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…
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…
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.
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.
Las Vegas is known as Sin City, but it is actually a fun place to bring teens. There is lots to do besides casinos and bars. With a little planning, Las Vegas can be a vacation for the entire family. Here is our itinerary for a weekend in Las Vegas with teens:
Honestly, I would say 2 days is long enough to explore Vegas with teens. We flew in and out of Vegas on our way to Sedona, Arizona and that was enough time.
The best place to fly into is McCarran International Airport
CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT
Fly in to Vegas. I actually love flying into Vegas because you get a beautiful aerial view of the desert and the Hoover Dam. Try to get a window seat.
Check in to your hotel. I recommend the Palazzo Towers at the Venetian Hotel. (Read our full review of the hotel here.) I recommend getting a Luxury Two Queen Suite. With a sunken living room, huge bathroom, and 2 comfortable queen beds, it is a great room.
For lunch, head down to the main pool to where you can eat outside. (The avocado toast is delicious.)
Las Vegas, Nevada
During the pandemic, my oldest daughter introduced us to the world of Marvel. Every week we would have a family movie night and she played each movie (in chronological order no less) and we grew to love the Avengers! We were so excited to visit the AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. when we were in Vegas. It did not disappoint. There was so much to see, but let me show you some of our favorite parts. Time to head inside.
To delve into the history and profiles of Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man. Your goal: To interactively assemble case files on each of the characters and move on to become qualified members of the AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. If you think you have what it takes. If you think you can be something more…
It is winter here in New Hampshire and by February I start to get a little sick of the cold. I have to admit, it sometimes takes a little urging to get me to throw on some snow pants and go outside, but I am always happy I did. We have so much fun during winter and make some great memories. It always helps to look back at our winter bucket list 2022 for inspiration. Take a peek at what we want to get done this winter.
Go snowshoeing in the fields across the street
Spa night (mani/pedi, facials, hot oil treatments)
Go ice fishing (and actually catch a fish)
Board game night
Go tubing at the mountain
Photo Credit: Venetian Hotel
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
There’s something fun about driving down the Vegas strip and seeing all those legendary hotels looming around you. As the Palazzo Hotel @ Venetian appeared in the distance it screamed Vegas!
If you live in New England and have a teen that loves theater, then Boston is the perfect destination for a getaway. Plays, musicals, bands… Boston has it all! Here is an itinerary for an amazing day in Boston with teens:
First stop is to drop off your bags at Kimpton Nine Zero hotel. This boutique hotel has it all…gorgeous rooms, elegant charm, and one of the most desirable locations in the heart of Boston. I recommend a City Skyline 2 Queen Beds room. The room has personal touches that give it historic charm while keeping modern amenities. (Check out a review of our stay!)
Look at the stunning view we had!
(Boston, Massachusetts)
As soon as you walk through the doors of the New England Aquarium, you leave the busy streets of Boston and are transported to a world under the sea. Beneath the dim lights you are surrounded by the calls of penguins and the shadows of the large fish swimming in the center tank.
Our favorite animals live outside of the aquarium and even if you choose not to go in, take some time to visit with the adorable Atlantic harbor seals. They are seriously the cutest little guys and they are so curious that they come right up to the tank to peek at you. Look at this sweet face!
(Boston, Massachusetts)
One of the things my daughters and I love to do is see a good show. My daughter’s latest favorite, Hadestown, finally came to Boston and we HAD to go. As soon as we bought tickets, I knew there was only one hotel I wanted to stay at…the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel! This hotel has it all…gorgeous rooms, elegant charm, and one of the most desirable locations in the heart of Boston. I love boutique hotels and the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel is quaint and welcoming.
Salem, Massachusetts is a fun place for a family getaway. It has it all…entertainment, history, shopping, and great restaurants. If your kids are too young for anything involving witches, there is still a ton of things to do. Here is an itinerary for A Perfect Weekend in Salem, Massachusetts.
DAY 1
Your first stop in Salem is to the House of Seven Gables. This historic home, built in 1668, is best known today as the setting of world-renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. Take a guided 45-minute group tour through this seaside home. Never read the book? Don’t worry…most visitors haven’t. It’s a wonderful way to get a glimpse of what Salem was like at that time period.
(Read all about our time HERE.)
Now it’s time to check into your home for the next 2 nights…the historic Hawthorne Hotel. Established in 1925, it is rumored to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. (Although I never saw anything spooky while I was there.) The Hawthorne is a piece of Salem’s history and it has a classy, yet welcoming, feel to it.