Family Travel – La Belle Valise

Visiting Lake Como, The Italian Alps, and Ticino with Kids

Spring has sprung, local COVID outbreak numbers are stabilizing, and due to generous vaccination policies in Utah, our family of four is vaccinated. So, it is time to travel again! Of course, just because we have our vaccinations and passports ready for stamping doesn’t mean the world wants our tourism, so we are planning ourContinue reading “Visiting Lake Como, The Italian Alps, and Ticino with Kids”

Rhine River Ferry: One Day Itinerary with Teens

Five years ago, as an extended family, we took an amazing two-week river trip down the Danube. While we were by far the youngest travelers on the ship we found the relaxed pace and force-fed charm was a perfect way to see the villages of Germany.

So, you can imagine our delight when we learned that DIY single-day River Ferries for the more adventurous set are available as an alternative to the two-week leisure cruise

Prague with Teens: Two Day Itinerary

” Prague isn’t just a city, but an entity of some kind.-Sezin Koehler

One Day Belgium Itinerary

Plan Building, Check back soon Day One – An Evening in Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place La Chalope D’Or Dinner at the Grand Place Day Two – A Morning in Bruges Train to Bruges Bruges Train Station Luggage Storage Exploring Bruges

London, Stonehenge & The Cotswolds with Teenagers: A Three Day Itinerary

Our July 2019 Itinerary for three Days in England Plan coming Day One: Arrive in London from Prague, pick up Rental Car and drive to Stonehenge. Stonehenge Visitor Center Salisbury Cathedral Chedworth Roman Villa Cotswolds

Exploring Utah: Capitol Reef National Park

If you live in Utah you can, and should, explore the multitude of national parks, recreation areas, and monuments within just a few hour’s drive of Salt Lake City … and my favorite is Capitol Reef. Located just three and a half scenic hours southeast of Salt Lake City with hotels, developed RV facilities, andContinue reading “Exploring Utah: Capitol Reef National Park”

One Year in Review

The LaBelleValise blog is now one year old. This blog started as a travel log on all the places work, life, and wanderlust takes me and over the past year the adventure has been better than I hoped. Here are a few of the highlights Istanbul, Turkey Chester, UK Chicago, Illinois New York, New YorkContinue reading “One Year in Review”

Cruising? A Supposedly Fun Thing I Thought I’d Never Do Again

When I read the late David Foster Wallace’s essay on cruising in Harper’s, Shipping Out, On the Nearly Lethal Comforts of a Luxury Cruise, I laughed with the deep understanding that comes from having been there, and felt all of that. Yet, two months ago, there I was, planning a cruise with my family forContinue reading “Cruising? A Supposedly Fun Thing I Thought I’d Never Do Again”

My 30 Day Adventure: Prologue

My 30 Day Adventure, as I’ve taken to calling it, has now ended, with an extra 10 pounds, three new passport stamps, and so many emails and unpacked bags awaiting me I wish I could start the trip again just to get away from it all! That said, when I think back on where IContinue reading “My 30 Day Adventure: Prologue”