a) Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), USA

b) Taipei 101, Taiwan

c) Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai), UAE

d) Empire State Building, USA

Scroll down for the answer…

The Empire State Building held its reign as the world’s tallest skyscraper for 41 years but today it ranks as the 19th tallest building in the world. While the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) is currently the tallest skyscraper in the U.S., it only ranks 9th amongst these behemoth man-made structures. At 2,723 feet (829.84 meters), the world’s largest skyscraper is c) Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Burj Khalifa also holds world records as the tallest free-standing structure, highest number of stories (160), highest occupied floor, highest outdoor observation deck, elevator with the longest travel distance, and tallest service elevator. The building is home to private residences, corporate suites, and the luxury Armani Hotel (designed by world renowned Giorgio Armani).

Check back every Thursday for a new Travel Trivia question!

What’s the tallest building you’ve ever visited? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Family-Friendly Singapore

• 5 of the Best “World’s Biggest” Attractions

• Morocco with Kids – A Unique Journey for the Senses

• New York City’s Best Sites, Activities, and Restaurants for Kids

Photo by Seeman. (Creative Commons)

Oscar Wilde said, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” This World Tour of the Web focuses on those little things we can all do to make the world a better place.

When January rolls around, I like to write out my goals for the year. This year, instead of career-focused to-dos or dreamy travel wishes, my goals focused on becoming a better human. I wrote things like:

I will start every day with thankful thoughts and intention.

I will read something motivational/thoughtful/spiritual every day.

I will greet my husband and children with love and joy.

I will focus less on my wants and more on making others happy.

I have been more successful with some goals than with others. While I am pretty dang good at greeting my children with a smile, hug, and joyous glint in my eyes, I sometimes forget my resolution to give this small dose of love to my husband. I’ll do better tomorrow. That’s all we can do, right? Learn from our mistakes and strive to do better.

Here’s another one:

Every day I will do an act of kindness for someone outside of my family.

This one can be hard, y’all. Still, it’s a lovely way to frame my day. I am always on the outlook for some small act of kindness I can do to make someone else’s day a bit brighter. I hold open the door for a mom struggling with a stroller; I compliment a stranger’s sweater; I let someone go ahead of me in the parking lot at preschool drop-off; I take a photo for a couple posing by the ocean. I have always done these things on occasion, but now I am on a treasure hunt to find more and more ways to spread kindness throughout my life.

Social media makes doing small acts of kindness easier. I can make a positive comment on someone else’s blog, post words of encouragement on a friend’s Facebook page, or re-tweet something on Twitter. All the better if I do a bunch of these small things in one day. Still, I am always wondering if my small gesture is enough. What else can I do?

Since I sometimes struggle to find acts of kindness to fulfill my daily goal, I thought I’d turn to the Interwebs for ideas.

Here are some stories that focus on the little everyday acts of kindness we can each do to make the world a better place:

50 Simple Ways to Pay It Forward
by Belinda Munoz, Choosing Positivity
I love this list so much, I printed it out to post on my fridge.

The Traveling Red Dress
by Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess
Making the world a better place could be as simple as sending your friend a red dress so she can, “wear it and love it and feel…special and vivid and dynamic.” It sounds cheesy when I write it but I promise it’s not. Read Jenny’s original post and you’ll see what I mean. Then read The Traveling Red Dress Revisited to see how a simple act can multiply and become a big one.

20 Ways to Give Without Expectations
by Lori Deschene, Tiny Buddha
The author says expecting something in return (beyond the joy of helping) can actually cause more stress for her. Lori says, “They mar the act of giving, which makes me feel slightly guilty; they lead to disappointment if the person I helped doesn’t return the kindness; and they tie my intentions to an internal score card, which places a wedge in my relationships.” I think we all struggle with this, I know I do. I love these tips on how to pay it forward without expectations.

Gatorade Angels – Random Acts of Kindness
by Nancy Vogel, Family on Bikes
This post about the kindness of strangers will bring tears to your eyes. Or, at least it did to mine.

Why We “Volunteer Travel” as a Family
by Lainie Liberti, Raising Miro
This story explores the many benefits of volunteering with your children during your travels.

Kids for Peace
Want to encourage your children to “uplift our world through love and action” in your own community? I do. That’s why we’re joining the local chapter of Kids for Peace today.

Share your suggestions for everyday acts of kindness in the comments below! Links to relevant blog posts are welcomed.

Come back every Wednesday to read a new World Tour of the Web.

Photo by Anita Patterson. (Creative Commons)

I drove a van full of pre-teen girls to Big White Ski Resort, one of North America’s best skiing destinations, drawing skiers from around the world in search of the magic Okanagan powder. It’s been almost 30 years since I’ve been on skis, and the only kind of powder I search for these days is talcum. My chances of keeping up with five tween girls on a ski mountain are about on par with my chances of keeping up with my wife during a half-off sale at Tiffany’s, so why did I make the drive from Kelowna up to a mountain we have no intent of skiing? There’s more than one way to get down a mountain.

This is the kind of thing they don’t warn you about when you buy a minivan. You think, “Oh there’s tons of space. Now my kids can spread out and there won’t be as much fighting,” and you’re right. What you don’t think about, though, is the day that your van isn’t filled with your own children, but with your tween daughter and four of her friends. Whoever Chrysler hired to design the Caravan obviously didn’t anticipate this kind of situation either, or at least they didn’t appreciate that it’s almost a 45-minute drive to Big White, otherwise they would have installed in every van one of those soundproof partitions that they have in limos.

In addition to being a top ski destination, Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia is home to the Mega Snow Coaster, Canada’s largest resort tubing park. I may lack the coordination necessary to stand up and maneuver my way down a mountain, but I’m more than qualified to sit in a tube and let gravity do it’s thing. Of course gravity doesn’t have to work that hard to get me down a mountain. After a few mental calculations involving mass, acceleration, and slope I came to the conclusion that I would most likely break the sound barrier on the steepest run, and breaking the speed of light was a distinct possibility. There may have been some rustiness in my physics, but before I could recalculate the girls were ready to go and we were up the hill. 

There are five separate runs in the tubing park. Three of the runs are gentler and designed for either young kids (you must be 36 inches to go down without a parent) or for people who want to go down in groups. The other two are steeper and built for maximum speed. These are the runs where I would expect teenagers to be, but I have that expectation because I was a teenage boy. I would have abandoned my friends immediately and headed for the steepest run I could find. Apparently pre-teen girls think differently. They would gather up at the top of the hill and get themselves all positioned so that they could slide down while holding hands the whole time. It didn’t seem to bother them that they had to take the slower slopes, it was more important that tubing was a group activity. I stood at the bottom of the hill for a while trying to figure this out, then eventually decided to classify it under the same section as girls going to the bathroom together as something I’ll never understand.

While we’re on the topic of things I don’t understand, why do girls scream at everything? I could possibly understand yelling if you were hitting the dips on the steep run, but I don’t grasp the need to shatter glass for a slow trip down a gentle slope. Think I’m exaggerating? See for yourself:

Warning! This is a video of 5 pre-teen girls (and my wife) sliding down a tubing run. Please, for your own safety, lower the volume of your computer!

You’d think maybe that was just their first run down the hill and they didn’t know what to expect, but truthfully that video could have been taken on any of the 25 or 30 runs the girls went on that day. Each time gathering at the top of the hill, and each time coming down shrieking like Justin Bieber was in the tube next to them. Some might consider it embarrassing, but as the parent supervisor it sure made my job easy. Every couple of minutes, whether I was looking or not, I knew exactly where all of the girls were. Of course so did everyone else on the mountain, but if anybody complained I could just say my wife was in charge and they should go talk to her.

The tubing park at Big White is located at the bottom of the mountain in the lower village. Admission for the day is $19/$21 and includes the use of the outdoor skating rink (which coincidentally is another sport that I have absolutely no aptitude for). It’s a fantastic place to spend your day, but I leave you with a warning. A short, free gondola ride will get you up to the main village where all of the hotels, the majority of the restaurants, and the main ski lifts are, but for some reason, every bump that the gondola goes over on it’s ascent to the main village causes pre-teen girls to scream in the exact same manner that the tube rides did, only this time in an enclosed space. There’s no denying you’re with them when you’re trapped in the gondola car together, and trust me, it’s too far down to jump.

Steve and his family are based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, although their misadventures are just as likely to take place in a town near you. Leaving a trail of mayhem, iPhone chargers, and Canadian pennies wherever they go, you can follow their travels on the More Kids Than Suitcases blog, their Facebook page, or on Twitter. They’re even on Google+, although it’s painfully apparent that they have no idea how to use it yet. 

So, do you think Steve is crazy for a taking a van-load of tweens tubing for the day, or is he just a sweet guy fulfilling his Travel Daddy responsibilities? Let us know in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Canada for All Seasons

• New York City’s Best Sites, Activities, and Restaurants for Kids

• Road Trip with Teens – Are You Crazy?

• 20 Things Your Traveling Teen or Tween Wishes You Knew

There’s a story I often tell about a friend who encouraged me to write my book, The Travel Mamas’ Guide. This friend asked me for advice on traveling with her baby and I sent her three rough chapters of that book. Without her enthusiasm and support, I never would have written the book or started this website. Erin has been my best friend for 20 years. We share a birthday, separated by one year. My second child and her only child shared the same due date. Both were born early, about a week apart. Her child, Hannah, is very sick.

Erin and Hannah in my backyard (in 2009)

Hannah is in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for an aggressive form of pneumonia. She is scheduled for surgery to clear her lungs today. Erin has been in the hospital with her daughter all week and has gotten very little sleep due to all her worry, interruptions from hospital staff, and cramped sleeping conditions. Hannah is nearly four-years-old. She loves her two basset hounds and animals of all kinds. The gooey fluid in her lungs has drained Hannah of her usual rambunctious personality. She has perked up here and there, telling nurses knock-knock jokes and giving her mom the occasional smile. But for the most part, struggling to breathe has exhausted her little body and her spirit.

Erin and I were talking about wake-up calls yesterday. Even though this is not my child, Hannah’s illness has been a wake-up call for me. It makes me realize that I need to make phone calls and visits with friends, Erin in particular, a bigger priority in my life. With Facebook, email, texts, and our busy lives, it’s easy to forget that we need these deeper connections with the people we love. I barely know Hannah. I have met her a handful of times during my travels home to Arizona and Erin’s visits to my current locale of San Diego. That’s not right. I want our kids to play together and become lifelong friends. How else, as Erin and I often joke, will my son and her daughter get married when they grow up?

My son, Leo, already smitten with Hannah at the Hotel Del Coronado (in 2009)

I know this has nothing to do with travel. But I hate that I am a state away from Erin and Hannah. I wish I could be there to hug Erin and be strong for her while she puts on her Brave Mommy Face. All I can do is send healing thoughts and prayers to Hannah and her family. And ask you to do the same. Even if you are not religious, if you could take just a moment out of your day to send wishes for a quick recovery to Hannah, I would be so thankful.

Hannah has received a few Get Well Soon cards from friends and they’ve made her smile. You know how doing selfless acts of kindness is supposed to increase your happiness and life expectancy? (Actually, I just made that up, but I bet it’s true!) Will you help me in making Hannah smile? Please send Hannah a card!  She will be in the hospital for another week or so. Here’s the address:

Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center
Attn: Hannah Cole, Patient
9003 E. Shea Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Here are other Travel Mamas stories that include Erin and/or Hannah:

• Fall Beauty at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine

• 4 Phoenix Fun Spots for Kids

• Restaurants, Drinks & Sweets in Freeport, Maine

• Weekend Getaway in Freeport, Maine

a) 1875

b) 1953

c) 1955

d) 1963

Scroll down for the answer…

Taking a dizzy spin on the King Arthur Carousel with my daughter in 2007

Although the King Arthur Carousel was one of the original Disneyland rides at the California park’s opening in 1955, the merry-go-round was originally made in a) 1875 by the Dentzel Carousel Company. Walt Disney purchased the ride for $22,000 from Sunnyside Park, a popular amusement park in Toronto, Canada that operated from 1922 to 1955. Walt Disney insisted all 72 horses be leaping, so some had to be reconfigured from their original design while others were found on other old carousels.

I love the idea of a carousel in theory. In actuality, all of that spinning makes me dizzy. I’m more of a Space Mountain type of gal.

What’s your favorite Disneyland ride? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Disneyland Hotel & Pools Review

• Little Mermaid Ride Premiere & Interview with Jodi Benson, the Voice of Ariel

• Top 10 Disneyland Rides & Attractions for Babies & Toddlers

• Which Disneyland Character Meal is Best for Your Family?

Usually I try to come up with some sort of clever theme for these weekly World Tour of the Web posts, but I have got a bunch of deadlines looming, my eye is twitching from lack of sleep, and I couldn’t find a way to tie these up with a big travel-themed bow. So, here are a bunch of stories that I really like. I hope you like them too.

Should You Eat at American Chain Restaurants When You Travel?
by Mike Barish, Gadling
Judgemental travelers like to think “their way” is the better way to see the world. These people would tend to balk (loudly and with much superiority) at eating at a McDonald’s or Pizza Hut while traveling. The author of this post makes a case for checking out American fast food eats while in a foreign country. Mike says, “I love eating locally and experiencing the cuisines of the world. But I also love seeing how American culture is reinterpreted to fit into the social norms of other places.” Agreed. When I lived in Southern France for a year during college, my trek to McDonald’s every Sunday (when the university’s cafeterias and most other restaurants were closed) was like a welcome, if greasy, hug from home.

20 Unique Drinks to Sample on Your Next Trip
by Adam Seper, BootsnAll
These drinks give you an excuse to get a little buzz on while traveling. I mean, you really should experience the local culture, right? Especially if that means doing a shot of Springbok (creme de menthe and amurula cream) in South Africa or sipping a Pain Killer (dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, topped with nutmeg) in the Caribbean!

The Uppers & Downers of Parenting (Or, Coffee & Wine)
by Amber Dusick, Parenting. Illustrated with Crappy Pictures
Speaking of drinking, my neighbor, Sara, and I were talking about the relationship between drinking and parenting the other night. Over a glass of wine. While our kids were upstairs being suspiciously quiet. (We recently had to implement a new play date rule for the kids: no nudity. They are ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 – so don’t be too worried.) In any case, we decided that drinking wine actually makes us better moms. Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves. Read this article by Amber; she explains it better. Plus, there are cute little “crappy” pictures! (By the way, usually when I include a funny parenting-related story in a World Tour of the Web it’s because Sara sent it to me.)

Lodging Alternatives for Family Travel
by Jody Halsted, Blissfully Domestic
Alright, I am quoted in this post so it may seem a bit self-serving to include this story, but Jody makes some great accommodation suggestions for saving money and staying somewhere off-the-beaten-path when traveling with kids, including a couple of options I never would have considered.

Iowa Nice
by Iowa Filmmakers via YouTube
You think you know Iowa? Think again! This laugh-out-loud video breaks down the stereotypes you might have about this Midwestern state. (Warning for watching with kids in the room: this is the clean version, but there’s still one itty bitty curse word jammed in there.)

So, what say you? For or against American fast food when traveling? Love Iowa? Got a foreign cocktail you discovered on the road? Tell us about it in the comments below!

If you have a fabulous travel or parenting story to share, go for it! Just leave a link in the comments below.

Come back every Wednesday for a new World Tour of the Web!

Photo by Clarita. (Creative Commons)

They may not have the strength and grace of killer whales, or the agility and looks of dolphins, but manatees are stealing the show at Homosassa Springs in Citrus County, Florida.

An upclose look at a manatee underwater at the springs of Crystal River (Photo by NaluPhoto, iStockphoto.com)

For families who want to enjoy nature at its best, a nature wonderland is hidden behind Orlando’s amusement parks. There is another Florida, a nature-lover’s Florida. Our latest trip took us to the manatees’ home turf, a far cry from a modern-day aquarium. My daughter and I aimed our compass south to Florida’s west central coast line and the Gulf of Mexico, and it is here in Citrus County that we met one of the most formidable aquatic mammals.

How to Swim with Manatees
Our days started early in the morning, as this is the perfect time to snorkel with the manatees before they get tired of visitors. We boarded a pontoon boat with one of the few female captains in the area, Traci Wood from Native Vacations. Having spotted two manatees just below the water, Captain Traci stopped the boat as the duo slowly glided towards us. They used their paddle-like tails to propell themselves up and down and, steering with their flippers, to gracefully move their 12-foot-long bodies through the water. Our boat was soon surrounded by this gentle species.

Soon we resumed our journey. Within a few minutes Captain Traci stopped the boat again and we were given instructions. Whatever you do, she said — and it doesn’t matter how excited you are — remember the three golden rules: minimize splash noise; act with very slow movements; and when you do touch one of these friendly, gentle gray giants on the back or stomach, never touch with more than one hand at a time. Two hands are illegal. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and they will let you know. The rules are strict in Homosassa, and the protection of this endangered species is taken very seriously. There is absolutely no chasing, riding or harassing the manatees. But these rules won’t diminish your experience in the least bit. Most of Homosassa manatees are very social and will come to you.

In Florida, waking up one of these 2,000-pound sleeping beauties will cost you a whopping fine, but it is perfectly legal to snorkel or swim with these playful, inquisitive kids of the deep when they are awake and trying to make your acquaintance. 

At Three Sisters Springs, very slowly we entered the water, trying not to disturb the manatees and also trying to keep down the amount of sediment rising from the bottom of the river. Upon our descent, some of the manatees were still sleeping while others were slow-paddling around.

Swimming with the manatees is not at all difficult or intimidating. There were children younger than my daughter, Ilse (who is 10), as well as seniors in the water. There was an abundant feeling of energy and curiosity among us all.

A manatee snacking on water lettuce (Photo by Bel Kembach)

About Manatees
A manatee is very big, measuring 10 to 15 feet and weighing one ton, although some larger than 12 feet and weighing as much as 3,500 pounds have been recorded in Florida. They devour over four to nine percent of their body weight each day (200 pounds of greens) by eating five to eight hours daily to maintain their beautiful rotund shape. They’re strictly herbivores, but they eat a great variety of aquatic plant species, including water hyacinth, hydrilla and water lettuce. Much to our surprise this official marine mammal of Florida is also nearsighted.

Manatees are wild, although when  looking at one nose-to-nose you’ll have second thoughts about just how wild they are. They turned over and bared their bellies for us to rub, and swam alongside and nibbled at us. 

What to Do on Land
Since not all visitors want to get nose-to-nose with the manatees, non- swimmers can also view these endangered mammals at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. The park provides refuge for captive-born manatees and is a halfway house for rehabilitating those who will be returned to the wild. Some manatees that have been injured or orphaned will spend their lives in the park since they are unable to survive in the wild. The park also serves as a research and observation center, offering three daily educational programs to the public.

The park also showcases an impressive menagerie of native Florida wildlife including alligators, birds, and bears. It is located at the headwaters of the crystal clear Homosassa River, a natural spring that gushes forth millions of gallons of fresh water per hour. 

Bel’s daughter, Ilse, posing at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park (Photo by Bel Kembach)

When and Where to Go
From December to March, groups of manatees escape the cold winter ocean and bask in the warm waters near power plants and coastal springs that stay about 72F degrees year-round. Snorkelers, divers and swimmers come from all over the world for a chance to swim or interact with the shy, docile West Indian manatee in its natural environment. Numerous dive sites, inland springs, good underwater visibility, calm water, and its wintering manatee population have made Citrus County a popular destination for nature lovers.

Abundant plant life makes the area an ideal playground for the manatees, who arrive every year by the hundreds to find warmth, food and maybe, just maybe, to visit us, the curious humans. The area is also safe for these endangered mammals whose lives are often cut short by environmental factors and fatal encounters with speeding watercraft.

Crystal River is the only place in the world for snorkelers to swim with the West Indian manatee in relatively clear water. Citrus County and Crystal River is less than a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando, Tampa or Daytona. Visit the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau website to learn more about the area.  

Where to Stay
I recommend staying at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa for its lovely accommodations and guided wildlife excursions. It is an eco-friendly resort and proud member of the Green Hotels Association and Eco Friendly Hotels Worldwide. This hotel is perfectly located to view the manatees daily.

Why to Go
Once you have swam next to a mother manatee and her newborn calf in the wild, it is inconceivable that anyone could hurt them. Like many visitors, my daughter and I left with this place with unforgettable memories and became avid supporters of protecting and preserving these friendly, docile creatures for generations to come. We believe there is hope that the manatee may yet be saved from extinction, but the public needs to become aware of the problem. These gentle giants are so impressive in their size and manner; it is difficult not to fall in love with them. Truth is, swimming with manatees is a life altering experience.

How to Help
Your family can help manatee conservation efforts! Adopt a manatee for just $25 through the Save a Manatee Club. Ask your children to choose from a list of adoptable manatees and select those that match your family members’ personalities.

Would you swim with manatees if given the chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Professor Bel Kambach teaches Ecotourism and the Environment at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and brings all her Ecotourism students to teach a lesson in conservation to her daughter’s school’s Saving Endangered Species program. Bel can be reached via her blog, Bel Explores, on the Bel Explores Facebook page, or on Twitter at @BelExplores.

You might also like:

• Favorite Family-Friendly Nature Spots in California

• 5 Safety Tips for Camping with Kids

• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• The Travel Mama’s Guide to Orlando & Kissimmee with Kids 

a) 112
b) 212
c) 284
d) 348

(Scroll down for the answer…)

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was supposed to stand straight but it gained its famous sideways slant thanks to the unstable soil on which it was constructed and poor planning. It was built as a free-standing bell tower to accompany the cathedral and baptistry in the town of Pisa, Italy. There are eight floors within the tower, including the top floor that houses the tower’s bells. There are around (c) 284 steps in the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Some sources say 284. Some say 286. I’ve also seen 297 and over 300.) The construction of the tower began in 1173 and was not completed until the mid-1300s, with wars causing delays in its completion. The town of Pisa got its name from a Greek word, which supposedly means “marshy land.” Pisa is the birthplace of noted early physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.

Check back every Thursday for a new Travel Trivia question!

Is getting your photo taken whilst pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa on your bucket list? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• A Day on the Farm in Sicily

• Rome in a Day

• Sun, Sand & Sea in Sardinia

• Vacation Savoring Lessons Learned in Sorrento & Pompeii

Photo by ameins. (Creative Commons)

The travel industry seems more reflective than usual this week following the recent tragic sinking of Costa’s Concordia cruise ship. This World Tour of the Web represents the yin and yang of travel…the difficulties and the triumphs of exploring the world.

