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We embarked on our safari with 'Visit Wilpattu' at the renowned Wilpattu National Park. Immediately, we noticed how peaceful it was compared to parks like Yala, where hundreds of jeeps roam simultaneously. On a busy day, there are only about 65-70 jeeps here, despite the park being larger than Yala. Our guide, Bhashi, from visitwilpattu.com, provided us with a fantastic jeep, especially when traveling with children. It was a compact customized vehicle with no barrier between the driver and passengers, allowing for easy communication and discreet pointing out of wildlife. This 4-person (excluding the driver) jeep was also perfect for navigating the park's terrain. Bhashi, our knowledgeable guide, truly excelled in his craft. The park is his life, and he knows it like the back of his hand. As soon as we entered, he spotted deer and could tell us about their antler development and species. Of course, we were eager to spot Sri Lanka's land big five: Leopards Sloth bear Elephants Buffalos Crocodiles. Sri Lankan's big 5 consist: Leopards Sloth bear Elephants Blue Whale Sperm Whale Although Wilpattu is renowned for leopard sightings, the chance of encountering one remains quite slim, as a billboard at the entrance humorously reminded visitors: 'Probably you don't see me but don't get disappointed. I saw you.' Around half-past six, Bhashi drove us to a remote area where he had spotted leopards in the past few days. After a challenging 15 km ride, we came across two leopards in the middle of the road, a mother and two cubs. Unfortunately, the second cub remained hidden in the bushes. Soon, four more jeeps arrived, but they maintained a considerable distance and didn't chase or disturb the leopards. When the leopards disappeared into the foliage, Bhashi was certain they would cross the road to a watering hole further ahead. He gently guided another jeep to stop, allowing a 500-meter stretch of road for the leopards to cross. We waited for 20 minutes, but the leopards didn't reappear. However, we were treated to the magnificent roar of one of them, a truly awe-inspiring moment. As our leopard adventure came to an end, Bhashi continued to show us various beautiful and unique bird species. Since it wasn't our first safari, we appreciated the diverse birdlife even more. Opting for a full-day safari proved to be a great decision, as Bhashi preferred avoiding half-day trips to maintain a relaxed and unhurried pace. The natural beauty of the park was mesmerizing. In the heart of the park, there was a rest area with clean restrooms, where we enjoyed our breakfast while Bhashi planned the rest of the day's route. Despite waiting for over half an hour at a recommended location, we couldn't spot a leopard. Nevertheless, the afternoon was filled with sightings of birds, buffalos, peacocks, toucans, monkeys, lizards, and crocodiles, all thriving in their stunning natural habitats. We had a delightful lunch at the rest area, where Bhashi warned us to eat indoors to avoid mischievous monkeys. While we were finishing our delicious homemade Rice & Curry, Bhashi had his meal. Suddenly, there was a commotion among the other visitors, as monkeys had infiltrated a jeep. It turned out that the monkeys targeted our jeep too, and one cleverly opened a cooler box and carried away a Tupperware container. A bit further, we witnessed another monkey opening the driver's door from inside as if it was a daily routine. As I chatted with other people, some expressed dissatisfaction due to limited sightings, especially of elephants. Bhashi had already warned us about the slim chance of seeing elephants, which typically occurs only towards the end of the day. In the afternoon, we made one last attempt to spot a leopard. Bhashi advised us not to search for bears before 3 pm as they are usually inactive. However, Shamila, who had become quite the ranger herself, spotted a leopard sitting under a big tree, 200 meters away. With Bhashi's binoculars, we could observe the leopard closely, though capturing a perfect photo proved challenging. Nonetheless, gazing through the binoculars was a fantastic experience. The girls were equally enthralled, and Jaïra remarked on the leopard's beautiful coat. On our way back to the park's entrance, a journey of nearly 40 minutes, we received a delightful surprise. Two bears crossed our path, and we were mesmerized by their adorable interactions for about 20 minutes. It was an extraordinary encounter at such close proximity. With these bears, we completed our big five sightings across two parks. We were extremely satisfied, and the girls had an unforgettable day. If you're considering a safari, decide beforehand what you'd like to see and choose the appropriate park accordingly. Never expect to see everything, and opt for a full-day safari. It may be more expensive, but the experience is undoubtedly worth it. And knowing that your driver won't disturb the wildlife is truly invaluable. For the ultimate safari experience, get in touch with Bhashi via www.visitwilpattu.com or whatsapp at +94778661488. P.S. Bashi can arrange a wonderful accommodation up to 4 people just about 5 minutes from the entrance, it will makes you feel you are sleeping inside the park. Cost 4 person incl. diner and breakfast 20.000 roepies. Have fun!

