Family

October 14th, 2011

Add a Little "Offbeat" to Your Next Family Vacation

Posted by: flipkey|0 comments

by Traci Suppa

I’m one of those parents who thought Clark Griswold had the right idea for a family vacation. Drive cross-country with every expectation of adventure, and the willingness to drive four hours off course to see the world’s second largest ball of twine.

Sure, I want my daughter to experience her princess character breakfast at Walt Disney World. I hope to bring my son to the towns of Italy where his great-grandparents lived. But I also want them with me when I finally get the see that ball of twine. For the record, the world’s largest ball of twine is in Cawker, KS. There’s also one in Darwin, MN with the equally-impressive title of world’s largest twine ball rolled by one man.

Our Christmas Cards Last Year Looked Like This

“World’s largest” attractions are always on our “to-see” list, and my kids have become accustomed to standing in front of oversized bowling pins/garden gnomes/globes/boots while smiling for the camera. I highly recommend seeking out a quirky roadside attraction during your next trip. The resulting photos – so fun, so clever – may just appear on the cover of your next Christmas card. You can utilize RoadsideAmerica.com to find sites across the U.S.

This museum was an unexpected treat

The thrill of reaching these sites can be short-lived, so we try to find attractions with a little more to offer. The world’s largest bowling pin, for example, sits in front of Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Tampa, FL. We enjoyed a fun family evening of bowling and a lane-side dinner. After we gawked at the immensity of the world’s largest rotating globe in Yarmouth, ME, we headed ten minutes north to shop the outlets in Freeport. After my kids climbed through the world’s largest kid – “Eddie,” the 45-foot exhibit inside the EdVenture children’s museum of Columbia, SC – we spent several more hours enjoying the facility.

Should you prefer more educational vacation experiences, well, I’m there with you. Travel is the best education. But as I can attest from my own childhood being dragged through archaeological ruins the world over, you have to make the experience accessible in order for it to be remembered. Part of the reason we went to see the world’s largest light bulb in Edison, NJ was the opportunity to visit the adjoining museum in the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park.

We spent an hour poring over exhibits of early light bulbs and other inventions with a helpful tour guide, who even let us listen one of Edison’s original phonographs. The bonus was posing my son under the 14-foot light bulb, which sits on top of the 117-foot Memorial Tower. I love that it looks like he’s just had a bright idea!

A-HA!

It’s a precarious balance; giving kids the trips they want, while still getting to see what you want. Success is when your itinerary entertains everyone!

Traci L. Suppa drags her small-town family to see a quirky array of the world’s largest, longest, or tallest things, and blogs about it at Go BIG or Go Home.

Categorized as: Family, Trips Read more →
September 14th, 2011

Grapes, Giggles, and Girlfriends: The Perfect Getaway in Napa Valley

Posted by: Suzanne Johnson|3 comments

Book clubs, cooking clubs, bunco, bridge…what is the unifying theme to most women’s gatherings? Wine! If you can add in the opportunity to do lots of talking, while sipping wine, in beautiful surroundings—even better. So when a group of girlfriends and I decided to look for a getaway destination, Napa Valley was an ideal choice.

We needed to coordinate travel plans from the Midwest and the West Coast. Flights into Sacramento would have brought us closer to Napa, but we found that flying into San Francisco had better prices and better timing—although the congestion in and out of the city would make me re-think Sacramento on my next visit. The first half of the four-hour drive was spent weaving through lanes of traffic, until the rolling green hills beckoned us away from the urban chaos.

September and October are the months to see Napa Valley in high gear, as the juicy clusters of grapey goodness are harvested from the fields. This year, cool temperatures at the start of summer may have delayed the harvest by a few weeks—which gives travelers an even bigger timeframe to get in on the festivities of the fall crush.

When I first heard about the fall crush, I half expected to get barefoot and stomp around in a vat of purple mash, just like the old I Love Lucy episode. I’d love the experience, but cringe at the thought of drinking wine that once squished through someone’s toes! These days the fall crush is more of a celebration—the hard work of the spring and summer has paid off, the grapes are in off the vines, and the transformation into wine will soon begin!

