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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Back in Slovakia for Family. This trip and the long drive has all been in the name of family and catching up after too often being apart due to Covid. It's been over 2 years for John and the boys but Martina has made it out a few times since last summer. We feel blessed we have been able to get here as for many this is still not a possibility. We made it to Slovakia in record time and arrived at Martinas childhood home in time for breakfast which was a bonus as we thought we would not make it until lunch but the roads were clear and the traffic was non existent! For lunch we were joined by Martinas sister and the boys cousins were the kids had traditional Slovak sweet dumplins (they ate them too fast for a photo) and the adults had home made traditional Slovak rice and offal sausages with bread and gherkins. To the English palette that does not sound appetising but it is really delicious and goes down sooo well with some home made sauerkraut (again no photos as I forgot to take one as I enjoyed it too much) and a cold beer. After lunch we took a walk in the winter cold to town. Piešťany is a beautiful town set on a dammed river/lake and is very well know in Slovakia as it is a spa town and so is very touristy. The back bone of jobs found are based around tourists who come to visit for the medical benefits of the water from the hot springs in the area but winter is low season and a covid winter is the lowest so the streets were mostly filled with locals taking in the winter sun with a walk down the picturesque river bank with most of the cafes and restaurants that bustle in summer closed. This evening has been enjoyed with some good pilsner beer and shots of Demanovka liqueur which is one of many traditional spirits found in this part of the world helping us to sleep off the long drive fresh for some more Slovak adventures in the morning. #family #familytravel #familytravelblog #familytraveltribe #familytravels #familytravelblogger #familytime #travelingfamily #travelblog #travelfam #travelblogger #travelmadfam #travelingwithkids #travelmadfamilies #travel #Slovakia #vanlife #roadtrip # (at Slovakia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ7e_q2M4lB/?utm_medium=tumblr

#family #familytravel #familytravelblog #familytraveltribe #familytravels #familytravelblogger #familytime #travelingfamily #travelblog #travelfam #travelblogger #travelmadfam #travelingwithkids #travelmadfamilies #travel #slovakia #vanlife #roadtrip

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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How to stay warm in the bitter cold...@tatrateaofficial 62% alcohol flavored tea.... #travelfamily #family #loveyourtimetogether #travelmadfam #familytraveltribe #parentswhowander #travelfam #wonderfulplaces #fun #holiday #schoolholidays #instagood #happy #travelfamily #familytravelblogger #love #travelblog #travelingfamily #travelblogger #alcohol #drinks #cold #Slovakia (at Piestany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ62vgIMXQf/?utm_medium=tumblr

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Night night Bruce... Great drive today.. roads were clear and sun was out making the drive across Europe a dream. It would also seem that covid checks have eased as we crossed each border without any checks like it was 2019 pre Covid... 😀 long may it continue. #nightnight #familytravel #familytravelblog #familytraveltribe #familytravels #familytravelblogger #familytime #holiday #vanlife #halfterm #roadtrip #camping #fun #drive #travelblog #travelfam #travelingfamily #travelmadfam #travelingwithkids #backpackingwithkids (at Europe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ5RoZzMc23/?utm_medium=tumblr

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Morning Bruce... up for a few km's today? Fab nights sleep (cold but snug in Bruce and our sleeping bags.. waking up to a beautiful French sunrise. #sunrise #familytravel #familytravelblog #familytraveltribe #familytravels #familytravelblogger #familytime #holiday #vanlife #halfterm #roadtrip #camping #fun #drive #travelblog #travelfam #travelingfamily #travelmadfam #travelingwithkids #backpackingwithkids (at France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ3i9sksh6s/?utm_medium=tumblr