The Rosmead Place by Thilanka hotel is a boutique hotel near the center. This hotel is full of art and looks extremely modern. The room is perfect, beds are wonderful and the smell of breakfast awakes us. When we have slept off our jet lag (08:00) we going down. Nowhere in the world are children greeted with such love as here in Sri Lanka. The dining room is actually an open space with exceptionally beautifully set tables, both inside and outside are large modern planters with the most beautiful plants. This hotel is a true oasis in a city of almost 2 million inhabitants. A breakfast here consists of fruit and fresh juices. Ideal for children unless they never eat fruit. After our breakfast we start a day in Colombo with children. The first stop will be Keells supermarket which is not far away. Keells is a supermarket like, hold on, the Albert Heijn. Large, with lots of fresh goods and hand scanners. I write this deliberately because some people think that the whole of Sri Lanka is an incredibly poor country where people still live in the year 1880. But nothing could be further from the truth, especially not for this great capital. For the children it is just as nice to see something 'familiar' in this strange environment. Just pop into the supermarket, score bottles of cold water and some cookies for when the appetite strikes. Jaïra chooses to take a fresh cup of watermelon. As parents we think this is so beautiful, she is seven years old and basically drinks nothing but water, milk or tea. A really fresh fruit juice, without added sugars, is really a party for her. LOTUS TOWER After the supermarket we continue our journey north, around the Beira Lake. On the north side of the lake is the 350 meter high Lotus tower. This imposing tower from 2019, financed by China, was intended as a symbolic and technological feat. And that worked anyway. There is an aftertaste to this project. In recent years, there have been many allegations of corruption and non-transparent contracts during construction. These scandals have tarnished the project's credibility and questioned the extent of Chinese influence over Sri Lanka's national infrastructure. Very many Sinhalese are suspicious about the Chinese influence and dare to say this openly to you. Nevertheless, what better way to get a first impression of Colombo than to visit this tower? By the way, the tower is relatively expensive: $20 per adult and $10 per child. The Historical Heritage of the Wolvendaal Church in Colombo After we have walked out of the Lotus tower, we approach a TukTuk driver, Ranjeeth, with the request to take us to the Wolvendaal church. For just under 800 rupees he is willing to take us. Founded in 1749, the Wolvendaalsche Kerk is one of the oldest surviving Protestant churches in Sri Lanka and is considered an important cultural and historical icon. The church is named after the Wolvendaalstraat where it is located, and it is a beautiful example of the Dutch colonial architecture of the time. The architectural design of the Wolvendaalsche Kerk is a perfect combination of Dutch and Sri Lankan influences. It features distinctive elements such as a high wooden pulpit, classical pillars and an impressive spire. The interior is decorated with elegant wood carvings and antique furniture that exude a sense of grandeur. Why is it fun to go here with children? That's in history. Apart from the Dutch name, texts in old Dutch can also be read here. A nice landmark for children. Also a good point to explain the ties between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Normally, the Dutch Museum would be extremely suitable for this, but it has been closed for some time due to renovations. The Enchanting Sri Bala Selva Vināyagar Temple in Colombo After the Wolvendaal church we drive with Ranjeeth to the Sri Bala Selva Vināyagar temple. Located in the heart of Colombo, this temple is an enchanting spiritual destination that fascinates visitors with its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere. Sri Bala Selva Vināyagar Temple is an important Hindu temple complex dedicated to the deity Vināyagar, also known as Lord Ganesha. The temple is a true masterpiece of traditional South Indian architecture. With its beautifully decorated facade, colorful statues and intricate sculptures, the temple is a visual spectacle that reflects the rich