Make this holiday fun and adventurous for your family and kids by visiting Lancaster

April 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Country of Lancaster is full with huge array of family attractions not only for children, but for every age from toddlers to seniors. Due to this, today Lancaster has become one of the most visited family places where you can create blasting and lifelong memories that you can keep with yourself.

Must visit family places in Lancaster – Although there are so many places to visit with your family and kids in Lancaster, PA. But, here are some places which you can’t afford to miss at any cost.

National Christmas center – This place features wide variety of festive exhibitions including Toyland Train Mountain, Christmas around the world, Art of Nativity and Santa’s workshop. During holiday season, this place even offers chance to meet with Santa and you can also take photos. On top of that, you can even celebrate holiday all around the year, the museum is open in March and April in weekends and May to early January daily, its timings are usually 10 to 6 which extended in months of November and December.

Dutch dinner apple theatre – Since 1987 Dutch Apple has been one of the most visited family destinations in Lancaster. Here guests get a chance to enjoy top professionals, shows, entertainer and delicious buffet style dinner. Throughout year, Dutch Apple theatre presents popular show one after another. They even offer classical music as well as contemporary music. In fact, most of the Dutch Apple performers even performed in national and international tours. Overall, this is one of the best places to visit with your family.

The Amish village – This place is authentic replica of typical town in country of Amish, complete with a gram, blacksmith, traditional home, market, school, covered bridge and market. In this village, visitors will learn about customs of Amish people even including way they use to cook, attend school and dress. Along with all this, backroad bus tours are available and are quite popular as in this tour, guests are taken to farm where they can interact and meet with the real Amish.

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery – The very famous Julius Sturgis Pretzel bakery was established in 1861 and is first commercial bakery in America. In this bakery, you can tour original 19th century bakery with your family and even get hand on lesson related to bakery and pastry making. You can also learn history of pretzel and even enjoy pretzels made with hand. The Julius Sturgis Pretzel bakery undergo renovations in year 2007 and is updated and restored newly. Since its reopening, bakery is managed by Sturgis family, oldest family dealing in pretzel baking in America.

Village of bird in hand – Take out sometime and visit to village of bird in hand. This place is just like returning and traveling to bygone era. Here you will find homegrown Lancaster foods, restful lodging for travelers, friendly shopkeepers and even highly rated Lancaster PA hotels with an indoor pool. In fact, in center of the town lies an old fashioned farmer market from where you can purchase handmade crafts, homegrown products and fresh foods. An old village store is still open and filled with nostalgic and unique inventory.

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Create a Family Holiday Tale of Two Cities – Birmingham to Andalusia

April 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It’s always fun to travel abroad with little ones, however it can be just as challenging as it is exciting. Whether you live in Birmingham or this is just the first leg of your holiday, the one thing you may want to make easier on yourself is getting the kids safely to the airport. If you are encumbered with luggage and kids, parking far from your concourse makes it almost too stressful to make it worth taking such an extended holiday.

Make Travelling Easy with Birmingham Airport Park and Fly

Perhaps you should take advantage of the hotel park and fly Birmingham Airport service that makes it easy for you to get everyone and everything to the flight safely. According to birminghamparking.com, you should arrive the day before your flight, stay at a Birmingham Airport hotel and leave the rest to the park and fly service. It’s amazing just how easy they make it for families travelling with children!

What to Do in Family Friendly Andalusia

When visiting the autonomous community in the South of Spain, it isn’t so much what to do but rather where to go. Spain is known for its fun-loving atmosphere and so you’ll find the historical region as the perfect part of the country to enjoy a family friendly holiday. Whether you choose to stay in the area’s capital of Seville or one of the other amazing cities such as Cordoba or Granada, you will find an amazing number of things to do and see that are truly family friendly.

Fun in the Sun – Seville

What parents love most about Seville are the sunny beaches and beautiful parks to enjoy with their children. Not only is this the birthplace of the flamenco and bullfighting, but Seville sports some of the loveliest architecture in the nation. If you are looking to see more of the region, hire a car in Seville and then take a road trip with the family. Plan your day well so that you know where to stop to enjoy a picnic, explore some of the whitewashed towns and village off-grid, and then hike the numerous footbridges seemingly suspended in mid-air. You must also make time to take the kids to the olive groves and olive oil farms because it’s thrilling to see how this heart-healthy oil is produced.

