I am a bit overwhelmed even trying to think where to start with this post! I LOVE London. Can’t get enough of it. In the last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to travel there several times at all different times of the year and each time I go I just fall more and more … Read more
I grew up in San Diego and admittedly never spent much time in Oceanside. We were a little bit inland and further south in San Diego..so our beach trips took us to La Jolla Shores, Del Mar and points south. Living in Orange County these last many years Oceanside has been a bit closer, but … Read more
These past 2 years (I can’t even believe I’m saying that!) have felt a bit stifling, feeling stuck in one place and generally unable to travel. Things feel a little like they are starting to normalize in that department, we just got back from our first big trip in a few years and while it … Read more
Dare I say…travel is back? Could it be? I decided it was about time to dust off the travel archives and write a travel post. This has been the strangest 15+ months. I have never been so grounded. While there are parts of being a home body I have definitely enjoyed, the wanderlust has been … Read more
Let me just start by saying, spending Christmas in New York City is as magical as it seems in all the movies and on TV. This amazing city…that I love all year, just outdoes itself at Christmastime. Macy’s Santaland, ice skating in Central Park, twinkle lights and music everywhere you look…it’s hard to not feel … Read more
If you have never had the opportunity to visit one or more of the National Parks, here is my formal invitation to make Zion National Park a vacation destination in the near future. Living in Southern California my whole life and traveling back and forth between CA and Utah for school, St. George was always … Read more
The lakes region in Italy has become one of our favorite travel destinations. Sparkling turquoise water, dramatic mountains jutting out of the lake, quaint villages and lots of activities for families and couples alike, it’s no wonder we love to visit! Of all the lakes in Italy, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest. A quick 2 … Read more
Finding hotels in London with family rooms can be a challenge. Last time we were in town we were there long enough we decided to check out luxury vacation rentals in London, but on a recent stop in town for a few days, we decided to just find a hotel for the four of us. … Read more
We have been traveling to Phoenix for years for a fun desert getaway. A quick drive from our home in Orange County and home to many of our extended family, we usually find ourselves there several times a year. Over spring break this year John was fortunate to have a conference at the Arizona Biltmore … Read more
If you’re looking for a little dose of southern charm, put Charleston South Carolina on your list of places to visit. John and I try and take a little time each year to get away and do something fun together. Thank heavens for amazing grandparents who are willing to spend some quality time with their … Read more
I am SO excited for your NYC adventure. You are going to LOVE the city. I can’t get enough of it and I wish I could come along with you! 🙂 A few years ago I wrote this post about Christmas in NYC with kids and I have been amazed at the response. Hundreds of … Read more
If you are thinking about a family trip to Venice, Italy this year, look no further for a fabulous hotel. The JW Marriott Venice Italy located on Isola delle Rose Venezia is amazing! Venice can be a hot and crowded place to visit during the summer, and I’ve heard many people say that it wasn’t … Read more
Over Labor Day weekend we decided to make a last minute family trip to the town of Jackson, WY. I had been to Jackson Hole, Wyoming many, many years ago as a kid when my family passed through on their way to Yellowstone National Park, but I didn’t remember much, and the rest of my … Read more
I have always loved the movie The Holiday. Have you seen it? It’s on repeat at our house throughout Christmas. 😉 The idea of spending the holidays in a cozy little thatched roof cottage in the Cotswolds is so appealing! On a recent trip to Italy we found flights that made it cheaper to stop … Read more
When we decided to visit Salzburg, Austria during our summer in Europe, (a Sound of Music Tour was a must for us!) we knew we wanted to stay right in the heart of the old city center. (affiliate links are included in this post) We spent some time researching the best family hotels in Salzburg. … Read more
This fall John and I had the chance to sneak away for a few days in New York City…as many of you know, it’s one of my favorite places on the planet, and fall is my favorite time there. We are fortunate to visit often, so now, rather than trying to hit all the touristy … Read more
Visiting Venice in August can be described in two words: hot and crowded. On a recent trip to Italy, knowing that the temperatures were going to be in the triple digits with high humidity, we opted to stay off of the main island and have a very different Venice experience at San Clemente Palace Kempinski. … Read more
If you’ve been visiting the blog for awhile, you know we love to travel. Homeschooling the kids really allowed us to be a lot more flexible and travel in the off-season. When John has a work trip, we are able to tag along, which allows us to see much more of the country each year. … Read more
If you are heading to Southern California and looking for beautiful, family friendly resorts in San Diego, look no further. The Omni La Costa Golf Resort and Spa offers something for everyone in the family. Golf, a beautiful spa, Kid’s Club, water slides…the list goes on. Both John and I grew up in San Diego, … Read more
I’ve been getting many emails lately asking for a Rome Travel Guide, so I think it’s about time I write a little about our adventures in Rome and some Rome Travel Tips. It’s no secret I love Italy. Give me a few days off to vacation and I would rather spend it there than really … Read more
Perched atop a beautiful bluff in Dana Point, CA, overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean, the Monarch Beach Resort offers families looking for the perfect Southern California getaway a wonderful experience. I may be partial to Orange County, considering it is home, but let me tell you, after traveling the world, it really doesn’t get much … Read more
January was a crazy travel month for me. When I bought my ticket to Alt Summit back in mid 2016, I had no idea where life would be taking me at this time in 2017. I was grateful that this year Alt Summit moved to sunny Palm Springs and so it made the travel much … Read more
A trip up the California coast is always a good idea, and when there is a cute boutique hotel like The Hotel Carmel to stop and relax at, it’s an even better idea. A mix of modern and cottage architecture, 27 guest rooms some with fireplaces, others with views of the hotel’s intimate courtyard. Relax … Read more
Welcome to Destination Design, a new feature here on the blog. This is something I’ve been wanting to start for awhile, and I’ve finally decided to just jump in with both feet. I have a question for you… When you are browsing the internet, what makes you stop in your tracks and say WOW!? What … Read more
I love to travel and explore the world with my family. Nothing makes me happier than planning and preparing for a new adventure. When we headed to Europe for the summer I wanted to make sure that we all stayed as healthy as possible so we could enjoy our time together. I was happy to … Read more
When we planned our 3 months in Europe, we decided that we would both start and end our trip in London. Because there was such a long period of time between our stays, I didn’t worry about making reservations before we left home in June. I figured we would play it by ear and pick … Read more
Victoria, BC: This beautiful, sleepy island is home to a true Canadian landmark, The Fairmont Empress Hotel. I visited here when I was a child, and had memories of walking into the grand building and eating at its fancy restaurant. When we planned a tour of British Colombia for a family vacation, I couldn’t imagine … Read more
With the world’s attention focused on Arizona today on Super Bowl Sunday, I thought that would be a perfect excuse to highlight “The Grand Canyon State” as our February vacation spot. There’s a reason most of the MLB teams have their Spring Training facilities here, and that’s because February and March are the perfect times … Read more
This suburban girl LOVES the city. I’m sure if you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I can’t get enough of a big city. New York has my heart, but I also love any excuse to sneak up to San Francisco. There are SO many fun shops, restaurants and things to … Read more