We spent a day biking vineyard to vineyard along the Silverado Trail, starting with renting bikes in Yountville through the Napa Valley Wine Tours. We stocked up on picnic supplies—olives, flatbread crackers, cheeses—at the Oakville Grocery market, and thus fortified, we set out. By day’s end we’d visited half a dozen vineyards and covered over twenty miles! If I were to do it again (and I would love the chance!) I’d do a guided tour, led by a local biker who knew how to avoid the traffic—the roads we chose did not have wide shoulders, and we did worry about drivers who may have sampled too many.

Over coffee the following morning, the four of us were stretching our aching legs and wishing we’d thought to make massage appointments. We spied the lovely Villagio Spa, just down the street from the coffeeshop, and—our guardian angels of wine and pampering were looking out for us—we found they’d just had several cancellations, and could fit us all in for massages. If you ever have the chance to be spoiled rotten by the Villagio Spa, don’t pass it up! Better yet, plan ahead and make a reservation!

Tastings and opportunities to learn more about wine are everywhere, and cater to everyone from wine and cheese pairings for the casual wine drinker to the serious oenophile. It’s not just the grapes coming in from the fields at this time of year—the farmer markets overflow with bounty, and if your group can cook at all, you will love gathering the ingredients for a fall feast back at the vacation rental, where everyone can mingle freely instead of staying seated in a restaurant. That way, the conversation and laughter goes on until the wee hours…and isn’t that what the girlfriends’ getaway is all about?

Suzanne Johnson lives, writes and plays in the Cascade mountains of Oregon with her family of adventure-prone boys. More of her writing can be found a SuzanneMyhreJohnson.com.

Categorized as: Events To Travel For, Family, Food & Drink Read more →
August 24th, 2011

Top 10 Dog-Friendly New England Vacation Rentals

Posted by: Bethaney Wallace|0 comments

Three Dogs in a Cart

New England is known as one of the prettiest vacations spots in the country for its ocean views, multiple lakes, and vast amount of trees.  Not to mention the historical importance of the area that is a big attraction for visitors.  But when traveling, especially far away from where you call home, there is often something missing: your family dog.  Many vacation rentals aren’t pet-friendly, and having to leave Spot or Fido behind can add extra costs and planning arrangements.  The next time you’re thinking about heading to scenic New England, stay at one of these dog-friendly homes and bring along man’s best friend!

10. Relax & Listen to the Loons Sing on Toddy Pond $175-$200/night

This lovely waterfront home is located on Toddy Pond and contains five bedrooms and two baths, sleeping up to 12 people.  Totaling  2,800 square feet, “Relax & Listen” offers guests a sandy beach that is perfect for the family to enjoy.  With Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor just minutes away, you’ll have plenty of activities to keep you and the pup busy.

9. The Best Waterfront Location in Boothbay Harbor, ME $275/night

This four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is 2,040 square feet and sits just where its name suggests: on the coast of Boothbay Harbor.  Sleeping up to eight people, this rental offers fantastic views of your very own private waterway.  The house comes fully-equipped with new appliances and is within walking distance of historic downtown, home to many shops and restaurants.  Your dog will love having their run of this home’s private deck and yard.

8. Lake View Chalet $250-$350/night

This newly-constructed luxury chalet is located in Franconia, NH.  Boasting three bedrooms and two baths, this rental can sleep eight guests.  Enjoy a lakefront view while sitting in the Jacuzzi or relax next to the gas stove.  Cook for yourself and guests in the fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, under the 23′ natural pine cathedral ceilings.  With hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and nature watching all within the area, you and your beloved pet will surely have plenty of activities.

7. Riverside Farm House in the White Mountains $125-$300/night

Take a vacation out to the beautiful White Mountains, in Lancaster, NH with this 3,500 square foot farmhouse.  With four bedrooms and two baths, this rental sleeps eight people.  Relax on the classic farmer’s porch and breakfast nook, or entertain in the formal dining room.  With breathtaking views of gardens, and mountains in both Vermont and New Hampshire, you and your pup will have plenty to look at.

