Browsing Tag

Travel

Winter trip to #Paris and #London

It may not be the ideal time to travel but our trip to London and Paris in January was perfect. It was a bit cold but there were less people and less lines and it was a blast. We flew direct to London on Jet Blue and that was super easy. If you plan to travel internationally, I recommend Global Entry. It was so easy heading home and going through customs. All the sites, museums and restaurants were great as well. While I’ve always wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower and we did just that, I loved the Arc de Triomphe and the photos we took near there were so fun. We did climb to the top and that was a challenge but the view at the top was breathtaking. In London we hit all the sites – Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, London Eye, Westminster Abby. I loved our Harry Potter tour and the Changing the Guard of the best! Here are a few fun photos!

Glad we took this photo mid-week as there were lines to take photos as some of the booths!

View from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

My Paris dress – A fun, leather dress that I purchased years ago saying that is a great dress to wear to Paris! This was in the Louvre!

February 15, 2023 by trendymommies

Travel

Our Italy Trip! Five Tips for Traveling internationally during COVID #Italy #travel #travelblogger #travelingduringCOVID

We had a great 12 days traveling through Italy during April school vacation week! It was a bit stressful with all the paperwork and figuring out tests to come back to the U.S. but all went well. We started our adventure in Florence and then visited the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, the Tuscany region including Sienna and San Gimignano and Venice. I will need to go back to visit Rome, Milan and Capri! Every trip was an adventure and the sights just got better and better. We did cover a lot of territory which meant getting on many trains at 7:00 am but I wanted to see as much as I could! Here are my tips if you plan a trip to Italy or any international destination.

Try to fly direct – While there was no direct flight to Florence I would recommend flying direct into the bigger cities such as Milan or Rome as Florence is a few hour train ride away. While we were lucky that we had a 4.5 hour layover in Paris, due to our flight being delayed, customs, long lines we made it to the gate with less than one hour to spare!
If you have to test to come back to the U.S bring the emed covid tests Home (emed.com) While there are many Farmacias in Italy the day we needed our tests was a national holiday. We were lucky with the help of a local friend to find the one pharmacy that was open! Brining the test just provides an extra layer of backup.
Certain airlines have the fly ready documents – if they do download your documents before you leave. There was a lot of uploading of documents so get your COVID vaccines, passport information and if you need a negative test – have it all ready! We didn’t check bags on the way there but our airline required us to go to the ticket counter to show all our documents. Bring the original card, not a flimsy copy like my husband did! Or have a copy on your phone. We did need to show our vaccine card on trains and before we went into restaurants.
Get global entry – We were able to go through customs on the way home very easily and with no line at all. It is a program through the trusted traveler program so you’ll have to have an account for each family member and then have an interview at an airport – the process does take time but its so worth it.
Book any transportation or tickets to museums in advance – Because we went during the Easter holiday week most attractions were sold out – meaning that I had to see fake David and not the real one!

Buon Viaggio

May 2, 2022 by trendymommies

Travel

What’s the new normal? Travel adventures and more

As we are heading into February….I know I cannot believe it…..and digging our from under snow, I am imagining sun, sand and the beach. As the holiday season and January was filled with COVID, I hope we are able to turn a corner and see less of the pandemic and more of a new normal and getting back to seeing people and more travel.

Even if it is a daily adventure out to the local coffee shop, a walk outside with a few friends or a day trip to the beach – do something each day that makes you happy! Wear your mask and of course social distancing is still in effect but you can so somethings that are safe while enjoying a meet up here and there! We have fun trips planned down the road so there is that to look forward to as well!

So looking forward to beach trips with friends, family travel and day trips as well!

