Compass Roam

IS SICILY A GOOD DESTINATION TO VISIT WITH KIDS (IN SHOULDER SEASON)?

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩

Summertime in Sicily in a no brainer — but have you ever wondered what this picture-perfect destination is like to visit when it’s low season?

For Thanksgiving, we spent a week discovering the Sicilian countryside — exploring, climbing, and cooking — and I can be the first to say that there is PLENTY to do in Sicily with kids off peak. Don’t get me wrong, I’m dying to also visit during beach season, but we were certainly never bored.

Here’s what I loved

🚫NO CROWDS, NO HASSLES: Sicily’s low season offers a tranquil escape. We didn’t have to wait in any lines, it was easy to walk into the best restaurant in town without a reservation, and we could more easily explore the cities at our own pace.

🔍DISCOVERING UNIQUE EXPERIENCES: The kid’s loved the chocolate making class, especially taste testing. We spent one day on a guided “treasure hunt” of Ragusa — Claire had her own treasure map, and the guide helped bring the stories to life. The next day we embarked on a jeep excursion to Mt Etna. We started our drive in the sun, and by the time we got to the top, it was snowing! We had a snowball fight in what looked like a Bavarian forest…all next to a volcano…which was erupting!

☀️FAVORABLE WEATHER: We didn’t have to deal with the scorching Sicilian summer sun. Temperatures ranged from 60’s-70s F.

💵GREAT SAVINGS: Visiting Sicily in the shoulder season also means lower prices for accommodations. We opted to stay at a villa (link in stories). We had plenty of space and even an indoor spa and pool. At this time of year, guests can enjoy a discount at many of their properties.

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐲!
𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

SICILY | HOSTED | THE THINKING TRAVELLER | FAMILY TRAVEL | VISIT SICILY | SICILY WITH KIDS | SICILY LOW SEASON | FALL TRAVEL

Feeling very grateful for this family - and for our memories today and always. 💕

This year our Thanksgiving tradition was completely remixed.

We traded in our cranberry sauce, stuffing, and (vegetarian) Turkey for Sicilian pistachio pesto pasta, eggplant caponata, and cannolis all day long.

Verdict?

Incredibly delicious. Equally stuffed. Completely relaxed. Glad I still packed the stretchy pants 🙃

Will be sharing more about this experience soon! Stay tuned

5 REASONS TO VISIT BLACKBERRY MOUNTAIN

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩

1️⃣ UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS - Stay in luxury treehouses, hillside cottages, or cozy suites, each blending nature and elegance for an unforgettable retreat. We chose a treehouse and loved it— nothing beats waking up in a forest every morning!

2️⃣ ENDLESS LIST OF ACTIVITIES - There’s so much to do on property, that you’re going to wish you had booked one more day. Some of the favorites include the Arbor Tree Courses, the off-roads course, archery, horseback riding, and pottery/watercolor classes. You can relax by the stunning pool, have a spa treatment, take sunrise yoga over the mountains, or embark on a hike.

3️⃣ DELICIOUS FARM TO TABLE FOOD: The food .mountain is fabulous. The food is inventive, but there’s also a focus on quality ingredients, many of which come from their sister property . The best bread I’ve ever tasted (that’s right!) was the sourdough at Three Sisters. The soups and salads were also fantastic, and the main courses at Firehouse were so good, that when we returned the next night, I just wanted to order the same thing all over again.

4️⃣ LUXURIOUS, SECLUDED, BUT ALSO FAMILY FRIENDLY: For guests who wish to just enjoy a secluded getaway with 5 star amenities, it’s easy to find peace and quiet. There is a separate adults pool that’s quiet and serene, as well as plenty of space to carve out your own abode. But if you’ve traveled here with kids, you’re still welcomed with open arms. There’s a “camp blackberry” for little ones to attend (and they take all ages!), as well as a family pool, pond for swimming with water slide, and plenty of areas to run around and explore with little ones.

5️⃣EXCLUSIVE USE: Only guests of .mountain get to enjoy its grounds, activities, and restaurants while staying there. This helps ensure a truly intimate and exclusive experience.

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

5 TIPS FOR PLANNING A VACATION ITINERARY WITH KIDS

Everyone always says that travel ends when you have kids…especially little kids.

❌That couldn’t be farther from the truth! However, it does change a bit initially.

Can you do that 8 hour roundtrip hike along the Nepali Coast with a toddler? 🤔

You could try…🤪

But, it may be better to adjust your itinerary expectations. Here’s how!

