From the brick-paved streets to the waterfront shopping, Annapolis, Maryland is so charming and full of American history that it should be on your “Must Visit” list if you’re ever on the East Coast. And since Annapolis is less than an hour away from Washington, DC, visiting this waterfront town makes a perfect weekend getaway. We recently visited Annapolis for a quick babymoon before baby #2 comes and had an amazing time in just 2 days! Continue reading to get the ultimate guide on how to fill your weekend with what to do, eat, and stay while you’re in Annapolis, Maryland!

What to Do

Annapolis is such a walkable town that you can park your car once and spend the whole day discovering the charming streets and historical buildings all by foot. Here is a list of things to do in Annapolis, so you can pick and choose what entices you. 

Take a Trolley Tour

Taking a Discover Annapolis Trolley Tour is the best way to get to know the town of Annapolis, all within one hour! Then you can finetune the rest of your weekend itinerary depending on what interests you from the tour. In one hour, you’ll learn all about the role Annapolis played in our country’s history while gazing at the most spectacular historic buildings. Did you know that Annapolis is home to the largest concentration of Georgian homes in America? Tickets are available online or on a walk-in basis and trolleys depart daily from April through October from the Visitor’s Center. 

Stroll down Main Street

You cannot come to Annapolis and NOT take a stroll down Main Street. From unique boutique shops to delicious restaurants, you can spend hours walking up and down the brick-paved sidewalks. If you’re walking from Church Street, Main Street ends at City Dock, where you have an excellent view of Ego Alley and the parading boats. This is a great place to grab a meal outdoors, sunbathe on one of the benches on the dock, or even take a boat tour!

Cruise the Chesapeake Bay

Speaking of City Dock, this is where you can hop on a boat tour to explore even more of Annapolis’ history from the beautiful Chesapeake Bay! Watermark has the perfect 40-minute narrated cruise that allows you to sit back and relax, enjoying the view and the wind in your hair. Check the website for the schedule, but in the spring and summer, tours depart every hour on the hour. 

Naval Academy

As you’re walking through Annapolis, you may see groups of young men and women in uniform. This is because Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy (USNA), which was established in 1845! And did you know that the USNA is open to the public? If you’re a history buff, you can easily spend a few hours touring the USNA Museum or taking a guided tour to learn fun and unusual facts about midshipmen. Even better, the USNA is within walking distance to Main Street (less than 0.5 mile!), so it’s easy to visit one of Annapolis’ longest standing institutions. 

William Paca House

Another historic landmark that calls Annapolis home is the William Paca house. This Georgian mansion was built by William Paca in the 1760s, who was one of Maryland’s four signers of the Declaration of Independence and the state’s third governor. Step away from the bustling city and retreat to the William Paca house and gardens, which are sprawled over two acres. On a guided hour tour, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the 19th century elite lived, from the plush furnishings to the historic paintings. After the tour, take a stroll in the immaculate gardens, where butterflies flutter from flower to flower and the tall hedges make it hard to believe that you are actually in the middle of Annapolis!

Maryland State House

The Maryland State House is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Annapolis. Just steps from Main Street, the Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use in the US and is even the ONLY state house ever to have served as the nation’s capitol! Thus, it was in the Old Senate Chamber that General George Washington came before Congress in December 1783 to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Just weeks later, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris in January 1784, formally ending the Revolutionary War! You can just feel the amount of important American history that took place at the Maryland State House as your steps echo through the marble-filled hallways. 

Great Frogs Winery

While the Great Frogs Winery is not quite within walking distance of downtown Annapolis, it is still a short drive away and a great escape for a few hours. Great Frogs Winery focuses on small-batch production of their artisan-crafted wines. All tasting experiences are by reservation only, so be sure to check the website to book. Reservations allow for a seated tasting experience in a small and intimate setting. Spending a few hours at Great Frogs Winery is a wonderful way to add a slower-paced activity to an otherwise fun-filled itinerary! 

Where to Eat

While there are tons of unique options for places to eat in Annapolis, here are some MUST VISIT places that are iconic to the charming city. 

Miss Shirley’s

One of your weekend days must absolutely start with a breakfast or brunch date at Miss Shirley’s. Be forewarned – there will be a line as they don’t take reservations. But trust me, that line is worth it. Less than a mile’s walk from Main Street, Miss Shirley’s serves traditional southern flare for breakfast, brunch, and lunch while also using local ingredients from the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. They were even featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! We had one of their specials of the day – a stack of pancakes stuffed with pulled pork and cheese ????. We also shared Shirley’s Affair with Oscar, which is a 5 oz. Black Angus Filet topped with jumbo lump crab meat and hollandaise and voted Best Breakfast Dish in Maryland by Food Network Magazine! Whatever you choose at Miss Shirley’s, you can’t go wrong. And you’ll be back again to try something different.

Iron Rooster

Iron Rooster is known for its breakfast. So much so that they serve it all day! Breakfast fare includes pancakes, waffles, omelets, and benedicts. But they also have specialty items, such as breakfast bowls and fried chicken. We had shrimp and grits and fried chicken and pancakes! I would highly recommend sharing Iron Rooster’s signature Roostart, which is their homemade version of a Pop-Tart! They are made fresh daily and the flavors do vary by day/season. We would probably come back just for the Roostart! 

Annapolis Ice Cream Co

While you’re strolling on Main Street, make sure to stop at Annapolis Ice Cream Co for some premium, homemade ice cream! They are the only place in Annapolis where ice cream is made on-site daily! You’ll have a hard time deciding on what to get as there are over 40 flavors that they rotate daily. Good thing that you can sample the flavors first!

Carrol’s Creek Cafe

Eating seafood with a water view is a quintessential Annapolis experience and there’s no better place to do that than at Carrol’s Creek Cafe. Just a 5-minute drive from Main Street, Carrol’s Creek Cafe offers traditional American dining and seafood that takes advantage of the abundance of the nearby region – both land and water. We opted to get seafood to go along with our panoramic view of the water. We had the grilled swordfish and surf n’ surf with delicious lobster tail and a jumbo crab cake. Watching the sunset while finishing off our meal with the coffee and donuts bread pudding was absolutely divine. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to eat a delicious meal after touring Annapolis, you can’t beat the view or food at Carrol’s Creek Cafe!

Where to Stay

The Westin Annapolis

Less than a 15-minute walk from the heart of downtown Annapolis, the Westin Annapolis offers luxurious and upscale accommodations while still being close to all the attractions. After a full day of sightseeing, retreat to your modern room that is complete with heavenly bedding and a spa-like bathroom that even has a rain shower head! You can even continue your healthy habits while on vacation with Westin’s fitness center and indoor pool!

