Tried and Tested Travel Products and Resources for Families
Discover our favorite travel products and resources for families, from brands we love and use ourselves. From our favorite accommodation booking sites, to tours & attraction platforms , eSim sellers, VPN service, travel insurance, and public transport and flights booking websites. It’s all in here!
But let’s start with the travel products we’ve tried and loved and will never travel without!
Our Favorite Travel Products for Families
The Adventure Book
A true family favorite is The Adventure Book. A Dutch company that sells travel products that will spark your wanderlust and keep those travel memories alive. They sell beautiful travel journals with pages for you to fill up with all your family’s travel adventures. All 196 independent countries in the world and the 50 states in the USA have a spot in The Adventure Book for you to fill!
We own the original journal, but there’s also an ultimate traveler’s edition and a Europe edition. We love scrapbooking in it and also bought sticker sets and a wooden stamp set.
If you want to know more, check out our review about the best products of The Adventure Book.
The Adventure Book is the ultimate travel gift for every member of your family. Happy journaling!
Read more >> The Adventure Book Review
Illustrated Map Posters
Another thing that keeps travel memories alive is a map on the wall. I’m a map geek, our house is filled with world maps and we have more than one atlas.
If you’re a reader of my blog you’ve probably noticed that all my family road trip guides include a map with the road trip itinerary. I love to draw and I love maps, so I just decided to make one for every family road trip guide.
When searching for maps online to commemorate our trips I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I wanted something customizable. That’s when I got an idea. Why not turn those family road trip itinerary maps on the blog into posters? And not just for me, but for you as well.
So I did. And now you can buy my illustrated maps in 4 different colors. Digital files only that will land in your inbox in 4 formats (A4, A3, Letter and Tabloid). Ready to print at home or at a print shop.
You can either get the standard map or customize them. You can delete up to 8 locations from each map (delete the ones you skipped during your trip). You can also opt to add text to the map.
If you want to know more about the process I wrote a manual about how to buy and print the map posters.
An illustrated map poster is a great way to preserve your travel memories. Want to know more about this product and the possibilities? Check out my hand drawn maps in the shop. I’m just getting started so keep an eye out for new additions.
Read more >> How To Buy & Print My Illustrated Maps
LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Our family thinks it’s very important to travel as sustainably as we can. Flying is pretty bad, so we try to use products that are the better choice for the environment.
For a long time we’ve been searching for the best water bottle to bring on the road with us. In most of the world you can’t drink directly from the tap. And while we don’t want to buy bottled water, to reduce waste, we sometimes had to. There wasn’t a bottle we thought was safe enough to let our kids drink from.
We loved our Lifestraw, but it didn’t filter out viruses. That’s why in some parts of the world we had to buy bottled water again. But in 2020 we discovered the Larq PureVis™ Movement and that was a game changer for us.
The Larq is a self-cleaning (yes, that’s a big plus while on the road!) water bottle that uses UV technology to eradicate bacteria and viruses. Push the button on top of the bottle and in 60 seconds the water is clean. Are you somewhere where the water is very filthy? Push the button twice for an even better result.
The insulated version keeps cold water cold for 24 hours and hot water hot for 12 hours. We wanted a large lightweight bottle to drink tap water from. That’s why our bottle of choice is the Larq Movement PureVis™, a non-insulated version.
We also bought the Larq Bottle Filtered to drink our previously purified water out of. That way the water we drink on our travels is purified and filtered!
This is a must bring item for us on the road. We used it to drink tap water in Mexico, Egypt and many other places. We highly recommend it and wrote an extensive review about the Larq PureVis and Filtered water bottles.
Read more >> Larq Bottle Review: The Best Travel Water Bottle for Families
Matador Travel Equipment
In 2017 I stumbled upon the Matador brand. I visited the webshop from fellow Dutch Bloggers Ik Wil Meer Reizen (credit where credit is due) and the first Matador item I bought was the sling bag. Quickly followed by the foldable 18L back pack, the foldable travel blanket, and a waterproof camera base layer, because I fell in love with the quality of the products.
