This month our family travel snap carries us to the splendour of a marble-clad mosque in Abu Dhabi, with Lonely Planet magazine editor Peter Grunert and his family.

What’s the story behind this photo?

Here’s my daughter Savithri, aged seven, along with her mum Sharmila. They are pausing for a rest and learning from a guide whilst on a tour of the marvellous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Savithri is a well-travelled little girl but has never seen a building as intricate or spectacular as this one. In fact, neither have her parents!

Completed in 2007, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was the creation of designers, engineers and artisans from countries as diverse as the UAE, UK, China, India, Iran, Morocco, Italy and Germany. Our guide Fatima did such a fantastic job of revealing the mosque’s wonders in a way Savithri could relate to: the floral designs in semi-precious stones that swirl around the pillars of its central courtyard; a 15.5-metre-high chandelier in the form of a bejewelled date palm; the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet in the main prayer hall.

We wanted Savithri to have the chance to learn all about another culture and religion in a memorable way, ahead of the swimming, shopping and fun times in the desert that would follow on this trip. I was pleased (and a little surprised) to notice that on the flight home, she chose to switch from watching cartoons to an episode of the TV series Megastructures, about the drama behind the construction of this immense, incredibly ambitious monument.

Kid's perspective

We stopped by a shop selling dates and tried the many different varieties grown locally in Abu Dhabi in dried and fresh-off-the-palm-tree form. As this photo was taken, Savithri said: 'These fresh dates are so sweet and juicy! Where can we find them back home in London?'

Peter's tips for visiting Abu Dhabi with kids

1) The beautiful, horizon-to-horizon sand dunes of the Rub’ al Khali – also known as the Empty Quarter – are an easy one-and-a-half-hour drive from where most people live and stay in Abu Dhabi. With kids, be sure to avoid the vicious heat of summer. We found opportunities to stroll, cycle, drive in a Land Cruiser and even sand board in the desert, plus a first for all three of us: to ride a camel. Our camel handler shared the tip that parents should trust their kids to keep hold of the handles on a camel’s saddle; it’s always the parents sat behind who forget to hold on and slide off the back while trying to grapple with their kids.

2) It’s taken me a while to appreciate that well-organised family resorts can provide the best foundation for stretching young kids’ boundaries. At the clean and extremely welcoming Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas on Saadiyat Island, Savithri played on a beach visited by wild bottlenose dolphins, enjoyed topping up her swimming skills and – at her own pace – got to try several delicious Emirati and Indian dishes from the buffet each evening.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

We have our eyes on a farm stay in north Cornwall, England – one where our miniature poodle Kitty will be welcome too.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… …several food bags in our pockets. They’re ideal for collecting together the treats and tiny souvenirs kids love finding along the way, and to have just in case car sickness strikes halfway through a drive over rolling sand dunes!

You can follow Peter on Twitter and sign-up for more family travel inspiration with our monthly newsletter and in our new Family Travel Handbook.

Family travel snap: adventures in Abu Dhabi

This month our family travel snap is out and about exploring Myanmar with the intrepid five travellers behind the family travel blog Smiths Holiday Road.

What’s the story behind this photo?

We had arrived in Mandalay, Myanmar, the night before and were excited to explore the nearby town of Mingun. Mingun is accessible by  both road and boat so we chose to get there slowly on the Irrawaddy river which took around an hour. Mingun has this fabulous white pagoda named Hsinbyume Pagoda which we climbed, surrounded by gold tips looking out across the village and river.

I may have taken around 100 photos of this incredible pagoda but I really love this one because youngest son Woody is just taking it all in.

After visiting the pagoda we wandered through the village, chatted with locals and enjoyed a cool drink before getting back on the boat. We find it very important to engage in local traditions when we travel so we had our faces painted with thanaka. It's a paste made from tree bark which all the locals use for face care, cooling down and sun protection.

Kids’ perspective

Woody: I remember this day was very hot and we were very sweaty walking up all the steps of the Pagoda. We left Cooper's wheelchair at the bottom and Dad helped him walk up to the top. We said a prayer to Buddha at the top for our friend and saw many purple lotus flowers.

Bron's tips for exploring Myanmar with kids:

1) Get there sooner rather than later. Compared with other Asian destinations, Myanmar has limited tourism at the moment and this means you see its genuine nature.

2) Make sure you leave enough time for Bagan. We wished we had longer to ride the bikes around more! It was so great to have that freedom of exploring (over 5000!) historic pagodas.

