Browsing Category:

Family Travel

iphone photography, Africa, Culture, Family Travel, mobile photography, safari, South Africa, travel tips, wildlife

Tips for Family Travel to South Africa and Photos

Have you been thinking of a family trip to South Africa? Is family travel in South Africa possible? Can you go on a safari with kids? Can a 4 year old go on safari? Can a 9-year old go on safari? YES. YES. YES. YES and YES.

South Africa is one of my favourite countries in the world, and Cape Town is my favourite city. It’s also one of our favourite places for a family trip. So much so that we’ve been to South Africa twice as a family of 4.

If you’ve been following me on social media or here on the blog, you would have heard of The Heart of a Woman Project, a women’s mobile photography initiative I started in 2013 at eKhaya eKasi Art & Education Centre in Khayelitsha.

I have visited South Africa ten times; twice with my husband and 2 sons who were 9 & 4 the first time they visited. My father also joined me on three of those trips. 

Here are some family travel tips for Cape Town, ideas of things to do with kids and information about doing a safari in South Africa with children. 

A view of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill on approach to the Cape Town airport.

CAPE TOWN FAMILY TRAVEL TIPS

  • VISIT KHAYELITSHA

Go on a meaningful tour with Uthando SA to visit development projects in the townships. Uthando is an award-winning fair trade tourism organization doing fantastic work. Your tour directly helps the development projects you visit; you will leave inspired.

Note: You can visit eKhaya eKasi with Uthando. Be sure to request them for your tour with Uthando. 

My youngest son was learning Xhosa games at eKhaya eKasi in Khayelitsha. We spent six days at the centre and in the community on our first visit.
  • SEE AFRICAN PENGUINS IN THE WILD

Go to the lesser-known Boulders Beach in Simonstown where you can get off the path and take the boardwalk down to the beach for the best view of the penguins. Swim or splash in the ocean and have a picnic. Look for Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant on Google maps and enter the parking lot on Bellevue Road near the Simonstown Golf Club.

My son taking photos of the penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town.

 

Beach views at Boulders Beach in Cape Town.
  • DRIVE CHAPMANS PEAK DRIVE & THE CAPE PENINSULA

You can add a drive on the beautiful and winding Chapmans Peak Drive to your Boulders Beach visit. If you have the time, make sure to stop at the lookout points. Make a day of it and visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope too, passing smaller coastal towns. You might see ostriches, baboons, and seals. You can take the funicular or hike up to the Cape Point Lighthouse.

For a tour that covers the Chapman’s Peak, the penguins and the Cape Peninsula, check these tours out:

Our family at a lookout point on Chapmans Peak Drive
  • VISIT MUIZENBERG, KALK BAY & ST. JAMES BEACH

Visit beautiful coastal towns in the False Bay area of Cape Town. Plan a beach day or two or three in Muizenberg. Watch the surfers or go to the nearby waterslides or mini golf (seasonal). There is a playground at the main beach at Surfer’s Corner and plenty of restaurants. Have a falafel at Yoffi’s, go to the Friday Night Market at Blue Bird Garage, have brunch and fresh pastries at Knead Bakery.

Be sure to visit the smaller and less busy St. James Beach, they have the infamous colourful beach huts (change rooms) too and a great tidal pool for swimming. Take a walk around Kalk Bay, visit the independent shops and galleries, have fish ‘n chips at Kalky’s, grab brunch with a view at Bootlegger’s and dinner at Satori’s.

Note: If you prefer to self-drive, you can easily add a visit to Kalk Bay, St. James and Muizenberg with your penguins/Chapmans Peak/Cape Peninsula trip depending on how much time you want to spend at each place. It will take a full day if you do it all. I highly recommend spending a few nights in Muizenberg if you have 4-5 days in Cape Town. It’s a world away yet close enough to the CBD and great fun for the whole family.