spiritual traditions of Hinduism. The children are amazed at the colorful splendor here. Questions why this is a holy place or why people worship "this God" come naturally to them. It is nice to introduce them to all kinds of religions, even though they are Christians themselves. The nice thing is that they often see a parallel with our faith faster than we do. They focus on the similarities, we unconsciously focus on the differences. Either way, Sri Bala Selva Vināyagar Temple is an extraordinary destination in Colombo, steeped in both religious importance and cultural beauty. A visit to this beautiful temple offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for Sri Lanka's rich spiritual and cultural traditions. The White House of Sri Lanka A little further on we arrive at a recognizable white building. And no, we're not suddenly in Washington. This gleaming white neoclassical building that looks like the iconic US Capitol Building is the city hall of the Colombo City Council. Construction started in 1924. The British were still the colonial rulers of Ceylon at that time. It was completed in 1927. It was to become the official residence of the Mayor of Colombo and the Municipal Council. After independence, it still retained this role and provides office space for the administrative staff of the Colombo Municipal Council and elected councillors. The way in which a gigantic golden statue of a seated Buddha is placed opposite the building, at the main entrance in Victoria Park, is impressive. The building is simply called City Hall. It's quite an understated name for a very impressive building. Independence Square and Independence Memorial Hall: Symbols of Freedom in Colombo Ranjeeth drives us to the next place: Independence Square and Independence Memorial Hall. These are the symbolic places that celebrate Sri Lanka's struggle and victory towards independence. The Independence hall is most like a temple with many columns. A moment of reflection, but also a moment of sitting in the shade. The kids have done very well so far. The heat is quite good, the sun is shining enormously. Gangarama Seema Malakaya Next, we drive to the Gangarama Seema Malakaya, this enchanting Buddhist temple is located over the water in a serene and peaceful setting, surrounded by lush green gardens and a calm water feature. This temple is the perfect place to relax and to process the greatness of Colombo. With its beautiful architecture, including a wooden walkway over the water and an extensive collection of Buddha statues, the Gangarama Seema Malakaya is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Colombo! The downside is that gazing from this quiet spot makes you realize how many luxury towers are being built around it. One large hotel after another is springing up here. Colombo changes very quickly, so plan your visit as soon as possible! Today's last temple: Gangaramaya Temple Not far from the Gangarama Seema Malakaya Temple is the Gangaramaya Temple. The temple is home to a collection of beautifully crafted buildings that combine architectural features of Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China. The entrance to the temple is quite impressive. There are two statues of Guan Gong playing with a large knife, very special to see. The Buddha statues in the temple bring together Buddha statues from different Asian countries. There are hundreds of large and small Buddha statues. It is said that the most precious object of all collections is a tuft of Buddha's hair, which is usually safely stored and not seen by 'ordinary people'. I have not seen it. For us this is not necessarily the most beautiful or most impressive temple, but that may be because we have too superficial knowledge of Buddhism. If you want to know more about Buddhism, this is an ideal temple to visit! Dutch Hospital We ask Ranjeeth to take us to Dutch Hospital. This charming historic spot takes you back in time. This building once served as a hospital during the Dutch colonial period, but today it has been transformed into a lively shopping and entertainment center. The beautiful architecture with its characteristic Dutch influences, combined with modern facilities, creates a unique atmosphere. When we arrive here we look for a place to eat something. It still looks a bit quiet and deserted. Until one of the children asks; “what are