3) Don't forget to book places to stay with a swimming pools so the kids get chance to cool off.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

Next up we are planning a trip at Easter to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. We hope to hire a camper van for Portugal, visit the Sahara in Morocco and ride some trains in Spain. And of course enjoy the food!

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… ... 5 passports, 5 people, carry-on bags and a wheelchair!

You can learn more about Cooper's life and travels is our book This is My World, where 84 children from incredibly diverse backgrounds share their stories and photos of what’s unique about their lives.

Family travel snap: exploring the temples of Myanmar

This month’s family travel snap visits the Bernese Alps in Switzerland with Lonely Planet’s Imogen and Tom Hall, and their three kids.

What’s the story behind this photo?

This is my nine-year-old son Harry and in the background you can see his older brother and younger sister (and me!). We’re on our way back to the cable car at First, in Grindelwald, having walked a round-trip of 6km to Bachalpsee, an alpine lake which Harry had been brave enough to take a quick dip in!

We’re staying in Grindelwald, Switzerland, and this photograph is from our first day exploring the Bernese Alps. The kids were hungry and taking their first walk at altitude (2,265m), so we were making judicious use of the packet of sweets we had hastily grabbed on the way through the cable car station, but even grumpy children can’t ignore a view like this for long.

Back at the cable car, we split in two with the big boys taking a mountain cart back down to the next cable car stop and myself and our five-year-old daughter Winnie hot-footing it to the incredibly scenic playground at Bort, which must be a contender for the swings and slides with the best view ever.

Kids’ perspective

George, 11, says: 'It was a long walk but it was very rewarding at the end because there was a beautiful lake where you could sit and eat lunch. Afterwards we did mountain carts, which were really fun – and a bit scary!'

Imogen’s tips for exploring First with kids:

1) Remember you are up high where the sun can cut through the thinner air – so don’t forget sun screen and plenty of water.

2) Check the age and height restrictions on the various ‘adventure’ activities available before you go so you can manage expectations.

3) Make the most of the kids being free to travel on the cable car and save your money for ice cream.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

We’re off to see family in the north of England and then in October we are once again taking our favourite sleeper train up from London Euston to Inverness to see friends in the Cairngorms.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… …water – as our kids seem to drink gallons a day between them; snacks because no parent of young children even moves an inch without some sort of food on their person; and our swimming stuff because you never know when an Alpine lake will present itself, right?

Family travel snap: hiking in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Our family travel snap this month tells us a tale of a really unusual travel experience to have with your kids: hot air ballooning in Colorado.

What’s the story behind this photo?

Last fall our family visited Snowmass, Colorado, a ski village next to Aspen, which was built up the side of the mountain. Our visit happened to coincide with the Snowmass Hot Air Balloon Festival and when the opportunity arose for our daughter (age ten) and I to take a ride I didn’t even give it a second thought before saying yes!

This photo was taken just after we helped unpack the balloon and fill it with hot air, and are preparing to board. We climbed into a four-foot tall wicker basket with a propane burner filling the balloon above us with hot air in preparation for take off. Soon we were several hundred feet in the air, with a bird’s-eye-view of balloons all around us both in the sky and on the ground below still preparing for take off.

It was the most incredible experience, especially for a child, as there’s a bit of history, science and plenty of adventure to it. But I probably should have thought through it a bit more carefully and better prepared my daughter, who happens to be afraid of heights!

Kids’ Perspective

Our daughter is on the fence about whether she would take another hot air balloon ride due to her fear of heights. Being up in the sky in just a wicker basket certainly pushed her comfort zone. But she doesn’t have regrets. After all, we did have the best hot air balloon pilot in Team Howe. Pilot Skip instilled confidence and was entertaining too.

Liana’s tips for taking a hot air balloon ride with your children

1. We’d recommend waiting until your child is 10 years old, or over four feet tall, so they can see out of the wicker basket. Age requirements vary depending on the captain or company.

2. If your child is afraid of heights or loud noises, you will want to give this serious consideration. There is only a wicker basket between you and the ground far below, and the hot propane burner is much louder than you might think.

3. The pilot controls how high the balloon goes in the air and uses this to try to catch winds. Be aware that it is very easy to get blown off course and land somewhere that may require a hike back to base.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

The big trip we are currently working on is to Costa Rica. This will be a multi-generational trip to include the grandparents. We are really looking forward to exploring the jungles, beaches and seeing all of the amazing animals in their natural habitat.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… …Cameras. Photos are the best souvenirs.

You can watch a video of Liana and her daughter on their hot air odyessy here.