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Don't get ripped off for a travel test to france.... So last night we were doing research for our drive to Slovakia on Covid tests as we need a #lateralflowtest to travel to France. The rip off system that is covid testing for travel is still at it with ridiculous charges for test that cost 50p. However day 2 tests are cheap (£5) and France is accepting these as evidence of negative test (as long as no older than 24hrs) this is stated on the Consulate General of France in London website. https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918#Vaccinated-people This might also be the case for other countries. We have tested this with recent travel and the certificates of proof of negative test are exactly the same if you are buying day two or fit to Travel! FYI cheapest lat flow test we have found for "Fit to Travel" is £15 per person. @simon_calder @martinlewismse #covidtravel #ripoff #travel #travelblogger #familytravel #covid #covidtest #familytravelblog #France #uk #backpackingwithkids #vanlife #holiday #halfterm #travelmadfam #traveltesting #holidays #teachersholidays #cheaptravelwithkids #independenttravel #travelingwithkids #goexplore #wanderlust (at United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZjPdehMAZ0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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When the day job takes you to the beach.

When your day job takes you here #Bournemouth A day at the beach with 100 16 year olds completing fieldwork experience for their GCSE exams this summer. Lots of fun! Covid has stopped alot of school trips this past two years and I was determined to get our year 11s out as they have missed so much! They were super excited and had a great day out in the warm January sun! Trips done well are the…

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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When your day job takes you here #Bournemouth Day at the beach with 100 16 year olds completing fieldwork experience for their GCSE exams this summer. Covid has stopped alot of school trips this past two years and I was determined to get our year 11s out as they have missed so much! They were super excited and had a great day out in the warm January sun! Trips done well are the seed to the travel bug. Some of my fondest school memory's are when on field trips. One of my favourite was to the south coast! What were your best school trips growing up? #beach #schooltrip #fieldwork #gcse #familytravel #travelingwithkids #school #sun #fishandchips #sand #familytravelblog #trip #aqa #exams #fun #teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #geography (at United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY1csbpMX_2/?utm_medium=tumblr

#bournemouth #beach #schooltrip #fieldwork #gcse #familytravel #travelingwithkids #school #sun #fishandchips #sand #familytravelblog #trip #aqa #exams #fun #teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #geography

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 12 and 13. Happy New year all. So the last two days have been full! New years eve started with trip out to Trakai Island Castle. Its a beautiful Castle located on an lake on.... an island 😀 The lake was frozen and we had fun exploring the grounds and areas around the castle. In the evening we headed into Vilnius old town to take in the buildup of the new year celebrations. However having two young boys means New year party's don't really exist in our lives at the moment so after taking it all in we headed back to our apartment and had a lavish New Year's eve dinner. Ben managed to just stay awake for 12 but William did not quite make it. The spectacle would have been awsome but the city was covered in fog so although the midnight fireworks sounded awsome there was not much to see. New years day started late (obviously) and headed into town to complete the Lonley Planet walking tour. We headed back to many of the sites we had seen last night but we also explored other areas such as the Republic of Užupis (basically an unofficial state) as well as climbing to the Gediminas Castle Tower to see the view over the city. Its a shame we have had a warming of the weather and all the snow has disappeared! Although you can tell Vilnius is a great city the grey slush and the rain made it feel less pretty than the other cities we visited this past two weeks. #newyear #chirstmastree #lithuania #Castle #oldtown #vilnius #walkingtour #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids (at Cathedral Square, Vilnius) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYMxCK4s18N/?utm_medium=tumblr

