Tag Archives: deck

10 Ways to Save on Your Next Trip to Hawaii

Last year, my then six-old daughter celebrated her 12th visit to Hawaii. However, to her, the Aloha State is more than just a top tourist destination, it’s also home to grandma, grandpa, and a huge network of aunts, uncles and cousins. I kid that she would have been marking trip number 20 if it weren’t so dang expensive to fly from Wisconsin to Hilo. Fortunately, once we land in the “Land of Aloha” we score free room and board. Bottom line: traveling to Hawaii is not cheap. However, there are ways you can save on your next vacation there provided … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits For Special Needs Travelers

There’s nothing more relaxing than retreating to the woods for some R&R. Especially when a cool breeze sweeps over you as you gaze at a colorful vista of wildflowers bordered by deep green vegetation. Our country’s park system gives us the opportunity to soak in all that nature has to offer, but what if you are wheelchair bound? How do you navigate the windy trails that lace up and down areas such as Vermont’s picturesque Green Mountains? These days it is much easier. A specialized trail there makes the park’s picture-perfect settings much easier to access for visitors with physical … Continue reading →

Cranberry Madness In Massachusetts

Did you know 27% of the world’s cranberries come from Massachusetts? It’s not exactly the best-known statistic around, but it’s a fact residents of the state are proud of nonetheless. The cranberry industry is Massachusetts’ number one agricultural crop, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. What’s more, leaders of the growers association maintain that Massachusetts is where the cranberry industry was born. Which means if you plan to visit the area during harvest season you are in for a real treat. In the early autumn months the New England state best known for its ties to American history … Continue reading →

International Disney Deals

A little while ago I gave you information on special discounts being offered at Disney World and Disneyland. Now I’ve come back with similar deals made available for two of Disney’s international parks. If you’re making a trip to Disneyland Paris anytime soon, you might want to consider some of these special packages. Depending on when you’re booking your trip, you have a chance to receive a free day and night at one of the resort’s hotels, either 6 days and 5 nights for the price of 5 and 4, or 5 days and 4 nights for the price of … Continue reading →

A Week Without Daddy

My husband used to travel a lot for his job. Since we became parents he has not had to travel as much. However, he has been away from home for the past week. I have traveled with my toddler daughter Jessie three times. When Jessie is at Grandma and Grandpa’s house she’s too involved in acclimating to notice that Daddy’s missing. It probably helps that she hasn’t seen her dad at my parents’ house and doesn’t associate him with there. We dropped Daddy off at the airport on Sunday. She was acting up all day preceding the drive. She knew … Continue reading →

Planning Your Vacation Around the Oil Spill

The other day, I told my husband we should go to the beach here in Jacksonville, N.C. He agreed, saying that we should go before the oil gets here. Sadly, he was only half joking. Many Gulf tourist destinations are seeing oil in the water and on the beaches. Florida’s Emerald Coast seems to be holding up to its name, at least for now. While the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau said that some small pieces of tar turned up on the Henderson Beach State Park last weekend, they were easily removed and no more oil has been seen. … Continue reading →

What Are Your Summer Vacation Plans?

Are you planning to take the kids to Disney World or are you opting to travel to Hawaii or the Bahamas with just your spouse? Has the slumping economy forced you to stay closer to home, or is this the summer you finally take your dream European vacation? According to a new American Express survey, the family vacation is alive and well, and the current economy is not putting the brakes on summer travel plans. So, where do you stack up against survey respondents? According to the study, more than half of 2,000 adults questioned will be traveling with their … Continue reading →

Single Parent Travel: Camps Designed for Single Parents

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In a previous post, I talked about planning a vacation as a single parent. This post discusses some of the many places that offer vacations that have been designed for single parents and their children. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is located in Highland, New York, about 90 minutes north of New York City. The 2010 weekend-long single parent camp takes place during mid-November, and starts at $615 (the cost of one adult and one child). The cost includes amenities and activities, including horseback riding, swimming, childcare, hayrides, talent shows, line dancing, bonfires, fitness center, and more. … Continue reading →

Single Parent Travel: Planning a Vacation on a Budget

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So you want to take a vacation with just you and your kid(s)? The first question you need to ask yourself is where you will go. Do you want to visit the beach? A major historical attraction? A city? Are in interested in going on a trip that is just for single parents? Will you be traveling near or far? If you’re like me, a major factor in deciding where you will vacation is dependent upon your budget. As single parents, we often do not have a lot of “extra” money for things like vacations to exotic locations. We are … Continue reading →

Ways to Save on Summer Road Trips

How much are you planning to spend on your family’s summer vacation? A recent survey found that the average American family (consisting of two adults and two children) plans to spend between $1,000 and $3,000 on upcoming summer trips. That’s a lot of money in my book. If you are keeping a close eye on your budget, but still want to treat the kids to a memorable summer road trip, then consider the following tips to stretch your vacation dollars: Stay in State: I’m not suggesting driving to the edge of town and pitching a tent to save some dough, … Continue reading →