travel Archives - Page 14 of 68 - Have Sippy Will Travel

The Winter Clove Family Resort in the Catskills

January 26, 2015 by Samantha 7 Comments

Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa

January 22, 2015 by Samantha 11 Comments

Nestled in a setting so lovely you might never want to leave is the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa. Located in the scenic town of Digby, Nova Scotia this resort offers a one of a kind stay with the natural beauty of the area, the superb amenities and the unforgettable hospitality of the staff.

Digby Pines features rooms and cottages to accommodate your needs. From luxurious king size beds to cozy little twins, the rooms are charming, very comfortable, and handsomely appointed with all of the great things you want on your trip. Flat screen tvs, phones, hair dryers, wireless internet. Cottages include fireplaces and verandas as well.

Several dining options are available such as Churchill’s Restaurant and Lounge, a Nova Scotia restaurant, Terrace Cafe – enjoy your dining experience outside on our terrace and the 19th Hole Clubhouse & Eatery. {The food at all 3 places was exceptional!}

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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: canada, family travel, Nova Scotia, road trip, travel

Rafting Down the Payette River

January 15, 2015 by Samantha 6 Comments

If adventure is calling your name, consider answering it in Idaho. Not only is the area beautiful, and full of some of the most amazing nature, fishing, camping, and outdoor activities you can imagine, but the people are unmatched in friendliness and hospitality.

When I landed in Boise, I actually had “culture shock” if that’s possible. Flying in from a city voted “America’s Unfriendliest”- yes, that’s a thing, and yes, that’s where we live- we landed in a place where people were so nice I wondered what they were up to. For almost a full day, I was “watching my back” as people asked how I was, then waited for the answer. Said excuse me if they bumped into me, moved out of the way if we were about to walk into each other, smiled, waved- you know, acted nicely? What was THAT all about?

Well, as soon as I got used to “that” kind of crazy behavior, I found myself smiling for no reason at all, talking to strangers about nothing in particular. My son asked me “what was wrong with me”. I had been infected by Idaho…..

In Horseshoe Bend, on our way out to a rafting trip, I met a couple from San Francisco who had recently moved to the area. We were chatting about how laid back it was in Idaho, and I mentioned how silly I was to act like people were up to no good because they were being nice- and then their eyes got wide, they shook their heads knowingly, and said “YES! Then you feel like a jerk for not trusting people for acting politely!” and we laughed, because it was true. Us strange city people.
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Filed Under: travel

Discover Wild Idaho

December 27, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

Ready the full story on This Girl Travels!

Idaho is an amazing place, full of natural wonders and a unique history as well. If you visit, you will want to make a stop in Boise, the state’s capital. There is much to see and do in Boise, especially if you have the kids in tow.

Some of our favorite things to do while in Boise were in a very localized area, so you won’t have far to go from place to place. Driving around is easy too, with not much traffic at all and very few places charging parking fees. (Those were both welcome changes of pace for this NYC area girl, who is used to more congestion then cold and flu season while driving.)

If you have kids, you know that one of the first “must” stops when you visit a new area is the zoo. Zoo Boise is not only one of the most popular spots to visit in Southern Idaho, but one of the top ranked zoos in Idaho as well. This pretty location is home to many species of animals- nearly 100, in fact. But that’s not all you can see at the zoo- you can take a walk back in time and visit the Dinosaurs- this exhibit features animatronic dinosaurs that not only move, but roar as well. Kids will get a huge kick out of this prehistoric zoo visit; a little something out of the ordinary. You can have your very own up close and personal animal encounter with either a sloth bear or a giraffe- or both if you feel adventurous. Find out the day’s feeding times (available online or in the zoo’s programs when you arrive) and make sure you arrive early- there is only space for 25 participants per feeding. For just $3, you can feed the animal it’s favorite snack!
There are also several play areas for the kids, food stands, and of course souvenir shops. You and you kids can also ride the carousel for just $1, and there are plenty of snack stands abound as well. Make sure you stop at the petting zoo, or Zoo Farm. There you can feed the animals (such as goats) for just a quarter. All proceeds from the Zoo Farm go to the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund, so there is another reason to drop a few coins in.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, Idaho, travel

Cruise Like a Norwegian

December 18, 2014 by Samantha 10 Comments

Our first full day on board the Norwegian Breakaway cruise (out of NYC, convenient!) was just that- a full day. It was a day at sea, and it was still too cold to use the pools, hot tubs, or water slides in my opinion. Instead, we explored the ship and took part in many of the ships on-board activities.