Family travel snap: hot-air ballooning in Snowmass, Colorado

It's not often we talk about kids exploring prisons but this month's family travel snap is taking us on an unusual adventure. Amanda from Hot Mama Travel and her two kids tell us all about their time at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.

What’s the story behind this photo?

It's Day 21 of our 60-day road trip across America and we're in downtown Philadelphia. After visiting all the classic sites, like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and so on, we spotted what appeared to be a medieval castle rising from the urban jungle. When we realised it was a historic and possibly haunted prison, we couldn’t wait to get inside and explore. We soon found ourselves inside the dilapidated ruins of an old prison cell in Eastern State Penitentiary.

With their audio guides, Keeley (six) and Kevin (five) listened to captivating stories about prison life witnessed by these stone walls throughout the many decades. They were both intrigued and nervous while standing in the cell, careful not to touch the walls. This was one of the rare opportunities for our children to get a safe first-hand experience of what it’s like inside a real prison. Travel experiences like this can teach kids things they would never otherwise learn in school.

Kids’ perspective:

Keeley: 'I remember that it was rusty and we heard a lot of different stories. I wasn’t allowed to touch anything and it made me a little bit nervous, but I found it really interesting. It was also kind of sad to hear some of the stories about dead people.'

Kevin: 'I remember that if I touched something I would be kicked out. I remember pressing a button and hearing stories about the prison. It was a really cool place and I think other kids should go there.'

Amanda's tips for visiting the Eastern State with kids:

1) Prep your kids well: they will not be allowed to touch anything at all. These are historic ruins and you will have to sign a waiver before your tour because of potential exposure to hazardous materials if anything is touched. As a side note, my own kids are often touchy and a bit hyper, but they had no problem heeding this advice.

2) Bring your own snacks and water as we didn't find anywhere to buy food and drink on site.

3) If you have teenagers who like to get scared, book your trip during Halloween season to experience 'terror behind the walls'.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

Hopefully Ireland and Scotland for two weeks later this year to see live music with our kids, which is kind of our shtick. We also really want to experience the Halloween activities and witch trial history in Salem, Massachusetts.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… …room on our credit card!

Tweet #HotMamaTravel

Family travel snap: learning about prisons in Philadelphia

In this month’s family travel snap, we journey to Oslo with Orla Thomas, features editor for Lonely Planet Magazine, and her six-year-old son Henry.

What’s the story behind this photo?

This is my six-year-old son, Henry (right), with his best buddy, Sidney (left), at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. The boys have been friends since nursery but hadn’t seen each other in a while, as last year Sid and his parents moved from London – where we live – back to his mother Margrethe’s native Norway. This museum was the highlight of our visit to the city – the boys were utterly fascinated by the skeletal remains on display, and thoroughly embraced the Viking spirit in the gift shop, trying on helmets and brandishing swords.

The pictured ship, Gokstad, was built around 890 AD, and around a decade later was used as the burial chamber for a rich and powerful man. I found it mind-boggling, the enormous effort that must have gone into building the still-impressive vessel – only to consign it to the ground. The boys were more fascinated by the macabre details, like the fact that the Gokstad man had cutting blows to both his legs, showing he died in battle.

After this picture w e headed back to our hosts’ neighbourhood, Grünerløkka , and to Kaffe Brenneriet for kanelbolle (cinnamon buns). Each day in Oslo brought a new bun – from the classic raisin bolle to the custard-filled skolebolle (‘school bun’).

Kids’ perspective:

Henry: ‘I liked the film they played on the walls, showing the Viking ships. But when the Vikings died fighting and then went somewhere else on their ship, that’s not real, that’s just what they’re imagining. I liked looking at the skeletons with all the bones and teeth, but I didn’t like the bit where they showed how the ships were dug up. That was boring. I wanted to look at more swords.’

Orla’s tips for visiting Oslo with kids:

1) Get an Oslo Card, which includes free entry to over 30 museums and travel on public transport – but remember that children under six travel for free and are often not charged for museum entry.

2) Take plenty of snacks on days out and plan where to eat in advance – dining out is phenomenally expensive, so impromptu stops can really burn through your budget.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

My husband and I also have two boys aged eight and two, and this summer we’ll all be holidaying together in the Yorkshire Dales. We’re hoping to rent bikes and cycle the Swale Trail.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always make sure we have… … a notebook and pen. I like to record some of the boys’ more astute or amusing observations of the places we explore, and it makes for a lovely memento – better, somehow, even than a photo.

