Pros/Cons of Staying in a Hotel on Vacation

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:

PROS OF STAYING IN A HOTEL:

NO COOKING

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.

HOUSEKEEPING

 A week of not making beds or vacuuming sounds like heaven to me.  Leave the housekeepers a big fat tip because they deserve it.

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Finding the Fun in Winter

Finding the Fun in Winter

 

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:

 

SNOW SHOEING

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!

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10 Reasons to Attend the Travel & Adventure Show in Boston

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.

 Here are 10 reasons to attend the Boston Travel & Adventure Show

EXPLORE OVER 200 DESTINATIONS

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.

TALK TO TRAVEL EXPERTS

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.

WORKSHOPS

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)

TRAVEL CELEBRITIES

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Top Things To Do in Obidos Portugal

Obidos is one of the most charming towns I have ever been to and I could have daydreams of myself living there for a month… spending my afternoons hanging laundry on my clothesline while talking to the local elderly ladies and gossiping about the town.  When my mind starts drifting, I imagine living in a small town like this where everyone knows each other and old traditions are used today.  Need more proof that this town is amazing?  Consider this: In the 13th century, Queen Isabel visited this town and fell so in love with it that her husband, King Denis I, gave it to her.  That’s right…he gave her the actual town. (Good luck topping that gift Buddy!)  Although it is good for a day trip, there is nothing like being here after the crowds have left.  That’s when the magic happens. 

Here are my top 10 things to do in Obidos:

 

Romantic Weekend in Napa Itinerary

Napa vineyard

Planning some trips are a piece of cake because there are obvious attractions you go to, but I’ve got to admit that planning a weekend in Napa was pretty tricky.  With over 400 wineries in Napa, everyone had an opinion of which one you should go to. I started to stress because I didn’t want to miss out, but I finally told myself that missing some good wineries would give me the perfect excuse to go back.  Here is my Romantic Weekend in Napa Itinerary. Cheers!

Where do you fly in?

The best place to fly in is Oakland International Airport, 50 miles south. & San Francisco International Airport, 55 miles south.

Napa County Airport is the closest airport to Napa.

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

DAY 1

After spending a lovely night in San Francisco at the Hotel Zetta (Read all about our stay here), we took an Uber up to Napa.

We checked into the fabulous Hotel Archer, located right in downtown Napa.  The Archer is located within walking distance to over 20 tasting rooms, cute boutiques, and trendy restaurants.  As soon as we walked through the doors, I knew we made a good hotel choice!

lobby of Archer Hotel
Photo credit: Archer Hotel

We couldn’t be happier with our room selection!

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Blog Collaboration on HuffPost

Hey everyone!  Check out this HuffPost article written by Caroline Bologna, that I contributed to.

How to Travel with Friends on Different Budgets

Enjoy!!!

5 Best Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids

Photo Credit: Kimberly of Stuffed Suitcases

Last Christmas, we decided to leave our freezing town in New England and head to the gorgeous island of Jamaica.  It was the perfect place to have some fun in the sun and create some memories together.  The island has powder white sand and crystal-clear water. The best thing about the island are the wonderful, kind locals that want to share their love of Jamaica with you.  So, what can you do with your family while you’re there? Here are five of the best things to do with kids in Jamaica.

Mystic Mountain

This outdoor park offers families the chance to do a few different adventures while visiting. All guests start their adventure with a ride 700 feet up the mountain aboard the sky explorer chair lift. Along the way you’ll coast over a forest and get a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea and the Ocho Rios cruise port.

 

One of the most popular attractions on the mountain is the bobsled. You’ll sit into a specially made bobsled and hold on as it plunges through 3280 feet of twists and turns down the mountain. Head back up the mountain to try out the zipline tour that sends you flying along five ziplines through the forest. Keep in mind that kids need to be 48 inches tall for the bobsleds and 6 years old for the ziplines.

At the top of the mountain kids can tackle the new ropes course, Annancy’s Web, or try to climb to the top of Reggae Rock. And if you’re looking for some relaxation, they have an infinity pool and waterslide, that look out over the sea and Ocho Rios.  It is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation!

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Exploring the Gothic Quarters in Barcelona

My absolute favorite thing we did in Barcelona, Spain, was exploring the Gothic Quarters.  The architecture and ambiance will make you feel transported back in time. As you stroll through the maze of cobblestone streets, stop to do some shopping, have a cocktail, eat some tapas, and of course…people watching!  It is an absolute must when visiting the city and have your camera out because there are endless photo opportunities!

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10 Tips for Visiting La Boqueria in Barcelona

mytravelingkids.com

If you want a delicious place to learn about the culture and cuisine of Barcelona, head on over to the famous La Boqueria, located off Las Ramblas, and be prepared for all your senses to go into overdrive! As you pass through the iron entrance, you will head into a world full of tempting aromas, colorful treats, and mouthwatering sights.  I would recommend coming with an empty stomach because there is lots to experience.  I admit that it can be a bit overwhelming, so here are 10 tips for visiting La Boqueria.

GET AN EARLY START

The market draws a crowd every day, so if possible, head there early to avoid the mobs of tourists that show up at around 11:00.  The market is open from 8:00 am until 8:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.  It is closed on Sundays.  Some people suggest going later in the day, but I think the vendors are sometimes too busy cleaning up and putting things away that they will not pay much attention to you.  Early morning is best!

LOOK FOR THE BEST PRICE

Don’t buy the first thing you see.  Lots of vendors sell the same items and there can be a big price difference.  Walk around the market and look for the best quality and the best value before buying something.

DON’T SHOP AT THE FRONT OF THE MARKET

Vendors at the front of the market have a higher rent than those in the back, so they will most likely sell their food at a higher price.  Head deeper inside to find a good deal.

BE POLITE TO VENDORS

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Tips About the Cabaret at the Barcelona Edition

One of the best meals we had in Spain was at the Cabaret show at the Barcelona Edition.  This was such a unique way to spend the night eating delicious local cuisine and drinking cava while watching some talented dancers. This sexy show is perfect for a romantic night out!  Read on for tips about the Cabaret Show at the Barcelona Edition, in Spain.

TAKE A PEEK INTO THIS ROMANTIC RESTAURANT…

The Cabaret restaurant is tucked away on the basement floor, and feels like no other restaurant I’ve ever been in.

Dim lighting sets the mood and dark red velvet curtains hang throughout the room and drape around the bar.

THE CHEF’S TASTING MENU IS A MUST!

We had the Chef’s Tasting Menu (100 EUR per person) that consisted of about a 10-course meal (I lost count after a while…lol).

Take a peek at this amazing meal…

mytravelingkids.com

 

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