travel Archives - Page 34 of 68 - Have Sippy Will Travel

Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks

April 20, 2013 by Samantha 2 Comments

I can recall having two favorite teachers, one while being little, in second grade and one while in high school. My second grade teacher was Ms. McKenna. She was strict and very specific in her expectations of he class. Her class was always the best behaved in the entire school. In doing so, from the outside the class looked difficult and strict but in actuality it ran as a well oiled machine. Constant supervision and a caring hand that led most in the class to excel. In high school I had a geometry teacher who taught his class in a lax easy going way. In doing so let us students understand more of the underlying concepts and main ideas. This class was not only one of the easiest math classes ever taken but one of the few that showed the ‘fun’ in math.

Hilton HHonors is running a competition through April 30th where the winning teacher will receive a trip to further enrich their teaching experience. The contest is called Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition. The competition is run [Read more…]

Carmel, California – Food, Wine, Art, and Culture

April 18, 2013 by Samantha 13 Comments

Carmel, CA is a great spot to get away from it all- the perfect place for weddings, proposals, romantic hideaways, or girlfriend getaways. A small but active and artistic area, you will find plenty of shopping, museums, theater, good wine and good food, as well as the beautiful coastline.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with a rich artistic history on the Monterey Peninsula. In the early 1900s, 60 percent of Carmel’s houses were built by those who were “devoting their lives to work connected to the aesthetic arts.” As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,081.

Close by are the scenic 17-Miles Drive, Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, world renowned golf courses, Point Lobos Reserve, and the Big Sur coast. This area is very pet friendly, and one will see dogs everywhere they go- on sidewalks, stores, in restaurants, and even art galleries.

There are some fine dining options, as well as others with a more funky flair in the area. Mundaka, a Spanish style tapas restaurant in downtown Carmel, is the result of a love of food, wine, music, and Spain and its culture. The food is ordered by the small plate and meant to be shared with the whole table. The dishes and drinks are organic and locally grown- don’t expect to order a cola in this establishment. The atmosphere is funky and artistic, and has both vegetarian and non-vegetation options as well as live music many nights. Grasing’s offers fine dining that features fresh ingredients from California’s Carmel Coast and Central Valley. They have a varied wine list, and the desserts are interesting, delicate, and delectable. You will want to make sure to save room, and indulge yourself.

Taking a quick trip, but want to really experience the food and wine? Take the Carmel Food Tour. While walking through the picturesque city of Carmel, you will be able to enjoy [Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Post, food, travel Tagged With: and Culture, Art, art galleries CA, California - Food, Carmel, carmel ca, food and wine in carmel ca, food and wine tours, food tours, travel, travel in ca, travel in california, wine, wine tastings

Traveling With Toddlers: 5 Things You Can’t Forget to Pack

April 15, 2013 by Samantha 4 Comments

When you hit the road or fly the friendly skies with toddlers in tow, you’re opening yourself up to
all kinds of headaches. And yet, parents pack up their kids and head off to parts unknown all the time,
regardless of the trials of traveling with children that have only recently learned to walk (and escape the
second you turn around). So while you’ll certainly want to equip them with some kind of identification
that includes a place to reach you, just in case they slip away during the security screening at the airport
(hey, it probably happens all the time), there are a few other things you’ll want to make sure to pack
when you bring your toddlers along for the trip. Here are some items that you can’t afford to forget at
home.

Entertainment options. Providing each toddler with a small backpack with books and toys is not
only a great way to keep them occupied during travel, but it can also give them a goal to focus on as
you make your way through an airport or pack up the car. However, it can be difficult to keep track of
myriad items for each kid. So when it comes to entertainment you really can’t beat the comprehensive
and all-inclusive option offered by a tablet. All you have to do is preload it with child-appropriate
movies, music, games, and books and [Read more…]

Filed Under: kids, travel Tagged With: family travel, packing for kids, packing for toddlers, packing kids, travel, vacationing with kids, vacationing with toddlers

Have Sippy, I’m Traveling! Florida Panhandle #HiltonSandestinMoms

April 8, 2013 by Samantha 1 Comment

Hanging out in Destin, Florida, at the Hilton Sandestin Resort and Spa. We got here about 4:30 yesterday, just in time to build some sandcastles and have dinner at one of their restaurants, Barefoot’s [Read more…]

Filed Under: travel

Alternative and Affordable Lodging Options for Family Travel

April 6, 2013 by Samantha 12 Comments

No matter how you look at it, family travel can be a fairly expensive prospect. This is probably why so many families on a budget have to plan their trips well in advance in order to save up the money needed for transportation, food, and lodgings. And while there are definitely ways to cut back on travel expenses, by driving instead of flying, for example, or waiting for low airfare sales, it can be a bit more difficult to find suitable hotels at less cost. It’s not like you’re going to shack up in a youth hostel with your family so that you can get a few bunks at $20 a pop. Honestly, with a couple of kids in tow, you might as well spring for a budget motel room since it will cost the same amount and offer you more privacy. But even then, you’ll have to deal with crappy rooms that cater to, shall we say, a lower caliber of guests in some cases. And with the bedbug epidemic in full swing, motels might not be your first choice anyway. So what can you do to save some money on lodgings when you head out for a family trip? Here are just a few options to consider.

