travel Archives - Page 16 of 68 - Have Sippy Will Travel

What to do in Portland, Maine

September 11, 2014 by Samantha 4 Comments

A trip to Maine needs to be carefully planned. There are many things to see, many things to sample and many experiences that one needs to have in this lovely state. If you are planning a trip to Portland, Maine there is really no question about where to stay. The Westin Portland Harbor View is the place to stay for picturesque views of the water, easy access to the Portland art scene, or just a fantastic place to unwind with the family (and even Fido) on your travels.

The Westin Portland Harbor View offers all of the amenities you could hope for in a hotel. The Akari Spa is full service and will help melt the stress of daily life away. You can take advantage of your downtime and get a great workout in thanks to the NEW BALANCE gear lending service, and you can bring your dog with you to stay and play.

While you are enjoying the hotel, you might wonder what there is to do in the area. I would recommend that you take the #1 rated Trolley Tour from Portland Discovery Tours of the city. Not only are trolly rides fun (I’ve never met a kid that didn’t love them) but it is a great way to see the city. On the tour you will see many notable locations in Portland and enjoy learning the history of the area from local tour guides. You can take either a 45 or 9 0 minute tour depending on your wants and your time available.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, Maine, travel

Visit Ocean Club Resorts in Turks and Caicos

August 3, 2014 by Samantha 9 Comments

If you have been daydreaming about a tropical getaway, lounging in a gorgeous suite and enjoying all of the best amenities with the turquoise waters of the ocean beckoning you to come and play just outside your window, you need look no further. Sow down and savor the sensation of white sand between your toes and the sun on your shoulders in the natural beauty of Turks and Caicos.

At Ocean Club Resorts, with room options to meet your needs for space and comfort, you can escape the grind of your daily life while your stress melts at the rate of an ice cube in the sun, or you might want to whisk the kids away for a week of unforgettable adventures in paradise.

The resort, divided into East and West properties, had quite a few room options. No matter the size of your entourage, or the needs, there is a suite to suit you. Many of the rooms even offer washing machines, full or half kitchens, and screened in porch or balconies. Spend your nights in air conditioning, or leave it off and enjoy the pleasant ocean breezes through open windows and circulated with ceiling fans.
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What to do in Rome, Italy With Kids

July 28, 2014 by Samantha 3 Comments

What to do when in Rome? It’s kind of hard to do as the Romans did- but you can try to walk in their footsteps a bit. Depending on how long you have to tour will decide how many attractions and historical sites that you get to see. While not a small city, the historic center is clustered together, making many things walking distance.

The Sistine Chapel is a must see for art and history lovers alike. Guided tours are not allowed inside, so your guide (if you have one) will fill you in before you enter. You can also self guide, of course. One of the highlights has to be seeing the famous “Creation of Adam” painting, where God nearly touches the hand of His first man. More humorously, see Michelangelo’s self-portrait (himself being boneless), in “Last Judgement”.

Get your gladiator on at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Schedule at least a half day for these stops, which put you in the footsteps of slaves and emperors. Walk the “Sacred Way'” and see the final resting place of Julius Caesar. Wander through the Colosseum’s first and second tiers, and imagine the amphitheater flooded for boat battles or gladiators doomed to fight to the death, living and dying at the whim of the crowd or emperor. A short walk just beyond the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, where you can see some of the most impressive ruins. Among these are the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Julius Caesar. Take time to walk up Palatine Hill (the most famed of “The Seven Hills of Rome) for a stunning view of Nero’s Circus Maximus.

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

Cruise Ships: the Ideal Family Vacation

July 27, 2014 by Samantha 3 Comments

If you’re on the lookout for a family vacation where you can travel to a wealth of destinations while staying close to your accommodation then a cruise might be right for you. The number of benefits available on a cruise makes this holiday option one of the best for families.

Families have taken to cruise holidays in a big way and one of the major reasons for the increased popularity is the chance to travel on a floating luxury hotel. Cruises offer a number of excellent benefits for families including activities, entertainment and meals included in the overall price.

This makes good financial sense and helps to make your holiday spending go a lot further. Guests can choose from a wealth of on-board accommodation including family-sized luxury suites.

Facilities such as child minders and children’s clubs allows the adults to spend some time relaxing knowing that the children are being well looked after.

Cruise ship companies have now pulled out all the stops when it comes to on-board entertainment. Activities available on certain cruise liners include cinemas, ice rinks, swimming pools and even theatre shows. Adults can enjoy casinos, nightclubs, spas, fitness centres and a range of classes such as cookery, dance and language classes. The good news is that most of the on-board entertainment will be included in the price.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: cruise, travel

Hilton Head Sonesta Resorts

July 25, 2014 by Samantha 7 Comments

A vacation in the low country is a vacation to remember forever. The hospitality and charm of the locals combined with the stunning views and the slower pace of life make Hilton Head like no other place on Earth. If you are going to vacation in Hilton Head, you can make your stay extra special by marking the Sonesta as your destination.