The view from our Airbnb in Muizenberg

 

Father and son at the tidal pool at St. James Beach in Cape Town.
  • WATCH A DUCK PARADE AT VERGENOEGD WINE ESTATE 

Because ducks, over 1000 ducks! I was surprised to find out how family-friendly a winery could be. I had no idea. Adults can enjoy a great meal and wine tasting while children play on the grounds and have a picnic. Vergenoegd offers child minding. You can come back together for the duck parade. Read Visiting Family Friendly Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa

My boys enjoying a picnic at Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  • Sunset Views

Catch the sunset from Signal Hill and a view of Robben Island, it’s free and it’s my favourite spot to see the sun dip into the ocean. Bring a picnic. At certain times of the year, the City Sightseeing bus can take you there, otherwise order an Uber or drive yourself. 

Visit Table Mountain for a sunset and city view. Be sure to check the current conditions as it may be too windy at the top and it will close early.

Sunset from Signal Hill in Cape Town

 

Tip: Drive past the entrance of Table Mountain to as far as the road goes for this daytime view.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SAFARI IN THE GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK IN SOUTH AFRICA

There is an overwhelming number of places to choose from for a safari in South Africa. Not all are created equal and are family-friendly.  Some lodges welcome children 6 years of age and older while other lodges require children to be 12 years of age and older. I chose Naledi Game Lodges for our family safari as I had been there a few times and enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and South African family-owned safari lodge. My sons were 4 and 9 years old at the time and were welcome on all the game drives.

Naledi is an award-winning luxury lodge, but you may be surprised at how reasonably priced it is. We stayed at the Naledi Enkoveni lodge which is no longer a part of Naledi Lodges. At the time of our family visits, I hadn’t stayed at Bush Camp. I have since stayed at both lodges and they have a 2-bedroom suite which is perfect for families.

What I love about a safari in a private reserve:

  • You get the knowledge and keen eyes of the guides and trackers
  • Someone else does the driving so you can enjoy the scenery and take photos
  • You often get a closer look at the wildlife as you can go off-road to follow the sound of the cracking branches by the elephants or follow the lion pride as they look for their next meal.
  • The drives are 3 hours each but you stop for drinks, snacks and a bathroom break, bush style. My boys fell asleep for a short nap on every game drive (early mornings) but didn’t miss any of the action.

Cons: 

  • Have to share the vehicle with others which may mean that you have to go where everyone wants to go. Though we lucked out and had it to ourselves).

Tip: If you visit Naledi Game Lodges, make sure to visit Rosie’s hide while there, it overlooks a waterhole. Enjoy the sounds of the bush and see what comes by for a drink. Check out the 24-hour webcams streaming from Naledi  at Rosie’s or from Naledi Enkoveni.

In search of wild animals with Naledi Game Lodges. Happy to have shared this special place and these moments with those dearest to me.

 

Rest stop in the bush on safari with Naledi

 

Two yellow-billed hornbills in silhouette against the Drakensberg Mountains

 

Father and son in the infinity pool at Naledi Enkoveni in South Africa

SELF-DRIVE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK WITH THE FAMILY

What I love about self-driving Kruger National Park:

  • You can drive as little or as long as you like and take breaks (in designated areas) or return to your rest camp if you’re staying in the park.
  • You can be on the search for wildlife from gate open to gate close (10-12 hour days).
  • An incredible diversity of landscapes and wildlife
  • An air-conditioned car on hot summer days if you need it
  • Snacks and drinks in the car
  • You can stay at different rest camps in Kruger Park
  • You can stay at a sighting as long as you want
  • Can be more affordable

Cons:

  • Not as relaxing as being driven, guided and pampered
  • Don’t get as close to the animals unless they come to the road (I’ve had some incredible sightings including lion and elephant road blocks, the best kind).
  • Rest camps and rest stops may be further apart
Youngest son spotting wildlife on a self-drive through Kruger National park

 

Wild Dog on the hunt in Kruger Park shot on iPod by my oldest son

 

Long days on self-drives in Kruger Park

South Africa Travel Tips: 

  • Spend 1-2 nights on the Panorama route to enjoy God’s Window and Blyde River Canyon on the way to Limpopo.
  • Stay at  Tsanana Log Cabins at the Africa Silks Farm near Graskop in Mpumalanga. It’s a great place for families on the Panorama route and you can take a tour.
  • Have pannekoek (pancakes) at Harrie’s Pancakes in Graskop
  • Visit the Giant Baobab tree also known as the Glencoe Baobab near Hoedspruit. It is said that the tree is over 2000 years old. There is a small restaurant on the property, they also serve wonderful pannekoek.

