Good Questions

I haven't received my Trip Kit...?

Shortly after you check out you should receive an email with the link. If you don't for any reason, click on the little person icon at the top of our website, log in with the email address that you used for your order, and you will find your trip listed there. Please do contact us if you have any issues.

 

What's actually in a Souvenir Trip Kit?

Here's what you will receive:
- Our recommended plan for each day that gives you structure while allowing you the space to make your own discoveries, and in a child-friendly rhythm. You'll always know what you're doing next without feeling like you're following a script.
- How we actually did it in detail, with lots of insider notes for parents of little ones.
- Every place the author loved, linked to its website or Instagram so you can check opening times and make bookings. 
- A pre-pinned Google map with layers for each day's recommendations.
- Where we stayed, how much we spent, rainy day ideas if applicable, and what we'd have done with more time. Plus some quick notes on practical things like tipping, pram versus sling, and safety.
- And the section we love most: preparing your little eaters (in the destinations where the food culture is less familiar).

Where we felt lukewarm about somewhere, we say so, and give you the alternative we wished we'd gone to instead. Where the touristy place is worth visiting, we tell you. 

What it doesn't include: flight logistics and accommodation options for different budgets (although we hope to offer this in future). We'll tell you where we stayed but you can make your own call and find an alternative that suits you better if needed. 

 

Can't I just google this myself?

Yes, and you'd probably end up with a decent itinerary. But here's what googling gets you: three hours of your evening gone, the same restaurants that appear on every "best of" list, a blog post written by someone without kids, a lot of sifting through reviews, and time spent mapping out which places are actually near each other. Souvenir is what's left after someone has done all that research, and figured out what actually works for the kind of trip you actually want to make.

 

Can't AI do this for me?

AI is excellent for transport options, opening hours, roughly what exists in a place. It's up to you to decide if an AI response reflects how a place actually feels. What AI definitely can't do is to have been there. It can't have eaten the meal, misjudged the journey time, found the courtyard that isn't in any guide, or watched what actually holds a four-year-old's attention. Souvenir gives the experience of someone that's actually done it. We'd encourage you to try both.

 

Is this right for my family, or travelling style?

Before you make a purchase, our Trip Kit notes tell you the age range the author feels it would be great for. It also tells the type of accommodation they stayed in and the overall vibe, so you can judge the fit before you buy. If you're unsure whether something works for your family, please contact us. We'd rather point you toward the right thing than have you buy the wrong one.

 

What if my budget is different to yours?

Every Trip Kit features budget notes that are honest about what we spent and where. Generally-speaking, our authors are not luxury-seekers or budget backpackers but somewhere in the middle, with a preference for spending on food and experience over accommodation - although our apartment choices are usually swayed by good aesthetics. There are a couple of exceptions: our Northumberland trip is based from a campsite, and our Puglia trip is based from a 5* hotel.

Lots of the things our authors lean towards on trips - other than eating out - are free, like beach time, exploring markets, free galleries, or getting under the skin of an underrated neighbourhood. If your instinct is to spend less or more on accommodation or eating out, the Trip Kits still work.

 

I want to go for a different number of days. Is the itinerary flexible?

A five-day Trip Kit used over three days gives you a shortlist to choose from. Used over seven days it gives you room to go slower, revisit, or use the "what we'd have done with more time" section as your extension. Use it exactly as it is or as a jumping off point for your own discoveries.

 

What if the accommodation you recommend isn't available on my dates, or if the things you've recommended aren't open on my trip dates?  

Our aim is to convey a sense of where to base yourself, which is transferable to other accommodation in that area even when the property we stayed at isn't available. 

We include web links and practical notes for everything we recommend, and we update our Trip Kits regularly. But please check directly before planning your visit because that's just good practice regardless of where the recommendation comes from.

 

What if the type of accommodation isn’t right for us?

All families have different needs and preferences. If you opt for different accommodation, you will still be able to enjoy the day-to-day itinerary content. 

 

If you're unsure about anything at all, please do contact us, we'd be happy to help.