And Then There Was Food…

While you may think that Spanish food is a bit too spicy for the sensitive tastes of children, that isn’t quite accurate – spicy maybe, but not necessarily hot. It is rare to find a café, restaurant or even a bar in which children are not welcome. Don’t be put off by the fact that few restaurants in Andalusia sport children’s menus. It is rare to find one that does have separate offerings for kids. However, most restaurants will cater to children with smaller appetites and if you ask, they will delight you with plates especially prepared for those little people with little stomachs.

Don’t forget to join your kids for a traditional siesta before hitting the streets again for a bit of shopping and sightseeing. This may be the one time of the year where parents don’t need to feel guilty taking a nap in midday. It’s a way of life here, so enjoy it while you can.

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Travel Tips for Young Families

April 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It’s that time of the year again. Summer is quickly approaching, and it’s time to plan your next family vacation.

After you select your destination, you must plan the logistics of your trip. This is especially true if you are traveling with young children.

With careful planning, your trip can be exciting and stress-free. Here are a few travel tips for young families.

Pack the Essentials


It’s easy to get carried away when you are packing for a family vacation. If you’re not careful, you might pack more than you and your family need.

Take a moment to think about your destination. Make a list of essential items that your family will need to make the trip enjoyable.

For example, essential items for a beach trip include swimsuits, goggles and water shoes. Although it would be nice to pack inflatables, they might take up too much space in your luggage or your car.

Purchase Snacks Before the Trip


Whether you are traveling by car or airplane, buying snacks on the road can be expensive. For a family of 5 people, one trip to the convenience store could cost you over $25. Spending large amounts of money on snacks isn’t as cost-effective as getting title loans in Rock Hill.

Before you leave for vacation, take a trip to the grocery store. Purchase your snacks in bulk. By taking this action, you can select healthy snack options and save money in the process.

Dress Casually


When you travel with young children, you must be able to move around freely. Keep this in mind as you are packing your attire for the trip.

Be sure to pack plenty of casual clothing including tennis shoes, athletic wear, flat shoes and t-shirts. It’s okay to pack a few pieces of dress clothing for a special outing.

Pack an Activities Bag


Most children are active. They like to be occupied at all times. One way to satisfy their need to remain active is by packing an activities bag. Here are a few things that you can include in the bag.

  • Crayons
  • Coloring books
  • Reading books
  • Electronic tablet
  • Playing cards

Use Curbside Baggage Check


Walking through the airport with young children and multiple bags of luggage can be stressful. Although bringing luggage on the airplane can save money, it can be a chore to keep up with the luggage and your children. It might be worth the cost to spend the extra money to take advantage of curbside baggage check. 

Enjoy Every Moment


It seems as if time passes quickly when you have children. For this reason, you should make the effort to enjoy your vacation.

You should be mindful that some parts of the trip will be challenging no matter how carefully you plan. Try not to get upset when things don’t go as planned.

Traveling with young children doesn’t have to be stressful. These travel tips can help you enjoy every minute of your family vacation.

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The Five Best Self-Led Bike Tours in NYC

April 12, 2018 by 1 Comment

New York City is the largest city in North America in terms of both population and land area. As such, it’s no wonder that tourists rarely get a chance to see everything on their wish list during their stay in the Big Apple. Most citizens have yet to see it all.

 

Taking a self-led bike tour allows tourists to see the city on their own time while avoiding the often confusing subway routes and expensive cab fares. So reserve an affordable rental bike from Blazing Saddles, grab a map, and check out these five iconic areas for a self-led tour.

 

Brooklyn Bridge

 

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. It’s unique Gothic architecture, and hybrid design of cable-stayed and suspension style bridges make it wondrous to behold before you consider the view from the East River. Crossing the 1,500-foot bridge by bicycle gives you a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Cycling across the bridge at sunset will only enhance the view but is also, unfortunately, the busiest time for tourists.