1️⃣LESS IS MORE - In the era of “Prekids” I used to pack my days with activities and loved it! Now, with a 5 and 2 year old, the rhythm of each day on the road is a bit different. I plan one “big activity” for either the morning or afternoon, and leave the other half of the day to just relax or wander.

2️⃣KEEP FIRST DAY LOW KEY - I usually don’t schedule any tours or experiences our first full day post-travel…or at the very least, not the first morning. Jetlag may be wearing off still if you changed timezones.

3️⃣GET KIDS INVOLVED - Before finalizing the itinerary, I’ll ask Claire what she’d like to do from the list I’ve researched. She loves getting involved and has many opinions.

4️⃣BE OKAY NOT DOING EVERYTHING - This one took some getting used to, but now I’ve reached acceptance. When kids are along for the ride, the day is filled with a lot of fun, but also a lot of unexpected…delays. So I always have an ambitious list of “must-sees” saved on my phone, but I’m prepared to prioritize and edit as needed.

5️⃣LESS TRANSITIONS, THE BETTER - If you’ve planned a vacation to Italy for 10 days and you plan to see Rome, Florence, and Amalfi…then oh boy that doesn’t sound relaxing in the slightest (even without kids). I’m all about carpe diem, but I now place high value on being able to fully unpack and really spend time in one spot. As a rule of thumb, For a 7-10 day trip, I’d do a max of 2 location changes.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 💕 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐞’𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 — 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Write a caption... ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PUGLIA, ITALY

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲

📆WHEN TO GO: Puglia has its high season June through August. June is the sweet spot - warm enough to swim, the towns are lively, but it’s not overcrowded with tourists (August is very busy).

✈️TRANSPORTATION
You can fly into Bari or Brindisi airport. If you need transport to/from the airport, use
Be sure to rent a car at some point - public transportation isn’t reliable

🏠WHERE TO STAY:
📍The villas are incredible. If you’re traveling with a group, these accommodations will give you plenty of space, and they are 5-star all the way. Think private pools, chefs, personal concierge services. They have a wide range of villas, in terms of size and style — and are located throughout Puglia.

𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 @𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑. 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲

📍 is a wonderful boutique hotel, located near Ostuni.

📍 is fabulous hotel (part of the Rocco Forte collection) located near Savelletri and Monopoli

🍝WHERE TO EAT:
📍.fiore - the best focccia (Bari)
📍Osteria Del Porto - beautiful restaurant on the harbor, seafood focused (Savelltri)
📍 - delicious cafe, creative dishes (Polignano a Mare)
📍 - great food set in an orange garden (Castro)
📍 - Great fish sandwich (Otranto)
📍37 Nodi - Delicious seafood and pizza (Castro)

TOP EXPERIENCES:
📍Cooking class in a castle
📍Boat tour with
📍Bike ride through the olive trees with
📍Olive oil and orchard tour at
📍Zoosafari and Fasanoland if traveling with kids

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

Puglia | Family Travel |Travel Guide

IS PUGLIA A GOOD DESTINATION TO VISIT WITH KIDS?

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩!

After spending almost month in Puglia,  let me be the first to say that Puglia exceeded all of our expectations and more.   When it comes to kids, the entire country of Italy has a fantastic, well deserved reputation -- Italians just love babies!  But of course, anytime you hit the road with little ones, it's good to know what's in store.  

Here's why Puglia is perfect to visit with kids: 

👍🏻 THE CITIES ARE KID FRIENDLY SIZES:  Cities like Ostuni, Locorotondo, Bari, Polignano a Mare, and Alberobello, are compact enough to explore in a half day or day.    

👍🏻 THE CITIES ARE PLAYGROUNDS THEMSELVES: In the mind of a 5 year-old, the narrow streets, hidden nooks, and enchanting castle-like architecture transformed each small hilltop town and seaside fortress into backdrops of knight, princess, and dragon battles. We spent hours just making up games, and playing hide and seek. 

👍🏻 THERE ARE MANY BABY FRIENDLY BEACHES:  Puglia’s coastline is filled with beaches where toddlers can splash in tranquil waters and parents can relax without the constant worry of unpredictable waves.  The sandbars stretch for hundreds of feet in some areas, allowing parents to venture in with kids, at a safe and shallow depth.  

👍🏻 FUN AND UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS: The accommodations in Puglia are an adventure in themselves! From cone-roofed trulli to rustic masserias and fascinating cave hotels, each dwelling type presents a novel experience that will captivate the kids.  

