Two Great Vacations to Win

>> Friday, October 30, 2009

Win a Colorado ski vacation in Telluride! Winner receives 3 nights lodging, 2 two-day adult ski lift passes and complimentary ski or snowboard rentals.

One entry per person. Contest ends March 16, 2010.

Win a Northern Fox River Valley Getaway
! Just 45 minutes northwest of Chicago you'll find wonderful dining, amazing entertainment and many leisure activities. Winner receives:
~ 2 night weekend stay with breakfast for 2
~ $25 gift certificate to the Barley House
~ 10% discount at Elgin Public Museum
~ 2 tickets for the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
~ $15 gift certificate at Cocoa Cabana
~ 4 $10 gift certificates to the Martini Room

One entry per person. Contest ends February 13, 2010.

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Looking For a Not-Ugly Camera Bag?

>> Thursday, October 29, 2009

I've found one! When I bought my Canon Powershot SX10IS Digital Camera I searched high and low for a camera bag that wasn't ugly. Of course I found what I wanted through etsy which led me to the designer's home page, Wicked Stitch Designs.

I created a video tour of my camera bag; I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch it.



I love the bag; the fact that I could pick the fabric and "make it my own" was a big plus! Also the versatility of the strap: it can be worn over the shoulder, cross body or as a backpack. Customer service was top notch. My questions were answered quickly and the bag was to me in just a couple weeks!

Disclosure: I paid full price for this bag. I did not receive any sort of compensation for this review; I just wanted to share this great find with my readers.

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Value Family Breaks In Lanzarote

>> Monday, October 26, 2009

Today's gust post is from Nick Ball of LanzaroteGuidebook.com.

Looking for a family friendly winter sun break that isn´t going to break the bank?
There´s never been a better time to visit the small Canary Island of Lanzarote – especially for parents based in the UK. As flights to the island are available for as little as £9.99 return this winter with low cost carriers Ryanair – and take just a manageable four hours. (Of course those rates don't apply from the US but rates overseas are at incredible lows right now!)

Lanzarote has long been a hot favourite for families. As unlike some of the larger islands such as Tenerife there´s not enough nightlife to attract gangs of young singles. With the emphasis instead on couples and kids. A focus that is reflected in the large quantity of family orientated attractions on the island.

As well as plenty of child friendly beaches Lanzarote boasts a big selection of aquatic attractions which are usually a big hit with even the choosiest of children.

The Lanzarote Aquarium
The Lanzarote Aquarium is based in the resort of Costa Teguise – and is the largest in the Canary Islands. Containing over a million litres of water and hundreds of different marine species. Including native species such as
the triggerfish along with beautiful tropical verities such as clown fishes and poisonous fire dragons. Slightly scarier species such as sharks are also on show. And kids will love the three touching pools – enabling them to get their hands on sea cucumbers, starfish, and small crabs.

The Aquarium is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00 in the winter months and admission costs €12 for adults and €8 for kids.

Whale & Dolphin Museum
Continuing with the fishy theme children can also visit the excellent Whale and Dolphin Museum which is located in the upmarket marina of Puerto Calero. Where Dad can also drool over some of the multi million dollar craft moored here.

This modern museum has plenty of cool interactive features to keep the kids amused along with a strong educational message. They can also get to grips with real whale bones, dolphin and large sperm whale teeth and even a whale’s baleen plate. Whilst listening to the clicking sounds of whale and dolphin song.

The Whale and Dolphin Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from10.00 to18.00 and admission costs €8 for adults and €5 for children. With kids under seven getting in for free.

Gran Karting
Ideal for the little budding Lewis Hamilton in your family this professionally designed Karting facility offers all the thrills - without the spills - for children of all ages.

Under Fives can pilot small battery driven karts or double up with their parents at the controls. Whilst 5-12 year olds can compete in the Infantil class on a 100-metre track, driving Karts with restricted speeds under close supervision. 12-16 year olds race against each other on a longer 865-metre course, again under close supervision and wearing all of the appropriate safety gear.
There are also mini bikes available for boy (or girl) racers who prefer two wheels to four. Free mini bus transport to and from the track is available to groups of six or more people.

Prices dependent on age – visit GranKartingClub.com for more information.

Find out more about the island by visiting Lanzarote Guidebook – where you can download a 96 page guidebook to the island free of charge and book flights, holidays, hotels and villas in Lanzarote direct online.

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Family Fun at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa

>> Monday, October 19, 2009

If you're near central Iowa in the fall you'll want to make sure to get off the Interstate (I-35, exit 102; north of Ankeny, south of Ames) and enjoy a day of family fun at Center Grove Orchard. This is one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" posts. Enjoy!

Center Grove Orchard is more than an orchard...

