Art and Amsterdam

ART AND AMSTERDAM

Looking to visit an approachable city with great museums, charming architecture and fun people? Try Amsterdam. An easy add-on from London or Paris, we spent three days in this lovely city to celebrate Van Gogh’s 150^th birthday. What a fantastic experience! We hated to leave.

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam Airport. Find a cash machine and the train to City Center.
Upon arrival, locate tram #17 – which let us off right in front of our Airbnb apartment.
Meet host, store bags, and head out for a quick breakfast and some early sightseeing until the room is ready.
Enjoy a stroll over bridges and down side streets while winding your way to the church of Our Dear Lord in the Attic.
On the way back, investigate some side streets – maybe find surprising street art.
Back at the BnB, take a good nap and awake ready to take on Amsterdam that afternoon/evening.
Walk along the charming canals, stop for an early dinner at a cute café like Zeppos.
Visit the Rembrandt House Museum. Gorgeous art and interesting demonstrations of paint preparation and etching.
Wander across town to the Jordaan neighborhood and walk around if the weather is nice. Lovely area with shops and restaurants.
Stop at a small grocery and purchase some drinks and snacks for the room.
Back to the BnB for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Day 2

Find a breakfast spot and try some Dutch pancakes to get the day started. Yum!
On the way to the Flower Market, visit Begijnhof, a collection of residences that date back to the 1300s. Admire the architecture and enjoy the peaceful historical ambience.
A few blocks away, the Bloemenmarkt beckons with bulbs, flowers and tourists. Enjoy a walk around and snap a few pictures.
Walk to the Museum District. First stop the famous Rijksmuseum for a couple of hours of art appreciation. Children 18 and under are free! Purchase tickets online and save waiting in line.
Museumplein – just outside the museum – sports the I Amsterdam sign. Pose on the large letter sculpture – with everyone else in the city!
Plan to visit the Van Gogh Museum later in the evening (open late on Fridays) to avoid the crowds. Purchase timed tickets quickly and easily at the Museum Store near the I Amsterdam sign – or online prior to your visit.
Walk several blocks to Vondel Park, stopping along the way to pick up lunch and picnic in the park.
Feeling adventurous? Rent a bike at A-Bike Rentals just around the corner. Easy entry to the park and only a few minutes navigating Amsterdam streets/traffic!
Take a leisurely walk back to the BnB to rest, catch up on emails and plan for an evening of Van Gogh.
Explore a few different streets and canals on the way back to the Museum District. Charming and good restaurants are plentiful along the way.
Plan to spend a couple of hours at the Van Gogh Museum enjoying the breadth of his works.
Try another photo shoot at the I Amsterdam sign – probably still crowded!
Take a taxi back to the apartment for a Netflix movie on a laptop and bed.

Day 3

Treat yourself to a lazier morning today – getting on European time can take a day or two!
Enjoy a late canal-side brunch if the weather permits. Watch the tour boats glide past.
Visit the Anne Frank Museum. Purchase your ticket several weeks prior to your visit and plan your day around the timed ticket. (English or Dutch tours do not matter. The self-guided tour features both languages.)
The Museum is one of the most visited in the city and is a somber, but beautiful, experience.
Walk off the serious mood and go through the famous red light district – fairly tame during the day – and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells.
Choose a canal boat company for a different vantage point. Our choice? AIX/Friendship Canal Rides with open boats, lots of cushions and pillows and lively crowds.
The tour route lasts about an hour and takes visitors in and around some beautiful neighborhoods, under bridges and through canals that we wouldn’t have found just by walking around. Lovely and fun!
Last night in a charming and fun city! Pub crawl? Fine dining in the Jordaan? Pick your favorite and enjoy!

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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J’adore Paris in June

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J’ADORE PARIS IN JUNE

Who can resist the lure of Paris—in June or any other month? I jump at the opportunity to travel there. I love the people, the art, the architecture, the food, the museums — I could go on and on. I shared this latest trip with my college-aged daughter who happens to be an artist and loves art history. What a perfect traveling companion for the City of Light.
Two notes: the metro is fabulous in Paris, but walking is the best way to really take in the city. Choose accommodations in an accessible location, so it’s easy to stop back during the day and drop packages, rest, or grab a forgotten item. Giving yourself a chance to regroup occasionally will make a big difference in what you can accomplish each day.

Day 1

Arrive in central Paris via taxi, shuttle bus or train. Prepare to enjoy!
Head to the apartment in the Germain des Pres area to meet host and unpack bags.
Grab a bite to eat at a neighborhood restaurant and then outline a walking route to view some of the nearby sites.
Walk along Boulevard Saint Germain de Pres. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral. Line for bell tower climb too long? Plan to visit at a different time.
Stroll along the Seine for an hour or two. Admire the Louvre. Cross a few bridges. Survey the vendors selling antiques, postcards and tourist trinkets from their stalls along the river.
Find a small neighborhood café and plan to make it your hang out for the week – to truly feel “part” of the Paris vibe.
After an early dinner, take a boat trip on the Seine that evening to see the city at night. Gorgeous!