6. Beautiful Windekind Farm-Breidablick Cottage $160-$238/night

Taking its name from the Norwegian “broad view,” this two-bed, two-bath cottage will take you and up to three guests to a fabulous view of the Green Mountains.  Also located on the edge of Spruce Forest, this rental offers up an impressive nature scene.  It comes with all modern appliances as well as a wood-burning stove.  With 1,100 square feet of cottage in a rural setting, your dog will have plenty of running and playing space.

5. Exceptional Townhome $232-$639/night

This townhome is adjacent to the Woods Resort and Spa in Killington, Vermont.  This three-bedroom, 4-bathroom getaway is the perfect destination to enjoy all the amenities of a ski resort in a home-like setting.  Guests have access to the resorts’s indoor pool, fitness center, steam room, and spa treatments.  With all of these possibilities, your family dog will have more to do than they can fit into one vacation.

4. Bear Hollow $800-$1,300/night

Bring up to a whopping 18 guests to stay in this massive, 5-bedroom, 4-bath house.  Located in Vermont, this vacation rental comes with plenty of luxuries, including: a professional kitchen, private deck, hot tub, and a billiards table that can be converted for any ping pong or air hockey lovers.  If you’d rather relax, then  enjoy a movie next to the wood-burning fireplace or on one of the house’s three flat screen TVs.  The old boy will love having his roam over this large contemporary rental.

3. 1559 $2,500-$12,500/week

A stay in Edgartown at this 6-bed, 4-bathroom rental will provide you with a beautiful private pool.  Newly renovated, this house offers many indulgences, including; luxurious linens, a video library, and plenty of outdoor living space. It even comes with a separate bungalow for the kids and the dog to hang out.

2. 3606 Main St. $4,500/week

Treat yourself to some of the best views in Massachusetts from this 4-bed, 4-bath home.  Overlooking Sandy Neck Beach, this luxurious house is just a short and private walk from the beach.  This rental also offers a billiards room, dining area, and luxury master suite complete with Jacuzzi tub you can be sure the pet will enjoy!

1. Ocean View $6,900/week

Located in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts, this 2,600 square foot, 4-bedroom, 3-bath vacation spot provides you with breathtaking views.  The house hosts a deck that offers panoramic views of the Provincetown Harbor and the Pilgrim Lake dunes.  Enjoy this private getaway with a heated pool, hot tub, and sauna.  And with a chef’s kitchen and two outdoor gas grills, you’ll never have to worry about your best friend going hungry.

Categorized as: Family, Just for Fun Read more →
August 23rd, 2011

Back to the City for Back to School!

Posted by: Suzanne Johnson|0 comments

Whether your family’s summer was full of baseball games, fishing at the lake, or just hanging out with friends, I hope it was like ours: a grand reprieve from the structure and routine of the school schedule. I know—summer’s not officially over until the Fall Equinox in late September, but that’s just a technicality! Ask any kid and they’ll tell you summer winds down on Labor Day Weekend.

In some ways September is more a New Year’s event than January, especially for families with school-age kids. It’s a fresh start with new teachers, a new set of classmates, and a whole new set of goals and challenges. Labor Day weekend offers a perfect opportunity to say farewell to summer while kick-starting the school year. Instead of another trip to the lake or another relaxing picnic gathering, families can embrace the upcoming school year with an urban weekend that jumpstarts the brains after a long lazy summer, and fills the closets with back-to-school gear.

Midwesterners have an easy choice for a Labor Day urban getaway: Minneapolis is easy to get to and easy to negotiate, with great vacation rentals and more than enough culture to engage the whole family. Whether your family gravitates towards art, science, or theater, you can find it on Labor Day Weekend, plus fill in the gaps with great shopping.

Spend an afternoon meandering the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for a look at how people have expressed themselves across the globe and through time, from African masks to Japanese scrolls. Then go big and head over to one of my favorite spots, the Walker Sculpture Garden, where the Standing Frame sculpture frames the city scenes and Prophecy of the Ancients frames the sky. The sculptures in this garden aim to change your perspective on the world, and one way or another they do succeed.