The Academy Bed and Breakfast

Right in the heart of historic downtown Annapolis, The Academy Bed and Breakfast is the epitome of the charm and charisma that Annapolis has to offer. The spacious master suites have been renovated with elegant furnishings and include oversized spa baths. With a stay here, you are not only at home away from home, you are literally steps from all of the action on Main Street, museums, and the Naval Academy!

Annapolis Waterfront Hotel

Annapolis Waterfront Hotel is Annapolis’ only true waterfront hotel (hence the name! :)). This hotel offers breathtaking views of the Annapolis Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay and a unique experience as you are steps away from attractions, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The 150 guestrooms are spacious and decorated with a sea-inspired palette and many of the waterfront rooms have private balconies! You’ll get a true Annapolis experience with a stay at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. 

Come Visit Annapolis, MD!

See all the amazing things you can do and see in Annapolis, Maryland?! With this guide, there will be no shortage of small-town charm as you walk your way through the waterfront shops and small alleyways lined with colorful houses. Have you been to Annapolis, Maryland before? What would you do and see if you were to spend a weekend in Annapolis? I would love to hear your thoughts so comment below!

If you live on the Mid-Atlantic East Coast, undoubtedly you have heard of Dutch Wonderland. Located only 2 hours from Washington, DC, this family theme park is geared towards families with young children. While we have friends who have been to Dutch Wonderland, their kids are much older than our 2-year-old Remy, so we dismissed the theme park as something to do eventually in a few years. However, we learned that Dutch Wonderland is especially perfect for toddlers. So imagine our excitement and we planned our trip right away! Remy had the time of his life and we are planning to come back soon. Read on to see why Dutch Wonderland is the best first amusement park!

Disclosure: My family received complimentary tickets in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are my own. 

Save $5 off your ticket just by reading this blog post! https://www.dutchwonderland.com/BlogReader

A Kingdom for Kids

With over 35 rides sprawled over 43 acres, Dutch Wonderland is truly a kingdom for kids. These rides range from a calm and serene train ride on the Wonderland Special to being suspended in the air on the high-flying roller coaster, Merlin’s Mayhem. The rides are well-spaced out, but the park itself is compact. Thus, there’s not too much walking involved for those little feet. Dutch Wonderland is very stroller friendly with wide walking paths and tons of designated “parking lots”. In addition, plenty of restrooms were scattered throughout the park with changing tables and/or family restrooms. Dutch Wonderland definitely keeps young families in mind in the design and layout of the park.

Character Breakfast

One of the activities that Dutch Wonderland offers (at an additional fee) is a character breakfast. This is a great way for your child to have one-on-one time with Princess Brooke, the Knight of Safety, Duke, and Merlin! The buffet-style breakfast takes place an hour before the park opens and offers a variety of breakfast staples, including fresh waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, and fresh fruit. There’s even a made-to-order omelet station! 

The character breakfast is ideal for older children as they can interact more and some kids even dressed up as princesses or knights! Remy was a little young for interacting with the characters, but he loved sneaking up on Duke and running away and squealing when Duke turned around! 

Another perk of the character breakfast is that you have prime selection of parking spots before the park even opens and the line to get in is non-existent! Check out the availability of character breakfasts before going. They are only offered for a few months in the summer and require reservations.

Fun for All Sizes

What makes Dutch Wonderland unique is that it is truly made for kids (and adults!) of all sizes. The theme park assigns a gem color to each height category: under 30” (aquamarine), 30-36” (amethyst), 36-42″ (emerald), 42-48” (amber), 48-54” (sapphire) and 54” and above (ruby). This gem assignment makes it easy to walk through the park and identify which rides are appropriate for your child as there is a sign posted for each ride with height requirements and and health restrictions.  We were genuinely surprised at the number of rides even Remy could ride, at just 31-ish inches tall. For example, out of 35 attractions, Remy could’ve experienced 21, but there were some rides that were temporarily closed. That’s over HALF of all of the rides available! That’s pretty impressive for an amusement park. There were even some rides that he could ride by himself!

This differentiates Dutch Wonderland from other amusement parks in that other amusement parks have only a small section dedicated to younger children. Dutch Wonderland, on the other hand, is an entire park dedicated to the little ones!

Live Entertainment

Rides are not the only thing included with your Dutch Wonderland ticket. You and your family can also enjoy live entertainment and shows! This can include reading a story with Princess Brooke or watching an amazing dive show with trained divers as they splash and swim. 

We were not able to catch any of the live entertainment because Remy only wanted to go on the rides! However, we definitely plan on visiting again and will make a point of watching one of the shows. 

Exploration Island

One of our favorite parts of Dutch Wonderland was Exploration Island, which included the Dino Dig and the Prehistoric Patch. This “island” is a great way to relax in the shade and catch your breath in between rides. The Dino Dig is a few sand pits that allow little explorers to uncover fossils with brushes and shovels. The Prehistoric Path offers a glimpse at 20 lifelike dinosaurs in a shaded walking path while also teaching interesting facts about dinosaurs. For example, did you know that experts believe that if the T-rex had survived and was allowed to evolve, their tiny arms would’ve disappeared altogether! Remy loved mimicking the sounds all the dinosaurs made.

Exploration Island also includes a Gondola Cruise and the Turnpike, but Remy was too short to ride these this year. Hopefully he grows by next summer!

Duke’s Lagoon

Duke’s Lagoon was the perfect way to end our visit at Dutch Wonderland. This water attraction area is a water play paradise! It featured multi-level waterplay playgrounds, where little ones can slide down water slides, aim spray nozzles, and duck under tipping water buckets. What we especially like about Duke’s Lagoon is the dedicated toddler section with a splash table and smaller water fountains. This allows for little kids to play safely with other little kids without having to worry about bigger kids running them over. 

There is a huge water slide, the Pipeline Plunge, that Remy was even able to ride with my husband. While the wait was long, Remy had so much fun that he wanted to go again! 

Duke’s Lagoon has plenty of shade and seating for adults or kids taking a break from all of the fun. To be honest, we didn’t have a chance to sit down as Remy was dragging us all over the water park. There is also the option of renting a private cabana for a fee, but you get to enjoy all-day access with food and drink service. 

Last Thoughts

After spending an entire day at Dutch Wonderland, we can say that Dutch Wonderland is truly the best first amusement park! Even though Remy is 2 years old, there were so many rides that he was able to enjoy and we know that list will grow as he grows taller every year. This family theme park is very toddler- and kid-friendly and it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit! 

Save $5 off your ticket just by reading this blog post! https://www.dutchwonderland.com/BlogReader

Have you been to Dutch Wonderland before? Would you like to visit one day?