those signs?” pointing to the number of signs that are attached to the columns throughout the street. There appears to be a Street food Festival later today. Unfortunately we are still too early but we decide to come back for this. We have lunch at JAVA lounge, the Sinhalese counterpart of Starbucks / Costa. Once started as a coffee shop in Colombo (here) it is now in many more places. It is really nice to see that in addition to the famous tea culture, a coffee culture is now emerging in Sri Lanka. Gall face Because we still have to wait a few hours for the start of the street food festival, we decide to walk to Galle Face. This is the boulevard of Colombo. The sunset here is phenomenal. In addition, this is the place after sunset where all the locals gather to eat, talk and play. It is not that busy yet and the sun will shine for a while, so we decide to cool off in the One Galle Face Mall. This gigantic mall is right opposite Galle Face. It is in no way inferior to a European shopping center and will surprise the prejudiced among us how modern Sri Lanka is. Stores such as MontBlanc, Victoria secret, Adidas, Nike and Benetton can be found here. Fortunately also a lot of local shops. And unfortunately I now realize that the girls are getting bigger, because Jaira would like to spend her pocket money on a nice long skirt "so that she can put it on neatly when visiting the temples". What can I say to that? After the shopping adventure in the shopping mall (secretly Jaira and I really liked the air conditioning) we go outside, onto the large lawn in front of the sea. We look for a place and let ourselves be stimulated by all the colors and scents we see. While the sun sets, Jaïra dances for a while, we see children with kites flying and Joëlla is shocked by a snake that is meters long that crawls by. Sounds intense, but this snake belongs to someone who pays close attention. The sun is setting, and it's getting busier and busier. Everywhere small mobile eateries, couples and families. A wonderfully lively painting that we can sit in. Once the sun has set we head to Dutch Hospital for the street food festival. Of course we just do this by walking! STREET FOOD FESTIVAL @ Dutch Hospital Once on my way to the Food Festival, I am approached by a man in a suit, a businessman on his way home: 'Where are you from?' And a chat starts about how happy he is with tourists. I have a chat with him. As soon as he understands that Shamila was born here, he likes to tell that there is a festival with dance nearby. He is over-enthusiastic and really recommends it to us, he immediately hails a TukTuk and arranges a ridiculously low price. Before we know it we join in his enthusiasm and drive towards the unknown place on the other side of the lake. It turns out to be in the Gangaramaya temple, where we were earlier today. We decide not to go in anyway, because we have already seen the temple and the children are already starting to get hungry. We continue to Dutch Hospital anyway. And yes, there it is. The unsolicited visit to the GEM store. The TukTuk driver stops at a jewelry store without being asked. 'Just 1 minute sir' . If there's one thing I hate, it's these situations. Don't fall for it! In some cases you just go inside and they close the door behind you. Those shopkeepers are pretty aggressive sellers. It's not too bad with children, but be prepared for this. Obviously this isn't just from here, it's happening everywhere. You can do two things: stay calm, walk around and step outside or not even go in. But not going in often means finding a new TukTuk in a back alley. When we finally got there it is very busy. The kids are all fine with it and walk past the food stalls to choose what they want. Meat, vegetarian, curries, confectionery, but also Fish & Chips. A little further on, a band is playing live in the street. Jaïra and Joëlla opt for delicious corn on the cob, they love it since the trip to Palestine where it is sold on every corner of the street. We are going to run off with Pani Puri, delicious! Pani Puri is a popular Indian street food snack consisting of crispy hollow puri filled with spiced potatoes, lentils and chutneys served with a refreshing spicy tamarind mint sauce. Originating in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar regions of India, this delicacy is loved for its explosion of flavors and textures. It is available in the Netherlands, but it is not very easy to obtain. We seize the opportunity and make the most of it! After an exciting evening full of dance, food and music, we walk towards the tuktuks, the last ride for today. Tired but satisfied we arrive back at our hotel. Tomorrow we leave for Negombo. Today the girls just walked 18 km in a very warm Colombo, and whining? No, not that. It is a matter of a balanced daily schedule. W

