Anytime is a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Trips in the fall offer foodies not only fabulous weather, but a feeding frenzy at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. Winter visits provide even more excitement with the park beautifully decorated for the holidays and a chance to maneuver the theme parks with reduced crowds. Would-be gardeners and spring vacationers can view the magnificent floral displays of the annual Flower & Garden Festival. But with children out of school, summer visits are by far the busiest time of year at Disney World. As the crowds increase, so does the need for a little extra planning. So if you’re a first time guests, or perhaps haven’t visited recently, all those oft used Disney terms can be a bit overwhelming. With a bit of a review, however, words […]
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On Safari with a Toddler
Taking a two year old on holiday is always a little daunting, even for the experienced traveler. No matter whether you are staying close to home or going long haul, successful holidays with pre-schoolers take precision planning. For our first holiday as a family, we decided to push the limits and go long haul, opting for South Africa for a family safari, more specifically, Cape Town, the Garden Route, followed by a few days at a family safari lodge. During the build-up to our safari holiday, we primed our son with the Lion King, Madagascar and all Disney characters that pertained to an African safari, making sure he knew the names of the different animals he might be fortunate enough to see. We bought all our travel essentials, including perhaps the most useful (in hindsight) a pair of toddler […]
Read MoreSpring Break Travel Questions from Kids
Spring break might be over for some kids, but there are still a lot of families traveling on the planes. I’m not sure if parents are taking the kids out of school, home schooling, or if perhaps there are schools with a really late spring break. Most of the families seem to be having a good time, the parents may be tired and the kids a little rambunctious – it’s spring break, after all – but every day it reminds me how families choose to make travel a priority. Kids are full of questions, whether they’re experienced travelers or first timers, and they’re not afraid to put it all out there. From questions about flight etiquette to other information, here are some of my favorite questions from spring break – along with a few answers (always slanted to be appropriate […]
Read MoreTraveling the East Coast Underground Railroad
In honor of Black History Month, I am pleased to feature this guest post on the Underground Railroad, a part of history that’s well worth spending time learning about. —- Over the years, I’ve found that introducing history to my children through travel has made more of a difference than anything they’ve read in history books. Visiting the places where history actually happened gives children and adults so much more knowledge. It also gives them a real connection to the past. As February is Black History Month, I’ve been researching Underground Railroad locations to bring history to life in our neighborhood and in preparation for our forthcoming family travels. Here are the most interesting Underground Railroad destinations on the East Coast which are open to the public: Florida – Fort Gadsden State Park, Route 65, Sumatra – This abandoned fort, […]
Read MoreLas Vegas Predators at Shark Reef Aquarium
For the price of a hand of blackjack or a roll of the dice, you can spend some time with predators of a different kind — at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium. The only predator-based aquarium in the United States calls the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino (3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, map) home. What predators lurk here? Tigers Sharks. The second deadliest specie behind the Great White, these two females are quickly becoming the prima donnas of the aquarium, and it’s the only place tiger sharks are available for viewing in the US. You’ll be able to spot them easily with their tiger-striped markings and sharp-serrated teeth. Komodo Dragon. What they lack in looks, they make up for in speed, and the world’s largest lizard uses both its speed, cunning and power to track and kills it’s […]
Read MoreThe Desert Comes Alive in Palm Desert California
Over the past decade or so, Palm Springs and the surrounding desert communities have been working hard to change the stuffy image that they have long suffered from. No longer just a haven for the retired, blue-haired geriatric set, the Coachella Valley has broadened its appeal and you’ll now see families and couples of all ages and genders. One of the great spots to visit in the area is The Living Desert in Palm Desert. Founded in 1970, it is a zoo and botanical garden based entirely on the ecosystem of the desert. The Living Desert currently occupies about 1,200 acres of land, is a pioneer in environmental education and native wildlife rehabilitation, is active in captive breeding and plant propagation programs, and sustains itself through an aggressive membership and volunteer program. When you walk around the facility it is […]
Read MoreNetherlands Carillon Rings Out Over DC
Located on the Virginia shore of the Potomac River, opposite the District of Columbia and bordering the northern end of Arlington National Cemetery, the Netherlands Carillon is adjacent to the Unites States Marine Corps War Memorial. The site is park of the National Park System. Set among thousands of tulips in a park setting, the 127-foot high tower was a gift to the American people from the Dutch. It was a symbol of friendship characterized by a common allegiance to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy that has weathered temporary differences. The bell carillon was originally installed in a temporary tower in 1954, and was then moved to its current location in 1960. It was officially dedicated on May 5th, 1960, the anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from the Nazis, meaning the 50th anniversary is nearly upon […]
Read MoreHow To Save Money on Your Vacation Food Budget
Food expenses are a major budget consideration when planning your vacation, and while you can’t eliminate the expense, there are lots of things you can do to keep it as low as possible. Here are some ideas to keep in mind: Book accommodations that have a kitchen. Whether it’s staying at a condo, an extended-stay property, or maybe just a room with a coffee maker and refrigerator, these will all presents ways to help you save on food expenses. With a full kitchen you can stock up on supplies so that you’re not dining out for every meal, while still keeping in mind that no one should have to cook every meal of every day – that’s not much of a vacation for the cook. Even if you don’t have a full kitchen, stocking up on some cereal, milk, juice, […]
Read MoreSeattle Visitors Enjoy the Pacific Science Center
When people visit Seattle and ask me for recommendations about what to see, the Pacific Science Center is always on my list. In addition to its location on the grounds of the Seattle Center, home of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the graceful arches and fountains, make it an architecturally pleasant and appealing place to visit. Everyone seems to enjoy the Science Center. During the World’s Fair, this was home to the US Science Pavilion. Today it is an independent, not for profit science museum, with eight buildings housing hundreds of science exhibits, two IMAX theaters, a large Laser Dome theater, tropical butterfly house, and a planetarium. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Pacific Science Center hosts a number of traveling exhibits, most recently “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia.” My favorite of the exhibits, and a welcome […]
Read MoreBurgers & Attitude at Hamburger Mary's
Calling itself an “open-air bar and grille for open minded people,” Hamburger Mary’s delivers good food and a fun atmosphere. Part of a 14-store national franchise, Hamburger Mary’s opened in San Francisco in 1972. It opened as a family oriented, affordably priced, restaurant and bar that target the gay and lesbian community and their families, along with those friendly to that population. As the chain has expanded it has refined its concept with a focus on fresh food, home-style meals, that are prepared and presented in a fun atmosphere. At the Palm Springs Hamburger Mary’s location, you’ll be greeted outside the door by a larger than life Mary welcoming you and tempting you with a larger than life burger. Once inside, that saucy attitude continues. It’s a little like being at your best and most irreverent friend’s home, where you […]
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