Visiting the Netherlands in a Heatwave: What to Expect in Summer (Or: How to Sweat Politely in Front of Your Husband’s Family and Friends)
The other night at dinner, I asked our friends if the restaurant had air conditioning inside. They said, “Yes, I think so,” and then… nothing. No follow-up. No, “Would you like to sit there instead?” Just a polite pause, as if the question had been answered and we could all move on. And that was that. We sat outside in the heatwave, while the inside air-conditioned part remained completely empty.
Jet Lag with Kids: A Love Story (Just Kidding, It’s a Cautionary Tale)
Jet lag with kids is not a puzzle you solve. It’s a slow-motion endurance test with moments of comedy, collapse, and occasionally, croissants at 4 a.m. I’ve tried every method — shifting bedtimes, no screens, magical thinking — and the only thing predictable is that it will break you a little and make you stronger, like childbirth or assembling IKEA furniture with your spouse. From Benadryl test runs at 35,000 feet to early bedtimes in Hawaii, here’s what I’ve learned about surviving the time zones with a child (and your sanity) intact.
Why We Rebooked Our Summer Trip for Portugal
This was supposed to be the summer of Switzerland — trains, Alps, sparkling water in glass bottles. But after Hawaii reminded us how much we love surfboards, bare feet, and pancakes after Pilates, we knew we needed a different rhythm. Enter Portugal: ocean air, long mornings, and resorts that actually welcome children instead of just tolerating them. From barefoot days at Martinhal Sagres to the quiet elegance of Sublime Comporta and the vineyards of the Douro Valley, it turned out Portugal was exactly what this summer needed.