FAMTripping - Devani Family Travel Log

Our Japan Family Adventure

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:07:05 -0700

This trip was a family effort. Our teenagers did most of the research and built the initial itinerary. We refined it by selecting hotels, booking transportation, adding a few activities, and leaving enough flexibility to adjust once we were there.
That balance ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. We had enough structure to know where we were going each day, but not so much that every meal, train, and hour had to happen exactly on schedule. We booked the experiences that were difficult to replace, then kept room for wandering, changing plans, and stopping somewhere that looked interesting.

What follows is the itinerary we actually used, what worked well for two families traveling together, what we would do differently, and the practical details we would want to know before planning the same route again.

Trip Itinerary at a Glance

This is the simple version of the route. The detailed sections below explain why we chose each stop and how the days actually felt.

Before You Go

A little preparation made the trip much easier. We completed the required arrival information before departure, added a Suica card to Apple Wallet, and downloaded the apps we expected to use. Once we arrived, Google Maps became the most useful tool of the entire trip.

We also separated the itinerary into two categories: things that needed to be reserved and things that could stay flexible. Disney, TeamLab,...Read More

Spring 2026 Family Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:27:51 -0700

Colorado is not new to us. We have been before, including a Vail ski trip, but what was new this time was building the trip around Rocky Mountain National Park. That was the main focus.

This trip was also meaningful because we were traveling with my brother, his wife, and their two younger daughters. A big part of what I enjoyed was not just the scenery, but watching the cousins spend time together and seeing how naturally the trip came together as a group.

We flew into Denver, started in Colorado Springs, moved to Estes Park for the Rocky Mountain National Park portion, and stayed in Denver the night before flying home.

Arrival and Start in Colorado Springs

We flew from Chicago to Denver and then drove to Colorado Springs. Starting there worked well because it gave us a lighter entry into the trip before the Rocky Mountain National Park portion.

Colorado Springs was a good place to start and It gave us immediate access to scenery and helped break up the trip before Rocky Mountain National Park.

Monday: Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and a Relaxed Night Back at the Hotel

One of our main Colorado Springs days was in the Garden of the Gods area. We mixed parts of the routes tied to Palmer Trail, Scottsman Trail, and Siamese Twins. That worked well because it gave us a flexible hiking day with views and enough stops along the way.

This was one of the first parts of the trip where traveling with both teenagers and younger kids really stood out. We had two teenagers with me, and my brother had his two younger girls with him, and it was fun to watch that age mix play out naturally.

The Siamese Twins area stood out because of the framed mountain view...Read More

A Paris Redo: Summer Adventures in the City of Light

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:31:21 -0700

August, 2023

Paris had been on our travel list once again—not because we hadn’t been before, but because we had. Years ago, we visited in the winter with young kids, and while the charm of Paris was still there, it was harder to fully enjoy the city through cold winds, tired legs, and limited daylight. This time, we returned in August, as part of a longer trip that began in Istanbul, determined to give Paris the fair shot it deserved. Spoiler: it delivered.

Where We Stayed

We checked in to Novotel Paris Les Halles, a centrally located hotel in the 1st arrondissement, just steps from the Louvre and within walking distance to so many Parisian icons and it was great for the four of us to spread out, recharge, and roll out each day into the city.

🎥 *Tip: Watch this short video before you go: *How to Use Public Transport in Paris

Arrival from Istanbul & Settle in

We flew in from Istanbul and landed at CDG in Paris just before noon. The city was buzzing, the sun was out, and the air was thick with summer energy. After settling into the hotel, we kept things light, walking around the neighborhood, soaking in the sights, grabbing pastries, and mapping out the days ahead.

Day 2 – A Walk to Remember & the Seine at Sunset

We dedicated this day to the kind of experience you can’t schedule on a tour: wandering. We left the hotel and walked all the way to the Arc de Triomphe, passing through Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, and along the famed Champs-Élysées. Somewhere along the Seine, we stumbled upon a pop-up play area...Read More

A European Christmas Adventure: Munich, Prague & Vienna

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:54:57 -0700

Every once in a while, you embark on a trip that fuses holiday magic, cultural immersion, and just enough spontaneity to keep things interesting. Ours was exactly that—a journey starting in Munich right before Christmas Eve, hopping over to Prague (where the holiday festivities refused to pause for December 25th!), then gliding on to Vienna with its regal architecture and vibrant Christmas markets, before returning full circle to Munich to catch our flight home.

We managed to cram all this into roughly eight days (give or take travel time), and although it was fast-paced, each city greeted us with unique flavors, traditions, and a spark of holiday cheer. If you’re considering a whirlwind winter escape to these three capitals (or even just one of them), read on for our detailed itinerary, food and drink highlights, cultural must-sees, and a few practical tips we discovered along the way.

