9D8N The BEST Switzerland Family Itinerary WITH CHILDREN

When my lady and I were planning this trip, to be honest, Switzerland never crossed our minds. We could not imagine lugging two kids up the Swiss alps, paired with the crazy expenses (which it is), but this trip was amazing. We had fun, the kids had fun.

We did our research through the sites, and now with ChatGPT planning itineraries even, booked our tickets and accommodations, packed our bags, and here we start our great Swiss adventures. Before I continue, here contains valuable tips that may help you navigate through your travels, but it's mainly intended for parents travelling with children - we brought our 7 and 3 year old along! If you're still reading, don't worry, you will survive the trip.

Trip Summary

From Singapore, we took a direct 12-hour red-eye flight to Switzerland, collected our rental car straight at the airport and headed to Bern. On our way to Lamoura (France), we stopped by Lausanne and explored Geneva. Next up, we visited the Alps, stationing ourselves at a mountain Airbnb at Embd near Visp, and headed to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn. Took the car-tram passed the mountains to Interlaken, Lungern and Lucerne before stopping at Zurich before flying back. That's almost an entire round covered in one trip!

9D8N Switzerland Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore > Zurich > Bern

We took a 12-hour red-eye to Zurich with Swiss Air. Honest opinion, this airline is on par with SQ. They have 4 seats in middle section (for economy), the stewards explain to you personally what's on the food and wine menu, they even have a pantry cart in case you're hungry in the middle of the flight. Thank God, we including the kids rested almost 70% of the flight, which is a big win for us.

Pro tip: Get the SIM direct from airport (beside luggage collection). They have a lot of options. Since my telco Circle didn't have the Switzerland plans, and we are travelling to France for a couple of days, we got the EU unlimited data option which was around SGD$60 for 1 month.

We rented our car from SIXT. Ordered a BMW 2 series, but got "upgraded" for a CUPRA instead. FYI it's left-hand drive, meaning to say that driver sits on the left (opposite from Singapore). It always take me 20-30 mins to get used to, and some horning from the back. Trust me, Swiss drivers are impatient AF.

Pro tip: If you're driving cross borders, you need to get the relevant permits which you could check with the car rental. SIXT has one of the most affordable. Also, if you're planning to travel on highways, which you should be, please check that you have the motorway vignette (again SIXT provides, but do check with your car rental).

The BEST 7D6N Jeju Itinerary (Perfect for family with children!)

When it comes to our annual holiday, we put in a heck load of thought. The first being - can our little Emmanuel (1.5 y.o at point of writing) follow us? Probably next year. So where to? We shortlisted a few places with our budget - Sydney, Melbourne.. But having been to Western Australia last year, we thought why not go somewhere in Asia? Japan? Korea? We did plan on going to Seoul, but ended up with Jeju. A whole week of Jeju. When I did my research, there are a lot of people doing 4D3N or even less. But we know we wanted a slow and relaxing one, so we opted for 7D6N. And to be awfully honest, it was still kinda rushed, as Jeju has lots to offer.

Trip Summary

With children, we love to do road trips (as with Perth), if not you'll be carrying them around. Trust me. This trip ain't any different. Once we rested at Jeju city for a day, we will embark on a 5-day road trip, covering an entire ring of Jeju - East Jeju, Seogwipo (South Jeju), and West Jeju, before returning to the city. Since we are bringing our 5 y.o daughter, Olivia, we have slot in lots of activities for children, and not to miss out many insta-worthy cafe and scenic spots. Initially we thought of station ourselves in a location and travel to-and-fro daily, but found the travelling time a bit 

Do Koreans speak English?

Most don't. But  don't worry, due to the influx of travelers, most places have pictures, and English (and Mandarin) signs. There are lots of Chinese residing and working there as well. If all else fails, there's always Google translate. And uh, hand signs.

The Weather

We went during autumn in late October, where temperature is around 13C to 20C. The sun shines pretty harshly in the afternoons, so there are many times we just forgo our jackets and just put on a sweater. On hot days, you could even wear sleeveless. Thank God it's not as sweaty as Singapore. But do take note that it starts to get chilly when the sun goes down. Skies go entirely dark by 7pm as the weather transits to winter. Here's their weather across the year for your reference:

Our Packing List

I wouldn't go as extensive as I did for Perth. Pack according to the weather. Food can be found every where and is affordable. An average meal is approximately $10/pax. If you would like to cook or something to-go, there are a  heck load of supermarts and convenience stores. Unlike Perth, where a meal for 3 easily cost up $80, I didn't have to bring my trusty rice cooker. Again, being in an Asian country, rice can be easily found. Yay!

Before the Trip

International Driving Permit (IDP - IMPORTANT if you're driving in Korea)

Unlike many countries that your local driving license can be used, you need to apply for a IDP. For Singapore license, you can apply to convert at this link. It costs just $20. There are two options:

1. Walk-in at their locations (please check their website) and collect on the spot (approximately 1 hour).

2.  Apply online and have it delivered to your house (additional $5.50 courier fees apply). PLEASE NOTE THIS WILL TAKE APPROX 2 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. So if you're in a hurry, please go with the first option.

