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Cedar Point Hotel Breakers

July 30, 2015 by Samantha 6 Comments

Cedar Point Hotel Breakers has been totally restyled and refreshed for 2015. The hotel has been totally redone for the ground up. For those that have never been before, it will be a new experience, and even for those that have been to Hotel Breakers before it will still be a new experience then the hotel that you knew.

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Hotel Breakers has always been a place to share a great time with your family and friends. 110 years ago, the guests arrived by train and ferry and were looking for the same type of fun as the guests that still travel there today. Of course, 110 years is a long time ago and so the scene has changed a bit, but has only gotten better with time.

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Hotel Breakers is located just shy of the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, Cedar Point. As Cedar Point will delight you during your visit, Hotel Breakers will be the perfect place to come back to after a day filled with fun. Each room has an LCD TV, refrigerator, microwave, and of course funky new bedding and decor.

The view from our room- it was a rainy night!

The pool area has now been extended to include a water play area that has a zero-depth entry. Your little ones can now enjoy water play and not have to get in too deep. The hot tub doesn’t hurt either to relax those muscles after a long day at the park. And if it’s coffee that you are craving, Starbucks is now proudly served! There is also now a Surf Lounge Bar, but if you are used to the old favorites, TGI Friday’s, Perkins, and TOMO Hibachi Grill are still there.

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As Cedar Point has also transformed within the last, year so has Hotel Breakers. To tip you over the edge of wanting to go to, there is now a new coaster in town, Rougarou – an entirely new riding experience for fans and guests. Also, the Mantis stand-up roller coaster will be converted into a new floorless design that will deliver completely new thrills next summer.

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If you are thinking about a trip to Cedar Point make sure that you book at Hotel Breakers. It’s just steps away from the park, and has all sorts of easy access. My son and husband love Cedar Point, and your family will too.

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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, ohio, theme park, travel

Crowdfunding Private Flying: It Can Actually Reduce Travel Costs

July 29, 2015 by Samantha 1 Comment

The following is a guest post.
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Flying can be a travel necessity for some people, but it can also be a costly thing to do. The price of flying continues to go up, making it harder for people to find the funds to travel.

For those people and those businesses that do a lot of flying, sometimes investing in your own private jet is the best option. Eventually, the cost of owning a plane will pay for itself, and you’ll have access to your own private plane whenever you need it.

Even if you opt to buy a plane, though, it will still cost you a significant amount of money. The price will vary significantly based on the type of plane, the age of the plane, and a variety of other factors. If you’re interested in owning a plane, then you’ll need to do your research to not only see what you can afford, but to also see what you need.

There are three main ways that you can buy your own private jet.

Cash

Obviously, if you have the capital to spend on buying a plane outright, then this is a great option. You’ll end up spending exactly what you want to spend, as you won’t have to pay interest on a loan. Plus, many sellers will often give you a nice discount if they’ll receive cash for the sale. This is something you’ll need to take some time to consider, as it will be a nice chunk of money. Talk with your accountant or other financial advisor to see if it’s a good idea for you to make.

Aircraft Loan

Most people take out a loan when they buy a house or buy a car, and the same goes for buying an airplane too. No matter if you want a private plane for leisure or to fly across the globe for business, an aircraft loan can help you achieve your goal. There are a variety of different aircraft brokers available to help you secure the right loan for the plane of your dreams, so be sure to talk with a professional about your options. Just be sure that you can afford to make the monthly payments before signing the contract.

Crowdfunding

When it comes to buying a private plane, most people don’t even consider crowdfunding as an option, but it is. When you crowdfund, you are asking other people to make an investment in your project, company, idea, etc., which is usually done via the internet. If you are in need of a private plane, you should consider crowdfunding as an option. If you’re looking for a plane for your business, reach out to potential investors and see if they’d be willing to give you some money to buy your plane. Be sure to tell them how the plane will benefit your company, such as by allowing you to ship products more quickly or tend to global business events.

If you’re looking to buy a private jet for your own pleasure, then remind the “crowd” why the plane is beneficial. You can get a group of people together and crowdfund the plane as a group, allowing each “funder” to have access to the plane at their leisure. By doing so, you’ll be able to make a smaller investment in order to access your own private plane. This will significantly reduce the cost of flying, especially if you fly more often. Plus, you won’t have to deal with those large, annoying crowds or experience the hassle of the TSA.