Day 2

Enjoy a breakfast of café au lait and warm croissants – and an early start to the day.
Plan museum visits The Louvre is open on Mondays, closed on Tuesdays. Many others are closed on Mondays.
Walk to the Louvre and purchase a 2-, 4- or 6-day Museum Pass. The card offers shorter lines, slight discounts and overall time savings. With the pass, more monuments and museums are available for quick visits during a stay.
Enjoy the Louvre at a casual pace. Choose the brochure with a map to the major pieces of art to see – Mona Lisa, Venus De Milo – and view other art along the way. You can always come back!
Once outside again, take pictures in front of the M. Pei pyramid.
Walk through the gardens and cross the Pont Royal to the Left Bank. Wander through some of the charming back streets and find a restaurant for lunch like La Caleche.
Stop by the apartment for a short rest. When refreshed, explore the neighborhood. Visit Euro stores like Zara and Bon Marche to check out the current French fashions.
Buy some groceries for the next few days to save on restaurant bills. Find a quintessential market or a grocery store for cheese, bread, wine, fruit — staples of the Parisian lifestyle.
People watch while you perfect the Parisian activity of enjoying a beverage at a neighborhood café.

Day 3

Start the day early with workout clothes, a quick breakfast and a brisk walk to Notre Dame to climb the bell tower. Arrive around 8:45 am and wait an hour, but be in the front of the line!
Views – up 367 steps and just above rooftop – are tremendous from the tower. Great way to start the day!
Return to the apartment to shower and get ready for another spectacular day in Paris.
Walk to the D’Orsay Museum. Fabulous works of art, stunning building and the setting/inspiration for the movie Hugo. That clock!
After a couple of hours, wander around the side streets – away from the Seine – and choose a quick place for a delicious lunch.
Use that museum pass to try some smaller museums that never quite make it to the top of your list. Two to try: La Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette spent her final months and the Decorative Arts Museum which houses, among other items, very elaborate furnishings and trinkets taken from the aristocracy after the French Revolution.
The days fly by! Once again, enjoy a beverage at the neighborhood café. Head back to the apartment to relax.
The Arc de Triomphe is open until 11 pm during the summer. Take a metro ride over, find the underground access way and enjoy the small crowd, summer sky and beautiful views.

Day 4

Another early start – but why not? Don’t miss a moment of your time in Paris.
Take the metro to the offices of Fat Tire Bike Tours and get ready for a day of biking and sightseeing at Versailles. (Book this far in advance of your desired date!)
Put yourself completely in the hands of a very capable guide and enjoy the day. Upon arrival in Versailles, walk with the group to the bike storage area and get set up with a bike and basket. Take a few loops around the courtyard in front of the church to test your balance/skills.
Stop at the local farmers market and shop for a picnic lunch. Here’s where the basket comes in handy!
Enjoy the ride around the beautiful grounds. Visit the Forest of Versailles, Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and ride around the Grand Canal.
After a picnic lunch on the shores of the Canal, hop back on the bike for the final stretch and start your visit to the palace itself.
The tour guide will arrange for tickets to enter. At this point, Fat Tire guide will pass out return train tickets and indicate a place to meet after touring the palace.
The self-guided tour is comprehensive and just enough to see after a full day on bikes!
Relax in the gardens after the elaborate interior rooms – and then head back to Paris for the evening.

Day 5

Enjoy a lazy morning at the apartment – and maybe do some laundry?
Take the metro to Montmarte and walk (uphill!) in the footsteps of Van Gogh, Picasso and others.
Visit the beautiful Basilica of Sacre Coeur and then wander through the Place du Tertre. The art is very touristy, but the location is lovely.
Walk around and visit vintage shops, have lunch and enjoy the afternoon.
Take the metro to the Paris Opera House. A stunning building, fans will recognize it from the Phantom of the Opera
Peek into private boxes and walk down the stunning staircase. Admire the gorgeous ceiling painted by Chagall. Step outside on the balcony and enjoy a view of Paris’s Right Bank.
Back to the apartment. Have dinner in a local restaurant and call it an early night.

Day 6

Up early to max out the final day in Paris.
Take the metro to the Eiffel Tower and get on line early with a café au lait. Take turns walking around to photograph the iconic monument.
The views are spectacular – so get your fill on the lower level and the top. Crowds can be thick, so plan accordingly or you’ll end up waiting in lines to get down also.
Walk through the Champs de Mars on the way to a one-stop shopping street appropriately named Rue de Commerce.
Rue de Commerce is lined with small boutiques and several chain stores. Most feature mid-range prices and offer everything from shoes to work out clothes to evening wear. Spend a fun couple of hours shopping!
Laden with bags, walk back along Rue Joffre toward Invalides. Pick a café and enjoy lunch.
Visit Invalides, The Army Museum. Walk through its beautiful Dome Church, view the collection of armor and artillery and see Napoleon’s Tomb.
After Invalides, walk a few blocks to the Rodin Museum and explore the beautiful sculpture garden. Pose with The Thinker.
Ride the metro back to the apartment and rest for a bit. Have a beverage at the neighborhood café on the last evening.
Head out for a late dinner near the Eiffel Tower – and view the lights on the tower late at night. A sparkling end to a fantastic visit!

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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Discovering Switzerland

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DISCOVERING SWITZERLAND

My husband and I spent some of our honeymoon in Switzerland and vowed to go back and really explore this gem of a country. Finally, to celebrate our 20th anniversary, I surprised him with a return trip – with our three children ages 13, 12 and 5. Switzerland is a beautiful country and the Swiss people are lovely. On this trip, in July/August, we combined touring, hiking, genealogy of sorts and, of course, relaxing. We did drive a bit – but loved the scenery and made sure to stop frequently to experience towns along the way.

Day 1

Arrive in Zurich early morning.
Rent a car (and a GPS if it’s not included.) It will save you lots of time navigating.
Try something a little different and stay at a B&B on a farm in Appenzell. The children will love it.
Drop bags at the B&B and head to town for breakfast while waiting for the rooms to be ready.
Back at the farm, relax and take a nap to refresh.
Help the farmer feed the pigs; watch the cows being milked; explore the farm.
Drive to Rapperswil and have dinner. (We found my husband’s grandfather’s farm and met some Swiss cousins!)
Drive back to the farm for a solid night’s sleep.