And a bonus fun fact!

The horned ‘Viking’ helmet is a historical inaccuracy: a conflation of traditional Viking helmets – an iron or leather cap – with the horns they used as drinking vessels.

You can read more about Orla and Henry's trip to Oslo in this month's Lonely Planet Magazine.

Family travel snap: learning about Vikings and cinnamon buns in Oslo

To paraphrase, a travel photo is worth a thousand words. Each month we’re diving into a recent trip from a family travel expert to discover the story behind their favourite picture and hear top tips from their trip so you can follow in their footsteps with your own kids. First up, Tasmin Waby hails from Melbourne and is currently working in London as Lonely Planet’s Destination Editor for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. She is mum to two lovely girls.

Tasmin with her girls in Venice.  Image courtesy of Tasmin Waby

What’s the story behind this photo?

I am a bit excited as we’re in Venice, one of the world’s most remarkable cities (and a long way from Melbourne). I had been to Venice once before, in my younger backpacking days, but it was in the depths of winter. Venice is a whole different city in the summer with bright light and sun-warmed piazzas where you can spend your afternoon enjoying a long lazy lunch.

After walking here from our apartment we wandered a maze of calles heading to the (almost empty!) Gallerie dell’Accademia for some big religious art. We got lost – intentionally I promise – taking different routes, occasionally ending up back on the main signposted way from the Piazza de San Marco.

Kids’ perspective

My youngest is singing here, operatic style like you do. The eldest is looking at something going on out of the shot. It’s a rare shot where my girls aren’t pulling ridiculously silly faces! When I asked them what they thought about this photo, they remembered the little things, oh and gelato (of course)…

‘That day we picked mussel shells and we chased each other with seaweed. Later, we got an ice-cream.’

Tasmin’s tips for travelling to Venice with kids

Venice is a great place to travel with kids; the lack of cars (and therefore noise), the amazing produce and the incredibly friendly locals around Castello made it a really special trip for us. Here are our top tips for a successful family trip to one of the world’s most beautiful cities:

1) Book accommodation away from the centre for all the obvious reasons: local shops, quieter streets, and a more authentic experience of the city. We were over in the Sestiere di Castello region; the Giardini Pubblici had a playground for them, and the restaurant owners were warm and embracing of kids (literally).

2) Relax! Venice is a surprisingly relaxing place to visit with children (as long as they know how to swim!).

3) Stay longer. We were only there for four days and we walked and walked all over the main islands, but it would have been good to get to Verona on a day trip and to do a Prosecco road trip (OK that would be for us not the kids, but happy parents, happy children!).

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

It’s a toss-up. I really want us to go hiking in the Pyrenees but if that is beyond the budget, I’d be just as happy to go camping in Dorset and catch some more sea breeze.

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always… …make sure we have put the bins out. We’ve learned from experience!

Tasmin tweets at @tasminwaby. Follow her for tips and news on travel in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

For inspiration on how to keep your young explorers entertained whilst on the road – or at home – check out our Lonely Planet Kids books and apps.

Family travel snap: LP Destination Editor, Tasmin Waby

This month’s travel snap is proof that all Lonely Planet employees love to travel. We’re talking to Clare Mercer, head of our foreign rights operation and a woman with a thirst for intrepid travel (her honeymoon was spent on an extended break trekking across the Spiti valley in Ladakh and – before kids – Clare would think nothing of jetting off to Uganda for a quick travel fix). In the last few years she’s added three companions: husband Colin and children Alec and Annie.

WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THIS PHOTO?

Cape Cod and Provincetown especially had been highly recommended by friends and people we met on our travels so we had high hopes. We weren’t disappointed: it’s a quirky town with great food, lovely galleries and beaches on the doorstep, so everyone’s interests were catered for. Although we avoided whale and dolphin trips, the kids couldn’t resist climbing on the whale statue on Macmillan Pier. What else are statues for?

Once we’d finished piggy-backing this poor whale, we visited the Whydah Pirate Museum at the end of the Pier. It chronicles the history of the famed pirate, Sam Bellamy, and the Whydah pirate ship which was wrecked off Wellfleet in 1717. A museum about real pirates with actual cannons? My three-year-old son (and his dad!) were transfixed.

The great weather and big smiles sum up this holiday. It was a happy, easy trip with breathtaking scenery and the kids were viewed as a positive addition rather than an annoyance by the people we met. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

KIDS’ PERSPECTIVE

Alec and Annie still treasure the gold pirate coins from the pirate museum. They don’t make them like that at home.

