Planning a trip can feel overwhelming. These are the exact tools, websites, and resources I use to find flights, book places to stay, choose activities, and keep our family travel affordable and organized.
plan your trip
research & trip planning
This is where every trip starts for us. These are the tools I use to figure out where we’re going, how to get there, and how everything fits together before we book anything.
Skyscanner
This is my go-to for finding the best flight prices. I use it to compare dates, set price alerts, and quickly see which routes make the most sense for our family.
Google Flight Deals
This is my go-to when I don’t have a destination in mind yet. You can enter your dates and departure city, or describe the kind of trip you want, like a ski trip in Europe or somewhere with affordable food. Google then shows real flight prices to places that match. Perfect for trip inspiration and flexible planning based on actual prices.
Google Maps
I use Google Maps constantly while planning. I look at where accommodations are located, check walking distances, preview neighborhoods with Street View, and save places, restaurants, stores, etc. we want to visit before we even leave home.
transportation
Once we know where we’re going, here are the tools I use to figure out how to get from place to place without overcomplicating things:
Omio
This is my go-to for booking trains and buses in Europe all in one place. I use Omio most of the time because it lets me compare different types of transport side-by-side and book everything in one checkout. It’s especially handy when planning multi-city trips with kids.
Trainline
Trainline focuses specifically on trains and sometimes offers a few routes or pricing options that Omio doesn’t show. I usually check Trainline as a backup if Omio doesn’t have the exact train I want, or if I need more detailed seating options. Think of it as a good second look to make sure you didn’t miss a better train deal.
FlixBus
A very affordable way to travel between cities in Europe. We’ve used buses when there wasn’t a good train option, and it’s often much cheaper than people expect — especially for longer routes.
Terravision
Great for airport transfers into major cities. If you’re flying into places like Rome or Milan, this is a simple, inexpensive way to get into the city without taxis or rideshares.
Europcar
When we need a rental car, this is our go-to. Having a car for a few days can make exploring smaller towns or countryside areas much easier with kids.
Ferryhopper
Perfect for island hopping in places like Croatia, Italy, and Greece. It shows all ferry routes and schedules so you don’t have to piece it together from confusing local sites.
accommodation
Where we stay has a huge impact on how enjoyable and affordable our trips feel. With kids, space, location, and a kitchen matter a lot more than fancy hotel amenities.
These are the platforms I use to find places that work really well for families.
Booking.com
This is my first stop when looking for accommodation in Europe. I love the filters, the map view, and how easy it is to find apartments with kitchens, laundry, air conditioning, and great reviews from families. Free cancellation options make planning feel a lot less stressful.
Airbnb
We’ve used Airbnb many times for apartments in walkable neighbourhoods. It’s great for finding unique places and homes that feel local rather than touristy.
Eurocamp
Holiday parks all over Europe where you stay in mobile homes or safari tents with pools, playgrounds, activities, and space for kids to roam. Perfect as a break during a busy trip.
LiveKindred
A home swap platform that lets families stay in beautiful homes around the world for a fraction of hotel prices. A great option if you want more space and a local feel. Use my code VIR.HOL or use the link above and get 5 FREE CREDITS
1 credit = 1 night at any home, anywhere in the world!
Agriturismo.it
Great for finding farm stays all over Italy.
Roter Hahn
Incredible farm stays in the Dolomites and South Tyrol region of Italy. Some of our favourite stays ever.
experiences & activities
We don’t love overbooking tours when we travel with kids, but there are a few types of activities that consistently make our trips more memorable and easier to enjoy.
These are the platforms and companies I use when we do want to book something special.
GetYourGuide
My go-to for booking skip-the-line tickets, walking tours, boat tours, and day trips. It’s reliable, easy to use, and has great reviews so you know what you’re getting.
Klook
Very similar to GetYourGuide, but sometimes has different options, especially in Asia - this is what we used in Japan. I often check both to compare availability and pricing.
Fat Tire Bike Tours
We’ve done bike tours in several cities (Paris, Berlin, London) and they are one of the best ways to see a place with kids. You cover a lot of ground without exhausting everyone, and the guides make it really engaging.
