Fall Family Vacation Deals of 50% at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

We will be visiting in just a few weeks, and can’t wait to see how much fun Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is for ourselves. Don’t worry, we will be sharing all the info with you, as well as our thoughts. In the meantime, make sure you are following on social media @HaveSippy on Twitter, Instagram, and Vine and Snapchat if you are so inclined.

We will be posting some Facebook Like for you as well, so feel free to like and follow the page. Can’t wait to tell you all about it! In the meantime, here is some information for you, should you be interested in booking a trip. We have stayed in a Karisma resort before, and it was lovely.

punta cana resorts

Karisma Hotels & Resorts are offering major savings for family travel at their top family resorts in beautiful and sunny Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Riviera Maya in Mexico. From character breakfasts with Nickelodeon stars and family slimings at the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana to a toy lending library with a menu of toys that can be delivered to suites or the beach at Azul Beach Hotel to Little Eko Chefs at Generations Riviera Maya which allows young guests to gain true culinary skills while learning easy and delicious recipes – both parents and kids can prepare to be wowed.

  • Kids are included complimentary with Sliming Savings at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana! Plus, you can save up to 50 percent on vacations booked between now and October 21, 2016 for travel until December 22, 2017.  Special rates start at $190 per person, per night for adults.  Book at www.nickresortpuntacana.com or 844-733-NICK.
  • With the Not Another Pumpkin Spice Promotion, guests can save up to 50 percent on vacations booked at Generations Riviera Maya and up to 40 percent at Azul Beach Hotel on vacations booked between now and November 30, 2016 for travel until December 22, 2017. Special rates start at $272 per person, per night at Generations Riviera Maya and $250 per person, per night at Azul Beach Hotel.  Book at www.karismahotels.com or 1-866-527-4762.

Karisma Hotels & Resorts specializes in creating memorable experiences for families that are crafted with the needs of families in mind and are anything but ordinary. With Karisma’s signature Gourmet Inclusive Experience, family vacations are carefree. Parents can forget packing those extra bulky baby accessories and take advantage of the resorts’ amenities, including strollers, cribs, pack and plays, changing tables, monitors, bottle warmers, baby bathrobes, and more. Additionally, there is no need to stress about meals and booking reservations! A Gourmet Inclusive vacation includes all gourmet cuisine served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service and stocked mini bars with drinks and snacks that don’t cost extra to enjoy. Plus, each resort has unique family offerings such as family suites for up to two adults and three children, swim-up suites, splash parks, expansive kid’s clubs, and character experiences with Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Information and images of Azul Beach Hotel, Generations Riviera Maya, and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana can be found at www.karismahotels.com .

10 Tips on How to Survive Traveling with Children

To ensure a great and enjoyable family vacation, planning is very crucial– especially if you’re going to bring along your kids. You have to focus on what’s really important and set aside what’s not. That said, here’s a list of 10 tips on how to survive travelling with children.

Tip #1: Going to Ride a Plane? Then Briefing Is Very Important

If this would be the first time of your kids riding a plane, then you should talk about the things that could possibly happen, such as going through security. You have to explain to your children why they should be taking off their shoes or anything that has metal in it, such as watch. Likewise, don’t forget to inform them that they won’t be allowed to carry their favorite toy, or backpack through the security gates– as it’s one of the precautionary measures.

Babies and toddlers should be carried by the parents through the security screening checks. However, if the kids can already walk by themselves, then let them walk through the metal detector.

Image courtesy of news.com.au

Image courtesy of news.com.au

Tip #2: Don’t Let the Jet Lag Ruin the Fun
Even adults experience jet lag, but it’s more challenging if your children are also suffering from it. Fortunately, there’s an effective remedy that could get rid of it, such as going outside and staying active. Long walks are highly advisable, and if you can visit a park or playground, then you should be bringing your kids here.

Also, you should be wary of the time zone. If your kid eats a big breakfast and lunch, but small dinner at home, and you’re traveling from a country where there’s a 12-hour difference or more, then your child might end up getting hungry at night, until midnight. Better prepare some healthy snacks for that.

