05 March 2025

Inspired by the remarkable Palau Pledge (written for visitors by the children of Palau) and as part of my engagement to become a TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassador, I've created my own responsible travel pledge, which I hope all my clients will informally sign up to and embed within their trips. Recognising the impacts we can have on a destination (both good and bad), plays a crucial role in responsible travel. We all have the ability to help make travel a force for good if we respect and support the communities, wildlife, environments and habitats we encounter. Please do get in touch if you want to find out more - I'd love to share my ideas and learnings on this ever evolving journey.

11 June 2024

There are many ways to make your holidays a more meaningful experience. Check out a list of suggestions on how to go about this: + Research and Respect Local Cultures: Learn about the customs, traditions, and social norms of your destination. Show respect by dressing appropriately, learning basic phrases in the local language, and following local etiquette. + Think about when and where you travel: Some destinations struggle with overtourism – consider travelling during shoulder season or look for alternative destinations. + Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Choose eco-friendly transportation options whenever possible. Opt for trains, buses and ferries over flying, and if you must fly, talk to me about ways to lower your trip's carbon impact. + Support Local Businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop at local markets, and stay in locally owned accommodations. This helps boost the local economy and ensures your money benefits the community. + Minimise Waste: Carry a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, and utensils to reduce single-use plastics. Avoid products with excessive packaging and recycle whenever possible. + Be Wildlife Friendly: Avoid participating in activities that exploit animals, such as riding elephants or taking photos with captive wildlife. Choose ethical wildlife experiences that support conservation efforts. + Be Conscious of Your Water Use: In many destinations, water is a precious resource. Take shorter showers, reuse towels, and avoid activities that waste water. + Choose Sustainable Accommodations: Look for hotels and lodges that have strong environmental policies, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and water-saving initiatives. + Be Informed About Human Rights Issues: Stay aware of the social and political issues in your destination. Avoid supporting businesses or practices that violate human rights, such as child labour or unethical working conditions. + Share Your Experiences Responsibly: When sharing your travel experiences on social media, be mindful of how your posts may impact the destination and its people. Avoid geotagging sensitive natural locations and always ask for permission before photographing people. There are many other ways, of course, and some of the suppliers I work with have their own guidelines, but his is a good start and I'm always happy to elaborate on any of the points mentioned above, if you have any questions or wish to know more.

