Hear firsthand from an experienced Iceland traveler, Mai Tran as she lists her favorite activities in Iceland! We also discuss must-try foods and restaurants, and a few tips on navigating travel as well.

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Ready to be transported to the Eternal City? In this episode, Mallory revisits her recent Roman holiday. She shares her adventures through the iconic sights and flavors of Rome. From unexpected reunions on a 4-hour food tour to marveling at famous masterpieces, Mallory shares fun details about the history and culture as she recounts her experience of Italy’s capital city. If you want to experience Rome vicariously, tune in to this episode!

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

• Flight to Rome, premium economy recommendation
• Hotel near Vatican, affordable option close to attractions
• Running into clients on food tour of Trastevere neighborhood
• Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica
• Tips for dress codes, disability access at landmarks
• Feeling safe in Rome

Episode Highlights:

[04:42] Flight to Rome

Mallory discusses her 10.5 hour flight from Dallas to Rome, recommending premium economy seats for the extra legroom and comfort on long-haul international flights. Upon arriving in Rome, Mallory shares tips for adjusting to the new time zone:

• Stay awake during the day and go to sleep at local bedtimes to help your body adjust.
• Drink water instead of alcohol on the first day to avoid dehydration and disrupted sleep from jet lag.
• Get outside in natural light and stay active during the day to help recalibrate your circadian rhythm.

[09:20] Food Tour Highlights

Mallory goes into detail about the various stops on the food tour, highlighting traditional Roman dishes like burrata and tomatoes, zucchini pasta, street food, and gelato that were paired with local wines. She emphasizes the walking aspect but notes you never feel too full from the small plate-style meals. Further stops included cookies from a local bakery, tasting various pastas, sampling traditional street food, and gelato to finish - all while learning about the history and culture behind Trastevere's celebrated culinary scene.

[15:23] Day Two Around Vatican City

Mallory's second day in Rome revolved around sights near the Vatican. She and her husband started with a visit to Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as Hadrian's mausoleum, enjoying espresso with views of St. Peter's Basilica from the top. That morning they also had a highly informative Vatican City tour, taking in museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, marveling at Michelangelo's frescoes. Mallory was also able to squeeze in glimpses of the Spanish Steps and throw a coin in the iconic Trevi Fountain, capping off her whirlwind trip with memorable experiences in and around the heart of Rome.

Resources Mentioned:

GetYourGuide

In this episode, Kindall unpacks her recent whirlwind family trip where she took her parents, husband, and four kiddos aged 1 to 8 on a non-stop tour of all four Walt Disney World parks plus Universal Orlando - all packed into just five jam-packed days!

She gets into the highs and lows, biggest challenges, and of course, plenty of valuable planning takeaways. So sit back, grab a snack, and join us as we dive into Kindall's magical yet exhausting Florida adventure.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

• Planning errors like not checking kids' heights for ride requirements
• Whether Genie Plus, Lightning Lane, and the dining package fit your family’s needs
• Navigating the parks with young kids who refuse strollers…in the Florida heat!

Episode Highlights:

[07:35] Navigating Parks with Stubborn Stroller Refusers

One of Kindall's biggest challenges on their Disney World trip was getting her one and three-year-olds to stay in the stroller between the Florida heat and their short strides, resulting in tremendous extra walking–and the dreaded Disney rash!

[11:08] Measuring Up for the Magic: Lessons About Checking Kid's Heights

One planning mistake Kindall made was not measuring her kids' heights for ride requirements before their trip. This led to an unexpected situation when her son was too short for Tron, even though she had purchased a Lightning Lane pass for him without knowing his exact height. Thankfully, they were able to enjoy watching the fireworks from the uncrowded Tron area instead. Kindall recommends accurately checking your children's heights beforehand to avoid any ride restrictions when booking attractions and make the most of the Disney experience.

[18:31] Is It a One-Size-Fits-All? Rethinking the Disney Dining Package

Kindall discusses her experience with the Disney dining package, noting that while it provides meals and snacks, the sit-down options don’t work quite as well for a group with picky eaters or a toddler who doesn’t want to be restricted to a high chair for that long each day. Character breakfasts were a good fit overall for filling tummies in the morning, but she also points out that not all will want dessert at this hour, and transportation to restaurants takes time. Based on these factors, Kindall questions if the package truly suits every family and advises evaluating individual needs to determine the best meal plan.

[25:04] Lessons Learned from a Disney World Trip with Toddlers

In a nutshell, here are some of the overall top tips and lessons that Mallory and Kindall discuss for a family trip to Disney World:

• Measure kids' heights in advance and check ride requirements to avoid surprises.
• Consider resort location and transportation method - monorail/Skyliner best for young kids.
• Pack essentials like first aid, extra clothes, portable fans/misters.
• Schedule character meals to fill tummies and meet characters.
• Be flexible with schedules and expectations for young children.
• Use stroller straps securely and bring entertainment for long walks.
• Consider dining plan fit based on eating preferences and schedules.
• Book Genie+ attractions early or be prepared to walk between rides.
• Find hidden spots like the Tron area for fireworks viewing away from crowds.
• Pace yourself and plan rest time - kids may “hit the wall" before parents.

Kindall's candid sharing of challenges and lessons provides valuable real-world planning tips for families navigating a Disney trip with toddlers and young kids.