Day 2

After a breakfast of breads, jams, cheese and sausage at the farm, drive to Ebenalp.
Ride the cable car up to the mountain top and hike along the trail. Look for a starting point for hang gliders, a cave chapel – even some Swiss brown cows made it up.
Take a hot chocolate break at Berggasthaus Aescher, a small inn built into the cliff. It’s an amazing hike getting there – and an amazing engineering feat in itself!
After riding the cable car back down, slip your shoes off and put your feet in the little stream near the visitor center. C-c-cold alpine water – in late July!
Drive to Jakobsbad and enjoy a real Alpine Slide!
Find a fun place in town to have dinner.
Back to the B&B to enjoy a quiet evening outside.

Day 3

After breakfast at the farm, pack up and head south toward Lugano.
Take a quick side trip and cross the bridge and visit Lichtenstein. Walk around and have your passport stamped – one more country!
Have lunch in Chur, one of Switzerland’s oldest cities. Park the car and walk into the historic area with its historic churches and center fountain. Charming.
For the continuing drive, keep children occupied by holding a scavenger hunt for cows, castles and more.
Opt for the scenic mountain route when driving south – – choose the mountain drive, not the tunnel. It adds some time, but is well worth the views.
Stop along the way and climb off the road to get the best possible view.
Arrive in Morcote, south of Lugano, late afternoon.
Check into the Hotel Carina. Unpack in the lovely family room – and head straight to the pool.
Refreshed, have dinner on one of the restaurants on the water. Just a few steps from the hotel’s front door.

Day 4

Before breakfast, have an early morning swim. Wonderful.
Enjoy a lovely breakfast on the front patio.
Explore the tiny town. Work off the croissants by walking up the steps to Santa Maria del Sasso Church and its ancient cemetary.
Wind your way back down through tiny streets behind beautiful homes.
Take the boat to Lugano for the afternoon. Beautiful views of the town and city.
Lugano has a real Italian ambience. Enjoy! Great shopping, delicious food.
Return to Morcote via boat and go for another afternoon swim. It’s the perfect way to cool off!
Pick a restaurant and enjoy dinner lakeside.
Shop after dinner in the small arcade of shops along the main street.

Day 5

Before breakfast, have another early morning swim. Wonderful.
Breakfast on the patio and then pack to drive to Grindelwald.
Prepare for even more gorgeous scenery. If traffic is heavy at the Gotthard Tunnel, take the mountain route. Views are spectacular and you’ll drive through some cute Alpine towns.
Take the time to stop and snap some pictures. Have lunch at one of the small roadside inns along the way.
Arrive in Grindelwald late afternoon and check into a small hotel. Try the family room again – lots of space, beautiful views and a balcony!
Hike behind the hotel to see some of the private homes and get a look at Grindelwald from a higher elevation.
Enjoy dinner in town at one of the many restaurants. Stop at the market for drinks and snacks.
Check the weather. If the following morning looks clear, buy tickets for the trip to Jungfraujoch – the “top of Europe”.

Day 6

Early breakfast and catch the first train to Jungfraujoch. Later trains tend to be crowded.
Plan to spend a minimum of two hours. Enjoy the scenery!! And snow! In the summer!
So many activities at the top. Choose one like sledding or skiing or snowboarding.
On the way back down, stop in Kleine Scheidegg and have lunch. If it’s a beautiful day, you can dine outside. Feed the goats at the train station! They’ll eat anything – but love ice cream cones ☺
Upon arrival back in Grindelwald, walk around town. Maybe you’ll see someone playing the alphorn. Beautiful sound.
If it’s Swiss Day (August 1) which is like 4th of July, plan to participate in the parade down the main street.
Once it’s dark, children gather at the top end of the main road where the parade participants meet. Listen for locals with huge cow bells! Children are handed long tapers which are lighted and follow the men down the street. Loud and beautiful!
Find an outside restaurant for hot chocolate and watch the fireworks over the town.

Day 7

Breakfast and then catch a chair lift up the mountain in Grindelwald. At the Bort station, rent trottibikes – a combination of a bike and scooter. No pedals – just brakes!
Scoot down the mountain on the roads. Go slowly until all the children get the hang of it!
Return trottibikes and walk around town and shop for small souvenirs.
Drive to Thun – only 30 minutes away – and visit the medieval castle.
Walk around the town, eat lunch and feed the pigeons, swans and ducks.
Drive back to Grindelwald. Relax and read in the hotel.
Last night, so pick your final Grindelwald restaurant for dinner. Time for fondue?

Day 8

Breakfast on the last day in Grindelwald. Before leaving the beautiful area, take a short drive to the village of Lauterbrunnen.
Walk to the top of the Staubbach Falls.
On the way to Montreaux, drive through Gstaad. Charming town. Have lunch. Next trip spend a few days here!
Visit Chateau de Chillon on the edge of Lake Geneva. Magnificent! Children love it. Easy to manage and fine to let the children climb from turret to turret.
Spend the night in Perroy – tiny little wine village on the north side of Lake Geneva. Adorable.

