Family Travel

Family travel rarely goes exactly to plan. Things take longer, plans change, and you end up figuring it out as you go.

This is a collection of our trips, with honest takes on what worked, what didn’t, and which places were actually great with kids (and teens).

It’s less about getting everything right and more about making it work, enjoying the time together, and holding onto the moments that matter.

Family Travel Posts

best greek islands to visit from Athens
Best Greek Islands to Visit from Athens: Easy Day Trips
Here’s a simple breakdown of the best Greek islands to visit from Athens, how to get there, and what to book before you go.
Laos Travel Guide
Laos Travel Guide: Best Cities, Airports & Things to Do
Planning a trip to Laos? This Laos Travel Guide covers the best cities, airports, things to do, transportation tips, and why Laos should be on your bucket list.
How to visit the Galapagos Islands on your own
My Ecuador Travel Guide: From the Galapagos to the Amazon 
Some trips stay with you. Not because they’re perfect, but because you feel fully alive the whole time. Ecuador was that trip for me. We spent two weeks moving between three completely different places. The...
Blue footed booby in the Galapagos islands
How to Visit North Seymour Island from Santa Cruz
If you’re planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands and want that “National Geographic moment”  seeing blue-footed boobies doing their dance, frigatebirds puffing up their bright red chests, and sea lions sprawled in the sun,...
Bartholome Bay - views from the iconic viewpoint
How to Visit Bartolome Island from Santa Cruz
If there’s one image that defines the Galapagos Islands, it’s Bartolome Island. You’ve probably seen the iconic view of Pinnacle Rock jutting out of turquoise water, framed by volcanic hills and golden sand. It looks...
All smiles in the Santa Cruz Highlands touring on your own
Santa Cruz Highlands Tour: Do It Yourself in the Galapagos
When you visit the highlands of Santa Cruz island, you realize how wildly diverse the Galapagos Islands really are. One minute you’re on the coast surrounded by lava rock and sea lions, and forty minutes...
Marine Iguana on Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos: All You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, chances are you’ll end up on Santa Cruz Island, and honestly, you should. It’s the beating heart of the archipelago, the main travel hub, and the...
How to visit the Isabela, the biggest Galapagos island, on your own
Isabela Island, Galapagos: All You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re heading to the Galápagos, chances are someone will tell you that you have to visit Isabela Island, and they’re right. Isabela feels laid-back and very peaceful. We arrived to iguanas stretched out on...
How to Visit the Galapagos Islands on Your Own
How to Visit the Galapagos Islands on Your Own
Traveling to the Galapagos Islands has always been on our bucket list, but I’m not a cruiser, and the idea of being stuck on a boat with a group for days never appealed to me....
Deciding which Galapagos island to visit - Darwin Research Satiion
How to Decide Which Galapagos Islands to Visit
I had no idea how tricky it would be to work out which Galapagos Islands to visit. Turns out you don't need an expensive island cruise. There are 18 main islands, only four inhabited, and...
guide to visiting the amazon rainforest in Ecuador
The Complete Guide to Visiting the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador
The Amazon spent years on my bucket list, mostly because I couldn't work out how you even plan a trip to one of the most biodiverse places on earth. This complete guide to visiting the...
ultimate packing list for the Amazon Rainforest
Ultimate Packing List for the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador
Let’s be honest, creating a packing list for the Amazon Rainforest is not like throwing together a beach bag for Mexico. Between the humidity, the rain, and the fact that everything in the jungle bites,...
travel europe by train to spend 3 days in Budapest
Europe by Train: Ultimate Central and Eastern 5 City Itinerary
If you're dreaming of exploring Europe, but the idea of researching where to go, what to do, and how to do it feels daunting, this Central and Eastern Europe train itinerary could be exactly what...
visit Fisherman's Bastion with 3 days in Budapest
3 Days in Budapest: The Best Things to See and Do
Spending 3 days in Budapest, Hungary is a treat for budget travelers, as it's one of the most affordable cities in Europe. You can eat and drink without breaking the bank. Budapest straddles two worlds:...
48 hours in Bratislava - the best itinerary traveling europe by train
2 Days in Bratislava, Slovakia: A Perfect 48 Hour Itinerary
Bratislava tends to fly under the radar, overshadowed by its flashier neighbors, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Bratislava is charming like Prague, but without the crowds.  There's an Old Town, castles, cool cafes, and a growing...