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When you think of the magical land of Iceland, you undoubtedly also think of the mystical and ineffable beauty of the Blue Lagoon. Just imagine: you’re submerged in 100 degree milky baby blue water with steam surrounding you while you overlook the mountainous horizon. While most Icelanders pooh-pooh at the Blue Lagoon as being too touristy (and it is), I recommend a visit at least once. It’s an experience that’s worth the splurge and at the end of the day, it’s still a few hours of pampering and mud masks. What’s not to love?

Now that I got you all excited about the Blue Lagoon, there is some information that you should know before going to make the most out of your visit. Lucky for you, this post is going to give you the top 11 things you should know before visiting the Blue Lagoon!

1. Book online and in advance

Sorry, Charlie. There are no walk-in appointments at the Blue Lagoon. If you know you want to experience the Blue Lagoon, it’s best to buy your tickets before you even land in Iceland. Because the Blue Lagoon is very close Keflavik airport (about 20 minutes) and is less than an hour from Reykjavik, it is a very popular destination with tourists and can sell out quickly.

2. Timed Entry

When you book your Blue Lagoon tickets online in advance, you’ll be asked to choose an entry time, which has a certain number of tickets allocated to each hour. This is so that there’s not a huge rush of people at certain times throughout the day. You’ll have an hour from your entry time to make your way in. If you don’t make it to your booked entry time, there is no guarantee that you’ll be allowed to enter, so plan your itinerary carefully!

3. It will smell

It will definitely smell. Chalk this up as part of the Blue Lagoon experience. This is from the sulfur and other natural minerals. The good thing, though, is that you get used to it and won’t notice the smell after a while.

4. Prepare for High Tech Stuff

The Blue Lagoon is very high-tech! Once you check in, you are provided an electronic wristband that will be your lifeline during your visit. This wristband will allow you to gain access to your locker and also as payment for any meals or in-lagoon refreshments. Thus, there is no need to carry cash or your credit card while in the lagoon. Everything will be paid when you check out. So make sure your wristband is on securely! There’s no telling if you’ll be able to find it if it’s lost in that milky blue water!

5. Towels are provided

Towels are provided for Comfort and Premium tickets (compare the tickets here), so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own. Premium tickets also include the use of a bathrobe and slippers (flip flops). The flip flops are yours to keep. Honestly, you don’t really need a bathrobe if you have a towel and the flip flops had the Blue Lagoon logo on it, but were still pretty standard. If you’re on a budget, the Comfort ticket is the way to go!

6. Nudity will be experienced

Yes, you will see some naked people in the locker room, but nudity is not allowed in the actual Blue Lagoon. If needed, you can rent swimwear for an additional cost. But in the locker room, everyone is stripping down from the many layers of clothes to just their bathing suit. But don’t be too anxious. Nobody is looking at you, I promise. BUT! If you get too nervous to change in the open, there are private changing rooms available. Tip: Don’t worry about putting on your bathing suit yet because of the next tip! I would just change out of your layers and wrap yourself in a towel. Then….

7. Shower before entering

The Blue Lagoon requests that all guests shower before entering the lagoon – WITHOUT A BATHING SUIT! And yes, there are staff members who will politely ask that you do so before exiting the locker room. There are separate shower stalls with a door so you can shower in private. 

8. Complimentary Toiletries

There are lots of complimentary toiletries that are included with your Blue Lagoon ticket. Each shower stall has conditioner and shower gel, which you’ll take full advantage of with Tip #9. You also have access to all the Q-tips and cotton rounds you desire ????. There are also hair dryers available so your hair doesn’t freeze in the cold air after your visit. 

9. Protect your hair

As mentioned in the last tip, there is free conditioner and shower gel in each shower stall. You’ll want to use the conditioner liberally. And I mean liberally. If you think you have enough in your hair, put on more. There are minerals in the lagoon that can stiffen and dry out your hair, which is not a good look for the rest of your trip. And it will take several washes and days to get it back to normal. In order to protect your hair, lather on the conditioner and pull your hair into a high bun. I would not recommend dipping your hair into the water, even with conditioner on. 

10. Complimentary mud masks and drinks

Both the Comfort and the Premium tickets include a silica mud mask and one free drink of your choice. In order to experience the mud mask, you’ll swim up to the in-water mask bar, where you’ll get a dollop of silica mud, which you’ll spread all over your face and neck. The silica mud mask deep cleans and strengthens, leaving your skin fresh and clear. You’ll be instructed to leave the mask on for about 10 minutes, after which you can rinse it off right into the lagoon! 

The Premium ticket includes a second mask of your choice. You can choose from another silica mud mask, an algae or mineral mask, or a lava scrub. You are also able to purchase these with your electronic wristband. 

The in-water bar allows you to enjoy drinks without having to even leave the warm water. You can choose from a selection of smoothies, juices, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Each time you choose a drink, your wristband will be scanned (your first one is free). Note that there is a limit of three alcoholic drinks per wristband for safety reasons.

11. Protect your phone

Phones are allowed at the Blue Lagoon, but preparation is key before you go. I would not recommend taking your naked phone into the Blue Lagoon due to the hot steam and the possibility of dropping it into the water! Before you leave for your Iceland trip, invest in a waterproof cell phone carrying case (we used these) that will help protect your phone while in the Blue Lagoon and allow you to capture all the great Instagram-worthy pics. In addition, if you plan on visiting waterfalls in Iceland (because how could you not!), these waterproof cases will prove to be very useful. 

And there you have it! Eleven things you need to know before visiting the Blue Lagoon! Do you plan on going to the Blue Lagoon while you’re in Iceland? If you have been to the Blue Lagoon, what other things can you add to this list? Tell us about your experience and what you think about this list below!

To experience the best that Iceland has to offer, you need a car. Plain and simple. While it is possible to see the most popular day trips while staying in Reykjavik, you’ll have to book sightseeing tours. These tours won’t allow you the flexibility (or privacy) to truly enjoy the breathtaking sights of Iceland in all its true glory, especially if you plan on visiting the countryside. Thus, it is recommended to rent a car while exploring Iceland. 

Luckily, there are plenty of rental car companies to choose from while you’re planning your trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. In this post, we’ll go through some tips and things to think about when you rent a car in Iceland. 

1. Book in advance

Like I mentioned before, there are many rental car companies to choose from in Iceland. However, that does not mean you should wait until the very last minute to book. Not only do you risk a higher price, but you also risk not having a car to rent! Iceland has been a popular destination recently and rental cars go fast during peak season, which is mid-June through August. I would recommend that as soon as you buy your plane tickets, research (see Tip #2) and book your rental car. That way, you have one less thing to worry about before your trip. Even better, if your plans change, most rental car reservations can be cancelled without any charge. 

