Is your family itching for a fun in the sun vacation? If a trip to somewhere with oceanfront views, southern charm and an atmosphere the entire family will enjoy sounds perfect, you can sit back and relax, I have discovered the perfect getaway for you.
Hilton Head Resorts, SC
Bergen Fish Market, Norway
Disclosure- We visited the Bergen Fish Market while on an all-expense paid trip to Norway. I received no financial compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and honest.
Norway is an immeasurably beautiful country. I myself was taken aback by it, with it’s fjords, waterways, and majestic views literally everywhere you turned. With so much of the country being located on or near the water, Norwegians have long made a living from it, as well as it’s good and trades. In that vein is the Bergen Fish Market, a must see for anyone who visits the area.
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, Oslo being the largest. Located off the North Sea and flanked by islands, Bergen is a mountainous city that is also quite easy to get around. Located in the heart of it all is the fish market. Across the street you will find many tourist attractions, such as the famed Fløibanen Funicular and also the remaining buildings from the old harbor of Bryggen, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the “only preserved business district from the Hanseatic period” (quote from VisitNorway). After you visit the fish market, head over, it’s worth a visit (and it’s a fun shopping and dining area as well).
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Orlando Must-Sees for Kids Five and Under
No school? No problem. Families with children under age five have only a few years to take advantage of off-peak travel perks before school schedules kick in.
- DUPLO Valley – LEGOLAND Florida brings the LEGO DUPLO line of preschool building toys to life this May with a new area featuring a train, mini tractor ride and water play area. The park also features several rides geared towards kids between 34-40 inches tall.
- Festival of Fantasy Parade – An all-new daily parade at Magic Kingdom Park featuring popular characters from hit animated features like Disney’s “Frozen” and Disney-Pixar’s “Brave” along with nearly 100 performers and seven unique floats.
- New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park – Invites little princesses and princes to meet Rapunzel from Disney’s “Tangled,” and tell stories alongside Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” Rides like Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and The Barnstormer family-style coaster provide mild thrills, while Princess Fairytale Hall brings little ones face-to-face with beloved Disney Royalty.
Medieval Times – Kissimmee, Florida
A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, Medieval Times is a great show that the whole family can enjoy. No worries, the little ones won’t be afraid- the show is very tame (rated G!) while still offering tons of fun and action. Make sure you arrive about an hour early to give yourself ample time to explore the Medieval Village, the only one in the country. Launched in Spain in 1973, and in Kissimmee, Florida just 10 years later, it is widely regarded as the longest running and most popular dinner attraction in North America- and I have to concur. During this 2 hour live performance, you and your family will experience a glace back in time- when knights defended the realm, and chivalry was not dead.
The exhibit showing the clothes and artifacts from the times that the show was based on was not just educational- it was fun, and I highly recommend it. There was a woman making thread and clothing there as well, and my son thought that was the coolest thing. If you have very small children, as I do, I will personally recommend that you turn back when you reach the rooms that exhibit the torture devices. While morbidly fascinating, even non-readers can understand what some things were used for, and there were illustrations. Most were not graphic- but for younglings and those with a weak stomach- skip that area. Areas of interest for everyone will be the stables, pottery, loom/seamstress area, carpentry, metal smith, and more. My son loved the metal smith and carpentry areas the best- he also got a huge kick out of the looms. It really interested him to see how clothes were made and fabrics created. (Who knew?) Other high points from the village were authentic chainmail suits, and fired and even some painted pottery.
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Karisma Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Traveling with children should not mean that you have to settle for less than the best in accommodations. Karisma Hotels & Resorts understands that the desire for a luxury getaway doesn’t diminish once you have kids, and they want to cater to your unique needs as a family at the Generations Riviera Maya resort.
Imagine a family trip to Mexico, with spacious suites that measure up to 1200 square feet, complete with a breathtaking view of the white sanded beach. Rooms on floors 1-4 will offer an amenity your family will love: the swim up suites.
With your family in mind, Generations Riviera Maya Resorts offers carefree travel by offering use of the Gourmet Inclusive amenities such as changing tables, cribs, pack & plays, strollers and just about anything you can imagine needing for the comfort of your little one.
