travel

The Paul & Paula crew loves to travel.

Near & far. And we love to share our trips – our favourite stops, eats and things to do with the kids. Nothing teaches you more than traveling the world.

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Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids
Before we are boarding our plane tonight for our second trip of this summer, I really wanted to share some moments from our family vacation in Italy.

This time we went South. To Castellabate. Castellabate is a town in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy.

It was perfect even so {or maybe just because} we ended up here by accident. Our holiday plans were made really late this year and one day we were just sitting around the kitchen table and decided for Italy. And then I booked flights to Napoli. We did Tuscany a couple of times and wanted to discover the South.

It took us some more weeks to finally find time to book a place. And this is how we found Castellabate. Looking at the map and what was around Napoli and {very important} a spot we could do without a car. We just did not feel like driving around.

We found a cute little apartment in the village of Castellabate. Upon a mountain which means: amazing view! The town is all about alleys full of corners, arcades, labyrinth stairways that lead through the intact ancient town center. Castellabate was declared UNESCO world cultural heritage.

From here we could take a little bus to either:

Santa Maria di Castellabate – sandy beaches and a fun Italian pedestrian zone. A large park surrounds Villa Matarazzo, which is the venue for various kinds of cultural events and a big playground.

or

The fishing village of San Marco di Castellabate. San Marco still has an active fishing fleet and traditional wooden ships are built here.

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Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids
But the best thing – no mass tourism. No big hotels. No queues. Just Italy.
And we did really slow here.
Lots of beach time for the first days and then even the kids announced that they would like to do something different. So we discovered the cities, the castle, the playground, played lots of games and had long lazy lunches in one of the lovely restaurants. A few ice creams too.

And enjoyed the view. Again and again. The water and sky so blue!

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids

Castellabate with kids
The coast is lined up with sandy beaches and we tried a few over the two weeks.
The water temperature was perfect and the sun was shining every day.
BLISS!

Now we are off to Iceland and I will write about it here too. Stay tuned and follow us on Instagram until then.

BACI!

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A big summer Friday List

dreamy kids room

Oh I have not done a Friday list for some time {again} and it is actually one of my favorite things to do. Putting everything I saw in one nice list. For you.

And since it is July I thought I will make a special long one, so you have something to read whilst laying at the beach or by the pool.

Above is a picture from one of my favorite French blogs – Dis Vague – very dreamy!

 

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ice cream colored kids chair
Pastel colored kids chairs.

Love this outfit.
fin first
Looking for some great summer tees? Check out Fin First!

A Moment For Mom. My new adventure…
hemant nandita kids
That dress. I love everything from Hemant & Nandita.

I am sure this pic will make you smile too.
delia creates
If you can sew, please make this. It is perfect!

Lala + Zizo
mint kids room
Oh I love a splash of mint!

Whenever somebody asks about ‘Flying with baby/kids’ – I sent this link. It is season again, maybe it is useful for you too.
LEMLEM-MINIMODE-
LemLem X Mini Mode

Little beauty interview with me.
ykra backpack
Really cool backpacks from Ykra.

A great family space.
And now: Happy Summer!!!
And psssst, Smallable has a great selection for women now too and it is Sale.

 

PS: Get a little peek of our slow week end over at the Bonnie Mob Blog.

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A Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts

When school vacation is in full swing, entertaining the little ones becomes a full-time job. After a week long trip to visit family, and a handful of play dates and park visits, we were still left with a rainy afternoon to spend. It has already been a long winter here in Boston and we wanted to explore somewhere new. We were looking for an indoor activity besides visiting a children’s museum, aquarium, indoor play area or the library.

We decided for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

I had been wanting to visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston to view “Matisse in the Studio” – an exhibit of Henri Matisse’s personal objects that inspired the artist along with some of his major related works. Most of these were publicly exhibited outside of France for the first time, and I definitely didn’t want to miss this opportunity to see them for myself. A visit to the MFA with the girls had been pending for quite some time and I thought this was the perfect chance to create a meaningful cultural experience and visit the exhibit together.
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Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts

Due to the school vacation week, the museum had several kid-friendly activities going on and the girls were excited to tag along. Our first stop was to create our own artwork inspired by Matisse’s famous cut-outs.

Each one of us picked a sheet of colored paper and sat down with a pair of scissors and a glue stick to create our own masterpieces.

We then proceeded to see the actual exhibit. At ages 5.5 and 4, the girls weren’t quite ready, and understandably so, for a leisurely art tour so we had to be quick (I am going back with a friend to get my fix). We talked about the colors and shapes they enjoyed, and they were clearly more drawn to the artist’s cut-outs. They now remember the name of the artist, where he is from, and a few of the names of his famous paintings like the “Purple Robe.” The girls also got a chance to see some of the older kids drawing and mimicking the artist’s work.

 

Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts

After the exhibit, the girls were ready to run around and explore the unique indoor lobby areas at the museum and create some more of their own art before a turkey and cheese sandwich break.

It was a short and sweet two-hour trip to the museum – just enough time for the little ones to gracefully enjoy. We decided we will choose one piece of artwork created by each of the girls to frame and appreciate later. I am so happy to have been able to share a “grown up” art experience with the girls. The exhibit itself was spectacular and I look forward to revisiting it soon. Art has always been present in our home and I hope to create more culturally enriching experiences with them as they grow up.