18 November 2023

Part of a holiday for many is to see animals in their natural habitat. In today’s day and age, when many wild animals are on the brink of extinction, it is very understandable that we want to get as close as possible to them, but that’s not usually in the animals’ best interest. Many tourism operators are still promoting unethical practices that involve captive animals: Elephant rides, tiger selfies, walks with lions, monkey shows, swimming with dolphins – each 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for a tourist means a lifetime of suffering for animals. There is hope though: we (I as the travel provider and traveller and you as the traveller and consumer) can help rebuild the tourism industry to be more responsible while meeting customer needs and helping end captive wildlife entertainment for good. I believe, that as travellers, we are becoming more aware of the cruelty involved in these and other wild animal experiences, our attitudes are changing dramatically. It makes me very happy that more and more travellers are choosing holidays based on how animal-friendly they are: • 87% believe wild animals belong in the wild where they can live naturally • 85% would prefer to see animals in the wild • 81% think people should not make an income from keeping wild animals if the animals suffer (Source: World Animal Protection) As a member of the travel industry aiming to become a wildlife-friendly travel business, I want to do my part for animal welfare, secure livelihoods and keep wild animals in the wild. This involves eliminating wildlife entertainment from my supply chain, offering responsible tourist experiences only and which is why I have drafted this pledge: ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY COMMITMENT My business is committed to responsible tourism and protecting animals who are impacted by the travel industry. I have developed this animal welfare policy because animal encounters have become increasingly popular as part of people’s holiday experiences. However, some animal related activities, such as elephant washing and rides, photo opportunities with tigers or watching dolphins perform, lead to suffering through cruel treatment and inhumane conditions. I believe that all animals should be respected for their inherent value and that the best way to experience animals whilst on holiday is by seeing them in their natural habitat. When under human care, both domesticated and non-domesticated (wild) animals, must have ‘a good life’ by enjoying good physical and mental health. The conditions they are provided must favour positive experiences over negative ones within an environment that encourages making choices and enables them to express the widest possible range of natural behaviours. I only work with suppliers if the animals under their care are provided with the highest possible welfare in line with the “Five Domains of Animal Welfare”: NUTRITION: Factors that involve the animal’s access to sufficient, balanced, varied and clean food and water. ENVIRONMENT: Factors that enable comfort through temperature, substrate, space, air, odour, noise and predictability. HEALTH: Factors that enable good health through absence of disease, injury, impairment and good fitness level. BEHAVIOUR: Factors that provide varied, novel and engaging environmental challenges through sensory inputs, exploration, foraging, bonding, playing, retreating and others. MENTAL STATE: By presenting positive situations in the previous four functional domains, the mental state of the animal should benefit from predominantly positive states, such as pleasure, comfort or vitality, while reducing negative states such as fear, frustration, hunger, pain or boredom. I also recognise that the needs of wild animals in particular can never be fully met in captivity. Where wild animals are kept in captivity, the facility must not only provide them with the best possible welfare conditions, it must also contribute towards a shift away from exploitative practices and be supportive of phasing out keeping wild animals for commercial purposes. GUIDELINES I do not sell or promote venues and/or activities that offer tourists any of the following experiences: • Close interaction with wild animals including but not limited to elephant riding and bathing, swimming with dolphins or walking with lions; • Watching wild animal performances, including but not limited to dolphin shows, circuses, orangutan boxing; • Photo opportunities with wild animals, including but not limited to lion or tiger selfies, sloths, or primates, dolphin kissing; • Watching animals fight or race, or being used in other sport or cultural events that cause animals to suffer or die, including but not limited to bullfighting and running, crocodile wrestling, dog fighting, rodeo, elephant polo and horse racing; • Visiting facilities where captive wild animals are bred and kept for commercial products, including but not limited to crocodile farms, civet coffee farms, bear bile farms, turtle farms; • Engaging in trophy, canned hunting or sport fishing. When not in conflict with any of the above guidelines I do offer and/or promotes the following venues and activities where tourists can experience animals: • Genuine animal sanctuaries, rehabilitation facilities and rescue centres that have the highest possible standards of animal care, e.g. sanctuaries certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) or elephant venues following World Animal Protection’s Elephant-Friendly venue guidelines. • Responsible wildlife watching where a visitor can observe animals in their natural environment from a suitable distance without interrupting their natural behaviours or disturbing their routines, e.g. whale watching experiences certified by the Whale Cetacean Alliance (WCA). • Zoos and aquariums that are accredited by members of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and national zoo and aquarium accrediting bodies which do not hold cetaceans in captivity and do not use wild animals for direct contact activities with visitors or have them perform in shows. If a wildlife adventure is on your bucket list and you wish to ensure your experience is sustainable, responsible and ethical, I would be delighted to help you plan and book your trip with a personal service, expert advice, and 100% financial protection.

