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Hotels Travel Trends

Bahamas Trip! @atlantisbahamas #traveltips Holiday Travel #HolidayTravel

Christmas is almost here!  Are you ready? Any travel plans in the near future?  Whether you are traveling near or far to visit family or spend time with friends on a vacation it can be stressful traveling during the holiday season. We just got back from the Bahamas as we were lucky enough to head there for my daughter’s gymnastics meet. There were lots of kids from all over the world and a great opportunity for all the girls at our gym. It was such a fun experience. I like how it was the week before Christmas although we did need to take the girls out of school for a few days but it was a great opportunity! Sun and warmth when it was in the teens and 2os for temperatures in Boston was a welcome relief. We got to enjoy beach activities, all the slides at Atlantis and quality family time. It was THE BEST trip. Next time we go to Atlantis I will plan ahead a bit more and bring snacks for sure as the food can be a bit pricy. Speaking of planning if you are traveling before or during the holidays here are a few tips!

1. Plan ahead – I did all my holiday shopping and wrapped the presents before I left. So right now I am relaxing and watching holiday movies! If you are headed someplace for the holiday think about sending your packages ahead of time.

2. Use the plane or car ride for lists, planning and any last minute work – My girls had to do some school work and homework and I suggested they do it on the plane so they could enjoy the time on the beach. I got some work done as well – use the transition time to your destination wisely.

3.  Limit technology if you can – It was nice to do activities without being glued to our phones. That and the Wi-Fi was spotty in places so it was forced family fun lol – no, but seriously I tried to take some photos, relax, and check the phone at night before bed. The kids were really good at taking breaks with their phones. Plus the slides at Atlantis are just crazy fun so no phones allowed! See video below.

 

Here are some photos from our Atlantis get-a-way.

A fun Atlantis Bahamas trip the week before Christmas!
A fun Atlantis Bahamas trip the week before Christmas!
My gymnast at Atlantis Bahama. s at the Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational
My gymnast at Atlantis Bahamas – at the Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational
So glad last year we got a Go Pro. It is amazing to take action photos!
So glad last year we got a Go Pro. It is amazing to take action photos!
Go Pro action photo while parasailing at Atlantis Bahamas
Go Pro action photo while parasailing at Atlantis Bahamas

 

 

 

Categories
Exercise Health Travel

Summer Adventures #sports #travel #travelblogger

Well July came and went super quick!  My girls are active in a summer swim and dive league and with daily practices it can get hectic. Summer sports seem to fly by and I cannot believe it is August! Usually I am quite active in the summer with barre, jogging and tennis and it seems once we went on vacation and came back to work that all stopped. But the summer is not over yet so I hope to get out more and play tennis and enjoy a bit of paddleboarding too. Our travels this summer focused mostly on the beach including trips to #Maine. This is my new favorite place to visit – Anchorage by the Sea

There is so much to do in #Ogunquit. It really is a beautiful place by the sea. What are your summer adventures?

A ride around #Ogunquit
A ride around #Ogunquit
The views are amazing anywhere in #Ogunquit #Maine
The views are amazing anywhere in #Ogunquit #Maine

 

 

Categories
Events personal Travel

Summer is here! Enjoy the view, family and good times #traveltips

Anyone who has school age kids knows June is one busy month. Between sports ending, Father’s Day, final exams and vacation, getting it all done during this last month of school is challenging. I am a big fan of taking a night away if you can to relax and enjoy the view. Plus if you have older kids it provides a nice way for you to spend some family time together (the teen years tend to be the sulky, silent ones 🙁 ) We were lucky that our night away in beautiful #Ogunquit Maine was sunny and in the 90s. To make it feel like you are away for more than one night we arrive at the destination early, like by 9:00 am and leave late. If you cannot get into your hotel room that early, check out the facilities, visit the local beach or have breakfast. We were out and about all day, checked in a bit early, lounged by the pool, had dinner with friends and then got up early for breakfast. The first weekend in June is the perfect time for a get-a-way and to enjoy the beginning of the warm weather before the month’s activities pick up.  We were also able to use the pool the following day and did not head home until 5:00 pm! It truly felt like we were gone for five days.  So if you can only get a way for a night try the early in late out method if your hotel allows as that is a great way to recharge and refresh before the summer season kicks up. Take time to enjoy the view, spend time with your family without technology and the good times will follow.