Download these APPS

1. KAKAO T - mainly for cab/private hire services. It works like GRAB or UBER and you can select cash payment (= pay direct to driver via card). Downside is that you might need to search in Korean if the place is not that well-known, but you can simply copy the Korean address via Google and paste it in the app.

2. NAVER - especially useful for driving and saving key places. It works like Google Maps, but has a heck load of local reviews (if you can't read Korean, see the ratings), and way more accurate than Google as locals will update Naver. We learnt this the hard way.

3. Google Translate - duh. Best function is it's real-time translate via camera - simply point and aim, and the text will be automatically translated to your preferred language.

3D2N The BEST Desaru Itinerary - Westin Desaru Coast Resort + Homestay

Ever since I got attached, not to even mention after getting married and having two kids, we haven’t had overseas trip with our parents. And since it’s my dad’s 70th birthday, we planned to make it slightly special by doing it overseas. So after researching on the basis of some considerations, such as budget, convenience and having to bring two children along, we decided on Desaru - a beautiful coastal city in Malaysia.

Animal feeding in Desaru Fruit Farm

What to do in Desaru

Considering the short 2 to 3 hour travelling time from Singapore, it's no surprise that Desaru is one of the most popular weekend getaway locations for Singaporeans. There are not exactly a lot to do in Desaru, but it's perfect to fill your itinerary for a quick one or two night's getaway from Singapore. You could check out:

• Desaru Fruit Farm
• Desaru Beach
• Adventure Waterpark
• Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
• Desaru Ostrich Farm
• Desaru Alpaca Farm *NEW*

Getting to Desaru

There are three main ways to get to Desaru:

1. Private hire cars - extremely convenient as they pick you up directly at our residence and drive you straight to wherever you’re going in Desaru. 2-way fees range from $300 (7 seater) to $380 (luxury 7/11 seater) for a 2.5-3h ride, depending on traffic. 

Source: SGMYTRIPS

2. Ferry - multiple timings to and fro Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Desaru Terminal (90min/way). Once you’re there, you would need to arrange for hotel transfer. Ferry 2-way tickets is approximately $110/pax.

3. Self-drive - pretty straightforward 1-2 hour drive (from Woodlands checkpoint, without jam and stopping) so it is a popular option, but please check you have the relevant document and items beforehand to ensure a smooth journey.

Considering that we have 9 pax, including two elderlies and two young children, the best method of transport for us is getting a private hire car. I didn't drive because (1) there are too many people even for my seven-seater, (2) never drove into Malaysia before, and (3) I read horror stories of wheels of Singapore cars getting stolen in bright daylight. So after researching and a lot of liaising, we decided on SGMYTRIPS, which offers multiple pick up points (at only $5 per additional location). It’s super fuss-free and unlike the ferry, we are able to go at our own schedule and pace. The ferry would cost close to $800 for all of us! We even stopped for lunch at Aeon on our way to Desaru (break chargeable at $40/hour).

General transport in Desaru

“You’re not driving?!” was the response from our AirBnb host. Yes, most Singaporeans who visited Desaru is either by coach (usually organised in a big group like CC/RC activities) or self-drive, because to be honest, transport is extremely inconvenient there. Is there Grab? Yes. But there aren’t many Grab drivers on the road. But fret not, hotel concierge would usually assist to get a private car for you, which we did.

Accommodation - Westin Desaru Coast Resort

There are some hotels for you to choose from, and ranges vastly in pricing. As my brother and his wife are only joining for the second day, we decided to do hotel for the first night, and a homestay on the second. For the hotel, considering our budget, we strike off Anantara and One&Only as they cost over $1000/night. Some of the hotels were quite old, so we didn’t consider them as well. After shortlisting, we were down to Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Hard Rock, and chose the former ultimately. Compared to their Singapore counterpart, Desaru’s was extremely worth it at approximately $350/night for a full sea-view room with balcony.

And here’s why we love Westin

1. Beautiful, clean rooms - completed with a superb uncovered view of the South China Sea. The beds are comfy and the facilities are great. That night, I had a great HTHT with mummy at the balcony. We absolutely love the spacious toilet with a full glass window, perfect for couples, those without the kids around. 

What to do in Western Australia - TOP and BEST 15 Attractions!

Before every single trip, I love to put to-go pins on my Google Maps. Not sure if it's my personality, but I always know where am I heading to and not get lost. And this is especially important as we are bringing a screaming toddler along. Trust me, you don't want to be stuck with one inside the car for long.

I mean, if you're looking at this post means you should be heading to Australia in the near future. Look forward to it as there are so many fun things to do in Western Australia alone. This simple guide is for those who are travelling in and, mostly out of Perth. Make the most out of your trip, rent a car to explore what Western Australia got to offer!