14 July 2023

New Zealand's South Island is so much more than Christchurch and Queenstown, but especially if you're thinking of travelling between these two towns, this list of suggestions may come in handy. All places can be reached from Christchurch within a day's drive - even with stops along the way! 1. Jetboating and visiting the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools We did both in the pouring rain, as we figured we’d get wet either way… and boy, was that true! I was apprehensive about the jetboating at first, especially with Pete, but all three of us had such a blast, I can highly recommend it! Heading to the lovely warm pools afterwards was just bliss. They have different sizes and temperatures, some of them are adults only (very nice when you’re there with at least one extra adult who can look after the child/ren – Matt’s mum joined us after jetboating - yay) and the children’s pool has a funnel slide (Conical Thrill and Super Bowl) apart from the regular slides – but Pete was too small and frankly a bit scared anyway – phew. 2. Akaroa The only French settlement in New Zealand, is only a 90-minute scenic (and slightly hair-pinny, depending on the size of your car) drive from central Christchurch and therefore makes for a fantastic day or weekend away. We got married here – but what attracted me first to the spot is the cute main street and of course the pretty lighthouse, not to mention the delicious boysenberry ice cream with real fruit. The seagulls, unfortunately, are as cheeky as everywhere and will divebomb onto your plate of chips, so beware! Main reason for me mentioning this place though is the Akaroa Harbour Cruise operated by Black Cat Cruises. We’ve been out with them for the first time the day after our wedding and enjoyed it so much, we had to take Pete this year. After we’ve had a fab time watching some Hector dolphins frolic around the boat, Pete fell asleep, and Matt and I were able to focus on spying on some fur seals and even a little penguin! 3. TranzAlpine Rail Journey to Greymouth across Arthur’s Pass If your little one is as train crazy as ours or even if you don’t have children – this is a journey worth leaving the car behind for! In the picture you see me long before Pete was a topic, but it’s a great depiction of why and how families can have lots of fun on the trip apart from watching the stunning scenery go past. Just don’t drink the coffee – it’s the worst I had in New Zealand, I’m afraid! And if you’re lucky at Arthur’s Pass, you might even spot a Kea or two in action – and feel extra grateful you left your car safe and sound back in the city! 4. Kaikoura A fantastic place a couple of hours north of Christchurch, where you can enjoy lovely window shopping (or the real thing) as well as super tasty seafood, crayfish in particular (Kai meaning food and koura meaning crayfish in Maori) but what I love even more is the huge shoreline with lots and lots of lovely stones and shells (don’t collect them – just enjoy them where they are!) and visiting the seal colony. Keep to the paths, stay as quiet as you can and see how many seals you can spot – they are great at hiding, sometimes in plain sight (as Matt had to learn the hard way when he nearly tripped over one that came too close to the path)! 5. Puzzling World and National Transport & Toy Museum in Wanaka This was probably Petey’s favourite activity, in particular the maze. Back in the days pre-Petey, Matt and I didn’t think very highly of the attraction – we much favoured just hanging out in “downtown” Wanaka, lazing by the lake, watching the ducks… but as you know – everything changes when you have a child. So, this time, we had to enter – and almost didn’t make it out! The illusions room was good fun – lots of optical illusions, some more mindboggling than others, but I think we all really liked the maze. It was tough – and truth be told, we only made it out (although we probably will never really know) because somebody needed a wee… ?? Similarly, the National Transport and Toy Museum is hard to miss, but not necessarily somewhere you'd stop unless you have a child - and I'm glad we did! The collections of Lego and Playmobil sets, Barbie dolls, Sylvanian Family scenes - wow. So much care has gone and is still going into this place... but just wait until you leave the main building and head out on the open space and check out the trucks, fire engines, tanks in front of the hangars that hold the airplanes, helicopters and oldtimers - amazing! Pete's highlight was the airplane outside the hangar we could climb into - he made a beeline for the cockpit, pretending to take us on a spin! 6. Pleasant Point Steam Railway near Geraldine In the past, Pleasant Point was purely for Matt to get his beloved custard squares... well, they are no longer sold there, but now we've learned of the steam train that runs on weekends during summer! The journey from the "main station" (ticket office) to the other end is only about 10-15 minutes, but it's a really lovely experience and we all had fun at the other end checking out what happens when you press the different buttons in the miniature railway exhibit. If all this train business got you hungry, head to Geraldine for some cheese from the cheesemonger in the village square (or go for their tasty ice cream) or if your properly hungry, head across the street to Barker's, well known across both islands for their sauces and preserves, who have recently opened a shop and café including children's menus that can be coloured in. (All information is correct at time of writing this post, but we all know that things can change.) I hope this gives you some inspiration on what to do with your child or children when on the South Island, especially if you only have a few days there. If you're planning on staying mainly in Christchurch, please have a look at my corresponding post. And if you're going and you're starting your trip in Christchurch, check out this must on all our visit: the Cookie Time factory shop, the perfect pit stop on the way South or the West Coast! Yummy! I’ve been to New Zealand many times and lived there as well, so if you haven’t found here what you’ve been hoping to read about, just contact me and let’s have a chat. In the meantime, have fun - kia ngahau!

