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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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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A Hong Kong Side Trip

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A HONG KONG SIDE TRIP

If you’re lucky enough to have an opportunity to fly to Asia, take a couple of days and enjoy the wonderful bustling city of Hong Kong. The energy, the people and the exotic atmosphere will keep your senses on overdrive. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong a few times. On this trip, my sister and I stayed near the Soho area of Hong Kong.

Day 1

Arrive and check into the hotel midmorning.
Board a bus to Stanley Market. Part of the experience is the drive, so sit on the top level and enjoy the scenery – and the winding roads!
Shop the bargains in the market and then walk along the waterfront and have a light lunch.
Return by bus and switch to the MTR for a ride to Kowloon.
Enjoy cocktails and dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel. Snag a table overlooking the water and Hong Kong skyline. Enjoy the boats going by and the light show (starts every day after sunset) over your favorite beverage.
Return to the hotel via the Star Ferry or MTR and relax for the evening.

Day 2

Get up early and hike a portion of Dragon’s Back (about 2 miles of the 5-mile trek). Great workout, fabulous views. Even the bus ride (#9) to the starting point is entertaining!
Before getting back on the MTR, walk through the local street market. Fascinating to see the farmers’, butchers’ and fishmongers’ products.
Return to the hotel to shower/change.
Take the escalators down to Iyara for a relaxing manicure and pedicure! Sip fragrant herbal tea as the team there buffs and polishes like you’ve never experienced in the States. Iyara has several locations. We’ve been to a few of them with equally great results.
Walk through the mid-levels area. Lots of great shopping, eating and people-watching.
Visit Theresa Coleman Fine Art. Absolutely gorgeous antiques. The silk flags, robes and rugs are just beautiful. Theresa’s brother was minding the shop when we arrived and he took us to the upstairs gallery to show us additional treasures. Consider it a mini-museum visit!
Stop for dinner at one of the many restaurants along the escalator and people watch for a while before heading back to your hotel. We chose Caramba! on Elgin and had a frozen margarita – yum!

Day 3

Take the MTR to the Diamond Hill station. Look for directional signs to the Chi Lin Nunnery. It’s a short walk.
The affiliated gardens — Nan Lian Gardens – are stunning. Perfectly manicured trees, lovely walkways and water features all add up to a fantastic walk that can be completed in about 1.5 hours.
Follow the bridge across to the Chi Lin Nunnery and be quietly respectful as you review all the different altars on the perimeter.
From the nunnery, take a taxi to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. A recent exhibit spotlighted the story of Bruce Lee. A comprehensive and fun exhibit, it told his life story and featured photos, lunchboxes, action figures, board games and more.
Hop on a bus and go to the Ladies Market. Be sure to have a variety of bills on hand for the bargains — and very aggressive bargaining.
Take the MTR to Kowloon and splurge on tea at the Peninsula Hotel. There’s usually a line for the non-guest section, but the wait is well worth it. Gorgeous hotel with a gracious afternoon tradition.

Day 4

When the sun is shining and the skies are clear, board a bus to Victoria Peak or the tram station.
Relax and enjoy the views and the ride down in the historic tram.
Head over to the Causeway Bay area, shop and then have lunch at Din Tai Fung. Order several dishes and share! The menu is extensive and the food is delish!
Take the time to have a foot massage. It’s extremely relaxing and the perfect touch for tired tourist feet!
Find a cute restaurant for dinner along the mid levels before heading back to the hotel.
Pack and prepare for the long flight home – or to your next destination!

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.

SCRAPBOOK

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

LEAVE SOME FEEDBACK

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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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.

SCRAPBOOK

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

LEAVE SOME FEEDBACK





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