We went down to the buffet for breakfast, and found ourselves a table. Before you enter, the staff sprays your hands with a disinfectant hand sanitizer to help stop the spread of germs. The food was good, and it’s nice not to have to cook ourselves, I will tell you that. My son, of course, had to use the bathroom halfway through the meal, so I took him out. In the hallway, we came upon quite a sight- a sound, really. Several staff members, one with a guitar, were singing a song about washing your hands. The song was “Washy washy, happy happy, everybody wash your hands”. We stopped for a full minute, it was such a strange song- but they sure put all their energy into it. Then we were off to the bathroom- and we of course remembered to washy washy before we headed back to finish breakfast. (Check out the video below- it’s not a great video, people had no problem walking in front of me, but you will get to hear this insane song. Bonus- it’s the one that will get caught in your head for the rest of your day. You’re welcome.) You need to give it a few seconds. Really- it’s just nuts. And you will love it.

After breakfast, we went to Family Arts and Craft time. Today’s craft was making a SpongeBob bandana. After everyone made their craft, the kids got to put them on and did a little parade around the room.

We then took the kiddo to Splash Academy- Norwegian’s kid’s club. No, they don’t take the kids swimming, no worries. We signed him up yesterday right after we boarded the ship, and he got a bracelet with his ID on it that has our names and cards linked to it in their computer. We also had to make up and give a password so no one could “Fake” being one of us. The kid’s club staff are all very energetic and keep the kids active and having fun all day. They all have silly nicknames as well, like “Boots”, “Tic Tac”, “BBQ”, and etc.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: cruise, family travel, NY, travel, trip

A Visit to the Hotel Adler Thermae, Tuscany

December 15, 2014 by Samantha 16 Comments

A getaway does wonders for the spirit, but when that trip is to Tuscany your soul will sing with delight. The sights, the sounds and the people offer a refreshing change of pace from the daily grind. A more lovely place to vacation couldn’t be found.

A trip to Tuscany is an occasion, and such a wondrous occasion calls for top notch accommodations. Hotel Adler Thermae fits the bill perfectly. Imagine a luxury resort that is a perfect mix of modern architecture, nature, and classic Italian charm. The Hotel Adler Thermae has a rich history that stems back to 1810. Operated by the 7th generation of the Adler Family with obvious care and pride, this all inclusive hotel offers visitors a one of a kind stay that is drenched in class, style and luxury.

The cuisine of Hotel Adler Thermae is worth writing home about! Imagine having a cocktail with the host to welcome you, or having a generous breakfast buffet available until 11 am to the delight of your taste buds. Lunch at Hotel Adler Thermae is nothing short of impressive. The salads, antipasti and pasta dishes and grilled meat and fish offerings are the perfect way to refuel for a busy day of sightseeing. The gourmet 4 and 5 course meals at dinner time are nothing short of mouth watering. My favorite part of the edible offerings of the hotel has to be the afternoon break buffet which features home-made cakes, all of which were completely drool worthy.

While I could talk to you about the food at Hotel Adler Thermae all day long, there is so much more to offer at this luxury hotel. The Thermal Spa is a hot spring of wellness. The waters are heated naturally from deep within the earth and have absorbed minerals over time which are great for not only the mind but also the soul.

I loved that there are indoor and outdoor thermal pools for my enjoyment and a special thermal pool for children which features jet fountains and perfectly warm water that will lead to a lot of splashing fun for the kids. The pool featured above actually goes into a whirlpool every 10 minutes, which my son absolutely adored.

