Category Archives: Leaps (travel-related stories)

Ski Trip Part One: Packing

View from Hyatt Escala Lodge at Park City, Utah

View from Hyatt Escala Lodge at Park City, Utah

by Wendy
I went skiing for the first time in high school. My family drove to the Smoky Mountains for a couple of days during Christmas break. Half of us slid down an icy hill without ski poles and falling on our rear to stop while the others went ice skating. It wasn’t pretty, but the VHS tape sure was hilarious. Anyway, I went maybe a handful of times since then to spots a few hours away. While I gradually learned to use poles, wedge to stop, ski off the chair lift without crashing and keep my balance, I still would not describe myself as a skier. But I married a skiing enthusiast, so away to Park City, Utah we go. My first trip to Utah and first attempt at skiing west of the Mississippi! Of course one of my first questions was: could I pack for this getaway using a carry-on bag only?
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Disney Dining

The infamous Mickey waffle!

The infamous Mickey waffle!

by Sunny

While in Disney, my daughter is not one for sitting down to a meal when there are characters to meet, shows to see, and rides to tackle.  On her 4-year-old trip, we were wearing down at around 6pm having gone nonstop since our quick-service breakfast at the resort that morning.  Our party of 5 started heading to the nearest restaurant when my daughter inquired as to where we were going.  “To dinner,” I responded.  She scoffed in return, “But we already ate breakfast today!”  See what I mean? She would be more than happy to just eat Mickey-shaped ice cream on a stick while waiting in line as opposed to sitting down with the fear of missing out. On our trip earlier this month, we decided that it was time to branch out and experience the variety of dining options that Disney has to offer.  We were pleasantly surprised, and it even won over our little princess… Continue reading →

The Art of Paying the Check in Spain

By Wendy
American visitors can be surprised by how long it takes to get the bill after eating in Spain (or France and some other European countries). If you’re sitting down at a table and served by a waiter or waitress, you’ll almost always have to ask for la cuenta por favor – they don’t just bring it when it looks like you’re about finished eating. And even when you ask, it could be awhile. Relax and get used to this, because you will likely run into it. And you’ll quickly see how this endearing custom of lingering at the table to enjoy food, drinks and good company, is very addictive and fun. Continue reading →

Weekend Trip – Lake Barkley State Resort Park

by April

I love to get away for a weekend and consider it all the better if I don’t have to go far to feel a world away.  If you live in or near a state with fantastic resort parks, a fun and affordable trip may not be far from your back yard.  I recently traveled to Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz, KY with my son, sister, niece and parents for a weekend adventure not far from home.

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Spain for one week: Itinerary #3

by Wendy
This is part 3 of my series on one week itineraries (nine days counting both weekends) in Spain. The third Spain trip took place in 2013 and was very special, since my parents were going with us! They had never been before, so we designed an itinerary with them in mind. This evolved over several conversations as we researched logistics and available hotels. We debated including Cadaques, or exploring Rioja, but thought we’d have to skip the Andalusia region as a result. A week itinerary does require some very tough choices! So we ultimately decided to include Madrid (again, easy to fly into and all-around all-star city), keep Andalusia but visit Cordoba (a new city for me and Jack), Valencia (must-see Spanish coast and another new city for me and Jack), Barcelona (Gaudi of course), then back to Madrid for the weekend. Continue reading →

Enjoy the journey – more activities for the kids

Whether you are traveling by plane or by car, it always pays to prepare for down time when traveling with kids.  We all know apps and video games can be handy entertainment in these situations, but if you are looking for some alternatives, here are some fun ideas to keep the kids (and you!) entertained during a drive or a long layover.

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Why Disney?

MJ (age 2) admiring Princess Aurora

MJ (age 2) admiring Princess Aurora

Disclaimer: I do not work for Disney and am not affiliated with the company in any way.  I write from a Disney fan’s perspective.  Visit disney.com for official information.

Why Disney?

by Sunny
I’m not going to lie to you. I’m 32 years old, and even if I didn’t have a 5-year-old, princess -obsessed daughter, I would still plan yearly trips to a Disney Park. I love it. I’ve always loved it. Since my first visit at the age of 11, I have had a passion for the Parks. And I’m not alone. I am in the company of millions of other Disney pilgrims who make the trek to California or Florida each year to experience the magic.
So what’s the big deal? For those who have never been, it’s hard to explain. Why do millions of visitors make it one of the most popular vacation destinations in the US each year? Here are five of my favorite reasons I am a repeat visitor of Disney World. Continue reading →

Spain for one week: Itinerary #1

by Wendy
Lots of us have limited vacation days at our jobs, or restrictions on how many days we can take off at one time. I’ve heard friends say it’s not worth it to go to Europe for one week. I strongly disagree! There are many wonderful itineraries you can put together for a one week trip (really 9 days, if you count both weekends).

In a series of upcoming posts, I’m going to write about three different and equally awesome week-long vacations my husband and I took in Spain. We spent a lot of time researching and considering different routes and destinations, so I wanted to share a summary of our results with you. Continue reading →

Enjoy the Journey

Enjoy the Journey

by Sunny
Growing up, I looked forward to our yearly caravan to the Florida panhandle. A 10-12 hour drive was made a family affair during which siblings and cousins would take turns riding in various family members’ vehicles to stay comfortable, happy, and entertained during the annual event.

Now as an adult with a husband and 5-year-old, the 10-12 hour car rides have been replaced by shorter flights to a variety of destinations. We often fly stand-by (made possible by my husband’s job) so our wait time for flights varies. It is not unusual for us to get to the airport first thing in the morning and not depart until the afternoon…or even the next day. Sometimes our journey consists of crisscrossing the country in order to find empty seats to our final destination. So our family lives and breathes by the motto: getting there is half the fun! Here are a few ways that we enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

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