We continued our day trip to Naples, Florida with a trip to the Naples Botanical Garden.  The easy 45-minute drive from Fort Myers Beach made it a good destination and we had such a fun time that we can’t wait to go back.  This large garden consists of 170 acres open to the public daily.  Often on vacation we spend too much time running around from attraction to attraction that we don’t stop to take a breath, looks around at the beauty in nature, and just enjoy being in the moment.  The Naples Botanical Garden makes you literally ‘stop and smell the roses.’  At first I wondered if my kids might lose interest quickly, but they loved it and could have stayed longer if we had the time.  There is something for everyone here and it would be a great trip to take with multi-generations.  Here are a few of our favorite spots in the garden:

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 Since we are staying in Fort Myers Beach for the week, we decided to make a day trip to beautiful Naples, Florida and explore some fun options for families.  My girls are animal lovers so they really enjoy going to zoos.  We decided to spend the morning at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.  The zoo is immaculately clean and easy to navigate.  The staff is knowledgeable and welcoming to guests.  The exhibits encourage you to ask questions and give you tips on how you can help save the environment.  It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon.  Here are a few of our favorite moments from our day:

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It’s official…I’ve got chronic beach fever.  Symptoms include irritability towards snow piles, sadness brought on by having to wear a coat, and anxiety brought on by looking at my flip-flops just sitting in my closet. It’s a miserable condition brought on by a long winter and spring snowstorms.  Luckily, this condition can be cured through putting your toes in the sand, swimming in salt water, and drinking a cocktail before noon.  Our next trip cannot come soon enough.  For now, I’m daydreaming about our top 10 family beach trips.

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When we chose our dates for our stay at Great Wolf Lodge New England, I was disappointed that I chose a day during spring because I love being at an indoor water park while it’s snowing outside.  Well thank you Mother Nature because on the day we arrived we had a huge snowstorm brewing outside.  After a white-knuckle ride to the hotel we were greeted by a warm roaring fireplace in the main lobby and that’s when the fun began.  And see that tornado waterslide?  Yep…we rode it!

Read all about our adventures HERE!

Just when you think you’ve seen every possible layout of a hotel room, you walk into one of the three suites at the Common Man Inn and Spa, in Plymouth, NH, and you realize you haven’t seen anything!  My daughter and I had an amazing experience in our “cabin in the woods” suite.  This is one room you need to see to believe. 

Read on to experience our night away at the Common Man Inn and Spa…

Hanover Inn overlooks the picturesque Dartmouth College Green in Hanover, New Hampshire.  The inn is filled with New England charm and as soon as you walk in your stress melts away.  The Hanover Inn is a wonderful place for families, businesses, and romantic getaways.  You will be blown away by how elegant, yet welcoming, the inn will make you feel.

Click here to read all about my experience.

Check out my latest piece for the Huffington Post! It’s all about deciding whether a hotel is the right accommodation for your family while traveling.  Enjoy!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/is-a-hotel-the-right-accommodation-for-your-trip_us_589b40e1e4b02bbb1816c200

It is so nice to find someone that has travel values like your own.  Often people are nervous about family travel and apprehensive about heading to Europe instead of their yearly trip to Disney.  If you have not traveled together as a family, perhaps 2017 is the year.  Why is family travel important? Christine, from Tapped out Travellers, has a great piece where she asks several travel bloggers questions about family travel to help disseminate some valuable information regarding traveling with kids and to help dispel preconceived notions of what it is like to travel as a family.

Check out her article here!

What an amazing location for of beautiful hotel!  Located in Cambridge, MA, on the banks of the Charles, the Royal Sonesta is very close to Fenway Park and Harvard Square.  It is also conveniently located just around the corner from the Museum of Science.  This family-friendly hotel lets you explore Boston and then come back to a place where you’ll feel like you’re home.

Click here for our full review

If your family is looking for something unique to do this winter, I’ve got the perfect spot for you.  Water park, restaurants, pool, fitness center, and family friendly hotel all in one? Absolutely.  Located on the North Shore, just 19 miles from downtown Boston, the Double Tree by Hilton, Boston North Shore, features the CoCo Keys water park.  It offers a great destination for exploring the city and then heading back to the hotel for even more fun. 

Click here to read my full review of this fun destination.