2. Renting the right car for you

In order to find the right rental car for you, a little research must be done. Rental car websites, such as Kayak and Auto Europe, are great as you can filter cars based on size, transmission type, price, dates, etc. Choose a car that will fit your budget and luggage best! Be sure to take note if the car is manual versus automatic or if the company limits the number of miles that can be driven.

We rented a Subaru Outback that was provided by Lagoon Car Rental and it was the perfect size for 3 adults and a toddler exploring Iceland. We were able to fit a carseat, luggage, and our hiking baby carrier with no problem and still had room to be comfortable while driving through the country. Lagoon Car Rental provides unlimited miles with all of their vehicles and while my husband and I can drive manual, we chose to stick (no pun intended ????)with automatic for our first time in Iceland. 

3. Get the upgraded car insurance

If you’re like me, you HATE to pay for car insurance when renting a car. I mean, you’re only driving this car around for a week – what could happen? In Iceland, A LOT can happen. 

While the main roads around Iceland are paved, you will most likely drive on gravel at some point. These gravel roads will have tiny little rocks that can damage the body of your rental car. Worse, if you are following someone on a gravel road, these little rocks can be flung onto your windshield, causing a dreaded crack. Damage caused by gravel is the most common type in Iceland. Many rental car companies offer gravel protection for a low daily cost, so don’t hesitate to get it. Regardless if you get the gravel protection or not, I recommend driving slowly over paved roads and leaving plenty of room for the car in front of you. 

You may also need to consider sand and ash protection for your rental car. In Iceland, you can come to expect all kinds of weather, including sand, dust, ash, and rock being blown around during high winds. Sand and ash protection will cover any damages caused to the exterior of the car due to these earthy materials. 

There are a slew of other optional add-ons, including tire and theft protection. Consider your budget when making these choices. With the rental car company that I used, Lagoon Car Rental (link), they have different levels of car insurance packages that you could choose from. Since this was our first time in Iceland, we opted for the Gold package. 

4. Drive like you would in the U.S.

There are some European countries that require an International Driving Permit in addition to your U.S.-issued driver’s license in order to drive in that country. Luckily, Iceland recognizes your U.S.-issued driver’s license and does not require any additional documentation. Icelanders also drive on the right hand side of the road, so you’ll feel right at home in your rental car!

5. Hold onto that door!

This seems like an odd tip, but it kind of goes along with the previous tip about car insurance and the weather. As mentioned before, you can expect severe weather changes in Iceland, including very high winds. If you are traveling in such conditions, be very careful when opening your car door and hold onto it tightly! There are many horror stories of doors flying off due to the wind. Most insurance companies DO NOT cover damage to doors due to the wind. So, hold onto that door!

6. Don’t stop in the middle of the road

Yes, it can be tempting to stop along the side of the narrow road while you’re driving through the countryside. I mean, there are so many amazing sights in between your destinations that you MUST take pictures of or there are Icelandic horses or sheep to visit.  There are no other cars in sight, so it should be safe, right? WRONG! Do not stop in the middle of the road to snap a quick photo. Most of the major roads in Iceland are one-lane and an oncoming car may be traveling at 70-80 mph. By the time you see them, scramble back into your car, and try to accelerate, it may be too late! 

Instead, look for road signals for an upcoming designated parking lot where you can stop safely, stretch your legs, and take as many photos as you want. 

7. Don’t play chicken with fuel

This is probably the most important tip for renting a car in Iceland and you plan on driving out to the countryside. While you’re driving the Ring Road around the country, there are stretches where you will not see any form of civilization for many, many miles. Not even a gas station. Thus, it is important to plan ahead and fuel often, even if you have more than half a tank. Just top off anyways. You’ll thank me later. 

There you have it! Seven tips for renting and driving a car in Iceland. Remember to follow all road signals and signs when driving. But most of all, have a great time in Iceland! Do you plan on renting or did you rent a car when going to Iceland?

Whether your family is about to take an international trip or you’re wanting an official form of photo identification for your baby, the process of getting a passport can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! As long as you’re organized, plan ahead, and leave plenty of wiggle room, the process of getting a passport for your child is really quite simple. Read on to find out the steps, some tips and tricks, and a free checklist!

Passports for Children Under 16

Obtaining a passport for a child under the age of 16 is a little different than the normal process. For starters, they must apply in person. Furthermore, a child’s passport is only valid for 5 years, whereas an adult’s passport is valid for 10 years. This makes sense as children grow up quickly and their looks can change. After 5 years, you will have to complete a brand new application each time until your child is 16 years old. Fortunately, a child’s passport is also cheaper!

What you need to bring

There are many forms and paperwork that you will need to bring for an in-person passport application for your child:

• Evidence of U.S. Citizenship – this can include a fully valid, undamaged U.S. passport (it may be expired), a U.S. birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth. The evidence of U.S. citizenship must be an original or certified copy.
• Photocopy of U.S. Citizenship Evidence – Make a photocopy of the evidence of U.S. Citizenship that you chose from above to submit. The photocopy must be legible, on white 8.5”x11” standard paper, black and white, and single-sided. This means that if there is printed information on the back, you must photocopy that on a separate piece of paper.
• Proof of Parental Relationship – this can include a U.S. birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, foreign birth certificate, adoption decree, or divorce/custody decree. You’ll notice that the U.S. birth certificate and the consular report of birth abroad can serve as both the evidence of U.S. citizenship as well as parental relationship.
• Present Parent’s ID – this can include a valid driver’s license, U.S. passport (valid or expired), certificate of naturalization or citizenship, etc. (please see full list at https://travel.state.gov/) 
• Photocopy of Parent’s ID – Again, this photocopy must be on white 8.5”x11” standard paper, black and white, and single-sided
• Child’s Passport Photo – this must be a color photo taken within the last 6 months with a clear image of the face and a white background. See more detail in the next section.
• Form of payment – bring your checkbook or a cashier’s check for the passport fees. See the chart below for the fees for a child applicant (as of April 2019):

Steps to complete

1. Gather all of your documents listed above. Download the free checklist, attach it to a folder, and tick each thing off as you add it to the folder.
2. Get children’s passport photo. There are many ways to get this done. You can go to a photo center, such as CVS or Walgreens, and pay a small fee. Most post offices also do the photos when you apply for the passport in person. Or you can do the photos yourself with a white sheet, but please check the (site) for the entire list of requirements. It may be worth to pay the small fee to have a professional do the photo to avoid the potential of a rejected application due to the photo if the requirements are not met. 
3. Fill out Form DS-11. This can be printed online or picked up in person at the application office. See my tips and tricks below regarding this form. Do not sign this form until instructed to do so by the acceptance agent when you apply in person!
4. Find your acceptance facility. You can easily find an application office near you by searching (link). The site will show the hours that they accept passport applications as well as if they take appointments. Most of the places are post offices or libraries. Read my tips and tricks below to (hopefully) reduce your waiting time!
5. Apply in person. The child and both parents listed on the birth certificate need to be present to apply for the child’s passport. There are some exceptions if one parent is unable to appear or if there are custody issues. Check (link) to see what to do for these exceptions. At the office, the acceptance agent will review your application, making sure that everything is filled out correctly and checks that the photo meets requirements. The agent will also check your required identification and have you verbally swear that the application and documents presented are correct. You will then sign the application when instructed by the agent and it’s time for the waiting game. 
6. After submitting the application. Once you submit your child’s passport application, you’ll wait for about 4-6 weeks to receive the passport through the mail. If you paid the expedited fee, you can expect to wait for 2-3 weeks. 