There are many ways to experience a safari in South Africa with your family if you prefer not to drive yourself.

SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI TOUR FOR FAMILIES

  • Book this tour from Johannesburg if your time is limited – full-day safari from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
  • Go to Sun City for a night or two with my Johannesburg-based friend, Ishmael of Afrotours, and visit Pilanesberg.
  • Book a full-day safari from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park (a super long day, but ideal if you have minimal time).
  • Fly to the Nelspruit area (airport code MQP, saves a 4-5 hour drive each way) and arrange a half-day, full-day, or 3-day safari in Kruger National Park with a private tour company. 
  • Fly to the Nelspruit area (airport code MQP, saves a 4-5 hour drive each way) and arrange a multi-day private safari to Kruger National Park with my friend, South African tour guide, Mornay of Tours-de-Mornay. or for a private safari experience with Tours-de-Mornay. Stay at Berg en Dal, Pretorioskop, Lower Sabie, or Skukuza. If your time is limited, you could make a 1-night and 2-day trip to Kruger work. 
  • Book a safari in a private game reserve. Fly to the Hoedspruit/Eastgate airport (airport code HDS) in the Greater Kruger National Park area, for the Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Kapama, Klasserie, Manyeleti, and Balule Nature Reserve safari lodges. Have the lodge arrange a transfer service for you. I recommend Toro Yaka in Balule, Elephant Plains or Nkorho in Sabi Sands, Shindzela in Timbavati or Buffelshoek in Manyeleti. 
  • Arrange a transfer service (Ashton tours or Tours-de-Mornay) from Johannesburg or Nelspruit ]to Kruger National Park. Book your game drives, and walking safaris with Kruger National Park.

OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Family Travel: A Day Trip to Clearwater from Orlando, Florida

It was a last minute decision to Visit Florida over March Break. Orlando is landlocked but within a reasonable driving distance to either coast. We chose to visit the Gulf of Mexico side for a Day Trip to Clearwater from Orlando, Florida because of the warm calm waters of the Gulf.

March Break (middle of March) is a notoriously busy time to visit Florida as many families from Ontario and other parts of Canada venture south in search of warmer temperatures, sunny skies and family fun.

Orlando wasn’t our first choice, but due to the last-minute decision, it was the best place to go in terms of a quick trip and costs.

My sons at 4.5 & 5 weeks old in 2010, our 1st visit to Florida.
My sons at 4.5 & 5 weeks old in 2010, our 1st family visit to Florida.

Our plan for the 5 days/nights was to enjoy as much swimming as possible and to go on a day trip to Clearwater. The goal was to visit Winter, the dolphin made famous in the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2 at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA). We based ourselves in the Orlando area because we were still able to find a house with a swimming pool last minute on Homeaway.

I love to connect with nature and wildlife and support initiatives that help them, learn about things that are more unique to a destination and visit lesser known and unusual attractions. I was able to connect with Leroy of Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater who offered some great ideas for our day trip to Clearwater:

We had hoped to visit Caladesi Island State Park as recommended by Leroy, but we had a late start and spent so much time at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We booked the sunset trip on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise as a surprise for our boys so it didn’t leave us enough time for a beach trip. Caladesi looks stunning with its white sandy beaches, shelling and nature. We will have to return.

I was thrilled to find out about the non profit Clearwater Marine Aquarium and their mission of rescue, rehab, and release. Unfortunately, some of the marine life such as dolphins like Winter and some sea turtles are too injured or lack the skills to survive and cannot return to the wild. In this case, I believe CMA is a perfect home to care for them as they are also a working animal hospital. You might even have the opportunity to see the professionals at work in the surgical suite in the lower part of the aquarium.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Winter is a female dolphin that was injured by a crab trap line when she was just a few months old. She unfortunately lost 2 vertebrae and had to have her tail amputated. She learned a new way of swimming and has a prosthetic tail that she wears at times. She is an inspiration to many.