Flytographer
This is how we get beautiful family photos while we travel. Instead of awkward selfies, you book a local photographer for a short session and get amazing memories from your trip. My absolute favourite souvenir! Use my link above and receive $25 USD off your first session!
Viator
Another good option for tours and tickets. Sometimes they have availability that the other platforms don’t, so it’s worth a quick check.
TheFork App
This is how we find and book restaurants in Europe, getting discounts of 30-50% - yes, really! It’s especially helpful when you’re traveling with kids and want something nearby, well-reviewed, and easy without wandering around hungry or spending a fortune.
Here’s how it works:
1. Download the app here and set up your account.
2. Book your first restaurant with TheFork using code 85054F50.
3. After your booking, you’ll earn 1000 Yums, loyalty points you can use for up to €20 off on your next eligible restaurant booking!
more efficient travel
These are the little things that make travel days smoother and help avoid common headaches once you’re already on the trip.
Airalo eSIM
This is how we get data on our phones as soon as we land. No hunting for SIM cards, no roaming charges, and it takes about two minutes to set up before you leave home.
World Nomads Travel Insurance
We always travel with insurance, especially with kids. This is who we use because it’s easy to understand and simple to purchase online.
Bounce Luggage Storage
If you arrive in a city before check-in or have a late flight, this lets you store your luggage safely so you can explore without dragging bags around.
Babonbo (Baby Gear Rental)
Rent strollers, car seats, playpens, and more so you don’t have to pack all the baby gear. Have it waiting for you when you land to make travel with little ones way easier.
pet care while away
This is one of the biggest questions we get when we tell people how often we travel: what do we do with our pets?
TrustedHousesitters
We use TrustedHousesitters, where vetted sitters stay in our home and care for our dog Archie while we’re away. It’s been a huge cost savings compared to boarding and gives us peace of mind knowing our pets are comfortable in their own space. You can read more about our experience HERE. Use my link above and receive a discount on your yearly membership!
Disclaimer: Some of these products are affiliate links. When you shop through these links, you're also supporting this blog. Thanks!
pet care while away
more efficient travel
experiences & activities
accommodation
transportation
my go-to travel resources
research & trip planning
Disclaimer: Some of these products are affiliate links. When you shop through these links, you're also supporting this blog. Thanks!
pet care while away
more efficient travel
experiences & activities
accommodation
transportation
my go-to travel resources
research & trip planning
research & trip planning
This is where every trip starts for us. These are the tools I use to figure out where we’re going, how to get there, and how everything fits together before we book anything.
Skyscanner
This is my go-to for finding the best flight prices. I use it to compare dates, set price alerts, and quickly see which routes make the most sense for our family.
Google Flight Deals
This is my go-to when I don’t have a destination in mind yet. You can enter your dates and departure city, or describe the kind of trip you want, like a ski trip in Europe or somewhere with affordable food. Google then shows real flight prices to places that match. Perfect for trip inspiration and flexible planning based on actual prices.
Google Maps
I use Google Maps constantly while planning. I look at where accommodations are located, check walking distances, preview neighborhoods with Street View, and save places, restaurants, stores, etc. we want to visit before we even leave home.
transportation
Once we know where we’re going, here are the tools I use to figure out how to get from place to place without overcomplicating things:
Omio
This is my go-to for booking trains and buses in Europe all in one place. I use Omio most of the time because it lets me compare different types of transport side-by-side and book everything in one checkout. It’s especially handy when planning multi-city trips with kids.
Trainline
Trainline focuses specifically on trains and sometimes offers a few routes or pricing options that Omio doesn’t show. I usually check Trainline as a backup if Omio doesn’t have the exact train I want, or if I need more detailed seating options. Think of it as a good second look to make sure you didn’t miss a better train deal.
FlixBus
A very affordable way to travel between cities in Europe. We’ve used buses when there wasn’t a good train option, and it’s often much cheaper than people expect — especially for longer routes.
Terravision
Great for airport transfers into major cities. If you’re flying into places like Rome or Milan, this is a simple, inexpensive way to get into the city without taxis or rideshares.