They also have a pumpkin patch (pick your own or choose one that has been picked)...

Pumpkin pickin at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa collage


Two mazes: one kid sized hay maze (also good for climbing on top of) and a 4-acre corn maze...

Mazes at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa

Try your hand at roping a "steer"- or yourself...

Roping "steer" at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa

Test your aim with the Apple Sling Shot...

Apple Sling Shot at center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa

Or try one of the other fun things like the bouncing pillow, the corn pool, pedal tractor racing, the Three Little Pigs houses, the super slide, the goat walk and more!

Fun at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa; collage

This is an orchard- and a working farm- so be sure to catch a hay ride and head out to pick your own apples (purchase bags before setting out). The hayride is also the quickest way to the pumpkin patch and the corn maze.

After you've had your fill of fun head into the Country Store to fill your belly. Here you'll find apples, gooey caramel apples, flaky apple turnovers, tasty apple cider donuts, apple pie (along with cherry and pumpkin), apple cider (warm and cold), apple slush... And, beyond the apples, you'll find shelves of Iowa goodness: fresh salsas, amazing BBQ sauces (I recommend the raspberry chipotle), syrups, salad dressings, jams, jellies and more. Oh, and I bet you won't leave without some homemade fudge.

Country Store at Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Iowa

You'll want to designate at least 3 hours for fun at Center Grove Orchard- though I recommend more to not be rushed. It's a wonderful family tradition for us.

Fast Facts:

During the regular season (fall) the orchard is open 7 days a week.
  • Monday - Saturday 9am- 7pm
  • Sunday 11am- 6pm
Center Grove Orchard is just off I-35; north of Ankeny, south of Ames at exit 102. Google Map

Admission cost (current as of October 2009. Visit their website for updates)
  • Farmyard Pass $7.95 ages 3 and up
  • No pass is needed to shop in the Country Store or pick your own apples during the week.
Rest rooms are available in the Country Store and port-a-potties are scattered about the farm.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Historic Charleston

>> Friday, October 16, 2009

The Travel Channel and Goziac are sponsoring this 6 night experience.

One lucky winner, and their guest, will stay at an historic luxury hotel and receive a "heritage passport" which allows you entry in to 9 of Charleston's most significant historic sites. Winners also receive a 2 hour culinary tour and a personalized history tour!

Two (2) entries per person per day. You will sign in with the Travel Channel website and answer a question to qualify for your entry. Rules are here.

Contest ends October 31, 2009

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The Market Place Restaurant, Asheville, North Carolina

>> Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A couple of weeks ago I traveled- sans kids- to Asheville, NC to attend a blog conference. Because I flew in the day the conference began and it rained- poured, actually- during my downtime I didn't get a chance to tour the area.

What I did get to experience, however, was one of Asheville's restaurants. Asheville is known as a "foodie's paradise" with most restaurants serving locally grown produce, fish and meats. Wines and beers are even locally produced and much touted.

I had made plans with my friends Paula and Andi for dinner. We had no destination in mind but instead decided to wander through downtown Asheville and see what we found.

After wandering about we stopped at The Market Place to chat with some other conference attendees and have a drink at one of the outdoor tables. Our waiter was very attentive and offered the appetizer menu in case we wanted something to accompany our drinks.

We were also being "checked on" by another gentleman who we assumed to be the owner. We were only half right. He was the former owner. He had owned The Market Place for 30 years and had recently sold it. It was his final night at the restaurant and the first night under the new owner. We chatted with him, he took our picture, and we decided to stay for dinner.


We had ordered appetizers while outside; they were delivered to our new indoor location with no problem- we even had the same waiter.


We began with duck cracklin's (duck skin fried crispy) with a whole grain mustard and seared sea scallops served on a cauliflower puree. The cracklin's were perfectly crispy and the scallops seared to perfection.

Then meals were served. Andi had the warm duck confit salad, which she announced to be fabulous. I was overjoyed with my wood grilled filet mignon and fingerling potatoes; the steak was so tender I cut through it with a butter knife. Paula had the house-made sweet potato ravioli; it was sweeter than she was expecting but still quite tasty.

Desserts followed. Andi said the trio of seasonal sorbet were a tasty, and very European, end to her meal while Paula raved about the apple crisp.

We had a wonderful dinner at The Market Place. It was a great place to catch up with friends I don't see often. The decor invites you to sit, be comfortable and linger. That is just what we did. It was a terrific dining experience.

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Win a One Week Yachting Adventure

>> Friday, October 9, 2009

SeaDream Yacht Club is giving away a seven (7) night cruise for winner and one (1) travel companion aboard the SeaDream I or II , double-occupancy accommodations in a Deck 2 stateroom, and all on-board meals and beverages.