Winter of Dolphin Tale & Dolphin Tale 2
Winter of Dolphin Tale & Dolphin Tale 2

My boys enjoyed seeing Winter and other dolphins Hope and Nicholas as well as sea turtles, otters, nurse sharks and stingrays. CMA boasts an impressive list of rescue and releases. It is certainly not your regular large aquarium filled with colourful fish and marine life and we like it that way! We admire the work being done at CMA by the caring team of staff and volunteers. It was an educational and inspiring afternoon.

I believe this is Stubby, a green sea turtle with a buoyancy disorder.
I believe this is Stubby, a green sea turtle with a buoyancy disorder.

After spending a few hours at CMA we drove to the Clearwater Marina for the pirate cruise as we weren’t sure about traffic. We arrived early so we picked up a quick dinner to go, drove around the area, ate dinner by the beach and did a little shopping.

With an hour to go, I checked in and picked up a parking pass at the Pirate cruise kiosk for the marina as the pass extends past the 2 hour limit on the coin meters, the pass is $3. The popular Pier 60 and Clearwater Beach are across the street and many shops including Ron Jon Surf Shop are nearby. It was only after checking in that my sons learned that we were going on a pirate cruise.

pirate cruise

We boarded Captain Memo’s pirate ship and the boys were immediately outfitted with a pirate hat and wooden gun. As we stepped on board we were shown to the bar area where we were offered a complimentary drink right away – water, soda, beer and wine and could return for refills throughout the night. Shortly after leaving the dock, the children were whisked off to the lower part of the ship.

ev

Dyl

pirate boys

Little did we know that the wooden pistol was actually a water gun until all the kids appeared again with smiles on their faces from ear to ear and the water guns pointed at us. They could barely contain their laughter and excitement, a ship-wide water fight ensued.

The pirates were fantastic at entertaining the children for the whole cruise with stories, a treasure hunt, games, face painting and a dance party.  We got to sit back and enjoy the cruise, beverages and scenery. My youngest son’s birthday was only a few days after the cruise so he was given a special birthday button and the pirates sang Happy Birthday to him and the others who also celebrated their birthdays.

The sunset on the Gulf of Mexico was stunning and the cruise was full of smiles not only on the faces of the kids, but the adults too. We had a truly wonderful day and night in Clearwater.

sunset on the gulf of mexico

pirate cruise clearwater

Until next time,

Andrea… and my wandering iPhone

While I learned about these activities through Visit St Petersburg Clearwater, tickets were paid for by us and opinions are entirely my own. 

Discovering Cape Town Through its Street Art in Woodstock

The first time I visited Cape Town, South Africa in December 2012 I heard about a street art tour in Woodstock while staying at The Backpack. Unfortunately I didn’t find time on my schedule for a visit.

Over the last 2 years I’ve seen some of the amazing street art pop up on my Instagram feed by some of my Cape Town Instagrammer friends. Fast forward to my 4th visit to the Mother City this past November (2014) and I just had to get there and see it for myself.

While you can certainly visit Woodstock yourself as I did, I highly recommend taking a street art tour especially if it’s your first time to the city to learn more about the history and the art. You can plan for a visit to the nearby Old Biscuit Mill and make a day of it in this interesting neighbourhood.

Here are some of my favourite murals in Woodstock that I captured with my iPhone.

Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.
Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.

 

Save Our Rhinos - Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.
Save Our Rhinos – Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.

 

When I was in Senegal, I took Djembe (African drumming) lessons. I learned from a master Djembefola that the djembe was used to communicate between villages in Senegal and West Africa where it is said the djembe originated. It would signal illness, death and celebrations such as marriage and birth. This is my ode to the tradition and a way to celebrate the upcoming birth of the woman’s baby.

Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.
Woodstock Street Art, a Cape Town, South Africa neighbourhood.

 

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.
Street Art in the Woodstock area of Cape Town, South Africa.

 

 

Oh the Places I’ve Gone in 2014

It’s been a great travel year for me and I am grateful for the opportunities, new friends, old friends and for a family that supports me.

In 2014 I returned to a country I love – South Africa, not once but twice! I visited in May and my dad came along. I also returned in November and my family (husband, 4yo & 9yo sons) came with! My dad joined us a week later. My visits to South Africa are always so inspiring and wonderful and never long enough.