After Concordia: Is Cruising Safe?
by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Cruise Critic
The editor of Cruise Critic tackles the question many travelers have been wondering following the capsizing of Costa’s Concordia: is cruising safe? I have been almost obsessively reading stories about the Concordia disaster ever since the ship sunk off the coast of Italy this weekend. Cruise Critic has done a stellar job of covering the ship’s sinking and the aftermath for survivors. Carolyn addresses our fears in this post and closes by saying, “I’ll see you at the muster drill. I’ll be the person paying very, very close attention, even after 200-plus cruises, to the captain’s instructions.”

Travel Predictions for 2012: Doom and Gloom May Boost Tourism
by Laura Bly, USA Today
According to this article, two somber events are providing the tourism industry with excuses to celebrate: the Titanic’s sinking and the apocolypse (according to the ancient Mayan calendar) with special cruises and festivities scheduled to commemorate both. This was before the recent Costa ship tragedy, so I’d guess deep discounts are likely to become available within the cruise industry. A failing Euro may lure Americans and others to Europe. Meanwhile Japan and Thailand, recovering from flooding and earthquakes last year, will likely provide special deals to entice travelers.

Traveling Is the Best Therapy - Traveling with a Special Needs Child
by Jessica, Suitcases and Sippy Cups
This post by a mom of four children discusses the benefits of traveling with a special needs child in terms of stretching him beyond his comfort zone to help his growth. Although some parents might think travel with a “normal” child might be too difficult and not worth the effort, much less with a child with special needs, the author says, “He didn’t need to be hidden away in the safety of his home, he needed an experience that would force him to face his fears and grow. Traveling was the ticket to that opportunity.”

The Traveller’s Guide to Happiness – Infographic
by Harry Lawrence, TravelSupermarket.com blog
This post uses clever graphics to illustrate such ”dilemmas” as Need Theory (we are only happy when our need to travel is met), Post-Travel Blues (apparently 56% of us get them), and chart detailing how to extract the most happiness from our travels.

Your Turn!
Got a great story that demonstrates the difficulties and/or triumphs of travel? Share it using the Linky below. I will read every linked story and make a comment on your site. (Enter the title of the story as “Your Name” and include http:// in the web address.) You don’t have to link back to Travel Mamas from your site. Just, ya know, link up for fun!

Come back every Wednesday for a new World Tour of the Web!

Photo by Clarita. (Creative Commons)

You could win a 10-day Arizona vacation including airfare, rental car, and hotel accommodations! For a chance to win the Arizona Adventure of a Lifetime giveaway, all you need to do is send an Arizona e-Postcard to someone you know. If you win, you could be touring through the many landscapes of this Southwestern state, eating Mexican food all along the way. (Well, that’s what I’d do if I won!)

Sample e-Postcard (from the Arizona Office of Tourism website)

I lived in Arizona for 12 years of my life and I head back once a year to visit, so I’m a bit partial to the Grand Canyon State. The Arizona Adventure of a Lifetime giveaway allows you to experience much of what this state has to offer, from shopping and golf galore in my hometown of Scottsdale, to the overwhelming beauty of the Grand Canyon, to the sweet small-town feel of the state’s former capital of Prescott, to the walk-able student town of Tempe (home of my alma mater, Arizona State University). There’s also a stay in Tucson, home of my rival school, University of Arizona. Surely there are nice things in Tucson too, just don’t ask me about them on game day!

One lucky grand prize winner will receive:

- Two-night stay at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale
- Two-night stay at Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn  in Tusayan (near the Grand Canyon)
- Two-night stay at Prescott Resort & Conference Center in Prescott
- Two-night stay at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson
- Two-night stay at Fiesta Resort Conference Center in Tempe
- Rental car for use during 10-day stay
- Airfare for two

Enter by January 31, 2012 by sending an Arizona e-postcard to a friend or family member. It’s easy. (I sent one to my mom.)

Writing this blog post is getting me all amped up for my family’s trip to Arizona this April! Maybe I’ll see you there?

You might also like:

• Montezuma Castle with Kids

• Musical Instrument Museum – A Tour of the World through Music

• Phoenix Fun Spots for Kids

• Phoenix Restaurants Worthy of Craving

• Sedona, Arizona – Beyond Imagination

A Note from The Travel Mama: This giveaway is hosted by the Arizona Office of Tourism. I did not receive any sort of compensation related to this post.

A Costa Cruise ship sunk last night off the coast of Civitavecchia, Italy. Three have been reported dead. Forty are still missing. I first read about the tragedy early this morning via a link on Twitter to an article in the UK’s Daily Daily Mail Online.

This is the part that gives me chills:

We were crawling up a hallway, in the dark, with only the light from the life vest strobe flashing,’ her mother, Georgia Ananias, 61, said. ‘We could hear plates and dishes crashing, people slamming against walls.’

She recounted the moment when an Argentine couple handed her their three-year-old daughter, unable to keep their balance as the ship lurched to the side and the family found themselves standing on a wall.

Mrs Ananias said: ‘I grabbed the baby. But then I was being pushed down. I didn’t want the baby to fall down the stairs. I gave the baby back. I couldn’t hold her.

‘I thought that was the end and I thought they should be with their baby,’ she said.

My son is three-years-old. I imagine the terror I would feel as a mother, passing off my child into the arms of strangers as I tried to regain my balance, worrying that we may not ever make it safely to shore.

My mom is in her 60s. I can picture her holding this child for a brief moment and then passing the child back to the parents’ arms, wanting the family to be together, the baby to at least have the security of her own mother’s arms, if they were all to perish at sea.

I have sailed in those waters, docked at Civitavecchia before setting off on a whirlwind tour of Rome with my husband and then two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

The Costa Concordia’s captain has been arrested. The Titanic-like descriptions of the chaos during the evacuation is chilling, with many lifeboats not being launched due to inefficiencies by the crew. The emergency drill was not scheduled to even take place until the next evening, well after the ship set sail. Survivors left without money, credit cards, or a change of clothing are disgusted by the mishandled evacuation and treatment by Costa following their rescue.

This tragedy reminds me of  a report on Dateline that I watched last year about Oceanos, a Greek ocean-liner that sank off South Africa’s eastern coast in 1991. I was horrified to learn how the ship’s captain and senior crew abandoned the ship and its passengers, leaving the entertainment crew to lead the heroic rescue of the remaining 571 passengers and crew left aboard.

Will I cruise again? Yes. But I will only sail with cruise lines that deserve my trust. A small few come to mind, with one in particular standing out, whose reputation and credibility is so steadfast, it seems impossible for such blunders to take place aboard their ships. Of course accidents can happen while at sea on any ship, but the human error and bungled emergency evacuations of both of the Costa and Oceanos ships is inexcusable.

Today I can’t stop imagining the horror of those onboard the sinking Costa ship and the heartache of family members whose loved ones cannot be found. I am thinking of that Argentine couple and the heartwrenching moment when their child was given back to them by a kindhearted woman. I am praying they made it ashore safely. I am praying for everyone involved.

Tragedies like this always snap me out of the skewed world of what only seems important and remind me of what really matters: family, love, kindness, compassion. I’d write more, but I’ve got two children that I need to go hug. I may never let go.

a) Norwegian Cruise Line

b) Royal Caribbean International

c) Princess Cruises

d) Carnival Cruise Line 

(Scroll down for the answer…)

The Pacific Princess was the featured ship on the television series, The Love Boat. It was part of the (c) Princess Cruises fleet. The Love Boat is credited with launching the modern-day cruise vacation industry. The popular TV show ran from 1977 to 1986. Princess Cruises retired the boat after 27 years of cruising in 2002. While the original Pacific Princess is now out of service, Princess Cruises now operates another ship of the same name. The cruise line launched its first ship in 1965. Today Princess Cruises is the third largest cruise line in the world.

The photo above shows the current Pacific Princess ship. This photo was obtained for media-usage from the Princess Cruises website. Copyright Princess Cruises.

Check back every Thursday for a new Travel Trivia question!

As a kid, I had a bit of a crush on The Love Boat’s purser, Gopher. Who was your favorite character on The Love Boat? Let us know in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Carnival Cruise Line’s Onboard Activities for Kids

• Disney Mediterranean Cruise Round-Up

• Disney’s New Ship is a Dream for Grown-Ups Too!

• Family Cruise Budget Tips

Parenting at home can be tough enough. Add a messed up sleep schedule, oodles of time spent together in cramped spaces, time change crankiness, and judgemental onlookers — and travel with children might seem like a foul idea at best and a recipe for mania at worst. But it’s not all bad, right?! This World Tour of the Web focuses on the highs and lows of parenting in general, and parenting while traveling in particular.

What Is the Point of Having Kids if Your Life Ends When Theirs Begins?
by Petula Dvorak, The Washington Post
This article poses the question many of us parents are not even willing to admit we’ve pondered: if you had to do it all over again, would you have kids? The author gives us reasons aplenty to avoid parenthood, saying, “Besides those hateful shelf elves, there is Barney and endless holiday concerts of squawking clarinets and painful parent-teacher conferences and potty training and driver’s permits and orthodontist bills and bath salts that get your tween high and the recession that won’t end and a bazillion other reasons not to have kids.”

On the pro-parenting side, one father interviewed for the article says, “What else would I be doing that means anything? You just change your priorities. And now, she’s my priority.” So, what say you…is the worry, cost, inconvenience and annoyance worth the precious yet rare joy-filled moments of parenting? 

Why Travel with Kids and Family Travel Are Important to Me
by Corinne McDermott, Have Baby Will Travel
This story was inspired by the recent death of the author’s father. Corinne discusses how her parents instilled in her a love of travel as a child and how that now translates into her love of travel as a mother with her children. She says, “seeing the world at a young age broadens the mind, and will help my children grow into the kind of tolerant, kind and open minded adults I hope they will become.” 

Highs and Lows of Traveling with a Tween and a Teen
by Michelle Duffy, WanderMom
Worried your travels have to stop once your children enter their tween and teen years? This mom breaks down the pros and cons of traveling with a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old in this helpful blog post. 

9 Life Lessons Children Learn from Travel
by Theodora Sutcliffe, Travels with a Nine Year Old
Traveling can be not only both stressful and fun, but also it is educational. Theodora says, “After almost two years on the road, I have to say that if I’d known how much children learn from travel, I’d have started travelling sooner.” 

You Can Take a Teen to the Lake, But You Can’t Make Her Swim
by Lisa Goodmurphy, Gone with the Family
A mom struggles with keeping the peace while on family vacation with her teenage daughter. To allow the teen to to text all day, or to force the teen to have fun family-style, that is the question!   

Raising Kids Who Travel Well
by Jessica Bowers, Suitcases and Sippycups
Here are some handy tips for things you can do at home to help your children adjust well when traveling. 

2011 Lesson #2 – Don’t Carpe Diem
by Glennon Melton, Momastery
Even though I have been known to encourage others (and myself) to seize the day, I understand and appreciate Glennon’s suggestion that, as parents, we don’t carpe diem after all. She says, “This CARPE DIEM message makes me paranoid and panicky. Especially during this phase of my life – while I’m raising young kids. Being told, in a million different ways to CARPE DIEM makes me worry that if I’m not in a constant state of intense gratitude and ecstasy, I’m doing something wrong.”

This humorous post on the ups and downs of parenting had me busting out in laughter, especially when I read the part about what she’ll say to moms struggling to contain their wild children when she’s a nostalgic old lady: “It’s helluva hard, isn’t it? You’re a good mom, I can tell. And I like your kids, especially that one peeing in the corner. She’s my favorite. Carry on, warrior. Six hours till bedtime.”

Why We Travel with Children
by Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas
I couldn’t help but chime in on this one. This is the first story ever posted on Travel Mamas when the site launched in 2009. This post explains why, despite all of the mess, heartbreak, and temper tantrums…I am pro-parenting and pro-parenting-while-traveling.
 
Your Turn!
Got a great story that deals with the highs and lows of parenting in general or parenting while traveling? Share it using the Linky below. I will read every linked story and make a comment on your site. (Enter the title of the story as “Your Name” and include http:// in the web address.) You don’t have to link back to Travel Mamas from your site. Just, ya know, link up for fun!

Come back every Wednesday for a new World Tour of the Web!

Photo by kakisky. (Creative Commons)

With a New Year just beginning, will you force yourself out of your comfort zone in 2012? Blogging has opened my heart and mind to take on challenges I would not have otherwise faced. Here are some of the ways blogging has forced me out of my comfort zone, and the lessons gained from overcoming my fears.

Ready to take on a wave in Huntington Beach, California

Surfing
Could I sign up for surf lessons on my own? Of course. Would I? Probably not. I was the only person among 15 or so journalists on a press trip to accept the Huntington Beach Convention and Vistors Bureau’s offer of surf lessons. (To be fair, I was also 20+ years younger than most of the other attendees.) It’s easy to make excuses for not taking on challenges (not enough time, not enough money, not sure where to start), so when an opportunity is made easily available, take it! Also, I want to provide you, my readers, with an interesting story and if that story involves getting pummeled by the surf and risking getting smacked in the face with a surfboard, so be it.

Video Blogging
When I was first approached by Barilla about becoming a video blogger on their site, Piccolini.tv, my first thought was, “No freakin’ way.” I am chatty chatty chatty…until a video camera comes into site…then I smile uncomfortably with giant google eyes as I back away. After some thought I decided to view this intimidating opportunity as a gift. Recording footage for Piccolini would give me a video resume for future gigs and interview spots. The process of recording these 11 videos helped me to become much more comfortable in front of a video camera, an important skill for someone who hopes to someday be on the TODAY Show promoting her book!

Parasailing in Cabo San Lucas with my good friend, Laurie Cooper, author of the Guessing All the Way blog

Parasailing
To daredevils, parasailing may not seem like the most extreme endeavor but I doubt I would have ever taken on this activity if I wasn’t a blogger. I was in Cabo San Lucas with a bunch of other bloggers chatting about parasailing and before I knew it I was on a boat convincing another gal that she should, no MUST, harness-up and join me for a flight over the Pacific’s waves. This proves it’s easier to tackle your fears with someone else. I had to be brave for my fellow blogger’s sake. And now I count that blogger among my close friends. Did I love parasailing? No. It made me kind of nauseous. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely. There is something so empowering about being afraid of something and doing it anyway.

Teaching
I have always wanted to be a teacher. However, as someone with an aww-shucks-little-ol-me mentality (inherited from my parents of humble Finnish descent), standing in front of a classroom and sharing my “wisdom” seemed like a daunting feat. Since I started Travel Mamas in March 2009, I have jumped into things without much thought of where I might land. Rather than over-thinking and allowing myself to chicken out, as a blogger I have learned to act first, worry later. I got the idea for teaching a blogging class one night while I brushed my teeth; I outlined the course while lying in bed; the next day I pitched the course via email to the president of San Diego Writers, Ink.

When I did not hear back from him, I thought, “Do not give up.” Instead I approached my former writing teacher who was a past board member of the organization and asked if she could help me get my foot in the door. I have now taught a multi-week “Blogging 101″ class twice through this school. This helped me to land another teaching gig for an “Art and Business of Blogging” course through the University of California San Diego Extension. It really is a dream come true for me.

Networking in paradise at Disney’s Aulani Resort

Networking
If you met me, you would think I am naturally outgoing. You would be wrong. My way of dealing with my shyness is to act very confident and talk A LOT. Here’s the difference between a truly outgoing person (my husband) and a person who forces herself to be outgoing (me). He is never nervous before going to a party or talking to new people (I always am). For him, a good time is giving a speech to a group of 300 people (crazy, right?!).

I used to go to an event where I knew no one, a writers conference or press trip, for example, and feel like I was on crack. Not that I know what it feels like to be on crack, but I assume it is rather jittery and hyped up and overwhelming, which leads me to wonder why people like crack. My point is, forcing myself to attend these events despite my trepidation has led me to feel almost comfortable before venturing into the social unknown. Now I even take it a step further. I push myself to make the ask. I ask what I need to do to write for their magazine. I ask about being featured on their TV program. I ask about visiting their location on a comped media trip. The worst they can do is say no. But often, they say yes. 

Skiing at Keystone Resort with my instructor, Jim Keens

Skiing
The second time I tried skiing (at age 14 or so), I vowed never to do it again. To get to the bottom of a particularly steep hill packed with daredevil skiers, I took off my skis and scooted down on my butt with tears in my eyes. (I’m not proud.) But when presented with an opportunity to ski at Keystone Mountain, I thought, “What do I have to lose?” Coming from sea level up to mountain heights and skiing all day was exhausting, frightening, and exhilarating. Giving skiing another chance, this time with a ski instructor to teach me, made me realize that I was not a horrible skier, I just needed a little guidance.

Going on TV
My latest foray into the world of uncomfortability was my appearance on the local San Diego news. I find the best way to approach anything scary is to act like it’s not scary at all. My faking it worked; I seemed so at-ease that the news staff assumed I had been on TV before. Just like with the rest of these achievements, now that I have done it, I feel more sure of myself and ready to take on bigger and better challenges.

Think of all the joy and opportunities I would have missed if I let a little thing like fear get in my way! Looking back on these accomplishments makes me wonder, what else could I take on? I can’t wait to see what other terrifying and wondrous adventures await me in 2012!

How have you stepped out of your comfort zone? Did it make you feel more self-assured? Tell us about it in the comments below!

You might also like:

• How to Celebrate Your Birthday at Disney’s Aulani Resort

• How & Why to Host a Vision Board Party

• The Travel Mama’s Bucket List

• Vacation Savoring Lessons Learned in Sorrento & Pompeii

a) Italy
b) Japan
c) The Middle East
d) China

 (Scroll down for the answer…)

It has been long debated which area of the world first created noodles. With Italy’s love of pasta, many incorrectly believe noodles were invented in the Mediterranean. Others thought pasta was actually brought to Italy from the Middle East. The world’s oldest noodles, however, were found in (d) China in 2005. Radiocarbon dating indicates the noodles were about 4,000 years old. The noodles appear to have been made from domestic grasses as opposed to modern noodles, which are typically made from wheat.

Check out more Travel Trivia Questions!

Photo by jeltovski. (Creative Commons)

I’m thankful for the Chinese for inventing the noodle so I can chow down on one of my favorite dishes in the world, pasta carbonara! What’s your favorite noodle dish? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• A Day on the Farm in Sicily

• Family-Friendly Food in San Juan, Puerto Rico

• The Travel Mama’s Top 3 Hidden Gem Destinations

• Vacation Savoring Lessons Learned in Sorrento & Pompeii

Finding the 11 best travel stories of 2011 is harder than you’d think. Or harder than I thought it would be, anyway. Some travel writing, while helpful and fun, is not necessarily deeply moving or soul-touching. There’s nothing wrong with that; often, we’re looking for some quick tips (on how to travel with kids, for example) or we want to take a make-believe spin on someone else’s travel carousel. For this World Tour of the Web, however, I was looking for stories that transport the reader to another place and another mindset. Stories that move the reader to look at the world in a whole new way. Stories that make the hair stand up on your limbs, or push a tear or two from your eyes, or force a laugh from your lungs.

I read A LOT of stories for this blog post and narrowed it down to these 11. It would have helped if I had been gathering up travel tales in some electronic or paper folder throughout the year, but noooo…I just came up with this post idea last week. I read a few of these stories at some point in 2011 and bookmarked them, or I spent gobs of time digging them up. For others, I asked my favorite travel writers to send me a link to their very best story of the year. Some were submitted in response to requests I made on Twitter. In no particular order, here are the 11 best travel stories of 2011.

Seven
by Pam Mandel, Nerds Eye View
These reflections from a self-proclaimed nerd on the significance, and insignificance, of her travels to seven continents sums up why so many of us travel…to feel connected to the planet and all the life upon it. As Pam says, “I could picture the whole great planet in my mind, for just a moment, I thought I could sense the weight of us all, floating in space.”

Lead Us Into Temptation
by Daisann McLane, National Geographic Traveler
In this celebration of over-indulgences, Daisann ponders what it is about travel that brings out the Cookie Monster in all of us. She says, “When we travel, we embark on an intense, highly concentrated version of life itself; and as with life, we want to grab and hold on to as much of it as we can. While we can. So we give in to temptations.”

Finding Myself in the Alaskan Wilds
by Debi Huang, Tree.com Travel
This post appeared on Tree.com when the site was still alive and kicking (it still exists, but it certainly is not kicking). I have met Debi in real-life and she is the creator of one of my favorite blogs, Go Explore Nature. She once told me about her experience seeing wolves in the wild in Alaska and how it profoundly changed her. When I became the editor of the Tree.com Travel Blog, I asked her to become a site contributor, and eventually, I asked her to write about her transformational Alaska experience.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Action
by Jennifer Miner, The Vacation Gals
Like the author, I have also taken part in a sea turtle conservation effort while traveling. Mine took place in Mexico, with two very young and overly tired children upon whom the meaning and magic of the baby creatures crawling out into the deep treacherous world of the sea, was surely somewhat lost. Jennifer beautifully describes the momentousness of such a small act of releasing a baby sea turtle in terms of its impact on herself as a mother witnessing and reflecting on the tiny turtle’s effect on her tween daughter.

It’s a Party Now!
by Jennifer Miller, Edventure Project
This story about a “chicken bus” ride in Mexico will make you simultaneously cringe and smile. Somehow Jennifer paints a repulsive, yet nostalgic picture for us. (Brilliant!) I must admit, I have never taken a ride aboard a “chicken bus.” And I don’t think I ever will.

First Nations Culture on Vancouver Canoe Trip
by Jill K. Robinson, The Washington Times Communities
When I sent out a Twitter request to travel writers for their very best writing of the year, Jill actually sent me a different story. It was a very good story. But it reminded me of another of hers that I had read earlier in the year. I chose to include this story instead because it resonated more deeply for me. That is partially true because I experienced this canoe trip with her as part of a press fam (short for “familiarization”) tour. You can see me in the picture; I’m in the second row on the right donning my green cap, which I lost that day. I wanted to write a whole post about this canoe experience, but instead wrote a small blurb about it in another story. I had a hard time capturing just how incredible this experience was without sounding like a travel brochure. After I read Jill’s piece, I thought, “Wow. Why didn’t I write that?”

What Traveling with My Kid Has Taught Me About People
by Sara V., Wandering Off
With so many stories about creating separate seating areas for children on airplanes and reported disgust from people who think parents need to manage their children better while in the air, I love this story’s hopeful ending. It’s a lovely reminder that you can make the world a better place simply by showing patience and kindness to those around you.