All expenses including air and ground transportation, meals off the ship, tariffs, taxes, excursions, etc are the responsibility of the winner. See the rules here.

Prize is valued at approximately $12,800. One entry per person per day. Click here to enter. Contest ends November 30, 2009.

For more travel contests check out the Fun Stuff page at Have Kid Will Travel.

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The Little Disney Guidebook that Could

>> Thursday, October 8, 2009

I am so pleased to bring you this guest post written by Colleen Lanin, freelance writer and creator of the site, www.TravelMamas.com. Based on interviews with Jennifer and Dave Marx, authors of PassPorter.

Unorthodox and beloved Disney guidebook brand, PassPorter, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with a series of trips with readers. PassPorter is the lesser-known series of Disney guidebooks by couple-next-door coauthors authors, Jennifer and Dave Marx. With its scrapbook format, homegrown publishing house, and unusual tactics for reaching its fiercely brand-loyal readers - PassPorter is not your typical guidebook.

Always the Underdog
PassPorter consistently comes in third in sales of Disney guidebooks behind Birnbaum’s Official Guide by Disney and The Unofficial Guide by Bob Sehlinger. This suits the Marxes just fine. Jennifer admitted, “We’ll probably never beat them. They’ve been around a very long time.”

Third place ain't bad considering Disney guides make up the largest segment of travel book sales. That equates to nearly a third of a million PassPorters sold to date.

Unorthodox Format
A PassPorter is part guidebook and part scrapbook, with pockets for saving tickets and mementos. The books include stickers and fill-in pages with which readers plan and track their trips.

Jennifer got the idea for PassPorter on a visit to Disney World with Dave. She originally filled homemade Disney trip binders with itineraries and souvenirs. It occurred to Jennifer that she could take her passion for Disney and turn it into a career by selling a combination organizer/guidebook to help other travelers plan and remember their vacations too.

PassPorter is filled with the tell-it-like-it-is advice you’d hear at a neighborhood barbecue, making their recommendations feel authentic and trustworthy. Here’s an excerpt describing the Mad Tea Party at Walt Disney World, “Spin and spin and spin some more inside a giant teacup. Young kids love to get dizzy, so this ride draws them like a magnet. Turn the metal wheel at the center of your teacup to make it spin even faster. You’ll be as dizzy as the Mad Hatter. This is one ride that lasts a bit longer than you’d like.”

Decade of Dreams Tour
How many authors do you know who embark on vacations with their readers? That is just what Jennifer and Dave do each year.

In 2009 PassPorter is celebrating its tenth birthday with a “Decade of Dreams” tour. The festivities kicked off in the spring with a Disney cruise to Tortola, followed by a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. This summer, PassPorter hosted one-day events for readers in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and attended the Broadway show “Mary Poppins” with Disney enthusiasts in New York.

The tour’s finale will take place October 16 – 20 at the Disneyland Resort in California. Jennifer and Dave will schedule gatherings with readers throughout the trip to watch a parade or fireworks, go on rides together, and enjoy group meals. They will also offer a scavenger hunt with prizes.

Relationship with Readers
When PassPorter fans talk, the authors listen. Jennifer said, “Once the first book came out, we got feedback from readers that the descriptions were too brief so we changed it to include more descriptions. Our response to the readers makes PassPorter what it is.”

Dave said about PassPorter readers, “We’ve always understood the power of community. Our readers are Disney fans but we don’t consider our own people to be ‘fans.’ It doesn’t really encompass our interactive relationship with them.”

Striking Out on Their Own
Jennifer’s previous books (all on the topic of computers) were printed by a large publishing house, but she and Dave decided to take a different route and publish PassPorter themselves. Jennifer said, “I was going to try to find a big publisher but I knew they would think the pocket was weird.” She continued, “Over the years we’ve been approached to use (publishing houses), but we like having control.”

Web Revolutionaries
Jennifer said, “We were the first travel guidebook publisher to really, really use the Internet.” When she and Dave printed the original guide, they only had 50 copies on hand when a reader gave PassPorter a glowing review on an AOL Message Board. The news spread rapidly by word of mouth through Cyberspace, forcing the Marxes to scramble to fill book orders.

PassPorter hosts its own chat boards, sends out a weekly email newsletter to over 44 thousand subscribers, and offers the PassPorters Club, which allows members to access a myriad of Disney-related e-books and interactive online worksheets for as little as $4.95.

Do They Still Love Disney?
Each year the couple takes about three trips to Disney World in Florida, one or two Disney cruises, and couple of trips to Disneyland in California.

Dave said, “Disney is the world many people wish the world really were.” But he could not pinpoint one favorite Disney memory. He said, “It’s like asking who’s your favorite child.”