13 July 2023

New Zealand is in general a great place to travel to and around with children. Our latest experience was very South Island oriented (much to our dismay as we had a weekend in Wellington booked, but Storm Gabrielle and the earthquake near Wellington and the resulting backlog of cancelled and barely running ferries and overbooked flights nixed that plan), which is why this list of excursion suggestions focuses on Christchurch. 1. Margaret Mahy Family Playground in Central Christchurch I can barely remember what the site was pre-earthquakes (September 2010 and February 2011), but after some 10 years of recovery and rebuilding, one of the best inner-city playgrounds I’ve ever been to (and thanks to my super-active 4-year old, I have been to a few) has been created with fun for all ages. In summer, cool down in the water park and play area, all-year-round, test your skills on balancing blocks and sticks, jump to your heart’s content on the three trampolines, try out your Spiderman moves in the rope park and – if you’re brave, climb up and cross the hanging bridge made out of more ropes (and a net – but it’s so high up, it’s still scary – I can confirm that from first-hand experience). Of course, there are also slides, plenty of space to run around and even barbeque stations as well as toilets and when you’re lucky, an ice cream and coffee van – sweet as! 2. Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens and Little Hagley Wanna see some cricket? If your family is split like mine in answering this question, Hagley Park is great as on a weekend, it’s likely you can catch a game as well as just enjoy the sprawling park. From the Antigua boat sheds, where you can go punting or hire a pedal boat, follow the River Avon along one side of the park, or cross it and through the Botanic Gardens with native as well as introduced flowers, ferns and trees… and while the main attractions in late spring and summer would be the different blooms, every autumn, winter and spring school holidays, why not try the fun and interactive discovery trail? From super-powered plants to wicked wildlife - there's something for everyone. If you’re there in spring while the bluebells are out, a stop at Little Hagley is a must – the carpets of flowers are absolutely gorgeous! 3. Riccarton House and Bush Riccarton House is a grand Victorian/Edwardian homestead for Canterbury’s pioneering Deans family. The house is fully restored and is decorated and furnished in appropriate period style. It’s worth a visit – guided tours only, but for me, the main attraction here is Riccarton Bush: enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of being in a native forest that has trees that are up to 600 years old – how amazing is that?! There is nearly 900 metres of tracks to enjoy with it all being flat and accessible to most. As you wind your way through this ancient forest be sure to keep an eye and an ear out for the numerous native birds that call this place home, such as: Kereru (Wood Pigeon), Bellbird, Fantail, and Grey Warbler. These birds, as well as native insects and geckos are here largely because Riccarton Bush is surrounded by a predator-proof fence. 4. Ferrymead Heritage Park and Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills Ferrymead Heritage Park is an enchanting destination that holds immense appeal for families. This historic park beautifully captures the essence of yesteryears, offering a delightful blend of entertainment and education. With its meticulously restored vintage buildings, including a charming tramway, railway, and a bustling Victorian township, families can immerse themselves in a bygone era and experience the joys of stepping back in time. Children and adults alike can enjoy a wide range of interactive activities, such as riding on steam trains, exploring the hands-on exhibits at the museum, and indulging in traditional treats at the old-fashioned tearooms. With its captivating atmosphere, engaging attractions, and opportunities for nostalgic adventures, Ferrymead Heritage Park is a perfect family destination that guarantees an unforgettable and educational experience. Ferrymead is easily combined with a trip on the gondola up to the top of the Port Hills, from where you can enjoy amazing views over Banks Peninsula – well worth the ride. Of course, you can also hike along the steep Bridle Path, the route the early settlers used to transport goods between Lyttelton Harbour and the city – in good weather, I’d recommend a combination of ride and hike. 5. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve If you’re not planning on going to Stewart Island (it’s not on many people’s itinerary, so this is quite likely) or camping out in the wop wops, a sure way to see the elusive Kiwi bird, is to head out to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where they are one of the main attractions. Willobank is part of Operation Nest Egg, which is a conservation program that aims to save endangered bird species by rescuing their eggs or chicks from the wild and raising them in a controlled environment until they are ready to be released back into their natural habitats. Besides Kiwi, you can see native species such as Kunekune (pigs), Kea (mountain parrots – these fly free and are very curious!), Pukeko (swamp hen), Tuatara (lizard) and many others. One of Pete’s highlights definitely was feeding the Kunekune and eels – special food can be purchased from the admissions desk. For more inspiration on family adventures on the South Island, please check out the corresponding blog post. I've been to both islands on several occasions and lived in Christchurch for a couple of years before moving to the UK, so know way more than I could ever fit in a couple of posts - or five, so if you haven't found what you're looking for, please contact me and let's have a chat! In the meantime, have a great time in Christchurch!