Let’s share more about my 2 favorite Matador products, the ones our family NEVER travels without!
Matador Foldable 18L Back Pack
We travel with big back packs and the occassional suitcase. But when we go out exploring, we don’t want to empty our bags or suitcase and fill them up with the few things we need during our outings.
Matador sells foldable 18 liter backpacks that fit into the palm of your hand while folded, and can easily fit into your luggage, and unfolded it can fit snacks, phones, wallets, and it also has side pockets to fit your water bottles.
It’s small enough for our 8 year old son to use it as a carry-on. Filled with a tablet, headphones, a few stuffed animals and some small card games he has everything he needs on the plane or in the car right under his seat.
The Matador foldable back pack you see on the pics above has been to all 7 continents. We’ve used it for 9 years, and it would’ve still be with us if I had paid more attention on our last flight from China. When it was time to leave the plane I grabbed the back from under the seat in front of me and tugged on it. Unfortunately the zipper got stuck to a piece of metal attached to the seat and I ripped it.
I immediately ordered a new one. They changed a lot since 2017 so I’ll test it out for a bit and will write a review about it later this year.
We got the normal version, but you can also opt for a foldable waterproof 18L back pack.
Matador 2L Sling Bag
Like the foldable travel back pack, this Matador 2 liter sling bag has traveled with me all over the world. It’s literally and figuratively attached to my hip on every trip 😉.
When I bought it, it was still foldable, the new ones aren’t. But I have to say, it’s so small that I never felt the need to fold mine. I just always kept it as a sling bag.
It’s great when you go flying, because I keep all our passports, our travel wallet, and our vaccination passports in there. No fussing with bigger bags, trying to get the passports out in a hurry.
And while traveling I keep my phone in it, some tissues and hand sanitizer, our travel wallet, and a spare battery for my camera. Because I always have my camera on me, I don’t want to carry a handbag as well, and I also feel like a handbag is to bulky while out exploring anyway.
I prefer the Matador sling bag, because it’s small, but big enough to keep my essentials, and I don’t have something extra around my neck or on my shoulders. Whether we’re out hiking, or exploring a city, I prefer my sling bag.
After 9 years my sling bag was still in great shape, but while shopping for a new foldable back pack I got greedy and got a new sling bag as well. And thus my Matador review will not only be about the foldable back pack, but also about the sling bag.
Enjoy The Wood World Map
We absolutely love everything about traveling and own globes, atlasses, scratch world maps and wooden world maps. Our youngest even has wall paper of a world map.
One of the most beautiful pieces we own is a 3D wooden world map (size XL) from Enjoy The Wood.
The quality is amazing. You can buy different kind of push pins to add to your map and showcase where your family has been.
We absolutely love this beautiful piece of art in our living room and it also helps your kids with geography.
Enjoy the Wood has provided me with a 10% discount code for all Sas Crossing Countries readers to get your own 3D wooden world map. Enter SASCROSSINGCOUNTRIESUP at checkout and get a 10% discount on your order!
Cocoon USA
We absolutely love the products of Cocoon USA, a company selling traveling and outdoor products. We’ve been using a few of their products for years and I want to share our favorite items with you.
Travel Sheets
When we’re backpacking we sometimes encounter rooms that aren’t as clean as we hoped. We like to come prepared and that’s why we all have travel sheets. I prefer the silk ones, but the men in my family prefer the cotton ones. They’re lightweight and can easily be packed back into their small cases.
Travel Pillow
We all know the travel pillows that you use when sleeping upright in planes or public transport. But sometimes the waiting time between one flight and another or between one train ride and another, calls for a normal pillow. Cocoon has lightweight, inflatable travel pillows that our son loves to sleep on. We wrap it into his own pillow case from home and he falls asleep.
