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Exploring wines in the Piemonte wine region of Italy
Contributing Writer

Putting Piedmont Wine in Perspective

I’ve been exploring the process of becoming a certified sommelier, not because I need it but because I LOVE learning about wine, the regions and different methods used to create such an important piece of so many cultures. Not to mention, I would REALLY enjoy my homework. But, you don’t have to take a “class”

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November 4, 2014
25 travel hacks every parents should know and use
Family Vacation

25 Travel Hacks Every Parent Should Know (& use)

How do you pack for two kids and yourself in one carry-on? And should you take a stroller and a car seat? Traveling with kids can be hard. Ok, it can be exhausting and expensive but, it’s worth it…especially when you have a few travel hacks up your sleeve. Over the last six years I’ve

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October 28, 2014
things to do in munich - five lakes area
Contributing Writer

Things to do in Munich: 4 Perfect Day Trips

By Laszlo Rozsas, Contributing Writer Have you been to Munich? Have you explored the area around Bavaria’s largest city – picturesque views and historical sights, boasting some of the world’s most visually recognizable castles?  Laszlo Rozsas has shared this guest post with CarpeTravel noting four must see places that make for the perfect Munich day

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September 13, 2014
NH Santo Stefano
Check-In

Check-in: NH Santo Stefano in Turin, Italy

I think Turin is one of my new favorite cities in Italy… We only had a day to spend here but were able to see and do so much in just a short period of time, mainly because our hotel – NH Santo Stefano – was perfectly situated in the city. If you’re heading to

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September 11, 2014
things to do in steamboat springs besides skiing
Colorado

11 Things to do in Steamboat Springs…Besides Skiing

There’s more to Steamboat Springs than being a winter destination for skiing, although that is a top activity on my list… But activities thrive year round and you only need to take stock in order to see all the things there are to experience in Steamboat Springs. Following is a list of the top things

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September 10, 2014
Hotel Prince De Galles bedroom view
Check-In

Check-in: Hotel Prince De Galles in Menton, France

On our recent visit to the the French Riviera, we visited the town of Menton and stayed at Hotel Prince De Galles much to the thanks of the reviews on TripAdvisor and ratings on American Express Travel – two of my go-to resources when booking hotels. There were a few things the reviews didn’t share though,

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September 2, 2014
downtown menton france
France

The French Riviera: A Short Guide to Menton

Located on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border Menton has been nicknamed “The Pearl of France” and it’s very apparent as to why. Nestled in between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Menton provides a slower pace to life all while giving its visitors much of the wonders its neighboring towns – Nice, Monaco, Monte

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September 1, 2014
hotel glenwood springs
Check-In

Check-In: Hotel Glenwood Springs

This summer the family did a little Road Trippin’ in Colorado with Glenwood Springs being one of the stops. With it being named “America’s Most Fun Small Town”, how could we pass it by?!? There are several hotels in Glenwood Springs to choose from, however all you luxury travelers take note – none of the

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August 13, 2014
National Pina Colada Day
Puerto Rico

Happy National Piña Colada Day!

Did you know today is National Piña Colada Day? When I visited San Juan, Puerto Rico my family stayed at the Caribe Hilton hotel. Upon doing my research I realized a bartender at THIS hotel was responsible for creating the infamous Piña Colada. Apparently Ramón ‘Monchito’ Marrero Pérez is said to have made the FIRST

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July 10, 2014
July 4th Photo Essays

The Fourth of July Photo Essay: Celebrating Independence Day

The immigration officer stood up from his desk, waved us forward yelling, “NEXT!” The Husband handed him our two blue passports, a stack of papers and Princess Two’s red, Russian passport. The two blue passports were opened, checked and set aside. He turned to the red passport, it was opened and held with one hand

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June 30, 2014
YMCA of the Rockies
Check-In