22 June 2023

No matter if you’re flying to the Algarve or road-tripping through Cornwall, how exciting is it to be off on your first trip with your new baby?! Yet with all this excitement, I’m sure there is also a bit of trepidation mixed in about what to pack, how much of everything, what to better leave behind… This is why I thought it would be helpful to provide you with a few tips and tricks of how to make your first trip with your new baby – or young child (we haven’t forgotten the last three years of travel disruptions) – a little less stressful: Will you be flying to your destination? Check with your airline, but most allow you to pack a car seat and/or pushchair, travel cot, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat and/or baby back carrier free of charge to be taken on board. Whichever one(s) you bring, see that you can wrap it in a bag and stuff the bag with items like wipes, (disposable) nappies, extra muslins, anything you might have forgotten in your regular luggage – somebody even managed a soft toddler armchair! If you’re unsure to bring your buggy to the gate, think if you could swap it for a carrier (front or back, depending on the child’s age, of course) or wrap. Personally, Petey and I loved our Ergobaby Omni 360 at airports and on most trips by rail/bus as it allowed me to have my son close and my hands free – quite handy especially when travelling on your own with your little one! If you’re using formula or are weaning, you might be concerned about the amount of liquid you’re allowed to bring on board in your hand luggage. It is more than you might think per container, as the 100ml liquid limit doesn’t apply to baby food, milk, or sterilised water, provided that the total amount is no more than 1 litre. Be aware you may be asked to taste it for security reasons. If you don’t want to faff about with extra liquids at security, you can arrange for an “Order and Collect” service through Boots and pick it up at an airport store after security – also helpful for not having to carry all those nappies until you board. I wasn’t in need of formula as I exclusively breastfed when my son was little but I was a bit unsure about “unpacking myself”, so my tip is: make sure you use the loo before boarding and opt for the window seat as that gave me the little bit more privacy I felt I could do with. It also provided me with a bit better support for one of my arms when holding my baby as I could lean against the window/wall of the airplane. What kind of accommodation are you staying in? Many properties geared towards families and/or all-inclusive hotels offer cot beds / cribs, equipment rental of prams, bottle warmers, kettles, changing mats, step stools and/or kitchen facilities either in the room or on the premises for shared use – and of course food and drink for you available whenever you need it. Also check if they have a mini-market on-site where you can stock up on essentials like disposable nappies (if you use them), sun screen, toothpaste, formula etc and only bring enough for the first day or two with you (in the case of baby foods in particular). If you’re staying in an apartment or other self-catering accommodation, you would of course have your own kitchen but you might want to check on having to bring linen and/or towels (in particular if you’re staying in a caravan/at a camp site). How to keep your little one entertained on the plane? My experience of flying with a young baby probably differs from others – my son was 18 weeks old on his first flight (I wanted him to have his 16 weeks check and jabs over and done with) and after an early boobing session, he slept the whole 90 minutes of the flight. We did have his favourite soft toy (Lamaze hedgehog) and a book with us as back-up. Teething aids are definitely helpful too, but try to keep things like rattles, bells or anything that might annoy other passengers too much in the checked luggage. As I kept booking the window seat for myself and our son, we could look out the window when he grew older and was awake. We had a flying gap from when he was 1 year old until he was turning 3 years old due to Covid and when we went abroad again last year, I filled a Ziploc bag with mini dinosaurs and a couple of matchbox cars and packed several books and pens and paper for drawing – and his tablet with headphones as an emergency solution. I know others use PlayDoh or erasable writing/drawing tablets, too. For our big trip earlier this year, I got magnetic blocks and oh my gosh did (and still does) my “Number Blocks”-loving son love playing with them for hours on end! I hope some of these tips are helpful in getting ready for you next trip. If you're (considering) booking your holiday through me please ask away and I'd be happy to give you more advice on what your airline may or may not allow and what the accommodation can provide, limiting what you need to pack and lug yourself. Safe travels and have a lovely holiday!

