travel Archives - Page 69 of 91 - Have Sippy Will Travel

Sometimes, You Gotta Get Away. Take these with you!

July 29, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my reviews. All opinions are my own and honest.

So you are taking a trip with the kids. Whether you are taking a road trip or hopping on a plane, you will need to keep the kids , safe, occupied, and at least a little bit quiet if you plan on staying sane. Here are some fun new take-alongs for your next trip.

First up comes the packing. If you are like most parents, you become a pack mule, dragging luggage, laptops, and lovies all over creation. Do it as easily as possible with something lightweight and durable, like the Delsey Helium line. In 3 sizes, with 4 wheels that pivot and turn in all directions (which makes the lugging oh so much easier) it is “featherweight” luggage. This is easier on your back, as well as great for packing, since we all know the airlines are fairly evil about the weights of baggage and trying to get every nickel out of you that they can. Take that, TSA! In both standard and brightly colored styles, it is quite durable. My bag made it on 16 flights, 9 boats, and almost 20 trains and still looks pretty good. The split book opening makes packing easy, and it comes equipped with a TSA approved lock. From $160 and up on http://shop.delsey.us

The Day Traveler line from Eagle Creek is and has been a favorite of mine- durable, lightweight, and easy to tote around, there are tons of options and your money is well spent- these bags LAST. My new favorite, won’t leave without it bag is the Site Seeing Tablet Courier, which you can pack a surprising amount into. Water resistant, so no worries about spilled drinks or rainstorms, lockable, and with RFID blocking technology ( which protects your personal information), it makes it so easy to travel light. It has 3 pockets that zip of various sizes and depths, and can carry phones, tablet, wallet, sunglasses, and more. It’s just a perfect size bag for all your travel needs. $45 at http://shop.eaglecreek.com
[Read more…]

Filed Under: evergreen, review, toys Tagged With: newspaper, parents at play, summer, travel

What to do in Rome, Italy With Kids

July 28, 2014 by Samantha 3 Comments

What to do when in Rome? It’s kind of hard to do as the Romans did- but you can try to walk in their footsteps a bit. Depending on how long you have to tour will decide how many attractions and historical sites that you get to see. While not a small city, the historic center is clustered together, making many things walking distance.

The Sistine Chapel is a must see for art and history lovers alike. Guided tours are not allowed inside, so your guide (if you have one) will fill you in before you enter. You can also self guide, of course. One of the highlights has to be seeing the famous “Creation of Adam” painting, where God nearly touches the hand of His first man. More humorously, see Michelangelo’s self-portrait (himself being boneless), in “Last Judgement”.

Get your gladiator on at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Schedule at least a half day for these stops, which put you in the footsteps of slaves and emperors. Walk the “Sacred Way'” and see the final resting place of Julius Caesar. Wander through the Colosseum’s first and second tiers, and imagine the amphitheater flooded for boat battles or gladiators doomed to fight to the death, living and dying at the whim of the crowd or emperor. A short walk just beyond the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, where you can see some of the most impressive ruins. Among these are the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Julius Caesar. Take time to walk up Palatine Hill (the most famed of “The Seven Hills of Rome) for a stunning view of Nero’s Circus Maximus.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: europe, family travel, italy, travel

Pack Light With Land’s End

July 27, 2014 by Samantha 7 Comments

Disclosure- Some of the products in this post were given to me in order to facility this review, others were my own. All opinions are mine and honest.

Recently, we went to Europe for a few weeks. I had to pack light, and be able to make what I packed count. No one wants to be lugging many suitcases around, and it’s best to make everything that you bring able to mix and match, getting the most from each garment. One of my favorite places to shop has always been Land’s End, because clothes are versatile, durable, and long lasting. They are also great with exchanges, so if you don’t like an item it’s easy to return- even if you have worn it. I love that about a brand, because so often you don’t know how things will fit or wear properly until you actually wear them. Catch 22, but Land’s End makes it easy and worry free.

I exclusively packed Land’s End clothing for my trip. With the exception of my sneakers, walking sandals, and bathing suit, it was all Land’s End, all the time. Sticking with the brand made it easy, since all the colors matched, the fabrics worked well together, and I really do like the durability they commit to for travel (and everyday wear as well, but I can be abusive to things when I travel). I chose to stick with the primary colors of navy blue and black, with colors and patterns that matched the basic items I already owned or purchased. I was also given several new review items from this season’s new line, which complimented what I already owned beautifully. All of the items are well made, pretty, easy to wash and wear (even on the go), and fully functional as well as classically stylish. Very easy to love, and the reasons why I come back to Land’s End again and again.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: clothes and shoes, evergreen, fashion, review Tagged With: clothes, clothing, fashion, travel

Cruise Ships: the Ideal Family Vacation

July 27, 2014 by Samantha 3 Comments

If you’re on the lookout for a family vacation where you can travel to a wealth of destinations while staying close to your accommodation then a cruise might be right for you. The number of benefits available on a cruise makes this holiday option one of the best for families.

