DriftToShift

Why This Travel Tip Matters I always thought the safest and cheapest way to get foreign currency for an international trip was to plan ahead, visit a bank, and exchange cash. It felt official, secure, and hassle-free. But while planning our upcoming family trip to Thailand, I did a deep dive—and what I found shocked me. Bank exchange rates? Often among the worst. If you're like me—traveling with kids and trying to avoid surprises—this post breaks down the real best ways to get cash while traveling internationally, based on recent research and real-world comparisons. I Compared Options—And Here’s What I Found Tap to view the full-size table. Not all currency exchange options are equal—this side-by-side table shows which methods cost more and which give you the best value while traveling. What Is the Mid-Market Rate? The mid-market rate is the real exchange rate between two currencies—the midpoint between buy and sell rates o...

Traveling with young kids can be magical… and mildly chaotic. Over the years, we’ve fine-tuned our travel toolkit—one trip, one tantrum, and one too-late-to-order-takeout moment at a time. Whether you’re flying to a beach resort or taking a road trip across the country, here are our must-have tools and tips that make family travel smoother, safer, and a lot more fun. In this guide, I’m breaking things down by sleep tools, entertainment , transportation must-haves , weather gear , and more . 📚 Table of Contents 🛌 Sleep Setup 🎨 Entertainment 🚗 Transportation Tools 🏡 Rental Setup ☀️ Weather & Health Gear 📱 Travel Apps 🧡 Optional Helpers 🩺 Emergency Med Kit 📋 Downloadable Checklist ❓ FAQ 🛌 Good Sleep = Happy Family Sleep is the foundation of good travel days with little ones. Here’s what we always pack to help everyone rest well—no matter where we are. Baby Monitor Yes, we pack the monitor ...

A moment of stillness above the clouds —Penang Hill gave us views we didn’t expect. The city stretched beneath us, wrapped in mist, reminding us that travel with toddlers can be both peaceful and breathtaking. After two months of adventure through China, we landed in Penang, Malaysia—without much of a plan, but with an open mind. We didn’t expect to fall in love with it, but Penang quickly charmed us with its mix of flavors, cultures, and family-friendly pace. If you’re traveling with young kids and looking for a destination that’s rich in culture but low on tourist chaos, this guide is for you. Why Penang? When most Americans think of Southeast Asia, places like Thailand, Bali, or Vietnam usually come to mind. But on the northwest coast of Malaysia lies a lesser-known gem: Penang . This vibrant island blends Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial British influences into something uniquely its own. It’s full of personality and perfectly suited for family tr...