01 April 2023

I fell in love with Vancouver nearly 20 years ago, when I first visited in early 2004. The snow-capped mountain views, the proximity to the sea and beaches, the sparkling city lights, the many lovely shops, cafes and galleries (well, I was 21, so let's be honest, souvenir shops, bars and clubs) and last but by no means least: I've met a friend I'm still in touch with and coincidentally, we both had our first child in 2019 and so my husband and I planned to visit them in late March 2020 on our way to New Zealand... well - I don't have to tell you how that went (or rather didn't). Finally, three years and in her case another little boy later, we made it this year! First time flying long-distance... My son is a real trooper when it comes to short-distance flights and train rides for up to about 8 hours... but we've never flown for more than a couple of hours with him - and I was no longer breastfeeding him either to keep him calm, so we were a tad apprehensive, as many parents probably are. Will he cry, will he be noisy, will he kick the seat in front of him, will he want to run up and down the aisle, will he not tell us when he needs the toilet... We didn't need to worry: We pre-ordered his kids meal for the flight with Air Canada, which meant that he got greeted by a flight attendant at the airplane door with a little bag filled with a handy child-sized set of head phones (we had our own ones, but these fit nicely into the in-flight entertainment system socket), a game of noughts and crosses and an activity booklet with puzzles and colouring pages and a set of colouring pencils. This together with the children's channel left no time for boredom! We chose an afternoon flight - not only because it was direct from Heathrow to Vancouver, but also because we hoped our son would sleep for a good chunk of the way, which would make landing in the late afternoon local time a bit more bearable. That, we achieved... Jet-lagged? No problem! Travelling across time zones can be tough on little ones (and us parents), but don't let jet lag ruin your trip or be the sole reason not to go on one in the first place! The key is to get your child on a new sleep schedule as soon as possible. We landed just after 4pm and were at our hotel - the Hilton Vancouver Downtown Hotel on Robson Street (next to the city library, one of my favourite buildings - love the architecture) - just after 7pm. When we visited pre-2010, we always had to catch buses to get anywhere from the airport, but finally since the Winter Olympics, the Skytrain Network extends now to the airport as well as Richmond and getting to downtown is an absolute breeze - and a real treat for our buddying train enthusiast! Whilst we were quite ok getting to sleep that night, we were all wide awake by 4am - when the hunt for an early-opening breakfast joint began... and not just any place would do, no it had to serve waffles - as per the request of our little gourmand. Luckily, we found Cora Breakfast and Brunch on the map, just a 15 minutes' walk along Robson towards English Bay/Stanley Park and they opened at 6am! We were there at 6.15am - soaking wet as it was raining cats and dogs - and we were not the first guests - perfect! For the rest of our trip, we kept it very relaxed. When we noticed our energy levels fading, we went either back to our accommodation or a café with comfortable seating options, just in case one of us needed to rest his (little) eyes. We tried to stick to a bedtime of 7/8pm and were prepared to be awake around 6/7am and this served us well. What to do when it's raining? Vancouver is known for its rainy weather, yet I truly believe in the saying "there is no bad weather, only bad gear". But I am also a mum and as such, I prefer to choose my battles. Stanley Park and the seawall are fantastic places to spot wildlife, have a good run-around and when you get to English Bay, even to dip your toes into the water (not in January and not necessarily when it's raining...). Luckily, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy, such as the Vancouver Aquarium in the aforementioned Stanley Park, where the boys enjoyed watching the sea lions and luminous jellyfish and many other wondrous creatures. There's even one room solely dedicated to BC waters and coasts. One morning we headed to Science World at the far end of False Creek, where they could learn all about science through interactive exhibits - and go wild in the enclosed soft play area. If you want to combine fun with a bit of Vancouver culture, head over to Granville Island - my husband and I enjoy a good nosey at the public market with the lovely little stalls of fresh fruit, confectionary, meat and cheese and other delectable delights as well as our favourite: salmon candy! With children, spend some time at the covered Kids Market at the entrance to the island, where they can try their luck at the many arcade machines (they can even win a little price - the more tickets they win, the better the price), check out some toy and book shops or you can all enjoy a bite and cuppa at one of the cafés. Even though I've lived in Vancouver on more than one occasion and during more than one winter, I've never actually been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge during that season. This time we went with my friend and her older son as they wanted to show us the Canyon Lights - glittery fairy lights covering the trees and bridge, Christmassy goodies on offer, staff members dressed as elves and as a highlight for our boys the Snowy Owl Prowl scavenger hunt. Highlight for us: no extra charge during Canyon Lights - you just pay standard admission prices! Getting around Vancouver is a walkable and cyclable city, but if you're travelling with a pre-schooler, you may want to consider other transportation options. The city's public transportation system, including buses and trains, is reliable and efficient and has only gotten better with the extension of the Skytrain / Seabus system. If you're looking for a fun way to explore the city, consider taking a ride on the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. These colourful boats offer a unique way to see the city from the water. Vancouver is a city that has something for everyone, no matter the weather or time of year. And if you were concerned about travelling long-distance with a young child, I hope reading this put your mind at rest, at least a bit. I'm always happy to have a chat and plan your next adventure with you!