Please note that the passport office will keep your child’s evidence of U.S. citizenship with your application and will mail it back separately from the passport. 

Tips and Tricks When Applying for A Child’s Passport

1. Get a passport early. When your child is first born, there are so many things that have to be done, from birth certificates, adding them to insurance policies, staying alive, etc. Getting a passport may not even be on your list, but consider applying for a passport for your child after the “newness” settles down. Since it can take a while to get the passport, get it sooner rather than later. This way, you won’t have to worry about it if you get offered to go on an international trip last minute or you won’t be scrambling when you book a vacation only to find out you have to get a passport too!
2. Fill out Form DS-11 in advance. On the (Travel link) website, you can print out a PDF of the form and fill it out with black ink or you can use their form filler to fill in the sections for you. This is great for people with not-so-pretty handwriting (ahem, my husband). Filling out the form before you go ensures you have all the information needed on the form rather than finding out after waiting hours in line. When you go to print out the blank or filled out copy, DO NOT print form on both sides. You must print the form single-sided or you’ll have to fill it out again at the acceptance facility. As mentioned above, do not sign the form until instructed by an acceptance agent. Also, do not attach the passport photos to the form either. The agent will do that once he/she ensures that everything is correct. 
3. Make an appointment, if you can. There are some passport acceptance facilities that will allow you to make appointments. Do that! It will save you lots of waiting time, which is even better with a small child. 
4. If no appointments, get there even before the facility opens. This way, you can be there as soon as they start accepting applications and you can minimize your waiting time. 

Our Experience

Our personal experience with applying for Remy’s passport was such a positive one! We booked our first international trip as a family that was 6 weeks out before realizing that Remy didn’t have a passport! Don’t be like us and follow Tip #1. Luckily, the weekend after we booked our trip, we went to the local library as soon as they opened to apply for his passport. We were first in line and the entire process took 20 minutes. This library was nice because they had a pager system for the people after us so they were free to roam the library and the pager would buzz when it was their turn. It is very convenient and great for families with kids as they could play in the children’s section until it was time. 

The acceptance facility was also able to take Remy’s photo for a small fee. It was definitely worth the fee as we didn’t have to deal with a squirmy toddler while trying to measure the face length in the frame at home. 

Since our trip was in 6 weeks, we paid the expedited fee and got his passport exactly two weeks after turning in the application! Whew!

How was your passport experience? Any tips or tricks you can share?

Oh Melbourne! Or “Melb’n”, if you’re a true Australian. ???? From the aroma of roasting coffee beans to the vivid and colorful alleyways, Melbourne is truly a unique city. Melbourne is consistently named as the world’s most livable city, and after spending 48 hours there, we totally agree!

My husband, Chris, and I travelled to Sydney, Australia and Fiji in May 2016 and knew that we HAD to visit Melbourne while we were on the opposite side of the world! From the hipster culture to the delicious food scene, Melbourne is a great place to visit and should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Getting there

Getting to Melbourne from Sydney is easy peasy lemon squeezy! We took a short 90-minute flight from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Airport. For cheaper options, you can also fly into Avalon airport and take a 50-minute shuttle into the central business district (CBD).

We got into Melbourne at 8:35 am on Saturday and left at 8:30 pm on Sunday, so we had exactly 36 hours in this amazing city!

Accommodations

We stayed at Melbourne Marriott Hotel Corner Exhibition and Lonsdale right in the heart of the city! The hotel was centrally located and within minutes from restaurants, sights, and shops. This hotel is also located in the Free Trolley Zone so you can just hop on to go to Queen Victoria’s Market (see below) or the Docklands.  What a great way to see most of the city while staying on budget!

We are pretty familiar with the great Marriott brand and Melbourne Marriott did not disappoint. With a leather chair and ottoman and a writing desk, the room was very spacious and clean. The queen-sized bed was extremely comfortable and a welcome treat after a full day of sightseeing!

Overall, we enjoyed our one-night stay with Melbourne Marriott and would stay there again when/if we visit Melbourne again.

Day 1

Degraves Street

As soon as we dropped off our luggage at the hotel, we set off to explore the sights and atmosphere of Melbourne! First up was the famous Degraves Street. At first glance, Degraves street may not seem impressive. After all, it’s a dark and narrow alleyway in the CBD with graffiti all over the walls – what’s there to like? But some may say that a visit to Degraves Street is the quintessential Melbourne experience. As you walk down this 300 foot long street, you’ll get a vibe of what Melbourne is all about and what is important to their culture – good coffee, better food, and the best company! With a ton of alfresco dining options, you can try a variety of food and drinks while sitting in the outdoor cafe seating area and getting your fill of people watching!

RMB Cafe Bar

After perusing all of the large number of options on Degraves Street, we decided on RMB Cafe Bar for our first Melbourne meal.

The RMB One Breaky was 2 eggs (however you like), with mushroom, cherry tomato, pork and fennel sausage, and hash brown with toast.

The Spicy Eggs Atlantic was two poached eggs, spicy smashed avocado, and goat cheese, smoke salmon on toast

The service was quick and the food was very delicious and filling (which is a good thing, because it was a little expensive, ~$16 USD for each entree). What a great start to the Melbourne food scene!

Block Arcade

After a relaxing time eating scrumptious food and people watching on Degraves Street, we made our way over to Block Arcade, which is a 2-minute walk! The Block Arcade is known for its architecture as it was built in 1892 and modeled after the oldest shopping mall in Milan, Italy. As you walk around, you take in the breathtaking architecture, the huge glass dome, and the gorgeous mosaic floor (actually the largest mosaic floor in the southern hemisphere), you are transported back in time. You’ll see unique shops, handcrafted items, a tea room, and handmade chocolates as you make your way through this charming building of Melbourne.