So if you’re truly interested in buying your own plane, consider the three options you have available and make the choice that’s right for you. Remember, cash and aircraft loans will cost more than crowdfunding, so be sure to check your budget before making your final decision.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: guest post, travel

Lake Tahoe’s Granlibakken

July 29, 2015 by Samantha 6 Comments

Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty will draw you in and make you never want to leave. With entertainment and year-round activities, there is always something to be done and to discover. Granlibakken, nestled in the trees above Lake Tahoe and steps from Tahoe City, is your ideal spot for your next getaway.

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A little back story is always fun about a place and the origin. Granlibakken is a Norwegian name and it means “hill sheltered by trees”. It’s the perfect name for this getaway spot. The Granlibakken Resort is family-owned and is on 74 wooded acres in a mountain valley. Lake Tahoe is just a few minutes away and the elevation is at a breathtaking 6,350 feet. If you’re lucky, you can even spot some wildlife saying hello during your stay.

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There are both townhome and suite accommodations that you can choose from that offer you all the privacy and quiet that you may be looking for. The hustle and bustle of your life may be weighing you down, but spending time getting back to nature will recharge you. This quiet oasis is the perfect place to do so.

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Each room features the following amenities:

Cable television with DVD
Direct dial phone with voicemail and wired/wireless internet access
Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
In-room coffee maker
In-room fan

Different Lodging Types

Use the offer code SUM15 to get 20% off accommodations on select dates between June 15th and November 25th. This rate includes a delicious breakfast and there are miles of peaceful hiking trails, tennis courts, and an outdoor heated pool and hot tub.
Treetop Adventure Park, Day Spa and bike rentals are also on site for additional fees.

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Summer Activities At Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge

There’s no shortage of activities and fun when the weather heats up in Lake Tahoe.

On-Site

Walking to Tahoe City or the Truckee River along our forest path (1.4 miles)
Playing a game of tennis on one of the resort’s five courts
Taking in the surrounding beauty on our private nature trail
Enjoying the sun beside our luxurious pool and hot tub area
Relaxing in our rejuvenating sauna
Building up a sweat on our outdoor par course
Hiking Tahoe’s Rim Trail, which borders the resort
Treetop ropes course and tours in our Adventure Park
Mountain bike rentals available on property, provided by West Shore Sports

Nearby

Pedaling the miles of mountain and road bike trails
Fishing either Lake Tahoe or the Truckee River
Hitting the links at any of the 43 golf courses within an hour’s drive (Tahoe City Golf Course is only 1 mile away)
Cooling off by taking a raft trip down the nearby Truckee River
Canoeing or kayaking along the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe
Enjoying the majesty of the Sierra Nevada on horseback
Motorboating or sailing Lake Tahoe’s clear blue waters
Exploring Tahoe’s history through its renowned historic mansions
Cruising along on the Tahoe Gal from Tahoe City

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When there is this much to do in such a tranquil environment, how can you go wrong? You can get the relaxation and stimulation you need and enjoy great scenery all in one place. So bring the family to enjoy all that Lake Tahoe and its surroundings have to offer. Every season gives you quite a different view and other relaxing activities, so you will have a great time no matter when you stay.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, travel

Royalton White Sands Montego Bay

July 23, 2015 by Samantha 6 Comments

Indulging in a vacation that is out of the ordinary and will make your senses sing sounds amazing. When you travel, you want a place that will do just that. The Royalton White Sands Montego Bay is that luxury, relaxing vacation resort that you have been looking for.

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Make sure that you experience All-In Luxury on your family vacation in Jamaica’s Montego Bay. The beaches that are like powder, waters as turquoise as you can imagine, and the vistas of the Caribbean will draw you in and promise you the ultimate vacation experience. The laid back environment will delight every single one of your senses, and the shores of Montego Bay are sure to be memorable.

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Your taste buds will also be treated to a smorgasbord from around the world. With the 24-hour room service you can even indulge in these delights from the comfort of your room. Jamaica’s sunrises, sunsets, and starlit evenings are spectacular. No matter what time of day you can be sure to enjoy a great view. One thing I loved was that most nights they have live music- while I enjoyed listening to the band, I truly relished drifting off to sleep to the reggae sounds back in my room. There was something magical about that.

To top off your relaxation, why not visit The Royal Spa. This full service spa has everything you could want or look for while you are on vacation. The beauty center at The Royal Spa offers luxurious manicures, pedicures, waxing, make-up, and hairstyling services. Even though you may be on vacation with your family, there is no reason that you can’t indulge in a little time for you. Goodness knows mom needs a break now and again.

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Family vacations are top on the list for summer travel, and Jamaica’s Royalton White Sands Montego Baywill make it spectacular.