Day 9

After breakfast, leave Perroy and head toward Brienz by way of Gruyere. Cheese addicts will love Switzerland!
Walk around this picturesque walled town. Tour the castle for the gorgeous gardens alone! Quite beautiful.
The Giger Museum is unique. Since it’s described as better for older children, opt for a cold drink in the Giger Bar. It’s fantastic, too, and will give all ages a sense of the Alien ambience.
Drive through Bern on the way on the way to Brienz. It’s worth a quick stop if the giant town bear clock is working.
While waiting for the top of the hour, find Albert Einstein’s house and enjoy this university city, so very walkable!
Arrive in Brienz later in the afternoon. Check into a hotel, relax, have a swim and an early dinner.

Day 10

After breakfast, drive down to the town of Brienz and rent a small motor boat for an hour and tour the lake. Fabulous!
Stop at a market and pick up bread, cheese, ham, drinks – take the car up into the hills. Sit on a hillside way up over the lake and have a picnic.
After lunch, hike to the top of the Geissbach Falls near Breinz. A great workout! At the small metal bridge, cross to go under the falls. Will take about 1.5 hours up and back.
Relax at the hotel pool.
Have dinner in the town of Brienz. If it’s a nice evening, find an outdoor covered patio restaurant.

Day 11

After breakfast, pack and start the drive to Zurich for the return trip home.
On the way, stop for a couple of hours at Ballenberg, an open air museum of Swiss historic homes that have been organized by region.
Enjoy and learn during candle and cheese making demonstrations, beautiful gardens, restaurants and farm animals. Children will love it and it’s a great way to summarize the recent country tour. Allow a few hours for this activity.
Drive to Lucerne and stop at a market for picnic foods and eat lakeside in a little park.
Continue on to Zurich. If it’s the last day in Switzerland, opt to take the secondary roads and enjoy the small towns along the way.
Arrive in Zurich late afternoon.
Have dinner in Zurich and make it an early evening!

Day 12

Return flight home.

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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Trip to National Parks

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TRIP TO GRAND TETON & YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKS

A silent auction “win” of a weekly rental in Bozeman helped jumpstart one of our favorite vacations. As this itinerary came together, we decided to invite others to join us and really make a memorable trip. So, two good friends – a mother and son — joined for the entire trip. My sister and family – her husband and three boys — joined us in Bozeman for the second half. What came together was a fabulous trip with 12 people (seven children ranging from ages 8 to 13) that included hiking, fishing, wildlife, snowball fights and lots of laughs in one of the most beautiful areas of our country!

Special Note: With a National Park vacation, be sure to book rooms within the parks several months in advance.

Day 1

Arrive in Jackson Hole, Wyoming mid-morning.
Experience the quickest airport bag retrieval and car rental process ever!
Drive to Downtown Jackson Hole and head to Snow King Mountain for an alpine slide experience. So much fun and a great way to burn off some energy from the long flight!
Walk around town and have lunch. Lots of photo opps here, so enjoy!
Drive to Grand Teton National Park. The scenery is just breathtaking. Buffalo and elk graze along the road, yellow wildflowers cover acres and blue skies are endless.
Spend your first night in Colter Bay Village. It’s a bit rustic, but it’s comfortable. Walk along the lake and docks, skip stones.
Dinner that night in the restaurant on site. Good food and convenient.
Slept like the logs the cabins were made of!

Day 2

Take an early morning walk around the village. Maybe you’ll see a fox den with scampering babies like we did! Start a list of wildlife you see!
Have breakfast and then drive south back toward Jackson Hole to really investigate the National Elk Refuge. Park the car and walk around.
Lunch in Jackson Hole.
Drive north to Jenny Lake for a hike to Inspiration Point.
Board a pontoon boat for the ride across the lake to the trail start. It’s about a mile up to the point and well worth it for the stunning views of Jenny Lake.
Head down the trail and take the long route back around the lake. Look for animals! We saw deer, elk and a marmot. Took a good hour or so to arrive back at the parking lot. Plan accordingly.
Dinner at Colter Village and an early night for all.

Day 3

After breakfast head north to Yellowstone National Park.
Take a quick break at Jackson Lake Lodge. Walk through the lobby to see the beautiful views and grab a beverage from the hotel store for the ride ahead.
Pull off along the way for photos and to let the children explore a bit and stretch their legs. We stopped for a quick spring snow ball toss – and the children loved it!
Lunch at a Park restaurant near West Thumb. Prepare for much of the same food for the next few days since all the Park restaurants are run by the same company. Burger and fries anyone?
After lunch visit West Thumb Geyser Basin. Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the colors and natural beauty of the hot pools. Simply amazing.
Park rangers are accessible and answer questions about the surroundings. The children were able to hold small animal skulls and learn about the local wildlife.
Check in at Canyon Lodge and Cabins. Rustic and very simple – enjoy the outdoorsy-ness of the Yellowstone environment!
Let the children hike around and relax. Snow mounds were still plentiful during our trip in late May, so all put socks on their hands and built a snow fort.
Dinner at the local restaurant in the hub of the village.
Back to the cabin for an impromptu slide show on a laptop of all the photos taken in the first few days! Great way to entertain and hear feedback from the group.

Day 4

Get an early start and prepare for the long drive to Bozeman, Montana via the North Gate.
Drive the Grand Loop Road north.
Along the way, stop to enjoy the views, look for bears and other wildlife. Take LOTS of pictures with this fabulous backdrop.
Hike to Towering Falls. Lots of steps for this magnificent view – and well worth it!
Consult the park map and look for quick stops along the route. One example – a quick walk to the site of a petrified redwood tree.
Drive to Mammoth Hot Springs. Drive slightly past the hot springs for lunch first. The Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room is a perfect fit – and a quick stop in the General Store gave everyone a chance to walk around a bit.
Bring a bottle of water for the tour of the hot springs. It’s a good walk – fascinating to see all the colors the minerals create.
After the walk, get back on the road and drive the final several hours to Bozeman.