#newyear #chirstmastree #lithuania #castle #oldtown #vilnius #walkingtour #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 11... a long day of 9.5 hrs driving 🤪 Luckily something we are used to. We left Estonia early heading Vilnius, Lithuania.However you can't drive all that way and not stop at a few sites. Site one was Cesis Castle in Latvia. However when we arrived it seemed to be closed so we got a look at it through the gates and moved on. It looked great it's just a shame we could not go in. We headed back via Riga for typical Latvian lunch at a chain of restaurants called Lido which is found all over the Baltics. John had pork steak in Loganberry source with fried potato's (basically chips) Ben went for Latvian sausage with fried potato, and Martina and Will had the meal of the day of Plov (basically fried rice). 4 differnt deserts and drinks for the boys came to a nice €22. There was plenty of food and great value for money! After lunch we then headed back across the border into Lithuania. Here we went via the very famous Hill of Crosses. It one of the main pictures you find on guide books etc. Unfortunately we got there a bit late so the light was fading but we had a quick explore and took it all in. We finally arrived at our final location back where we started. We are not sure what celebrations are happing in Vilnius but restrictions here are minimal so hopefully there will be a bit of a party and some firework tomorrow night. #roadtrip #cross #threecountriesinoneday #food #castle #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids (at Hill of Crosses, Siaulia, Lithuania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHsr-XsXUW/?utm_medium=tumblr

#roadtrip #cross #threecountriesinoneday #food #castle #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 10 - Last day in Estonia. Today we went ice skating again but with a twist. Going againt all that John's mother had told him growing up, we skated on a frozen lake. This is however something that is quite normal in this part of the world as the air temp has not got above -4 since we arrived in the Baltics. For Martina it was a memory from her childhood as again skating on lakes is the norm in Slovakia. It's looks idilic and was great fun however it was ruddy hard work as obviously its was not icerink smooth and alot of snow had been blown on the track that had been made around the lake. William struggled quite a bit but managed to do two laps and it is not something we would recommend for a novice skater. The lake was also being used by ice fishermen which looked quite good fun with the bobbing of their 30cm rods over the hole in the ice. However they also looked freezing and did not seem to catch much in the 3 hrs we were there! As has been the custom of this trip we also found a hill and the boys enjoyed a good sled. In the evening we headed into the old town and back to the town square. Here there is the ice rink we skated on two days ago and also a little festivity of sorts with a few bars and cafes selling sweets, food and mulled wine. We indulged our selves with some sweet biscuits and mulled wine whilst the boys cooked marshmallows over the open fire that was set in the middle of the square. Tartu is a small city but has loads to offer and we had a blast but feel we have only really scratched the surface with what it has to offer. It is also due to be the European capital of culture in 2024 so that could be a good year to come back! 😀 Tomorrow its a long drive back to Lithuania for New year in the capital Vilnius. #tartu #tartu2024 #estonia #iceskating #lakeskating #snow #sledging #fun #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids (at Estonia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYE-JWlMqTq/?utm_medium=tumblr

#tartu #tartu2024 #estonia #iceskating #lakeskating #snow #sledging #fun #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 9 - Activities in Tartu. The day started late as we spent the first few hours sorting covid tests for our return!! Can't wait till that is not an issue anymore!! 😔 Finally after all the faffing and confusion in trying to book the tests we made it out and headed for a Ice rink in the town square. There are loads of these in pretty much every town and most are free if you have your own skates or if not you can rent them for €3 and hour! Being a half Slovak family Ice skating is something we do so we jumped at the chance for some time on the Ice. Will is still a bit nervy but coming on loads however we were all shown up by the local 2 year old doing pirouettes.... but then if its free why would you not bring your kids down every day to burn off their energy. The rink was in a beautiful setting of the main town square surrounded by beautiful buildings and at the center a very romantic looking statue of two lovers in an embrace! After lunch of local Estonian dumplins we jumped in the car for a short drive to Tartu snow Park where for a pricey €10 each we got to go tubing. This we all absolutely loved! The boys had no fear in heading straight for the steepest and fastest runs with their woops and screams expressing their shear joy of sliding down sheet Ice at 43kmh (There was a speed trap). There was also a sledging hill next to the tubing which gave us all the chance to continue to slide down the hill for another hour or so after our tubing session was over. @tartulumepark #tubing #sledging #iceskating #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #tartu #estonia #baltic @visittartu (at Tartu, Estonia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCcl-yM3n3/?utm_medium=tumblr

#tubing #sledging #iceskating #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #tartu #estonia #baltic