 

travel tips for summer
Sit back and enjoy the view this summer #travel #traveltips

 

Categories
Travel

Beauty on the go @tatcha_v #tatcha #travelsize #sponsored

I love my travel size beauty products and I love this line of beauty products  from Tatcha which the creator started by taking a holistic approach to beauty based on classical Japanese beauty secrets and the approach that that less is more. The Tatcha collection has something for everyone.

The website says, “The foundation of the line is Hadasei-3™, a trinity of anti-aging superfoods born from the Japanese diet, and the basis for the original geisha beauty rituals: green tea, rice and algae. Every ingredient is carefully selected and minimally manipulated to be gentle and safe with maximum effectiveness.”

Here are a few products the company sent me to test out.

The Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum is a weightless serum of Okinawa Red Algae, Honeysuckle Leaf and Caffeine. In one use I noticed an instance difference. Loved the hydration it offers.

I have a ton of hand creams everywhere. I like the soothing hand cream as it is super hydrating and it calms irritated skin. What is different about it is that is has a blue color which is a natural Japanese Indigo and disappears upon application. Super cool!

The Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm is unlike any other I have tried. The packaging is so nice and it is ultra hydrating. Made with Camellia Oil it leaves your lips with a bit of golden shimmer. The glossy finish is perfect and it has 23-karat gold flakes right in it! A must for your make-up bag!

Disclosure: The company sent me the above items to test out. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v
#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v

 

Categories
Travel Uncategorized

Beauty on the go @tatcha_v #tatcha #travelsize #sponsored

I love my travel size beauty products and I love this line of beauty products  from Tatcha which the creator started by taking a holistic approach to beauty based on classical Japanese beauty secrets and the approach that that less is more. The Tatcha collection has something for everyone.

The website says, “The foundation of the line is Hadasei-3™, a trinity of anti-aging superfoods born from the Japanese diet, and the basis for the original geisha beauty rituals: green tea, rice and algae. Every ingredient is carefully selected and minimally manipulated to be gentle and safe with maximum effectiveness.”

Here are a few products the company sent me to test out.

The Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum is a weightless serum of Okinawa Red Algae, Honeysuckle Leaf and Caffeine. In one use I noticed an instance difference. Loved the hydration it offers.

I have a ton of hand creams everywhere. I like the soothing hand cream as it is super hydrating and it calms irritated skin. What is different about it is that is has a blue color which is a natural Japanese Indigo and disappears upon application. Super cool!

The Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm is unlike any other I have tried. The packaging is so nice and it is ultra hydrating. Made with Camellia Oil it leaves your lips with a bit of golden shimmer. The glossy finish is perfect and it has 23-karat gold flakes right in it! A must for your make-up bag!

Disclosure: The company sent me the above items to test out. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v
#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v

 

Categories
Events Travel

Love a Local Get-A-Way @TheDelamar @SeaCrestCapeCod #staycation #CapeCod #Greenwich #hosted

Crazy busy few weeks! Can you believe it is May?? I was so upset that I could not get to Florida for April school vacation week! What the heck did I have to complain about that for???? My younger daughter and I had a very nice couple of nights at two very special properties.

April is a great time to check out hotels in New England. The weather was pretty good for school vacation week too!  Our first venture was an overnight at the Sea Crest. This property in Falmouth is unlike any other place on Cape Cod. This beach resort is right on the water with a restaurant, pool and parking right there. The rooms have great water views – check out our ocean front room! The restaurant Red’s is just great. One night at this hotel is so relaxing that is will totally refresh and relax you. The front desk staff is always so nice!

Our second overnight was at The Delamar in Greenwich CT. This was a very nice property that was right near the rodeo drive of the east – lots of shopping right up the street so it was a great gals get-a-way. When you check in they give you champagne and they even had a wine and cheese reception. My 12 year old enjoyed the complementary tea and hot chocolate. The Delamar has a lovely spa right on the premises but we did not have time to experience it. (My daughter asked if it was complementary lol) Next time we will check it out and take a trip to NYC too. The train was close by the hotel and it was a 40 minute trip in to the city. The reception desk was quite helpful and suggested we come back in the summer when they offer local boat rides and a complementary ride to a local beach!