Generations Riviera Maya wants your family to be comfortable, but they also want your kids to be entertained and happy too. The Eko Kids Club offers children age 4-12 the chance to experience supervised activities that are environmentally friendly and fun. Babies and toddlers will love the shady Baby Beach Lounges complete with toys and nanny services so that Mom and Dad can take a break and soak up the sun.
A stay at Generations Riviera Maya is not only about fun in the sun. The gourmet factor is worth mentioning as it will speak to your stomach. The Gourmet Inclusive experience includes all gourmet meals served a la carte at any of the four restaurants and two lounges, as well as premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service and personal butler service.
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The Colonial Inn – the place to stay in Ogunquit, Maine
If you love hotels with class, charm and history and you happen to be planning a visit to Ogunquit, Maine (or want to!) I have found the perfect hotel for you. The Colonial Inn has been in business, providing a lovely place to stay in a central location for over 125 years.
In 2013 a massive 4 million dollar renovation was completed to restore The Colonial Inn to the ranks of the finest hotels in Ogunquit. While retaining the Victorian Charm of the hotel, the renovations offer guests the modern amenities such as a hosted wine/social hour, a heated outdoor pool and entertaining areas for families.
The Colonial Inn offers a fantastic vantage point of all that Ogunquit has to offer- the hotel is close to the beautiful beaches which have made the area an ideal vacation spot. I liked that we could walk or take the trolley, which conveniently stops in front of The Colonial Inn, and explore the shops, the restaurants and the sights without the frustrations of driving.
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Headed to San Fran? Stay at The St. Regis San Francisco
Planning a visit to San Francisco gets me excited, from the culture to the style of the city, I can barely wait to arrive. Knowing I will be staying at The St. Regis San Francisco only adds to my anticipation. They also have a very cool program being offered at this exquisite hotel, my son had a great time and I know your kids will as all.
The Family Traditions Program has the youngest traveler in mind. With amenities and activities designed for youngsters, The St. Regis San Francisco takes luxury to a kid friendly level.
Upon check, in children receive a gift basket curated with their age in mind. Babies will enjoy lotions and toys, toddlers will love coloring books and teddy bears while older children might receive a puzzle and TCHO artisan chocolates.
When you are ready to begin the adventure of experiencing San Francisco kid style, The St. Regis San Francisco has tailored family excursions that will not require a lot of travel thanks to the central location of the hotel. From a nearby park complete with sandboxes, swings and an indoor ice skating rink to IMAX theaters keeping the kids busy and happy is a breeze. You might want to fit in time to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, or take in a ball game, so turn to the concierge team of The St. Regis San Francisco. They are happy to assist you in creating a itinerary that is customized to your interests.
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Cruising with MSC Divina – MSC Cruises
Disclosure- We received the below trip in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more info.
My son, husband, and I recently took a cruise on the beautiful MSC Divina. Out of Miami, Florida, we spent 3 days docked at various islands, and 4 more at sea, for a total of 7 days including the one we boarded. The time we spent on board was fun, and there was a lot to do on the ship.
Every day, they passed out a daily newsletter that gave you list of the day’s activities and events, as well as where and when they were. We took advantage of as many of these as we could, both because we wanted to fully experience the cruise and because one never knows when they will get the chance to do some of the activities again.
We took Italian lessons, which my son and I enjoyed- but my husband didn’t. Luckily, they had a bar very nearby, where he went and spent the remainder of the lesson. The lesson was offered in 3 parts, but we only did two of them. Daddy was a good sport about it.
We loved the dance lessons that were offered on the ship- almost every day, they had multiple options and times for a new dance to learn. We tried out three of them- the Meringue, the Tarantella (a traditional Itlaian dance), and “Thriller” (the epic Michael Jackson song and dance!) My son decided to do kids club for “Thriller” instead of dancing, but that’s fine- the husband and I had a great time. I think “Thriller” was both of our favorites. Neither of us are dancers, and my husband normally HATES to dance- the fact that he not only participated but also enjoyed himself is crazy to me. I was thrilled with it!
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