Fun times with friends on February school vacation pre-COVID

January 31, 2022 by trendymommies

Holidays

Happy Holiday Season! #holidays #HolidayDecor #Christmas #Travel

It’s the holiday season! But it’s still COVID season sadly. We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving and stayed home. On the agenda is to potentially travel in New England for an overnight during December. I always like a staycation. Why not enjoy the sites and places locally this season? I also like decorating for Christmas early. Like super early….this year the decor came out the weekend of Halloween. Why not! Studies show it makes you happier. I tried to add a bit of color in this year as I generally gravitate toward all white. So we have buffalo plaid, pops of pink and silver and gold in the mix this year. What decor do you all like?

Image of a holiday gift - a mini car staged on holiday themed set with pillows — Holiday Mini Car

November 30, 2021 by trendymommies

Travel, Uncategorized

Summer 2021 where have you gone? #summer #travel #travelblogger #beachlife

Summer 2021 is just flying by. With COVID still here, the weather not so great and with kids work schedule – all combined makes for a…..not the best time to travel. We still got a few day trips in and we still have a couple weeks left for beach trips and fun, local dinners and spending time together before the start of the school year. Of course my annual cape cod trip was an adventure and for the second year in a row it was a July 4th family style celebration in South Yarmouth. Any exciting last minute summer plans?

August 19, 2021 by trendymommies

Travel, tweens

January 2020 – is it spring yet? #travel #travelgoals #schoolvacationweek

I cannot believe it is the end of January. With our holiday trip over and having just come back from Miami I am craving warm weather. I have never been to Miami in January and it was 80 degrees every day which was so nice. It looks like we will have a staycation this February school vacation week. Well, maybe we will plan a night or two away. April school vacation week is the same as sports will occupy most of that week as well as drivers ed! Wow…how did that happen? Anyway our goal is to travel more this year…..yes, I say that every year but it is a good goal to strive for right? On my list of course is London, Paris and Italy but also South Carolina, California and maybe Bermuda too. As for the staycations for school vacation week we love our day trips to Boston and Maine and NYC is a quick overnight so think about those locations if you are planning a staycation. Enjoy this lovely cold weather we are having and dream about spring temperatures!

Scenes from the beach in Miami
View from the Delano spa
Pool time at the Delano Hotel Miami
Even when it’s cloudy in Miami we are still at the beach

January 28, 2020 by trendymommies

Travel, tweens

January 2020 – is it spring yet? #travel #travelgoals #schoolvacationweek

Scenes from the beach in Miami
View from the Delano spa
Pool time at the Delano Hotel Miami
Even when it’s cloudy in Miami we are still at the beach

January 28, 2020 by trendymommies

Hotels, Travel

January 2018 #HappyNewYear #happytravels #travel #travelgoals #visionandgoals

Happy 2018!Â January is well underway and it is a new year! I hate to say the word resolutions….I like New Year’s Goals better! What are your goals for the new year? How do you achieve them? I do like to write them down in a travel journal. I also loved the last time I was at lululemon they posted the employees vision and goals worksheet. It is just one of the many sheets that to help you visualize and plan out your goals. Last year my goal was to travel more and this year my goal is to travel monthly. I don’t mean get on a plane each month, but I do mean travel – day trips, new experiences, spending time with family and friends. Whether it’s that girls’ weekend you have been planning or a birthday celebration…just do it! We love our trips into Boston, the beach, skiing, visits with friends, the beach, the beach….Did I mention the beach? Anytime my toes are in the sand, the waves are crashing and my kids are taking selfies (lol) or just spending time together traveling is worth it. Happy 2018 and here’s to a year of good travel and health and happiness!

Beach, beach, beach…..my happy place

toes in the sand…

January 12, 2018 by trendymommies

Hotels, Travel, Trends

Bahamas Trip! @atlantisbahamas #traveltips Holiday Travel #HolidayTravel

Christmas is almost here!Â Are you ready? Any travel plans in the near future?Â 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.Â 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!

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!

Go Pro action photo while parasailing at Atlantis Bahamas

December 23, 2017 by trendymommies

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!Â 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 guaranteeÂ it will be open, because, well due to melting!Â 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.