Tip #3: Get Rid of Motion Sickness
If your child suffers from motion sickness, then give him some tips on how to avoid that, such as trying to keep the head still, looking at the road ahead, getting some fresh air into the car, and not reading or using any digital device. On long car trips comfort is important so think about the clothes the kids will be in, especially if they’ll be sitting in a car seat. Anything too thick and bulky will be uncomfortable under those buckles.

 

image via http://www.thecanvasfactory.com.au/

image via http://www.thecanvasfactory.com.au/

Tip #4: Dress Comfortably
On long car trips comfort is important so think about the clothes the kids will be in, especially if they’ll be sitting in a car seat. Anything too thick and bulky will be uncomfortable under those buckles. The same goes for planes and trains.

Dress your kids comfortably if they’ll be strapped into a seat for a long time.

Tip #5: Check the Website of the Attraction Before Visiting
You don’t want to travel for hours just to find out that the museum you’re going to go to is temporarily closed for renovation. Visit their website a day before visiting the place, and stay updated with current happenings.

Tip #6: For Longer Distances, Fly
Flying is considered to be one of the safest mode of transport. Likewise, you don’t have to endure traffic at all. Kids are known to be very impatient, and that’s why you should be picking a mode of transpiration that could bring you to your destination, the shortest time possible.

Tip #7: Keep Your Child Entertained
For longer flights, it’s important to ensure that everything your kid might need is packed in the carry-on luggage. This includes a change of clothes, sick bags, snacks, drink bottle, wipes, and toys. Entertainment like books, pencils, paper, and so on should also be brought by the parent.

Image from dailymail.com.au

Image from dailymail.com.au

Tip #8: One Parent in Charge
If you’re traveling with your partner, one should have the responsibility of packing the items, while the other one should look after the kids. This would ensure that everything stays organized.

Tip #9: Prepare Your Kid
If you’re concerned that your kid might get lost during this travel, then teach him what he should be doing instead it happen. Practice scenarios like this a few days before travel to ensure that he remembers.

Tip #10: Enjoy!
This can mean a lot of things. For starters, we suggest that you make the most of your travel and prevent yourself from getting stressed. No need to become a “no, no, no” parent to your child. Just make sure that he stays safe all throughout the travel.

Tip #11: Have a Plan Ready
You don’t have to fully stick to the plan that you’re going to make, but it would be better if you’ll have a list of things that you want to do with your kids during travel. This would ensure that the vacation would be pleasant instead of stressful.

Top Breathtaking Places You Need to See in the USA

Some of the most beautiful places in the world are just a road trip away. If you’re looking to visit places with incredible natural beauty, you don’t even have to leave the United States. Taking a road trip to your destination allows you the ability to get in touch with nature and see things you’ll otherwise miss on an airplane. Take an unforgettable journey to some of the most amazing places you’ll find right here in the USA.

Preparing for Your Trip

Before you take a trip, a lot of preparation is involved. Start planning as early as possible to ensure you don’t miss any important details. Road trips can create lifelong memories, but you should always plan ahead. Automobile accidents happen even if you’re the most careful driver in the world. If you live in New York, consider consulting Brooklyn personal injury lawyers if you find yourself in need of legal assistance following an accident. Take the time to carefully plan your routes and the places you want to stop before you begin your journey.

Skagit Valley Tulip Fields, Washington

If you want to see fields of breathtaking color that attract millions of visitors from all over, head over to Skagit Valley Tulip Fields in Washington. Plan your trip for the month of April when the flowers will be in bloom across 300 acres. Aside from the tulips, there is plenty to do in Skagit Valley including visiting the state and national parks, museums, Las Vegas-style casino, a thriving performance art scene, and an abundance of museums.

The Smoky Mountains North Carolina and Tennessee

Approximately 9 million people come to see the Smoky Mountains every year, that’s how amazing they are. Not only is the scenery completely breathtaking, but there is so much else to do. You can enjoy the waterfalls and wildflowers, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, bicycling, camping, visiting historic buildings, picnicking, and ranger-led programs. This mountain range is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and is along the North Carolina and Tennessee border. The mountain views are simply unforgettable and unlike any, you’ll ever see anywhere else.