Liquid Bags
We try to avoid single use plastics as much as we can and that’s why we all got our own liquid bag from Cocoon. We’ve used the same ones since 2015 and they’re still in perfect shape. Of course they are see through, so you can fly with your liquids in your hand luggage.
Our Favorite Travel Resources for Families
Tools to Stay Connected
VPN Service – NordVPN
When you travel abroad or even within your own country, it’s necessary to keep your data safe from hackers. To do that you can get a VPN.
We have used NordVPN for years now and really love it. Not only can we rest assured that our online security is covered, but we can watch all our favorite shows no matter where we go.
Especially when traveling with children you want them to be able to view their favorite programs in their own language. Having a VPN means you can set it to your own country, meaning you get around restrictions preventing you from accessing content unavailable in the country you’re visiting.
Lastly, when in public places like airports, restaurants, train stations or even your hotel you can browse safely with a VPN. Connect to the public wifi, turn NordVPN on and they will encrypt your internet traffic. Making sure your data is protected from prying eyes.
eSIMs
Stay connected all over the world by buying an eSim from Airalo or Saily.
Both are one-stop shop for global, regional (Europe, for instance) and local (country) eSims. You can buy the eSim before your trip so you are connected the minute you arrive at your destination.
We’ve bought eSims from both Airalo and Saily in countries all over the world like the UK, Australia, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Morocco. If you want to know which brand is your best option, read my Saily vs. Airalo review.
We check both and based on the amount of GB per day and the price we decide if we buy an eSim from Saily or from Airalo. An eSim gives us the flexibility we need when there isn’t any (stable) wifi available.
Saily discount code
Saily has been so kind to provide all Sas Crossing Countries readers with a 5% discount code. Use SPECIAL5 when purchasing an eSim from Saily!
Are you wondering if buying an eSIM is worth it, check out my article about traveling with an eSIM.
Airalo – Get an eSIM with 15%OFF
If you’re a new Airalo customer I have a great deal for you.
👇With discount code: NEWAIRALO15 every first time customer gets a 15% discount on all eSIMS.👇
If you’re a new Airalo customer I have a great deal for you.
👇With discount code: NEWAIRALO15 every first time customer gets a 15% discount on all eSIMS.👇
Withdrawing Money in Local Currencies – Wise Travel Card
Withdrawing money from an ATM in foreign countries will often lead to a poor exchange rate. Online banks that offer travel cards in multiple currencies, like Wise, can be a great fit for you. Each month you can make two ATM withdrawals of up to $100 without a charge. After that the fee is only $1,50 per withdrawal or $2 for every withdrawal above $100. That’s often a better deal than with your own foreign bank account card. You can also use it for Apple Pay or Google Pay transactions and online payment in different currencies.
We own a Wise business card, but you can also get a personal card. Very handy for families that travel frequently. Before getting your Wise Travel Card, check the 100 countries where you can use the card. That way you’re sure that you can pay with your Wise card in the countries you’re traveling to or want to travel to in the future.
Sign up >> Wise Travel Card
Sign up >> Wise Business Travel Card
Travel Insurance Companies
When traveling with kids you can’t leave on a trip without travel insurance. Every family is different and therefore it’s important to pick a travel insurance that best fits the demands and wishes of your family. I’d like to share 3 insurance companies that sell great travel insurance packages.
Heymondo
We use Heymondo. If you want to know if this is the travel insurance provider for you, check out this review of Heymondo travel insurance.
Would you like to reduce the cost of your trip or trips a little? Just for being a Sas Crossing Countries reader, you get a 5% discount on all Heymondo plans!
Interested in a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance? You don’t need a code. The discount will be applied automatically when you get a quote here. Or you can click on the banner below.
World Nomads
Another travel insurance that lots of people use, with great reviews, is World Nomads.
Safety Wing
Safety Wing is very popular amongst people who are going on longer trips.
Book Transport
12Go
12Go is a great option if you want to buy international and domestic flights in Asia. They also offer good deals for flights in countries outside of Asia and I always check their site to see if they offer better deals then Expedia.