Melbourne Street Art

While walking around Degraves Street and the Block Arcade, you can’t help but notice small laneways and side streets with colorful and vivid graffiti. You really can’t leave Melbourne without snapping a selfie in front of some of these amazing street art. If you Google search “Melbourne Street Art”, you’ll find many opinions on where to find the best part. Most of the popular streets include Hosier Lane, Centre Place, and AC/DC Lane. My husband and I found it best to ditch the map and just get lost in these small alleyways. We certainly enjoyed walking through this living art exhibition – and it’s free!

St. Kilda Beach

St. Kilda Beach is a short 20-minute tram ride from Melbourne’s CBD and is a great place to visit to experience Australia’s very active lifestyle. Here, you’ll see bike riders, joggers, windsurfers, rollerbladers, swimmers, and the list goes on and on! We were able to rent bikes through Melbourne’s Bike Share, which only cost ~$2.12 USD for unlimited 45-minute bike rides in a 24-hour period. There’s a long bike pathway along the coast that we biked along. It was nice that it was separated from the walking path so we didn’t have to try and avoid walkers or runners. We timed our bike ride with the sunset and it was a romantic way to take in St. Kilda Beach.

TIP: Check the time of the sunset before you go to St. Kilda Beach to capture amazing photos of the sun setting over the water.

Rococo

For our only dinner in Melbourne, we chose to eat at Rococo, a very popular Italian restaurant on the busy Acland Street. Rococo serves simple, authentic Italian food and has an amazing ambiance as you sit outside people watching. After an amazing day, we both opted for pasta to satisfy our hunger. The linguine with char-grilled seafood was a great portion size and even had prawns and mussels! The spaghetti with prawns “alla busara” was so delicious with it’s tomato-based sauce and juicy prawns.

Day 2

Queen Victoria’s Market

We started day 2 of our Melbourne trip with a visit to Queen Victoria’s Market. Queen Victoria’s Market is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere and has over 600 small business that offer delicious bites and homemade souvenirs. We easily spent a few hours, wandering the stalls, taking in the sights and smells.

We stopped at American Donut Kitchen for a quick bite. It’s not exactly a kitchen, but it is actually a caravan that serves amazing deep fried hot jam doughnuts. The line was quite long, but it moves so fast and the end result is finger-lickin’ good!

We also visited Market Lane Coffee which is not only a cafe that serves great coffee, but it is also a specialty coffee roastery that demonstrates the art of making coffee. They serve manually dripped coffee and specialty coffee drinks. It was really fun to watch them pour water at the exact temperature over freshly ground coffee beans. Definitely would recommend a stop here for coffee aficionados.

South Bank Promenade

Finally, we ended our Melbourne trip by walking along the South Bank Promenade. You can enjoy the view of the skyline while taking in the Yarra River breeze. It is a very lively place with lots of cafes and restaurants. While we didn’t shop or eat (too stuffed from Queen Victoria’s Market), we took a leisurely walk and enjoyed the lifestyle of the Australians.

Our 36 hours in Melbourne, Australia were absolutely amazing. We love food, the art, the culture – the entire city! Thirty-six hours is a quick trip, but here is how you can see the highlights of Melbourne! Is Melbourne on our bucket list?

From its sparkling turquoise water to its white sand beaches, Fiji is an amazing vacation destination for honeymooners, families, and adventure seekers alike! We wish we could have had more time in Fiji, but there was no better location to end our Australian getaway with and 48 hours was perfect for the some R&R before heading home. My husband and I explored Australia and Fiji in May of 2016 as a romantic trip and it has been one of our favorite getaways to date! Honestly, if we were to go back to Fiji (we must make this happen!), we will probably spend more time exploring the 333 islands that make up this beautiful country!

The Accommodations

Imagine feeling the ocean breeze blowing softly into your room while you hear the waves crashing onto the shore. This is what you can expect when you stay at the 5-star Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, which is located on the beautiful and lush Denarau Island and overlooks the ocean. We stayed two nights in a luxury oceanside room with our own private balcony overlooking the beach. From the king-sized bed to the business desk to the small chaise, the room was very spacious, comfortable, and clean. The decor was simple and featured indigenous Fijian art. However, we weren’t too picky about the accommodations as we barely spent any time in the room. There’s so much to do elsewhere!

However, if you do plan to travel as a family, Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa makes it easy with connecting rooms as well as luxury family rooms, which come complete with game consoles!

The Resort

Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa is expansive and has immaculate grounds with a wonderful tropical feel. There is a huge pool area overlooking the beach. What we particularly loved was the private adults-only pool area so we can enjoy the cool water with some peace and quiet without kids splashing and running about. However, there was a slide at the regular pool and my husband and I may have tried it out a few times! There were quite a few families with young children, so we may have to go back with Remy as there is a kid’s club, called the Turtle Club. Kids are bound to have fun with treasure hunts, arts & crafts, and games while you relax and venture out on your own.

Our stay at the Sofitel included a free buffet breakfast, which was a delicious way to start our day. We even met an Australian couple with their 1-year-old and we met up for breakfast every morning and still talk to this day! Actually,there were lots of Australians and New Zealanders “on holiday” in Fiji since the flight is only about 4 hours. Much better than our 17 hours to the east coast of the US.

Other amenities at the resort include a fitness center,meeting rooms, a spa (more about that later), and multiple bars and restaurants. There is always so much to do that you really don’t have to leave  the resort! However, if you do decide to venture out, the resort is next to the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club and within walking distance to the marina with restaurants and shops.

Finally, the staff at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet in your life! Every employee is so willing to help with a smile on their face and quick to say “Bula”, which means “Hello!” in Fijian. Did you know that Fiji is known as “The Home of Happiness”? You can definitely tell when interacting with the locals!

The Food

Because we had the free breakfast buffet at the resort, we were pretty full for most of the day! When we were hungry after our jet skiing and snorkeling adventure, we ate at the resort’s Breeze Bar and had some delicious pizza, but they were a little on the expensive side (~$17.50).

We also went out one night to the nearby Radisson Blu resort to eat at Chantara Thai Restaurant. With the tiki torches, waterfall, and ocean breeze, the ambiance was exceptional. The service was fast and friendly and the food was exquisite – some of the best Thai food we’ve ever had! For the appetizers, we had satay kai (crunch peanut chicken skewers) and crispy prawns. Then we shared the green curry and pad see yew for the main entrees. Dessert was deep fried ice cream and mango and sticky rice!

The Activities

There is so much to do in Fiji! Unfortunately, we were only there for 48 hours, but we tried to make the best of it!

Jet Skiing

We were able to rent jet skis with a group of people and a tour guide and jet ski all the way to a private island! I’ve never been on a jet ski before, but it was amazing to feel the wind in your hair and have some friendly competition while racing!