Thor’s Well in Oregon

Thor’s Well is along Cape Perpetua and is uniquely beautiful. This natural deep hole is a saltwater fountain that looks as if it’s draining the ocean. The natural wonder is created by powerful ocean tides and is best viewed an hour before or an hour after high tide. The hole looks like it’s bottomless, but it’s actually around 20-feet deep. It looks exceptional magical and is something you don’t want to miss out on seeing. It can be dangerous, especially during storms, so proceed with caution.

Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Alaska

The Mendenhall Glacier Caves in Alaska looks surreal, like something that jumped right out of a painting. The glacier is 12 miles long and is accessible only by kayak. The sad thing about this natural beauty is that due to global warming, it’s beginning to retreat, which means if you want to see it, you’ll need to make a plan to visit as soon as possible.

Some of the best trips are those where you can become one with nature and enjoy natural beauty. Consider taking a road trip if you can because it will make your trip that much more unforgettable. Always prepare way ahead of time because it’s easy to miss things you need to pack or travel apps you need to download to plan your route. Wherever you decide to visit, make the most of it. Life is too short not to see the beauty of the world.

A Family Vacation to New York: Things To See and Do

new york city

Planning a family vacation to The Big Apple? With plenty to see and do for all ages you’ll be spoiled for choice. A general itinerary of the things you hope to get through can be helpful to make the best use of your time. Here are just a few of the attractions that should be on your list!

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan features five floors of interactive literature, science, media and art exhibits. There are various programs, workshops and lots of things to do and see. There’s even a section for under fives, as well as things to do right up to teens. An ideal attraction to visit as a family and something you’re all sure to enjoy.

Broadway Theater

Seeing an epic Broadway show is a must while you’re in New York. There are over forty professional theaters to choose from, offering a selection of incredible world class shows. You could see Aladdin, Matilda, Wicked, The Lion King and much more. Vibrant, colorful and exciting, it’s the perfect family evening out in New York. You could consider booking your Broadway tickets in advance as shows can fill up quickly.

Highline Park and Walking Path

This stunning elevated park would make a fantastic family afternoon out in New York. There are often events on for kids including things like crafts, face painting, scavenger hunts and live performances. If you fancy a break from the big, bustling city on your vacation, a trip to the park is always good. Especially when it’s one that’s this awesome.

American Girl Cafe

There’s family dining aplenty in New York, but one quirky place to consider is American Girl Cafe. Your children can bring their American Girl dolls who will be given their own seat at the table, where you’re able to have fun tea-party style lunch. It’s something entirely different, and especially great if you have a lover of American Girl dolls in the family. As well as just dining you can choose hairstyles, piercings and pampering services for the dolls. Then watch as the looks are created in front of you by expert stylists. There’s even a station where you can design clothing items. A dream experience for a little girl (or boy!) who is into this kind of thing.

Dylans Candy Bar

Dylan’s Candy Bar features a whopping three floors of candy treats, pretty much most children’s idea of heaven! It’s fun, brightly colored and exciting to walk around as well as offering a ton of variety if you’re looking to buy some sweet treats. A fantastic place to buy souvenirs for your trip, but also an experience within itself that kids will love. There are often events and things on so have a look before your trip to work out the best time to visit. Dylans Candy Bar has been successful in a number of states, but New York is the flagship store, so you get to see where it all began.

Have you ever been on a family vacation to New York? What was your favorite thing about the trip?

Desirable Destinations: Exploring Phuket

Whether you are considering taking a long weekend or a trip that lasts a little longer, you should consider Phuket for your next travel destination. Travezl Phuket Tours will cover all the hotspots that you could possibly want to see, but here is a list of some of the things you simply cannot miss while you’re there.

Phuket is a stunning island of Thailand and has a fantastic nightlife. Plus, it has some fantastic all inclusive resorts, so you can party your nights away and then enjoy a long sleep on the beach when you’re too tired to go on!
1.The temples

As the main religion in Phuket is buddhism, there are a number of beautiful temples worth visiting including The Big Buddha which is a 45 metre tall statue that overlooks much of the island. These temples are often small but always welcoming, and many of them have free screenings of movies, usually of the kung fu persuasion!

     2. The Beaches

Phuket boasts 36 beaches, and most of them are as stunning as you’d expect. What more do you need on a vacation than endless amounts of sand, sun and surf?