St. James Beach - Cape Town, South Africa.
St. James Beach – Cape Town, South Africa May 2014. This image was chosen to appear in Pocket Vistas, a Mobile Photography exhibition of Landscape, Nature & Wildlife.

Sons & penguins at Boulder's Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.
My sons & penguins at Boulder’s Beach in Cape Town, South Africa November 2014.

My son enjoyed seeing the penguins and playing in the water at Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa.
My son checking out the view at Boulder’s Beach May 2014. Both my boys enjoyed seeing the penguins and playing in the water. Cape Town, South Africa.

Street art in the Woodstock neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa.
Street art in Woodstock. Cape Town, South Africa November 2014.

Zebra in Black and White. Taken with my Olympus em1 mirrorless camera while on safari in South Africa. .
Zebra in Black and White. Taken with my Olympus em1 mirrorless camera & M.Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens while on safari in South Africa with Naledi Enkoveni December 2014.

Bird silhouettes against a South African sunset. Taken with my Olympus em1 & 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens.
Bird silhouettes against a South African sunset. Taken with my Olympus em1 & 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens while on safari with Naledi Enkoveni December 2014.

The reason for my return to South Africa was because of a women’s mobile photography development initiative I founded and started there in November 2013, The Heart of a Woman Project. I visited in May to launch phase 2 and my father came with to meet the ladies and offer some help. I returned once more in November to celebrate our 1st anniversary with an exhibition and cultural celebration and was very happy to have my husband & 2 sons (9 & 4) with me.

The Heart of a Woman Project South Africa
The Heart of a Woman Project South Africa #thoawSA May 2014.

An instameet in Khayelitsha with Instagramers Cape Town and the ladies from thoawSA.
An inaugural #instameetEKASI in Khayelitsha with Instagramers Cape Town and the ladies from thoawSA June 1, 2014. Photo by Ockie Fourie.

A collage of the women's work over the last year. The Heart of a Woman Project.
A collage of the women’s work over the last year on display at eKhaya eKasi, The Heart of a Woman Project. Debuted at the 1st anniversary exhibition & cultural celebration November 2014.

My 4 yo learning isiXhosa games from the kids in the eKhaya eKasi community. We spent 6 days there. They played with the kids while I taught.
My 4 yo son learning isiXhosa games from the kids in the eKhaya eKasi community. We spent 6 days there in November 2014. They played with the kids while I taught the ladies and they can’t wait to return.

On the way to South Africa, we had an overnight layover in London, England. Mostly we stayed near the airport in hopes that my sons would adjust a bit to the time difference so they could handle the further 2 hour difference between GMT and SAST. It seemed to work and they adjusted well. It also helped to avoid 2 back to back overnight flights. We took off to Windsor  before checking in for our flight. Windsor was about 25 minutes from Heathrow, it’s a quaint town and a good layover visit. We saw Windsor Castle from the outside only and had lunch in a local pub. It was my son’s 1st visit to Europe, we’ll have to go back for a proper one.

My sons in front of Windsor Castle, a layover stop before our flight to South Africa.
My sons in front of Windsor Castle, a layover stop before our flight to South Africa November 2014.

Gemma, Andrea, Kelly & Mariellen - WeGoSolo
Gemma, Andrea, Kelly & Mariellen of WeGoSolo at Women’s Travel Fest in New York, NY March 2014.

I went to New York City in March for the Women’s Travel Fest and again in October for National Geographic Traveler’s seminar on Storytelling Photography with Ami Vitale and Melissa Farlow, two well respected National Geographic photographers. I’ve been a professional photographer since 2003 and have been following Ami’s incredible work since that time. It was great to meet her in person and to learn from her.

New York is a great city for solo travel and I love to see a show on broadway, discover a restaurant and observe what’s happening around the city. While walking back to my hotel after seeing a show on Broadway, I came across this scene in Times Square. At first it was just this young man with his sign and then this half dressed man came by and started dancing, things got interesting.

Only in New York City?
Only in New York City? October 2014.

I am also grateful to have been able to get in a short visit but with quality time with dear friends in Vancouver (my home away from home) and Saskatoon in Canada in April.

Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver.
Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver April 2014

Saskatoon, Canada
Saskatoon, Canada April 2014.

Between all the travel both solo and with family, I also managed to visit some our family favourites nearer to home – Niagara Falls in February and June and the Kawartha Lakes in August.

The American Falls as seen from the Canadian side. Visited Niagara Falls with the family on Family Day.
The American Falls as seen from the Canadian side. Visited Niagara Falls with the family on Family Day February 2014.

My oldest son enjoying the view in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario.
My oldest son enjoying the view in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario at a cottage we rented for a week August 2014.

Sons enjoying a ride on the Skywheel in Niagara Falls.
Sons enjoying a ride on the Skywheel in Niagara Falls June 2014. We had an overnight there shortly after I returned from South Africa.

Lastly, I added 2 new cities to my travels, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico in July. I was in Santa Fe for the International Folk Art Market that hosts artisans from around the world. From their website – “Celebrates the humanity of the handmade that empowers communities through monumental earnings.”

There were so many talented artists with their incredible handmade work. It was like travelling around the world in a day. The highlights were visiting the artists and learning more about the work from Myanmar (Burma), South Africa and Haiti. I met a man and his family that represents the last 30 puppeteers of Myanmar. It’s a dying tradition that dates back 600 years. You can read about it here.

10525571_10154357337020032_1799343680_n

Fabrics from Myanmar.
Fabrics from Myanmar at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Baskets made of telephone wire in South Africa.
Baskets made of telephone wire in South Africa at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Art from Haiti, with a strong belief in voodoo.
Art from Haiti, with a strong belief in voodoo at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Puppeteer from Myanmar
Puppeteer from Myanmar, a 600 year tradition at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I also got a chance to drive a bit of Route 66 in Albuquerque.

Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexcio.
Route 66 – Albuquerque, New Mexico July 2014.

Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Route 66 – Albuquerque, New Mexico July 2014.

It’s been great to go through my photos of the last year and relive some memories. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some images from the destinations I visited in 2014.

Sharing 2 quotes I love and perfect for starting the new year –

c737d7df4e718e511946618128bc6a89-1

3543ccc2e4a43f220e2ef8a81ed2b23f

Wishing you new beginnings, magic, dreams and safe travels in 2015, the best is yet to come!

Until next time,

Andrea

…and my wandering iPhone

Getting around in Paris

Paris is a large metropolis, divided into what they call, arrondissements. There are 20 to be exact. On my most recent trip there with my niece (see Her First Trip Abroad: A journey from Paris to Marrakesh), we stayed at the Pullman Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement near Gare Montparnasse. It turned out to be a good location as it was fairly easy to get back to. Getting around in Paris can be daunting at first glance, but we navigated the city like experts in a variety of ways – hop on/hop off bus with L’Open Tour, local bus, taxi and even by a classic Vespa. 

This trip, (my 3rd time to Paris in 3 years) I tried new ways to get around. I find Paris to be a very walkable city for the most part, but getting from one arrondissement to the next can sometimes be a long distance.

We had finished some touring, shopping and dinner in the St. Germain area and wanted to go see the Eiffel tower for my niece’s 1st view of it at night. We decided to get there by metro, but the metro in that area was closed due to construction, so we took a surface bus near Notre Dame to Musée d’Orsay where the Metro was open again. The bus was free as it was a shuttle between stations.

If you aren’t familiar with Paris, both Notre Dame and Musée d’Orsay are by the Seine River. I noticed that there was a lot of activity by the river so I wanted to check it out instead of going into the Metro right away. Although it was 9:30pm, I felt that it would be quite safe to wander around as there were many people strolling, sitting and socializing on the river’s edge and it was well lit. Most groups were on blankets and accompanied by some sort of wine or champagne, baguettes, cheese and other picnic type fare. As we walked down the stairs from the street level to river level we noticed a Velib station.

View from Quai D'Orsay
View from Quai D’Orsay

In the last few years, many large cities have adopted a bicycle transportation system. The city stores a number of bikes at stations throughout the core of the city. You rent a bike from one location and can return it to the same location or drop it off at another. If you do so within 30 minutes, the ride is free and you pay just a few dollars for access
fees. In Paris, the system is called Velib. 

