travel Archives - Page 23 of 68 - Have Sippy Will Travel

Myrtle Beach, SC

November 9, 2013 by Samantha 1 Comment

Myrtle beach is a great family vacation destination, but it has more then just miles of beautiful beaches. There is an old side to this historic city that mixes smoothly to create a one-of-a-kind beach destination, with plenty of extras as well.

OLD:

The Myrtle Beach State Park Piers are said to be the best fishing spots in Myrtle Beach. Popular with locals too, you don’t need to get a license ahead of time and fishing supplies are available on site for your convenience. The views from the piers are some of the best from the city so even if you’re not fishing you’ll be glad you stopped by. Myrtle Beach State Park Pier is a quiet and green ( literally and from an environmental standpoint) beach spot, that is actually an ocenfront maritime forest. Complete with campgrounds, nature trail, fishing, and more, you and your family will love this spot. There is camping and full cabins available on the property as well. On site is a wonderful and well maintained educational center that is both hands on and fun for not only the kids but adults as well. Far and away the nicest center I have seen in a park this size (and many bigger and better funded as well), this is a point of pride and passion of the local staff and ranger, and a real must-do when in the area.

Find out more at http://www.myrtlebeachstatepark.net/fishing-pier.html and http://www.myrtlebeachstatepark.net/

Taking it’s cue form old time vaudeville, The Carolina Opry is an action packed show. Including everything from comedy to dancing, to music of all genres, you’re sure to have a great time watching 36 of the nations best performers. Young and old alike come together in the state of the art, 2200 seat theater to enjoy 2 full hours of fun. This was one of the best times I had while in SC, you would think you were attending a concert. A lot of fun, variety in music, and I swear it wasn’t cheesy (there is, of course, a bit of God and Country, but for those of us who are there for the music more then the patriotism and church bells, it doesn’t last too long and is mostly with one artist. The artists are talented, versatile, and from a variety of backgrounds. You can even see some of your favorites from TV shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent. It’s really an awesome time, and one I highly recommend.

Find out more at http://carolinaopry.com/www/TCO/TheCarolinaOpry.html

You can’t get much older than the Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, SC. Hopsewee is not a restoration of the home that predates the Revolutionary War, it is a preservation as it has never been allowed to fall into disrepair. It has been owned by only 5 families and each family has taken great pains to keep it intact as a valuable piece of history. The former rice plantation still has former slave housing on site, as well as a collection of artifacts from a time long ago. With hand carved molding, eighteenth and nineteenth century furniture, one and a half inch thick heart pine floors, and etchings in the window panes, Hopsewee will transform you to a world of long ago. They also have a “tea room” on site where you can not only order an amazing variety of teas, but desserts, sandwiches, and hot lunches as well. And the food? Must be tasted. Not to be overlooked, even the potato salad will have you wondering if they also serve dinner. You can buy teas to take home as well, including one made exclusively for the plantation and bearing it’s name.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel in south carolina, Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach SC, South Carolina, vacations in south carolina

Have Sippy, I’m Traveling! In Mexico

October 31, 2013 by Samantha 1 Comment

We are on the move again, this time on our way to Mexico.

We will be staying at the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Golf & Spa Resort in Los Cabos, checking out the area and some local Day of the Dead festivities and activities (both on and off the resort). My son and I are pretty excited, and I hope that you are following on my social media channels so you can see the fun as it happens. (Those of you who are already followers know I share often!)
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: famiy travel, los cabos, mexico, resorts in mexico, travel

Italy With Kids: 5 Fun Family Activities

October 25, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Typically, when people think of going to Italy, it’s as a romantic couple’s trip or as a journey to take with a few friends. And while it is a very romantic place to go and there is a lot of architecture, food (and wine) and fashion that can keep adults entertained for days on end, did you know that there actually are several fun things that kids can do too?

If you’re planning an international family vacation and Italy wasn’t initially a country that was on your list, we’re hoping that by the end of this article, it will be a place that you’ll at least consider because we’re pretty confident that they have many sites you and your children will be able to enjoy—together.

Pinocchio Park of Collodi. Just hearing the name of that park already sounds like it would be a lot of fun for children, right? The awesome thing about this particular site is that it has windy paths that lead to all kinds of statues from the Pinocchio story. Inside of the park, there is also a small amusement park, a puppet show theatre and a museum as well. (Pinocchio.it)

Lake Garda. No matter where you may be in the world, if there’s one thing that most kids are going to enjoy hanging out, it would have to be by some water. Well, if you take them to Lake Garda, they are certainly going to get plenty of that being that it is the home of the largest lake in Italy. And as a bonus, tucked inside of that area is Gardaland, the largest amusement park in Italy. (GardaLake.com)
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family activities in Italy, family travel, international travel with kids, Italy With Kids, travel, travel with kids in Italy

Travel Insurance: Is Your Family Covered?

October 21, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you’re booking a family holiday, one thing that will probably be on your to-do list is family travel insurance. After all, getting your little charges to the hotel and keeping them entertained for a week or two is only half of the story. You will also want to make sure they are safe, and that you as a family are suitably protected should the worst happen.