If you manage to get bored of all that, the beachside resorts have you covered with lavish restaurants, bars and full spa facilities! So, if you just want to spend your days being pampered, massaged and beautified, that is a perfectly valid option!

The beaches of Phuket also provide breathtaking snorkeling, the crystal blue and green waters just begging to be explored. Set aside a whole afternoon and just get lost in a different kind of paradise, that is still just a hop skip and a jump away from your resort.

     3. The Nightlife

Phuket is well equipped for those who live to party, and there are numerous bars and nightclubs around every corner! You can choose to party at any number of places, there are clubs, plenty of bars, and every kind of theatrics you can think of. There are shows of actors, performers, elephants with acrobats and a number of ladyboy shows. If you happen to be in Phuket for any of the three annual festivals, the place can become even more exciting than it already was.

     4. The Rainforest and Limestone Cliffs

If you need to get out of direct sunlight for a while, you should take some time to explore the mangroves. It’s often hard to believe you are still in the same place once you get away from the noise of the beaches and crowds. It becomes quiet, the air gets just a little thicker and instead of waves you hear the trees and the birds talking to each other. Phuket does so many things well, but sometimes you just can’t beat what nature has already been doing for thousands of years.

    5. Don’t Miss These Destinations!

Fantasea Park is a shopping and adventure park hotspot with fair games all year round. The park boasts shows and elephant rides, just two of the many things that make it a really exciting and colourful place to be. If you like goofy museums and tourist attractions, you should definitely hit up the Trick Eye Museum and the Inverted House. These destinations are great fun for the whole family and provide a host of great photo opportunities! If you don’t mind getting a little roughed up, Phuket also has white water rafting (which is self explanatory) and zorbing (which is not)! Zorbing is a great activity where one or two people can get inside a giant inflated plastic ball with a little water in it and run down a giant grassy hill a few times!   

Phuket has the activities and destinations for any kind of traveler and is well worth taking some time to explore!

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3 Reasons You’ll Never Regret Booking Israel Guided Tours

Are you thinking where to go for your next holiday? Consider visiting Israel and when you do, book a guided tour to make your trip more memorable. Here are the reasons:

Israel is a holiday destination that offers something for everyone.

Israel has so much to offer to travelers considering that it is a nation rich in culture and history. For more than 1,500 years influences from the Muslim, Christian and Jew communities have been brewing in the nation and are currently evident across the land. In short, the diverse culture has allowed the country to provide a wide assortment of sights and sounds that any type of tourist can delight in.

So if you’re into the urban lifestyle, Tel Aviv is definitely your home away from home. It’s the cosmopolitan center of Israel where you can enjoy not just the urban vibe but also the quaint cafes and stunning beaches in the area.

If you’re new to Israel, you’ll definitely want to visit the famous sites that the country is known for. A quick research will let you discover so many world-famous places including the Dead Sea, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ramon Crater, Baha’i Gardens and the Old Jaffa. Simply book Israel guided tours to get from one place to another quickly and conveniently.

Israel guided tours will save you the hassle of travel planning.

Do-it-yourself travel planning may be a common trend these days, but the truth is that you can save even more time, effort and money when you book Israel guided tours. How come? Well, for one, travel agencies are knowledgeable of the various landmarks in Israel, and thus, their guides can take you to the most interesting parts of each site. You won’t even have to worry about determining how to get from one landmark to another in a timely manner because your tour guides have set the itineraries to ensure that you are back to your hotel before evening comes. In most cases, you also won’t have to worry about bringing lots of cash during the trip especially when your guided tour package already includes transportation fees and entrance tickets. Meals, especially lunch, are also included in many guided tour packages. In short, all you have to do is determine the sites you want to visit, know what’s included in the tour package and pay the price.

Guided tours will let you focus on fun, enjoyment and relaxation for your holiday.

The convenience of opting for Israel guided tours extends from the planning stage to the moment you’re on the trip already. Your guides will have the right vehicle with them, and thus, you will be able to relax in between sites. But even if the tour includes commuting in public transport, your guides know the schedules of the trips and the right ferry, bus or train to board. In short, your logistics are taken care of.

