Little Man and I recently took a ride to upstate NY, and we had a great time. There is lots to see and do (and eat!) and [Read more…]
Country Inns & Suites “Free Night Fall” Giveaway @CountryInns
October 28, 2012 by 49 Comments
Fall is the perfect time to get away- great weather, not too hot or buggy, the beautiful fall foliage, and fall foods are some of my personal favorites. I love long weekends this time of year, and highly recommend grabbing the spouse and kids, hitting the road, and finding an interesting destination.
One thing you never want to worry about when you travel, is the sort of hotel you will wind up staying in. It can be hard to book online- so many places “fluff” the reviews by having friends and family members post positive ones, and people generally only post ratings on hotels if they loved it or truly [Read more…]
South Georgia Zoos Offer a Walk on the Wild Side
October 26, 2012 by 5 Comments
What’s not to love about a day at the zoo? These four zoos in South Georgia offer great day trips with educational components for the kids- great if you are a local, or on vacation in the area.
The Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah will provide your family with memorable experiences
that will last well beyond your trip. Striving to spark a lifelong love of nature and its inhabitants,
the Center lets your children experience any of the forty hands-on activities available to them, such
as marsh ecology boat tours, star programs, and guided tours—all with the goal of deepening their
understanding of the surrounding flora and fauna. Locals can even enroll their children in summer
day camp, which feature stories, crafts, up-close-and-personal observations, and hands-on scientific
experiments to help children experience and understand nature’s phenomena. Contact: (912) 395-1212;
www.oatlandisland.org
At Pine Mountain’s Wild Animal Safari—Georgia’s drive-through animal park—you and the family
can go on safari from the comfort of your own vehicle, in a rented Zebra Van, or on the bus service
offered by the zoo and led by a tour guide. With a park [Read more…]
How to Plan an Affordable Safari Family Vacation
October 26, 2012 by 7 Comments
A safari is a great way to get the family out on a genuine adventure. There are few
things more exciting than visiting a far-off destination with your closest family members,
and a safari is a unique experience in and of itself. Better than simply camping or
sightseeing, a safari brings you up close and personal with the wildlife and terrain in a
given area, so you and your family can connect with the landscape and the animals in a
faraway place like you might never have had the opportunity before. To get your family
on a trip to a safari destination can be something of a serious undertaking, and there can
be a lot to consider in terms of budget if you’re dealing with a relatively large group of
human beings. We’ll talk about some of the best strategies if you’re wanting to go on a
safari on a budget, so you can take your vacation without [Read more…]
5 Great Family Winter Vacation Ideas
October 23, 2012 by 5 Comments
Winter is a great time to take advantage of the season and get your family into an environment that it’s never experienced before or doesn’t get to experience very often. Wintertime is a great opportunity to use some of those vacation days and spend your time snuggling up with those that are the most important to you as the days get colder and shorter at the same time. Vacation is a blast when you’re making the best of your cold temperatures, and we’ll talk about some of the best ideas for you and your family when you see that it’s starting to get colder out. It’s easier than you might have thought to get a great vacation out of the coldest time of the year!
1. The Cabin in the Woods. Perhaps the most classic winter vacation idea, you can always go with the good, old-fashioned cabin in the woods. There are plenty of locations that will make cabin rentals an easy reality when you and your family want to get out, and a low-tech vacation experience is a great way to bond with those to whom you’re closest. You can go as modern or as rustic as you want — your cabin can be equipped with modern amenities, or you can try and have a screen-free weekend with a deck of cards and a few good books. The possibilities are endless when you’ve got your very own cabin in the snow for a week or so.
2. New York City! The city that never sleeps is a blast during the winter, and the closer you go to Christmas, the more festive and interesting things have a tendency [Read more…]
7 Tips for Hassle Free Car Trips with Kids
October 23, 2012 by 1 Comment
Mention the words “road trip” to a parent and they may physically cringe, shudder, or go running
in the opposite direction. The mere idea of a long car ride with children can evoke flashbacks of
screaming, crying kids, thrown shoes, and smashed Cheerios on every horizontal surface of the
vehicle. Nevertheless, sometimes these trips are unavoidable and necessary. If hours of travel
are in your future, fear not, follow these seven tips, and find yourself in road trip bliss.
1. Plan and Pace – Before you even leave the house, admit to yourself that this trip is going
to take longer than it would if you were driving alone. Asking small children to ride in a car
for hours on end without a break is a recipe for disaster. Plan stops along the way. Find a
playground, a restaurant with a ball pit, or even a store where they can walk around. Any
opportunity to let out some energy is going to be beneficial.
2. Be Prepared – Along with planning the itinerary, you should also be prepared with any
supplies you might need. Pack a bag with items like bandages, children’s medicine, extra socks
and underwear, napkins, tissues, and cough drops. If your kids are young, bringing their potty
along can be a good idea too.
3. Bend the Rules – A long car ride isn’t the place for a strict nap schedule or healthy eating
regimen. Let the kids fall asleep when they’re tired; the trip will seem faster to them, and you’ll
have some quiet time. If your family doesn’t usually eat at fast-food restaurants, now may be the
time to let them. The excitement of a special treat will keep the trip [Read more…]
Visiting Europe: An Education The Whole Family
October 23, 2012 by 8 Comments
If you’re looking for a family holiday that’s both fun and educational, Europe should be
number one on your list. The continent is bursting with culture, history, and tourist attractions
to suit all interests. With capital cities such as London, Paris, and Rome all within a day’s
travel, you can learn about the pope, the Bastille, and the Beatles all in one trip.
The History
Whatever period in history your child is studying, they can do first hand research in Europe.
If they want to know about the world wars, visits to Belgium or Berlin are recommended, or
if they’re interested in the Vikings or Tudors the English or Swedish countryside beckons.
There are fantastic museums at most of the important historical locations, such as the Anne
Frank Museum in Amsterdam or the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
The Art
A European holiday is a great way to learn about art, as many of the best galleries in the
world are located in European cities. These include the Louvre in Paris, where the Mona Lisa
is kept, and the Tate Modern in London where you can see work by many of the best modern
artists including Monet and Anish Kapoor. But not all the best art works in Europe are in
museums – you can also see great works [Read more…]
