Your Chance to Run, Run with Rudolph

Here’s a trip my daughter would love to sign up for… thankfully she is only 3 years old and can’t read this blog. However, if you are as intrigued with reindeer as she is (her stuffed Rudolph–complete with battery powered red nose–from Build-A-Bear Workshop is practically Velcroed to her) you might consider booking a flight to Anchorage, Alaska. The northern city is hosting a reindeer adventure that is akin to the running of the bulls in Spain. The big event dubbed the “Running of the Reindeer” makes its inaugural debut next month. The opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with a herd … Continue reading

Post-Christmas Travel Destinations for Families

In less than 48 hours the Christmas gifts will be opened and the mountains of wrapping paper will be disposed of… then what? Most kids are out of school until the first week of January, so why not beat the cabin fever blues by taking advantage of the travel deals being offered by family-friendly resorts around the country. Resorts are ramping up for post-Christmas family getaways and whether you live on the East Coast of the United States, the West Coast or somewhere in between there are numerous themed packages and special offers to help keep the holiday spirit alive … Continue reading

The Search for the Perfect Family-Friendly Ski Resort

This is a continuation of a blog I wrote regarding what to look for in an ideal ski resort for families with young children. In the past I’ve run into problems finding kid-friendly ski resorts that actually deliver the family-oriented enticements promised in their ads. As such I’ve learned it’s better to contact individual properties prior to making a reservation. In my last blog I detailed topics that should be addressed with resort specialists including safety, childcare facilities and pricing. The following are a few other points to consider before you decide on the perfect winter destination for your family. … Continue reading

More Money Saving Ski Deals

I live in the Midwest portion of the United States where we have been getting hammered with multiple days of snow and wind. Needless to say, skiers around these parts don’t need to take advantage of travel deals to resorts in Colorado and Montana. Heck, we could ski in our backyard if it were a bit hillier. However, if you live in a part of the world where Mother Nature has neglected to make a pit stop to dump the white stuff on your favorite ski spot then you might consider taking advantage of the following money saving travel packages … Continue reading

Money Saving Ski Deals

As I mentioned in previous blogs, Mother Nature has been quite generous to skiers this season. Slopes from coast to coast are blanketed with the white stuff. Which means finding a deal at ski resorts might be a bit tricky. The following ski specials were published prior to last week’s winter blast and might have limited space availability by now. Though it doesn’t hurt to check, especially if you are looking to spend part of the holidays shooshing down a mountain or shredding on a half-pipe at one of the country’s top resorts. CALIFORNIA Mammoth Mountain is offering a Midweek … Continue reading

Ski Season Off to A Snowy Start

My friend in Kansas woke up to a foot of snow this morning. And now that powerful winter storm is taking aim at the Midwest and New England. Winter storm warnings and watches are currently in effect from Missouri across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. According to the National Weather Service, up to 15 inches of snow is forecasted for sections of southern Michigan, with 10 inches possible in Detroit. While many travelers are dreading the onslaught of bad weather, skiers are rejoicing. I’ve dedicated quite a few blogs to the … Continue reading

Tips for Winterizing Your Vehicle–Part 1

It’s almost mid-December. More than a foot of snow has fallen in the past week in my neck of the woods and the temperature hasn’t risen above freezing since Thanksgiving. (I have a feeling it’s going to be a looooong winter.) To make matters worse I am not done winterizing my car. I’m not ready for Old Man Winter, and sadly my car isn’t either. So, dear readers, learn from my mistakes. Stop procrastinating. Tackle the tasks you can do yourself and book an appointment at a service station and let professional mechanics finish the other jobs. And you’d better … Continue reading

Celebrate the Holidays in Rhode Island

Now that you know where to stay in Newport, Rhode Island during the winter months let’s discuss what types of family friendly activities are available for you to participate in when you get there. First, eliminate the misconception that the beach capital is a summer-only hot spot. Around the holidays the area is hopping with events such as the Christmas in Newport festival. The public party runs throughout December and showcases special events like concerts, caroling, and historic lantern tours nearly every day. If you are traveling to the city specifically for the festival you should know that there are … Continue reading

Ice Skating in Mexico

Perhaps it’s because I grew up in Hawaii that I found this next travel item so intriguing. I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about the image of thousands of Mexicans lacing up ice skates for the first time and collectively wobbling out onto a massive rink that brings a smile to my face. The scene played out for the world to see earlier this week when the tropical capital’s government tried to bring some holiday cheer to the traditionally chaotic metropolis. (I wish government officials in Hawaii had done the same when I was a kid.) City … Continue reading

Affordable Holiday Travel: Touring Department Store Window Displays—Dallas

Who needs ice and snow when you’ve got sparkle and shine? Dallas is not known for snow-covered sidewalks, but the city certainly doesn’t lack the Christmas spirit thanks in large part to upscale retail giant Neiman Marcus. As I continue my series of blogs spotlighting department store window displays I am turning my attention from the Big Apple to the Big D—Dallas. The city is home to Neiman Marcus’s flagship store and the windows at the downtown location are traditionally one of the most visited spots in the entire state during the holiday season. This year the store is treating … Continue reading