Kids’ Adventures Program is designed for all ages. The activities are always supervised and are as fun as they are safe. “Clubhouse Kids Clubs” is for children ages 4 to 12 to be able to interact with children their own age. Max & Ruby and Mike The Knight are Royalton’s newest guests. You children will be interacting with them as they watch cartoons, enjoy the playground, and play many types of games.

Enjoy live appearances, themed activities, and evening entertainment with Max & Ruby. Join in on a knightly mission and games, activities, appearance and live shows with Mike The Knight. This will be something that you will want to attend with your little ones and not forget to capture!

Hangout Teens Club is the place for 13 to 17 year olds where there are lounges with games, playstation rooms, Wi-Fi areas to charge devices, billiards and ping pong tables.

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There is a lot to do for adults as well as for children whether they are big or small. Enjoy family time, but also enjoy the time that you can have to yourself in one of the most beautiful places that you could imagine. It’s nice for the kids to have some space now and again. What are you waiting for? Aren’t you ready for some relaxation and fun all at the same time? It’s time for beautiful views and fun times. Head to The Royalton White Sands and see what they have to offer.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: carribean, travel

Diggerland – Family Fun in NJ

July 16, 2015 by Samantha 3 Comments

A fleet of amphibious 8-wheeled black-and-yellow vehicles, otherwise known as ARGOs, may be a rare site to see in the United States. Perhaps more rare, would be children and their families operating the all-terrain machines on an off road course.

The Argos are added as Diggerland’s 25th attraction, following the World’s Fastest Backhoe and JCB WorkMax UTVs that were introduced earlier in the construction theme park’s second season.

“The ARGO furthers our goal of providing one-of-a-kind entertainment for families visiting our park,” said Yan Girlya, co-owner of Diggerland USA. “Diggerland is the only place in America where kids and their families can operate heavy equipment; and now we’re the only place you can get behind the wheel of an ARGO.”

The construction-themed adventure park covers 14 acres of centrally located land in Camden County, NJ and offers visitors the opportunity to operate full size excavators, dumper trucks, and backhoes among a range of other heavy machinery in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Guests can operate the ARGOs as early as Friday, June 19 as Diggerland is now open everyday through Labor Day for the summer. The newest attraction seats four people; three guests and an operator and is driven along a fixed course in the park.

“We are always looking to add new attractions to our park,” said Ilya Girlya, co-owner of Diggerland USA. “We instantly knew the ARGO was a must-have. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before and we’re very excited to give our guests the chance to drive them.”

diggerland coupon

Visit Diggerland with your crew today!

Filed Under: parenting Tagged With: family travel, NJ, travel

Stay at Crystal Springs Resort

July 9, 2015 by Samantha 5 Comments

Photo via Crystal Springs

Sometimes, you want to get away, but maybe not too far away- that’s when a place like Crystal Springs Resort is just the thing. It’s close to home, but not too close, and has all sorts of fun activities and things to do, both right on property and very nearby. It is a great NJ vacation destination, in the New York Metro area and less then an hour from New York City (traffic free). It is open all four seasons, and has plenty to do year round as well. The perfect nearby getaways!
20150707_091336 My son and I stayed in a very nice room, with a king bed and a couch sleeper sofa. There was a balcony off the room, a fireplace, a small countertop and refrigerator, desk, kitchen table and chairs, and a large bathroom. We got in on the later side, and headed up for dinner after check in. At Kites, the restuaunt right in the main area (right above the check in and lobby), my son and I ordered dinner. The restaurant was pretty empty, but the wait was not short. I’m not sure if this is typical, but be aware if you are hungry or have hungry kids- get there a little early. The food was very good (one thing you really need to order are the parmesan cheese fries- just delicious), if a bit on the pricey side. There was also a kids menu, which is always a bonus for parents. The tables are covered with white paper, so bring crayons with you as well so your kids can color.

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The room was easy to get to, and my son and I had no trouble finding it. The parking lot (free parking) is also quite nearby. The hotel had quite a few indoor and outdoor pools, so many it seemed hard to count, and a few actually flowed into one another. There were also several hot tubs, jacuzzis, steam rooms, and a cold pool for refreshing yourself afterward. There was also a splash park for the younger kids, which my son loved. The pools were beautiful, and some had exercise classes you can take right in the main pool.

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The hotel has a large gym, basketball court, racquetball room, and more. It a great place for being active with the family . In addition, Action Park is right down the street (an amazing and fun waterpark) and the hotel offers free shuttles for you and your family. There are also art villages, farmers markets, skiing, and more. Check out all the area attractions.

There are some great packages as well, that will save you and your family some cash when you book.

