Tag Archives: train

All Aboard for Holiday Fun

For my train-loving 3-year-old nephew, Christmas is simply not complete without a ride on the “Polar Express.” Fortunately, “Polar Express” experiences are running in various cities throughout country right now, including one near my nephew’s home. At last count, no less than 30 different railroad locations were offering “Polar Express” rides for kids of all ages who are enchanted by the classic book and movie of the same name. If your family is looking for a memorable Christmas adventure, you should seriously consider hopping aboard a local “Polar Express.” The seasonal rides recreate the book’s magic of finding the spirit … Continue reading →

Hop Aboard the Candy Train and Other Festive Crafts for Kids

Now that the kids are out on winter break your home is probably not as quiet (or clean) as it was a week ago. To regain some semblance of order you might consider emptying your craft closet and assembling the following kid-friendly holiday crafts. Not only will they help your children channel their energy into something worthwhile, but also your home will be filled with festive decorations. Note: Adult supervision is required on projects that involve hot glue. CHRISTMAS CANDY TRAIN Materials: Hot glue gun 1 unopened roll of hard candy (Lifesavers) 4 wrapped peppermint candies 1 wrapped caramel 1 … Continue reading →

More Fun Places to Ride with Santa

Railway companies across the country are inviting families to hop aboard and ride with Santa this season. Whether it’s the “North Pole Express,” “Christmas Tree Express,” or “Snowball Express,” the big red guy will be on hand to visit with your children. Take a look at where Santa will be riding the rails before he hits the skies on Christmas Eve: CALIFORNIA Fillmore and Western Railway Company offers not one, but three types of Christmas train rides. Kids can have dinner with Santa, pick the perfect Christmas tree, or visit the “North Pole.” The “Christmas Tree Train” takes families to … Continue reading →

More Reasons to Ride the Rails

In my last blog I got the discussion rolling on why more travelers are opting to ride the rails this summer. Besides the price and flexibility train travel offers there are a number of other factors that make riding the rails an attractive alternative to flying or driving from your home in Boston to grandma’s house in Kentucky. Take a look: BAGGAGE This is huge for me (and I’m sure a ton of other parents traveling with children). If you are looking for a way to avoid paying the insane baggage fees nearly all the major airlines are now charging … Continue reading →

Reasons to Ride the Rails

Besides providing information on a few reasonable deals to exotic locations this blog hasn’t been the place to view many positive remarks about the airline industry lately. Instead, it has been a spot that fed up flyers could vent about rising airfares, skyrocketing surcharges, and insane baggage fees. If you are tired of complaining and are now focusing on looking for solutions, perhaps this blog can help. Today, we are looking at alternatives to air travel, beginning with our nation’s railways. When was the last time you traveled by train? According to travel analysts, train travel is making a comeback. … Continue reading →

First Class Eats for Train Passengers

We all know airline passengers get the royal treatment in first-class, but what about high paying passengers who prefer to travel by train? Don’t shed a tear for them, it appears they are making out just as well as their high flying counterparts—especially when it comes to first-class cuisine. The travel world is a buzz with the news that one of Washington’s best-known chefs, Michel Richard, has developed a new menu for first-class passengers on Amtrak’s high-speed Boston to Washington route. For those of you who don’t watch the Food Network or don’t keep tabs on who’s who in the … Continue reading →

Amtrak = Luxury Travel

When I think of Amtrak, the first word that pops into my mind is NOT luxury (wait, maybe I’m thinking of Greyhound). Kidding aside, Amtrak, by all accounts, may be the first name in efficient rail travel, but five-course meals and personal butler service it’s not. Or is it? According to Amtrak executives, it is… and then some. Five-course meals, personal butler service… and mahogany interiors will all be available on several Amtrak routes in just a few months. The nation’s leading passenger train service is teaming up with GrandLuxe Rail Journeys to attach seven special GrandLuxe cars to regularly … Continue reading →

Housetraining Your Rabbit

Yes! You can housetrain a bunny. You can teach a rabbit to use a litterbox! Rabbits are actually pretty easy to train. They will pick a few spots as their bunny bathroom and always go there. Our family rabbit (cleverly named Bun-Bun) had a three room “condo” — one enclosed room was the bedroom, the large, open room was the play and food area, and the other enclosed room was the bathroom. He faithfully used the smaller room for his potty and kept the other areas clean. Older rabbits have a better attention span than younger rabbits, so you may … Continue reading →