Congrats, Internet, for Making Me Never Want to Take My Baby on an Airplane
by Tracy Moore, Jezebel
Here’s an acidic (and hilarious) view on passengers who hate flying within the same fuselage as children.

Searching the BAM for Russia’s Lost Moustache
by Robert Reid, Perceptive Travel
If you are a travel junkie like me, you may have heard of Robert Reid. He’s Lonely Planet’s US Travel Editor and has written 24 Lonely Planet guidebooks, plus articles for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and ESPN. When I asked him to send me his favorite story of the year, he sent something very well-written and interesting and LONG. I know you blog readers have little time for indulging in these great travel bonbons I am presenting upon this metaphoric silver platter. Plus, I wanted to include something that demonstrates Robert’s true genius–a meticulous eye for the avant-garde and a love of hand-drawn graphs.

5 Travel Mistakes I Make Over and Over Again
by Sally, Unbrave Girl
It’s hard to pick just one story by Sally, a.k.a. Unbrave Girl, because they’re all pretty dang funny and relatable. While she claims to be unbrave, this expat currently living in China, is quite the opposite. I chose this post because I have made all five of these travel mistakes and I probably will continue to do so. See? Relatable.

Seeking a Sense of Right Place
by Cheryl-Anne Millsap, The Spokesman Review
This story is about finding that place in the world that strikes something deep within you and brings a great sense of joy or peace. Cheryl feels we all have this place within us, but must venture out to discover where it is.

Photo by fedegrafo. (Creative Commons)

Your Turn!
Should I have included your story in this World Tour of the Web? Share a link to your best travel story of 2011 using the Linky below. (Enter the title of the story as “Your Name” and include http:// in the web address.) I read every post that is linked (and make a comment on your site)! Come back every Wednesday for a new World Tour of the Web.

a) Red
b) Yellow
c) Purple
d) Blue
e) Polka-dotted

(Scroll down for the answer….)

According to Spanish tradition, you should wear new (a) red underwear to attract good luck in the New Year. Various versions of this tradition exist throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In Venezuela yellow underwear brings happiness in the New Year. In Ecuador red underwear brings love, while yellow brings wealth.

Photo by foodandwinephotography. (Purchased from iStockphoto)

What are your family’s New Year’s traditions? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• More Travel Trivia Questions

• Holidays in Phoenix at Zoolights

• New York City Holiday Travel Tips for Families

• Prepping for the New Year – World Tour of the Web

This World Tour of the Web celebrates the New Year: where to ring it in, what to toast it with, what happened in 2011, and how to make the best of 2012.

Where to Spend New Year’s Eve in the U.S. 
by Spencer Spellman, CheapOair Blog
If you’re looking for a last-minute escape for this weekend, check out this round-up of fun places to celebrate the New Year beyond New York City.

Winter Warmers – Locally Inspired Holiday Cocktails 
by Andy Hayes, Sharing Travel Experiences
With New Year’s Eve festivities and the subsequent New Year’s Day hangover looming, I thought I’d share this virtual bar hop. Why not serve up a Ginger & Oatmeal Crush or a New-Fashioned Hot Buttered Rum to help ring in 2012?

Zeitgeist 2011: Year in Review 
by Google on YouTube
Here’s the Google description of this video encapsulation of the past year, “‘Zeitgeist’ means ‘the spirit of the times,’ and this spirit can be seen through the aggregation of millions of search queries Google receives every day. The annual Zeitgeist report reveals what captured the world’s attention in the past year—our passions, interests and defining moments as seen through search.”

A Spiritual Revolution: Oprah Reveals Her Intentions for 2012 
by Oprah Winfrey, Oprah.com
The queen of, well, the world provides inspiration in this story about Oprah’s view of 2012 as a year of alignment and enlightenment. She says,”When you’re aligned with your heart’s desire, when you’re in sync with who you’re meant to be and how you’re supposed to contribute to our magnificent Earth, you feel a shift in perception. You start to notice that miracles show up regularly.”

Why I Cycled to the Ends of the World 
by Nancy Vogel, Family on Bikes
Reading this carpe diem post gave me chills. Figure out what you want to do. Then do it. It’s that simple. Sounds like a good plan for 2012!

Photo by Mathew Hull. (Creative Commons)

Now it’s your turn! Share a link to your New Year-related post using the Linky below. (Enter the title of the story as “Your Name” and include http:// in the web address.) I read every post that is linked (and make a comment on your site)!

a) South America, by the Olmec, Maya, and Atzec civilizations
b) Holland
c) England
d) Switzerland
e) All of the above

(Scroll down for the answer…)

Answer: e) All of the above

Chocolate was discovered in South America by Almec, Aztec, and Mayan civilizations as early as 1500 B.C. Then in 1657, a Frenchman opened the world’s first chocolate house in London. And in 1828, a Dutchman invented the first cocoa press, which removed the acidity of chocolate. Chocolate was only available as a drink or cocoa until 1845, when Lindt (a Swiss chocolate company) made the first solid chocolate.

Photo by beglib. (Creative Commons)

You might also like:

• More Travel Trivia Questions

• Cancun Should Be on Your Bucket List

• London with Kids…Rain or Shine!

• Yes! Amsterdam IS for Kids!

Whether traveling or staying home this holiday season, this World Tour of the Web will make you want to drink a cup of egnnog and fry up a potato latke. My family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas (Christmakkah, if you will). Here are some wacky, useful, interesting, and beautiful stories that focus on these two winter holidays.

A Butter Message to the USA 
by Tommy, My Life as Tommy
With Christmas fast-approaching Tommy is quite displeased that he will not be able to make the traditional Norweigian holiday pussycat cake for which butter is the main ingredient. I can’t stop doing impersonations of this flamboyant blogger from Norway chastising Americans for our lack of compassion over his country’s butter shortage this holiday season. Warning, soon you too will be announcing, “I will force you to watch me while I eat all of your butter that you were going to have at Christmas evening!”

Celebrating Hanukkah When You Travel 
by Debbie Dubrow, Delicious Baby
Here are some helpful tips for celebrating Hanukkah while away from home including travel menorah tips and gifts to give on-the-go, as well as where to celebrate and get your Hanukkah traditional treats.

Around the Tree and Around the World 
by Kymri, Mira Terra Travels
Take a trip around the world from Africa and Asia to Europe, North America and beyond in this photo-centric post featuring the well-traveled author’s vast souvenir ornament collection.

Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies 
by Jen, People I Want to Punch in the Throat
On a blog dedicated to all things and people punch-in-the-throat-worthy, this post lampoons those moms who make the rest of us look bad by spending WAY too much time moving their Elf on a Shelf too often and even having the little bugger ”play tricks” on the kiddos by baking loads of cookies and leaving mom a big mess to clean up. I’ll one up the author; I want to punch anyone who even OWNS an Elf on a Shelf. I’ve got enough to do during the holidays without adding an annoying elf to the mix!

6 Jolly Reasons to Spend Christmas in Alaska 
by Rachel Denning, BootsnAll
This clever post uses the lyrics from Christmas carols plus gorgeous photos to convince us to head to Alaska for a white Christmas.

Where Can You Find the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah? New York City Of Course! 
by Nadia Carriere, Child Mode
There’s not as much hullaballoo surrounding Hanukkah as there is for Christmas but those who want to celebrate the Festival of Lights can do so in grand style in New York City. There are nightly lightings throughout Hanukkah plus a few special events like a Grand Menorah Parade on December 22 and a party with singing, games, chocolate gelt, and latkes on December 25.

Carlson School of Management Flash Mob, Deck the Halls 
by UMN Videos
Need a little perking up? I dare you to watch this festive flash mob at the University of Minnesota without smiling.

Photo by kakisky (Creative Commons)

Your turn!
Share your favorite winter holiday post using the Linky below. Be sure to include http://. This World Tour of the Web focuses on Hanukkah and Christmas, but stories on all winter holidays are welcomed! You don’t need to link back to Travel Mamas on your site to add your story. Come back every Wednesday to link up your posts!

Traveling is often a mixture of pleasure and pain. For families with young children, the experience can be quite trying. Several of the world’s airports have recognized the challenges of flying with children and have taken steps to make traveling through their facilities a much more enjoyable experience. Here are five airports that are particularly good destinations or layovers for both parents and kids.

O’Hare International Airport – Chicago, USA
Located in the heart of the American Midwest, flight delays due to inclement weather are commonplace at O’Hare. As any parent knows, the waiting time for a flight can tax a child’s patience even when everything is running on time. There are diverse ways to keep kids entertained at O’Hare when the wait becomes much longer than expected. The Chicago Children’s Museum has set up numerous interactive exhibits including “Children on the Fly.” It offers children the opportunity to learn about airport operations with a fantasy helicopter to refuel, cargo plane to load and unload, and a miniature air traffic control tower. There are also plenty of play areas where kids can zip down slides or play with LEGO bricks.

Heathrow International Airport – London, England
Getting to and from the Heathrow airport is made much easier by taking the train. Heathrow has direct train routes to and from London that leave and arrive every 15 minutes. There are also bus and coach routes from areas outside London that go directly to the airport, saving families from the added stress of transferring their luggage and children multiple times before they can even check-in for their flights.

Once at the airport, waiting for your flight to board is made less stressful thanks to the numerous arcades and play areas for younger children. Families with very young children benefit from the many changing and feeding areas located throughout each terminal.

Kuala Lampur International Airport – Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
Kuala Lampur International is a relatively new airport that focused from the beginning on making travel more enjoyable for adults and kids alike. The airport is packed with casual restaurants and arcades. The Plaza Premium Lounge is an especially nice area to wait for a flight. Children under age 6 can enter free of charge while older kids pay a small fee that covers the entire day, should you be on an extended layover or flight delay. The lounge offers free Internet access, television, showers, nap areas and more.

Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Schiphol is one of the most relaxing airports you could ever hope to visit. The walls are adorned with original paintings by Dutch masters. The airport also features a library where you can read books in more than 25 different languages, watch films and TV shows, or listen to music. Most of these electronic amenities can be downloaded free, so you can finish what you were watching or listening to on your flight. The Kids Forest is an indoor playground with plenty of climbing equipment, slides and other ways for kids to release their energy. Mothers will love the Babycare Lounge where the cribs all have fresh linens and a comfortable changing and feeding area.

Orlando International – Orlando, USA
With Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando and Sea World, Orlando is one of the most popular destinations for families in the world. The airport is designed to keep kids comfortable and entertained. Plenty of open space, indoor trees, and aquariums adorn the concourses. The life-size sculptures of Disney characters scattered about will also keep their imaginations engaged. The seating areas are designed to make eating and relaxing much more pleasurable for families.

Many parents used to dread booking airline tickets for their families because of the lack of activities for the kids at check-in and during the flight. Family-friendly airports like these make it easier for you to start enjoying your vacation as soon as you get to the airport.

Photo by xpistwv. (Creative Commons)

What is your favorite (or least favorite) airport for families traveling with children? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Do You Care About Keeping Your Child Safe when Flying?

• How to Survive Meltdowns & Meanies when Flying with Children

• The Bright Side of Flying with Kids

• Tips for Flying Standby & Handling Flight Delays with Kids 

A Note from The Travel Mama: This post is sponsored by Cheapflights.co.uk. Learn more about post sponsorship opportunities.

Canada is a vast country renowned for its natural beauty with oceans, mountains, wilderness, and wildlife that attract those who wish to explore the great outdoors. For a more urban experience, there are major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. There’s a Canadian destination to suit any vacation style and, with very few exceptions, visitors can enjoy any destination in Canada at any time of year. Here are my family’s suggestions for great Canadian destinations for winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Winter dog-sledding in Quebec

WINTER
The province of Quebec is a fantastic winter destination for families who want to be guaranteed a snowy vacation. In both Montreal and Quebec City visitors can be immersed in French culture and language in cities that feel European. Quebec City is a particularly lively spot in February during the Quebec Winter Carnival, which runs from late January to mid February. Visitors can admire snow sculptures, view canoe races on the St. Lawrence, ride a sleigh through the Old Town, watch courageous snow bathers, and meet Bonhomme the snowman (the king of the Festival).

Downhill skiers head out of the city to Mont Tremblant for skiing and fantastic resorts but our family prefers vacationing in the Gatineau area between Montreal and Ottawa. Our favorite spot is the town of Montebello where we check into the world’s largest log cabin and fill our days with cross country skiing, dog sledding, ice skating and curling. Visiting nearby Omega Park to drive through and feed elk carrots from the windows of the car is a big hit with my kids.

Pose with a Mountie on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in the spring

SPRING
The nation’s capital, Ottawa, is a beautiful place to visit during any season but is particularly attractive during the annual Tulip Festival in May when the city is blanketed by more than one million tulips. We love this family-friendly city with its abundance of outdoor activities. Kids love boating on the Rideau Canal or the Ottawa River on a pleasant spring day, particularly if it’s aboard one of the amphibious vehicles that tour city streets before diving into the river.

If the weather isn’t cooperating then we move indoors to one of the city’s many family-friendly museums and galleries. Our favorite has always been the Canadian Museum of Civilization where visitors can walk through the streetscapes of Canada Hallto experience Canadian history, marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, and collect passport stamps while globetrotting in the hands-on Children’s Museum. Shoppers and foodies will enjoy browsing the historic ByWard Market and anyone looking for the quintessential Canadian photo can usually find a Mountie to pose with on Parliament Hill. Be sure to taste one of the famous BeaverTail pastries that originate in the Capital region – even President Obama made it a point to have one while in town. 

Beach-time on Prince Edward Island in the summer

SUMMER
One of our favorite places to visit during the summer is Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island (“PEI”), which is connected to the mainland by the 12.9km (8 mile) Confederation Bridge. The island measures only 280km (175 miles) from tip to tip and has a population of only 138,000 people, yet each summer welcomes thousands of visitors from around the globe who come to the island for a relaxing holiday. They come for the beaches, the succulent lobster suppers, or to play a round of golf on a world-class course.

Many visitors come to pay homage to a beloved literary character, Anne of Green Gables. We spend most of our time in the Cavendish area, which is known as “Anne’s Land” and is very popular with families for its red sand beaches and warm ocean waters, amusement park style attractions, and the world famous COWS ice cream.  This is where you will find everything related to Anne, including the Green Gables historic site and the Village of Avonlea where visitors can interact with costumed actors playing characters from Author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories. Nineteen of Montgomery’s 20 novels take place on Prince Edward Island.

Kayaking, cycling, and deep sea fishing are just a few popular pursuits available for the outdoor enthusiast. Regardless of where you stay on the island you should spend a day in the city of Charlottetown where you can learn more about the founding of Canada and attend a performance of Anne of Green Gables – The Musical which has been running continuously at the Confederation Centre for the Arts since 1965. 

Fall in Banff National Park in the Canadia Rockies

FALL
Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is best known as a winter ski destination, however, we find it to be lovely at fall. Visitors to the area arrive by car, bus or via a spectacular train trip through the mountains. My husband and I stayed at the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, where you can experience Banff like the very first tourists to the Rockies did in the 19^thcentury. Visitors to Banff have been coming for more than a century to “take the waters” and it’s now possible to experience the hot springs at a modern outdoor facility set against the magnificent backdrop of the mountains.

Just a few minutes from the hotel a gondola ferries passengers to the summit of Sulphur Mountain where a breathtaking view of Banff can be enjoyed while dining on an outdoor terrace. You will in all likelihood see elk and deer wandering the streets of town and you may come across bighorn sheep at the top of the gondola. About 50km (30 miles) away in Lake Louise, families with older kids can take a guided canoe tour on the emerald waters of the glacial lake (in early fall) or hike the trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House.  The later you visit in the fall the greater the likelihood of a little snow to add excitement to your Banff vacation so be sure to come prepared for any weather.   

Whatever the season you visit and wherever you choose to go — there’s a memorable family vacation waiting for you in Canada. 

Which Canadian season/destination appeals to you most? Let us know in the comments below!

Lisa Goodmurphy is a lawyer living near Toronto, Canada who left the corporate world to stay home with her two daughters, Katie and Emma (now aged 15 and 8). Badly bitten by the travel bug years ago, Lisa considers herself fortunate that her husband and kids are equally enthusiastic about exploring the world. You can read about their family’s travel adventures on her blog at www.gonewiththefamily.com or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoneWithTheFamily1 and on Twitter as @GoneWithFamily.

You might also like:

• 5 Famous & Exciting Carnivals Around the World

• TBEX 2011 in Vancouver – A Stunning Conference in a Charming City of Contrasts

• Tips for Family Ski Trips from a Former Scaredy Cat Skier

• Why to Visit Minnesota’s Twin Cities with Kids

Passports with Purpose raised over $89,000 as of the prize entry cut-off date, December 16, 2011. That exceeds the $80,000 goal needed to build two libraries in Zambia via the non-profit organization, Room to Read! You can still make donations to the fundraiser, but the time to donate to win travel prizes has ended.

Thank you to everyone who donated money to Passports with Purpose to spread literacy! Your generocity will make a big difference in the lives of so many. According to Kofi Anon, former United Nations Secretary-General, ”Literacy unlocks the door to learning throughout life, is essential to development and health, and opens the way for democratic participation and active citizenship.”

I hope Travel Mamas readers will win the Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack with its four Park Hoppers, two nights at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world, and Disney bonus prizes (including a Dooney & Bourke bag!) or one of the other 88 fabulous other prizes procured by travel bloggers.

Winners will be announced on Friday, December 23. Come back then to see who won the Disney-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack!

Which Passports with Purpose prize are you hoping to win? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Orange County Great Balloon – It’s Fun & It’s Free!

• Reasons to Stay at Hilton Garden Inn

• South African Safari – A Once in a Lifetime Adventure

Nature and simple pleasures are the focus of Garden of Lights, as are all things at the San Diego Botanic Garden. I was expecting twinkling lights, holiday treats, live music, and maybe a craft project or two…which is exactly what I found. But somehow, it exceeded my expectations.

Over 100,000 lights make San Diego Botanic Garden sparkle during the holidays

Twinkling Lights
Each December over 100,000 lights make the already beautiful San Diego Botanic Garden sparkle. What is it about a bunch of Christmas lights that get us so excited? It’s the 21st century, yet there is something undeniably magical about seeing a bunch of lights strung up for the holidays. As a San Diego Botanic Garden member, I’ve visited these grounds more times than I can count but the garden had a special feel during our recent first Garden of Lights visit.

Keep warm by roasting marshmallows at Garden of Lights

Special Treats
Our first stop? The Coffee Hut for cozy servings of hot cider. Also available for purchase: hot cocoa, coffee, and other beverages and snacks like the cold apple juice and bag of Cheetos my three-year-old requested. (I obliged, it is the holidays after all!)

If you’re looking for something more substantial, you can buy fast Mexican food from El Pollo Loco at the Lawn House Garden. If you’d like an adult beverage, the Lawn House is the place to be. Go here to purchase little cups of mulled wine. I’d never had mulled wine before and gave it a shot; it was okay but tasted medicinal after my cinnamon-laced apple cider. There are tables surrounded with heat lamps in this area as well. 

For the best treat of all, look for the firepit to roast marshmallows on the Main Gazebo Lawn. For $3 you can purchase s’mores packs with graham crackers and chocolate but the marshmallows are free. There’s something so neighborly and warm about gathering around a roaring fire to toast up some sugary white puffs.

The River Rim Children’s Choir sang Christmas carols the night of our visit

Live Music
While spinning your marshmallow on a wooden skewer, you will be serenaded by the sounds of some live holiday music. Each night a different group performs, offering up holiday Cuban, Klezmer, Celtic music, and more.

Santa Claus
What Christmastime event would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus? Photos with the jolly old elf (on the Main Gazebo Lawn) are just $3 apiece at this event.

My daughter crafting a puppy ornament

Easy Crafts
At no extra charge, sweet volunteers patiently assist children in making crafts like puppy or kitty ornaments and candycane pencils in the Ecke Building. It costs an extra buck to make a spin-art, if you’re so inclined.

Over 50 Nutcrackers on display

Nutcracker Collection
While kids create their crafts, parents can take a peek at a collection of over 50 Nutcrackers on display in the Ecke Building. (Simple pleasures, people!)

Kids from SoCal and beyond get a kick out of sledding on real snow at this San Diego event

Real Snow
The piece de resistence for beach-going San Diegans like my children is the SNOW in the Eucalyptus Grove. There’s a wee area where kids can waddle around and lob snowballs at their parents. If you’ve got gloves or mittens, bring ‘em! While the air temperature may not be too cold, the snow will chill children’s hands. There’s even a small hill for sledding, a joyous treat for us Southern California folks!

There is nothing over-the-top at Garden of Lights. It’s pure, simple holiday fun. And I purely, simply love it.

Garden of Lights at San Diego Botanic Garden admission: members $6; non-members: adults $12; seniors, active military, and students $8. All children ages 3-12, $4. Most activities are free, besides those for which a cost is listed above.

What is your favorite simple holiday event? Let us know in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Christmas Festivities in San Diego at Helen Woodward Animal Center

• Fall Beauty at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine

• Holidays in Phoenix at Zoolights

• San Diego Botanic Garden – An Enchanting Place for Children

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family and I are annual members of the San Diego Botanic Garden but we received complimentary media passes to experience the Garden of Lights.

a) The United States

b) Egypt

c) Kenya

d) Mozambique

e) South Africa

 (Scroll down for the answer…)

a) The United States

Although Kwanzaa is based on ancient and modern celebrations in Egypt and Southeastern Africa, the Kwanzaa holiday as we know it originated in the United States in 1966. Learn more about Kwanzaa from The Official Kwanzaa Website.

If you need a little extra incentive to donate $10 for a chance to win a Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack while helping Passports with Purpose build two libraries in Zambia, I’ve got it for you! In addition to a four-pack of Disneyland Park Hopper tickets and two nights at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world (like the Anaheim/Grove location!), the winner will now also receive over $64 of bonus Disney goodies. Disney wanted to sweeten this already super-sweet package, so they’ve donated a Dooney & Bourke Disney Sketch Wristlet, a Minnie Mouse plush toy, and a Disney holiday tote bag to encourage donors to give to this worthy cause.

Bonus Disney Passports with Purpose prizes

Each Dooney & Bourke Wristlet design is unique. According to the Disney Store website, “Castles and Cheshire Cats, enchanted roses and Disney Princess crowns, these are just a few of the Disney icons that make up our whimsical Disney Sketch Wristlet Bag from famed handbag makers Dooney & Bourke.” It has a snap closure, detachable leather strap, and “Dooney & Bourke” heart medallion. Retail cost is $49.