Day 5

Wake up in Bozeman Montana for a day of rest…sort of!
Get some vacation chores done — laundry and grocery shopping.
Enjoy NOT being in the car today.
Welcome the third family’s arrival that afternoon. (They stayed in a local hotel with a pool.)
Cook out at the house. After dessert, let the children play manhunt. Fun!

Day 6

After breakfast all families meet at the Museum of the Rockies.
Learn about Montana through its extensive collections including Indian artifacts, dinosaur fossils and photography.
Visit the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a habitat for grizzlies who cannot be released into the wild. The habitat offers visitors a view of the bears up close and is a fun way to spend an hour. At least will be able to say bears were seen after two weeks out West!
Later in the day, walk around downtown Bozeman. Main Street has some cute shops and good restaurants.
Enjoy dinner in town.

Day 7

Start with an early morning of fly fishing. Rent some fly rods, find a beautiful river or stream and give all the children a fly fishing demo or lesson.
Visit some antique stores in the area for souvenirs from the wild west.
Return to the house for lunch.
Time to get some cowboy on and go horsebackriding! The scenery is beautiful and the children — and adults – love it!
Head to the hotel pool to cool off.
Dinner at the house.

Day 8

Drive to Big Sky, Montana for the day.
Take the chairlift up to the top of the mountain. Experience the beautiful views of the surrounding area. Especially memorable for those who don’t ski!
From the top, hike down to the base. This gave the children a chance to run and chase each other after being in the car for a couple of hours.
Drive a few miles south to the 320 Ranch for a chuck wagon dinner. Held on Wednesday evenings, guests from outside the ranch are welcome. Make a reservation and purchase tickets online. (Ours was cancelled due to lightening. Instead, we enjoyed our meal in their indoor facilities.)

Day 9

Prepare for a hike in the Lewis and Clark Caverns in Cardwell, Montana.
The two-hour activity is spectacular! Stalagtites and stalagmites in the cavern are such an exciting and interesting. You’ll all love it!
After the tour, buy a drink at the snack bar and enjoy the sweeping views of the countryside.
Drive east toward Bozeman and stop for lunch. We chose Wheat Montana Farm and Bakery. Everyone picked a sandwich and we picnicked at a nearby park along a river. Beautiful day and hearty lunch!
Head over to Madison Buffalo Jump State Park and see where the Indians used to drive the buffalo herd to the edge and harvest them for food, clothing, and more.
Hike toward the limestone cliff – it’s farther than it looks!
Drive back to Bozeman and have dinner somewhere like Ted’s Montana Grill. Try the bison burger!

Day 10

Fix a good breakfast at home – finishing what you can in the refrigerator!
Put on hiking boots and head over to the “must-do” hike in Bozeman – the M.
Hike the mountain using the easy trail. It’s a beautiful way to spend a sunny morning in town.
Do your last load of laundry and get the bags packed.
Early to bed.

Day 11

Depart Bozeman early.
On the way, drive through sections of Ted Turner’s ranch – absolutely gorgeous.
Arrive in West Yellowstone, Montana and stop for lunch. Cutesy stores are worth a quick look.
Enter the Park at the West entrance. We saw an eagle in her nest as soon as we entered, so be prepared for good wildlife spotting!
Drive south on the Grand Loop Road and head straight for Old Faithful.
Save seats in the front row to see Old Faithful. Send someone to buy water and ice cream for the 30+ minute wait. It can be hot! Old Faithful was wonderful to see up close. The children were absolutely thrilled.
Visit the Old Faithful Inn. It’s a spectacular historic property (books years in advance) and well worth a walk through.
Relax on the shaded upper veranda and watch Old Faithful again. Purchase drinks at the bar and take it one step further — order take-out meals from the hotel restaurant — and enjoy dinner there. We did and saw Old Faithful go off three more times!
Drive to Grant Village for the night – completing the full circle of Yellowstone.

Day 12

Breakfast at the dining hall in Grant Village. Cafeteria style, but pretty views.
Drive south back into Jackson Hole and check into a hotel for two nights.
Walk around town again and shop for any last-minute souvenirs from the trip.
Schedule a white water rafting trip for the following day.
Dinner on the square in Jackson Hole.
Lots of picture opportunities for the entire group on the square!

Day 13

Breakfast in town.
Head to an outfitter for a rafting trip on the Snake River! Note: On our trip, children had to be at least 10 years old – no exceptions — so one in our group could not do it. Spring rains were just too heavy.
Leave enough time to “slip” into the wet suit!! It took longer than expected for some in the group.
Follow the group to the launch point and watch them navigate the first few turns in the river.
Revisit the alpine slide on Snow King Mountain with anyone who cannot go rafting. Another several fun runs there will wipe the frowns off small faces!
Pick up the rafters and walk around town for the last evening.

Day 14

Head to the airport and board your plane for the flight home!

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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Sweet 16 in L.A.

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SWEET 16 IN LA

When my daughter turned 16, several of her friends held elaborate Sweet 16 parties. Instead of chaperoning teens at a party, I offered her a trip to celebrate the milestone. Southern California promised a warm and sunny experience, so we opted to go visit Laguna Niguel and LA for a week in early April. We hit the beach, looked for celebrities and visited friends for a fun week of celebrating.

Day 1

Upon arrival at LAX, rent car and head south. Find an In & Out burger for lunch.
Drive down the coast to the charming town of Laguna Beach.
Check into a hotel by the beach for a couple of days. We opted for an older hotel with a beachfront location and loads of character! Daily breakfast was included as was parking – which was a bonus!
Stroll around town that evening and check out the cute shops.
Take out dinner. Bring it back to the room and enjoy an early night.