When asked if she ever tires of Disney, Jennifer said, “There are certainly times that I’d rather stay home. There are times when I feel like, ‘Everyone’s having fun at Disney besides me.’ But I love introducing people to Disney and helping them do Disney better. People get so happy about Disney. It makes me feel good. It’s like being a florist and delivering flowers to people – it makes people happy.”

Purchase Information
PassPorter titles include: “PassPorter’s Walt Disney World 2009,” “PassPorter’s Disney Cruise Line 2009,” and “PassPorter Disneyland Resort and Southern California Attractions.” List pricing for most books is $23.95. A 15 percent discount is applied to orders placed directly through www.PassPorter.com.

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Tips for Truly Experiencing Your Destination

>> Thursday, October 1, 2009

Not long ago I heard a "top travel agent" speak about travel to Ireland. I love Ireland so I was hoping to pick up a few tips myself. While she had many great tips on getting there- and back- I found myself disagreeing with what she suggested to do when you actually arrived.

When we travel I want an authentic experience. I want to meet the people, have a pint, learn the dance steps (and I have two left feet) and hear their stories. So when she suggested a tour as the best way to travel I disagreed. It's not that I have anything against tours; some are really great. Like the hop on/ hop off tours that you can find in many cities. Or the Ring of Kerry tour- because you really don't want to be driving that in a car surrounded by tour buses. But for exploring Ireland I recommend renting a car, especially if you are traveling with children. (See Getting Around Ireland and More Getting Around Ireland) It's not that difficult to drive on the "wrong" side of the road and when you have a car you are free to go at your own pace. Follow that intriguing, hand painted sign for hot tea and fresh scones; search for the castle you *think* you see in the distance; pull to the side of the road and talk to the man strolling with his dog. You can't do any of that on a tour. Besides, do you really want to meet other tourists?

Another suggestion I balked at, at least for Ireland, is to stay in a hotel. Ireland is known for its hospitality and the Bed and Breakfasts are legendary. Many B&Bs are independently owned and the families live in the house. It's a great opportunity to talk (who can get enough of the beautiful brogue?) and get suggestions on what to see, where to eat and what you should skip. Are there bad B&Bs? Sure. But the one hotel I stayed in near Shannon during my first trip to Ireland was awful.

While you don't want to miss the sights of your destination what you will really remember from your trip are the experiences, the chance encounters and the mishaps along the way. These are my tips for truly experiencing your vacation destination - no matter where it is.

10) Drive yourself. This is truly the best way to tour practically anyplace. You set the pace, stop and go as you please. Getting lost is half the fun. Truly. The only time we avoid driving is when we are in a large city with great public transportation.

9) Get off the highway! Charles Kuralt famously said, "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything." That is no less true no matter where you are.

8) Sit at the bar! It's a fact- locals belly up to the bar; tourists sit at tables. We've taken our girls into many a pub- both in Ireland and the US. While we don't sit at the bar with them we do sit as close to it as possible- and we order our drinks from the bartender. Some of our best conversations come from meeting people while waiting for our drinks. If you're really nice and buy them a drink they may bring the conversation over to you!

7) Ask questions! It doesn't matter if you are asking for directions or recommendations, people love to talk about where they live. This is the best way to find out where to get the best food, where to hear the best music or if there are any "hidden" gems most tourists miss.

6) Visit the sites. That's what you went to see, after all. But be sure to talk to the staff and guides- and not just about the site. Ask about their favorite feature, inquire about legends, engage them in conversation. You'll get more than the "regular" tour. They may even be able to point you to lesser known, and often more interesting, locations.

5) Attend a local sporting event. Especially if you don't know the rules. Nothing will gain you new buddies faster than cheering on the local team.

4) Kids everywhere like the same things. They also make friends easily. Let them take the lead. Visit a park or playground. You may get insider tips on a children's theater that hosts free plays or a kids faire coming up for the weekend.

3) Be flexible. You never know what will present itself to you. When Doug and I were in London (2003, before kids) we were on our way to Westminster Abbey. As we were walking past Parliament we noticed two Bobbies guarding a gate. We stopped and talked with them and were then invited in for a one-on-one tour of Parliament (which was not open for tours at that time) and tea. It was the most memorable part of our trip. We still share emails with Gary occasionally.

2) Relax. Dance in a pub, join a ceili, sing with the band. My daughter does this all the time and has the best time. Let go a little; you're on vacation.

1) Slow down! You'll never "see it all" so take the time to really savor what you do see and enjoy the moments. Don't come home from your vacation feeling like you need a vacation.

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Thank You for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting and reading of our adventures. I hope you are inspired to travel with your kids and I hope I gave you tips, tricks and maybe destinations you didn't think of!

Come back often!

PS Information is accurate when published.

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