Europcar
When we need a rental car, this is our go-to. Having a car for a few days can make exploring smaller towns or countryside areas much easier with kids.
Ferryhopper
Perfect for island hopping in places like Croatia, Italy, and Greece. It shows all ferry routes and schedules so you don’t have to piece it together from confusing local sites.
accommodation
Where we stay has a huge impact on how enjoyable and affordable our trips feel. With kids, space, location, and a kitchen matter a lot more than fancy hotel amenities.
These are the platforms I use to find places that work really well for families.
Booking.com
This is my first stop when looking for accommodation in Europe. I love the filters, the map view, and how easy it is to find apartments with kitchens, laundry, air conditioning, and great reviews from families. Free cancellation options make planning feel a lot less stressful.
Airbnb
We’ve used Airbnb many times for apartments in walkable neighbourhoods. It’s great for finding unique places and homes that feel local rather than touristy.
Eurocamp
Holiday parks all over Europe where you stay in mobile homes or safari tents with pools, playgrounds, activities, and space for kids to roam. Perfect as a break during a busy trip.
LiveKindred
A home swap platform that lets families stay in beautiful homes around the world for a fraction of hotel prices. A great option if you want more space and a local feel. Use my code VIR.HOL or use the link above and get 5 FREE CREDITS
1 credit = 1 night at any home, anywhere in the world!
Agriturismo.it
Great for finding farm stays all over Italy.
Roter Hahn
Incredible farm stays in the Dolomites and South Tyrol region of Italy. Some of our favourite stays ever.
experiences & activities
We don’t love overbooking tours when we travel with kids, but there are a few types of activities that consistently make our trips more memorable and easier to enjoy.
These are the platforms and companies I use when we do want to book something special.
GetYourGuide
My go-to for booking skip-the-line tickets, walking tours, boat tours, and day trips. It’s reliable, easy to use, and has great reviews so you know what you’re getting.
Klook
Very similar to GetYourGuide, but sometimes has different options, especially in Asia. I often check both to compare availability and pricing.
Fat Tire Bike Tours
We’ve done bike tours in several cities and they are one of the best ways to see a place with kids. You cover a lot of ground without exhausting everyone, and the guides make it really engaging.
Flytographer
This is how we get beautiful family photos while we travel. Instead of awkward selfies, you book a local photographer for a short session and get amazing memories from your trip. My absolute favourite souvenir! Use my link above and receive $25 USD off your first session!
Viator
Another good option for tours and tickets. Sometimes they have availability that the other platforms don’t, so it’s worth a quick check.
TheFork App
This is how we find and book restaurants in Europe, getting discounts of 30-50% - yes, really! It’s especially helpful when you’re traveling with kids and want something nearby, well-reviewed, and easy without wandering around hungry or spending a fortune.
Here’s how it works:
1. Download the app here and set up your account.
2. Book your first restaurant with TheFork using code 85054F50.
3. After your booking, you’ll earn 1000 Yums, loyalty points you can use for up to €20 off on your next eligible restaurant booking!
more efficient travel
These are the little things that make travel days smoother and help avoid common headaches once you’re already on the trip.
Airalo eSIM
This is how we get data on our phones as soon as we land. No hunting for SIM cards, no roaming charges, and it takes about two minutes to set up before you leave home.
World Nomads Travel Insurance
We always travel with insurance, especially with kids. This is who we use because it’s easy to understand and simple to purchase online.
Bounce Luggage Storage
If you arrive in a city before check-in or have a late flight, this lets you store your luggage safely so you can explore without dragging bags around.
Babonbo (Baby Gear Rental)
Rent strollers, car seats, playpens, and more so you don’t have to pack all the baby gear. Have it waiting for you when you land to make travel with little ones way easier.
pet care while away
This is one of the biggest questions we get when we tell people how often we travel: what do we do with our pets?
TrustedHousesitters
We use TrustedHousesitters, where vetted sitters stay in our home and care for our dog Archie while we’re away. It’s been a huge cost savings compared to boarding and gives us peace of mind knowing our pets are comfortable in their own space. You can read more about our experience HERE. Use my link above to receive a discount off your membership!
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