Across the river in St. Paul, the experiment gallery in the Science Museum of Minnesota is a favorite destination for kids of all ages, followed by a visit through the dinosaur and fossil exhibit. The best reason to go to this science museum over Labor Day?  It’s the last chance to walk like an Egyptian through the King Tut exhibit – it closes right after Labor Day.

If your family is more into Shakespeare than mummies, here is a good option: take in a performance of Hamlet, a modern take on the classic story, at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. After which you might ask… “To shop, or not to shop?” and the answer will definitely be “Shop!” Without a doubt, you’ll want to give yourselves a full day for the Mall of America, where you can break up the shopping with adrenaline-charged roller coaster rides and flight simulator experiences, or head for a quieter diversion in the aquarium.  Whichever activities you choose to fill the urban getaway, it’ll add up to a great transition back to the new school routine, and maybe will even become a family tradition.

Suzanne Johnson lives, writes and plays in the Cascade mountains of Oregon with her family of adventure-prone boys. More of her writing can be found a SuzanneMyhreJohnson.com.

Categorized as: Events To Travel For, Family, Travel Tips Read more →
August 05th, 2011

5 Tips for Healthy Eating on the Road

Posted by: flipkey|1 comment

by Sheri Wallace

As road trip experts, we drive thousands of miles every year as a family. We’re the people who can hardly wait to pack everyone in the car and find a new scenic byway, a downhill grade over 10%, or an unknown territory. Notice I say “we” because our whole family is an expert on everything that goes with a road trip. But, typically, as the mom, I’m the one most concerned with nutrition and vegetables as we travel. It’s far too easy to grab onion rings when you stop for gas, a root beer float at a roadside stand and top that off with cheese curds you’ve seen advertised for 200 miles — not exactly pediatrician or cardiologist approved.

Tip #1

To make healthy eating easier takes a little planning, but you can do it. The first tip coincides with the first rule of the road trip. Stop rushing. When you sit down to plan the trip, it’s tempting to try to do 600 miles a day, but you’ll live (maybe) to regret that. Slow down and allow plenty of time to enjoy what you find around the next bend. That lets you plan meals much more easily and adjust for your family’s needs.

You might get on the road early before breakfast, let the kids sleep a little and then stop for breakfast. Or, eat breakfast in the car and stop for a mid-morning break. You get the idea. But a healthy breakfast makes everyone a lot happier – and doesn’t cost a fortune. We’re fans of bagels and hard boiled eggs or chicken – nothing too messy. We avoid food dyes and sugar as much as possible — keeps the tantrums less likely.

Tip #2

Getting gas is not where we eat, take a break, or buy anything. Except for gas. Planning your day in advance lets you have a pretty good idea when the kids will need to get out of the car and when you’ll need to stop for gas. Stop before the fill-up and let everyone work off some steam. Eat a picnic and play a game of Frisbee. See who can climb the rocks the fastest or do some geocaching. But, do it before the petrol. If you get snacks or a lunch break combined with the scheduled stop, no one will suddenly go into convulsions at the sight of cookies or Cheetos. Avoiding temptation is 90% of the game.

Tip #3

Involve everyone in the healthy eating game. We consider food out of the cooler free. Everything else is budgeted and we set a daily budget of about $20 for food not out of the cooler. You can set a personal budget or a family budget and let people make choices. Even the little people. If you feel it’s your decision to stop now because you really have to have that ice cream sandwich and you don’t have money for the root beer float later, it’s your own tragedy. Money left over from the budget can go to souvenirs or attractions you didn’t have money to schedule. You’ll probably be shocked at how much ice cream suddenly isn’t as important as another day at Wally World.

We try to use the food budget as a way to teach map reading, build interest in upcoming stops and try local foods we aren’t familiar with. Farmer’s markets or ethnic supermarkets are a fun topic of conversation. And it works really well. If you add up the empty calories and junk you miss along the way it’s probably pretty substantial.

Tip #4

Keep the cooler stocked. It’s hard to suggest a healthy snack if the cooler is empty. We tend to stock up every couple of days and be sure we can make sandwiches at the drop of a hat. Our longer trips usually involve our trailer so we stop at a rest area and make hot food quickly and then get back on the road. We mix it up and try to not fall into a rut, and most importantly, we let everyone pick foods. Maybe your family appoints everyone a day and they manage the cooler inventory or you just stick to snack appointments. You’ll be shocked at how much the backseat can talk about food choices and what they might do with their next budget. Older kids can make a competition out of calories or grams of sugar, etc.