Stay 2 nights and receive the 2nd night at 50% off
Stay 3 nights and receive the 3rd night free!
Stay mid-week and enjoy up to $225 in resort-wide credit
Stay one night at Grand Cascades or Minerals and receive $50 in resort credit
Stay two nights at Grand Cascades or Minerals and receive $150 resort credit
Stay three nights at Grand Cascades or Minerals and receive $225 in resort credit

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Crystal Springs Resort offers a breadth, uniqueness and level of amenities not found elsewhere in the region, including:
-3 unique upscale lodging properties highlighted by the sophisticated Grand Cascades
Lodge
-6 award-winning golf courses (Ballyowen, Black Bear, Cascades, Crystal Springs, Minerals,
Wild Turkey) including NJ’s 1 rated Ballyowen
-2 luxury spas – Reflections and Elements, voted in top 100 Spas of America
-135,000 bottle wine cellar of Restaurant Latour (“Excellent” – The New York Times; 4 stars –
The Star Ledger; Grand Award winner since 2006 – Wine Spectator)
-10,000 sq. ft Tropical Biosphere Pool Complex at Grand Cascades Lodge and multiple
indoor/outdoor nature pools throughout the resort
-The exciting Adventure Center, featuring archery, hiking, canoeing, fishing, kayaking,
paddle boarding, water trampoline and lounges, and horseback riding in a mountaintop
setting with pristine lake

Photo via Crystal Springs

Spa
For the widest selection of treatments and appointment times, we recommend reserving your spa services at least two weeks prior to your visit. Please allow additional notice when booking for groups, holidays and weekends. Special packages and arrangements can be made for wedding parties and baby showers. If your rate plan indicates you have a Reflections Spa & Stay or a Girlfriends’ Getaway package, $130 is allocated per adult. If your rate plan indicates you have an Elements Spa & Stay, $110 is allocated per adult. If you book additional treatments or upgrade your treatment, you will be responsible for the difference.

Golf
Tee times may be booked as far in advance as desired for the current golf season. Tee times are subject to change if there is a conflict with an outing or event. Modifications to course, date, day and tee time may affect your package pricing. Vouchers must be obtained from the hotel front desk prior to checking in at the golf course.

Enhance Your Stay

Room upgrades starting at $40
Late Check-Out $50
Add an amenity basket – such as chocolate covered strawberries, bottle of wine, etc
Add a spa treatment
Add a round of Golf or FootGolf
Add ski tickets, snowtubing, waterpark or bikepark – depending on the season

To add any of these enhancements, call 855.665.7800; or inquire at the Front Desk.

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Minerals Sports Club
Minerals Sports Club usage is included with your stay. Be advised that there are specific policies/hours and prohibited uses for children under 18 years of age. Please call 855.665.7800 X2 for questions or details.

Dining At The Resorts at Crystal Springs
For your dining pleasure, we offer 12 unique restaurants, bistros, pubs, and cafes. Your dining experiences at the Resort will make for delicious memories. It is strongly recommended that reservations for dining be made in advance to ensure availability. For dining reservations call 855.665.7800.

Golf At The Resorts at Crystal Springs
The Resort offers an unparalleled golf experience within the Garden State. No other resort in the Northeast has seven award-winning golf courses, all located within a five-mile radius. Tee times for Resort guests can be made in advance by calling 855.665.7800.

Area Attractions
Discover a world of fun-filled family entertainment near The Resorts at Crystal Springs.

Call and book your stay now, it is the perfect alternative to a family staycation.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, NJ, travel

Airplanes and Ear Pain

July 6, 2015 by Samantha 4 Comments

There are plenty of things to love about air travel. Looking down through the clouds at the toy-sized cars and people rarely gets old. Those elf-sized packs of peanuts and pretzels and the tiny cups of soda have an oddly childlike charm. And at the end of the day, you’re hurtling through the air at 30,000 miles above the ground—what part of that isn’t exciting?

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A first-class or even an exit-row seat will buy you some additional legroom, but unfortunately every seat carries the same risk of experiencing the unpleasant ear pain and popping that commonly happens during air travel. In most cases, the pressure and pain you feel is mercifully brief. Odds are your hearing will return to its usual levels just a few minutes after the plane lands. It’s rare to sustain permanent hearing loss as a direct result of a flight.

Just where does this popping and pain come from? And, more importantly, is there anything you can do to prevent it?

What Causes the Pain and Popping?

The ear problems you experience when you fly are caused by an imbalance between the air pressure in your middle ear and that of the air around you. This is especially true during takeoff and landing, when the air pressure in the cabin is rapidly changing, oddly enough, to keep you comfortable. When the pressure is lowered during takeoff, your eardrum begins to swell outward like a rising loaf of bread. The reverse happens when the pressure is raised during landing, causing your eardrum to get sucked inward. In both of these cases, the imbalance leads to the muffled hearing and uncomfortable pain and pressure.