Happily, there are plenty of family travel insurance suppliers out there who offer suitable policies that won’t break the bank. Let’s look at Thomas Cook Extras, for instance. Their family travel insurance policies allow you to put the whole family on one policy, and choose from three different levels of cover to ensure you book the policy that suits your needs, as well as your budget. The policy can also be booked on a single or an annual basis, so you can either arrange one-off cover for a single trip or get your family covered for the whole year.
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Filed Under: lifestyle, travel Tagged With: accidents while traveling, family holiday, family travel, travel, travel insurance, why to buy travel insurance

Agritourism in Canada

October 14, 2013 by Samantha 7 Comments

You probably never heard of exciting things to do in Canada other than being mesmerized with Niagara Falls and being captivated with the beauty of its wildlife. But if you are planning to add a new twist to your adventure in Canada, then introduce yourself to Canada’s agritourism. It may be quite new to a lot of people, but in fact this term is to showcase Canada’s farm (or ranch) life to its tourists.

The word farm may take you “aback” but this is the time to change your misconception about farms as a place that smells, a place with no internet or mobile signals and a place synonymous to boring. Agritourism has taken bigger steps to bring people into the farm or ranch and allow them to personally experience activities like feeding animals, picking fruits and learning how vegetables are grown.

Agritourism opens doors (especially to city people) to learn and educate themselves on food production, animal husbandry and farming. It does not hurt to know where your food comes from. This kind of activity makes people aware of how important agriculture is to people’s everyday living and to the country’s economic development.

These days, where everything is done fast and computerized, the laid-back ways and traditional kind of life people enjoy at the farm or ranch are often overlooked. Agritourism’s approach in letting locals and tourists experience living on the farm for days or even months, will teach them to take life easy and gently. In addition to this, children will love to see live animals that most of them see only in books and computer. They can see how jams are made and processed and they can even pick their own fruits and eat them right away.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: agritourism, Agritourism in Canada, Canadian vacations, family travel, farm stays, farm vacations, travel

Migis Lodge in Maine

October 13, 2013 by Samantha 6 Comments

Migis Lodge is a great place to visit, and a wonderful place for families. In a quiet spot in central Maine, on the beautiful and serene Sebago lake, you and your family can enjoy a variety of activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, or pretty much any other outdoor activity you can think up. Want to get away from it all, while still having all the comforts of home? Check out what Migis Lodge has to offer.

There are a variety of cabins available, depending on how many in your party. The cabin we stayed in had a pull out couch in the oversized living room as well as a large (very large) back bedroom with two beds. The living room was complete with all that one could desire in a comfy, woodsy cabin, including a working fireplace and kitchenette. With 35 cabins to choose from, all nestled in the heart of a lovely and aromatic pine forest, you and your family will have both seclusion and a sense of community here at Migis. (Think “Dirty Dancing”, but in real life. And without Patrick Swayze, LOL.)

Once you have dropped the kids off for evening activities and dinner, you can dress up and have some adult time. Cocktail hour starts your evening of relaxation off with a menu of wines and delicious cocktails. It is the perfect start to the evening. I highly suggest the specialty cocktails, one made from prosecco and fresh fruit was a fresh, light drink that went well with the accompanying assortment of cheeses and fruit available. After you have moved into the beautiful dining room that boasts huge windows that open up to a view of the trees and lake, you can begin to decide on what to choose for dinner.
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Filed Under: food, travel Tagged With: central Maine, family travel, family vacations in Maine, Maine lodges, Migis Lodge in Maine, travel

Travel The German Fairy Tale Route

October 3, 2013 by Samantha 7 Comments

To celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the Brothers Grimm, Germany is throwing a year long, country wide festival to honor and pay homage to the famous siblings. The Fairy Tale Route is 373 miles long and stretches from Hanau ( a city near Frankfurt) to Bremen, and follows the Grimm brothers’ lives as well as the tales they wrote and adapted. Some towns are more closely connected to the lives of the brothers and their family, while others are the bases for the stories they penned.

The Grimm Brothers are some of the most famous and influential people in not only German, but also European culture and history. They recorded legends, folk tales, and lore, some of which had been in existence for generations, not only in the German culture but adapted from others as well.

We began our time on the Fairy Tale Route in Steinau, a lovely, quaint town that looked as if it were out of one of the storybooks itself. It was in this town that the brothers spent their childhood, living with their parents and siblings in a picturesque, half timbered estate. Located about an hour from Frankfurt, you can visit the home that they lived in, which is now a museum. See china that the family ate on, portraits and drawings by brother and artist Ludwig Emil, and more. Upstairs, there are displays on the many stories penned by the brothers, and rooms for children to play and interact in.

Steinau also has a puppet theater, with live performances daily. Puppets from all over the world, as well as posters and other paraphernalia describing and detailing the history of puppets and their variety are on display. The puppet theater itself is a great attraction for kids and families.

We then went onto Kassel, the center of the celebration, and where the brothers lived and worked for the longest amount of time. The high points and not-to-be-missed of the personal and professional lives of the brothers will be highlighted in Hesse. The Expedition Grimm, housed in the Documenta-Halle, takes you inside the the lives and minds of the Brothers Grimm on this hands on and interactive display. Beginning with the “life and work” of the brothers (set up to be historically accurate) it will take you through to present day with the “work and influence” of the famous duo. Other highlights are a 3D virtual visit to the apartment of the siblings, a Bremen Musicians stacking animal set, and a “living book” that brings use of technology into the fairy tales, bringing them to life as you turn the pages.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: brothers grimm, fairy tale route, fairy tale tour, family travel in Germany, German vacations, travel in germany, Travel The German Fairy Tale Route

Native American Dancers at Niagara Falls

September 27, 2013 by Samantha 2 Comments

These beautiful dancers preformed songs, played instruments, and sang songs native to their tribes as we sat enraptured. The Nations we had the joy to watch explored their love and connection with nature via music and movement. I have posted several videos on Vine and Instagram, I hope you follow along to see the performances for yourself, they are a rare treat.