Spring Break- Portugal & Paris

This year, our family of five decided to venture across the pond again for Spring Break.

Starting from our stomping grounds in Chicago, we're all about soaking up culture, unwinding, and squeezing in some family fun wherever we go. So, after much deliberation (and a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors), we settled on a blissful retreat to the stunning Algarve region of Portugal, followed by an exhilarating five-day stint Paris.

Given our kids' lingering obsession with London from our escapades last year (you can catch up on those misadventures in our previous blog post!), we simply couldn't resist squeezing in a marathon day (on minimal sleep) in the bustling metropolis!

Our journey kicked off with a direct red-eye flight from Chicago to London. Despite the varying degrees of shut-eye we managed to snag (let's just say, eye masks became our new best friends), excitement buzzed through the air as we touched down bright and early at 7 am London time. Customs breezed by (thank goodness for the separate family line!), and after reclaiming our luggage (stay tuned for an entire blog post dedicated to our packing strategies, or lack thereof), we hit the ground running. Opting for the trusty Tube system (because, let's face it, navigating London's streets with three kids and two suitcases is a comedy sketch waiting to happen), we made our way to the JW Marriott, our home away from home for the next 36 hours, where impeccable service awaited us.

And thus began our marathon day! After a hearty breakfast and an early check-in courtesy of the accommodating hotel staff (seriously, shoutout to them for dealing with our zombie-like state), we wasted no time hitting the streets of London. Our boys had their hearts set on revisiting a few beloved spots: Madame Tussauds, Hamley's Toy Store, and of course, Honest Burger for a taste of nostalgia. Covering a solid eight miles on foot (cue the collective groans from our tired legs), we checked off all the must-see sights before retiring to our hotel, where our exhausted little ones crashed for a solid 13-hour snooze. Talk about a successful day!

Day two marked our journey to Faro, Portugal, as we opted for a regional London airport and a budget European airline for the leg to Algarve (because, hey, who needs legroom when you've got views of the Atlantic Ocean?). A slight hiccup with the rental car situation (European car sizes, need I say more?), swiftly resolved by the ever-helpful folks at Enterprise (seriously, they deserve a medal for dealing with frantic parents and oversized luggage), and we found ourselves settling into our spectacular Airbnb in Alvor just in time to catch the sunset. The charm of Alvor stole our hearts, with its picturesque beaches and laid-back vibe, making it an ideal spot for family relaxation (and a few well-deserved glasses of Vinho Verde).

Fast forward to Paris, and let's just say, things got a tad wild. Heavy rain, flight delays, you name it - we weathered it all (literally). But thanks to our pre-arranged airport pickup (seriously, these guys were superheroes in disguise), we finally arrived in the City of Light, now with my mom joining the party, making us a squad of six!

Disneyland Paris was an absolute blast, despite the less-than-ideal weather. Two days of non-stop fun with the crew (and a few rain ponchos that doubled as fashion statements), and we were ready to tackle the streets of Paris. Our Airbnb in the 6th arrondissement provided the perfect home base, within walking distance of all the must-see sights (because, let's face it, navigating the Paris metro with a stroller is an adventure in itself).

We spent our final 3 days of our 14-day trip roaming the streets of Paris. From Easter brunch in the rain to leisurely strolls, our last few days in Paris were the cherry on top of an epic adventure. Paris, with its timeless allure, provided the perfect backdrop for family bonding and exploration, leaving us with hearts full of gratitude and a longing to return. We left with full bellies, full hearts, and tired feet. Until next time!