Dooney & Bourke Disney Sketch Wristlet (Photo from www.DisneyStore.com) 

The Minnie Mouse plush toy is all dolled up for the holidays and is carrying a Christmas wreath. If you win, you could tuck this under the tree with a note to the family announcing your upcoming Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn getaway! I couldn’t find the exact same stuffed toy on the Disney website, but a similar holiday Minnie retails for $11.95.

The holiday-themed reusable Disney tote is a jolly carrier for groceries or other shopping items. Or, use it to bring your cookies and potluck dish to holiday parties! This tote is not available on the Disney website, but similar bags cost $3.50.

The original prize pack was worth $820. With this extra swag, the value is now $884.

Are you ready to change the world by spreading literacy? DONATE AND ENTER TO WIN the Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack or 88 other Passports with Purpose travel prizes now! Hurry! The last day to donate for a chance to win a prize is this Friday, December 16, 2011.

Have you donated to the Passports with Purpose fundraiser yet? Tell us why and what prize(s) you picked in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Christmastime at Disneyland

• Passports with Purpose – World Tour of the Web

• Reasons to Stay at Hilton Garden Inn

• World Tour of the Web – Africa Edition

This World Tour of the Web is dedicated to Passports with Purpose, the annual fundraiser supported by travel bloggers. By now, you may know that Passports with Purpose is a fundraiser to build two libraries in Zambia. You may also know that for just a $10 donation you can win the Travel Mamas prize, a four-pack of Disneyland Park Hoppers and a two-night stay at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world. But did you know there are 88 fabulous other travel prizes to choose from? And did you know you need to donate by THIS FRIDAY to win? 

I’ve enjoyed reading other bloggers’ favorite prize selections. Instead of telling you what I put my donation dollars toward (hello, I want to win!), I am going to share with you what my favorites would be IF…

If I lived in Europe…
I would definitely put my money on a 1-Week Apartment Stay in Umbria via WhyGo Italy. On my last trip to Italy, I spent one day on a farm in Sicily. The incredible food, the beautiful landscape, and sharing the experience with my family made this one of my favorite vacation days ever. This prize is for a week-long stay in a fully-equipped and beautifully-renovated apartment that sleeps four on a working farm near Assisi, Umbria. Mama Mia! ($798 value)

If I had a babysitter…
I would love to take advantage of the 5 Day Tournament of Roses Parade and Los Angeles Tour. This two-person package on Mira Terra Travel includes four nights in a luxurious hotel, reserved Grand-stand seats for viewing Rose Parade, private viewing of parade floats, city tour, and taxes. ($1696 value)

If I could afford airfare…
I would be all over the 4 Nights in a Suite at the Honua Kai Resort in Maui. I recommend parents book more than one room whenever possible for better sleep and for privacy post-bedtime, so I love that this package via Delicious Baby comes with a one-bedroom suite. And it’s in Hawaii. Need I say more? ($4,000 value)

If I was a daredevil…
I would go bungee jumping in New Zealand. The Nevis Experience (Bungy and Swing in New Zealand) package from A Dangerous Business is for thrill-seeking travelers (with more guts than I have) who want to jump off the largest bungee in all of New Zealand. ($280 value) 

If I didn’t have kids…
I would  put my donation chances toward One Week at the Fabulous Rancho La Puerta Spa on Things You Should Do. I could use a vacation filled with Pilates, nature walks, swimming, spa treatments, and delicious healthy food. Couldn’t you? ($3,000 value)

If I was Canadian…
I would wipe the drool from my lips and plunk some money down to win one of the two Canada packages procured by NearAfar. The Ultimate Toronto Escape Package includes a $350 JAUNT certificate so you can select your own hotel accommodations in Toronto PLUS a bunch of gift certificates to the author’s favorite Toronto restaurants and other haunts. Her descriptions of the food will make you want to hop on a plane to Toronto today, eh? She’s also giving away a scarf and other Canadian swag. ($900 value)

The other Canadian prize that caught my eye is the Echo Valley Ranch & Spa Experience Package on Writing Horseback. I used to ride horses competitively in middle and high school (English–I love jumping!) and spending time at a dude ranch is on my bucket list. In addition to plenty of horseback riding, this three-day/four-night package includes fly-fishing (also on my bucket list), a spa treatment, meals, and scenery to swoon for. ($4,240 value)

If I lived on the East Coast…
I would go for 3 Nights in Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. I have never visited New Orleans so this package via A Traveler’s Library, for a stay in the heart of the French Quarter at a literary landmark hotel sounds marveilleux.

Whatever prizes strike your fancy, act quick! You must donate by this Friday, December 16, 2011 to be eligible to win. ENTER AND DONATE NOW!

Come back to Travel Mamas every Wednesday for a different World Tour of the Web, where I feature a round-up of my favorite web finds for a given topic, or just whatever blog posts pique my interest that week. You are welcomed and encouraged to leave a link to your RELEVANT post in the comments. You are not required to link back to Travel Mamas to participate.

What prizes are you bidding on? Tell us or share a link to your Passports with Purpose picks post in the comments below!

You might also like:

• A Day on the Farm in Sicily

• Family-Friendly Mardi Gras in “The Other Side of Louisiana”

• New Zealand in the Footsteps of the Lord of the Rings

• TBEX 2011 in Vancouver – A Stunning Conference in a Charming City of Contrasts

Most of the stories on this site deal with how to keep the kids or the mama happy while traveling. But what about dear ol’ dad? Here are some tips for keeping a Travel Daddy content while on family vacation.

Keep dad happy with a day off to play golf while on family vacation (Photo of Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, copyright www.GolfNow.com)

Set Expectations
Talk about what everyone expects to get out of your family vacation BEFORE leaving home. If the kids think the trip will be non-stop amusement park rides and cotton candy, mom thinks every day will be filled with visiting museums and historical monuments, and dad thinks he will spend each day listening to the tide roll in while he sips a cold beer — everyone is going to be disappointed. Instead, sit down with a calendar and come up with a rough schedule of each day’s activities so everyone’s needs are met and each member of the family knows what to expect.

Before our first vacation as new parents, as a stay-at-home-mom I felt relaxed and relieved to have another set of hands to help with diaper changes, feedings, and naps. My husband, however, felt stressed out. He envisioned a vacation filled with relaxation, relaxation, and more relaxation. If traveling with a new dad, be sure to discuss childcare duties before leaving home.

Don’t Over Schedule
Children and adults alike can become over-stimulated and grumpy if every day is too jam-packed with activities. Schedule some down-time during your stay to recharge the kids’ (and dad’s!) batteries. Take turns playing with the kids in the ocean so each parent gets a chance to read a book or take a nap on the beach. Unwind after meals with a leisurely walk. And don’t make dad shop too much. With rare exception, most men find constant souvenir-shopping and gallery-perusing exhausting.

Allow Dad a Free Day
Parents love their children and want to spend quality time with them splashing in the pool, exploring the sites, riding the roller coasters, and making lasting memories while on vacation. There is, however, such thing as TOO much together-time. Keep dad happy by not just allowing, but encouraging him to take a free day during your trip. On your beach vacation, this could mean taking a surf lesson in Oahu, booking a helicopter tour of Kauai, or playing a round of golf on one of the many golf courses in Hawaii. A little reprieve from the kiddos makes for a happier dad.

Go On a Date
Plan a date one night during your vacation to allow for some couple-time. Hire a sitter and head out for a romantic dinner and drinks. Or, leave your children in the resort kids’ camp and escape for a daytime date. Hit the spa for a couple’s massage or if you both like to golf, do a search to find discount golf courses so you can play 18 holes while staying within your vacation budget.

Book More Than One Room
If at all possible, book more than one room via a suite, connecting rooms, a vacation rental, or a home exchange. Dads with too little sleep are cranky dads. And no man’s vacation is complete without a little privacy (ahem!) after bedtime.

Do you have any additional tips for keeping dads happy while on vacation? Tell us in the  comments below!

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A Note from The Travel Mama: This post is sponsored by www.GolfNow.com.

Our driver gunned the engine of the Land Cruiser, attempting to close the 100-yard distance as we chased our prize. After 50 yards we veered to the right into a thicket and our real-life Indiana Jones thrill ride was underway. We crashed through a tangle of plants, bowling over small trees.

“There!” Our tracker, Elvis, motioned to his left as the huge cat paced across the open ground and down into a ravine. Our truck dove after him then crawled up the far side, only to see him slip out of sight. Crashing through bushes and over trees we finally broke into a clearing. There he was: a magnificent male leopard as he gracefully lay down for an extended photo op. He truly was the most beautiful animal I had ever seen.

Our South African safari wasn’t always this thrilling but it was always interesting and downright fun.

A leopard on the prowl

Animals
Altogether my wife, Ellen, and I went on 10 game drives over the course of five days. One took us through dense brush to a gigantic abandoned termite mound that had been confiscated by a band of hyenas. As we approached to within 40 feet of two characteristically homely females stretched out at den openings we spotted four adorable cubs that cautiously approached our vehicle. Before long they were frolicking around and under our Land Cruiser. The adults seemed unconcerned as we took dozens of photos.

Sitting in the midst of a slowly moving mass of 500 Cape buffalo, a large female with a calf at her side stopped 10 feet short of our vehicle and stared at my wife. Suddenly the mama buffalo pawed the earth, dropped her head and charged. Ellen threw up her hands and shouted in alarm. The beast skidded to a stop and calmly turned away. Of course, we were not in danger in our vehicle but our driver and tracker warned that the more carnivorous animals wouldn’t hesitate to snack on a lone human away from the safety of the truck.

We saw more animals, more often than we thought possible while on safari. We got up close to lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, giraffes, jackals, warthogs, baboons, and vervet monkeys. We encountered herds of impalas, wildebeest, and zebras along with smaller groups of nyala, bushbucks, waterbucks, and the diminutive duiker. We also identified 80 species of birds we had never seen before in the wild.

A beautiful malachite kingfisher

Conservation
Two camps known as Ngala Safari Lodge and Kirkman’s Kamp served as our bases in private game reserves west of South Africa’s 7,500-square-mile treasure, Kruger National Park. Animals roam freely between the private reserves and Kruger.

These private game reserves extend the range for the legendary African animals that visitors want to see while providing employment to local residents. The Ngala camp is owned by the World Wildlife Fund whose mission is to conserve nature. Our camps are managed by &Beyond which espouses both ecotourism and wildlife conservation. This settled our concerns that we might be “exploiting” the animals. Instead, by going on this safari my wife and I feel we helped preserve their way of life.

A lazy lioness

Accommodations and Food
The &Beyond camps were comfortable and the service was almost embarrassingly attentive. We were fed seven times a day! A couple of hours into the game drive we stopped and our drivers would produce a collapsible table on which they threw a checkered tablecloth and offered coffee, tea, hot cocoa and all sorts of alcoholic options in addition to cookies, biscotti and scones. Here we discovered that cocoa is greatly improved with Amarula, a Baileys-like liquor made from the nuts of the local Marula tree.

An impressive breakfast buffet followed the early morning game drive. Lunch and dinner consisted of exotic main courses like roast kudu, a large local antelope, ostrich steaks and sausage, as well as leg of steenbok (a smaller-sized antelope).

Our room at Ngala Safari Lodge

Planning an African Safari
Although an African safari has been on my bucket list since before bucket lists began I didn’t start serious planning until my oldest daughter, Karen, gave me Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries, a guidebook by Mark W. Nolting for Christmas a couple of years ago. This guide helped us focus in on September as a prime month for animal sightings and excellent weather. It directed us toward South Africa’s private game reserves near Kruger for a safe, “affordable” wildlife experience. Armed with a good deal of online research I contacted a travel agent who specializes in African safaris and she pulled the final plan together.

Elliot (safari tracker), Tom (the author and The Travel Mama’s dad), Ellen (my wife and The Travel Mama’s mom), Sonny (safari butler), and Jophet (safari tracker)

Although South Africa is more affordable than other safari options, such as Botswana, this was the most expensive vacation we have ever taken (and we travel a lot!).  We enjoyed it immensely but recommend an African safari as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

This post was written by my dad, Thomas Lanin. He is not a writer by trade but he edits some of my work and believes in me and my writing, even when I don’t. He has over 40 years of experience in finance and business management. He coaches business executives at his company, Lanin Consulting, ltd.

Is an African safari on your bucket list? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!

You might also like:

• A Final Goodbye

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Twin horses named Sunny and Angel save Christmas this year at San Diego’s Helen Woodward Animal Center. Thanks to a giveaway on TravelMamas.com, one lucky family is headed to this holiday event for free this weekend. They’ll listen to a holiday story all about this special pair of horses and other animal friends at the shelter, go on an educational tour to meet the story’s characters, color Christmas pictures, play with make-believe snow, eat holiday snacks, and pose for a picture with Santa. The kids will even receive a stuffed toy and a personalized letter from Santa.

Sunny, one of the stars of the event

Congratulations to Holly! She is the winner of a pair of tickets to this event for use December 10 or 11, 2011. For her entry she said, “This looks like so much fun! My oldest (7 years) informed me last night that ‘Santa is absolutely real! What parent would buy all those toys for their kid?’” I’m sure Santa would love to hear your daughter’s thoughts on his generocity this weekend at the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Sunny and Angel Save Christmas giveaway on TravelMamas.com. A winner was chosen at random using Random.org. The winner must claim the prize within 24 hours of email notification or the prize will be forfeited and another entrant will be selected.

If you didn’t win, you can still join in the animal fun. Learn more about Sunny and Angel Save Christmas or register now!

You might also like:

• Christmas at Knott’s Berry Farm with Snoopy & Friends

• 5 of California’s Best & Most Diverse Beaches

• 10 Tips for SeaWorld San Diego with Kids

• World Tour of the Web – Africa Edition

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family and I received complimentary passes to Sunny and Angel Save Christmas from the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. I have paid for my children to attend many other fun and educational programs through this charitable organization.

I’m bringing sexy back. No, wait, Justin Timberlake already did that. Instead, I’m bringing Travel Trivia Thursday back! Other bloggers are really good at sticking to a strict schedule of Monday This or That, Tuesday Blah Blah, Freaky Friday and whatnot. It has been a long time since I did Travel Trivia Thursday post (over a year and half, actually). I am not so good at posting specific types of stories every week on a specific day because one of the nice things about being a blogger is being able to blow off stuff I don’t feel like doing and NOT keeping to a regular schedule on anything. If I feel like writing about a particular topic on a given day, I can! But readers seem to like trivia (according to the high number of readers who find this site via my silly Travel Trivia questions) and I am supposed to schedule regular posts to lure you back week after week according to the blogger bible (I made that up; there is no blogger bible that I know of, but I have heard this rule at blog conferences) and I want to make you happy. Plus, I like me some trivia, especially of the travel variety.

Red Crabs like this one can be found only on Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in the Indian Ocean. It is estimated that over 40 million Red Crabs live on Christmas Island alone.

Let’s kick this thing off with a quasi-holiday-ish question….What is the official language of Christmas Island?

a) English

b) Chinese

c) Malay

d) All of the above

e) None of the above – No humans live on Christmas Island

(Scroll down for the answer…)

Answer: a) English

English is the official language of Christmas Island. Chinese and Malay are also spoken among the Southeastern Asian island’s approximately 1,400 residents. Learn more about this small Australian Territory island.

You might also like:

• Angkor Wat & Beyond with Kids in Cambodia’s Siem Reap

• 5 Favorite Islands – Not Your Typical List!

• Kid-Friendly Sites in Sydney, Australia

• World Tour of the Web – Africa Edition

In honor of the Passports with Purpose efforts to build two libraries in Zambia, this week’s World Tour of the Web will focus on Africa. Passports with Purpose is an annual fundraiser supported by travel bloggers. This year we are trying to raise $80,000 to donate to Room to Read. An African safari is one of my ultimate bucket list items and these stories increase my longing to explore this huge continent.

Traveling with Intrepid – The People of Africa  by Pamela, SpunkyGirl Monologues
What better way to kickstart this round-up than with a post that gives an opportunity to travel to Africa in exchange for a $10 donation to the Passports with Purpose fundraiser? You can win $500 toward a trip to Africa with Intrepid Travel, a tour group for travelers yearning to get off the beaten track. This post is packed with gorgeous photos from the author’s African adventure.

How to Write about Africa  by Binyavanga Wainaina, Granta
This tongue-in-cheek article addresses the stereotypes of Africa as presented in literature.

Author Steve Almond deconstructs “Africa” by Toto as part of Tin House Magazine’s 10th Anniversary celebration  on YouTube
This video really is more about writing than about Africa, per se, but it offers some good writing advice and it makes me chuckle. While the speaker makes some good points, I still like the song “Africa” by Toto, no matter what anyone says.

On Safari  by Pam Mandel, Nerds Eye View
Pam doesn’t just tell you about her African safari experience in this post, she takes you with her. You feel the sun burning the tips of your ears and sand of the Serengeti crunching in your teeth. You hear the whir of her camera trying to capture the uncapturable as she stands on the safari jeep gazing at giraffes, elephants, hippos.

33 Interesting Facts about Africa  by Leigh McAdam, Hike Bike Travel
I am a nut for trivia knowledge. Well, really my dad is a nut for trivia (he’ll smoke you at a game of Trivial Pursuit if you give him the chance), and I am a trivia fan by association. This post gives 33 interesting factoids about the continent of Africa, like, “The hottest place in the world is recorded at Al’Aziziyah in Libya” and, “The world’s biggest frog comes from Cameroon. It is over one foot long.” (As someone with an absolute phobia of frogs, I will not be adding Cameroon to my bucket list!)

See a full list of prizes offered by the Passports with Purpose fundraiser to build two libraries in Zambia. Learn more about the Travel Mamas Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Passports with Purpose Prize Pack.

The photo of the leopard above was taken on safari in South Africa by Tom Lanin, my dad and Trivial Pursuit wizard. Check back soon for his guest post about his safari experience.

If you could go anywhere in Africa, where would you go? Or, do you have a favorite post about Africa? Share your thoughts and your links in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Morocco with Kids – A Unique Journey for the Senses

• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• The Travel Mama’s Bucket List

• Travel Trivia

The kids learn about animals, you skip the lines for Santa at the mall, and everyone has a merry time at Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, California. Read on to find out how to win a pair of tickets to this fun and festive event for this weekend, December 10 or 11, 2011.

My family visited the rare, real-live twin horses Sunny and Angel this past weekend. To kick things off, children gathered around to listen to a story about why Santa has come to visit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Most of the kids (besides my 3-year-old) seemed enraptured by this story, which included mentions of resident animals, such as Willy and Billy the goats and, of course, Sunny and Angel.

Next, everyone was led on a little tour to meet some of the animal shelter’s residents, like Oreo the sheep. Most of the animal visit time was spent learning about the stars of the event, the twin nearly two-year-old horses. We stopped by Angel’s stall while we learned about what makes this duo so special. For starters, there’s a one in 10,000 chance that twin horses will be born alive.

Sunny, one of the twin horses

After our tour, families were treated to cookies, hot cocoa, and peppermint candies. Kids could color Christmassy horsie pictures or play with a big tub of make-believe snow. My children had the most fun making their own snow by pouring some magical white powdery stuff into a cup and adding water–which spontaneously grew into fluffy, slightly chilly white “snow.”

We also got a chance to meet Rina and Ricochet, service dogs dressed up in their holiday best. Ricochet is quite the celebrity for his surfing abilities. He loves to surf with kids who are disabled. Both dogs love to be petted, lick a human hand or two, and give sweet puppy dog eyes in return for attention. You can read more about Ricochet’s adventures on SurfDogRicochet.com.

Ricochet the Surf Dog, with his pal, Rina

Soon enough, our kids were called to have their session with the big man himself—Santa! Whereas visits with Santa at the mall tend to feel incredibly rushed, our visit was more leisurely with lots of chitchat about wish lists and reindeer. Of course, our family had a photo taken with Mr. Claus. Santa gave both kids their choice of a stuffed puppy to take home. Each child even received a personally addressed letter from Santa!

Then it was back to the crafts and the faux snow to await our photo. Many families spent this time perusing the adoptable cats, dogs, and other creatures at the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. My family, however, has enough pets already and my husband and I could not trust ourselves on such a journey.

My kids making snow at Helen Woodward Animal Shelter

We received our Santa photo in a sparkly paper frame before we left. We weren’t given the option to purchase wallet sizes and whatnot like at the mall. We did, however, snap a few shots with our camera so we can order photos from an online store like Snapfish or Shutterfly.

Are you looking for a sweet holiday event that is fun AND educational for kids? Sunny and Angel Save Christmas is the ticket! The cost is $20 per child and $8 per adult, which includes the story, educational tour, crafts, a Santa photo, holiday snacks, a stuffed toy, and a personalized letter from Santa.

Santa was quite impressed with the pile of homemade gifts my daughter brought for him

Here is the mission of this non-profit organization: “Helen Woodward Animal Center’s passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring. Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond.” Find out more about the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter!

Enter to Win!
If you are a San Diego resident or plan to visit San Diego VERY, VERY soon—you can enter to win a pair of tickets (for one adult and one child) to Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at the Helen Woodward Animal Center for this weekend. Tickets can be used on December 10 or 11, 2011. Shows are every 30 minutes, 10 am-2 pm.

To enter, just leave a comment below about why you’d like to win!

For a bonus entry, do a status update on Facebook about Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at Helen Woodward Animal Shelter that includes @TravelMamas (so I see it!) and leave another comment below (so your entry is counted!).

Enter now because this contest ends Thursday, December 8, 2011 at noon Pacific Standard Time! The winner will be selected at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 24 hours of email notification, another winner will be chosen.

Can’t wait to win? Register for Sunny and Angel Save Christmas.

You might also like:

• Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Passports with Purpose Prize Pack

• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld

• The Best of the San Diego Zoo with Kids

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family and I received complimentary passes to Sunny and Angel Save Christmas from the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. I have paid for my children to attend many other fun and educational programs through this charitable organization.

Are you missing Oprah’s “Favorite Things” as much as I am this holiday season? There’s just something so joyous about watching all of those audience members go bananas over the simplest…and the grandest things. I thought I’d attempt a blog version to fill the void this Christmas by sharing with you what I would give to my audience (that means you!) if I had Oprah’s money, clout, and staff. Alas, I have none of these things so this list of my favorite finds for 2011 is a make-believe version. Still, I hope it inspires a gift or two for yourself or someone in your life.