The Hilton Head Resorts family has unveiled the Sonesta for your vacationing enjoyment. The resort was recently renovated for your comfort. With 340 guest rooms and suites, the resort offers lovely accommodations to make your family feel right at home. Located on 11 lush acres, you will enjoy world class golf and tennis nearby, on site bicycle rentals and an amazing swimming pool complex complete with hot tubs and a heated lagoon style swimming pool to name a few.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: hilton head, resort, south, South Carolina, travel

Getting Away — Fun Vacation Activities For Families

July 19, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

A vacation is one of the main times of the year when a family can forget all their woes and get together for a week or two with a firm emphasis on fun. Normally, it’s just a beach and a pool vacation in a holiday hotspot, but if you widen your horizons there’s much more to do out there and you don’t have to leave yourself penniless to do it.

Getting sporty

There are a huge number of sports activities to enjoy that as well as being fun, allow you to explore more of your destination. If you’re taking family holidays to countries that have their own national or state parks you can go kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking or, in the winter, maybe even head for a ski resort and take to the slopes. Most of the parks will have their designated scenic trails and admission will usually be free; costs are simply for equipment hire. Take a picnic and spend a day exploring some of the most beautiful parkland beauty spots, and remember to take your camera.

Getting cultured

Most major cities, if not all, will have a few museums and many are worth checking out for their architecture alone. Children will find the exhibits fascinating and it will give the family a chance to learn some of the history of the country they’re visiting (and blow the teacher away in history class!). However, it’s not all about history, and cities will have science museums as well as film, art and transport museums. Often you need to make a small donation to the upkeep of the museum, rather than pay an entry fee. When the rains come, it’s a good way to spend the afternoon.
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Top tips for cruises with kids

July 18, 2014 by Samantha Leave a Comment

A family cruise is the ultimate relaxation for harried parents with small children. Once you’ve taken care of the costs and ditched your baggage, there’s nothing to stop you leaving your worries at the port. The whole point of child-friendly cruise lines is that while parents are enjoying the delights of the ship’s bar, sun loungers or Italian lessons, they can relax in the knowledge that their little angels are being entertained by the professionals, making friends and generally having the time of their lives. There are, however, a couple of things you can remember to do before embarking which will mean the rest of your cruise is plain sailing.

Don’t forget the bare necessities

Yes, large cruise ships have shops on board, if not entire malls, dedicated to luxury (parents, read: frivolous) items like watches, perfume and chocolates. It’s best to pack the essentials rather than rely on finding them on board. To save space on packing, avoid bringing bulky toys; instead pack light inflatables, a cheap, robust digital camera, crayons and coloring books. An outfit a day is excessive: remember there will be laundry facilities on board, but don’t scrimp on the following: first aid items, baby wipes, zip lock bags, snack foods and, crucially, a comfort blanket or teddy.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: cruise, family travel, travel

Top 10 places to Relish Your Roman Holiday

July 17, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

Rome, the capital of Italy, is like a magnet to millions of visitors around the world. It has a status of a global city which attracts students, architects, scholars and tourists of all sorts.

The Eternal City is considered as one of the birthplaces of western civilizations. World renowned artists and architects resided over here and its historic centre is listed by UNESCO and World Heritage Site. Recent surveys reveal that it is the 10^th most visited city in the world, 3^rd most- visited in European Union and the most popular tourist destination in Italy.

With packed catalog of tourist attractions and world famous sites, it is sometimes intricate for newcomers to choose from what to see.

Focus on these sites to minimize the confusions and make most of your planned trip to Rome, Italy. Get yourself a travel guide here for better planning of your trip to Rome.

The Colosseum:

The visit to Rome is incomplete if you haven’t seen the Colosseum site. This colossal monument of epic proportion is a testament to the architectural skills of the ancient Rome and provides insight into the culture that celebrated the gladiator games at this huge ancient arena. With a seating capacity of around 50,000, this monument is a witness to a tradition of battles between men and beasts in a public forum. It offers a great insight into the lives of Roman citizens and those who had the misfortune of fighting there. Visit the underground hallways and corridors where the gladiators would prepare to fight and ponder their mortality.

Capitoline Museums

Musei Capitolini constitutes the oldest public gallery in the world, hosting a huge collection of artifacts and exhibits from the ancient, medieval and renaissance periods and breathtaking paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Caravaggio, and beautifully crafted statues by the Baroque genius Bernin. There are wonderful collections of classical sculptures and statues, exhibits on ancient mythology, medieval and renaissance artworks as well as many bronzes and portraits.

Roman Forum:

The Forum served as the center of political, civic and religious life of ancient Roman civilization. It played host to several festivals, celebrations, funerals and rituals. Its varying nature echoed upon the constant shifting in the fortunes of the religious, military and political nature of the Roman times. Visit to Rome is incomplete without a stroll around the Roman Forum and it is a must see for anyone visiting the city.

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