I always use them to book flights, trains, night buses and ferries in Asia, they always get me the most options and for a sharp price.
Discover Cars
We highly recommend using Discover Cars when you’re renting a car for your travels. If anything goes wrong with the local rental company and you haven’t booked through a car rental platform you might end up without a car or being pushed to get an upgrade.
This was exactly what happened to us at the America Car Rental office in Cancun. They told us our car wasn’t available anymore and we could only get a car that was about €1000 more per week. It was absurd. We called Discover Cars and they immediately intervened and got us another car through Alamo in a few hours.
Ferryhopper
I recently got acquainted with Ferryhopper, an online ferry booking platform. They’re collaborating with 50+ ferry companies. Mainly in Europe, but also to and from North Africa.
They’ve got awesome reviews and I’ve heard through people that used them that they had a great experience. We often book ferries, so we will definitely use them asap and share our review. In the meantime you can check them out yourself.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com
Most of us use Booking.com to book hotels and rental homes, but you can also use them to book flights and even cars and activities. I always stick to renting accommodation, but I’ve heard good stories from people who booked flights and package deals (flight + accommodation) via Booking.
Agoda
What 12Go is for flights and public transportation in Asia, Agoda is for accommodation. They’re your best option when booking accommodation all over Asia.
We also got some great deals when looking for accommodation in Mexico, so basically you can use them for hotel stays all over the world. But they absolutely are the best when it comes to getting a place to stay in Asia.
Vrbo
We used to rent through AirBnb, but stopped doing that because of the horror stories we keep hearing (cameras in the home, last minute cancellations by the owner and owners entering the property unannounced). And while we always had great experiences, these stories pop up so often, that we decided not to risk the safety of our family. And that’s when we found Vrbo.
We have been using Vrbo for a few years now and it was always a hit.
Hostelworld
If staying in a hostel is your thing, or you like to mix it up by staying in a hotel one night and in a hostel another, Hostelworld is the best option to find the best deals for hostel stays.
Book Activities, Tours & Transfers
There are a few booking platforms where you can book tickets to sights, tours and airport transfers. The 3 most wel known are Get Your Guide, Klook, and Viator. We use them all. The reviews seem to be spot on, because we book based on those and everything is always arranged perfectly.
You can find basically every activity you want on these 3 platforms. Want to know which tour and attractions booking website is the best for your family? I’ve written a review to compare Viator vs. GetYourGuide vs. Klook.
GetYourGuide
Klook
Viator
Planning Your Family Road Trip
That’s a wrap on the travel products and resources we love and use. I’ll add to this list regularly and hope it helps you plan your own family road trip.
If this is the first time your planning a road trip, I’ve got something special for you. You can download my FREE ebook The Ultimate Beginners Guide: Planning a Family Road Trip. With the tips and tricks in this book you can plan your trip in no time.
Thinking about your first big family road trip but feeling overwhelmed?
I created a FREE beginner’s guide to walk you through everything. From choosing the right destination to keeping kids safe, fed, and entertained on the road. It’s full of practical advice, real tips from our own travels, and just enough structure to help you feel confident without getting overwhelmed.
👉 Download The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Planning a Family Road Trip and hit the road with confidence.
No time or headspace to plan your own trip? I offer family travel planning services. Hire me to create your custom family trip itinerary. You’ll end up with an itinerary, including accommodating, activities, and transportation options.
TRAVEL PLANNING SERVICES
Want more help planning your family trip? Do you know where you want to go, but don’t have the time or energy to create an itinerary, find things to do and places to stay? Or are you ready for the trip of a lifetime and you need help creating the best travel experience.
I can help you plan your family trip and create an itinerary that checks off your boxes and fits your travel style.
Visit my travel planning services page for more info about what a travel planner does and doesn’t do and find more info about all our packages.
If you just want to pick my brain about family travel or about a destination you can also opt for email consultation or a 1:1 family travel coaching call.
Did you enjoy Tried & Tested Travel Products for Families?
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