Chuao Potato Chips in Chocolate ($18 for three-pack)

Chuao Potato Chips in Chocolate Bar
I can’t decide what I like best…salty, sweet, crunchy, or smooth. Why not combine them all into one delightfully sinful treat? The Chuao Potato Chips in Chocolate Bar may sound weird, but trust me, it is a glorious indulgence ($18 for three bars). Chuao Chocolatier is the master of combining wacky ingredients to create incredible chocolate sensations, like their Chevre bonbon filled with goat cheese, Pear Williams and crushed black pepper buttercream; or the Candela bonbon with macadamia nut praline and smoky chipotle. 

Dearfoams Fair Isle Clogs ($28)

Dearfoams Slippers
These are my work shoes. Blogging may not pay much but at least I get to snuggle my tootsies into these pillowy soft slippers while I clack away at my keyboard. You might be thinking, “Those are just slippers.” You would be wrong. These Dearfoams are FABULOUS slippers. When my 3-year-old first saw my Christmassy-looking Fair Isle Clogs ($28), he said, “Mama, did Santa bring you snow shoes?” (Adorable, huh?) Another favorite is the Velour Clogs in leopard print with faux fur trim ($24).

Pacifica Magic Carpet Ride Trio of Body Butters ($28)

Pacifica Body Butter
I am addicted to Pacifica Indican Coconut Nectar Body Butter. It’s organic, vegan, gluten-free, and never tested on animals. Plus, it smells like a tropical beach vacation! This lotion is thick and creamy but doesn’t cause my skin to break out. The Magic Carpet Ride trio ($28) includes the top three best-selling scents offered by Pacifica: Island Vanilla, Tuscan Blood Orange, and my coconutty fave. You can purchase Pacifica products at Sephora.

Skechers Bikers Shoe in Natural ($52)

Skechers Bikers Shoes
Sometimes I actually leave my computer and go out into the world. When I am performing the “travel” duty portion of my role as a travel blogger, I want to look stylish but still be comfortable while I traipse through LEGOLAND Florida or Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana. These Skechers Bikers Shoes are comfy without looking clodhopper-ish. As a busy mom, I can’t be bothered with tying laces. (Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!) I can slip right into these when I hop in the minivan to pick up the kids from school ($52). Okay, the minivan isn’t so cool, but the shoes are!

Fabrizia Limoncello ($15.99)

Limoncello
At some point in the “Favorite Things” show Oprah typically trotted out some type of holiday drinkie with which to toast her audience. When in Sorrento, Italy five years ago I visited L’Agruminato, a lemon garden that peddles delicious bottles of Limoncello. This liqueur is essentially vodka infused with sugar and lemon to make a tasty, potent concoction. We brought two bottles home with us. My husband and I drank one bottle soon thereafter but held onto the second as a memory of our wonderful Disney Cruise through the Mediterranean. While it pained me to say goodbye to this lemony liquid representation of better times, life is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others so we toasted our friends with our Limoncello at a birthday celebration earlier this year. While our souvenir Limoncello is not available for purchase online, you can buy a variety of Limoncellos from your local BevMo or this this all-natural Fabrizia brand is for sale for just $15.99 via Snooth.com.

Adele’s Live at The Royal Albert Hall DVD

Adele’s CD
I think Adele is the most talented new recording artist to come into our lives in a very long time. She is over-played on the radio, and yet I still stop and listen when she comes on every single time. At this point in the show, Oprah would say something like, “What’s Christmas without a carol or two?” The curtain would lift and Adele, all decked out in some sparkling gown, would wow us with an incredible version of “Silent Night.” Since this is not the Oprah show, I will instead provide you with a link (click the image above) to watch a trailer of her Live at The Royal Albert Hall DVD. I love this trailer for the same reasons Oprah would; it shows Adele fulfilling a lifelong dream and living her best life. You can get her amazing album “21″ on Amazon ($9.99) or from iTunes ($10.99).

Harry and David Ultimate Holiday Tower of Treats ($199.95)

Harry and David Tower of Treats
When I was growing up, my dad received an awesome Harry and David Tower of Treats every year from his employers for the holidays. There was such an overwhelming array of goodies to nibble on…salted nuts, cookies, cheeses, crackers, chocolates, apples, and Harry David’s most famous item, their incredible pears. I don’t know how they grow pears to be so much tastier than regular ol’ grocery store pears, but somehow they do. I’ve given various versions of the Tower of Treats ($29.95-$199.95) over the years, from the Happy Birthday Tower to the Hanukkah Tower. Every type of treat comes in its own festive little box, turning each snack into a wondrous gift.

Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu ($399 per night)

Trip to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii
You know Oprah always had some over-the-top finale gift to wow her audience. A trip to the recently-opened Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii would be more than enough to make those lucky Oprah show-goers jump and scream while Oprah shouted, “YOU’RE GOING TO AULANI! YOU’RE GOING TO AULANI!” While a stay at this luxury resort is far from cheap ($399 per night, rack rate), many included extras make it more affordable than you might think, like free childcare for children ages 3-10 at Aunty’s Beach House and the complimentary Starlit Hui show with hula dancing and Hawaiian music. With its incredible pools and waterslides, crescent-shaped cove, elegant spa, and Disney character meals — a vacation to this resort would make anyone’s wildest holiday dreams come true.

If you could give away your favorite things this year, what items would be on your list?

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A Note from The Travel Mama: I chose all of these products because I really, really like them. I am under no obligation to any of these brands to include these things on TravelMamas.com. I think I got a Chuao Potato Chips in Chocolate Bar in a BlogHer swag bag or it may have been at the Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference–since then I have purchased more bars than I would like to admit. My friend Stacey Ross, a.k.a. San Diego Bargain Mama, gave a pair of Dearfoams to me as part of a blogger promotion  during a dinner out together. I didn’t really have any intention of writing about the slippers, but I fell in love with them. I went to Aulani on a media trip for which many expenses were covered. The rest of the stuff I bought myself.

All photos were taken from the brand websites listed above, besides the Aulani photo, which I took.

I knew beautiful holiday decorations awaited us at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida. I was surprised, however, by how many festive activities were available to guests. In addition to the DreamWorks Experience, here are some of the fun must-dos on a visit to this family-friendly resort during the Christmas season.

View from our Gaylord Palms hotel room

Look for polar bears.
When you check in, you will receive a “Polar Bear Pursuit Hunt” pamphlet to help you find Coca-Cola bears hidden throughout the property. The pamphlet gives hints where to find the polar bears if you get frustrated. There are also 10 hidden bonus bears. Once you find all the bears, submit your answers online to be entered into a drawing for a prize. The bears are hidden all over the place so it took us all three days of our trip to find them.

This activity was a great distraction for my family! My husband and I have children that will hike for miles in the forest but complain about walking from the car into the grocery store. As we wandered the expansive property each day, my children were too busy looking for polar bears to complain about their feet hurting or ask how much longer till we get there. We found all 10 polar bears and five of the bonus bears during our visit.

A polar bear find

Watch a show.
There is a stage set up in the middle of the property where four different free shows are performed several times daily. The shows begin around noon and are performed off and on until around 10 pm. If you are staying in a room that overlooks the atrium, you will hear each show. Though we could hear the shows throughout the day while we were in our room behind the stage, it wasn’t distracting once we got used to it. 

My favorite activity by far was watching the Luminescence Live Musical Review. The band plays music that will be familiar to you if you are a fan of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. While the live music is playing you are treated to acrobats by a pair of aerialists. Arrive  early to snag a seat in chairs or tables or you can just pick a spot on the stairs. We sat on the stairs and felt like we had a great view of the show. The stage is near Java Coast and Haagen-Dazs so you could grab a snack to eat while you watch.

Luminescence Live Musical Review

Tell Santa what you want for Christmas. 
Santa is set up in his own little area of the property where you can tell him what you want for Christmas and get your picture taken. Each time we walked by, Santa was available and the line was short. Packages start around $20.

Green chocolate fountain at Shrekfeast character breakfast

Have breakfast with Shrek and his pals.
Each family member has a chance to become an honorary ogre at the Shrekfeast character breakfast. When you walk into Villa de Flora to be seated, you will pass a huge buffet area with many choices. The Town Criers will stop by and let you know what to expect. Children are given a menu that has an ogre oath and activities for them to complete while they eat. My kids, however, were too distracted by frequent visits from Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Puss in Boots. They were disappointed to miss Donkey, but apparently he was in the kitchen!

Food choices range from Shrek-shaped waffles, fruit, made-to-order omelets and more. A favorite is the green chocolate fountain. The breakfast is included in some packages or can be purchased separately. Reservations are recommended ahead of time.

Everyone received a set of ogre ears (the girls got princess ogre ears) upon completing the ogre oath. My kids loved that I forgot I was wearing my princess ogre ears for half the morning. In my defense, I thought they were my sunglasses on my head!

Meet Shrek at Gaylord Palms

The Gaylord Palms Resort offers plenty of holiday activities to keep you and your family busy during your visit.

Which of these holiday activities would you most like to experience? Tell us in the comments below!

Jennifer Close loves to explore and take new adventures with her family down the street, across the country and around the world. She writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.

You might also like:

• Christmas DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Palms Resort

• Christmastime at Disneyland

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• Epcot’s Best Rides & Hidden Treasures for Kids

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a representative for Travel Mamas, Jennifer was invited to experience the holiday activities at Gaylord Palms as part of a complimentary media visit.

You could win four Disneyland Park Hopper tickets AND a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove AND help build two children’s libraries in Zambia! All you need to do is donate $10 (or more!) to this year’s Passports with Purpose holiday fundraiser. What could be better than helping children, encouraging reading, making the world a better place, AND winning a fabulous prize?!

The Fundraiser
Passports with Purpose is a blogger-supported fundraiser. Each year a different charity and goal is chosen. Then bloggers (like yours truly) gather up incredible prizes (hello, Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack!) to encourage donors (like YOU) to contribute money to the cause.

Last year Passports with Purpose raised over $65,000 to build a village in India. This year’s goal is to raise $80,000 to give to Room to Read to build two children’s libraries in Zambia. Room to Read believes world change starts with childhood education. According to their website, ”If all children in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty.”

With the exception of of a very small percentage of fees that go to PayPal for processing, 100% of the donations will be given directly to Room to Read.

The Prize Pack
Spend a weekend at the happiest place on Earth…Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Fly through outer-space on Space Mountain, sing with the birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room, pose with princesses, and go Soarin’ Over California. The prize includes four complimentary Disneyland® Resort One (1) Day Park Hopper® Tickets. These tickets, valued at $420.00, are valid during normal operating hours and provide admission to a magical experience at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park for one day. Tickets will be valid for approximately 24 months, with expiration and blackout dates listed on the back of the tickets. Passports with Purpose will mail the tickets to the winner.

With two nights at Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove, you can explore Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks and still have time to relax in the hotel’s pool and whirlpool spa (shown above), or to work off those Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream treats in the on-site fitness center. The 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market, plus the in-room microwave and refrigerator, make snacks a cinch. Located about a mile from Disneyland with affordable shuttle service to the parks, Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove is a convenient option for travelers. I love Hilton Garden Inn for its fabulous customer service and family-friendly atmosphere. The winner will receive a Hilton Garden Inn Be My Guest Card, valued at $400 and good for two free nights at any Hilton Garden Inn. There are no exemptions or blackout dates. The card will expire on December 31, 2012. Hilton Garden Inn will mail the gift card to the winner.

As if this weren’t enough…Disney has donated some extra swag to sweeten this prize pack, including a Dooney & Bourke bag! Read more about these BONUS PRIZES.

The Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack total value is $820. Everyone can enter to win this prize besides me (boo!), people directly related to me, and anyone who works for Disney or Hilton. If you are one of these people, there are a bunch of other awesome prizes to choose from! Make your bids for prizes by December 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be chosen at random.

What You Do
So, how does it work? For every $10 you donate to the Passports with Purpose 2011 fundraiser, you are eligible for one virtual raffle ticket good for a myriad of prizes valued anywhere from $100 to $5,000. It’s up to you how much you donate–every $10 gives you one more chance to win. For example, if you would like to donate $100, you can put all 10 of your chances toward winning one fabulous prize (like the Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack!), or you could split up your chances…one chance to win this prize, two chances for another prize, etc. DONATE AND ENTER TO WIN NOW! 

You might also like:

• Christmastime at Disneyland

• Passports with Purpose Wrap-Up & Thank You 2010

• Reasons to Stay at Hilton Garden Inn

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disneyland. Mixing the wonder of the holidays with the magic of Disney makes for some very jolly family fun. Here are photos of the special touches, decorations, and treats at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks at Christmastime to get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas touches are everywhere at Disneyland during the holidays. Santa can even be spotted spinning popcorn inside a vendor’s cart!

This Christmasy display of white Sweet Alyssum and red Amaryllis greet Disneyland visitors at the start of Main Street USA.

This giant Christmas tree is the focal point of the traditional decorations featured along Main Street.

Stop by Santa’s Reindeer Roundup to see real-live reindeer like this handsome guy.

“It’s a small world” is all dolled up for the holidays with lights, characters, and decorations.

Modern wreaths near “it’s a small world” Holiday represent different cultures, like this Mexico-themed wreath.

Mrs. Claus is joined by Pluto and other Disney characters in A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Santa rides on a separate finale float.

Tigger tosses a handful of “snow” at parade viewers.

You can buy a tasty loaf of sourdough bread in the shape of a snowman, Christmas tree, candycane and other holiday designs at the Pacific Wharf Cafe at Disney’s California Adventure.

There are plenty of holiday-themed Disney treats and gifts available for purchase throughout Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District.

If you want to get in the Disney holiday spirit but don’t have the cash to spend on entrance tickets, you can always head to Downtown Disney District to take in the twinkling lights and do some Christmas shopping.

Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie are dressed up for the holidays and happy to pose with your family at both Disneyland theme parks.

For more detailed information about the special rides and activities offered, read Holidays at Disneyland!

What’s your favorite part about Christmastime at Disneyland? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Christmas at Knott’s Berry Farm with Snoopy & Friends

• Christmas DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Palms Resort

• Disneyland Hotel & Pools Review

• Holidays in Phoenix at Zoolights

A Note from The Travel Mama: Thank you to Disneyland for inviting my family and me to visit Disneyland at Christmastime as part of a blogger event!

Of Disneyland’s three hotels, I know many Disney-lovers prefer the more upscale Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa with its woodsy detailing and grand lobby. Those on a budget might enjoy the beach-themed Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (or one of Disney’s Good Neighbor hotels). I, however, like the traditional Disney elements of the Disneyland Hotel best. Located at one end of Downtown Disney with a nearby Monorail stop, this hotel feels very much at the center of all things Disney. With its recent remodel, the Disneyland Hotel is better than ever.

Disneyland Hotel D-Ticket Pool

Pools 
Last summer I named the Disneyland Hotel’s Monorail Slide Pool one of the 10 Best Kid-Friendly Hotel Pools in the USA for its whimsical Monorail-themed waterslides. There are two large slides on which sliders zip through enclosed Monorail tunnels and then spin about before splashing below. There are two mini slides for young children too. This pool is open 11 am – 5 pm daily.

Last weekend, the hotel’s D-Ticket Pool area finished its remodel and opened to the public. While not as fantastical as the Monorail Slide Pool, this traditional pool area is still super fun. One large pool has a loopy shape while a smaller rectangular pool sits beneath a flower-ensconced footbridge. Plenty of complimentary cushy lounge chairs are available. Shaded cabanas with flat-screen TV, Internet access, and refrigerator can be rented at an additional charge.

Both D-Ticket Pools are 4-feet-deep all of the way across. This means there’s no diving and you must keep a close eye on young children whose feet cannot touch the bottom. Children’s life vests as well as disposable swim diapers are available at no charge. The D-Ticket Pools are open 6 am – 10 pm daily.

My family visited on a chilly November day and we were pleased to find the pool heated to a swimmable temperature. If visiting during colder winter months, note that the smaller pool is slightly warmer. Still, I spent most of my time in the toasty whirlpool spa. A second spa decorated with Minnie Mouse ears and bow is available near the Monorail Slide Pool.

Disneyland Hotel “magical” headboard

Standard Rooms
The Disneyland Hotel keeps the magical feeling of Disney alive without hitting you over the head with cartoon-y decor. Standard rooms are decorated with subtle Disney elements like Mickey Mouse-shaped faucets, white-on-white Mickey-patterned duvet covers, and royal blue fireworks-inspired coverlets.

At the turn of a switch, a fireworks display cut into the headboard comes to light above a carved castle design while the tinkling sound of Sleeping Beauty’s theme song, “Once Upon a Dream” plays. My children delighted in pressing this button again…and again…and again.

I appreciated the little touches, like a magnified makeup mirror in the bathroom and mini bend-able reading lights beside each bed.

Beware of hidden costs at this resort. When my  husband called down to ask for a corkscrew and wine glasses, he was told it would cost $15 to have the items delivered to our room. (We opted to stay thirsty.)

The hidden passageway in the Signature Adventure Suite

Suites
I am a big fan of booking a suite whenever possible. Having a separate room for the kiddos allows for some post-bedtime privacy and enables better sleep all around. At a more expensive hotel, like the Disneyland Hotel, I would probably opt for a standard room and save my money for the parks. Besides, after a big day riding Teacups and roller-coasters, families are pretty worn out and ready to sleep, no matter how many people are in the room.

If you have a large family, will be visiting with grandparents, or have money to spare, by all means opt for one of the Disneyland Hotel’s one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites. These can sleep up to six people.

Better yet, go all-out and book one of five Signature Suites. Choose from these themes: Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Fairy Tale, Big Thunder, or Adventureland. I got a chance to tour all of these (besides the Fairy Tale Suite, which was booked up) and each would make a wonderful splurge for a big anniversary, birthday, wedding proposal or other celebration. The Adventureland Suite was the favorite amongst my blogger friends (with whom I toured the rooms) for its lush fabrics, safari prints, settee with curtains, and secret passageway behind a faux bookshelf.

Restaurants
There are five restaurants to choose from at the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen is the place to go for a character meal and all-you-can-eat buffet. Goofy “spills” a bunch of plastic dishes and then encourages children to make music from the mess. Disney characters visit each table for lots of photo opportunities. As with all character meals, only the title character (Goofy) is guaranteed to make an appearance but expect to see the likes of Pluto, the White Rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland), Winnie-the-Pooh, or others here.

For a quick breakfast of coffee, rolls, yogurt, and such head to The Coffee House. There is no indoor seating but you can enjoy your meal at an outdoor table on the patio. (My family opted to camp out on a couch in the lobby during our frosty visit.)

Steakhouse 55 is the fancier sit-down restaurant option at the Disneyland Hotel. This restaurant is open for breakfast if you’re not up for a full character experience but you want something more substantial than what The Coffee House offers. I’d recommend this as a date night restaurant.

The poolside Tangaroa Terrace offers casual island fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus grab-n-go items. I’d love to try the French toast with bacon and banana-caramel sauce some morning, wouldn’t you?!

Trader Sam’s–Enchanted Tiki Room is an old-school tiki bar with appetizers such as Asian chicken wings and Ahi poke, plus tropical drinkies like Krakatoa Punch made with light and dark rums, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, organic agave nectar, and fresh lime juice. Hold onto your hula skirt because you never know when a tropical storm is going to hit…complete with thunder, lightning, and “raining” walls.

What is your favorite aspect of the Disneyland Hotel? Tell us in the comments below!

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A Note from The Travel Mama: Thank you to Disney for inviting my family to stay at the Disneyland Hotel as part of a media event!

Is it possible to see snow and ice in 85 degree weather? It is if you are visiting the Gaylord Palms Resort in Florida! The Gaylord Hotels have created a Christmas experience full of ice, snow, gingerbread decorating, and DreamWorks characters. It was a perfect way for my family to get geared up for the holidays.

Shrek and Donkey ice sculptures at the Gaylord Palms DreamWorks Experience

ICE!
ICE! was our first stop at the DreamWorks Experience. For the last month, 40 artisans have been creating sculptures from ice. My entire family was in awe as we wandered around the different ice sculptures that were carved from two million pounds of ice. You will recognize the characters from the movie, Shrek, including Donkey, Princess Fiona, the Three Blind Mice, Puss in Boots, and Shrek himself. The colorful sculptures are so intricately detailed that it is hard to believe that they are carved from ice. 

About halfway through the exhibit, sit five slides of various sizes carved from ice. When we were there, only three of the slides were available so there was a little line but it constantly moved. After three rides down the slides, the kids decided that they were too cold and were ready to go.

The exhibit ends with one of the most beautiful Nativity scenes I have ever seen made from crystal clear ice. It took my breath away. Even my son exclaimed how beautiful it was when we rounded the corner and saw it. You have an option to purchase your souvenir photo at the exit of ICE!  This is the only place that you can purchase your ICE! photograph.

Being the good Floridians that we are, my family doesn’t own very many items that can constitute as winter clothing. Luckily, before heading into ICE! You can pick up a bright blue parka. There are a number of sizes for both children and adults. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required for your visit and I highly recommend hats and gloves. ICE! is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit so it is COLD! 

Nativity scene at ICE!

Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW
My children have only seen snow a handful of times so our visit to Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW was a treat, especially since much of our holiday travel will be spent in the warm South!

While we waited in line, we watched the pre-show, a Kung Fu Panda movie shown on a large screen. The show kept them quiet and content while we waited for our scheduled time.

Kung Fu Panda’s Po took us into the snow area where everyone jumped in to play right away. There are several play structures and lots of open area to make snowmen and snow angels. Grab a mat and slide down the 64-foot pagoda slide or visit my son’s favorite spot and throw snowballs at Tai Lung! 

Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW has 130 tons of snow that is made every day. It is cleaned up between each session and maintained throughout the visits as well. Just like snow that falls outside, it gets icy in some spots so wear sturdy shoes and watch your step. You will want your jacket because the room is kept at 55 degrees, but after a few minutes of running around it does warm up. 

We were allotted one hour to play in the snow and although we thought that wouldn’t be long enough, we tired quickly. My family stuck it out until the end of our session, but many other visitors had already left. Po will come back and dance a little in one of the pagodas as walk you out when your snow session is over.

Kung Fun Panda Awesome SNOW

Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating
Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating was one of our favorite parts of the DreamWorks Experience. Well, it was one of our favorites once my daughter got over her fear of Gingy and finally climbed out from under the table!

Projects range in size and price. There is a gingerbread cookie family, a large gingerbread house, and a gingerbread house ornament. Each project comes with icing and candies with which to decorate. Prices start at $19.99. After running around in the ice and snow, gingerbread decorating was a great way to calm down and take a break. Each of the projects is large enough that you can decorate one together as a family.

Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating

DreamWorks 3D Theater Experience. 
We lined up with our movie tickets in hand and headed into the Puss in Boots movie “premier,” complete with a walk down the red carpet and a picture with Puss in Boots. Included with each ticket, we got to choose two snack items and a drink. Choose from candy, popcorn, hot dogs and more. If you can time your movie showing around lunch or dinner, this is a great way to save money during your visit. 

Experience it for yourself
This season the DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Palms is open until January 2, 2012. There are a number of packages available to suite your family’s needs. The one-night package begins at $149 per person for the first two occupants and the two-night package starts at $199 per person. You can add occupants for an additional fee and children ages 3 and under are free. I recommend staying in the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort but if you have plans to visit Orlando and are already booked at another hotel, you can purchase tickets to visit for the day. 

If you aren’t going to be near the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee (near Orlando), a DreamWorks Experience is being offered at each of the other Gaylord Hotels: Gaylord National (15 minutes south of Washington D.C. in National Harbor Maryland), Gaylord Opryland (in Nashville, Tennessee), and the Gaylord Texan (in the heart of Texas in Grapevine).

We had such a great time celebrating the beginning of the holiday season at the Gaylord Palms that we plan to make a trip to the DreamWorks Experience an annual visit.

Jennifer Close loves to explore and take new adventures with her family down the street, across the country and around the world. She writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.

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• Christmas at Knott’s Berry Farm with Snoopy & Friends

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• The Travel Mama’s Guide to Orlando & Kissimmee with Kids

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a representative for Travel Mamas, the author was invited to experience the DreamWorks Experience as part of a complimentary media visit.

JetSetBabies is providing one lucky family with a $100 gift certificate for children’s travel supplies. With JetSetBabies you can order necessities and gear for babies, toddlers, and children to be shipped to vacation destinations. Choose from diapers, baby food, bath toys, toiletries, and more. JetSetBabies packages everything up and sends it to your hotel, vacation rental, or grandma’s house so it’s ready and waiting for you upon arrival. This can save your sanity (no worries over forgetting something), money (no expensive airline baggage fees), and time (no wasting precious vacation time at the grocery or drug store).

There were 72 entries in this JetSetBabies giveaway. To enter, I asked readers to share why you would like win $100 to spend at JetSetBabies. Heather (a contest entrant) summed it up pretty well when she said, “Who doesn’t need essentials when on a trip?! I absolutely love that with JetSetBabies, I wouldn’t have to lug around a whole bunch of extra stuff, but that it could all be conveniently waiting for us when we arrive at our destination…how cool is that!”

The winner of the $100 JetSetBabies gift card is a regular Travel Mamas reader and contest entrant. Congratulations, Phxbne (a.k.a. Michele)! Why did she want to win? “To make a trip to the beach easier.” With $100, she can stock up on all sorts of goodies like sand toys, sun block, snacks, and kiddie sun glasses. Surf’s up!

The winner was selected at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of email notification, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Even if you didn’t win, you can still take advantage of the awesome JetSetBabies service! Get a 15% discount off your JetSetBabies order just by using entering the coupon code travelmamas at check-out. Want to save even more? Use the coupon code fall2011 to get free shipping on orders over $75.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, JetSetBabies received a discounted rate to run this giveaway. Want to advertise with Travel Mamas or run a giveaway with us? Click here to learn more.

I love Residence Inn and so, apparently, do you! There were 1,189 entries in the Residence Inn Giveaway - A Traveling Family’s Residence for All Seasons on TravelMamas.com.

Barbecue area at Residence Inn Scottsdale North (Photo from the Residence Inn website)

There were two entry methods for this contest: tell us which Residence Inn family-friendly convenience you like best and share which Residence Inn location you’d most like to visit. I was actually a little surprised by the wide variety of answers to both questions!

In reading through the entries, it seemed the 24-hour in-lobby market was a big hit as were the outdoor grills and the on-site washers and dryers.

As for prime Residence Inn locations? Answers included Residence Inn hotels in Calgary, Orlando, New Yorky City, Atlanta, Anaheim, Phoenix and beyond.

The winner of the giveaway is…Kerry! In her winning entry she said, “Love the free (and good!) breakfast!” She entered several times thoughout the giveaway and is a big fan of the hot breakfast and laundry facilities as well as the Scottsdale and San Diego locations. Congratulations, Kerry!

If the winner does not respond to email notification within 48 hours, another winner will be selected at random.

Visit the Residence Inn by Marriott website now and reserve your next family vacation!

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• Holidays in Phoenix at Zoolights

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• Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp Review & Blogger Slumber Party

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A Note from The Travel Mama: Thank you to Residence Inn for sponsoring this giveaway and inviting me to preview the Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp!

I shared five tips for traveling with children on CBS San Diego KFMB Channel 8 news today. I have done video blogging and radio interviews, but this was ever-so-much-more intimidating. Click the image below to watch the segment and read on to learn the good news and the bad news about my television debut.

Click on the image above to watch the segment

THE GOOD NEWS

1. I didn’t mess anything up too horribly. I made a concerted effort to stay, as Oprah would say, “present” for the segment. Although being on TV was way outside my comfort zone, I did not want to just swallow the experience whole like some bad-tasting medicine. I focused on simply talking about my favorite topic in the whole world: traveling with children. I didn’t fumble over my words and I got all my points in.

2. The KFMB News 8 people were so downright kind. I was greeted at the studio by Associate Producer Gentre Macomber, a sweet 20-something gal, who told me at least three times how good I looked. Surely she says this to every guest (or at least every female guest) but it boosted my confidence. Then I met my interviewer, Weather Anchor Kimberly King, whose bubbly personality made me feel at ease, or at least less terrified. At commercial break, the woman anchor, Adrienne Moore, called over to me, “I love your shirt. I have the same one. It pops with the blue background” as she threw me a thumbs-up. Even the man who set up my mic (I don’t remember his name; forgive me, I was a tad preoccupied) was upbeat and kind. After my bit he said everyone thought I had been on TV before and they were all surprised it was my first time. Again, this could be pure smoke-blowing but I’ll take it! I’d love it if every day I could hang out with people who lavish me with compliments and smile at me encouragingly, willing me to succeed.

3. Travel Mamas got a big shout-out. My logo was prominently displayed, Kimberly introduced me as a the founder of TravelMamas.com, and there were a couple more mentions of my website in the graphics and during our short conversation. I have heard complaints from other bloggers who have gone on the local news (on different channels/in different markets) who were disappointed when their blog’s name was not mentioned or the incorrect web address was given, so I am grateful I got such spectacular exposure.

4. My family was mega proud of me. My husband called my cell phone the second my segment was over. He poured on the, “You did so great! You killed it!” Even my 6-year-old thought it was pretty dang cool that mama was on real-live TV.

THE BAD NEWS

1. Watching myself on TV was excrutiating. I thought it would be so fun to see the segment once I got home, but it made me want to crawl out of my skin. This was especially true when I started blathering on about the packing list. What is WRONG with me? It’s a freakin’ packing list. People can figure it out. Why did I go on and on explaining it like it’s the Davinci Code?!

2. I looked fat. True, I have gained five pounds since I went to Disney’s Aulani Resort in September and I have been living in sweatpants because my jeans must be unbuttoned when I sit. But, television really does make you gain 20 pounds. It doesn’t help that I was seated next to teensy tiny Kimberly, or that I was sitting at an angle that gives you the broadest view of my body, or that I was wearing a shirt whose ruffles added to my girth. Still, I am starting a diet tomorrow. I swear.

3. Getting up at 3:15 am was tough. I don’t sleep well as it is, so as you might imagine, the night before my appearance was not the most restful. I couldn’t just roll out of bed to get there for the 6:20 airtime either. Oh no, I had to have time to slather on gobs of makeup and put forth some serious hair effort.

Overall, this was a terrifying, exhilarating, awesome, embarrassing, fun experience. I am relieved I got my television debut over with. Now that it is done, I know what to expect and I will be less nervous next time. There will be a next time, right?!

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Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter is a hip spot for a family vacation, girlfriend getaway, or romantic escape. I was invited to check out these hotel digs as part of a Residence Inn slumber party of sorts for a handful of BlogHer 2011 attendees. After a couple of days of listening to lectures in conference rooms, shmoozing with PR folks and other bloggers, staying up way too late and getting up way too early–it was just what this Travel Mama needed!

Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter lobby (Photo from Residence Inn website)

Located just a couple of blocks from San Diego’s Petco Park baseball stadium, this Residence Inn is in a prime spot for vacationners seeking an urban retreat.

I’d already spent a couple of nights away from my family so I begged the hubs to bring the kids to the hotel for a little dip in the pool before the slumber party commenced. It is no secret that I am a bit infatuated with hotel pools. This lovely rooftop pool sits in an outdoor courtyard of sorts with a view of the San Diego skyline.

My kids in the rooftop pool, with the historic mural behind them

The mural on the wall adjacent to the pool is the last remaining mural in the Gaslamp District. Residence Inn preserved the mural when they moved into this Historic Landmark, which was built in 1900. The mural, depicting San Diego pioneers at the end of the 1800s, was added during a restoration after a fire that destroyed the second floor in 1925.

We splashed about for a good giggle-filled hour or so before it was time for the kids to depart (with promises of cupcakes from a nearby shop) and it was time for me to get dolled up for the evening’s festivities.

Bar Vie (Photo from Residence Inn website)

The blogger slumber party started off with a leisurely hotel tour. I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel’s swanky, modern boutique feel. The Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter has all of the convenient touches for which this brand is renowned: suites with full kitchens, an outdoor grill for barbecues, a 24-hour in-lobby market, and an on-site fitness center. Similar to other Residence Inn locations, this hotel also offers budget-savers like complimentary evening socials, free hot breakfasts, included Internet access, and discounts for longer stays. They’ll even go grocery shopping for you at no additional charge (besides payment for the groceries, of course).

After our tour we chatted for a bit over drinks at the hotel’s Bar Vie. This modern lounge is outfitted with over-sized chairs, comfy couches, a dual-sided fireplace plus outdoor seating to enjoy San Diego’s sunny weather. You can munch light fare here like salads, sandwiches and appetizers. Or just sip a cocktail, like their Vie-tini made with white rum, Cointreau, pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, and a splash of lychee liquor.

My dear friend and fellow blogger, Laurie Cooper, and me

Next we set sail aboard a sailboat operated by Sail San Diego. We bloggers chatted over platters bursting with colorful fruits, nuts and cheeses while sipping wine and taking in views of the gorgeous San Diego Bay, which, as a local, I sometimes forget to appreciate. The best part was catching up with some of my favorite in-real-life blogger friends and past travel buddies (like Laurie Cooper with Guessing All the Way, Andrea Fellman with Savvy Sassy Moms, and Candace Broom with Mom Most Traveled) and making new friends too (like Chelsea Day with Someday I’ll Learn).

We docked at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island. Originally opened in 1953, this Polynesian-themed restaurant has recently undergone a remodel. The menu offers plenty of seafood and land-based fare with Hawaiian and Asian influences. After a busy, event-filled weekend, by the time our shuttle arrived to return us to the hotel, we were all nearly falling asleep on our Pupu platters.

Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island

The next morning we were treated to a poolside session of yoga (a special touch just for us bloggers). I had a hard time dragging my booty out of bed for this bout of group exercise but I was glad I did, especially after I chowed down on the tasty complimentary hot breakfast!

As a travel writer and local, I am always being asked for hotel recommendations in San Diego. For anyone looking to stay in a hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp with family-friendly conveniences, I would most definitely recommend the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter.

Want a chance to stay at this hotel? You could win a $300 gift card to be used at any of over 600 Residence Inn locations! Enter to win the Residence Inn-Travel Mamas Giveaway now!

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A note from The Travel Mama: Thank you, Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter, for inviting me to experience your hotel!

Some of the most popular family travel bloggers shared their all-time favorite posts with us in last week’s Family Travel World Tour of the Web. With the holiday travel season around the corner, this week I thought I would share some of the best Thanksgiving and winter holiday family travel blog posts.

My family at Phoenix Zoolights during a trip to Arizona last Thanksgiving

Planning Holiday Flights? Tips to Keep the Stress Down and the Holiday Cheer Up
by Jody Halsted, Family Rambling
Here are some practical tips for air travel during this festive, but hectic time of the year.

Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts
by Sherri May, Sherri May’s Traveling Classroom
What better way to teach children about the origins of Thanksgiving than by visiting the place where it all started–Plymouth, Massachusetts! As the author says, “It was great way to teach my son and nephew that Thanksgiving is more than drawing turkeys around their fingers, filling up on that once a year cranberry sauce dish and watching football!”

First Snow
by Debi Huang, Go Explore Nature
Headed somewhere snowy for Thanksgiving? This story captures the wonder and beauty that snow can provide to both children and adults.

Five Contradictory Tips for Holiday Travel with Children
by Linda, Travels with Children
Here is some handy advice for holiday travels with kids based on the premise to plan, plan, plan…and then be prepared to change, change, change those plans.

Winter Carnivals and Festivals
by Beth Blair, The Vacation Gals
Get in the spirit of the season by visiting one of these four winter carnivals, which feature dog-sledding, ice slides, chilly parades and more.

Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree – Tips for Where to Go and How to Do It 
by Sharlene Earnshaw, Trekaroo
Many of us will be putting up Christmas trees Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve never cut down my own tree but this story may have convinced me to give it a try!

How to Survive Visiting Family During the Holidays
by Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas
You really, really love your family. But admit it, sometimes too much family together-time can get on your nerves. This post gives tips for making the most of a family visit during the holidays, whether they come to you or you go to them.

Mondays Are for Dreaming: Home for the Holiday
by Mara Gorman, The Mother of All Trips
Although travel during Thanksgiving and the subsequent winter holidays can be stressful, this story reminds us that there really is no better way to spend holidays than with the people we love the most (even if they do drive us a bit crazy!).

Your turn! Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving or winter holidays travel post to share? Add it using the linky below. Be sure to include http://. I just may feature it in a future World Tour of the Web!

To honor U.S. military members and civil first responders, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering their second year of Salute to Service specials. Resort room rates have been slashed to $99 per night for stays beginning Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 through January 18, 2012. Although I am neither a member of the military nor a first responder, I have had the pleasure of staying at this upscale family resort, and let me tell you, $99 is a smokin’ deal! In fact, this special rate is the lowest offered by the resort all year, representing 70 to 75% off the standard room rates of $329 to $409.

With the choice of two TPC PGA-Tour golf courses, golfers will love the Salute to Service package with unlimited golf at just $179 per night for one person. That’s a great discount for golf-loving military and first responders since the walk-up rate for a round of golf is $175.

If the spa is more your thing, head on over to the gorgeous Lantana Spa for a heavenly treatment or two.

While mom and dad are busy with these grown-up distractions kids aged 4+ will have a ball with arts and crafts, toys galore, and outdoor fun at the Range Riders kids’ camp.

If you ask me, the best part of JW Marriott San Antonio is the River Bluff Water Experience, which features pools, two huge waterslides, a 1,200-foot lazy river lined with Cypress trees, and a zero-entry tot pool with fountains and mini slides.

Active duty and retired members of the military or their dependents and civil first responders (fire, police, paramedics) should request the Salute to Service rate (rate code: SIU) when making reservations at www.jwsanantonio.com. A military or service I.D. is required at check-in. Enjoy, my military and first responder friends. You deserve it!

Read my full review of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: I received a complimentary stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio a couple of years ago. I received no compensation or benefits related to this post. I just love this hotel and think this is a wonderful deal for military and first responders.

Photos from the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa website.

When traveling it can be an expensive hassle to tote all of the paraphernalia that children require. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything was ready and waiting for you at your destination instead? Read on to find out how to win a $100 JetSetBabies gift certificate to save your back and your bank account when traveling with babies, toddlers and children. 

Make your travels easier!
With most airlines now charging for checked bags, traveling with children and all their accouterments has become even more costly. It can be stressful trying to cram your children’s diapers, medicines, toys, and snacks into your luggage — all while trying to keep your bag’s weight under the airline’s 50 pound limit. Depending on where you’re headed, you might be able to load up on some of these items after arrival, but who wants to take time out of your precious, hard-earned vacation to shop for these necessities?

With JetSetBabies you can pre-order wipes, baby formula, and bath toys to be delivered to your hotel or to grandma’s house. The company even calls ahead to make sure your package arrives safely and on time.

Shipping items ahead is not only handy when traveling with babies and toddlers, but also when on the go with children of all ages. Order some big kid snack items or sand toys or get some cleaning supplies for your trip like laundry detergent, dish soap, and paper towels.

Worried about sticking to the liquid limits on an airplane? Order your sunblock, shampoo, shaving cream, and toothpaste from JetSetBabies instead.

I especially like their Travel Packs– pre-made travel packages for the woods, beach, slopes, or pool.

Save!
Get a 15% discount off your JetSetBabies order just by using entering the coupon code travelmamas at check-out.

Want to save even more? Use the coupon code fall2011 to get free shipping on orders over $75.

Win!
JetSetBabies will provide a $100 gift certificate to make travel easier for one lucky Travel Mama or Travel Daddy.

- Just make a comment below about why you’d like to win the JetSetBabies giveaway. (Generic comments like “I want to win” will be disqualified.)

- Bonus entry! Tweet the following on Twitter:

I wanna make my travels with children easier with $100 from @JetSetBabies & @TravelMamas http://tinyurl.com/78dkcbp

- Bonus entry! “Like” JetSetBabies and Facebook and make a comment on their page about which items you would order if you won the Travel Mamas giveaway.

You can enter using each method of entry one time, for a total of three entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment below for each entry to count!

This contest ends on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. Per the sponsor’s request the contest entry deadline has been extended to Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook or Twitter.

You might also like:

• Residence Inn Giveaway – A Traveling Family’s Residence for All Seasons

• Tips for Staying in Hotels with Kids

• Top 6 Reasons to Take a Thanksgiving Vacation

• Travel Sleep Tips for Babies, Toddlers & Children

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, JetSetBabies received a discounted rate to run this giveaway. Want to advertise with Travel Mamas or run a giveaway with us? Click here to learn more.

There would be no TravelMamas.com if there had not first been an idea for a humorous how-to guidebook on traveling with babies, toddlers and children. I have been working on this book for over six years and it will soon be available for purchase! (Tentative launch date: spring 2012.)

I need your help choosing a title. Please take this three question survey and help me name my book!

 You might also like:

• Going Confidently in the Direction of My Dreams in 2011

• How Did I Become The Travel Mama?

• When You Fall Off The Tree, Climb Right Back Up

• Travel Mama News

Residence Inn is the just the kind of place vacationing families want to stay, whether during the holiday season, spring break, summer, or beyond. In-room kitchens, spacious suites, and convenient touches make this Marriott brand a natural choice for parents traveling with kids. Read on to find out how to win a $300 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card from this family-friendly hotel brand at any of its over 600 locations in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, and Germany.

Families can dine in fully-equipped en-suite kitchens at Residence Inn by Marriott (Photo from the Residence Inn Facebook page)

Family-friendly touches
Originally developed as a place for business travelers to enjoy the conveniences of home while away for extended periods, Residence Inn has discovered that families seek the same types of extras when traveling.

Larger studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites give families room to spread out.

Fully-equipped in-room kitchens include a full-sized refrigerator, stove, microwave, and coffee maker for in-room snacks and meals.

Get this: Residence Inn will deliver groceries to your room at no charge! Just give them the list and they do the rest.

Outdoor barbecue area at Residence Inn Scottsdale Paradise Valley (Photo from the Residence Inn website)

You can even grill out during your stay! Sometimes dining out with your kids causes more fuss than fun. At Residence Inn, you can grab some burgers and buns and have a family barbecue using their outdoor grills instead.

Don’t want to cook while on vacation? Let Residence Inn make you a free hot daily breakfast. There are also complimentary evening socials where you can grab some appetizers to nosh a drinkie or two.

Most locations offers a pool for the kids plus a whirlpool spa to ease away a Travel Mama’s or Travel Daddy’s tension.

A resort-like pool at Residence Inn Orlando SeaWorld/International Center (Photo from the Residence Inn website)

Worried about fitting into your bathing suit after all that vacation eating? Work out at their modern fitness centers.

On-site washers and dryers (plus same-day drycleaning) make keeping up with all those loads of family laundry a snap while on the go.

A 24-hour in-lobby market makes it easy to pick up a forgotten item (like a toothbrush or medication) or grab a quick snack or drink (including wine and beer for after the kiddies go to sleep!).

Some locations even offer a playground with a climbing structure and slides!

The playground at Residence Inn by Marriott Anaheim Maingate (Photo from the Residence Inn website)

With discounts for longer stays, free Internet access, and the free breakfasts and evening socials…Residence Inn makes an affordable choice for families.

I’m ready to move in! How about you?

Enter to win!
Leave a comment below stating which of the family-friendly touches listed above would improve your vacation. Generic comments like “I want to win” will be disqualified.

Bonus entry! Take a look at the 600+ Residence Inn by Marriott locations and let us know which hotel appeals to you most in the comments below.

You can enter using each method once per day during the contest period, for a total of two daily entries. Change your entries up, or choose the same family-friendly amenity/location each time. It’s up to you!

Residence Inn by Marriott will provide a $300 gift card to one lucky Travel Mamas reader. Open to U.S. residents only. This contest ends on Sunday, November 20 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. THIS CONTEST HAS CLOSED. Check back soon to find out who won!

GiftCards may be used at participating Residence Inn® by Marriott locations. Card carries no value until activated. Card is a prepaid card, not a credit card or debit card, and is the property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC. There is no expiration date for card. Card is not redeemable for cash, in any amount except when otherwise required by applicable law. Card becomes inactive upon use of all card value. Card may not be used to secure or confirm a reservation. Each transaction will be debited against card balance, if transaction exceeds balance, user must pay the difference. Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered. Value of replaced card will equal balance on card at the time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged. To check card balance, go to gifts.marriott.com or call 800.442.6132. Account balance information outside the U.S. and Canada: Use the AT&T® access number for the country code you are calling in conjunction with 800.442.6132.For questions and participating hotels, please contact the Customer Service Team at (801) 468-4167 or via email at gifts@marriott.com. Contact us: (801) 468-4167 – Monday–Friday: 9 am–7pm EST / Saturday: 10 am–4:30pm EST.

For updates, giveaways and specials, “like” Residence Inn on Facebook or follow @MarriottIntl on Twitter.

Visit the Residence Inn by Marriott website and book your vacation now!

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are typically sent out once per month.

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A note from The Travel Mama: Residence Inn by Marriott is sponsoring this giveaway. Read my review of the Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter, where I stayed as part of a blogger visit to experience what this brand has to offer.