Day 2

Go for an early morning walk on the beach.
Eat a hearty breakfast on the rooftop patio and drink in the gorgeous views.
Visit the tiny jewel: St. Francis By the Sea Cathedral. It’s beautiful and a local “must see”.
Shop again, of course! The stores are individual and fun. The Hat Box is a great stop!
Drive to Dana Point Harbor and have a light lunch at an outdoor restaurant.
Relax on the beach near the hotel.
Dinner with friends who live nearby.

Day 3

Last day to have an early morning walk on the beach. Go for it!
Enjoy breakfast on the rooftop patio.
Take a drive to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Gorgeous property with a fun restaurant 180blu. Stop in for a visit and tour.
Drive north to LA to continue the birthday celebration.
If too early to check into a hotel, drive around LA. We chose to buy a frame and then find the three houses seen on the sitcom Modern Family. We took at pic at each house. Hysterical! And a memory my daughter and I will always remember.
Check into a hotel in LA for the next several nights. You need a car in LA – but it’s smart to choose a hotel with amenities within walking distance.
Easy dinner and early night.

Day 4

Breakfast at The Farmer’s Market We chose The French Crepe Company and loved it. Sat on barstools and watched our crepes being cooked by an expert crepe maker.
Hike to the Griffith Observatory – -near the famous Hollywood sign.
Return to the hotel to shower and change.
Drive to the Santa Monica Pier and ride the roller coaster — lots of fun!
Rent a bike and ride on the pathway along the water. We opted for a tandem bike – and managed to do pretty well on our ride to Venice Beach. Lots of laughs.
Stop along the way and people watch – it’s a great area for it! We stopped to watch a film set on the way.
Hang out in Venice Beach for a while and relax before returning the bike.
Return to the hotel.
Quiet dinner near the hotel. Watch a movie.

Day 5

Breakfast at Du-Par’s in the Farmer’s Market. So many restaurants to choose from!
Take a self-guided tour of Hollywood Forever Cemetery listed as one of the top 10 beautiful cemeteries, tour for an hour an hour. Pick up a map in the small gift shop.
Drive around and admire the gorgeous landscaping in the middle of LA while seeing graves of Alfalfa, Charlie Chaplin, Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and more.
Drive to Universal Studios.
Have lunch at and then take the back lot tour. Really fun to stop at Wisteria Lane and the town square for Back to the Future to have pictures taken.
Drive back to the hotel, park the car and walk over to The Grove to window shop and search for celebrities. Beautiful shopping area with lots of top brand stores.
Enjoy dinner at The Grove after shopping.

Day 6

Breakfast at the Farmer’s Market. Choose a new restaurant to try or return to a favorite!
Drive to the Huntington Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. They offer one free day/month. Call and check on available passes!
Wander through the permanent collection. It’s fascinating.
Walk the gorgeous grounds and wander among the fragrant rose gardens. The Japanese Garden is stunning. Very easy to spend hours here.
Drive to Simi Valley and visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Tour – and have your picture taken — the Boeing 707 that served as Air Force One for President Reagan and six other presidents. The library and grounds are gorgeous.
From Simi Valley, drive south through Thousand Oaks on Route 23. Follow some back roads – Mulholland, Decker, etc. — for a beautiful ride through mountains. At the end there’s a steep drive down to Route 1 north of Malibu. The ocean views are spectacular.
Head back to the hotel for a short nap after a long day.
Call a cab later in the evening and drive to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Enjoy the Hollywood atmosphere and see if anyone famous is in the place!
Back to hotel for a good night’s sleep!

Day 7

With an early lunch planned, have coffee and pastry on the way to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Find your favorite stars’ names along the walk and visit the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater to see the foot and hand prints of Hollywood legends.
Walk in the Dolby Theater and picture as it’s usually seen on the Academy Awards.
Drive to The Ivy restaurant and enjoy a lovely lunch. The setting is charming and popular! You never know who you might see!
After lunch, drive to the Getty Villa in Malibu. It’s a beautiful setting and will give you a chance to walk off lunch!
Head back to the hotel for a quick nap and a light dinner.
Get dressed and go to Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for the last night in LA. Shopping, loads of musicians, dancers and people watching – all in all a great time!

Day 8

Check out of the hotel, head to LAX and get ready to head home after a fabulous week!

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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Family Vacation in Hawaii

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TWO WEEK HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY VACATION

(Oahu and Kauai)

We have three teenagers and decided to surprise them with a Christmas trip instead of gifts. Huge success! There were plenty of activities we all liked to do and Hawaii was a warm and relaxing respite from winter weather. We did this on a budget – with just a few luxuries. Pick and choose from this itinerary to plan your own perfect island getaway – 3 days in Waikiki, 7 days on Kuaui and back to Oahu for the final four days.

Day 1

Arrive in beautiful, tropical Oahu Hawaii late afternoon.
Honolulu airport is a cinch to navigate and it’s SO easy to find minivan cabs.
Arrival in Waikiki and check into hotel.
Long flight, so have an early dinner near the hotel.
Relax in hotel room for the first night and get ready for a great tropical vacation.

Day 2

Early start for all – even the teens! – due to the six-hour time difference.
Take a walk along Kalakaua Avenue and gaze at the ocean in the early morning.
Scout out a breakfast place and fortify yourself for a great day in paradise.
Hike Diamond Head. Enjoy the gorgeous views and family photo opps! Takes about two hours.
Hit the beach! Sunbathe and swim – and then try your hand at surfing. Rentals were easy to secure from several beachside vendors.
Go window shopping for a while. Waikiki is all decked out for the holidays.
Enjoy an early dinner.
Attend the Christmas Eve services at Kawaiahao Church — the “Westminster Abbey” of Oahu.
To add to the Christmas magic, have the taxi drive by the Honolulu City Lights in the downtown financial district.

