Tag Archives: england

Adventures by Disney: Europe

Now that we’re coming to the Adventures by Disney trips in Europe and North America, I will have to break up these sections into even smaller increments because there are so many travel options. Today I will focus on Adventures by Disney’s trips in England, France, Ireland, and Germany. Adventures by Disney offers two separate trips in England and France: the Gateway to London and Paris tour and the England and France Family Vacation. Despite the names, however, both seven-day six-night tours include only London and Paris. I find that a bit disappointing, because many of the other Adventures by … Continue reading →

Fun Word Games that Teach

There is a website called Learning Games For Kids. It has free games that kids can play. Each game allows kids to practice a specific concept that has to do with words, spelling, or language. These games can be easily added into your lesson plans, as a fun way to practice a new concept. Learning Games for Kids has games that teach math, health, art and music, geography concepts, science games, and more. They have some excellent word games. There are games designed to let your child practice alphabetizing, spelling, understanding contractions, understanding homophones, and even some poetry concepts! This … Continue reading →

Barack and Michelle Obama Visit England

The Obamas have landed – in England that is. Our first family visited their Royal family and Barack gave the Queen quite a gift – a loaded iPod. That’s right; our hip president gave the 82 year old British monarch an iPod, but not just any iPod. He loaded it with videos of her 2007 visit to the U.S. and Broadway songs. There were 40 show songs on iPod including tunes from “West Side Story,” “My Fair Lady,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” and “Oklahoma.” Barack also gave the Queen a songbook for “The King and I,” signed by … Continue reading →

Touring a Legendary Botanic Garden

What weighs 448 tons; climbs 60 feet in the air and stretches 220 yards above what is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth? Kew Gardens’ calls it their new XStrata Treetop Walkway. The newest addition to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, in west London, is a soaring steel walkway that allows visitors to experience the magnificence of nature above the tree line. The massive circular structure stretches through the heart of the 18th century landscaped garden and for the first time ever it gives nature lovers the opportunity to see a side of the forest that … Continue reading →

International Hotels that Treat Your Kids Like Royalty

And you thought getting a free pair of mouse ears and some chocolates on your pillow was exciting. Wait until you see the types of goodies some luxurious family friendly resorts around the world are doling out to young guests to impress the entire clan. If you have always treated your child like a prince or princess then you’ll want to check out these ultra-luxe properties that go the extra mile to give kids the royal treatment: FRANCE The Hôtel Plaza Athénée on chic Avenue Montaigne in the heart of Paris has the market covered when it comes to upscale … Continue reading →

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Good morning and welcome to my personal travel journal as we prepare to leave for London. The great thing about family vacation is the opportunity it affords you to spend time with your family, in this case my mother and my daughter. Our vacation to England fulfills three basic family needs: Quality family time for three generations Reconnection with family roots Chance to share new experiences together and to pass on the past to a new generation Planning Ahead The important thing about a trip like this is to plan ahead as much as is possible. Traveling overseas requires pre-planning. … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Paul McCartney Slept Here and American Girl’s New Home

PAUL MCCARTNEY SLEPT HERE Well, not exactly, but he could the next time he needs a place to crash in Liverpool, England. And he’d probably feel right at home. After all, the Hard Days Night Hotel is the world’s only boutique lodging, with Beatles-themed rooms and suites. The most luxurious are the John Lennon and Paul McCartney suites, which will set you back about $1,000 per night. Standard rooms run between $240 and $315 per night. The hip hotel even offers guests the opportunity to sign up for tours of Liverpool locales associated with the Fab Four. AMERICAN GIRL’S NEW … Continue reading →

Adventures By Disney: England and France

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As an Anglophile of French descent, I can’t think of a better family vacation than this one! Once you pick up your luggage and pass through customs in London, an Adventures by Disney representative will meet you and direct you to transportation to the Renaissance Chancery Court London. Your Guides will handle your hotel check in so you can start relaxing right away. You’ll meet up with your fellow adventurers at a cocktail reception and British feast that evening. Day two will see you boarding a double decker bus for a grand tour of London including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace … Continue reading →

London: Good News/Bad News

Attention travelers bound for London, England: I have news you can use. Let’s start with the good news. Thanks to a new line of budget hotels, you will have a much easier time taking a nap at London’s Gatwick Airport. (The airport is notorious for delays, which means at some point you will inevitably be scrounging the terminals for a place to crash.) Yotels, located within the airport’s terminal, features budget-priced pint-sized cabins with beds, showers, flat-screen TVs and free Internet. Cabins range in size from about 22 to 32 square feet and cost $50-$80 per four-hour minimum. Additional hours … Continue reading →

Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)

Several years have passed since John Smith returned to England, but Governor Ratcliffe hasn’t forgotten his grudge. Determined to blame John for all his own evil doings, the Governor then sees to it that John is killed. He presents his case to the King, who agrees to send an armada to the New World to wipe out the savages and obtain the gold for the crown. Meanwhile, Pocahontas is trying to forget John and the time she spent with him. She knows there is no gold, and John knew it too, but word has reached her that John is dead. … Continue reading →