Both resorts are ideal for a girls trip too!

 

Disclosure: I received discounted hotel rooms at each location. As always all opinions are my own in this blog post.

Sea Crest has the best sunsets I have ever seen!
Sea Crest has the best sunsets I have ever seen!
A beautiful sunset at the Sea Crest
A beautiful sunset at the Sea Crest
The beach front view from the room at the Sea Crest
The beach front view from the room at the Sea Crest
The Delamar in Greenwich CT offers complementary wine and cheese!
The Delamar in Greenwich CT offers complementary wine and cheese!
A very nice welcome in your room at the Delamar
A very nice welcome in your room at the Delamar
Comfy beds at The Delamar Hotel
Comfy beds at The Delamar Hotel

 

 

Categories
Travel

February school vacation is over but ah the memories #Skiing #Beach #IceCastlesNH #Hosted

This February school vacation week was unlike any other. The temperatures hit 70 degrees in Massachusetts!  We went skiing one day and the beach the next. It was crazy! We were lucky to be able to stay with friends at Loon Mountain and skied a couple days. Then we headed to Ice Castles! This has been on my list of must sees this winter. Luckily Ice Castles sent us tickets and we went earlier in the week as with the crazy New England weather they cannot guarantee  it will be open, because, well due to melting!  While they are closed for the season now, this is something you need to put on your list of things to do with the kids during the winter vacation next year! I thought it looked beautiful and if you have kids that love the movie frozen it makes it even more magical. The Ice Castles are built by hand using only water and icicles. We did go during the day but I hear they light up at night so will have to check it out at night next year! Here are some FAQ’s from the Ice Castles website so plan a bit before you go and wear your snow pants as they have a fun slide!

Disclosure: Ice Castles sent me tickets to check out the venue. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

Heading into a cave at Ice Castles NH
Heading into a cave at Ice Castles NH
Seats, slides and more fun for families photos at Ice Castles
Seats, slides and more fun for families photos at Ice Castles
Towers of Ice!
Towers of Ice!
Such cool scenery!
Such cool scenery!
The crowd was not too bad at Ice Castles NH
The crowd was not too bad at Ice Castles NH

 

Categories
Travel

Travel goals #travelgoals

It’s September and that means back to school, routine and chaos! I am sure many of you are not even thinking about a vacation or traveling! However as parents we run around a lot with our kids and sometimes taking time off and planning a vacation is not always easy. BUT even if it’s a day trip, a quick visit to another city or a full blown trip around the world, getting away can be fun! We do love our weekend day trips to Boston and each year I map out where I would like to go on vacation. This year the kids want to go back to Florida (it is nice when you have friends you can stay with) as well as take a trip to San Francisco. Of course on my list is to take a trip to Italy and France! What are your travel goals this year?

Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Categories
Travel

Travel goals #travelgoals

It’s September and that means back to school, routine and chaos! I am sure many of you are not even thinking about a vacation or traveling! However as parents we run around a lot with our kids and sometimes taking time off and planning a vacation is not always easy. BUT even if it’s a day trip, a quick visit to another city or a full blown trip around the world, getting away can be fun! We do love our weekend day trips to Boston and each year I map out where I would like to go on vacation. This year the kids want to go back to Florida (it is nice when you have friends you can stay with) as well as take a trip to San Francisco. Of course on my list is to take a trip to Italy and France! What are your travel goals this year?

Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Categories
Travel

Vacation memories #travel #vacation #Miami #Naples #MarcoIsland @marcomarriott

It is so hard to get back to school, work and a routine after being on vacation!  We were lucky to be able to stay with friends and visit with friends while we were in Miami!

We also spent time in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Marco Island. I had never been to the “other side of Florida” and it was just wonderful.  Check out the west coast the next time you are in Florida and especially check out the Marco Marriott.  We were also lucky in that we had a few days and the weekend to relax at home before the kids went back to school and I went back to work. We tried to do the usual – get to bed early a few days before and eat at a normal time – what ways do you get back into a routine after a vacation?

 

Fun in the sun in  #Florida #marcomarriott 3travel
Fun in the sun in #Florida #marcomarriott #travel