About Me

Welcome to Beaches and Babies!
I’m Besa, your go-to girl for beach travel, and I’m so pumped that you are here. 

Who The Heck Am I?

I’m Besa, a travel addict, beach lover, and a 30-something mama of two little boys living in Northern California. 

I spent most of my pre-baby days either traveling or planning my next travels. 

People always told me when I had kids that it would be the end of my travels. But I’m proving them wrong with each trip! 

And I created this blog to help other busy parents do the same!

I didn’t quit my job, sell my house, or blow my savings. I’m still a normal parent like you, with a full-time job, living in the ‘burbs, chasing after a couple crazy kids. 

If I can still travel, you can too! 

And I’m going to help you do it. 

Fun Facts About Me

01

I'm a Jersey-born Texas girl... living in California

My parents moved to America when my mama was 6 months pregnant with me (ahh! Can you image?!) – and I was born in New Jersey. Then we eventually moved to Texas where I spent most of my life.

In my mid-20s, I headed to California to be closer to the beach. 

I eventually got married, popped out two kids, and I’ve been here dragging the kids to the beach since! 

02

I'm an obsessive researcher about everything

It must be the Virgo in me, but when I want to learn about something, literally anything, I have to research every single aspect and detail. 

Like, I have to read the whole entire internet until I know that I know everything about it.

What can I say, I just love knowing what to expect. 

And now I can share my research (and experience) with you!

03

Mama's got a dream... to help you!

I started this blog to inspire others – but also to have something of my own. When you’re a mom, especially when you have babies and toddlers, it’s hard to find time for yourself.

This blog lets me have a dream and a goal, just for me. And in the process, I get to help other parents go on vacation with their babies! 

I love hearing that my tips and advice have helped other parents, and that I have helped make amazing family memories.

04

I've always been addicted to the beach

Not to state the obvious, but I’m a total beach bum. I’ve been traveling to beaches all over the world for as long as I can remember. 

And because of this, I’m always looking for the best beaches to visit. And I’m going to tell you all about them! 

Some of my favorite beaches that I’ve visited, with and without kids:

📍The Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island

📍Puerto Rico: San Juan, Palomino Island

📍California: San Diego, Santa Monica, Stinson Beach, Hermosa Beach, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Pismo Beach, Half Moon Bay, Capitola, Black Sands Beach, Catalina Island, Manhattan Beach, North Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe

📍Florida: Sandestin, Hollywood Beach, Miami

📍Caribbean: Bahamas, Grand Cayman

📍Albania: Sarande, Ksamil (fun fact, I’m Albanian!)

📍Mexico: Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun

What's the Blog About?

The blog has a simple story.

I was traveling around with my kids all the time and my friends, family, and co-workers would ask me for tips. 

Tips for where to go, best places to stay, fun things to do. Or tips for flying with babies and best travel gear. 

Every time I would go on a trip, someone would basically ask me all about my trip so they could copy it. And I loved it! 

So one of my close friends suggested I start a blog about it. I already had the readers, right? I thought, what the heck, and I did it.

I started documenting everything about my travels, all kinds of tips and hacks I have stored in my brain, all the things I wish I knew when I first started traveling with kids.

👉 It’s everything you need to know as a parent traveling with kids. Because I’ve done it – and I’m still doing it! Whatever I’ve learned, I’m telling you. 

And while most of my travels are with my kids, I do travel on my own and with friends too. So I sprinkle some of those trips in too.

So far it’s been an absolute blast being able to help so many people travel with their kids. 

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to stay in touch, please sign up for my newsletter below.  

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