Our first morning in Colombo we are awakened by the birds chirping and the palm trees swaying. The sun slowly shines through the curtains and the smell of the fresh Sinhalese breakfast is already in the hallway. This could just be the caption of an instagram post posting a picture of my beautiful daughters just waking up. However, the reality is different. The above is correct, but in addition to the sound of the birds and the palm trees, you also have to imagine the air conditioning, with sound, on Iceland. That's the real reality. Nevertheless, a great morning. Before we take you for a day in Colombo, let's go back to last night… From Singapore we flew with SriLankan Airlines to the final destination. The choice for this company is actually very simple: Think Global, act local. It won't help much but at least the idea is good. In addition, the flight attendants of SriLankan Airlines, in contrast to the flight attendants of KLM (M/V/X before I shortchange anyone), are just a lot friendlier. The devices may not be brand new, but it's all fine. Unfortunately, we still had a delay of more than an hour in Singapore. Arriving in Sri Lanka remains special for us as a family. While one gets a feeling of 'I'm back home', the other first has to deal with an unconscious culture shock. Is it such a culture shock? Meh, it's okay. But that intense heat after 20 hours of flying in combination with the organized chaos at Colombo airport makes it just as intense. Especially if you also have a delay of 1.5 hours on a flight of 4 hours. The first challenge is customs which can best be described as: Long queues at an excruciatingly slow pace. We keep seeing people being sent back only to come back a little later. I see a lot of people busy filling out a form. "Don't worry, we've already arranged our visa in advance," Shamila says to me hopefully. I don't trust it and walk back to the table where these forms are. I grab such a form and read: 'Embarking form'. This form, which no one points to you, must therefore be completed. So while we stand in line, we quickly fill out the forms. Once we have arrived at the customs officer, we are through in 5 seconds. Hoppa, to the bags that have all arrived this time. Last stop: the airport pickup. We arranged an airport pickup in advance that would take us to the hotel, only the best man was not waiting inside but outside. That meant the heat in and between all the other taxi-seeking people who find that one driver. Fortunately, they have the gift of finding you among all the other travelers. All's well that ends well. It is now around 23:30 when we are in the van. The great city of Colombo seems to be asleep. It is dark everywhere with few people on the street. It doesn't matter how far you drive into the city, you still have the feeling that the 'center' is far away. Our hotel was difficult to find, a phone call with the owner was the solution. When we drive into the side street and stand in front of the hotel, we see that all shutters are closed. Until a light comes on. A helpful man meets us and quickly helps us to enter. Once inside we want to check in, Shamila asks him if he needs 1 or all passports. 'No mom, tomorrow. First sleep. No problem'. Once upstairs, he opens the door with room numbers including the name 'Avocado & pear'. A very hot room, but very clean. Until we opened the bathroom door... There was mr. Kokkie, the cockroach. You know it can happen here, though in all my trips to SL I've only seen one unlike the hotels in Florida. Armed with a towel and barefoot, the hotel owner came to remove Mr. Kokkie. That gives a bad start to the journey late at night. The children thought it was 'dirty' and refused to go to the toilet. But hey, wetting the bed was not an option, so before it became a battle, we parents already won. In the end we quickly fell asleep with the thought of the next day: discovering Colombo!