 

Thank you for sharing this family afternoon with us dear Surabhi. Would love to see the exhibit as well.
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The Easter Friday List

eastereggDIY

It is Good Friday today. Are you ready for Easter? I am, especially the long week end part. We will do some crafts over the week end, hoping for an egg hunt outside {but most probably will have to do it in the house if the weather stays} and will have a brunch with friends on Monday at our place…

What are your plans?

Tomorrow I will share how we dyed our eggs. I posted a picture on Instagram and got so many questions. I thought I will share and you can have fun over the week end… stay tuned.
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Above is a cute Easter Egg DIY to get you started… {still lovely without the colouring in case you are out}

 

easter-bunny-egg-cup-DIY

Or this super easy idea.

Cool fashion for Teens.

 

Strawberry-Balsamic-Crostini-with-Whipped-Ricotta

I have seen some strawberries around and if I find some that taste like strawberries – I am really tempted to try this. Looks very yummy and is easy to make… Strawberry Balsamic Crostini with whipped Ricotta. Oh yes!

 

During diner for the next days, when the kids are done and keen to leave the table, I will ask them what they would like to have for the brunch. They will come up with some ideas. AND they will think which they can do themselves. Next step: Writing down {or telling me and I’ll write it down} what we will need…. This usually becomes quite an entertaining conversation.

 

easter bunny origami

 

Make your own Easter Bunny – origami instructions here.

Walnut & Walrus launched their first clothing collection.

 

greece

Another diner conversation: Where do we go on summer holiday? Leonor wants a big house with a pool. Romy wants to go to Encinitas and Antoine to Santa Cruz {same direction at least}. There are many places we would like to see but somehow {and I think it is for the first time} we have difficulties to ‘nail it down’…

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Remember my mummy&me post – here is another cool brand that does lovely MiniMe fashion.

ROO rocking toy

This is ROO – a rocking toy from Riga Chair.

Don’t forget to print our bunny cones.

 

romantic kids room

Romantic kids room with a beautiful quilt blanket.

I am, together with a friend, working on a new project.

 

But for now: Happy Easter dear friends. Thank you for reading and for being here. Next month Paul & Paula will turn S E V E N.

 

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Athens with kids

Athens with kids

We stayed in Athens in December/ January. For New Year and my birthday. I really planned to write something about it much earlier…

But as you can enjoy this beautiful city at any time of the year, here we are!

Athens is full of friendly, warm and openhearted people. There is plenty to see and just wandering through the streets is wonderful!

A few facts before I will share what we did:We stayed for 10 days and rented an apartment. The kids were 15 months, 4, 6 and 9. We had our travel buggy as well as a baby carrier with us. And I can tell you that wandering through the streets of Athens is truly inspiring and beautiful – it is also rather sporty with a buggy. Even a small and light one. Streets are narrow and old. Up and down.

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As usual we took it really easy and planned one sight per day max.

The first two days were chilly and rainy. {chances you take when traveling at the end of December} The weather got better and we had days that felt like Spring. On our last day things went down a bit again and just when we left it got really cold. {it actually snowed in Greece this January} Which means: Be prepared to bring warm clothes when going during the winter months.

 

Athens with kids

And what we did in Athens with kids:

Acropolis & Acropolis Museum.

We visited the Acropolis on my birthday. The weather was perfect. The beginning of January and not crowded at all. {to be honest I cannot even imagine going during peak season – the heat, the masses of people, the waiting…}. The site is huge and nicely done. You can stroll around in the park. Walk up to the Acropolis. Have lots of marvelous views on the city. And and and… you can really spend a lot of time here.

The museum is fantastic as well. We went there another morning. It is huge and newly build. The findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens are shown and with the space they really get the attention they deserve. It does not feel overloaded {like many other museums}. Kids can borrow a backpack at reception with some games to use in the museum. It makes the tour much more fun.

The kids really loved both places!

 

Athens with kids Athens with kids Athens with kids Athens with kids

Hellenic Children’s Museum
As it was raining the first two days we had to check for some things to do inside and found this museum. A little germ in the middle of Plaka – the old town. There are toys, themed rooms, activities and very friendly staff.

Lykabettus Hill
Overlooking the entire city of Athens, Lykabettus Hill is a central point of the ancient city and a must-see experience for any visitor. Walk through small streets, up and up and take the Funicular {kids love it} for the last and steepest part. There is a Cafe/ Restaurant at the top and the small church of Saint George. Beautiful view!

Kolonaki
After Lykabettus we walked around Kolonaki. Considered the most elegant and trendy neighborhood of Athens, with many high end boutiques, distinguished bars and chic restaurants.

 

Athens with kids Athens with kids Athens with kids

Zappeion & Botanical Garden
The Zappeion Palace is in the National Garden and a conference and meeting place. During Christmas they had a little Kermes there with small carousels, trampolines etc… . In the National Gardens you can find the Botanical Garden and some very big playgrounds.
Strolling through old town
Of course. During this season it was not very busy at all. Find the Acropolis from wherever you are and have some very good food.

Athens with kidsAthens with kids Athens with kids Athens with kids

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
A complex in the bay of Phaliron in Athens which includes new facilities for the National Library of Greece and the National Opera. The Center was designed by architect Renzo Piano and just completed in 2016.
Great view from the huge roof terrace that extends to a roof top garden and then then blends into a park. A new library and opera house as well as water features make this a wonderful space to explore. There was music and a live streaming of a concert in the courtyard. Little street food cars are there as well.

 

Flisvos Marina
Take the tram for just 2 or 3 stops from Stavros and you are at Flisvos. Mega yachts, marina with cafes and restaurants and also playgrounds. We arrived during the afternoon and then saw a beautiful sunset.

 
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