Snorkeling

Once we got to the private island, we ditched our jet skis for snorkeling gear! We snorkeled among the amazing coral reef and even saw a reef shark! The water was warm and crystal clear and the schools of fish were so colorful. Since we were on a private island, it was serene and not too crowded.

Spa Day

On our last day, we decided to check out the spa at the resort. We saw a flier for a “So in Love Spa Retreat”, which included a 60 minute couples body massage, a 30 minute couples facial, and a 30 minute private milk bath jacuzzi for with a glass of bubbles! Doesn’t that sound so heavenly? Guess how much this was? $175 AUD, which is ~$123 USD for the couple, not each person! What an amazing deal for 2 hours! The entire experience was superb.

After our spa treatment, we were able to enjoy the spa facilities, which included the loungers and private pool overlooking the ocean. We napped and soaked up the sun before heading back to our room to pack.

Overall, our 48 hours in Fiji was heavenly! However, we will have to come back to experience all that Fiji has to offer, including hiking and surfing. We would also like to explore the village life and see what everyday life is like for the typical Fijian. Because of this, our little family will definitely be back – and hopefully spend more than 48 hours on this South Pacific Island! Have you been to Fiji? What adventures would you do if you came to this tropical destination?

You’re ready for your family vacation! You have your tickets, your itinerary, and your packing list, but then as you pack your toddler’s stuff,  you think to yourself, “How the heck am I going to survive in a small hotel room with a toddler?”. Then your thoughts start to spiral out of control and you think, “Can we even go on a vacation? What about their sleep schedule? Will we enjoy ourselves since they go to bed so early?”.

Our family just went on an overnight trip for the first time with a toddler. And these same thoughts kept popping into my head regarding the hotel stay. In fact, I almost backed out of our weekend getaway because of the fear of staying in a hotel with Remy and veering away from our “routine”.

But, I’m so happy to share the good news that our little boy (and us) did SO much better than we could have imagined! He slept through the entire night and absolutely loved exploring a new place.

So before you hit that cancel button, here are some tips and tricks on staying in a hotel with a toddler to ensure that your vacation is enjoyable as you make amazing memories as a family!

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Prepare For a Hotel Stay With a Toddler

When you’re about to embark on a trip with your little ones, preparation is half the battle! And a little planning will go a long way!

If you’re driving to your destination, consider bringing along your own Pack ‘n Play or travel crib. If you don’t have one or are flying instead, call the hotel ahead of time to reserve a hotel crib. Then be sure to pack the essentials, such as toys, favorite books, lovey, special blanket, etc.

We also felt that Remy’s sound machine was essential and we had enough room to pack it in our luggage. If you don’t have room to pack your sound machine, check out a white noise app on your phone that should do the trick!

And finally, pack some duct tape! That’s an odd request, but we’ll talk more about that in the next section.

Inspect and set up the hotel room

Once you check into your hotel room, the first thing you should do is inspect your room. As you know, toddlers LOVE to explore and this hotel room is a new environment. Your toddler will investigate every nook and cranny. So you’ll want to take a quick look around the room for things to toddler-proof.

Check the floor and under the bed for any small trinkets or items that they will inevitably put into their mouth. Look for any outlets that are within a toddler’s reach and cover them with tape. You can also tape down electrical cords that they can trip over or blind cords that they can get tangled up in. Move any toiletries and fragile decor out of reach of those tiny hands.

​Block off any sharp corners of the nightstand or TV stand with pillows, if you can.

Finally, set up stations for your toddler: a changing station, eating station, sleeping station, you get the idea!

Try to maintain a routine, but be flexible

This tip is a hard one. You want to have fun on your vacation but you also don’t want to ruin that toddler sleep schedule that took you sooo long to perfect. My advice is to be a little bit flexible, but try to stick to some sort of schedule or normal routine. We had Remy nap on the go, either in the baby carrier or the stroller, and while he had shorter naps than usual, we didn’t stress over it too much, especially since he was still in such a happy mood.

His bedtime got pushed back by about half an hour, allowing us to eat dinner out together as a family. Again, this was no problem as we slept in the next morning. We kept the same bedtime routine with a bath, PJ’s, reading a bedtime book, and cuddling before lights out.

While you’re on vacation or away from home, don’t look at the clock too closely as you’ll end up not enjoying yourself! Be flexible and enjoy this precious time with your family!

Recreate your toddler’s home sleep environment

Maintaining some aspect of your little one’s routine also goes along with recreating their home sleep environment as much as possible. Is there a dark corner of your hotel room? Can you section a separate space of your room with a sheet or towel? Do you have a sound machine that you use at home?

We recreated Remy’s home sleep environment by making it as dark as possible and used his sound machine on the exact same settings. We also used sheets that were from home so he had a familiar smell and he had his lovey and blanket that he loves to cuddle.

Remy had no problem passing out at the end of the night and slept his twelve hours without a peep. The best part – he woke up so happy the next morning to a well-rested mama and papa.

Splurge for a suite

Finally, if you can swing it, I recommend splurging for a suite or a hotel room with an adjoining room or even an AirBnB. We stayed at a Residence Inn hotel suite at our last overnight stay and I can honestly say that it makes a world of difference in how you vacation. If you’re in a single room, once your toddler is down for the night, you and your family are a little limited in what you can do. You’ll have to watch TV with the volume turned low, whisper in hushed voices, and maybe read with the lights turned down low.

However, in a suite, you can set up your toddler’s crib in their own room and once they are asleep, you can close the bedroom door and you and your family are ready to party! Well, not exactly. I wouldn’t recommend partying, but you can watch TV at a normal volume, play a board game (which is what my husband and I did), or order romantic room service for a little downtime!

Furthermore, with a suite, you may even have a small kitchen with a full fridge as an added bonus. This is perfect for traveling with little kids as you can cook meals and store snacks while you’re vacationing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Staying in a Hotel with a Toddler

Get Ready to Stay in a Hotel Room with Your Toddler!

This rounds up my top 5 tips on staying in a hotel with a toddler! With these tips, you’re bound to have an amazing trip! We definitely plan on traveling more as a family and I will update this list as gain more experience. Have you stayed in a hotel with young children? What are your top tips? I would love to hear your experiences and advice!

Check out these other blog posts about traveling with kids!

• How to Get Baby’s First Passport

• Why Dutch Wonderland is the Best First Amusement Park

Chris and I looove hiking! We actually backpacked about 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail over 4 days and 3 nights a couple of years ago. It was a great experience and we can’t wait to have Remy come along with us when he’s older.

For Remy’s first hike, we went to a state park that was about 10 minutes away from us. From a nature center, a playground, campsites, to hiking trails, the state park is an awesome way to get to know nature!