ISRAËL & PALESTINA NOOIT LOS VAN ELKAAR TE ZIEN! Perhaps one of the most loaded destinations to go or write about. Perhaps the most beautiful trip we have been able to make with our children. Why Sri Lanka? You know the word 'Serendipity' ? In the 18th century, the English writer Horace invented Walpole. Serendipity is an unplanned, unexpected but fortunate discovery, a happy coincidence . In other words, finding something useful but not specifically sought after, not expected. The word serendipity itself comes from Serendip, an ancient (Persian) name for Sri Lanka. And that completes the circle, because whatever you think you are looking for in Sri Lanka you will not find, but what you do find is invaluable! More Berlin > Swimming pool How long and when? Sri Lanka in a nutshell Itinerary (examples) The forgotten gems Do's & Dont's Ideal for children Colombo sunny south Hilly mountains Perahara festival / Kandy dancers Trains in Sri Lanka The best hotels How long, and when? How long? How much time do you have? That question is much more interesting. We would never advise anyone to go to Sri Lanka for less than three weeks, especially not with children. We did it once in 4.5 weeks and once in 3 weeks. You can find those route examples here. When? This answer is very simple, Sri Lanka is an ideal island to visit at any time! However, and now it comes.... You have to adjust your destination to your travel time! If you travel between the end of October and the beginning of May, choose the southwest coast. The other months it rains here more than usual, so it is not relaxing swimming. But between May and the end of October it rains in the southwest, so it is better to head north during that period. But rain during your trip in Sri Lanka cannot be ruled out! Hoe lang, en wanneer? TOP 5 1. Checkpoint Charlie TITLE GOES HERE — Name, Title “Share the amazing things your customers are saying about you. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.” BERLIN TV TOWER - FERNSEHTURM 4. KAISER WILHELM GEMNISCHIRCHE 5 BERLIN WALL Sri Lanka in a nutshell 4 min A Serene Safari Adventure at Wilpattu National Park 9 min Colombo with kids! 3 min On the way to Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka is a country with an enormous history, somewhere with a link with the Netherlands (1638-1796), the tea country par excellence. Sri Lanka is still known to the older generation under the beautiful name Ceylon. But Sri Lanka is also a country that harbors a lot of sadness, many people remember the tsunami in 2004. Less well known is that the civil war only ended 5 years later. West Berlijn Berlijn Mitte Media Tropical Island On Sundays practically everything is closed in Berlin. Great to get up a little later and take a nice long city walk or to visit the zoo, for example. For everyone who has a Sunday in Berlin with small children, we recommend going out in Berlin! The reason is very simple, Tropical Islands is just under 70km away. Before we leave Berlin, we only drive for a while to see the East Side Gallery, a remnant of the Berlin Wall. This part has been painted by no fewer than 118 artists. Absolutely worth it! Then take the car and in less than an hour you will reach the impressive Tropical Islands swimming pool. Trust us, it's totally worth it. Tropical Islands is situated in an old zeppelin shed. This is the largest building (by volume) in the world. The building, 360 meters long, 210 meters wide and 107! Meters high, is an architectural gem. The pool is so large that you can spend the night in the pool. This can be done in houses or in tents. Once you have arrived, it is a swimming pool that you will not find elsewhere. It consists of various 'areas', such as a real rainforest where flamingos and parrots live. A little further you will find a real beach with sand. You can make use of the numerous sunbeds or simply position your towel on the sand. You can walk straight into the pool from the beach. Here you will also find quite a few slides for the little ones among us. Next to the beach there is a lagoon, with warmer water, rapids and waterfalls. It's unbelievable, but you really feel like you're in a tropical resort. Outside there is a large swimming pool with, among other things, a large whitewater course, slides and whirlpools. There is something for everyone. In addition to the many swimming pools, there is also a large indoor playground for the little ones, so when they are done swimming you can still go here. You