Tag Archives: family vacation

Make the Most of Summer Travel

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Whether you homeschool year-round or take time off during the summer months don’t let the season of sunny days fly by without a few fun lessons. Family road trips are the ideal vehicle for hands-on learning.  Rather than allow your kids to blow travel time watching movies, playing video games or annoying their siblings have them master geography using colorful flashcards or practice math facts using your vehicle’s odometer and mile markers along the highway. By involving the entire family in some interactive “car-schooling” your kids will have the states and capitals memorized in no time.  To test your children’s memory … Continue reading →

Disney Cruise Destinations for 2014

The Disney Cruise Line prides itself on adding new destinations and different trips every year.  The itineraries for 2014 are starting to be released, so let’s take a look at the new places and experiences on the ticket for next year. First up, the Disney Cruise line is adding a whole new south Caribbean cruise.  The highlight of the trip is that it’ll be heading to Puerto Rico for the first time ever.  The Disney Magic will leave from San Juan on a new 7-night south Caribbean cruise that will also visit St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, Grenada, and Antigua. … Continue reading →

Four Steps to Affording a Family Vacation

Affording a great family vacation may not be as far off as you think! Use the following four steps and start saving now. Here is how. Estimate Your Vacation Costs Take the time to sit down and do some research to determine exactly how much your family vacation is going to cost. Include air fare or travel expenses, lodging, food, souvenirs or other additional purchases, and tips. You can an idea of your travel costs by visiting travel websites, asking friends and family who have taken similar vacations, or calling a travel agent. Don’t forget to keep in mind your … Continue reading →

Maintaining Fitness Routine On Vacation

Last week my family took a trip to Washington D.C. One of the things that concerned me was having my fitness routine disrupted. I know that vacations can really set you back. One of the important things that you need to remember when taking a vacation is that the same rules apply. If you eat healthy at home you should eat healthy on vacation. If you exercise at home you should exercise on vacation. It may take some creativity to do this but for the most part, I believe it is possible. I would love to say that I followed … Continue reading →

Who is the Vacation Planner in Your Home?

Nine weeks and counting until school ends and summer vacation begins. I know this because my kindergartner recently commandeered my black Sharpie and is diligently drawing huge “Xs” on my calendar in anticipation of the end of the school year. My daughter has already created a long list of places she wants to visit this summer. Most of them are family favorites, including Six Flags Great America, the water park, the Children’s Museum, Summerfest, the State Fair and Chicago. I typically take her list and try to accommodate her wishes after I view our family calendar and budget. Apparently, I … Continue reading →

Visit the Best of the Best During Spring Break

Where will you be spending spring break this year? Parents looking for fun, yet affordable ways to spend spring break with their kids should check out The 10 Best of Everything Families: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers. For about 20 bucks the handy guide provides information on the best locations for family reunions, skiing, biking, extreme adventures, factory tours, museums, zoos, gardens, historic sites, roller coasters, music festivals, wildlife-watching and much more. There are also sections on seasonal celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas. Some sample lists include: Education Vacations–10 Best Innovators’ Homes Samuel Morse, Poughkeepsie, New York Rachel Carson, … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Festivities from Coast to Coast

If you are planning to spend the long Fourth of July holiday weekend in California, Colorado, Texas or Massachusetts you’re in for a real treat. The aforementioned states are home to some of the most unique Independence Day parades in the country. Load up the family wagon (or minivan), find room for a few lawn chairs, and don’t forget to pack a few miniature flags to wave at parade participants and the many men and women who risk their lives fighting for the freedoms we treasure. CALIFORNIA—Old Glory Boat Parade Newport Harbor on Balboa Island is home to a spectacularly … Continue reading →

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Good morning and welcome to my personal travel journal as we prepare to leave for London. The great thing about family vacation is the opportunity it affords you to spend time with your family, in this case my mother and my daughter. Our vacation to England fulfills three basic family needs: Quality family time for three generations Reconnection with family roots Chance to share new experiences together and to pass on the past to a new generation Planning Ahead The important thing about a trip like this is to plan ahead as much as is possible. Traveling overseas requires pre-planning. … Continue reading →

Winter Family Fun in Chicago

In my previous blog I listed some of the spectacular outdoor activities that await you in Chicago this winter. I failed to mention that the city also offers a host of family friendly events for those of you who can only tolerate the cold for a short period of time (that would be me). I can’t stand the cold (being born and raised in Hawaii does that to a person), but my love for Chicago outweighs my distaste for Mother Nature’s brutal winter assault so my family makes the trip no matter what the weather. We just stick to the … Continue reading →

Even More Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations with Meaning

All this week I have been focusing on the upcoming spring break vacation season (after all, Easter is just two months away). Typically, it’s a time when parents take advantage of their children’s break from classes and head off on a family adventure. But instead of making a beeline to mingle with oversized mice in California or Florida, perhaps this year you could consider taking a trip that offers more educational value. As I mentioned in my previous blogs, vacations are great opportunities to learn about new cultures and take part in hands-on history lessons, especially if you choose the … Continue reading →