One thing you might want to look for is a reputable Bed and Breakfast. These dwellings are often located in residential areas, making them kid-friendly, they offer you breakfast as part of the price of your [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, travel Tagged With: affordable family travel, Alternative and Affordable Lodging Options for Family Travel, cheap travel, easy travel, inexpensive family travel, travel planning

Family Friendly Hotels in the Los Angeles Area

April 3, 2013 by Samantha 3 Comments

Ready to take the family on an exciting adventure? Try Los Angeles, California for a trip your kids will always remember! The city is packed with fun history and cinematic culture, as well as a zoo, aquarium, and even a magic fountain! If you need help finding a nice, family friendly hotel the folks at HostelBookers.com have you covered. Check out these 5 hotels perfectly suited to whole families.

HI-Los Angeles – Santa Monica Escape the busy streets of Los Angeles and run your feet through the sand on the beaches of Santa Monica. The HI-Los Angeles provides family accommodations in addition to a short walking distance to the oceanfront and several restaurants. If a family trip to the beach wasn’t enough, the hotel also has other fun activities to include trips to the Getty Museum and the chance to take in a Dodgers’ game. If your family enjoys a nice bike ride, the HI-Los Angeles provides bicycle rentals. Have fun while staying healthy and active on vacation. When you are back at the hotel winding down for the night, the kids can enjoy a game of pool, fun in the game room, and Internet access within the facility.

Cadillac Hotel

Become a part of history when you sleep where film legend Charlie Chaplin resided during his summer months. The hotel is just as classic as its past, legendary resident. Sitting on the famous Venice Beach and overlooking the Pacific Ocean stop to take in the decor of the hotel before heading out to the Venice Boardwalk and sandy beach. Let the kids play in the on-site game room or pool tables while you get dressed for the day’s adventure. Although you may want them to keep the electronics [Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family friendly hotels in LA, Family Friendly Hotels in the Los Angeles Area, family travel, good hotels for families, hotels in LA, hotels in Los Angeles

Going Cross Country With the Family

March 28, 2013 by Samantha 3 Comments

Cross country road trips have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with families
looking to have fantastic adventures without breaking the budget. Road trips offer the chance for you
to really explore our great big country, maybe visit places you have ever thought of going before and
discover the best that America has to offer; they are also a great bonding experience for the parents
and children alike. You will be making memories that will ultimately last a lifetime.

However, traveling across country can be an expensive form of travel if you have never tried it
before. When you add up your fuel costs, accommodation, food and activities, it can be equal to, or
even greater than, a trip abroad. Don’t worry though! There are some simple tips that will help you to
have the holiday that you deserve on the budget that you can afford.

Create your itinerary 2 months in advance

So once you have decided that this is the perfect trip for you, you need to start planning as this is
the best way to make sure that you can stick to your budget and still get the most from your holiday.
Look at the areas you want to incorporate into your trip. Try using Google maps as this will plot the
total distance for you. This will then give you an indicator as to the amount of fuel it will cost [Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family road trip, family travel, Going Cross Country With the Family, ong car rides with kids, planning a road trip, road trip, road trip with kids, road warriors

6 Family Friendly Pacific Northwestern Vacations to Enjoy on a Budget

March 25, 2013 by Samantha 3 Comments

Vacation budgets are slim these days, and families are looking for ways to spend some quality time and share some adventures on the cheap. If you’re intrigued by the idea of exploring the Pacific Northwest, here are a few family friendly vacation ideas that won’t break the bank but aren’t short on fun.

Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is composed of multiple sections, each of several dozen miles, spanning Oregon, Northern California and Washington. All you need for a great family vacation backpacking the Pacific Coast Trail are camping gear and supplies and your adventurous spirit. If you’re not an experienced backpacker, it’s a good idea to take a guided tour.

Relax on the Oregon Coast

A camping trip to the Oregon Coast is an affordable getaway if your sole goal is relaxing and soaking in all that nature has to offer. If you’re not one for camping, there are plenty of affordable hotels in the region near to the coast.

Explore the City of Seattle

There are so many things to do in Seattle, a trip to explore the sights and sounds of this city is a fulfilling experience for many travelers. Take your family to see the Space Needle, explore the city’s many museums and [Read more…]