Day 3

Breakfast by the beach – no one gets tired of that! — and then secure a car for the day. Alamo rentals include shuttle service to/from Waikiki hotels.
Head to the infamous North Shore to check out the surfers, beaches and incredible waves.
On the way, take in the pineapple fields and prepare for the more laid back side of the island.
Visit Banzai Pipeline Beach, a great place to watch surfers.
Drive a few miles to Malaekahana Beach with its family atmosphere and rolling waves for a swim and some napping.
On the way back to Waikiki, stop for a late lunch at Fumi’s, a roadside shrimp stand. Peel your own shrimp and enjoy a quick feast in Fumi’s covered picnic area.
To cap off a great day, walk over to House without a Key at the beautiful Halekulani Hotel. No reservations needed when sitting outside to have apps and drinks. Enjoy a local band and authentic hula dancing.

Day 4

Use Open Table to reserve a table for brunch at Duke’s. Abundant buffet, fabulous views and friendly staff. Finally — enough food to keep two teen boys full!
Check out of one hotel room – and keep the other at a day rate. Change into swim suits.
Catch a ride on the Maitai Catamaran (our Groupon deal was $82 for six)
Laugh for the entire two-hour ride on the Pacific with about 30 other guests – as most are sprayed with cascading waves!
Shower, change and check out – and head to the airport for the flight to Kauai. Use a service like Hawaii 23 and be sure to have a ride with enough room for people and bags at the time you need it!
Upon landing in Lihue, have one family member grab a cab and go straight to Costco. Shop for the week.
Meanwhile have the rest of the group pick up rental car, load bags and drive to Costco to pick up the shopper. Save time and money!
Use VRBO or another website to find the vacation rental of your dreams!

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast on your own patio and then explore the area.
Drive to Hanalei to buy swim shirts and schedule surf lessons for the next day.
Lunch at the oceanfront condo.
Relax at condo pool. Walk down to private beach area.
Play golf on Mini Prince, a walking family course on the grounds of the Princeville Golf Club. So reasonable and beautiful!
Cook dinner at the condo and play a board game or cards!

Day 6

Grab a quick breakfast and then head to Hanalei Bay for that early surf lesson!
Titus Surf Lessons’ two-hour group instruction includes all day use of the board. A great way to reinforce the lesson!
Pick up sandwiches in Hanalei and picnic at the beach.
Take an afternoon drive to the Kilauea Lighthouse. This bird sanctuary is just beautiful! Lots of binoculars to borrow, so enjoy whale watching, too!
Continue on to Kapaa to buy/rent snorkeling equipment for the week.
Cool off with a gigantic shaved ice from Ono Ono. Delish!
Relax on the private beach at condo and snorkel – turtles, coral, fish – incredible experience!
Adults looking for a quiet cocktail hour can walk over to the St. Regis for cocktails on the patio…well deserved!

Day 7

Breakfast at Kalypso Bar & Grill in Hanalei and watch Sunday NFL football. Be prepared for pitchers of beer with eggs and bacon!
Walk over to Hanalei Bay and get in a little more surfing – a fun and affordable pastime in Hawaii.
Drive to Anini Beach for some late afternoon snorkeling.
Dinner and a movie back at the condo for a quiet evening. Try Hawaii or South Pacific!

Day 8

Get a bright and early start to tackle the fabulous and breathtaking Kalalua Trail.
Hike all day – about 7 hours — and experience an unforgettable Kauai experience! (Bring an OLD pair of sneakers of hiking boots for this outing!)
Pack a lunch and picnic along the way.
Upon returning home, wash or throw away all the muddy sneakers/boots!
If you have the energy, go out to dinner! Otherwise, prepare a snack meal and play a competitive board game like “Apples to Apples”.

Day 9

Have a lazy morning! Sleep in, go for a walk, drink coffee while whale watching from the lanai.
Snorkel at the private beach.
Head to the pool to read and relax in the warm sun.
For lunch or dinner, try one of the many good restaurants in Hanalei and/or Princeville. Tiki Iniki owned by rocker Todd Rundgren’s wife, is fun and offers an island atmosphere with delicious food and drinks!
In the evening, watch The Descendents filmed just around the corner. Pick out landmarks you recognize.

Day 10

Wake up early and drive 1.5 hours to Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Morning is best as clouds tend to settle later in the day. Truly gorgeous!
Drive to Kalalau Lookout at mile marker 18. It’s the wettest place on earth (so the signs say) and offers a spectacular view of Na’Pali Coast.
On the way back, stop at Kauai Coffee Co. Sample different brews, check out the small museum and enjoy a walk around in the sunshine.
A must do for teens is ziplining through Kauai Back Country Adventures. At one point participants are 250’ off the ground!
For non-zipliners, Poipu Beach is a short drive away. Have lunch surfside and enjoy the view!
Drive to Wailea Falls – filmed for the opening of the old TV show Fantasy Island! A beautiful and quick side trip!
Head into Hanalei to walk around, have an ice cream and shop a bit!