In many cases, you can customize your tour wherein the itinerary is focused more on your specific interest and passion, turning your trip an even more memorable one. For example, you can request for a tour that takes you through historical landmarks of Israel or perhaps focus on religious sites. You can even choose to have a food discovery tour where you go through local markets to buy ingredients, sample a variety of cuisines or learn the local cooking style.

3 Tips for Hiring a Car Abroad

When traveling abroad it can be hassle to rely on public transport to get you around. With language often a barrier, many travelers get stressed at the thought of having to get themselves from place to place on bus or train, in fear they might get on the wrong one. On your next trip abroad, avoid the dreaded public transport and hire yourself a car, giving you the freedom you need to get wherever you want. In this article, we have three tips to make sure that everything goes smoothly for you when hiring a car abroad.

Make Sure You’re Eligible to Hire and Drive a Car

Before you can even consider hiring a car abroad, you need to make sure that you’re eligible to do so. Depending on where you’re traveling to in the world, laws will be different. Most of the time you need to be over the age of 21 and have been driving for 3 years or more. Check out the government advice here. If you haven’t yet passed your test but want to hire a car in the future, then use Toptests to help you with your theory. Then get your test booked as soon as possible.

Decide Where You’re Going to Pick It Up and Drop It Off

Most airports around the world have hire car services within them, meaning that you can pick your car up as soon as you get off the plane, although this might come at a higher cost. So if you’re looking to save some money on your trip then find out places close by to the airport that you can hire your car from. If you’re staying in the same city on your trip, then picking up and dropping off your car at the same place will be the best option for you. Whereas if you’re leaving the city you flew into and flying back from elsewhere then you’ll need to find out where you can drop off your car before you leave. Most car hire services will have dealerships across the country, so you should have no trouble in finding out where to drop it off.

Make Sure You Know the Fuel Situation

Once you’ve picked up your car, make sure you firstly know what type of fuel it takes and secondly know how much fuel you need to return it with. By knowing this information you’ll avoid any mishaps on the trip and expensive fees on your return to the dealership. Make sure you know where you can stop for fuel whenever you’re driving to avoid running out and ending up in a stressful situation.

Hiring a car abroad will give you the freedom that you’re looking for, giving you endless alternatives of places you can visit to get to know every part of this world. Make sure more than one of you can drive the car, so that you can take it in turns and avoid accidents caused by tiredness during your trip.

Heading to Niagara Falls on a #RoadTripChip @CapeCodChips (and you can win a gift package)

Disclosure- I have received the below in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own and honest. For more info, please see “I Disclose”.

Niagara Falls

Recently, my son and I decided to head north for a visit to one of the natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls.

cape cod chips

We packed up the car, and headed out. It took us about 10 hours to get there, but that’s nothing that can’t be done in a (very long) day.  Of course, when taking a road trip, especially with kids, you can’t forget the snacks.

cape cod chips

Always bring the drinks, a few things to play with, and stuff to eat- because no one likes a cranky kid. We took all sorts of things, including Cape Cod Chips, which are having a fun summer road trip hashtag this year to encourage you to get out and see some cool places.  It’s a fun way to see what your fellow Cape Cod Chip lovers are up to, as well.

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While visiting Niagara Falls, we made sure to visit some of the most famous places. The falls themselves, of course, as well as taking a White Water Walk and a Journey Behind the Walls.

cape cod chips

We also took the newly-turned-100 Whirlpool Aero Car 3,500 feet across and over the rapids and gorge. We had to take a Hornblower boat cruise into the falls to really experience the power they possess- and how beautiful they are. That was really a highlight for us all.

white water walk

We visited the Butterfly Conservatory at Niagara Parks, which was spectacular and honestly so much fun and very much a special experience, with butterflies of all colors and species floating about and landing on each of us.

niagara falls night

While Niagara Falls is amazing ad stunning during the day, we had to stop by and see it at night, when it was all lit up. Did you know that they light up the falls every evening? You can also take a night boat cruise- you won’t get as wet, but the photos are beautiful.

chips

During our time in Niagara, we of course kept our Cape Cod Chips handy- we had to keep the “hangry” monster away.
One of you can win a box of your own Cape Cod Chips- feel free to enter using the RC form below.

cape cod chips

Good luck! Ends Sept. 3, 2016.
a Rafflecopter giveaway