Before you go into the wild, make sure you protect everyone from bugs, especially those pesky mosquitos. For Remy, we covered his arms and tried to cover his head and neck with a hat, but he didn’t keep it on! For the adults, we used Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito Repellent Spray, which is plant-based and DEET-free. As a crunchy mom, you know I love that! Not to mention the refreshing scent. I tend to attract more mosquitos than my husband (cause I’m way sweeter), but we both use this stuff and it keeps those insects away for 6 hours!

Since we were not doing a major hike, we used our LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier for Remy. We love that it has great lumbar support and has breathable mesh so we stay cool, no matter if we’re hiking or shopping!

The Nature Center was full of great information on nature, the woods, and animals you would find in the forest! This was a perfect sensory activity for Remy as he got to feel the different coats and furs. He was a little scared at first.

Remy was amazed by the forest and was always looking up in wonderment at the trees and the leaves.

Juggernaut, our English bulldog, also came for the hike and he enjoyed his outside time. He actually got a great deal of attention as there was a kid’s birthday party near the playground!

Even though our hike was pretty short (definitely no 40 miles), we think Remy and Juggernaut enjoyed it! We hope to raise Remy where he will appreciate and respect Mother Nature.

Do you enjoy hiking or being outdoors? I recommend checking out your state’s natural resources websites or find a trail near you at https://www.alltrails.com/. Chris and I grew up in the area we live now since we were children, but we had no idea that we had such great ways to experience nature that are so close to us! I mean, in all the hustle and bustle of our lives, we can forget all of the stress and just walk in the woods, holding hands with nothing but the wind in our hair! What do you enjoy doing outdoors? I would love to hear what you and your family enjoy doing when the weather is nice outside!

There’s nothing better than Paris in the spring. After all, Audrey Hepburn did say, “Paris is always a good idea”. How about a babymoon in Paris in the spring?! As soon as we found out that we were expecting Remy, we knew we had to do a major trip just for the two of us. We decided on Paris because we love that city so much! We also found an amazing deal that we couldn’t pass up: $499 per person for a 4-night stay in Paris, including airfare and a room at a 4-star hotel!! I would definitely recommend checking out Travelzoo, since they scour the internet for the best travel deals.

This is our 1-year anniversary of our trip to the City of Light and I wanted to do an overview of the highlights! This is our second time in Paris (the first time was right after we got engaged in London <3), so we explored the path less traveled. It was a great experience and the perfect way to celebrate our love before we became a family of three.

Montmartre, Paris, France

The first time we went to Paris, we stayed in the city center, just a block away from the Arc de Triomphe. This time, we decided to stay away from some of that hustle and bustle and stayed in Montmartre, located in the 18th Arrondissement. It is home to the Bascilica of the Sacré-Coeur and is known for its artistic history, upscale cafes and shops, and old village charm. We loved strolling the brick-paved streets, holding hands and watching artists at work or people sipping café au laits.

Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je T’aime)

The Wall of Love is located in the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, Paris, France – right down the street from our hotel! It’s a love-themed wall where the phrase, “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages. The red splashes on the wall represent parts of a broke heart, which makes up a whole heart when gathered together. It was fun to people watch and try to find “I love you” in English, Vietnamese and Tagalog!

La Cuisine Paris – French Macaron Cooking Class

When you first walk into La Cuisine Paris, your nostrils are overwhelmed by this amazing smell! You smell roasting duck, baking baguettes and rising French macarons. It was heavenly! Prior to this trip, I’ve attempted to make French macarons and have had more failures than successes. So Chris thought it would be a great idea for me to actually learn from the French!

This class was taught in English (macarons are already hard enough without the class being in the French language lol) and it was an intimate setting of about 10 people and 1 instructor. Each pair of students made a different filling while the instructor demonstrated. We made pistachio filling, but also learned how to make chocolate ganache, pineapple jam, and vanilla buttercream. Even better, we learned BOTH methods of how to make macarons: the French and Italian method.  

At the end of the class, you go around the table and choose from the macarons that your classmates have made in order to fill your bakery box so you have a good variety of colors and flavors! Overall, the class was fun and easy to follow along. I’ve made French macarons since then and even though they look the same, they don’t taste quite the same.  Maybe it needs some French air or something.

Angelina – the BEST hot chocolate

Imagine a Hershey’s chocolate bar. Melted. In a cup. That’s your hot chocolate from Angelina’s. Drool. This hot chocolate is TO DIE FOR. If you have time, we definitely recommend dining in. The line is a little bit long, but nothing beats the experience of sipping the superb hot chocolate with a side of fresh whipped cream, taking in the Art Deco decor and classic ambiance.  

Palais Garnier – Paris Opera House

When you enter Palais Garnier, you feel like you just entered a castle. Or the set of Phantom of the Opera. It is so grand and ritzy with sweeping marble staircases, luxurious chandeliers and painted ceilings. The architecture is breathtaking and can rival the Palace of Versailles (we went in 2014) in terms of its opulence. We saw a ballet here from our velvet box seats and it was an amazing experience!

Musée de l’Orangerie

Since we did the major museums the first time we went to Paris in 2014 (like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay), we focused on the smaller, yet still impressive Musée de l’Orangerie for this trip. This museum is known for its impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Everything about this museum is like walking into an impressionist painting: its location in a tree-lined section of the Tuileries Gardens to the awesome skylights that drench this museum in natural light. The main attraction at this museum is the collection of Claude Monet’s Nymphéas, or Water Lillies, which seems to float in bright oval rooms. The experience was serene and calming. The only hard part was getting a photo of the entire canvas without another tourist walking in.

Les Apôtres de Pigalle

While there is no bad meal in Paris, I wanted to highlight the last dinner we had on our trip. From the welcoming and friendly atmosphere to the intimate placement of the tables, this entire meal was French, through and through. They only take reservations at two set times each night so you are not rushed and you are able to enjoy and savor your delicious dishes. The owners were very energetic and passionate about their food as they explained each item on the menu in enticing detail. The small place was bustling with laughter, clinking glasses and conversation as socialization was encouraged between tables. We sat next to an older couple who was from Germany and we had amazing conversation with them. They even gave us parenting tips since they have grown children!

The meal itself consisted of tapas and we had almost everything on the menu (some things we had twice!): truffle mac and cheese, pan-seared duck breast with quinoa, chocolate souffle with salted caramel, nutella tiramisu, and so much more!

Overall, this was a very memorable babymoon. Remy was jumping for joy in my womb with the great food and treats.  I enthusiastically recommend taking some time for you and your partner before your baby arrives. It’s a great way to relax and focus on just you before you are no longer the priority in your life. Have you taken a babymoon or planning one? I would love to hear where you went and what you did to celebrate your growing family!