Families have taken to cruise holidays in a big way and one of the major reasons for the increased popularity is the chance to travel on a floating luxury hotel. Cruises offer a number of excellent benefits for families including activities, entertainment and meals included in the overall price.

This makes good financial sense and helps to make your holiday spending go a lot further. Guests can choose from a wealth of on-board accommodation including family-sized luxury suites.

Facilities such as child minders and children’s clubs allows the adults to spend some time relaxing knowing that the children are being well looked after.

Cruise ship companies have now pulled out all the stops when it comes to on-board entertainment. Activities available on certain cruise liners include cinemas, ice rinks, swimming pools and even theatre shows. Adults can enjoy casinos, nightclubs, spas, fitness centres and a range of classes such as cookery, dance and language classes. The good news is that most of the on-board entertainment will be included in the price.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: cruise, travel

EatSmart TravelWise 3 Piece Packing Cube Set

July 27, 2014 by Samantha 8 Comments

As you all know, we travel a lot, so it’s always great to find products that make packing easier, quicker and more organized.
EatSmart has recently released the TravelWise 3 piece packing cube set, which is great for organization and keeping things where they belong. This is helpful during the packing stage, but more so during the “finding” stage when you are at your location and you need to find your child’s underpants, STAT, or in the morning when you need your vitamins. They always, always fall to the bottom of the bag. (The small bag is so good for vitamins, medications, and toiletries, and makes finding them fast and easy, and found quickly during TSA checks as well.)

You can organize as you choose, keeping kids clothes in one and yours in the other, or pants in one and shirts in another- whatever works for your method. It has open mesh so that you can see what is where without guessing, makes security checkpoints easier (if that is possible!) and dry quickly in case your child feels the need to stick his sippy cup into one to “help” you while you are busy packing the rest of the bag.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: review Tagged With: packing, travel

Hilton Head Sonesta Resorts

July 25, 2014 by Samantha 7 Comments

A vacation in the low country is a vacation to remember forever. The hospitality and charm of the locals combined with the stunning views and the slower pace of life make Hilton Head like no other place on Earth. If you are going to vacation in Hilton Head, you can make your stay extra special by marking the Sonesta as your destination.

The Hilton Head Resorts family has unveiled the Sonesta for your vacationing enjoyment. The resort was recently renovated for your comfort. With 340 guest rooms and suites, the resort offers lovely accommodations to make your family feel right at home. Located on 11 lush acres, you will enjoy world class golf and tennis nearby, on site bicycle rentals and an amazing swimming pool complex complete with hot tubs and a heated lagoon style swimming pool to name a few.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: hilton head, resort, south, South Carolina, travel

Vtech For Summer Travel

July 25, 2014 by Samantha 8 Comments

As we all know Summer time is trip time, be it down the street to Grandma’s house or across the ocean for vacation. There are a few similarities between all trips taken. One of which is boredom of the little ones. Back seat or a row up on a plane either way the most dreaded phrase uttered during the Summer is, “I’m bored.” This leads to noise and frustration and if siblings are involved added aggravation.

V-Tech is here to help a bit with some nifty new toys for children of many different ages. We are going to look at just a few in the growing range kid’s electronics and educational toys.

First up are for our smaller ones are the Monkey Band Music Center and the Spinning Tunes Music Player both are for ages 6 to 36 months. The Monkey Band Center teaches children about music instruments with filly animal characters in an interactive format where kids play on piano keys and a beat a drum. There are two sing along songs and ten melodies to keep your kids interested and having fun. The Spinning Music Player is more along the lines of a boom box for little ones. It plays over 55 fun noises, including songs, melodies, sounds and phrases. All the while teaching music instruments and sounds as well as animals and music itself. The Monkey Band Music Center retails for #13.99 and the Spinning Tunes Music Player retails for $10.99.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: review Tagged With: kid tech, tech, technology, travel

Splish Splash Water Park

July 24, 2014 by Samantha 7 Comments

Splish Splash Waterpark is a great place to spend the day as a family in the heat of the summer. When you are trying to have fun on a warm day, options can be limited. Waterparks should be high on the “to do” list, and this is a good one to check out.

There are lots of options for kids of all ages, with smaller splash or wade pools for smaller kids (scaled down pools and slides, little swings, spray parks, etc) in several varieties so that everyone can have fun and enjoy themselves. The bigger the kid, the more places they can play- but of they are too big, they can’t play in the small kid areas, so that the little ones don’t have to worry about being trampled.

There are a ton of great slides and rides at Splish Splash, and everyone had a favorite.

Mutiny Bay is new this year, and something everyone enjoyed. This all new interactive water attraction will take you and your fearless crew on a captivating voyage! The new ride is designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Seated in brightly colored boats, riders use water-spray “cannons” to blast other boats as well as spectators roaming the perimeter. The excitement is enhanced by shoreline guests returning splash-blasts with water cannons fixed along the perimeter of the attraction. The continuous moving boats travel through numerous interactions while cruising along the 300 foot long lagoon that holds 185,000 gallons of water.