 

The Hudson River Greenway

 

If you like the idea of seeing the city while avoiding the infamous traffic jams and honking yellow cabs, the Hudson River Greenway offers an enjoyable way to do so. Along this path, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial site, Battery Park, the Hudson River, and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

 

This option is perfect for those who wish to see the various tourist attractions without diving too deep into each experience. If you choose to take a separate tour through one of the sites, be sure to secure your bike accordingly.

Central Park

 

You could easily spend a day or two touring through Central Park alone. Riding a bicycle is undoubtedly the most effective way to travel through the expansive green space while taking in the hidden gems of the park. Be sure to ride through The Mall, an iconic lane seen in numerous films and television shows, and stop by the carousel and Alice in Wonderland statue.

 

If possible, save this trip for a nice day, so you get to enjoy the park in its entirety. Bike rentals often come with a back rack on which you can secure a picnic to enjoy by the lake or on the Great Lawn, a 55-acre field that sits at the heart of Central Park.

 

Ocean Parkway

 

While the Ocean Parkway bike path isn’t the most glamorous tour option, it is one of the most historically significant bike paths in the world. Originally built in the 19th century to separate cyclists from foot traffic, this path is the safest way to bike from Brooklyn to Coney Island. Coney Island is a huge attraction in the summer months for tourists and New Yorkers alike.

 

Coney Island is home to a public beach, theme park, the New York Aquarium and a museum full of weird and wonderful exhibits. In the summer, visitors swarm to Coney Island for the Mermaid Parade. Cycling is a quick way to get around and see everything.

 

Bike the Boroughs

 

If you’re an avid cyclist or just want to be able to say you came, you saw, you conquered, try biking the five boroughs. This journey could be as much as forty miles or longer, depending on the routes you take, but will offer you experiences in each unique borough of New York City.

 

Before you go, you’ll want to make sure you have the route mapped out and know that it is safe to cycle in that area. Create your route so that you pass by many of your bucket list items as you travel. Also, make sure you have a hotel with a hot tub to soak in after! New York may be the city that never sleeps, but you’re sure to rest well after this journey.

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5 Reasons why you should stay in a farmhouse on your next vacation

April 12, 2018 by 1 Comment

It’s very rare to hear of people renting or staying in farmhouses for their vacations. Resorts and hotels are most preferable but after reading this, you might change your mind.

  1. New experience

Beaches, mountains, and resorts are the common go to when planning your vacation but too much of something is poisonous. In an attempt to avoid that monotony, plan a vacation in a farmhouse where you will be surrounded by the peaceful nature. This experience kills two birds with one stone where they will also learn how to work on a farm

  1. The domesticated animals

In a farmhouse, you find a variety of animals from cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and horses. Are you rarely exposed to these animals as you are used to game drives looking at wildlife from a distance? In a farm for example in a family setting, your child will be able to come into contact with the animals; touching them and helping feed them.

It is also more peaceful as compared to the normal go-to spots such as an arcade where you cannot even hear yourself due to the norm of accepting the noise as part of the experience.

  1. Availability of local food

Restaurants usually value quality over quantity; therefore, you barely get full. In a farmhouse, you have fresh foods at your disposal, fresh milk and at times even fresh cheese. Most of the foodstuff is fresh. Experiencing fresh food on a daily cooked with love should be enough to start convincing you to stay on a farm while vacationing in Gozo.

  1. Seclusion

The seclusion from the urban Gozo town is a breath of fresh air. Some time spent away from the urban areas is just what you need to reset your mind. Going to a farmhouse and enjoying the countryside view and peace of mind is a very good idea for a vacation. Getting in touch with nature by helping in the farm planting and harvesting vegetables and fruits, milking the cows and picking eggs in the morning when the hens lay them sounds like an experience of a lifetime especially if you live in the city.

  1. Adventure

For those who love the outdoors, this may be the change of scenery you need. There are very many opportunity spots for you to take long walks or hikes enjoying the scenery. Some of the traditional farmhouses are located near national parks; therefore, you get to experience both wild and tamed animals.