Day 11

Last day on Kauai! Pack, clean and check out of condo.
On the way to the airport, carefully hike down the path to Queen’s Bath. Beautiful spot, but not a place to snorkel or swim. Handmade sign listed about 25 people have been killed there.
Stop at a roadside Juice bar for whole coconuts or fruit smoothies. Fresh and delicious!
Head straight to the airport for the return flight to Oahu.
Once in Honolulu, pick up the rental car – why not try a convertible?! — and head to the final hotel stay: Disney Aulani Resort.
Lei greeting upon entering – our teens loved it!
Beautiful resort, but very pricey. Disney Vacation Club suites with kitchenette sleep five and are a bit less expensive Two downsides to the Vacation Club: only one bathroom per suite and maid service every four days. Be prepared to empty the garbage and grab clean towels from the pool. Bummer, but doable!
Buy the $20 insulated cup for unlimited drinks. Well worth it!
Wandered around pool area in the evening. Quick relaxing swim and a dip in the hot tub – ahhh!

Day 12

Breakfast in the suite. Have some bread, cereal, snacks on hand. Hot coffee in the Disney mug!
Early morning swim for those who want to wake up quickly.
Drive to Pearl Harbor. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance. The holidays are very busy! Arrival is one hour prior to the ticket time, so enjoy the time to walk around.
Visit the museum on site. All three teens had studied World War II, so the museum with its photos and artifacts was a riveting prelude to the boat trip out to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Drive around Oahu with top down if weather cooperates!
Back to the resort for a light dinner and a dip in the hot tub overlooking the ocean and watching the sunset. Beautiful!

Day 13

Hot coffee in the Disney mug! But poolside this morning to secure our chairs for the day.
Lazy morning watching some of the Disney characters walk around. Teens are not so into the Disney scene – especially in naturally beautiful Hawaii. (After casual snorkeling in Kauai, it was hard to contemplate paying to snorkel in a swimming pool with a life jacket on!)
Watch NFL playoff games at the pool bar – complete with pineapple drinks. Yum!
Dinner across from the resort in a small center – lots of choices.
Late night swim and a family water slide competition. Lots of laughs!

Day 14

Try for late check out and enjoy the better part of the day at the resort. Not an option on our trip, so we packed up and headed out to see more of Oahu before heading to the airport.
Drive up the winding Mount Tantalus Road to Puu Ualakaa State Park. At the look out enjoy gorgeous sweeping views of downtown Honolulu.
Have lunch at Hank’s Haute Dogs in downtown Honolulu before your flight. Featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, there are plenty of choices for the whole family.
Return the rental car and head to the airport. It’s hard to leave such a beautiful place. But with more islands to see, start planning your return trip to Hawaii. Try Maui or Lanai or The Big Island – or a return trip to Oahu and Kauai!

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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A Week in London

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A WEEK IN LONDON

This was designed for friends headed to London. They insisted I limit activities so they would both take time to relax. I couldn’t bear that they’d miss some must-sees in one of my favorite cities to visit, so I tried to offer one featured activity daily – and then slip in some other sightseeing along the way. I hope I’ve achieved a good balance of quiet time and touring!

Day 1

Arrival/Hotel Check In
After a lunch and a quick nap to take off the travel weariness, walk by Buckingham Palace
Walk down the Mall and/or through St. James’s Park to The Churchill War Rooms
Walk over to Westminster Abbey for Evensong at 5 pm. Evensong is a one-hour prayer service. Sit, relax and enjoy music in this magnificent cathedral.
Immediately outside Westminster, find #11 double-decker bus and take an evening ride through London. See Big Ben, London Eye, the Shard, and more!
At St. Paul’s, step off and go back the other way.
Walk to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep.

Day 2

Visit Abbey Road and have your picture taken on the famous crosswalk. When you’re there,
let friends know so they can watch you online!
Go to the Kensington Palace Orangery for a lovely lunch
After your meal, stroll through the Gardens and visit Kensington Palace
Quick stop back at your hotel for a nap?
This evening, see a play in London’s West End

Day 3

Board a boat to Greenwich at Westminster Pier on the River Thames
Visit Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian. Have your picture taken in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Walk around the Old Royal Naval College which has some beautiful architecture. And you can’t miss the Cutty Sark moored at the dock, so lots to see here!

Day 4

An absolute MUST in London is a visit to the Tower of London! Enjoy a Beefeater Tour to really get the most of your visit. After the tour, walk around and see the Crown Jewels, King Henry VIII’s armor and dungeons on your own.
Once finished, you’re just a quick walk away from Tower Bridge. Worth a visit to see the mechanisms of this Victorian bridge in action.
Take the tube back to Covent Garden where you can see some really great street performers and have a bite to eat.

Day 5

Visit the British Museum even if it’s only for an hour or two. Fabulous Egyptian Wing – with the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles – plus a mummified cat!
You’re only a few blocks from Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the neighborhood of Sir John Soane’s home and museum. An avid collector, his home is jam packed with artwork and statuary from all his travels. It’s something to see!
After two museums in one day, you’ll be ready for some refreshments. Treat yourself to the quintessential afternoon tea experience at Fortnum & Mason. While there pick up a little souvenir from your trip.

Day 6

Put on your walking shoes and head over to St. Paul’s Cathedral to climb the dome. It’s an exhilarating and amazing experience to see the structure from the inside – and to see the cathedral from the Whispering Gallery – and the London skyline from the small observatory outside. You can do it!
Have a pint at Ye Olde Mitre Pub which is a hidden gem from Henry VIII’s time in the vicinity of St. Paul’s. It’ll be tricky to find – so be sure to bring a map.

Day 7

How quickly a week goes!
After breakfast near your hotel, head to the airport. On your way, make a list of all the places you’ll visit on your next trip to this marvelous city!

itinararies

Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.

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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

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