Tip #5

Sometimes you just have to let it go. Get out and have that root beer float or the fried cheese curds. Try to make it special and not a Taco Bell or some other restaurant you have at home, but once in a while, familiarity is a good thing. Every day is a new day and no matter how much junk you’re avoiding you’re still avoiding some. Stay positive and don’t try to do too much too fast. No one gets healthy overnight – especially on a road trip!

Sheri is an experienced publishing, public relations, and marketing professional and the editor at http://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/.

Categorized as: Budget Travel, Family, Food & Drink, Travel Tips Read more →
July 29th, 2011

Top 10 Kid Friendly Vacation Rental Amenities

Posted by: teresawrites|0 comments

Renting a vacation home with kids can be a welcome change from the hotel scene. Not only does it make your home away from home feel more like, well, home, it also provides amenities that might not be possible in a traditional hotel. When planning to reserve your next rental, consider looking for these kid-friendly amenities for kids of all ages.

  1. A pool
    Kids and pools are like peanut butter and jelly — they just go together. Look for a vacation rental with a well-maintained pool, preferably a heated one if you’ll be in a cooler climate or the temperature might not be as tropical as you want.
  2. A full kitchen
    While the kids might not appreciate the full-sized fridge and ample workspace, they will enjoy the resulting meals. Make a trip to the local market and stock the shelves to ensure that the kids (and the adults!) are well fed.
  3. Outdoor grill
    An outdoor grill can provide a quick way to cook up a meal without a big mess or heating up the whole house. What’s more, if it’s located on a patio or deck, the whole family can enjoy time together while the food is cooking.
  4. Pet friendliness
    For vacationers with pets, traveling isn’t the same without their furry friends. Book a pet-friendly vacation rental so all the members of the family can come along.
  5. Cable/satellite TV
    During vacation, a little rain may fall, leaving you with cooped-up kids with nothing to do. Cable or satellite TV can provide a distraction from foul weather, or help the little ones to settle down for quiet time or a nap.
  6. DVD player
    If cable or satellite TV aren’t available, or nothing good is on, pop in a DVD to entertain the family.
  7. High-speed Internet
    Kids of all ages will appreciate a good Internet connection, whether to check email or Tweet, play games, or instant message.
  8. Air conditioning/heating
    No matter what time of year you’re traveling, the weather might take a turn for the worse, leaving you grateful for central heating or air conditioning.
  9. Swing set/play equipment
    A swing set or play equipment on site or nearby can be a great way for young kids to stretch their legs and play. Look for age-appropriate play equipment for your little one.
  10. High chair or booster seat
    It can be difficult or nearly impossible to travel with a high chair or appropriate booster seat; instead, look for a rental that provides them so you don’t have to lug them along yourself.

Rentals provide more than just a place to stay – they can also provide amenities you didn’t know you needed. Look for some of these features the next time your family travels.

Teresa J. Shaw is a Michigan-based writer specializing in travel and family content. Read more of her work at www.teresajshaw.com and follow her on Twitter @TeresaShaw.

Categorized as: Budget Travel, Family Read more →
July 28th, 2011

What Family Vacation Means to Me

Posted by: flipkey|3 comments

By Bethaney Wallace

When I was in grade school, each new school year presented the opportunity to recount what I had done during the summer months. When classes resumed I was asked to describe what I had been doing with my time away.  The grade usually correlated to the amount of work that was required: in kindergarten I gave a show and tell presentation; in the sixth grade, I wrote an essay.  Each fall I would tell my teacher the same thing: I told them about my summer vacation.  Sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, building sand castles on the beach, or navigating our way through Disneyland – my family always went on a vacation.  It was a bonding experience, my parents said, and we were required to spend at least an entire week together – whether we were to be cramped in a single cruise ship cabin or lounging in an entire rented cottage – the time was to be spent together.

