I start to get giddy from the second I begin planning a trip and the closer it get the more excited I get. However, it sometimes takes a bit of nudging to get the kids to show a little enthusiasm.
Here are 10 ways to get your kids excited about your next trip:
Photo credit: Wentworth by the Sea
6 months ago, my sweet family gave me a spa getaway to the Wentworth by the Sea, in Newcastle, NH, and I finally decided to pack my bags and go. There’s no place that relaxes me more than being on the seacoast, and I was excited to breathe in the ocean air and recharge. Spa…restaurants…and an amazing view!!
Some vacations entail running from attraction to attraction, which result in coming home exhausted, sleep deprived, and regretful of all the junk I ate. However, some vacations are meant for relaxation, taking the time to recharge, and an indulgence in self-care. Sure, it would be great to fly to Arizona to spend the night at a wellness resort, but that may not be realistic. With some creativity, you can turn any hotel stay into a wellness retreat.
Nothing relaxes me more than some pampering, so I try to find a hotel that has its own spa. I like spas that offers unique treatments I haven’t tried before. I love when they use local ingredients like blueberry massage oil when staying in Maine and salt scrubs when staying near the ocean. Book yourself a soothing treatment or two.
Photo credit: Barcelona Edition
Day 2
Day 1 was a perfect introduction to Barcelona, Spain, so I couldn’t wait to explore the city more today.
Day 2 started off was a trip PARK GUELL. If you’re looking for a place to truly see the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish architect and an overall hero in Barcelona, Park Gϋell is the place you’ll want to be. (Read our full review of the park here.)
From there you can walk to the ARC DE TRIUMF. Take some pictures and admire the architecture of this beautiful entrance to the park.
Walk through the park and watch the street performers and artists. Cross the street and enter the PARK DE LA CIUTADELLA. Enjoy the beauty of the park and find the famous fountain.
Since it’s time for some lunch, it’s also time to walk around the GOTHIC QUARTERS. This section of town is filled with historic buildings and mazes of adorable streets. Find somewhere that serves lunch outside and have some sangria. After lunch, keep walking around stopping for a cocktail, some gelato, or souvenir shopping. It is the best place to people watch. (Read my full review here!)
In the Gothic Quarters, head toward the CATHEDRAL OF BARCELONA. There is often street performers and musicians playing in the square. Take a peek inside the church.
Next, take a short walk to see the PONTE DEL BISBE. You need to get a picture of this beautiful archway.
This would be a good time to head back to the Hotel Barcelona (if you’re staying there). Have a rest or go up to the rooftop to read, relax, have a swim, or drink a cocktail.
Dinners is at EUSKAL ETXEA. At this authentic tapas restaurant, you can eat as many tapas as you’d like and at the end of your meal, they will count up the toothpicks to see how much you owe. It’s a great way to try new tapas.
After dinner, head over to the PALAU DALMASES FLAMENCO SHOW. Watch some amazing musicians, singers, and dancers put on a passionate show. (Read my full review here!)
On the way home, stop for a drink in a local pub. Still hungry? Find a place with outdoor seating and share some paella.
I was so excited to join my husband on a trip to Barcelona, Spain, to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary, even if we would only be there for a few days. Here is my itinerary of how we spent two days on a romantic (kid-free) trip to Barcelona: Cheers!
The best place to fly in is Barcelona International Airport
CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT
DAY 1
After getting a good night’s sleep at our hotel, the Barcelona Edition (Read a full review of our stay here), we were ready to get out and explore the city.
The Barcelona Edition is the perfect location for exploring the city and it has some amazing features…I’ll talk more about those later.
Ok…time to get moving!
First stop of the day was to the SAGRADA FAMILIA. One name you will hear repeated throughout your visit in Barcelona, is of the Catalonian architect, Antoni Gaudi. He is a hero in these parts and after taking one look at his creations, you’ll see why. Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic church, is one of Gaudi’s most famous creations. It is hands-down the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen. (Read my full review here!)
The choice between hotel and all-inclusive is a hard one. Some people see the prices and wonder if it’s really worth it. What draws so many people towards this option?