itinerary for a day trip to Salzburg
A Day Trip to Salzburg from Vienna: Best Itinerary & Guide
If you're on the fence about taking a day trip to Salzburg from Vienna, don't hesitate...it turned out to be a highlight of our European trip. Salzburg, Austria is a short (and oh so scenic)...
The best way to spend 3 days in Vienna in the spring
3 Days in Vienna: The Perfect Itinerary
If you're planning to spend 3 days in Vienna, I’ve done the research, walked the cobblestones, sipped the coffee, and scoped out all the palaces so you don’t have to. There’s something about spending 3...
48 hours in Prague, Czech Republic
48 Hours in Prague: The Best 2-Day Itinerary
Prague is a brilliant choice for a weekend trip, and one of the friendliest cities in the Czech Republic to explore on foot. Between the fairytale spires, a castle you can see from almost everywhere,...
Big red buses are a good way to travel from Heathrow to Central London
Getting from Heathrow to Central London: What You Need to Know!
Getting from Heathrow Airport to central London can feel daunting - especially if you only have 48 hours in London. I've put together the fastest and most convenient transportation options for you. The best way?...
Santa Monica Pier Sunset vibes
Golden Hour at Santa Monica Rooftop Restaurant: Seaside on the Pier
Now that my boys are older and busy living their own lives, our time together feels even more precious. I relish every chance we get together in one place, and I love planning special outings...
What to do if your phone is stolen step by step guide
What to Do if Your Phone is Stolen: Step-by-Step Guide to Protect Your Data
There’s no way to sugarcoat it – our entire lives are on our phones. From personal photos, contacts, contactless payments, banking apps, emails, social media, and everything in between, it’s all there in one little...
Classic red phone booths. The eight best day trips from London, UK.
The 8 Best Day Trips From London
One of the great things about being in London is that you're never far away from another fabulous location. London is the central hub for almost all of England, and with the country's small size,...
2 Days in Vancouver - best Vancouver itinerary
48 Hours in Vancouver: A Perfect Weekend Getaway
Just a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Vancouver makes a brilliant weekend getaway. Think seawall walks around Stanley Park, ferries to Granville Island, and cobbled streets in Gastown, all packed into one compact, walkable city....
The best things to do on Whidbey Island: visit the rocky beaches.
Top Things to See on Whidbey Island, the Perfect Day Trip from Seattle
Whidbey Island is a fun and scenic day trip from Seattle, Washington. This quiet island is about 60 miles long and 10 miles wide at its widest point. To help you with a streamlined itinerary,...
The museum of tequila and mezcal in mexico city
3 Days In Mexico City: The Perfect Travel Itinerary
I'll admit it, I didn't expect a long weekend to be enough. But 3 days in Mexico City turned out to be exactly the right amount of time to fall for the place: art deco...
How to Visit Teotihuacan pyramids with kids and Without a Guided Tour
Visiting The Pyramids of Teotihuacan with Kids: Mexico City Day Trip
Visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan with kids is an adventure that blends history, culture, and a bit of physical activity into one easy day trip from Mexico City. This ancient city is just an hour's...
10 Best Places to Visit with Kids in 2024
10 Best Places to Travel With Kids In 2024
Explore the 10 best places to travel with kids in 2024. From ancient ruins to natural wonders, these destinations promise adventure, education, and unforgettable memories.
With a 15-hour layover in Taipei, Taiwan you can visit Shillin night market
15 Hour Layover in Taipei, Taiwan: The Best Things to See
As we headed home with huge smiles from two weeks exploring the magic of Ubud, Bali and our Komodo Island Boat Tour, we found ourselves facing a 15-hour long layover in Taipei, Taiwan — and...
The Best (cool) Things to do in Seminyak, Bali
The Best (Cool) Things to Do in Seminyak Bali!
On our recent holiday to Bali, we explored some amazing adventures in Ubud, took a magical 3-day Komodo Island boat tour, and we were ready to discover the best (cool) things to do in Seminyak....
Komodo Boat Tour: See the Komodo Islands in 3 days, 2 nights
Komodo Island Boat Tour: 3 Days, 2 Nights of Magic!
We almost booked the shorter cruise. I'm so glad we didn't. Spending 3 days and 2 nights on a Komodo boat tour meant we actually saw the place properly: the pink sand beaches, the 4am...
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About the Author

Hi! I’m Samantha

I’m a travel and health writer, marketing and brand consultant, breast cancer survivor, and mum to two young men who are, without question, my greatest achievement.