The first vacation I have memories from is when I was five years old and my parents, baby sister and I went to the Lake of the Ozarks.  I may not remember much of the scenery, or any of the lake for that matter.  But I do remember listening to the neighborhood band play in the park while I climbed the jungle gym.  I remember going to day camp and creating my own bejeweled hat while my parents were off doing boring adult things.  For anyone who debates sending their children off to day camp programs, it was the highlight of my trip.

Since that initial vacation, my family has traveled to a new location each year.  Each destination was a new place to explore and buy tacky souvenirs to bolster our vacation T-shirt collection: one for every location.  During my teenage years I was a little less enthusiastic to oblige my parents’ vacation plans, but by the time I hit college I was begging them to extend the trips a day or two longer to enjoy the momentary respite from studying and the less than desirable college dining hall food.

Why should your family travel together?

Vacations aren’t just to “get away from it all” or for the relaxation. In fact, anyone who has ever gone on a family vacation – especially with young children – can tell you they are often far from relaxing.  What family vacations do provide is an unparalleled bonding experience.  Sharing new and exciting experiences with your family connects you in a way that few other events allow.  The activities, the meals, even arguing over who was at fault for getting lost are moments that you and your family will always cherish.

Enough with the gushy stuff.  When it comes down to it – even with the budget restrictions, the challenges of traveling with youngsters, or the stress of planning – in the long run, family time trumps all the obstacles.

This summer, my family went to Chicago, and due to work conflicts I wasn’t able to join them for the first time since our summer family vacation initiative began.  They showed me pictures and brought back my obligatory keepsake (a poster from Wrigley field).  But I missed out on the road trips; I missed out on arguing over what we were having for dinner, or what museum would have the best exhibits;  I missed out on all of the fun.

Next summer, when my parents schedule our annual trip’s destination and dates, I will take off work months in advance. When I return and my boss asks how my trip was, I’ll give my vacation presentation, the same way I did in elementary school.  Family vacations are an important part of my life, I’ll tell him.  And I have the T-shirts to prove it.

Bethaney Wallace is a social media advocate for the mortgage rates website, MortgageSum.  She is passionate about blogging and family vacations.

Categorized as: Family Read more →
July 27th, 2011

Wedding Ceremonies in Massachusetts

Posted by: flipkey|1 comment

By Mary White

Destination weddings often combine the ceremony with the honeymoon, but they require careful planning. Budget is always a factor in a wedding, especially when you are not getting married in your home town. The convenience of the location for your guests is another consideration. Massachusetts, with its accessible airport, multitude of attractions and natural beauty brings much to the table as a wedding venue. Here are three Massachusetts spots to enjoy the local vibe and say, “I do.”

Brookline

It’s hard to believe that Brookline runs parallel to Boston. The area is convenient to Logan Airport and all of the Hub’s famous attractions, but its elaborate Victorian mansions and scenic parks transport you back to kinder, gentler days. When you look for the definition of “romantic” in the dictionary, it says Brookline Bed and Breakfast. These privately owned inns can provide the finishing touches to a fantasy wedding.

Before the Ceremony

Arrange for friends and family to get to know each other by planning a group hike around Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, which provides a comprehensive historical tour that conveniently passes some of the best shopping and dining in town. Then, plan a memorable rehearsal dinner at one of the Italian restaurants in the North End, where you’ll feel a romantic combination of Old World and local charm. While you make your final preparations, your guests will enjoy the funky shops and restaurants on Brookline’s Beacon Street and Coolidge Corner. Maybe there’s a wedding gift there that’s waiting to be found!

The South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands

The fantasy beach wedding becomes a dream-come-true in southern Massachusetts. The area offers wedding venues and lodging options to suit all budgets. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, islands that require a transportation connection from the airport, are best for high-end weddings. Since they are less accessible, they are best suited to smaller, more private ceremonies. With their location comes fun and romance: The whole wedding party can enjoy B&B stays on the islands, or find their own spot for a few days in a Vineyard vacation rental.

In contrast to the exclusive and somewhat posh venues on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the towns along the South Shore offer low key and affordable venues and accommodations. Cape Cod bed and breakfast options are extensive, running the full range from economical to high-end lodging options.