For this World Tour of the Web, I asked some of my fellow family travel bloggers to share links to their all-time favorite posts. There’s something here for everyone: inspiration, practical travel tips, cutural observations, beautiful photos, and comic relief. Enjoy!

10 Lessons from 10 Years Adventuring with Kids 
by Kirstie Pelling, The Family Adventure Project
This post will inspire you to get over any fears you may have about traveling with children so you can start exploring the world as a family.

My Tips for Traveling While Pregnant 
by Nicole Wiltrout, Arrows Sent Forth
Whether you are thinking about becoming a parent, you’re pregnant for the first time, or you’re expecting again…these handy tips will help you to enjoy traveling during a pregnancy.

Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know 
by Debbie Dubrow, Delicious Baby
These clever tips will help you take that family vacation, even on a tight budget.

Just Another Day in China: The Haircut 
by Heather Greenwood Davis, Globtrotting Mama
On a world tour with her family, this mama delights in the culturally different ”spa day” that unfolded after asking for a simple buzz cut for her two boys.

A Day Trip to Cuba’s Beautiful Playa Pilar 
by Corinne McDermott, Have Baby Will Travel
The author, Corinne McDermott, said of this story, “It’s the pictures on this post that I love looking at–especially now that the weather’s getting so dreary and grey.” If you live somewhere chilly and are longing for a slice of beachy paradise right about now, drink in the lovely photos in this article about a beach visit in Cuba.

Courageously Facing Special Needs Through Travel 
by Heather Reed, Trekaroo
Warning: this one will make you tear up. A few of these tips for traveling with children with special needs could apply to all kids.

Tales from the Moluccas #2 Happiness on the Riverbank 
by Theodora Sutcliffe, Travels with a Nine Year Old
This post will have you pondering the benefits and downfalls of living in the present moment, the usefulness of curiosity and inventions, and even the simplest act of “being” in the world. 

Top 12 Things I Learned at Disney World 
by Debbie Abrams Kaplan, Frisco Kids
And now for some comic relief! Here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the wonder of Walt Disney World.

I received so many fabulous stories from my fellow family travel bloggers, I’ve decided to break this into a two-part post. Check back next week for another round-up of family travel stories.

Now it’s your turn! Do you have a favorite family travel blog post to share? If so, add it using the Mister Linky below. (Be sure to include http:// in your web address.) I just may highlight your story in next week’s World Tour of the Web.

When staying in a hotel with kids, there are some simple things you can do to make your family vacation as fun and stress-free as possible. That starts, of course, with finding the right hotel for your family. Once you check in, set up your room for vacation success.

Above is an en-suite kitchen at the Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills, one of over 135,000 hotels listed on Hotels.com (Photo from Hotels.com)

What to look for in a family-friendly hotel:

Try to book a suite whenever possible to have more space to spread out and to allow for better sleep for all members of the family. A well-rested family is a happy family.

Look for a hotel with included breakfast. This saves precious vacation money and time, and it’s a tasty way to start your day.

An en-suite kitchen or at least an in-room refrigerator is another hotel bonus. If breakfast isn’t included, you can stock up on yogurts and juice for a morning meal. It’s also handy for keeping snacks and sodas cool for an afternoon treat. A fridge can be a lifesaver for parents traveling with a baby for keeping formula or breast milk chilled.

A fabulous pool makes a hotel stay all that more special, especially for children. Fountains and waterslides for the kids and swim-up bar for mom and dad? Yes, please!

With profiles of over 135,000 hotels in more than 60 countries, Hotels.com makes finding a hotel easy. Choose your location and travel dates, then play around with a bunch of options to find the best hotel for your family. You can specify amenities (like free breakfast, a pool, or a gym) as well as type of hotel (family-friendly: check!). Then narrow down your search by price, star ratings, and guest ratings. You can even view photos and read past guests’ reviews before making your decision.

Discover family-friendly hotels and resorts from around the world, like the Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando, Florida (Photo from Hotels.com)

Tips for setting up your hotel room for vacation success:

After my family arrives at a hotel, my husband and I unpack and set up the room right away. Before I had kids I was a drop-my-bags-and-go kind of a gal. Nowadays, I know that an organized room makes for a more enjoyable vacation.

Set up the room into four areas: dressing, playing, dining, and diapering (if you still have a non-potty-trained tyke).

Rather than digging through suitcases every day, set up a dressing area. Put all clothing into drawers or hang items in the closet for easy retrieval and to keep outfits looking fresh. Keep dirty clothes off the floor by tucking them into a plastic bag for washing later.

For a playing space, put all toys and children’s books in one area. Your kids will know where to find them, and more importantly, where to return them when playtime is over. Toys strewn all about can cause accidental falls and create a chaotic environment to return to after a long day of site-seeing.

If you don’t have a kitchen, create a dining space, preferably on a table near a sink. Stack up all bottles, sippy cups, and snacks here.

For families in the diapering phase, choose a spot to take care of this task. Lay down a hotel towel and place a changing pad over that. Place a stack of diapers and a box of wipes within arm’s reach.

Now it’s your turn! What are your tips for staying in hotels with kids?

Go to the Hotels.com Facebook page and share your tips there!

You might also like:

• Keeping Up with Laundry While Traveling With Kids

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort: A Hotel & Water Park for a Splashing Good Time

• 10 Best Kid-Friendly Hotel Pools in the USA

• Tips for Family Ski Trips from a Former Scaredy Cat Skier 

A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation to write this post. The content and tips are my own. I would never recommend something I don’t actually like. In fact, I’ve been recommending Hotels.com on Travel Mamas for years without any payment.

Go Baby Go! makes vacationing with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers easier for parents. To streamline your travels, this San Diego company offers such handy rentable items as full-size cribs (or travel cribs), high chairs, bouncy seats, humidifiers, and even beach necessities. Baby equipment rentals save on baggage fees and the stress and backaches caused by lugging gobs of gear through the airport. Plus, some children just sleep better in a full-size crib or refuse to nap without a baby swing.

Take a peek at all that Go Baby Go! has to offer. To receive a 15% discount off your travel gear rental order, just enter “Travel Mamas” at check-out.

Congratulations to Susan @ Real Life Travels! You are the winner of a $75 baby equipment rental from Go Baby Go!

The winner of the Go Baby Go! Giveaway was chosen at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of notification another winner will be selected.

You might also like:

• Disney’s New Ship Is a Dream for Babies, Toddlers, and Children

• How to do a Home Exchange – Part 1

• Keeping Up with Laundry While Traveling With Kids

• 10 Reasons to Rent Baby Travel Gear

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, Go Baby Go! received a discounted rate to run this giveaway.

One thing is clear: you Travel Mamas and Travel Daddies love Hilton Garden Inn! With 734 entries in the Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wishes Giveaway, this is our most popular giveaway yet. (The second most popular giveaway? Last year’s Hilton Garden Inn giveaway with 651 entries.) With affordable pricing, kid-friendly touches, and above-and-beyond customer service at over 500 locations worldwide, it’s no wonder Hilton Garden Inn is such a hit with families.

A room with a view of the New York City Skyline at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square (Photo courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn)

Congratulations to Holly C., the winner of a 2-night stay at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world. Holly submitted an entry almost every day of the contest. Each time she named the Hilton Garden Inn Time Square in New York City as her hotel of choice. Located in the heart of bustling Midtown, this Hilton Garden Inn is within walking distance to a multitude of New York’s best attractions. Enjoy the Big Apple, Holly!

The winner was chosen at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of notification, the prize will be forfeited and another entrant will be selected.

Book your Hilton Garden Inn stay now!

Want another chance to win? If your vacation wishes include a trip to San Diego with a baby, toddler or preschooler, enter to win a $75 baby equipment rental from Go Baby Go!  Hurry–the contest ends October 31, 2011.

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A note from The Travel Mama: The Hilton Garden Inn sponsored this giveaway.

Here are some of my favorite funny, useful and inspirational finds from the wonderful and wacky world of the Web.

Half Cultured by Candice Broom, aka Mom Most Traveled
This is a hi-larious video about the cultural differences between America (where Candice was born and raised) and Laos (where she has lived for nine years). I know that you are web surfing right now, which means your current attention span is similar to that of a preschooler hopped up on Smarties and full-strength juice but I implore you to watch all 7+ minutes of this video. You make it all of the way through two hours of American Idol a few nights a week, so I know you can do this. It will make you LOL. I promise.

iPhone Photography Tips by Intelligent Travel, National Geographic
The best camera you have is the one you have with you. And you’ve always got a smartphone on your person, right? These simple, yet genious photography tips are helpful whether using an iPhone or a fancy-schmancy camera. I like this article so much, I make my blogging students read it on the night we discuss blog photography. I like to assign readings to students. It makes me feel very professory and smart (even though I am, by no means a professor, as evidenced by my use of the word “professory”).

And Then the PR Guy Called Me a F-ing B*tch – I Can’t Make this (Stuff) Up by The Bloggess
If you keep current on your blog reading, this is not news to you. But if you are a normal person (and by normal, I mean “someone who does not realize they are reading blogs when they read them”), you may not have heard of The Bloggess yet. She is a BIG DEAL in the world of blogging. She’s super funny and she got Wil Wheaton to send her a picture of himself collating papers. Anyhoo–if you are a PR person and you really want to screw up your career, I suggest messing with The Bloggess. If you are a normal person, I suggest reading this post because it will make you laugh. If you are like me, you will want to read it out loud to your husband. If he’s a Star Trek geek, he may even listen because it involves Wil Wheaton.

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries on Wimp.com
Sometimes I like to have a little pity party for myself. Don’t you? This inspirational video by a man with no arms and no legs will make you feel like a ding-dong for not jumping out of bed every day with a smile on your face and a “thank you” on your lips. If he can zip down waterslides and play soccer and be a happy person, what is holding you back? Watch this one with your kids.

Got a funny, useful, or inspirational story or video to share? Feel free to add a link in the comments!

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Ever heard of Carlsbad? It’s probably not the first place that pops to mind when you think of a California vacation…but maybe it should be. Often overlooked in favor of its popular neighbor, San Diego, Carlsbad has plenty of fun for families. This laidback town is just 36 miles north of the San Diego International Airport and less than an hour’s drive south from Orange County’s Irvine, making it an easy destination for those hailing from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and beyond. Here are some of the best attractions, restaurants, and accommodations Carlsbad has to offer families.

The Carlsbad Seawall beach walkway

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches!
Carlsbad is home to seven miles of beaches, where families can splash, swim, build sand castles, and maybe even learn to surf. If you’d rather just go for a seaside stroll, the Carlsbad Seawall stretches for about a mile along Carlsbad Blvd, with several beach access points along the way. 

Carlsbad Lagoon
For some wave-free water fun, head to the Carlsbad Lagoon to rent stand-up paddle boards, canoes, jet skis, speed boats, and more. Float past luxury waterfront homes and into an inlet lined with condos and their docked boats.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Carlsbad Flower Fields
Every spring families pose for pretty pictures amongst row upon row of brightly colored ranunculas at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Gem-mining, free concerts, tractor-pulled wagon rides, and a maze made of sweet peas add to the fun.

Museum of Making Music
Discover the history of musical instruments from the 1890s to today at the Museum of Making Music. This attraction features over 500 instruments. Push the plentiful exhibit buttons to hear what the instruments sound like in the hands of masters. The best part is an interactive room where you can make your own music using an electric piano, drums, guitars, and more.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets
With over 90 stores to visit, save some time in your schedule and money in your vacation budget for trip to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Choose from favorites like Banana Republic Factory Store, Kenneth Cole, Coach, and Barney’s New York Outlet plus stores that cater to kids like Baby Gap Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, and Carter’s.

The Dragon roller coaster at LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California
Carlsbad is probably most well-known as the home of LEGOLAND California. This amusement park for families with children ages 2-12 offers mellow roller coasters, interactive rides, colorful play areas, and other fun for kids. The park’s centerpiece, Miniland USA, is filled with recreations of famous U.S. landmarks like the Las Vegas Strip and the Empire State Building as well as Star Wars scenes, all formed entirely from LEGO bricks.

Located inside LEGOLAND California, the LEGOLAND Water Park is a must-do if visiting during the warmth of summer. The whole family can float down the Build-A-Raft River, while stacking huge foam LEGO bricks on their inner-tubes. There are special splash areas with fountains and mini waterslides just for toddlers and young children while big kids and grown-ups can zip down four giant swirling slides.

SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium
Located next door to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium is a fabulous attraction in its own right. Add SEALIFE Aquarium to your LEGOLAND visit by purchasing a park hopper, or purchase an entrance ticket just for the aquarium. Innovative pop-up underwater viewing stations give kids a chance to see what the fishies see. Make it a learning adventure by encouraging children to play the Quiz Trail, a scavenger hunt of sorts that teaches about marine life while children make their way through the aquarium’s exhibits.

Pop-up bubble at SEA LIFE Aquarium

Family Dining
Just above the flower fields, you’ll find the Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Each year this family-friendly restaurant and brewery creates 30 beers, including seasonal and and specialty brews. Stop in for lunch or dinner or just to get a side of their to-die-for fries with a nice, cold brew (or a lemonade for the kiddies).

Another dining option is Pizza Port with arguably the best pizza in San Diego County, a handful of video games for kids, and plenty of beers on tap for grown-ups.

If your kids dig Mexican food, there are a couple of tasty options for families. Rena Crawford-Payne, a Carlsbad resident and mom, recommends Norte because, “they have a nice outdoor patio and you don’t have to worry about the kids being too loud or making a big mess.”

Los Olas is the Carlsbad Mexican restaurant of choice for Aimee Steckowski, a mom and author of the FancyLittleThings.com blog. She says, “They have wonderful food choices for both adults and children. Their food smells and tastes wonderful — true authentic Mexican food served in big portions for great prices.”

Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach pool

Kid-Friendly Accommodations
The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach makes a wonderful choice for families. This particular Hilton Garden Inn ranks highly among mid-range hotels year after year, not only for its gorgeous Southern California location across from the beach, but also for its above-and-beyond customer service. Complimentary shuttles cart guests anywhere within a five-mile radius of the hotel. During the summer, child guests are greeted with a stuffed sea animal like a dolphin or seal. In warmer months, guests can munch popcorn and cookies while watching family-friendly Movies on the Lawn on an inflatable screen. They even pass out free Otterpops to cool down guests at the hotel pool!

You could win a two-night stay at ANY Hilton Garden Inn in the world (including the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach). Enter the Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wishes Giveaway now!

What is your favorite Carlsbad attraction or restaurant? Tell us in the comments below!

You might also like:

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A Note from The Travel Mama: I received a complimentary stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach. As a travel writer, I have also received media discounts/passes from a few of the other attractions mentioned above.

If you are a single parent, you know that even under normal, everyday circumstances single parenting comes with special challenges. I’ve had friends familiar with my daily routine as a single mom refer to my typical day as an athletic undertaking. If a regular day is an athletic event, traveling alone with children is an Olympic event. It’s not always easy, but it is possible to enjoy traveling with children alone! Here are my travel tips for single parents.

Pick the Right Mode of Transportation
Selecting the right mode of transportation is an important factor in planning a vacation as a single parent. One option is to take a road trip with kids. Road trips provide the most control over pitstops and allow you to pack more luggage. Road trips, however, can be stressful in terms of keeping sibling fights to a minimum and child entertainment to a maximum, especially when the only adult in the car is busy driving. For those of you road trippers who have three young kids, I recommend purchasing a sunshine kids radian convertible car seat because you can squeeze a trio of these across a normal car’s backseat.

On several trips with my children, I’ve chosen to fly because of the distances involved and the shorter travel time. Check with the airline to see if early boarding is permitted for passengers traveling alone with children; many airlines do.

When possible, my kids and I often take the train. It takes a bit longer, but train travel offers more opportunity for mobility during the trip so my kids can work off some of their limitless energy while in transit. 

Pack Wisely
It can be difficult to manage children alone while lugging a bunch of baggage. One suitcase, one carry-on, and one stroller is plenty for a single person to tote when traveling by train or plane. If you’re sure of porter service at all interim and final stops, you may be safe in bringing more luggage. If not, consider alternatives like ordering baby gear (like strollers, cribs and supplies) to be delivered to your destination.

For children age 5 and older, purchase kid-sized rolling suitcases so they can pull their own bags. Talk up the importance of this responsibility and get their buy-in by bringing the kids to the store to help pick out their suitcases. 

Choose Kid-Friendly Accommodations
The degree to which you will have to manage your children depends on your vacation destination and how well you researched the amenities available. If you will be traveling to visit family or friends, your need for constant vigilance is usually over once you arrive because the extra adults will likely help with childcare demands.

If staying at a hotel, it’s important that you feel comfortable as a single parent in the company of the other guests. Some people vacation to get away from children so you’ll be happiest in a family-friendly locale. You may want to seek out hotels with kids’ camps or in-room babysitting so you can get a reprieve from childcare duties during your stay. Ask your travel agent what tours or vacation resorts have programs that cater to single parents or check with your local Parents Without Partners organization for suggestions.

Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask strangers to snap family photos unless you want to end up with a photo album without any pictures of you. Most people, especially those at the grandparent stage, are delighted to take photos of young families.

Be prepared to tip more than you would if you were traveling without children. You may need to tip porters at the airport, bellman at the hotel, or give larger tips to restaurant servers for extra service for your brood.

Splurge a Little
Splurge on room service a couple of times during your stay. The kids will love it and dining-in causes less hassle after a long day of play.

Carve out some alone time while away too. Get a well-deserved massage while your children are busy at the hotel kids’ camp or you could simply sip a tropical beverage on the balcony after the kids are in bed for the night. After all, vacations are supposed to be dedicated to relaxing and recharging, and no one needs that boost more than single parents!

Laura Cecil is a mom of three and the editor of www.Livesnet.com, a place to help parents to select the right baby products and a space to share parenting stories and challenges. Connect with Livesnet.com on Facebook.

What are your tips for traveling with children? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

You might also like:

• A Road Trip with Children Experiment: Eat While You Drive. Stop to Play.

• Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wishes Giveaway

• Tips for Flying Standby & Handling Flight Delays with Kids

• Win a $75 Baby Equipment Rental from Go Baby Go!

Photo by: Gretta Vosper (morgueFile Creative Commons)

San Diego is a mecca for traveling families with its abundance of child-friendly attractions like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, the world famous San Diego Zoo, sandy beaches galore, and so much more. Are you planning a vacation with a baby or toddler to this gorgeous seaside city? Or, are you a San Diego auntie, grandparent, or friend looking forward to hosting a little one at your home? Then you’re going to love this giveaway because Go Baby Go!, a San Diego County baby equipment rental company, is giving away a $75 travel gear rental to one Travel Mamas family!

Go Baby Go! full-size crib with organic linens

Go Baby Go! opened three years ago after Owner and Mom Heike Caldwell had a difficult time lugging baby equipment during a trip to Europe with her two children. The airline broke her double stroller on the way there. In order to get a refund for the damaged stroller, she was instructed to keep the stroller with her in Europe and bring it back with her to America. She said, “I was traveling by myself with my kids on that trip. Moving across airports with two children, our luggage, and a broken double stroller was extremely unpleasant. That’s when I thought there had to be an easier way to travel with small children and all the necessary gear you need.”

As a mom of two, Go Baby Go! Owner Heike Caldwell wants to make travel easier for parents with young children

What can you get with your $75 baby and toddler travel gear rental?

A weekly rental of:
- Full-size crib with organic linens ($75)
- Double jogger ($50) plus a standard convertible car seat ($25)
- Beach Package with two high-back beach chairs, a beach umbrella, four beach towels, and a bag of sand toys plus ($50) plus a high chair ($25)
- Or your choice of Go Baby Go! rentable items. The combinations are seemingly endless…Go Baby Go! has got you covered from playtime to bathtime to bedtime and beyond.

Go Baby Go! Discount
Can’t wait to win?! You can receive a 15% discount off your travel gear rental order from Go Baby Go! Just enter “Travel Mamas” at check-out. The winner is not eligible to use this discount when claiming the $75 prize.

Enter now!
There are two ways to enter this contest. Do either or both, it’s up to you! Enter using each method once for a total of two maximum entries.

- Fill out the simple entry form on the Go Baby Go! website. Be sure to make a comment below to let us know that you filled out this form!

- Like Go Baby Go! on Facebook and make a comment on the page about your favorite spot in San Diego or what attraction(s) you’d most like to visit during your visit. Be sure to leave a comment below about your Facebook entry for this to count!

The winner will receive a $75 rental from Go Baby Go! Delivery charge is not included. The prize must be redeemed November 1, 2011 – August 30, 2012.

The winner will be selected at random using Random.org and will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, the winner will forfeit the prize and another winner will be drawn. This giveaway ends on Monday, October 31, 2011. This contest is now CLOSED. Find out who won now!

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are typically sent out once per month.

You might also like:

• Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wishes Giveaway

• LEGOLAND Splash Zoo for Toddlers & Beyond

• 10 Tips for SeaWorld San Diego with Kids

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A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, Go Baby Go! received a discounted rate to run this giveaway. Want to advertise with Travel Mamas or run a giveaway with us? Click here to learn more.

There are few spectacles across the globe that bring together greater displays of music, color, tradition and community than street carnivals. From the famous Rio Carnival, to other less known examples, you can be sure that time spent at a carnival will be a good time. To help you pick one that is right for you, here are five of the world’s best carnivals.

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival
The largest street festival in Europe, Notting Hill Carnival takes place each year in the West London borough of Notting Hill (as the name suggests!), and brings thousands of revellers to the streets over the August bank holiday weekend. 

The real fun begins on Monday, when the procession takes to the streets to dance towards its final destination of Ladbroke Grove. The carnival is traditionally a celebration of the area’s rich Caribbean heritage, with calypso and R&B music streaming from various sound systems and participants decked out in their finest and most colorful carnival costumes.

Over the years the carnival’s popularity has been sufficient to attract big name performers from the music world, with artists such as Katy B, Wyclef Jean and Jamiroquai – giving you all the more reason to turn up.

Another great draw of the carnival is the many food stalls that pepper the procession route with delicious Caribbean cuisine, such as jerk chicken, fried plantain and incredible goat curries. After the inevitable few glasses of rum punch you may need a place to lay your head for the night and there are loads of great cheap hotels in London to choose from in the area.