CLARE’S TIPS FOR TRAVELLING TO PROVINCETOWN WITH KIDS

Before getting married and having kids I would buy a plane ticket, pack hand luggage only and not open the guidebook til I was on the plane. Now I have three others in tow (husband counts too!) I realise a little organisation can reduce the stress. We took our son on a road trip to California when he was 10 months old and learned the hard way that travelling with kids means planning ahead. So when we travelled to Cape Cod we booked all the accommodation in advance – a first! We would also recommend:

1) Going out of season. We visited Cape Cod in May when the weather was warm enough for us Brits to go in the sea – yet we often had the beaches to ourselves.

2) Not worrying about feeding the kids – everywhere had child menus and people couldn’t have been friendlier towards the children.

3) Avoiding Boston on graduation weekend! We ended up staying outside the city in a soulless business hotel as it was the only room we could find.

WHERE’S NEXT ON YOUR FAMILY TRAVEL BUCKET LIST?

Morocco! For a real travel adventure.

LASTLY, COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always….

Carry the kids’ favourite snacks. They can solve any travel disaster!

For inspiration on how to keep your young explorers entertained whilst on the road – or at home – check out our Lonely Planet Kids books and apps.

Family travel snap: LP’s Foreign Rights Director, Clare Mercer

In this month’s family travel snap we talk to Charles Rawlings-Way, an LP travel writer based in Adelaide, South Australia. Charles and his wife Meg have travelled and written together for years and now have two small additional companions when they go exploring.

Meg and the girls in Céret, France. Image courtesy of Charles Rawlings-Way.

What’s the story behind this photo?

In November 2014 we arrived in Céret, a medieval village in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the south of France. We’d blocked out a month in our schedule to immerse ourselves in French culture: live in a stone cottage, hear French, speak French, eat French food, drink French wine… But with six months’ worth of rain falling in our first three days, we found ourselves immediately – and literally – immersed in village life!

Kids’ perspective

This particular torrent was gushing off the awning of a patisserie: I grabbed the camera as Meg and the girls did an umbrella dance under the impromptu waterfall. We live in the driest state on the driest continent on Earth. The kids’ joy at experiencing such an extended downpour was worth clogging up several iPhones with photos. Then, of course, we disappeared into the patisseries to dry off. Any excuse…

‘Céret was almost flooding! We had to wear really warm coats, and one of our umbrellas blew inside out!’

Charles’ tips for travelling to Céret with kids

Travelling with kids gives you a ground-level perspective, plus the need for plenty of pit-stops makes you slow down and engage more directly with people, culture and landscapes. Kids are also excellent conversational ice-breakers so make the most the cultural exchanges they can help you with!

1) Visit during the off season and you’ll have the place to yourselves: park right by the beach, get a table in any café and meet the French when they’re at their least stressed (…which, in the laid-back south, is not very stressed at all).

2) It’s not hard to eat well in the south of France, but the trick is timing: patisseries here open early but close at 10 or 11am, then open up again around 5pm. Six hours is a long time to wait between croissants when you’re only four. Plan ahead!

3) Given Céret’s proximity to Spain – a bit over an hour away – we’d probably spend more time across the border if we visited again. Some village hopping along the Catalan coast would have been fun.

Where’s next on your family travel bucket list?

The north island of New Zealand is looking likely. The geysers and stinky sulphuric wafts at Rotorua; the beaches and pohutukawa blooms at Mt Maunganui; the snowy cone of Mt Taranaki… great fun for kids!

Lastly, complete the sentence:

When we shut the front door ready to go and travel as a family, we always…. …take a stack of Roald Dahl books.

Charles tweets at @Crawlingsway and writes about all things Australian for Lonely Planet. He has recently shared his top ten places for kids in Australia as well as his tips for a fantastic family trip to the South of France.

For inspiration on how to keep your young explorers entertained whilst on the road – or at home – check out our Lonely Planet Kids books and apps.

Kids Blog Posts

Family travel snap: adventures in Abu Dhabi

Family travel snap: exploring the temples of Myanmar

Family travel snap: hiking in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Family travel snap: hot-air ballooning in Snowmass, Colorado

Family travel snap: learning about prisons in Philadelphia

Family travel snap: learning about Vikings and cinnamon buns in Oslo

Family travel snap: LP Destination Editor, Tasmin Waby

Family travel snap: LP’s Foreign Rights Director, Clare Mercer

Family travel snap: LP writer, Charles Rawlings-Way

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