After a few long, whiny, nights full of crying and fussing…and that was me, not the kids…we started renting condos for vacations. Think a rental might be a good option for your family? Here are 10 reasons for a rental:
I don’t know about you, but the most important factor of our accommodations is my family has their own space to spread out. When we are in cramped areas we slowly turn into cornered animals that can turn on each other in a split second. It turns into a National Geographic documentary with my daughters stalking each other like prey. OK, OK…that may be pushing it…but it sure is nice to have some room. A house rental gives everyone their privacy and allows us all to choose our own schedule. My husband is a night owl so it’s great for when he wants to go in the living room to watch some TV after the kids go to bed, or allows my daughters to sleep in if I get up early.
St. Ermin’s Hotel
Where you stay can make or break your vacation. We once stayed in a hotel in NYC that placed earplugs on the nightstand because of its loud neighborhood. When planning your trip, the first decision is should you stay at a hotel, all-inclusive, or rent a place. Today we’ll focus on hotels, so let’s start by breaking down the reasons why you should or should not stay in a hotel:
YES!!! Cheers break out from moms everywhere!! Even on vacation parents do not get a vacation from being a parent. The advantage of having a hotel room is you can’t cook…not even if you wanted to! Don’t get tricked into getting a room with a kitchenette or you may as well put your apron on.
A week of not making beds or vacuuming sounds like heaven to me. Leave the housekeepers a big fat tip because they deserve it.
Before I had kids, winter meant long months of counting down the days until spring. Then these two little winter-loving girls were born. All of the sudden winter turned into months of being…dare I say it…outside! Yeah…outside…in cold, wet snow for hours at a time. All of these new items appeared in my house like hand warmers and sleds. Snow pants somehow crept their way into my wardrobe. So that’s when I decided to give in and try to find out what the heck people like about winter. After all, I live in New England so I may as well join these snow-lovers! No one was as shocked as myself to discover I actually have fun outside. My husband says the key to enjoying winter is to make sure you’re warm, and he’s right. (Don’t tell him that! Lol) With the right clothes and toys, I found so many things I loved to do out there. Here are some of my favorites:
Talk about a no-skill-needed activity! If you can walk, then you can snow shoe…it’s that easy! After a fresh snowfall there’s nothing more peaceful than walking through the woods or along the side of a frozen lake. Snow shoes are pretty inexpensive and they will last you a long time. They make great snowshoes for kids as well. It’s also good to have a nice warm hat for both adults and kids!
Boston Travel & Adventure Show
One of the questions I constantly get asked is, “Where do you think I should go next?” It’s the question that avid travelers are constantly thinking…I actually think it while I’m on a beach chair sipping a cocktail on my current vacation! If you are wondering where to have your next adventure…look no further…you’ll find your answer at the Boston Travel and Adventure Show. Located in the Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street, the second year of this show here in Boston, this show did not disappoint.
There are so many different places to travel, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down your choices. Here you can discover lots of new places that you never would have thought of. I was very intrigued by Alaska, Antigua, Azores, Miami, Africa, and Montreal. It was also nice to discover local stuff to do. I can’t wait to take the Taste of Boston food tour, take a cooking class at the Essex, and explore more of Freeport, Maine. I also was excited to find new places to visit while in Florida.
This is the perfect opportunity to talk to people who are knowledgeable on the location. Ask them questions about resorts, transportation, and what to do in the area. We are heading to Jamaica this spring and the Jamaica tourism board gave me great ideas of things to do while there. After I told him the ages of my girls, he was able to tell me which attractions I should skip and which I should definitely do. He even told me about cute beach bars they would love.
Whether you are a traveler, blogger, or travel writer, there are sessions for everyone. This year they had some exciting ones, such as:
99 Ways to Cut Your Travel Costs – Without Skimping (Russell Hannon)
The Best Travel & Packing Tips for the Ultimate Vacation (Angel Castellanos)
Travel Safe, Travel Smart, and Travel Well (Lindsay Henderson)
Heritage Travel: Walking in Your Ancestors’ Footsteps (Mickela Mallozzi)