Open Your Eustachian Tubes to Equalize the Pressure

The key to remedying this uncomfortable situation is to open your eustachian tubes in order to equalize the pressure. Less than an inch and a half long, these tiny tubes allow small volumes of air to enter or exit your middle ear. Here are a few simple ways to make this happen:

Yawn a lot. Yawning is actually “contagious” so you may even be helping out the passengers around you.
Swallowing is one of the easiest ways to open up the tubes and neutralize the pressure. To stimulate your mouth to make more saliva, gum chewing is often recommended. For infants, nursing, bottle-feeding or sucking on a pacifier can help. Older children can suck on lollipops or hard candy.
Adults can also try a technique known as the Valsalva maneuver. Take a deep breath, then close your mouth and pinch your nose shut. Try to force air out until your ears pop. This is not recommended if you have a cold or allergies, since it could lead to additional complications. Instead, you can try the Toynbee maneuver, in which you close your mouth and nose and swallow a few times until the pressure equalizes.

Tips to Help Prevent Ear Pain

Everyone is different, so try a few of these to see what works best for you:

Avoid sleeping during takeoff or landing—for many people this won’t be a problem!
Stay hydrated during the flight by drinking fluids frequently. Ask for more water if you need it.
Try wearing earplugs specifically designed for equalizing in-flight pressure.
Use nasal spray an hour before landing. But be aware that over-use of these products can actually lead to greater congestion making it harder for your Eustachian tubes to do their job.
Along those lines, a decongestant tablet before or after the flight may also be helpful as long as its use is approved by your doctor.

Ear pain and pressure are definitely not the travel companions you want to have. Keep them at bay with these tips. And if you wake up on the day of your trip with a sinus infection, cold or allergy attack, consider rescheduling your flight. When your sinuses are severely blocked your chances of serious ear damage rise considerably.

If you’re worried about your ears, or are concerned you may be suffering from hearing loss, it may be worth having them checked. The experts at Miracle-Ear offer free hearing evaluations at more than 1,200 locations across the country.

Filed Under: parenting Tagged With: travel

The Algonquin Resort in New Brunswick

July 2, 2015 by Samantha 8 Comments

The summer can be the most exhausting time of the year. Figuring out what to do with the kids, the heat, planning your holiday- you can wear yourself out just thinking about it, and I haven’t even mentioned the events yet. It seems like there are always a million things to do, so many places to shuttle off to, and never enough time to do it all. When you need a break, you want to go to a place where your days were carefree and relaxed, sprinkled with fun and one of a kind adventures. Of course, I am talking about The Algonquin Resort.

20140820_152600 This resort is amazing. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and will help take care of everything for you. Not only is the resort elegant and historical, but they offer amazing perks to make your stay as carefree as possible. You have the option to hit the greens, go to the spa, take in a game of tennis, and enjoy the indoor or outdoor pools. Then retire to your room, where you will enjoy a historical look and modern conveniences. Some of the rooms offer panoramic views of the picturesque Passamaquoddy Bay, which is lovely.

In addition to offering lovely rooms and a true feeling of luxury, the variety of experiences available for guests offers something for everyone, the kids, the golfers, the lovers and the adventure seekers. The food at the resort is top notch, with several restaurants to choose from, as well as buffet style options. Children’s menus are available as well, although I always reccomend you have your kids try something fun and new while traveling. Why not experience new food while in a new place?

The spa offered so many more services than other resorts I have visited- from make up to hair, hands and feet, massages and so much more. You can truly enjoy a day of complete pampering at The Spa at The Algonquin Resort. The rooms are also perfect for relaxing- quiet, dark when you want them to be, and spacious. There are kitchen areas with refrigerators, counter tops, a separate eating area, microwaves, and more, making eating in while on vacation an easy option.

If you feel like a getaway is in order to refresh your spirit for the new year, The Algonquin Resort located in New Brunswick’s charming town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea, is absolutely a lovely place to go to relax and unwind or discover a fantastic adventure. Hang out in the resort, then go exploring in the town. There are some fun and unique things to do with your family that you won’t want to miss, like whale watching in the Bay of Fundy on the the Jolly Breeze and vising the at Kingsbrae Garden. Make sure you scheduled time for lunch there- you will get a fun surprise! Alpacas come and eat on the field just feet away from the tables. (Far enough so it’s not weird, close enough so it’s fun.)