Barbados Crop Over
For the true Caribbean Carnival experience, there is no substitute for the Crop Over festival that takes place on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The origin of the festival can be easily deduced from the name – ‘Crop Over’. The carnival was started to mark the end of each year’s successful sugar cane harvest, a celebration which dates back to colonial times, when Barbados was the largest producer of sugar on the planet.

To celebrate the end of the harvest the sugar plantation workers would hold grand feasts and indulge in some light drinking, a tradition that has grown over the years into the country’s largest and most vibrant festival. The culmination of the two month event held in June, is a spectacular fireworks display that can be seen for many miles.

Quebec Winter Carnival
In an altogether more arctic environment than the Crop Over festival, you can still enjoy a carnival that retains the feeling of celebration and festivities of its warmer relatives. The Quebec Winter Carnival takes place in the Canada’s Quebec City.

The first official Quebec Winter Carnival took place in 1955, but winter themed festivities have been happening in the city since 1894, usually consisting of eating, drinking and merriment to coincide with the start of Lent.

The modern day carnival includes a range of unsurprisingly chilly activities, including dog sled racing and snow sculpture competitions, which make up just a small part of the 300+ shows and activities on offer. The 17 day festival period plays host to around 750,000 people each year, but as the carnival is held through the end of January and early February it is certainly advisable to wrap up warm for your visit.

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Rio Carnival
Fantastic carnival action can be found in Rio de Janeiro and like the Quebec Winter event this is held just before Lent, although it tends to start slightly later in the year, either in mid to late February or early March. This four-day celebration kicks off 40 days before the beginning of Easter, commencing on Saturday and finishing on Shrove Tuesday.

With two million people taking to the Brazilian city’s streets every day of the event, this is the world’s biggest carnival so you’ll definitely be in good company if you choose to be part of it. Hundreds of groups of performers, called bandas and blocos, dress up in extravagant themed costumes and dance to the sound of samba music. While the festival is mainly about fun, there is a competitive element to it with each team out to win the prestigious accolade of having the best float.

New Orleans Mardi Gras
Taking place around the same period of time as the Rio Carnival are the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Although Mardi Gras events have been held throughout the state of Louisiana since the 1830s, it is the New Orleans spectacle that is the biggest and most celebrated version.

Designed as a final celebration before the start of Lent, here parades are held on a daily basis for about two weeks up until the event’s close on Shrove Tuesday. Many of these start in the Uptown and Mid-City districts of the city before heading along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street, with float riders often tossing colorful beads into the crowds. You’ll also find lots of parties and celebrations taking place in Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, with marching jazz bands putting on great performances.

Another traditional element of the celebrations are king cakes, which are made from cinnamon-filled dough that is shaped into a hollow circle and finished with a glazed topping and coloured sugar, so make sure that you try one of these tasty treats while watching the fun.

With so many wonderful carnivals happening all over the world, you’re sure to find a fabulous street party wherever you are.

This article was written by the team at Travel Supermarket. Visit their site to compare thousands of holiday and travel deals from the leading travel sites.

What is your favorite carnival or street party? Please share in the comments below!

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Photos purchased from istockphoto.com. First photo by Graham Heywood. Second photo by Joseph Luoman. 

A Note from the Travel Mama: I received compensation for this sponsored post. I would never include anything on this site that I did not think offered value to Travel Mamas readers.

Lovers of the little interlocking LEGO bricks whooped it up under a shower of brightly colored confetti before rushing toward the gates of the new LEGOLAND Florida at the park’s grand opening this past weekend. Having been at the park the day prior during a preview for media, and as a former LEGOLAND California annual pass holder, I was on a mission to get to the best rides in the park.

LEGOLAND Florida Grand Opening

“What suckers,” I thought as I whizzed past families posing with huge sculptures of Albert Einstein, dinosaurs, Darth Vader, giraffes, and southern belles formed entirely from thousands of those ingenious LEGO bricks. I, much like Charlie Sheen, was winning. I would avoid the insane lines that were sure to form as the throngs crowded the park.

Winners aside, here are seven reasons you should visit LEGOLAND Florida.

1. Interactive attractions for children
LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones bragged that while most other amusement parks offer primarily passive entertainment, LEGOLAND’s attractions are interactive. Kids drive mini cars around two-lane streets featuring a round-about and stop signs at Ford Driving School. They build and race LEGO vehicles and can even build and program computerized LEGO MINDSTORMS robots in the Imagination Zone. And they get a work-out pulling themselves up a rope pulley on Kidpower Tower or romping through play areas (DUPLO Village and DUPLO Barn for little kids and the Forestman’s Hideout and Pharoah’s Revenge for big kids).

Another interactive favorite for all ages is the Lost Kingdom ride in Land of Adventure. Riders rack up points for shooting targets throughout the Egyptian-themed dark ride with their own laser guns. Hint: shoot the light on the cobra in the pot in the final room over and over to boost your score.

Kidpower Tower is one of 50 rides, shows, shops, and attractions at the new Florida theme park

2. Roller coasters
No amusement park would be complete without roller coasters. LEGOLAND Florida is home to four coasters (one more than is offered by its California sister). All are gentle, yet exciting enough to please both youngsters (my 6-year-old would love them all!) and adults. True thrill seekers may find the coasters a bit too tame but I enjoyed each ride’s unique theme and different feel, from the wooden dinosaur-themed Coastersaurus to the suspended steel Flight School on which riders’ feet dangle below them as the coaster soars across the tracks.

The Flight School roller coaster is more mellow than it appears

3. Cypress Gardens
Thirty-nine of LEGOLAND Florida’s 150 acres make up the historic Cypress Gardens. Originally opened in 1933, Cypress Gardens (which has retained its name), became famous for its gigantic Banyan Tree, southern belles sporting hoop skirts, and water ski shows with skiers forming daring human pyramids as they swooshed across the adjacent Lake Heloise. Jones said, “Some people see this as the end of Cypress Gardens. I prefer to see it as a new beginning.”

During a tour with proud Landscape Manager Nigel Dunning, I learned all about the native and exotic plants of the garden. The Cypress trees have “knees” (roots that grow as tall as flood waters reach, allowing the trees to breathe). The beautiful but thorny Silver Bell trees bloom pink in the fall (during my visit) and turn fluffy like dandelions to spread their seeds. The park’s treasured Banyan tree, brought here in 1936, is a native to India and Asia but must be kept alive with an army of 36 turbo jet heaters when the temperature dips below 35 degrees Fahrenheit here in Florida.

To understand how big the Cypress Gardens Banyan tree is, look for the people in the left bottom corner of the picture (and, yes, this is one single tree)

4. Water ski show
Although there is no pyramid of water skiers, LEGOLAND is keeping the water ski show tradition alive with a pirate-themed, upbeat show on Lake Heloise. The Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty has children and adults laughing, cheering, and gasping as Captain Brickbeard and his band of pirates are defeated by Miss Miranda and her imperial soldiers in a showy display of water ski jumps and tricks. The first five rows get splashed so guard your cameras and cell phones!

Miss Miranda’s imperial soldiers in the Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty water ski show

5. Locally sourced, healthy food options (& sinful treats!)
As far as theme park food goes, LEGOLAND Florida menu options are tasty, fresh, and reasonably priced. (Ex: $7.99 for a cheese hamburger made from never-frozen, local beef served with lettuce, tomato, a pickle and a side of fries). According to Executive Chef Robert Sit, the park’s food is locally sourced and seasonal as much as possible, which is better for nutrition, flavor, and the environment. While traditional amusement park treats like ice cream cones and pizza can be purchased at the park, an effort is made to provide healthy dishes as well, like juicy rotisserie chicken served with roasted vegetables. Plus, all kids’ meals come with a whole piece of fruit and choice of water or milk instead of French fries and soda.

Eat a healthy meal and then splurge on an order of LEGOLAND’s signature Granny’s Applefries: granny smith apples coated in a flour mixture before being deep fried and dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with whipped cream.

LEGOLAND’s signature treat, Granny’s Applefries

6. More LEGO fun to come
Located in Winter Haven, the new theme park is a good hour drive from Orlando’s airport and most tourist attractions and hotels. According to Jones, the goal is to expand LEGOLAND from its current one-day draw to a multi-day destination.

I couldn’t get anyone to spill all the LEGO bricks about specific attractions on the docket but LEGOLAND Spokesperson Jackie Wallace said, “This is just the beginning for us. So many plans are on the drawing board for LEGOLAND Florida.” By next year, you can expect to see a LEGOLAND Water Park added. Additional rides and interactive attractions plus a LEGO-themed resort hotel are also in the works.

A southern belle built from LEGO bricks is a nod to the history of Cypress Gardens, the botanic garden preserved within the amusement park

7. LEGO brick creations
The star attraction of any LEGOLAND park is Miniland, where famous buildings and structures from around the real (and imaginary) world are brought to life. Unique to the Florida park are LEGO brick representations of various home-state cities and sites like Miami Beach, the Kennedy Space Station, the Daytona International Speedway, and Key West.

I shouldn’t have been surprised by the excitement over all things LEGO as I dashed past photo-snapping families on opening day. It’s those plastic sculptures formed from 50 million LEGO bricks that make this park different from all other non-LEGO amusement parks. Orlando residents and visitors are a spoiled bunch when it comes to theme parks. They’ve been there, ridden that. But the LEGO creations have visitors oohing, ahhing, and snatching up LEGO model kits from gift shops with abandon. Just like Charlie Sheen, it appears I wasn’t winning after all.

Miami Beach in Miniland USA

Can LEGOLAND Florida survive?
Ownership of this historic park has changed hands a few times over the years and there is much hope in the Orlando and Winter Haven communities that LEGOLAND Florida can revive this once popular tourist attraction. The question is…will LEGO be enough of a draw to lure visitors 60 minutes away from the king mouse of amusement parks?

What do you think? Will the new LEGOLAND park succeed in Florida? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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I took the photos of the Kidpower Tower, the Banyan tree, Granny’s Applefries, and Miami Beach in Miniland USA. All others were taken by Chip Litherland Photography and provided courtesy of LEGOLAND Florida.

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a member of the media, much of my visit to LEGOLAND Florida was hosted.

Hilton Garden Inn wants to make your vacation wishes come true! Daydreaming of sipping margaritas with amigos in Mexico? Or might you fancy some fish n’ chips in jolly old England? Maybe you’d like to learn to surf in California, dude? Hilton Garden Inn is giving away a two-night stay to one lucky Travel Mamas reader at ANY of their 500 hotel locations in the world! 

Lobby at the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach

Hilton Garden Inn is a favorite choice for families looking for above-and-beyond customer service and kid-friendly accommodations at an affordable price. I was recently invited to spend a weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach in Southern California. My husband and I left the kids at home with grandma and grandpa, and let me tell you, Hilton Garden Inn is a fabulous option for a romantic getaway as well!

Just a sampling of a Hilton Garden Inn breakfast spread

No matter which Hilton Garden Inn you choose, start your day off with their scrumptious breakfast of goodies like pastries, oatmeal, fresh fruits, yogurt, and made-to-order omelettes — all at a reasonable price in a family-friendly environment.

The beach at Hilton Garden Inn’s Carlsbad location

If you choose the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach as your destination of choice, your children will be welcomed with a gift like a stuffed toy dolphin or seal during a summer visit. After settling in, walk across the street to spend a day at the beach or relax poolside back at the hotel. After a tough day of sunning yourself, splashing in the pool, and relaxing in the hot tub you deserve a little treat. Luckily Hilton Garden Inn staff comes by every hour or so to offer up frozen Otter Pops to cool down hotel guests of all ages.

Complimentary poolside refreshments

Walk a few blocks into downtown Carlsbad to grab a bite to eat for lunch. If you’re too tired from all of that swimming, there’s a complimentary Hilton Garden Inn shuttle that will take you anywhere within a five-mile radius to see sites like the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields abloom in the spring or to LEGOLAND California year-round.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Each hotel has a fitness center. If you prefer working out in the privacy of your own room, just request a Stay Fit Kit free from the front desk, which comes complete with Pilates band, yoga mat, ab ball, and weights. There are even free on-demand exercise videos available on in-room TVs.

Hilton Garden Inn fitness center

The on-site Carlsbad Beach Bistro is open nightly until 11 pm with soups, salads, sandwiches, and specials. Afterward, you can enjoy summer Movies on the Lawn, shown every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evenings on an inflatable screen. Watch family-oriented films like Disney’s Up! The hotel provides free blankets for your comfort plus popcorn and cookies as snacks.

Enter to win!
If you could stay at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world, where would you go? Visit the Hilton Garden Inn Website and choose which destination appeals to you most. Leave a comment below stating which Hilton Garden Inn you’d choose and why. You can enter ONCE PER DAY. Choose a different location every time or make the same choice over and over; it’s up to you! THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Find out who won now!

This contest ends on Sunday, October 30 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within two days, another winner will be selected. Approximate prize value is $400.

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are typically sent out once per month.

For hotel updates, giveaways and specials, “like” Hilton Garden Inn on Facebook.

Want another chance to win a fabulous prize? Enter to win a $75 Baby Equipment Rental from Go Baby Go! Receive a free rental of a full-size crib, double jogger, high chair and more for your next trip to San Diego County. (Especially handy if you’re Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wish is to visit the Carlsbad or other San Diego location!)

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A note from The Travel Mama: The Hilton Garden Inn sponsored my weekend getaway to Carlsbad and this giveaway.

Halloween was magical when I was a kid. I got to dress up like a pretty pink ballerina. I was allowed to take candy from strangers. After a parental perusal for razor blades, I would sort my sugary bounty into categories: chocolate, suckers, gum and other. With a mouthful of nougat, the trading began. My big brother, master of persuasion, would convince me to hand over two mini Snickers for a measly Bazooka Joe. I went to bed with a distended belly, sticky hands, and a smile.

Then came the confusing teen years when I continued trick-or-treating “to be ironic” and accepted a beer from the young dudes at one house. In college there was the inevitable scramble to find a last-minute party and corresponding last-minute homemade Marsha-from-Brady-Bunch-get-up. By my twenties, Halloween had become a source of stress and a competition to find the adequately sexy (yet not slutty) costume.

With the birth of my first child, the wonder and innocence of a childhood Halloween returned. My family makes the most of this holiday with trips to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland, Brick-or-Treat Nights at LEGOLAND California, and our local pumpkin patch and Halloween carnival. This World Tour of the Web is a collection of all things fun and festive for Halloween this year.

Top 9 Ridiculously Funny Halloween Costumes for Baby - Deals 4 Dummies
Still debating how to dress up your baby for Halloween? How about as a pine tree air freshener or baby Elvis? These will make you chuckle…or cringe…or both.

Photo Essay: Incredible Pictures of Pumpkin Patches – Sharing Travel Experiences
Take a peek at the world’s largest pumpkin patch, around-the-world patches, and even a glass pumpkin patch in this gorgeous post celebrating all photos pumpkin.

Dinner in a Pumpkin – Macaroni Kid
Kids will be happy to eat this healthy stew served in its jack-o-lantern cooking container. Boo apetit!

Halloween Jokes for Kids – Coupons are Great
What does a bird say on Halloween? Trick-or-tweet. Sweet jokes like these are simple enough for little ones to remember and re-tell (over and over and over!).

10 Easy-to-Make Halloween Cupcakes - Atlanta with Kid
From mummy cupcakes made from marshmallows to spider cupcakes made with pretzel sticks for legs, a chocolate truffle body and cinnamon candy red eyes, these treats look like a fun way to get in the Halloween spirit. These would make a monstrous treat at a Halloween party.

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Whenever I tell people I have done three home exchanges, they exclaim interest in doing the same but many have some trepidation and a slew of questions about attempting a house swap. Yesterday I gave advice for getting started in doing a home exchange. Here are some more tips for making the most of an exchange vacation. 

My daughter playing on a backyard tire swing during a home exchange a couple of years ago

Get to know your exchange family
Once you have found a home that appears to be a good match, email back and forth a few times asking and answering questions. After dates are tentatively agreed upon, set up a time to chat by phone or Skype. If the exchange family seems put out by your questions, emails, or request for a phone meeting — perhaps this is not the right exchange for you. You should feel a sense of comaraderie and comfort with your home swappers.

Consider a car or pet exchange
During my last home exchange, we swapped cars and cats as well. This saved both families a considerable amount of cash on rental car fees and pet-sitting services. We considered exchanging dogs as well but decided scheduling our vacation days around doggy potty breaks might put a damper on both of our vacations.

Use a contract
Since our first two home exchanges were informal swaps with friends of family, we had never bothered to draw up a contract. However, if exchanging with a previously unknown family (or even with friends), it’s probably a good idea to go the legal route. This is especially true if swapping cars and animals. Spell out expectations and obligations within your home exchange contract, such as any household rules (like no eating  in the living room), maintenance expectations (such as watering plants and scooping the kitty litter box), and what either party will do if a household item is damaged (like pay for carpet cleaning in case of a spill or pay for any broken items). A sample contract is available on HomeExchange.com that you can modify as needed. Exchange signatures on the contract before the exchange either via fax, email or traditional mail.

Hide expensive items
Even if you’ve built a rapport with your exchangers, put away anything you don’t want to risk being stolen (such as expensive jewelry) or broken (like an heirloom vase or irreplaceable sculpture). Put important documents and valuables in a hidden lockbox or store them with a trusted friend or relative until you return.

Expect a few glitches
Lest you think a home exchange is nothing but rainbows and unicorns, it is not without its downfalls. My family felt quit chummy with our last home exchangers. Living in someone else’s home for a week gives a sense of intimacy and trust. We even arranged it so we could drive each others’ cars to the airport and swap keys in-person since our exchangers were boarding the very same plane that we disembarked. Our children ran around the gate giggling while the adults thanked one another and talked up our vacation adventures.

A few days later, our new friends emailed to say we had left behind a few items and offered to ship them back. I said that would be great and told them to delete the shipping costs from the check for the extra mileage they owed us when we agreed to let them drive our minivan over 200 miles to Los Angeles and back. The response I received was surprisingly sour, alleging that we had not left the gas tank full enough and that we instead owed them money. We wound up calling it even and all ended well but this served as a warning about how easily things could go astray in a home exchange situation. This was over a few measley bucks for mileage, gas, and shipping. What if someone had spilled red wine on a new couch or gotten into a fender bender, or worse?

Exchange away
So, would I do it again? Absolutely. The extra room, better sleep, homey conveniences, and huge travel savings outweigh the risks of doing a home exchange for me. Just be sure to get know your exchange family beforehand, be explicit regarding expectations and consquences in your contract, prepare your mind for glitches, and don’t fight any battles not really worth fighting.

To learn more, see How to do a Home Exchange – Part 1.

Would you ever do a home exchange vacation? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Would you like to have lots of space to spread out on vacation, with a kitchen for snacks and convenient meals, separate bedrooms for all family members, and maybe even a big yard with a swing-set for the kids? Would you like all of this for free (or close to free)? If you said, “Yes!” — a home exchange might be right for you. My family has done three home swaps with varying levels of success. Here are some home exchange tips for those considering this type of vacation.

Start with friends & family
Exchanging with friends, family, or acquaintances can be less stressful than doing a home swap with a previously unknown family. This is also true if exchanging with friends of friends because your buddies can vouch for the exchangers in question. Plus, swapping homes on your own saves money over using a professional home exchange service.

As a first step, check with people you know about doing a home exchange. You may not know anyone who lives in your destination of choice, but your Uncle Bob might know someone who does. Send out an email to your contacts or do a Facebook update announcing your desire to do an exchange. In my experience, email works better than Facebook but you might want to do both to reach a larger group.

Craft an exchange email
In your exchange email list travel dates, desired locations, and anything enticing about your house and home town. State any major requirements too. If you absolutely can’t exchange with anyone who has stairs or owns cats, say that. Don’t include a grocery list of perfect vacation home desires. Keep it simple — two short paragraphs maximum. Offer to send photos and additional information to anyone who might be interested in learning more.

Of course, you should contact anyone who lives in your destination of choice, but also include those who live in other spots (even in your home town) in case they might know someone who would be up for an exchange. Be sure to ask recipients to forward the email to anyone they think might be interested in the exchange.

Keep the number of email recipients to less than 20 to avoid getting lost in SPAM and type email addresses into the BCC box so you don’t start an annoying “reply all” stream.

Sign up for a home swapping site
If your attempts to find a home exchange through your network is unfruitful, do not despair. You can always sign up as a member of a swap site such as HomeExchange.com, HomeLink.org, or HomesForSwap.com. I have personally used HomeExchange.com but the other sites appear to work in a similar fashion.

With HomeExchange.com, you pay $9.95 per month for a year or $15.95 per month for three months. Then you add a description of your home, apartment, or condominium plus some information about your neighborhood and town. You can also list destinations you are interested in visiting along with potential travel dates.

Peruse potential exchange homes
The fun part is next: perusing potential matches. Narrow down your search by travel dates, destination, and/or exchangers interested in visiting your location. I get a kick out of taking a peek into the homes of others — imagining myself as the main character in the story of their lives for a brief period of time.

Try to exchange with similar vacationers
Ideally, you should try to exchange with a family similar to your own. If you have teenagers and so does your exchange family, you both will probably have sturdy furniture that can take a beating plus X-boxes and teen-pleasing entertainment. If both families have babies and young children, the two homes will likely be safety-proofed and come stocked with enticing tot toys and a full-sized crib. A retired, childless couple with an immaculate home may not be the best fit for a family with five messy children. Matching up family types is not always possible, of course, but it is a factor to consider in finding a suitable exchange.

Narrow down choices
If you find someone who looks like a good match, you will send a message through the site that includes a link to your home’s profile. You should be courteous by replying to every inquiry you receive, even if only to say, “Sorry we can’t exchange…good luck!”

Now comes the not-so-fun part: realizing how difficult it can be to get all of the vacation gods to smile down upon you so a fortuitous exchange can take place. It can be challenging to find vacationers 1) who are interested in your location, 2) who like your house, 3) who can exchange during the same timeframe as you, 4) whose location you like, and 5) whose house you like.

Have realistic expectations
If you live in a popular vacation destination like San Diego, California (like I do), you will likely have an easier time finding an appropriate exchange than someone who hails from Des Moines, Iowa. But you never know…there may be someone residing in your ideal destination looking to come to your corner of the world to visit family, attend a wedding, or see a new slice of the world. If you hail from a less popular destination, you may need to lower your expecations in terms of square footage or proximity to attractions to nab an exchange.

Paint a positive, but realistic, picture
Play up the benefits of your home — do you have a billiard table or a community pool? Is your home within walking distance to shops and restaurants? Or might your country home with nearby hiking trails be a wonderful retreat for a city dweller? While you want to paint a positiv