One-On-One Getaways with Kids

One-On-One Getaways with Kids

 Although it is amazing to travel with my whole family, it is special to be able to sometimes only have one kiddo with me.  At first, I thought it would be odd leaving one kid behind, but it has turned out to be an amazing experience for our whole family.  These one-on-one getaways are something we both look forward to.  Here is why it’s important to have One-On-One Getaways with Kids: 

DIFFERENT INTERESTS

One of my girls is sporty and loves anything active and my other is artsy and loves a creative destination. One vacation is filled with water slides, hikes, and trampoline parks and the other with museums, plays, and bookstores. It’s nice to foster their interests without having to worry if the other is bored. 

  FORCES ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO DO STUFF

Did I really want to go back to the indoor waterpark in the morning? Of course not, but I ended up having a great time racing her down the slides. Did I really want to see that musical? Nope, but I ended up loving it and even buying the soundtrack. These trips give me a little nudge to do things I may not have done. 

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20 Tips for Attending the Women in Travel Summit

In May 2019, I attended the Women in Travel Summit in Portland, Maine, and it was an amazing new experience for me.  It was my first conference and I was a nervous wreck before I went.  As a newbie, I had tons of questions, so I decided to help answer all of them here.  I hope everyone has an AMAZING time in  Kansas City for WITS 2022!  I am dying to hear where it will be in 2023! Here are 20 tips for attending the Women in Travel Summit:

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Tips for New Travel Bloggers

binoculars and a newspaper

What I’ve Learned in 5 Years of Blogging…Tips for New Travel Bloggers

 

Blogging take A LOT of time.

It is honestly NEVER ENDING!  Just when you think you are done with a piece you start to second guess yourself and change pictures, center comments, change the title, and wonder if you should scrap the whole piece. This does not even count the times you wake up at 3 a.m. and spend an hour or two developing a new piece in your head.

Set a schedule

You wouldn’t walk around blindly at a regular job, so why should blogging be any different? I find I get much more accomplished when I created “days” in my week.  For example, here’s a peek at how I run my week:
Monday: “Planning Day”  Start planning out next blog post and promote the one that just came out.
Tuesday: “Writing Day” Write my blog, edit, and work on SEO.
Wednesday: “Pinterest Day” I schedule posts on Tailwind, create new pins, etc. It is also “Picture Day” where I take pictures and videos.
Thursday:  “Instagram Day” where I schedule pictures, research hashtags, etc.
Friday: “Catch Up Day” Answer all emails, work on fixing/improving things on my blog. I research info for my next blog piece.

Instagram is your best friend

Before blogging I only used Instagram to share pictures with family and friends.  To be honest, I never used a hashtag in my life!  I never knew how instrumental it would be in promoting my blog. You’d be surprised how important Instagram is to hotels and attractions.  It is also a great source of inspiration. (more…)

March 2022 Product Roundup

spring montage of tulips, flower seeds

As we move into spring and say goodbye to the long dark days of winter, it is a perfect time for reassessing your self-care routines and make some more quality time for yourself. Get outside for a refreshing walk, spend a little more time in the tub, and get back to your night-time face routine. Enjoy this March 2022 Product Roundup and have a wonderful beginning of spring!

Two Sisters

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

A pyramid of Bath bombs

As you know, I am a huge fan of self-care and I love that Two Sisters believe moms are at their best when they take the time to care for both their kiddos and themselves. I couldn’t agree more! Their bath bombs create luxurious bubble bath experiences (just make sure you drop it in as you start filling your bath).  They smell incredible and kids love the surprises inside of them.  They leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated and not oily. I love to support companies owned by women and I love that their bath bombs are handmade in small batches by flex-working moms in the USA, in their home state of Minnesota!

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

Oatmeal Milk & Honey Bubble Bath Bombs $7.99

Bath bombs

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Itinerary for Nassau Bahamas

beach in Bahamas

Bahamas is a gorgeous Caribbean island that has powder-white sand, emerald water, and a tropical feel.  It’s close location to Florida makes it an easy flight. It is perfect for families, couples, girlfriend getaways, solo travelers, and couple’s trips.  Here is an itinerary for a perfect week in Nassau, Bahamas.

Where do you fly in?