This little corner of the internet is where I share the real stuff – family life after cancer, raising young men, and our travels around the world. It’s sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, but always authentic, all told with my dry (and sometimes slightly naughty) British humor.

You’ll find travel tips, honest reviews, and the places, products, and moments I genuinely love.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Follow Me on Instagram
@SamanthaKuhr
  • I forgot how easy San Diego is for a quick getaway from LA. We recently drove down, stayed at Hilton San Diego Bayfront, and caught a Padres game.⚾️

The hotel is right on the bay, close to downtown, Coronado, the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and Petco Park. If you’re going to a Padres game, the location is honestly perfect. We walked from the hotel, over the pedestrian bridge, and straight to the ballpark.

The newly renovated rooms are lovely and have everything that matters: a comfy bed, great pillows, and a separate sitting area. I’m not the easiest sleeper, but I actually slept here, which is always my true test.

We ate a delish dinner at Hudson & Nash, the hotel’s signature restaurant with bay views, firepits, World Cup games at the bar, fab seafood, and a cioppino loaded with lobster. 🦞🌅☀️

Definitely ask for a table by the firepits if you can.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront is perfect for a couple’s weekend, a family stay, or a Padres getaway. Easy drive, gorgeous location, and no airport stress.
This stay was kindly hosted by Hilton San Diego Bayfront.. and yes, I would absolutely go back.
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#visitsandiego #hiltonsandiegobayfront #sandiegogram #travelblogger
  • Welcome - my blog got a facelift…bless her…she was looking a little tired💕

There are lots of new faces around here, so I thought I’d introduce myself and tell you why My Travelling Circus exists. 

I’ve always dreamed of being a travel writer. Long before Instagram, TikTok, influencers, affiliate links, or even the idea that you could make a living online. 
Back then, it was just a place to share stories and photos from our travels. 🌎

Then life took a wobble. At a routine doctor’s appointment, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was a dark time. My boys were young, and I genuinely didn’t know what the future would hold. During treatment and recovery, I spent a lot of time in bed. So I started writing. I documented everything. The cancer journey. Family life. The places we’d traveled. The memories we’d made. 💕🌸

To be honest, I think part of me was creating a little corner of the internet where our stories, our photos, and the adventures we’d shared together would live….Just in case I didn’t. Twelve years later, I’m still here. (woot woot!) 🙏

The boys are now young men. Social media exploded. The internet changed. And somehow, this little blog grew alongside it. What started as a personal project became a business, a community, and one of the greatest surprises of my life. Today, My Travelling Circus is where I share family travel, destination guides, travel tips, honest reviews, wellness, family stuff, and life after breast cancer.
And if you’ve found your way here, I’m so happy to have you. 

If you’d like to follow along, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d subscribe to my newsletter. I promise not to fill your inbox with junk...just stories, travel inspiration, and the occasional adventure.🌸💕 (link in bio)

