Vacation Unplugged: How to unplug and enjoy your vacation

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” If you’re one of the ’50% of U.S. travelers expected to leave unused vacation days on the table this year’ I’m talking to you. When I was working in an office for someone else and had two weeks of vacation to use, I used it. [...]

Guest Post: Nine Family Friendly Activities in London

I have yet to visit London but it’s on the list. So I was excited to have Laura Abrar offer to share her top family friendly activities in London as a guest a post. Do let us know in the comments what other family friendly activities in London you suggest people visit. London is one of the [...]

Proudest Travel Accomplishment: A scared little girl taught me that we can conquer the world

I was recently asked what my proudest accomplishment was that I achieved while traveling. I had never really thought about that. My first thought, getting over my fears and just traveling. I mean, that’s pretty big, right? But when I stopped to really think about it there is one instance that has given me the [...]

Being in the right place at the right time made for an unforgettable day of wine tasting in Montalcino

One of the more interesting parts of traveling and exploring a new area is getting lost. And that’s a pretty easy for me, especially in Italy. But while this little tale starts off with dead ends at every where, turning right lead us to the most perfect day of wine tasting in Montalcino… On our [...]

Four Common New Orleans Scams to Avoid

Before ever having gone to New Orleans I was schooled on how to do the city right by several locals. First, I had to increase my alcohol intake (aka increase my tolerance) so I could “hang” with the group all night. Mind you, I was in my early twenties so it was some time ago. [...]

An Ode to The Little White House…Sometimes coming “home” is the best part of traveling

Today I said goodbye to my “first love”. No, not the guy in the photo. He’s stuck with me “until death do us part”. Rather the little white house in the background. The place that taught me what home really means and that coming home really is the best part of traveling…or can be. I [...]

10 Tips on How to Get Great Service When Traveling

Ever wonder why that guy got the upgrade to First Class and you didn’t? Or why you always seem to get a hotel room next to the elevator? Sometimes there are reasons, but there is always a way you can get better service – and upgrades – when you’re traveling. Here are 10 tips on [...]

Things to do in New Orleans (where to eat, drink and listen to music)

New Orleans has become somewhat of my second home, at least in my heart. It was on my first visit to New Orleans more than a decade ago (that makes me sound sooo old!) when I realized I HAD to get out of Texas and see more of the world. I was missing so much! [...]

Creating Travel Traditions: Buying Local Art

In college I wanted to major in art history. I was so proud of myself for declaring a major when I was a freshman. That was until I told my dad. “What the H#%^ are you going to do with an art history major? I’m not wasting my money on that.” And so I changed [...]

Guest Post: Paso Robles, What’s All the Hype About?

As I started my research for an upcoming wine tasting trip to Paso Robles I discovered Matthew Liberty and his Paso Robles wine and food blog, HootnAnnieBlog. The site is filled with great insider tips for people who travel to Paso Robles. All of which I tried to absorb before heading that way last week. And [...]

10 Tips: How to Get Your Kids Ready to Ski

I have a confession. I was a bad parent this past weekend. I left my kids at home with Grammy and went skiing in Vail for an entire weekend without them. I started feeling a bit guilty skiing down Riva Ridge seeing little ones in ski class zipping along not too far in front of [...]

Literally stuck on the side of a mountain with no where to go but up…

Sometimes the worst decisions make for the best stories…such as driving from Telluride to Ouray over Imogene Pass during my past life, the one before kids. A Visit to Telluride, Imogene Pass Sitting in the hostel in Telluride, CO The Husband (really he was The Boyfriend at that time) and I were mapping out our [...]

10 Life Lessons Learned in a Bounce House

I used to love bounce houses when I was a kid so it comes as no surprise to me that the Princesses are in heaven when they have the opportunity to enter one. As a parent, I’m a bit more cautious now with bounce houses. I mean really, The Princesses are less than 40 pounds [...]

Visiting a Russian Banya

I had all but forgotten about the oak tree my grandmother told me about when I was a kid…the one her parents would pull a “switch” from when she or one of her siblings were misbehaving. That is until I myself was being beaten by oak leaves – willingly. One of the things I have [...]

We’ll call him Little E

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Until I was a parent I never really knew just how literally kids took things, or responded to things. Not to mention their honesty. They tell the God’s honest truth, good, bad, pretty and ugly. Over the last four years I’ve learned not to ask the Princesses a question I’m not really ready for. Like, [...]

10 Tips for Teaching Kids Travel Safety

At January 21, 2013
By Elaine Schoch
In Travel and Security, traveling with kids
3

Boy playing hide and seek under the clothes rack at the shop

If you are a parent or someone responsible for looking out for little people then you know the fear I’m about to describe. The one when you are at the store, you turn around to look at something for a SPLIT second, when you turn back around your kid is gone… Sheer terror. Heart stops. [...]

Traveling to Siberia. In the winter. By myself. (Gulp…)

On Sunday it will be exactly a year ago when I stepped out of the car at DIA, kissed Princess One and The Husband goodbye. As I watched them driveway, it hit me. I’m traveling to Siberia…by myself. A jolt of fear followed. Really? Siberia? In January? I had to give myself a quick pep [...]

Merry Christmas from Moscow!

Since we weren’t really allowed to post photos this time last year from our trips to Moscow, I thought it was timely and appropriate to share a few holiday photos now. Christmas in Moscow is cold – and beautiful. Red Square is light up with millions of sparking white lights that outline an outdoor ice [...]

Road Trip? A Few Driver Safety Tips to Remember

If you are one of the 84.4 million motorists are expected to travel during the Christmas holiday listen up! Share the Road, a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations released a few motorist safety tips to help avoid holiday accidents this season. I suppose they do know a thing or two about [...]

Planning family vacations based on family’s travel styles…and shoes?

Christmas vacation is right around the corner, and Spring Break is just a few months away meaning it’s time to start planning family vacations. Every family is different though, so when I was sent the following infographic, I had to share it. It’s a fun way to start mapping our your next family vacation by [...]