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 8 - Onwords to Tartu. Today we left the great city of Tallinn and took an elongated journey to our next destination of Tartu. On the way we visited two great locations. Our first stop about 30 mins North of Tallinn was a waterfall called Jägala waterfall. Still just running after the recent cold weather, it had almost fully frozen into a natural curtain that ran over the edge of the falls. We were able to climb down from the top and sit under the frozen falls for a great photo opp. We then headed to Liiapeksi-Aegviidu matkarada which in essence is a swamp area but with all the snow became an awsome snow wonderland like Narnia. The swamp is surrounded by a natural Scots pine forest and the thick snow that had and still was falling made for a beautiful scene. The route took us on a 5km hike though the forest and out on to a board walk into the middle of the swamp. Here there was also a viewing tower which gave some good views across the winter wonderland. Some of the route had not been walked by anyone else since the snow started falling and we felt like explorers hiking and making fresh tracks in the deep snow. We also had some fun with the tall pines by getting the boys to pose for a photo and then for John to jump into the tree to cover the boys in a avalanche of snow that was caught in the branches!! It never got old....😂 After the hike we continued our snowy drive on icy country roads glad of our winter tires giving us grip. Back home most folk would not dream of driving with the snow on the roads but here it's the norm and you just have to get on with it. The winter tires make a huge difference and in fact on most roads its all that are needed! Tomorrow, another adventure in a new place awaits! #snow #hike #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #estonia #bog #waterfall #ice (at Estonia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX_1I-ys7ka/?utm_medium=tumblr

#snow #hike #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #estonia #bog #waterfall #ice

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 7 - Our last day in Tallinn. Today we headed to Lennusadam which I think loosely translates to Sea plane museum which is inside a spectacular Old sea plane hanger built after WW1. For €30 we thought we we were getting 2 hrs of entertainment however we arrived when it opened at 10 and did not leave till 4pm! You would not think that a museum would have that much to do, but after spending the first 2 hrs walking around the upper floors looking at boats and reading about Estonias history (mostly based around tales from the sea) we then headed to the lower levels were there were boat and plane simulators, paper plane making, model boat driving, VR experiences and more. There was also real naval memorabilia taken from ships (mostly guns and a tank) which the boys being boys loved. The center piece was a real submarine taking center spot in the middle of the magnificent domed building. We even got to go in and explore and get a feel of what life is like cramped up beneath the ocean waves!! After this long visit we decided to head to the Balti Jaama Turg Market. Hoping for a fun market to explore we were slightly disappointed to find it was really the expensive types of market and so in reality lacked any authenticity and was a bit sterile! Everything was overpriced and would have been better suited in a fake shopping mall! After grabbing a bite to eat we headed over to the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. This area is important to Estonians we belive as this is where alot of the song protests took place in the lead up to their independence!. However today for us and many who were there it was a magnificent sled hill!!! The sort of hill that goes on and on, not too steep but steep enough to get the kind of speed that makes you nervous!! 😉 #sledging #snow #boxingday #tallinn #Estonia #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #submarine #museum (at Tallinn, Estonia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX9TwousuDU/?utm_medium=tumblr

#sledging #snow #boxingday #tallinn #estonia #familytravel #familytravelblog #backpackingwithkids #submarine #museum

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 6 - waking up to a white UK Christmas in Estonia! 🎄 The boys, as all children do on Christmas morning, woke early to open their stockings full of gifts. Obviously santa knew we had to fly home so delivered most of the presents back there!! 🧑‍🎄 After breakfast we headed out past the frozen bay to a sports area outside of town. For €13 we rented skis and headed out for our first cross country skiing experience. We class ourselves as strong skiers but this was a differnt kettle fish with John instantly slipping over on to his bum much to bewilderment of the locals waiting to head off in to the forest. 2hrs later we were hot and very sweaty but had managed to get the hang of it with Martina managing to stay upright and not fall down once.... It was great fun and definitely won't be our last time. After a spot of lunch and coffee to re-energise we headed to the sled slope for some more sledging and fun... because again there is nothing better than sledging on Christmas day! Heading back to the rental we chilled, played UNO and cooked a UK style Christmas roast (without all the trimmings but with gravy 😋). Two days of awsome Christmas fun in the snow has been so rewarding and we have all had a blast. Happy Christmas to all our friends and family. We hope your day has been full of fun and smiles. #Christmas #sledging #fun #family #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #familytravelblog #tallinn #Estonia #food (at Tallinn, Estonia) https://www.instagram.com/familyrussellsmithtravel/p/CX6sC1Wss_9/?utm_medium=tumblr