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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: europe, family travel, hotel, italy, resorts, travel

Take the Kids to the Dominican Republic? Of Course!

December 4, 2014 by Samantha 5 Comments

When you think of the Dominican Republic, you likely think of soft, sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in gentle breezes, and crystal clear ocean waters- as well you should. What might not come to mind directly is the perfect family holiday, but it ought to. Long thought of as a couples retreat from the world, or a delightful girlfreinds’ getaway, this island paradise is a great place to bring the whole troupe.

Beyond the beach and pool at your resort, what to do with the kids? There are plenty of options, and mom and dad will enjoy them, too. First up, head to Bavaro Adventure Park.

Close to both the Punta Cana and the Bavaro hotel areas (one of which is where tourists are likely to stay), this newly opened, open air park is not only fun for the whole family, but is also super safe (keeping in line with both North American and European safety standards) so you won’t need to worry about a thing. With options ranging from zip lining, balloon rides, paint ball, crazy ball zorbing (in which you are strapped into a ball, either solo or with another person, and rolled down a hill), Bungee Trampoline and more, you and your family can easily spend the whole day at Bavaro Adventure Park.

Did I mention there is a flight simulator? Patented and certified in Germany, in the “SkyDiver” you can fly like an eagle. Strapped into a safety harness and given safety and usage instructions, up to three people at a time are able to fly together to a height of up to 65 feet.

Smaller kids will enjoy Dinosaur World Jurassic Adventure, where they can take a walk through a land of the dinosaurs, watch them move, and hear them roar! These dinos are animatronic, and move when people are near them. Learn all about these creatures, what they ate, how they lived- and even see some of their young. There are more then forty dinosaurs on the walk, set to scale, and made to look, sound, and move how paleontologists believe they did.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: Dominican Republic, familiy travel, island, islands, Punta Cana, travel

Jolly Breeze- Whale Watching on the Bay of Fundy

November 25, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure- this was part of a media trip. All opinions are my own and honest. For more information, please see “I Disclose”.

Please read the whole article on This Girl Travels!

Sometimes you find a special place. One of those places that not only makes you slow down and really appreciate where you are, your surroundings, and the people you are with, but that will also truly make memories that will last the rest of your life. The kind of place you frequently find yourself saying “do you remember that time when…..” One of those places is Canada’s beautiful Bay of Fundy.

The Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal range in the world, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. Burntcoat Head, Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world, with rises that swell more then 50 feet in some places during high tide. There is diverse and flourishing sea life in the Bay of Fundy, as well as (as would be expected) a large fishing and lobstering community.

Should you find yourself near the Bay of Fundy (or should you desire to find yourself there), some experiences are not to be missed. First, bring your appetite, as the seafood fresh and delectable. If you are so inclined, you can catch your dinner yourself- there are fishing excursions available, or you can rent (or bring your own) kayaks or canoes. With water, water, everywhere, watersports are plentiful and easy to come by- in many places, you will see signs for fishing and aquaculture wherever you look.

It is an amazing thing to walk on the ocean floor when the water has receded away. You can do this yourself, or under the eye and guidance of a tour group or guide. For me, this was the only option, as I was not familiar with either the area or the tides, and didn’t want to find myself (or my young son) washed away with the next one. Another perk to being with a tour guide is that they can point out all sorts of fun things that I would not have noticed or been able to identify on the ocean floor- different types of seaweed, crabs, and shellfish. We took a great tour called “Plankton, Periwinkles, and Predators” that we booked through our hotel in Nova Scotia, the Digby Pines (http://www.digbypines.ca/). The hotel was beautiful, with tons to do for families both on the grounds and nearby, and the rooms were clean with various sizes available, including cottages for rent. You can also book the tour independently however, via www.GaelTours.ca. Led by a father/daughter duo, you and your family will explore the area from the very top (where no water reaches) down to the very bottom, where water has only recently drained. It gets a bit soggy, so bring your puddle-jumpers and pants you don’t mind getting dirty in.
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