I’m writing this from the perspective of parenting a child who does, and of seeing what works for my family and for others. What is anxiety? We all feel anxious sometimes, for example if we’re starting a new job, or […]
8 reasons why families need to sit together on flights
Apparently one in five airline passengers are separated from their travel companions if they don’t pay to choose their seat. On some airlines (I’m looking at you, Ryanair) more like one in three people are split up from their mates or family. Unless you prefer not to sit with your friends and relations, this is […]
How to go Interrailing when you’re a teenager
This post is by my daughter, Izzy, who went Interrailing two years ago. It was the first time that she’d travelled abroad without an adult and I was a bit fretty about it, but it was a great experience for her. I wrote a post about how I felt when she left: What to do when your teen goes travelling for the first time. […]
10 easy ways to use less plastic and help save the world
Plastic is an endlessly versatile and useful product. It’s found all over the place, from supermarket carrier bags and food packaging to contact lenses and clothing. But the cost of our dependence on plastic is huge. Millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our seas every year, and it can be fatal to […]
The one where I decide to apply for Italian citizenship
This week I started the process of applying for Italian citizenship and passports for me and for our two children. I’m sharing my experience here in case it’s helpful to you. But please bear in mind that I have no expertise in this area, and I’m not in any way telling you how to do […]
Family holiday planning checklist
These days it’s really simple to travel independently, even if you have kids in tow. All it takes is some planning – and family members who are willing to take part in your trip (if this is an issue, check out my post What to do when your teenager doesn’t want to go on your […]
How to keep your mobile devices safe while travelling
If you and your family take mobile phones, tablets or laptops with you on your travels, how do you protect them? And how can you keep your children safe online when you’re away from home? Protecting your mobile devices Mobile devices can contain a huge amount of personal information, and if they’re lost or stolen […]