Farmhouses in Gozo offer such tranquillity and being able to stay none may be an experience of a lifetime because the beaches are still close by too for you to enjoy that view. Book your trip now to visit Gozo; enjoy the variety of renovated century-old village, traditional and modern farmhouses.

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In a New York State of Mind

April 5, 2018 by 3 Comments

Looking to spend some time in The Big Apple with the family? Here are some great places to visit while you are there.

LEGO’s are fun for kids of all ages, and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in NY is a great place to spend the day for LEGO lovers of all ages.  The adventure begins by learning how Lego bricks are made and a kiddie-version of the history of  little plastic bricks. After this interesting introduction, its time to ride some rides and visit some attractions. The first ride (one that brings you into the main area) is a sit down guided laser shooting tour, where you save the castle by defeating tons of baddies. After your victory, you head into a mini-brick version of New York City and the LEGOLAND area. Push buttons for lights and sounds, and well as mini-animations. The details are pretty amazing, and the spoofs will keep everyone giggling. Fans will find quite a few “Easter Eggs” as they walk around the town.

There are also a bunch of other attractions to check out, like the racing course where you build your own racecar to pit against everyone else- there are several tracks to choose from. There is also a magic couch ride where you jaunt around on a flying couch. Really.  You move it up and down by pedaling, and it goes around in a circle. Make sure you check out the 4D movie, a must for all LEGO Movie fans. Of course, there are tons of LEGO to build, Masterclasses to take (and you can take your creations with you for a fee), and obstacle courses to try out. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710

No visit to NYC would be complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty. Statue Cruises, the National Park Service providing ferry and related services to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. You can get there both from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is the best ways to see the statue in my opinion. Cruises begin at 8:30 am (instead of 9:30 am), with the last boat departing Battery Park and Liberty State Park at 3:30 pm daily- last leaving the statue and Ellis Island at 4:30. Tickets to the crown and pedestal can be booked at the same time, or just the grounds of the statue.  It is both an incredibly moving and educational experience, to see the statue and Ellis Island- for Americans and tourists alike. I’d recommend this experience for absolutely everyone- and leave the entire day for it, this is not one you should rush through.

Tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be purchased online atwww.statuecruises.com, by visiting the Statue Cruises ticket office inside Castle Clinton at Battery Park, or by calling (877) LADY-TIX.

For more information on Statue Cruises, including schedules or reservations to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, please visit http://www.statuecruises.com or follow Statue Cruises on Twitter – https://twitter.com/statuecruises, Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/statuecruises/ or Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/statuecruises/.

And of course, there is Madison Square Garden. A New York City institution, you can see all sorts of shows and sporting events here. No matter the ages or preferences of your family, there is a show (or shows) that you are sure to enjoy.  We recently saw WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania while in NYC, and the kids and my partner had a great time- the crowd was a lot of fun, and the show was fast paced and exciting. There are a wide variety of shows to choose from- rock shows like Pink or Billy Joel, comedy acts like Kevin Hart, favorites come to the stage such as Sesame Street Live or Peppa Pig Live for the little kids, and tons of sporting events like the New York Knicks, WWE, UFC, and Monster Jam. MSG has a ton to choose from, head to http://garden-ny.com/madisonsquare/index.php to see the full lineup.

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Visit Antlers at Vail Colorado

April 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The Perfect Hotel for Your Trip to Vail

Whether you are planning a ski trip or a visit in summer to beautiful Colorado you could not pick a better destination than Vail and you could not find a better place to stay than Antlers Hotel.

sculpture at antlers at vail coloradoThe list of benefits for staying at Antlers at Vail is long. The rooms/condos are equipped with full stocked kitchens, lovely decor, and balcony views of Gore Creek, which runs behind the hotel and the picturesque Lionshead section of town. In winter they offer on-site ski rentals and  ski valet complimentary. Located just a short walk from Vail’s Lionshead Gondola it is easy to hit the slopes and get right up on the mountain.