#christmas #sledging #fun #family #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #familytravelblog #tallinn #estonia #food

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 5 - Tallinn old town. Waking up early on Slovakian Christmas day we were pleased to see another 30cm or so of snow had fallen over night... White christmas is just what we ordered! 😀 After breakfast we headed out to complete a walking tour (from our @lonelyplanet) of Tallinn old town. Starting at Freedom Square we walked the 4km trail through sometimes knee deep snow drifts, taking in the magnificent old buildings, churches, lookout towers and city walls. Particular highlights included Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church, long leg and short leg gates with the most fun had at the Town Hall Square where the @tallinnchristmasmarket was taking place. Busy with Christmas music and people enjoying the festivities the snow topped stalls really made it feel like Christmas. There is loads of little stalls selling lots of little gifts and you are in gastrointestinal heaven with the choice of traditional food and mulled wines etc. on offer! After coffee and hot chocolate at the oldest cafe in town we headed to a hill so the boys could doing some sledging in all the wonderful fluffy snow. Nothing beats playing in the snow at Christmas. Back at our rental we kept out family traditions alive by making sure we cooked ourselves a traditional Slovak Christmas dinner of fish and traditional potato salad. Slightly off menu was the starter if Estonian beetroot soup which was fab. Thee boys finished the long day opening a Christmas gift and enjoyed playing with them until bedtime. To all those celebrating Christmas today... HAPPY CHRISTMAS 🎄 🎄 🎅 🧑‍🎄 🤶 🧑‍🎄🎄🎄 #snow #Christmas #slovakchristmas #oldtown #Estonia #tallinn #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #travel #traditional #market (at Tallinn, Estonia Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX4LeCJsgGf/?utm_medium=tumblr

#snow #christmas #slovakchristmas #oldtown #estonia #tallinn #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #travel #traditional #market

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Enjoying a snowy walk round Tallinn old town on Christmas eve! #christmas #snow #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #Estonia #tallinn (at Tallinn, Estonia Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX3QaULssby/?utm_medium=tumblr

#christmas #snow #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #estonia #tallinn

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familyrussellsmithtravel · 2 years

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Day 4 - The Baltic sea. Today we left Riga and headed North to Estonia. As we left the city the snow seemed to have only fallen within it limits with the countryside being snow free (easier for our drive). We headed to the beach town of Pärnu, Estonia and stopped for a lunch of Roast pork, sauerkraut and potatoes!! Jumping back in the car we headed to the beach not expecting to sea it frozen but there it was, rock solid and frozen! Some mad people where brave enough to kite ski but the wind chill was at least -20 so they must have been freezing! It was perfect timing as the sun was setting and the view was simply stunning! It really was something else and you had to be there to really be able to take it in. Jumping back into the warm car we drove the final two hours to Tallinn. Not seeing any snow all day it was odd how as we headed into the city we were greeted by heavy snow and roads full of drifts and thick slush. Latvia (Riga city mainly) was a great visit and the city had sooooo much to offer we could have stayed longer but alas Estonia awaits! #familytravel #backpackingwithkids #Estonia ##beach #sea #frozen #food (at Baltic Sea) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX1toIaMM3u/?utm_medium=tumblr

#familytravel #backpackingwithkids #estonia #beach #sea #frozen #food

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