The best place to fly in is

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

Day 1: Pool & Straw Market

I usually spend my first day in the Caribbean hanging out by the pool/beach of my hotel/rental.  Make yourself a cocktail and lounge in the sunshine

In the afternoon, head over to the Straw Market to take in some of the local culture. It’s a great place to buy handwoven straw crafts.  (Their baskets are amazing.) It is also a nice place to buy souvenirs.

straw market nassau bahamas

Photo Credit: Expedia

Day 2: Sandy Toes

Take a 25-minute boat ride to the island.  So, what is the best thing to do here? SWIM WITH PIGS! I was shocked at how clean the beach/water was with pigs walking around, but it was spotless.  They were so adorable and we had fun petting them.

swimming with Pigs in Bahamas

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10 Tips for Staying in Hotels with Kids

 

Staying in a hotel can be a really fun experience, however when traveling with kids.  It can also get a bit tricky.  I put a lot more thought into travel when my kids are with me because I know they require some extra thought.  Here are 10 tips for staying in hotels with kids:

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10 Tips For Traveling to St. Lucia

IMG_9934

 

Although St. Lucia is often thought of as a honeymoon destination, it is a wonderful island to bring kids.  With a little planning, the entire family can spend a fun-filled vacation doing things that everyone can enjoy.

 Here are 10 tips for traveling to St. Lucia:

Where do you fly in?

The best place to fly in is Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort (UVF)

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

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Cascais, Portugal Rental Apartment

We stayed in such a breathtaking rental apartment when we were in Cascais, Portugal that I have to share to with you.  Here’s a peek at our apartment in Cascais, Portugal…

LOCATION

The apartment is located in a beautiful historic building within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and attractions.  It is beachfront and it has the most ridiculous views!

Let me show you around the house.  First of all…

THE TERRACE


Read all about our stay…


Top 10 Things To Do in Cascais, Portugal

Beach area in Cascais Portugal

Two years ago we had our last family vacation before the pandemic had us shelter in our homes.  It was the most amazing trip to Portugal. We began our trip in one of my favorite towns…Cascais. Cascais, Portugal, is a pristine beach town located 30 minutes from Lisbon.  The town’s main focus is…of course…its beaches.  If you follow the crowd, most likely they will be headed towards the water.  The locals are pleasant and want to share their town with you, so take some time to people watch, eat some local fish, and enjoy this stunning coastal town. So now…onto my favorite things to do in Cascais, Portugal.

Here are my 10 favorite things to do in Cascais:

Boca do Inferno

A beautiful 20-minute walk from the center of town are the cliffs of Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell).  Stare in awe at the aggressive beauty of the ocean against these cliffs.  On calmer days you will see men fishing from the rocks. It is fun to see them professionally avoiding the huge waves.  There is a visitor’s platform and they say the best time to visit is at sunset.  I think it would be amazing to watch it when the ocean is rough. There are a few café’s there, and it’s a great place to get a gelato.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING…


February 2022 Product Roundup

bluebird in winter

Winter is in full swing here in NH and I’m having a Love-Hate relationship with my snow pants!   However, it’s hard to hate winter when you look out at the snow-covered mountains and hear your family laughing as we play outside.  Once again Mother Nature…you win.  I’ve kept up my New Year’s Resolution of daily self-care, and I wanted to share some amazing products I’ve been using.  First up are 4 fabulous essential oils companies.  I’ve never been so happy to smell again! Then, I’ve got an amazing chocolate company that helped me make Valentine’s Day memories with my husband.  And finally, a great company with skincare products! Enjoy the February 2022 Product Roundup!

Revive

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

essential oil diffuser

REVIVE Oasis Ultrasonic Diffuser, Mist Humidifier, And Ionizer

$40

essential oil diffuser

This diffuser is so easy to use and I haven’t had any problems with water leaking out.  The mist humidifier is wonderful, especially these winter days in NH.  What I love most is the diffuser will only work if there is water in it so I don’t have to worry about it running while dry.  The light feature is also nice for adding ambiance to the room. I have it placed on my desk so I use it every day.

Peppermint Glow Roll-On

$16

essential oil

I wish you could smell this roll-on because it immediately makes you wake up with it’s burst of peppermint scent. I keep it in my car for that afternoon pick-me-up that I need while running errands with the kids.  Also, if you apply it to the back of your neck it helps reduce tension.

Revive has wonderful single essential oils.  We were sent:

Eucalyptus ($7) and Lavender ($9)

essential oil

They recommend preparing a mixture using fractioned coconut oil and eucalyptus and apply it to the chest, back, nape, and soles of the feet to support lung health. This will be wonderful when our family feels sick or when allergies are bad.

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