can easily spend a whole day here, which is a great alternative if the shops in Berlin are closed. ​ Evening Walk in Berlin After a day of swimming it is time to relax in the hotel (bet the children will close their eyes on the way back?). When night falls, the search for a good restaurant begins. We always combine that with a nice walk. From the hotel it is easy to walk to Potsdamer Platz. This is a busy and one of the most famous squares in Berlin. The war has completely destroyed this part, making it an empty plain. The wall also ran right through this section. After the fall of the wall, this area turned into the largest construction site in Europe. The Sony Center is located here, and is full of shops and restaurants. You will also find LEGO Discovery for children here. From Potsdamer Platz it is a short walk to the Branderburger Tor. You will then pass the extremely impressive Holocaust Memorial. These 2710 concrete blocks are all different in height. Walking among them evokes a sense of disorientation and isolation, which is symbolic of the experiences of the Jewish population during the Nazi rule. Next to the Branderburger Tor you literally walk into the Reichstag, the parliament building of Germany. Of course, this building, like almost all of Berlin, was bombed. The glass dome (accessible to visitors) is again a contrast to the imposing building. From the Reichstag you can easily walk up to the Unter den Linden, where you can easily find a restaurant (or get a delicious ice cream). This road runs from the Brandenburg Gate to Alexanderplatz. After about 800 meters you cross the Freidrichstrabe, another large shopping street. For us the road to the hotel. A lovely evening walk where we were able to see many sights without the massive crowds. ​ BERLIN AT ITS BEST Our last day in Berlin with the kids, and to see a lot of Berlin today, we booked a vintage tour. Our guide is expecting us at 11:00 at the Berlin Cathedral. This ensures that we have enough time to walk there after breakfast. The Berlin Cathedral is impressively large. But make no mistake, the current dom is not as old as it seems! It was built between 1894 and 1905. The Dom is located on the Museum Island, an island in the Spree. This part of Berlin is the oldest part of Berlin and is full of museums. The Museum Island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that is more than logical. The many museums here have either just opened or are still being restored. To the left of the cathedral is the Atlas Museum. In the Nazi period, this museum was often used as a backdrop for large gatherings, but fortunately it survived both the Nazi era and the GDR. Our guide from the vintage tour arrives just in time in his Volkswagen Samba bus. This is our mode of transport for the two-hour tour in Berlin. Everyone knows the VW vans, and how nice is it (with children) to have this as a means of transport? I can really recommend this tour to everyone, in two hours you will be (privately) driven around Berlin. The stories behind all the museums, squares and streets are told. And you can't escape the stories about Berlin from before, during and after the Second World War. You literally drive through East and West Berlin. Our guide could tell so beautifully about the wall (he was an East Berliner) and experienced the fall. By driving this classic through Berlin you get the impression how Berlin has been transformed. This is really recommended. We booked the tour here, through the site getyourguide . What made it so cool is that the guide tells everything based on photos. He has made a beautiful book with clear photos, so it became a game for the children to 'find' the buildings in the photos. After the two-hour tour (in practice this was even 2.5 hours) we are dropped off at the cathedral again. From here it is a short walk to Fernsehturm. This 368 meter high TV tower (2.5x 'our' Euromast) gives visitors a beautiful view. This view is really special for children. When you view Berlin from the Fernsehturm, you realize how big Berlin is. The tower stands on Alexanderplatz, a large square surrounded by many shops. At the rear is a train station and there is also the Alexa shopping center, good for hours of shopping fun. ​ Avond Wandeling Zwemmen Tour VW Tropical Paradise Tropical Paradise Tropical Paradise Show More Show More TITLE GOES HERE — Name, Title “Share the amazing things your customers are saying about you. Double click, or click Edit Text to make it yours.”