Iceskating rink near Antlers at VailYear round there is plenty to do right outside Antlers at Vail. I honestly loved Lionshead more than Vail town center, with its cute shops and quaint ice skating rink. When you do want to travel around town there is a free shuttle that leaves from directly across from the hotel. This can take you anywhere you want to go in town and saves you from paying for parking! Check out the galleries or grab something to eat nearby at any of the restaurants. We chose to cook so hit the nearby grocery store then loaded up the full size fridge.

rooms at antlers at vail coloradoantlers at vail pool in coloradoWhatever size group you are traveling with Antlers has you covered. They offer studio suites, which we stayed in and they are super spacious, up to four bedroom vacation homes for when the whole family wants to get together. Oh, and if you want to travel with a pup or furry family member, there are pet-friendly rooms too. One of my favorite features is the pool. Located above the bubbling creek that runs behind the hotel you can enjoy time in a hot tub while listening to the sounds of nature.

Vail is certainly one of the most recognizable names for visiting Colorado and skiing/snowboarding, but keep in mind that there are plenty of outdoor activities year round. You won’t find anywhere better to stay when planning your trip than Antlers at Vail.

So find out more on their website Antlersvail.com

See more on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

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Book Your Next Experience with @TripAdvisor

March 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

For a variety of fun, you can go to TripAdvisor for booking ease. It is the world’s largest provider of tours, activities and attractions, with more than *56,000 bookable experiences in 2,500 destinations worldwide (according to the company). TripAdvisor Attractions has options for every kind of traveler,from walking tours, skip-the-line access, hotels, and more. You can find the best prices and values from more then 200 sites, which are updated in real time so you never miss a good bargain. Gift certificates only work for certain attractions, so be aware of that- most options will only work when you book directly from the site and using a credit card. However, if you are looking for a good deal, this is a site you should visit. Choose a restaurant, get a massage, go to a museum, and much more. Visit https://www.tripadvisor.com for more info and to choose your experience. 

Saw Avenue Q, a witty, silly, yet poignant musical on Broadway , tickets via TripAdvisor

The things you do on your trip are the things you remember—Scuba diving in Thailand, seeing Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, hunting the Northern Lights in Iceland, or getting to know New York City by foot. With the time, money, and anticipation that goes into your trip, you naturally want to get the most out of those experiences, forming the best possible memories for years to come.

That’s where TripAdvisor comes in. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest provider of tours, activities and attractions, with more than 56,000 bookable experiences in 2,500 destinations worldwide. TripAdvisor Attractions offers something for every kind of traveler; book everything from walking tours, skip-the-line access and theatre tickets to hot air balloon safaris and Everest base camp treks.

Why book on TripAdvisor? Because booking attractions in-person, after arrival, can be risky – there’s no reviews to read, there’s no “big picture” overview of what’s available, some attractions may be unavailable at short notice or come with an hours-long line.  TripAdvisor removes this friction:

  • Knowledge: We consolidate the options in one place, so you can easily search for what best suits your needs.  
  • Reviews: We show you thousands of reviews on attractions so you can make informed choices
  • Ease: We make booking online or on our free mobile app quick and easy – no hotel concierge, no guidebook, no ancient brochures.  
  • Whenever, wherever: You can book a month in advance, a week in advance, a day in advance, or a ‘skip the line’ ticket form the very line you’re standing in.
  • VIP access: We offer skip-the-line opportunities, behind-the-scenes access, private viewings and more
  • 24/7 customer service: Book with TripAdvisor Attractions and you’ll have 24/7 access to our customer support team
  • Low price guarantee: If you find a lower price for the same tour or activity within 72 hours of booking, or if you arrive in your destination and find your activity offered at a lower price by our operator, let us know.  We’ll refund the price difference

We were so excited to see The Book of Mormon, and so glad that TripAdvisor had tickets

Finding the lowest price hotel with TripAdvisor

 

  • Find the best prices from 200+ booking sites: With one click, we compare prices from 200+ hotel booking sites – including the hotel’s own website – to help you find the lowest price on your ideal hotel

 

    • See ‘Best Value’ hotels instantly: Only on TripAdvisor: See hotels ranked by our “Best Value” index, combining traveler ratings, best prices, location and more

 

  • Get the latest and lowest prices: TripAdvisor updates hotel prices in real time, 24/7 — so you never miss out on a great deal

 

 

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