Here are the top and best attractions of what Western Australia has to offer. For easy viewing, we have sort this list into: South of-, North of- and Central Perth. 

South of Perth

1. Stay at a farm (Margaret River)

Recommended duration: 2-3 nights stay

Rating: ★★★★★

This made it as one of our favourite to-dos in the region of Margaret River. There are a couple of options for a farmstay, their animals differs, and some of them provide animal feedings. Your child will be so hyped just feeding the farm animals. Just a tip: Book early! These places are always fully packed.

2. Bunbury Farmer's Market (Bunbury)

Recommended duration: 1-2 hours

Rating: ★★★★★

If you're cooking your food (which I did), this place is an ABSOLUTE HAVEN. The amount of fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, all sorts of meat is crazy. And the best thing? It's not pricey at all. Just for reference, this whole bunch of carrots (approximately 10) only costs AUD$2.50! It's so fresh you can even take a bite like this!

3. Walk the Busselton Jetty (Busselton)

Recommended duration: 1-2 hours

Rating: ★★★★★

Hiking? How 'bout conquering the longest second boardwalk in the world? Coming in at 1.8km, it takes about 25 minutes to walk this - one way! If you're bringing kids or feeling extra touristy, there's the jetty ride operating every day. Just check the timing beforehand.

8D7N Perth Family Road Trip Itinerary - The only guide you need for Western Australia

Ever since the border measures have been relaxed, many of our friends start to fly overseas. As frequent travelers ourselves before the whole covid situation, our butt starts to itch. We were thinking where could we go with our soon-to-be 4 year old daughter. And to be honest, Sydney was our first choice. We even started to plan the places we wanted to go. But then the air tickets become really crazy at over $1,000 per pax. So we decided to ditch that and see what other budget-friendly options were there in Australia. Perth. $700-800 on Singapore Airlines sound great. 

And thus, marks the start of our Great Western Australia Journey.

Lady M had been to Perth several years back, but missed on travelling out of Perth. So we decided to rent a car for a little road trip in Western Australia on September 2022. If you still don't know, we absolutely love road trips (still missing New Zealand and Iceland)! And this time, we will be bringing our third-wheel  daughter along. 

Trip Summary

We are going to start our trip at Perth itself, going to Rottnest Island to have our quokka selfie checked. After we collect our car, we will be travelling up north to Geraldton and Hutt Lagoon (or better known as Pink Lake), stopping at Lancelin for a sandboarding session. After which, we will be going south to Cervantes, passed by Perth, Bunbury, Busselton, and finally Margaret River, where we will have our long awaited farmstay. We will head back to Perth before flying home the following day.

Birthday Staycaytion at W Hotel Sentosa

Looks like this epidemic is here to stay. Without options to travel overseas, staycations might be the next best option. I remembered last year when staycations were just opening up, we had a fabulous one at Equarius Hotel. Therefore when I asked Lady M again, she wanted somewhere away from the city. An island getaway. And where else better than our Sentosa?

W Hotel was our choice when it comes to a real getaway. Located at the luxurious Sentosa Cove area, it has all you need to be secluded. The only nearby attraction at Quayside Isle, which is filled with restaurants, bars, and even a supermarket. However, it's just perfect for a 2D1N staycation, especially with a toddler.

Our Spectacular Room

Thanks to W Hotel, we got a complimentary upgrade from their Wonderful Room (tbh which is already quite wonderful) to a Spectacular Room! It's about 44 sqm and packed with a king bed, it's perfect for plenty of sleeping space and for our Olivia to roll around.

Birthday Staycation at Shangri-La during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

Howdy homies! Now that I have officially turned 30, I'd be lying if I still say I'm in my 20s. so I will admit to be Uncle Thomas. If you do not know, since years ago, I've been spending my birthdays oversea - Bintan, New Zealand, Japan.. and then this nasty COVID came. Long story short, it's my second year in Singapore during my birthday, and Lady M was so nice to book me a staycation at Shangri-La, and includes all sorts of fun activities, like...

Kid's water playground, kid's indoor playground, swimming and painting with Olivia. Great (for our daughter), ain't it.

This is our fourth staycation during this period, with the rest being Equarius Hotel, Andaz, Marina Bay Sands, so we do have certain expectations.

Check-in

Awesome check-in experience because it was literally empty. Briefed us through the necessities and handed us some sanitary freebies. Then there was this nice lady who came by to give little Olivia a pack of goodies containing some DIY 3D castle, coloring materials and an activity book (basically to keep her entertained during the stay). Little gestures like this are HUGE plus points to parents like us.

The SHOPHOUSE bakery was still open, so you can get some quick bites here if needed. 

The Garden Wing Room

Apparently they have various wings, like the Tower, Valley and Garden wing. Lady M got the garden wing with perks like.. a lot of greenery.