life_of_coconut.mango ​ "Exposing your children to different cultures is so essential to their personal growth." - Backpackingkids.nl -

Backpacking with children Backpacking with kids, if there's one thing we got a lot of comments about in the beginning, it was that combination. Everyone had an opinion about it. Parents with concerns about their grandchildren, friends or colleagues. Comments such as: 'Why are you looking for danger?', 'what's in it for them', 'they won't remember it after all', 'travel is also possible later' or the most common 'Well, they also find a Center Parcs nice though!'. My first reaction is always; 'Why not?' It often remains with the last comment: 'They like Center Parcs too'. That is probably 100% true, but that does not mean that they can also have fun in a nature park in Sri Lanka, on the beach in Jamaica, in a rowing boat in Central Parc or during a walk in Wadi Rum. But apart from the fact that it's fun to do, people go on holiday for fun anyway, I think there are more reasons to travel with small children. In addition, traveling ensures that they become acquainted with other (culinary) cuisines, new cultures and they gain knowledge and experiences that they cannot learn in a classroom. But the bond as a family is also strengthened. For example, the UK Family Holiday Association conducted a survey on travel, which found that 49% associated the happiest memories with family holidays. Aside from those memories, the study also revealed other lasting benefits. I quote: 'Significant changes such as increased affection to other family members, better behavior at school and at home, greater optimism and ambition for their future, reduction in how much they worry and less need for disciplining children were all set out in the results answered by parents .' (Packham, 2015). If this is still not enough to convince you why you should travel with children, then I have 9 more arguments here. 1 | Traveling is learning There is no better way to learn about the history of Egypt or the ruins of the WTC than to be there. The Bible and the Christmas story take on a whole new experience as you explore Israel and Bethlehem. While you travel, you can't help but learn about other cultures, places, people and at the same time about your place in the world. Living in this way creates a worldview that cannot be taught in a classroom with the best of intentions. 2 | Travel offers new opportunities When you travel, new opportunities present themselves every day. There is always a chance to say yes to something new. Snacking an elephant, camping in the Serengeti or eating at food stalls in Vietnam are all new and exciting experiences that kids will love. When traveling, situations always arise that you can see as new opportunities. There is so much to say yes (or no) during a trip. Petting a pelican in Naples (USA), staying overnight in Bethlehem or eating locally, playing with local kids in Tel-Aviv and living in people's homes in Sri Lanka are all exciting experiences that kids will love too. . 3 | Travel inspires curiosity and adventure Parents can't help but admit that their offspring attribute "curiosity" at some point in everyday life. It goes without saying that new environments where everything is slightly different from home will also stimulate their curiosity. And we all know that curiosity influences their creativity. Because if you want to play with children in Tel-Aviv, but don't speak the language, how are you going to do that? Believe me, she can! But also when you walk in Giza, bet that questions come up about the pyramids? . 4 | Travel creates opportunities to be brave dapper Not every kid jumps into the ocean to swim with friendly sea lions, or dares to walk among (distant!) the alligator in the Everglades. But doing this kind of activity gives them a chance to step outside their comfort zone. And they take that confidence in themselves home. Priceless! . 5 | Travel makes children more flexible This is one of the funniest arguments. Because what is at home is (often) not there elsewhere. And that is a fact that no one can ignore. Breakfast abroad? Yes, but look for sprinkles in the Middle East. By traveling they learn to be flexible, to adapt and to find pleasure in what is there. For example, one of the most beautiful things that our trip to Israel showed to our then 2-year-old daughter is that she learned to eat dates there and now prefers to have a lunch box in her school.. 6 | Travel creates a sense of responsibility Have them think about packing their bags. Our kids have always 'packed' their own bag. Of course there was not everything in it, but what they took with them became their responsibility. Besides being proud to have their own bag, she also felt responsible! 7 | Travel teaches children to (remain) open to others It goes without saying that traveling allows you to experience other cultures (unless you stay alone in the resort). That children do not distinguish between children (unless it is taught) also makes sense. Children play with other children, anywhere in the world. Even if they don't speak the language, they can still communicate amazingly! 8 | Travel improves learning ability at school According to the University of Georgia, students studying abroad achieved higher grades upon returning to the classroom. The Wagner Group found similar results. Adults who went on school trips as children not only got better grades in school but were also more likely to have a college degree and higher income than those who didn't travel. Simply put, travel stimulates learning and makes children want to learn. 9 | Travel creates more appreciation By traveling children learn how well they actually have it at home (in the Netherlands). Both in terms of toys but in terms of food, drink and clothing. They see how other (children) have it. We as adults should also receive this lesson...