Check-In: YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center

When I think of the YMCA, I tend to think of Carolina, my spin instructor who likes to push me to my limits every week. I have never thought of the YMCA as a vacation destination, until now… Living in Denver, I’ve made my way to Estes Park on several occasions to hike, fish and

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June 16, 2014
California

Check-In: Sand Castle Inn Seaside CA

The few motels I’ve stayed in have not been somewhere I could shower without wearing flip-flops. Think Spring Break, college, $25 and five people sharing a room. I’m past that stage in my life…and prefer to stay in higher-end places. With that said, on a recent press trip to Monterey County in California we stayed

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June 9, 2014
rose wine to try this summer
Contributing Writer

The Wines of Summer: Three Rose Wines to Drink this Summer

There is a lightness to the summer breeze as friends and family gather outdoors. There is a lovely fragrance of flowers and budding fruits in the air as the earth gives forth it’s bounty under the steady gaze of the smiling summer sun.  Whether indoors or out, the perfect summer Rose wine can add so

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May 28, 2014
SteinbeckCenter
California

The Steinbeck Center Celebrates 75 Years

I read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck back in high school, have you read it? Seen the movie? It’s a classic tale – and Pulitzer Prize winner – that’s set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Most of us can probably relate to many of the same challenges people in the book were

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April 14, 2014
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Colorado

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

No running. No jumping. And keep your hands to yourself. Three rules that don’t usually go well with kids. Or so I thought when we were given a short introduction by staffers at The Wild Animal Sanctuary. I’ve visited countless zoos and driven through different types of animal parks but never have I visited a

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March 27, 2014
Reviews

Review of the RideSafer Travel Vest for Kids

I don’t like to lie to my kids, and I rarely if ever do. So, when we grabbed a taxi cab during a trip to Florida and had to ask Princess Two to “pretend” to be five-years-old, when she was only four, we were in that gray area. A very gray area that she couldn’t

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March 3, 2014
Family Vacation

Things to do in Beaumont TX: Gator Country

Imagine a teacher looking outside the window at the playground before recess to check the weather and instead of seeing cumulonimbus or cirrus clouds she sees an alligator. A REALLY BIG GATOR. Who’s she gonna call? Gator 911. Yes, it’s not a joke, there really is a Gator 911 and this really happened, or so

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February 19, 2014
wine

Wine on a Plane: World’s Best In-Flight Wine Lists

Did you know airlines are judged on their inflight wine selections? I didn’t but I do love having wine on a plane. Not only are they “judged” on the wine selections but they’re given an award for their list of wine. The annual Business Traveller’s Cellars in the Sky awards, which recognizes the best business and

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February 12, 2014
Is Playa del Carmen Safe
Family Vacation

Things to do in Cozumel with Kids: Chankanaab Park

I’ve been to Cozumel in Mexico a few times, but this past Thanksgiving marked the first time I’d traveled there with with kids. In other words, no Senor Frogs or lazy day at beach with a bucket of Corona – we needed to find things to do in Cozumel with kids. Enter Chankanaab Park. The park

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January 5, 2014
Elk Cove Vineyard Oregon wine country
Interview with a Winemaker

A Winemakers Tale: Adam Campbell, Elk Cove Vineyards

Welcome to this month’s edition of A Winemakers Tale where I feature interviews with winemakers from different wine regions around the world. Seeing as I’m still feeding (or rather sipping) my mild obsession with Oregon wine country I have discovered yet another AMAZING Pinot Noir to grace my dinner table. It seemed only fitting to try and interview its

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November 13, 2013
Interview with a Winemaker

A Winemakers Tale: Alexandrine Roy, Winemaker for Phelps Creek Vineyards & Domaine Marc Roy

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are two of my favorite summer wines. This summer I discovered two new favorites from Phelps Creek Vineyards in the Oregon wine country. I  recently had the privilege to interview its winemaker, Alexandrine Roy who brings a bit of old world to new world winemaking. Alexandrine is a fourth-generation winemaker at Domaine Marc Roy in the village of

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October 29, 2013