Velib bikes in Paris
My niece on a Velib bike in Paris

We decided that we would take a Velib bike from Quai D’Orsay where we were to Quai Branly where the Eiffel Tower is located. I found the system simple to use as there were instructions in English and you only needed a credit card to use it. We had a few blips getting started, but we got it all sorted out fairly easily and were on our way. The terminals offered instructions in English and several other languages.

view from a Velib bike
view from a Velib bike

 

Riding a Velib bike in Paris
Riding a Velib bike in Paris

It was about a 20 minute bike ride as some areas we passed were congested with large amounts of people picnicking or sitting at the bars and restaurants.

Wednesday night by the Seine River in Paris
Wednesday night by the Seine River in Paris

 

I highly recommend the Velib system in Paris as a way to get around. It was an enjoyable and easy ride along the river’s edge and I felt like a local. Although tourists use the Velib system, many locals use it too. After that first trip we were hooked, but it may or may not have something to do with competing against the clock for a free ride.

We lost to the clock due to some technical difficulties with the seat adjustment, but in the end, this moment and shot, priceless!

My niece + a Velib bike + her 1st view of the Eiffel Tower at night
My niece + a Velib bike + her 1st view of the Eiffel Tower at night

We decided to rent the bikes once more for a ride to the Peace monument which is at the other end of Champs du Mars in front of the École Militaire. So glad we did.

Here’s my niece enjoying the view

view from the Peace monument, Paris
My niece, enjoying her view from the Peace monument, Paris

Read More:

Our Family Trip to Paris in 20 iPhone Photos

Her First Trip Abroad: A journey with my niece from Paris to Marrakesh

Life on the road from Paris to Marrakesh with my 17-year-old niece…

I believe in all kinds of travel:  solo travel, family travel (with my husband and 2 sons), with friends, for business or with other family.

Though my niece has been to Vancouver and New York City and has already started a love for travel, this will be her first trip abroad. I am happy to be the one to take her on her first trip to Europe and Africa. We have talked about doing a trip together when she graduates high school since she was a young girl.

We will embark on an amazing trip over 16 days that will take us from Paris, France south to Marrakesh, Morocco in North Africa by plane, train and ferry.

We’re doing it alone, in other words, without a tour company. Our schedule has been set as far as transportation that we need to catch and when, but I left the itinerary open so that we can do whatever our hearts desire…within the cities I planned of course 😉

my niece at 5 years old in Wasaga Beach, Ontario
my niece at 5 years old in Wasaga Beach, Ontario

 

If you’d like to follow along, join us at wandering iPhone on Instagram,  Twitter and/or Facebook for images and thoughts from the road. When she was 2 years old she called me “Auntia” as she couldn’t pronounce Auntie Andrea, it  was a name that stuck for many, many years. In honour of that name that I’ve always loved, I will hashtag this trip as #TeamAuntia on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

We arrive in Paris
next Tuesday, July 30th, 2013. I can’t wait to introduce her to life on the road, to see Paris again and to visit the other cities for the first time. In thinking about this trip I am reminded of all the mini “adventures” we’ve had together and the things we’ve done. She’s my ‘Arts buddy’ as she is usually the one I call and take when a theatre show comes to town or for Nuit Blanche and she’ll now become a travel buddy.

My niece and I
My niece and I circa 1996

 

We’ve walked the wee hours of Nuit Blanche, the route of a Zombie Walk and the track at Relay for Life and have had some fun and laughable antics along the way. Can’t wait to walk the streets of Paris, Nice, Barcelona, Granada, Tangier, Chefchaouen and Madrid together as we have stays in each of those cities.

My niece and I
My niece and I at Relay for Life

 

I am looking forward to sharing this journey with her before she sets out on her own as a young adult as she is off to university in September. I couldn’t be more proud of who she has become as a young woman and all that she has accomplished thus far in her young life.

I can’t help but feel that this trip is my little way of sharing some of life’s lessons and especially lessons in ‘globe-trotting’ to prepare her for her future travels!

Until next time,

Andrea… and my wandering iPhone