Table of Contents

Why This Trip
Getting Around: Trains, Tickets & Timing
Day 1–2: Munich (Before Christmas Eve & Christmas Eve)
Day 3–5: Prague (Christmas Day & Beyond)
Day 6–7: Vienna
Day 8:...Read More

Rediscovering Egypt: A Family Adventure Through Cairo, Giza, and the Nile

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:47:56 -0800

Our second journey to Egypt was a trip we had eagerly anticipated for years. This time, my wife Kiran, our two children, and I were joined by the Poonja family, making it a shared adventure filled with history, culture, and unforgettable experiences. We planned the trip to give our children an immersive experience of Egypt’s ancient wonders, Islamic heritage, and the vibrant life along the Nile. Our itinerary was packed with activities, from exploring the pyramids of Giza to a serene Nile River cruise, with each day offering new and exciting discoveries.

Our family had been planning our trip to the Grand Canyon National Park for months, and we were finally there in Spring 2023, standing at the edge of one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world. The vast expanse of the canyon, with its stunning colors and dramatic rock formations, took our breath away. What made this trip memorable is that Kassam’s decided to join us on this adventure. Our adventure includes a few days in the Grand Canyon, a road trip to a lesser known National Park in Colorado called Mesa Verde National Park. Lastly a drive through the state of Colorado and fly back home via Denver Colorado.

Plan

Washington D.C & New England Family Trip during July 4th

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:57:00 -0700

Family Trip to D.C. and New England – July 2023

This summer, the Devani family took a trip with the Jessani family—Anar, Asif, Fiza, and Tahj. We kicked things off in Washington D.C., flew up to Boston, and then road-tripped around the New England area with Hyannis as our base. The mix of history, beaches, food, and small-town stops made it a well-rounded trip.

Early July—especially around the 4th—is a solid time to go. D.C. and New England have patriotic energy, summer events, and good weather. Expect crowds and plan ahead.

Washington, D.C. | June 30 – July 4
We stayed at the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Ave—central and walkable to major sights. On July 2, we visited the National Mall, starting with the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Long walkways and reflection pools connect the two. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most recognized spots in D.C.—worth taking time to walk through, read the inscriptions, and take in the view across the Mall.

Later that day, we explored the National Air and Space Museum, packed with planes, rockets, and hands-on exhibits. Plan for at least 2–3 hours.

Our Tickets to the National Air and Space Museum

On July 1, we visited the International Spy Museum. The museum leans into interactivity—think decoding games, secret missions, and clever displays. It’s fun for all...Read More

5-Day Family Escape to Honolulu

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 19:26:00 -0800

Aloha, fellow Hawaii enthusiasts! If you're dreaming of a winter getaway filled with sun, surf, and unforgettable family moments, you've come to the right place. Our recent 5-day adventure through Honolulu was nothing short of magical. Join us as we share the nitty-gritty details of our journey, sprinkled with tips to help you plan your own epic family escape.

Lodging is one of the most important decisions you will make as a visitor in Honolulu. When it comes to accommodations in Waikiki, options abound, but we found the Marriott Waikiki Beach to be a perfect home base. Situated in the heart of the tourist area, it provides easy access to local attractions and the iconic Waikiki Beach. The Marriott is a winner for its central location and easy access to local attractions.

Manoa Falls and Diamond head (AKA Lēʻahi) Adventure

Nature lovers, rejoice! Our trip was all about embracing the great outdoors. An Uber ride took us to the iconic Diamond Head State Monument, offering breathtaking views of the coastline and cityscape. By far one of the best hiking, outdoor locations with plenty of views, the lush wonderland of the Manoa Falls Trail, a scene straight out of Avatar with waterfalls and all. This along with the visit to Kualoa ranch was the highlight of our visit.

GO City pass

If you are traveling large metropolitan areas in the US or some of the popular European cities, Go City pass is the way to go. Before you start planing individual activities in cities, visit Go City pass website and if your destination is covered, you can buy the pass and plan your itinerary around it. Some of the things they cover include but not limited to:

Entry to top city destinations while skipping lines.
Guided tour with a small group of 15 or less
Expert walking tour guides

Go City pass has by far the best deal because you get access to all the popular attractions with knowledgeable guides while skipping lines and saving money is the cherry on top. We used Go City pass when we visited San Diego to cover the zoo, Safari park and Legoland and it was one of the best investments. We will do it again.

Hop-on, Hop-off

One of the strategies that we use while traveling large metropolitan cities are to scan the top attractions at first and there are two ways to accomplish this easily. One of the best way to do that is by using public transportations. Another smart way to visit all the top attractions hassle free is by using the Hop-on, Hop-off tour buses. There are so many advantages of this such as:

Visiting major attractions with efficiency
Your transportation is simplified
It is much easier and fun to tour with kids on these buses with open roof

We...Read More

Animal safety preparedness tips for family trips

Sun, 29 Sep 2019 10:28:08 -0700

When visiting National parks, you will come across many animals and it will be one of the highlights of your trip. There are more than 60 mammals in Yellowstone National Park and chances of of actual sightings vary with weather, season and behavior of animals. There are some real risks and concerns when you encounter them. They are called wild animals and it is better that you learn all about "Leave No Trace 7 Principles." Here's the summary of 7 principles:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surface
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife *
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Please note: It is important to remember that feeding or harassing wildlife in the park is a violation of federal law

While we respect all 7 principles and you can read all about them by clicking the link, we are going to focus on "Respect Wildlife" . This principle calls for visitor to:

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Stock has the...Read More