NYC during the Holidays
New York is in full swing celebrating the holidays again much like the years before 2020. We made our annual pilgrimage to the glitzy city for a little joy, a little laughter and a lot of shopping. After purchasing our one week pass at the metro station, we were ready to take it all on.…
Read MorePalm Springs: Marilyn is Back!
Ok. She has been back in the desert city for awhile now. But seeing her again felt like a personal victory for both of us. After a travel drought, it was great to return to this whimsical California town, where the combination of hot pink, bright yellow and orange citrus feel right at home with…
Read MoreNew Year’s Eve 2021: More Patience, More Kindness
I am staring into the bottom of my soup pot, where a browning ham hock and a pile of chopped onions await their companion of black-eyed peas–a new year’s eve tradition hearkening back to my southern roots. Shopping for dried black-eyed peas in Seattle can be the equivalent of seeking Beluga caviar for a different…
Read MoreEmerging from Travel Hibernation: Sleeps5
Like many of you, I have been in travel hibernation for these long months the pandemic has encompassed. And, like many others, after seeing my elderly and fragile, followed by the sturdy and young ones vaccinated, I stuck a toe out in the world beyond my immediate community and climbed on a plane. (It would…
Read More“Another year over, a new one just begun . . .” Travel Post-Covid: What have we learned?
At the end of every year, I have traditionally put down some thoughts–travel related–about the last 12 months and some hopes for the next. This time I kept drawing a blank. Let’s face it, it seems pretty privileged and shallow to complain about not travelling, dining out or seeing a show, when the world has…
Read MoreRoad Trip Across America with Senior Dog
Like many other Americans, one of our beloved family members comes with four legs. And in our particular case, this furry creature is in her dotage at the ripe age of 15. This can pose dilemmas for frequent travelers: do you leave them behind, will the caregiver manage their eccentricities, will they run away, and…
Read MoreCherry Blossom Festivals for Families
Links to cherry blossom festivals around the US, and in Japan, China, Sweden, and Brazil. Learn when the trees bloom and how to enjoy them, plus tips for teaching kids about the celebrations. Outdoor spring family-friendly fun! Sakura Hanami.
Read More25 Best Disney Websites to Save You Money
25 websites about worldwide Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Resorts that have money saving tips, trip planning tools, and travel budget advice.
Read MoreSleeps5: Magical Days in the Dordogne
Dordogne, France This summer, our Sleeps5 crew headed to the eastern Dordogne region of France after a hectic few days in Paris; one of which included a 17 mile walk–not recommended. After a long but scenic drive from Paris, we landed in the tiny hamlet of Montfort, where we were welcomed at La Barde. La…
Read MoreCotswolds Hotels vs Airbnb for Budget Travel – Family of 5
Like other families with three kids or more, we sometimes use AirBnB for both the value and space. That said, we have recently found that AirBnBs are quite expensive in higher tourist areas. And, in fact, we have found traditional hotels and B&Bs can offer the same value with greater convenience. It’s worth a little research…
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