Before the Ceremony

Arrange a beach day for your guests who arrive early: hang out on the shore, enjoy a boat ride or a fishing excursion, and gather everyone together for a traditional clam bake. The local seafood restaurants offer the freshest fish and shellfish around and many can accommodate large groups or cater parties. Historically-inclined guests might want to take a trip to Plymouth and explore America’s origins, and those who want to just relax will enjoy strolling through the quaint shops in the various Cape Cod towns.

The Berkshires

The mountains are to the Berkshires what the ocean is to the South Shore. This stunning wooded area offers scenic beauty, great inns and vacation homes and, importantly, convenient access from New York City. Like Cape Cod, the Berkshire towns offer lodging options for all budgets. No matter what you choose to spend, the area’s laid back atmosphere will set the scene for a pleasant and memorable wedding

Before the Ceremony

In addition to hiking trails, lakes and rivers, the Berkshires boast an extensive selection of concert venues, shops, spas and restaurants. If you plan your wedding in the summer, then you may be able to enjoy a night of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer residency at Tanglewood. During the day, check out Mass MoCA, a modern art museum in a unique setting. A day of beauty at Canyon Ranch, located in Lenox, is the perfect bridesmaid’s gift!

Make your wedding memorable and marvelous in Massachusetts!

Mary White is the Founder of BnBFinder.com, a leading bed & breakfast listing site and author of Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies.  Find more bed & breakfast stories at http://www.bnbfinder.com/blog or follow BnBFinder on Twitter @BnBFinder.

Categorized as: Budget Travel, Family, Travel Local Read more →
June 07th, 2011

Get Help: How to Hire a Babysitter on Vacation

Posted by: jayferris|2 comments

How to Find a BabysitterAs a parent, the goal of family vacations is always to ensure as many happy, enduring memories as possible, especially for the kids. These getaways are the perfect opportunity to instill in them an appreciation for new people and places, and hopefully to pass along some of your own wanderlust tendencies. Vacation is also a great time to slow down and reconnect, free from the day-to-day distractions that can unwittingly build distance throughout the year.

That distance doesn’t just fall between you and the kids though. Consider your significant other and how much excitement a change of scenery would add to the two of you stealing away for a night out on the town, or perhaps even a day trip to a less than kid-friendly destination, such as a winery or particularly challenging hike. Regardless of your taste, you shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to incorporate some “adult time” into your vacation.

You might be lucky enough to have extended family with you on vacation to keep an eye on your little ones while you go have some grown-up fun, or you might be ridiculously lucky and have a nanny who goes where you go… although that one is a lot less likely. Many families, however, are left trying to find a babysitter in a place where they don’t have any personal connections whatsoever, a decidedly frustrating act when the well-being of your children is on the line.

The only way to minimize this hassle is by the same means with which you’d ensure the smoothness of any other part of your vacation – preparation. Here are some tips that can help you in your search:

Post a Detailed Job Listing

There are many great online babysitting services you can use, like Sittercity.com or Care.com. You can even post in the part-time or etcetera jobs section of craigslist for the city you will be traveling to. No matter what you use, you’ll want to create a detailed job posting about a month or two before your vacation, including information such as:

  • Exact date(s) and time(s)
  • Responsibilities the sitter will have
  • General personalities of your children (active, artsy, etc.)
  • Any special needs information about your children (allergies, disabilities, etc.)
  • What you are looking for in a babysitter (over 18, CPR certified, etc.)
  • Hourly rate you will be paying

There isn’t an easy rule of thumb for what hourly rate to pay your babysitter, but the team over at Sittercity.com has compiled data from thousands of babysitting jobs into a really nice (and free) babysitting rate calculator.