👍🏻KID FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS NEARBY:  Many of the cities have small playgrounds located just outside the historic centers, or even have mini rides in the piazzas.  There’s also a Zoosafari, amusement park (Fasanoland), and caves to explore (Grotte di Castellana).  Or, you can visit a working farm and taste some cheese at Lamapecora, or take the toddlers to DinoPark.  

𝐃𝐌 😎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲

THANK YOU FOR 10K! 💕😀💕

Taking today to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the old and new faces who have joined along on our journeys, and who have reached out to connect.

Here’s a quick (re)introduction of what we love to chat about on Compass Roam

I’m Jillian - a former history teacher turned travel writer - and you’ll find me here along with my husband, Niall, and two small kids, Claire and Maverick.

We love to share our favorite luxury hotels for families, as well as travel tips, and detailed itineraries (you get those for free by subscribing on the blog😀). We really appreciate you following along, asking questions, and for saying all the kind words along the way.

Here’s a few little fun (travel) facts about us:
✈️ Knock on wood, I’ve never missed a flight. But, I have gotten left on the jetway and that was embarrassing when the plane had to turn back for me :/
👻 I’m really freaked out by ghosts/ghost towns/ghost tours….all of that…and subsequently was quite terrified of Savannah (spoiler alert: it’s truly haunted…but also very pretty)
🌍When I was 8, my mom won a trip to on radio. We spent two weeks touring the country (after Disney of course) and I loved every second of it. It’s where I had my first omelette and first crepe. I think it was then that I caught the “travel bug” forever.
🗺️My favorite destinations so far: Puglia, Safari in Tanzania, Kauai/Maui, Crete/Santorini
🏝️Claire and Maverick’s favorite hotel so far:
🏄‍♂️Niall still insists he “invented” body surfing 🙄
🏕️Niall and I knew that we were meant to be when we realized that we both truly don’t understand the allure of our camping. But, glamping… now we’re all in for that 😎

Please say hi in the comments below and introduce yourselves! 👋🏼

IS ALBEROBELLO WORTH VISITING?

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩

I remember the first time I saw a picture of this fairytale looking town — it’s what inspired me to ask “Where’s Puglia?…”….which then inspired a whole month abroad in Italy…and safe to say I’m just a little bit obsessed with this region now.

Ironically though…Alberobello wasn’t my favorite city in Puglia. Here’s how I’d visit a little differently next time.

❓FIRST - WHAT’S ALBEROBELLO/WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site that looks as if it's been lifted straight out of a fairy tale. The town is famous for its "trulli," the unique limestone dwellings featuring conical roofs

❓WHY WASN’T IT MY FAVORITE?
We visited during late morning/early afternoon (the only time I could fit it into the schedule). It was crowded and very hot. I could appreciate why it was a cool place, but it felt rushed and touristy.

❓DID I REGRET GOING?
No, because I wanted to still see it, despite knowing we’d be there during a less than ideal time. However, I did learn a few things.

❓HOW I’D “REDO” MY VISIT TO ALBEROBELLO
👍🏻Visit in the early morning, or late afternoon/early evening. Not only will the lighting be better for photographs — dancing off the white washed limestone — but it won’t be hot nor crowded at these times. I’d head to Belvedere Santa Lucia to get a panoramic view of the Rione Monte area.
👍🏻Make time for a kid activity — there are pottery classes offered in the town that little ones may like doing.
👍🏻Have lunch . I’d read wonderful reviews of this place, but didn’t have time to visit. I definitely want to return to eat here!
👍🏻Take a kid friendly tour — I had so many questions about the town, and would’ve loved to have spent some time learning about it.
👍🏻Spend time in less touristy neighborhoods- like the Rione Aia Piccola district. There’s 500 trulli, and it’s less commercialized.

Have you been to Alberobello? What did you think?

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

TRIP PLANNING? LET ME SAVE YOU SOME TIME…

This is your sign to book a  luxury villa for a future trip.  
CONFESSION: I’ve always been hotel girl.  I’ve found them to be more reliable at the luxury level.  I’ve had some rental journeys in the U.S. — and while they’re okay for certain occasions, they aren’t the same as a 5 star hotel. 

But then…I found  
The Thinking Traveller holds the keys to the most exquisite villas in the Mediterranean— they have a stunning collection of high-end homes, and they provide all the conveniences of a 5-star hotel. 

Here’s 7 reasons I LOVED this experience

✅THEIR VILLAS ARE EXQUISITE - Each luxury villa has its own unique history and 5 star amenities.  Some have tennis courts, steam rooms, direct sea access, or beautiful private gardens!   