Thank you for being here.
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#travelblog #traveltips #traveltheworld
  • Sometimes you need a reminder that there is still so much good in the world 💕🙏
Today, three rescued sea lion pups were released back into the ocean after being cared for by an incredible team of people @marinemammalcare 🦭
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Watching them head home is proof that when people come together to help, amazing things can happen.🙏
Welcome back to the wild, little ones.
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#animalrescue #wildliferescue #goodnewsmovement #animalrehab
  • What a whirlwind few days in NYC with the Fastbreak.AI team celebrating being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026✨
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Broadway shows, piano bars, late-night drinks rotating the city, and somehow squeezing in actual work. New York really is the city that never sleeps. Let’s do it again! 
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If you’re planning your own trip to NYC, I have everything you need here:
https://www.mytravellingcircus.com/2025/10/13/48-hours-in-new-york-city-first-timers-guide/
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#nycguide #thingstodoinnyc #newyorkcity #visitnyc
  • Why have I never been to Chelsea Market in NYC? 
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#chelseamarketnyc #seedandmill #newyorkeats #travelblog #chelseamarketny
  • I love finding restaurants that are fun for a group dinner and @descansorestaurant is the perfect spot. We did the Plancha dining experience, where the chefs cook everything right on the sizzling grill at your table, and it feels like dinner and entertainment rolled into one.🔥
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Our carne asada and Pork Loin Alambre were cooked to our preference right in front of us, and the food was fresh, flavorful, and somehow didn’t feel heavy at all.
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And the cocktails… very cool cocktail menu. We tried the Coco Verano (with Don Fulano Blanco, Cointreau, Fresh Coconut, Pressed Coconut Water, Agave, Lime) and the house fav. Cucumber + Sal (El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Cucumber, Cilantro, Lime and Black Sea Salt). The margaritas were very much flowing at our table.🍋‍🟩
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The whole experience is social, interactive, and feels like sitting around a taco stand with friends while everything’s cooking fresh in front of you… which actually is where the founders took their inspiration 🇲🇽
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Descanso has locations in LA and Costa Mesa and is perfect for birthdays, date nights, girls’ dinners, or taking out-of-town guests who want a fun LA dinner experience. Save room for dessert… or settle into their very impressive tequila bar for an after-dinner drink.🍸

#DescansoRestaurant #PlanchaDining #LosAngelesRestaurants #MexicanFoodLA #LAFoodie
  • Lucky me - I got to spend Mother’s Day under the sea watching The Little Mermaid at the Nocturne Theater in Glendale with my very own Sebastian❤️
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The theater is staged in-the-round, so the entire undersea world happens all around you, with the characters sometimes only a couple of feet from the audience. The costumes are gorgeous and beautifully designed to bring the underwater world to life. There was even a performer doing aerial acrobatics on an aerial rope above the stage. And of course, you already know the songs…the pure voice of @jennamaewhite as Ariel is Disney magic 🐠🦀
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One of my favorite parts was watching the little girls arrive in their Ariel dresses, beside themselves with excitement, and at the end, the cast came out to meet them and take photos…so lovely 💕
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Such a sweet way to spend the afternoon with my boy. If you grew up loving The Little Mermaid, definitely try to see this one before it leaves Glendale.
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The Little Mermaid @thenocturnetheatre 
Dates: May 8th – June 14th
Location: 324 North Orange Street, Glendale, CA 91203
Show Length: 2.5 hours (with intermission)
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#thelittlemermaid #thingstodoinlosangeles #theaterinla
  • Four countries, no backtracking - our Balkans road trip was fabulous. Here’s the loop we drove:🇭🇷🇧🇦🇲🇪🇦🇱🇭🇷
- Flew into Dubrovnik (Croatia) 
- Dubrovnik to Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- Down through Kotor and Budva (Montenegro)
- Over to Shkodër (Albania)
- Back to Dubrovnik (drop boys at the airport)
-  Dubrovnik to Korčula Island (Croatia)
- Korčula to Split (Croatia)
- Split to Dubrovnik (Croatia)

We explored coastlines, islands, mountain roads, old towns… so much culture packed into two weeks. I mapped the full route and shared exactly how we did it (what I’d do again vs skip) over on the blog - link in bio if you’re thinking about it.🌍
📍Save this one.

https://www.mytravellingcircus.com/2026/04/25/easy-balkans-road-trip-a-one-week-loop-from-dubrovnik/
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#balkansroadtrip #balkans #croatiawithlove #travelblogger
  • Our Place on Abbot Kinney in Venice just feels happy. Yes, I work with Our Place…but I also cook with their pots every single day and don’t get me started on their WonderOven 💕
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Also special shoutout to my @marcellanyc Signe Dress - the pink is even more vibrant in person 
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If you’re in LA be sure to visit their flagship store 
📍 Our Place, Abbot Kinney
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See my full OurPlace product guide here: 
https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/921589
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#summerdress #ourplace #giftguides #kitchenware #marcellanyc

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