Interview the Candidates

Once you’ve read through the responses and narrowed it down to a handful you feel are a good fit based on their experience level, enthusiasm, and general personality fit for your children, it’s time to do some interviews. By phone is OK, or even via video chat if the option is available. Here are some questions you should consider asking:

  • What is your favorite thing about babysitting?
  • What is a challenge you have experienced when babysitting in the past, and how did you resolve it?
  • Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
  • Do you have your own car, and are you comfortable driving with children? (if applicable)
  • Do you have any pet allergies/fears? (if your pet will be with you)

Questions like “How long have you been babysitting” and “Are you trained in First Aid/CPR” should have already been answered via their resume/response to your job posting, but feel free to ask again for posterity’s sake. Try to think of anything that might be considered unique to your situation (special needs, dietary considerations, daily religious practices, etc.) and make a list so you don’t forget to address them during the interview.

After selecting your final candidate(s), they should be completely willing to submit themselves to a reference and background check, so don’t worry about requesting these things from them if you require that extra layer of security/peace of mind.

Make a Plan

About a week before your vacation, contact your sitter to make sure they are still available, and to communicate the plan for their upcoming job. In your plan, be specific with dates and times, document where you’ll be, important phone numbers, and any information that is critical to your child’s well-being. Pretty much the same as you would do for any babysitter back home. You should also consider what activities they’ll be participating in, especially if you’ll be away for an entire day, providing your sitter with the funds needed to cover expenses for both them and your children, including gas if you feel comfortable with them driving together.

When the time comes to meet your babysitter in person, it’s not a bad idea to schedule them to arrive an hour earlier than your planned departure. This will give you time to brief them on the situation in person, watch them interact with your children, and make sure everybody is comfortable with one another.

The final, and most important step – go have a good time!

Jay Ferris is a Seattle-based writer, husband, and father of three, whose penchant for outdoors-based travel is rivaled only by his dependence on a steady internet connection and spider-free existence. Follow him on Twitter at @jayferris.

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May 11th, 2011

How to Pack for a Family Vacation in Carry-On Bags

Posted by: teresawrites|0 comments

As airlines continue to increase their checked baggage fees, travelers are getting around the extra cost by carrying on luggage. For families traveling together, this strategy can be challenging. Deciding what to bring and what to leave home is a difficult choice for everyone. Here’s some advice on how to pack everything you need for a family vacation in carry-on bags.

1. Share the Stuff

Sit down as a family to make a master packing list. You can use the list to make sure nothing is duplicated, such as toothpaste or other toiletries. In addition, consider packing items that can be shared, such as a paperback book that everyone’s been anxious to read. Also be sure to check with the rental property to see what is included so that you don’t pack anything you don’t need, such as towels or toilet paper.

Travelers should also remember that, at most destinations, a pharmacy or grocery store is nearby. Sometimes buying that toilet paper or toothpaste once you reach your destination is a good way to save on luggage fees. Also, if anything essential was forgotten, it can be purchased again.

2. Whittle Down the “Wants”

Carefully choose which clothing, accessories, toys, and other items each person packs. For clothes, put together an outfit for each person for each day – remember to mix and match items such as sweaters and pants that can be worn more than once! Then, roll each item up individually to pack into a suitcase. Also keep in mind that laundry facilities may be available; if this is the case, just plan to do a load or two of laundry at the destination instead of over packing.

Now is also a good time to pack those garments or other items that only have one more use out of them (such as almost-empty toothpaste tubes or shirts with a yet-unnoticeable hole) – pack them, use or wear them, and toss them. You’ll make more room for souvenirs on the way home.

Shoes take up a lot of space, so only take the pairs you need. Pack them around the outer perimeter of the suitcase and tuck socks and other small items into them.

Ask kids to pick no more than one or two favorite toys to bring with them, and remind them that the rest will be safe at home when they get back.

3. Suitcase Smarts

Each family member should be responsible for at least one bag. For young kids, this can be a small roller bag or a backpack that isn’t too heavy for them. Help them pack their essentials (read: toys) in these bags, along with a change of clothes and any other important items. Then, on the plane, they can keep the bags stored under the seat in front of them, saving space in the overhead bins for the larger suitcases.

Packing for a family vacation in carry-on bags means bringing no more than you need. Pack smartly by deciding as a family what everyone will bring on the trip and making sure to keep it simple.

Teresa J. Shaw is a Michigan-based writer specializing in travel and family content. Read more of her work at www.teresajshaw.com and follow her on Twitter @TeresaShaw.

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