✅THEIR VILLAS ARE EXCLUSIVE:  They only select 1% of villas that apply. Once a villa is on their site, that’s the only place you’ll find it. 

✅ MULTIGENERATIONAL TRIPS:  These are family friendly spaces that have something for everyone. There’s room to spread out by the pool, or enjoy a book on a private patio.  There’s also plenty of bedrooms -- some have awesome bunkbed rooms for kids.  

✅PERSONALIZED CONCIERGE SERVICES:  I used to think renting a villa would mean I’d need to do more work — the opposite is true.  The Thinking Traveller’s team will help you select a villa that’s best for your family, arrange airport transfers, car rentals, restaurant reservations, and once-in-a lifetime experiences 

✅HELPING HANDS:  Just like a hotel, there’s daily cleaning, but the awesome part about a villa is that you also have a private chef.  You'll come down to breakfast to find a delicious spread.

✅CURATED EXPERIENCES:  The Thinking Traveller also carefully handpicks exclusive experiences — like a cooking class in a 15th century castle, or sailing in your private boat along the coastline.

✅EXCELLENT VALUE:  You may think a villa costs more than a comparable hotel, but that’s not always the case.  You’ll be getting more for your money — more room more exclusivity, andcustomization
 

Photo with mom….and then dad…🤷🏼‍♀️

What a morning in Matera looks like ☀️

I am a total early bird.

I love the quiet of the mornings. I love tea. I love two hours of me time before those kiddos come barreling in!

Even on the weekends or when I travel, I find it hard to sleep in. Mornings are pure magic!

I always love hearing what other people’s routines are like. So…

How do you start your day? Early riser or sleeping in?

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE PLANNING A MULTIGENERATIONAL TRIP

What happens when you convince grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, toddlers….essentially the whole crew…to take a vacation together, all under 1 roof?

It’s actually a blast!
But…the secret to success is to have a plan.

We just returned from 3 weeks in Puglia, Italy - with 11 people, ages 2 to 72. Heres how we made it work

✅ RENT A VILLA: A villa will provide more space to relax comfortably, and also help create more togetherness with the whole gang. Our luxury rental experience was a 15/10 with .

✅ANTICIPATE ANY PERSONAL NEEDS: Will your itinerary have to accommodate nap times? Mobility issues? Dietary restrictions?

✅ ITINERARY TIP: LESS IS MORE: If you’re the planner (hi, me too 👋🏼), it’s going to be difficult to cut some of your “must-sees.” However, trust me — running from one site to the next isn’t enjoyable. Instead, it’s better to plan one “big” activity for the day, and then a lot of downtime to explore freely or just relax.

✅ ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION: It’s a little harder to hop in an Uber (if a destination has one), when you have a large group. Make sure to arrange for airport transfers and car rentals ahead of time. In Puglia, you will most definitely need a car to get around. We used for airport transfers.

✅ MAKE RESTAURANT AND ACTIVITY RESERVATIONS…AND KEEP IT ORGANIZED This may sound obvious, but it’s really important to make any reservations before you hit the road (vs. figuring it out on the ground). However, keep it flexible and take note of any cancellation policies. Let your group know ahead of time the options (and give the option to sit some things out). You can always cancel if something else catches your eye.

✅ YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER: This is vacation after all, and sometimes that means different things for different groups of people. Go with the flow

𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

Today wasn’t 1000 degrees outside - so we set out to explore some outdoor nature trails nearby 😎

✅ GOAL: Earlier this year, I set a goal of trying to see 5 new destinations/attractions in my own state of CT with the kids.
Earlier this spring, we visited , and today it was all about the outdoors at Mianus River State Park. If you’re located in NYC, Westchester County, Fairfield County - or passing through - this is a great spot to bring the kids.

Here’s some info to help you plan your own visit:

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

📍LOCATION: Mianus River State Park in Stamford (and Greenwich), CT

❓WHAT’S THERE: Mianus Park includes 389 acres of woodlands in Connecticut, where you’ll find trails for mountain biking, hiking, and there are even places to swim and go fishing. There are numerous hiking trails - so you’ll need more than one visit to see it all. Today, we opted for the River Walk, where the kids looked for mermaids along the water’s edge. In the future, we’ll check out the playgrounds too.

😃WHY I LIKED IT: The trails are very kid friendly and easy to manuever. As much as we love playgrounds and visiting the pool in the summer, it was a nice change of pace to see how the kids explored the woods and used their imaginations someplace new.

✅OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
💰It’s free!
🚗You’ll need your own car - and while there are a few parking areas, I prefer the entrance on Merriweather Road.
🚽You’ll also want to use the bathroom beforehand (I didn’t see any facilities), and bring some water and snacks.

𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐚 🌳 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥

3 FAVORITE NEW ENGLAND/ATLANTIC BEACHES (AND WHERE TO STAY)

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

OGUNQUIT BEACH
📍Where? Ogunquit, Maine
❓Why? It’s wide and spacious with plenty of room for kids to explore. When it’s low tide, there are sandbars and tide pools, with gentle kid-friendly waves.
🛎️Where to stay? is a stunning scenic property, located 10 min away
🚽Facilities for families? Yes, there are bathrooms and plenty of parking and restaurants nearby

EAST BEACH
📍Watch Hill, Rhode Island
❓Why? I once met a Long-Island native who admitted that he preferred this beach to ones on LI. That was enough to sway me to visit, as I know how serious Long-Islanders take their beaches. It did not disappoint! You’ll find miles of beautiful sand, with perfect bodysurfing waves
🛎️Where to stay? Ocean House, Watch Hill Inn, or Weekapaug Inn
🚽Facilities for families? Yes, public bathrooms (but may be porta potty), or if you’re a guest or , you can use the hotel

CAPE MAY BEACH
📍Cape May, NJ
❓Why? Cape May was my childhood summer vacation spot, so I can 100% vouch for it being kid friendly. You’ll find perfect sandcastle sand, loooong beaches, crazy cool clouds, and the best body surfing waves around. It’s a quirky town with brightly painted Victorian houses and a mellow 1950’s vibe.
🛎️Where to stay: is a charming boutique hotel a block away from the beach. I’ve never stayed at , but it has more amenities for families, like a pool and beach service.
🚽Facilities for families? There are public bathrooms, and many restaurants and shops steps away.

📸Photo 1&2- Ogunquit beach and
📸Photo 3&4- East beach and
📸Photo 5,6,7- cape may beach, and

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

5 REASONS TO STAY AT THIS LUXURY HOTEL IN THE ALPS

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨" 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭!

📍Travel Charme Hotel

Why?

1️⃣ THE VIEW FROM THE ROOM - The views from the room are simply stunning. The balconies jet out over Lake Achensee, with views of the Alps surrounding you.

2️⃣ FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMODATIONS - They offer two bedroom, two bathroom suites to accommodate families that may need more space.

3️⃣ EASY ACCESS TO BEAUTIFUL HIKING AND PLAYGROUNDS FOR KIDS - When you’re ready to explore, you’re right next to some beautiful playgrounds and hiking trails. There are paved paths that are stroller friendly too.

4️⃣ ON SITE POOL AND SPA - There’s a heated indoor/outdoor pool, with beautiful views of the mountains

5️⃣ GOOD FOOD - The hotel offers a delicious breakfast buffet, as well a lunch and dinner dining options too. Everything was delicious and beautifully prepared.

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

WHAT A DAY!…WE RECENTLY PASSED 5K!

First things first, a heartfelt thank you to YOU! It’s so much fun to share our adventures, tips and stories — thank you for your support and kind words everyday 💕

For any new faces and friends out there - wanted to quickly reintroduce the crew behind Compass Roam, and what we do:

Who we are: I’m Jillian, and I married a Newfie named Niall. We have two crazy kids, Claire and Maverick.

What we do: Share detailed itineraries of our favorite vacation spots, discuss specific tips for travel with kids, and we love a good room tour of a luxury hotel

Fun facts:

🧳We are proud over packers. To all those parents out there who pack 2 weeks worth of outfits for the whole family in a backpack, I think you’re truly magical.

🇫🇷The first time I went to Europe, I was 8 years old - my mom won a trip to Disney Paris on NPR radio!

🏄‍♂️Niall thinks he invented body surfing

🧜🏻‍♀️Claire REALLY wants to be a mermaid

📸The person in our family who is MOST cooperative at taking photos is: Maverick

🏝️If I was stranded on a deserted island, my “un-necessary, necessary” item I’d like to have is: mascara.

What’s your un-necessary, necessary item? Drop a comment below 👇🏼

Double trouble today - this inseparable duo got to team up for the ultimate daddy/daughter day.

Happy Father’s Day to this amazing dad, AND Happy Birthday to my sweet girl!
You are both my everything — and watching your sweet souls connect is every mom’s dream.

Maverick and I love you guys!

GUIDE TO VISITING CAPE BRETON, NOVA SCOTIA IN SUMMER:

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

WHY VISIT: Cape Breton Island is worth a visit because of its cliff-side scenery, seaside towns, and if you like to golf, it has one of the top golf courses in the world.

WHEN TO VISIT: Cape Breton is a good destination if you’re looking to escape the summer heat. The high season is May-October, with temperatures in the 70’s.

GETTING THERE: You can fly into Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which is 3 hours away. If you're driving from New Brunswick, PEI, or Halifax, take the Canso Causeway to Inverness.  Lastly, there is a ferry option from Newfoundland to North Sydney.  You will need a rental car while visiting.

WHERE TO STAY:
Cabot Links is the hotel to book for both a pampered golf vacation, and a little R&R.  Each room has unobstructed views of the golf course and ocean.  Even if you’re there as a golf “supporter” (i.e. I tagged along with my husband), you’ll love this spot. From your bedroom, you'll feel tucked in behind the sand dunes, but can still hear the waves lapping against the shoreline.  An an added bonus, the hotel has the best sunset views in town. 

WHERE TO EAT:
📍Panorama
📍Glenora Inn and Distillery
📍Rusty Anchor
📍Baddeck Lobster Suppers
📍(Came recommended) - Telegraph House, L’abri Cafe Restaurant and Aucoin Bakery

TOP EXPERIENCES:
📍Play a round of golf at Cabot Links
📍Shop in the small town of Baddeck
📍Drive and go for some hikes along the Cabot Trail

Have you been to Cape Breton? What would you add to this list?

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬

Incredibly grateful to all those who have served, and who currently serve, our incredible country 🇺🇸

If you’ve never visited Pearl Harbor, I highly recommend it - the entire experience, while suffocatingly somber, is also equally powerful.
Here in this corner of Hawaii — removed from the snorkel spots, crashing waves, and otherwise stunning island beauty — there is heavy sadness, but every single part of a visitor’s experience is designed with purpose to help honor the lives lost.

Some things to know before you go:
🇺🇸The memorial for the USS Arizona is located out on the water, erected over the sunken ship. There are sadly still bodies entombed inside, and you can see the oil slicks in the water.
🇺🇸You need a reservation to visit it. Don’t wait to book this!
🇺🇸If you arrive early, or after your tour, take the audio tour located in the visitor center. It’s very well done.

5 REASONS TO VISIT WATCH HILL, RHODE ISLAND THIS SUMMER

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

📍Watch Hill is a Rhode Island coastal town that offers plenty of fun family activities, excellent hotels, and buttery lobster rolls to quench those summer culinary cravings. 

1️⃣ STUNNING BEACHES: RI has some of the most picturesque beaches, with stretches of super soft sand. Some favorites include:
📍East Beach
📍Weekpaug Beach
📍Fenway Beach/Dunes Park Beach
📍Misquamicut Beach

2️⃣ CHARMING TOWN: The small main street in Watch Hill is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and even the oldest operating carousel in the country.  Begin by exploring the stores, then stop by St. Clair’s Annex for ice cream and take a ride on the Flying Horse Carousel.

3️⃣ LUXURY HISTORIC INNS:
🌟 Ocean House is the crown jewel dating back to the 1860’s. There’s a large wrap around Victorian porch, grassy lawns with croquet courts, and beachfront access
🌟 Weekapaug Inn has a more laid-back luxury vibe. A wide open grassy lawn overlooks Quonochontaug Pond, and the Atlantic Ocean is just a few minutes walk through the sand dunes.  They have a gorgeous heated pool overlooking the salt water pond.
🌟 Watch Hill Inn is located right in the town and just a few min walk from the beach. It offers residential style suites, each with modern conveniences like fully equipped kitchens and large living areas.

4️⃣ DELICIOUS NEW ENGLAND FOOD: Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, or hoping to enjoy quintessential New England summer fare like lobster rolls and oysters, Watch Hill has something for everyone.  Some favorites include:
📍Sift Bake Shop
📍Olympia Tea Room
📍The Sea Room at Weekapaug Inn

5️⃣ GORGEOUS SUNSETS: Be prepared for some incredible pops of sunset colors.  The sky may start reflecting shades of yellow, only to be illuminated minutes later in bursts of purple and pink.  Everyone in town gathers in Narragansett Bay with ice cream from St. Clair's in hand.

Find more suggestions and info about Watch Hill on the blog too!