Travel

7 Things To Do in Idaho

November 30, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Regardless of whether you’re planning a multi-day trip, a long weekend or even a family excursion of a lifetime, Idaho has something for everyone. It doesn’t matter what kind of holiday you end up choosing, Idaho has a way of providing experiences you won’t get elsewhere else.

If you’re searching for an ideal place to spend a getaway, there are many different cabin rentals in Idaho that will provide a great base to relax, explore and have some adventures.

lower-falls-yellowstone-idaho

Wondering how to spend your days? Here are some of my top things to do in Idaho:

Roaring Springs Waterpark

This is the biggest waterpark in the American Northwest and is situated in Meridian, just six miles from Boise. This year-round attraction offers a wide range of rides for all ages and incorporates many speed slides, kid slides and wave pools to enjoy. Many of the rides are ideal for little ones, making the waterpark a great family choice.

You can also visit the Pinz Bowling Center and Wahooz Family Fun Zone via the connected walkway. The way that one spot provides a variety of different activities in addition to the slides and wave pools make this one of the best water parks I have ever seen.

Yellowstone Bear World

Yellowstone Bear World could best be described as a drive-thru wildlife park. Here you can observe dim wolves, moose, wild bears, white-tailed deer and other different creatures indigenous to North America. The park is located near Yellowstone National Park, making it an ideal way to kill two birds with one stone and visit both.

You can even take part in getting up-close and personal with the bear cubs while bottle-feeding. This is a truly unique experience that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else in North America. In addition, the park has a great petting zoo and a number of amusement rides for children to enjoy.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

road-to-schweitzer-resort

Schweitzer is king of the mountain (no pun intended) when it comes to ski resorts in Idaho. There are over 2900 acres of beautiful land that is just waiting to be explored. With over 92 ski runs snaking through the resort, there is truly something for skiers of all levels. Don’t worry if you have never skied before either, lessons are available to help get you started!

The location in the Selkirk Mountains also gives the resort some glorious views of Lake Pend Oreille on the southeast and of the nearby Bitterroot and Cabinet mountains. The summit is 6,400 feet high and has a number of chairlifts that make this one of my favourite places to ski in all of North America (yes, Canada included).

Museum of Clean

It might sound a little confusing when you hear the name, but the Museum of Clean in Pocatello is a place that everyone should visit if they are in the area. The complex is huge, with around 75,000 square feet, and is especially great for children.

The museum itself focuses on the importance of cleanliness in all aspects of our lives. This doesn’t just mean being clean at home, but also with our water, air and food sources, and practically anything that needs to be clean to benefit our lives. The exhibitions are very hands on and it is definitely great to spend a few hours here, but you probably won’t see everything in a day!

Lava Hot Springs

The Lava Hot Springs has become something of an Idaho favourite and the reason is a pretty simple one. Bubbling hot springs boast mineral-rich water that doesn’t have any sulfur, so there are no unpleasant smells! It’s amazing to think that over two million gallons of water gush through the springs each day.

This also means the springs clean themselves and makes for an amazing place to relax all year round. The springs are around 102 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit and are great in any weather. The facilities are also top notch too with an indoor aquatic centre (open all year) and an outdoor swimming complex (open in the summertime). The Springs themselves are open 363 days every year, so there is no excuse to miss them!

Silverwood Theme Park

idaho silverwood theme park

Silverwood had a humble beginning with just a steam train and a few other rides. The park has grown significantly in size over the years and is now one of the most popular and fun-filled amusement parks in the northwest. You can find the park around 47 miles from Spokane, near Coeur d’Alene.

Stone Beach Water Park was added in 2003. The park has around 65 rides, slides, and other attractions. The highlights are definitely the Riptide Racer, Aftershock, Corkscrew and Panic Plunge. It is also great to see the familiar faces of the park mascots Garfield and Odie strolling around the park.

Sun Valley Resort

This is a winter resort like no other, located between the inclines of the Bald and Dollar Mountains. The resort has a variety of attractions to suit all kinds of travelers. The skiing is fantastic here, making the resort a great winter destination. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t a summer destination too. It offers some amazing hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and a number of other sports. A definite highlight is taking the gondola up to the Roundhouse and enjoying the sunset over a glass of wine and the roaring fire.

If you are looking to unwind, there are naturally a number of spa and wellness options to suit everyone. Sun Valley Resort is truly an everyman’s holiday destination for all seasons.

Whether you prefer kid-friendly amusement parks, adventurous ski hills or getting hands-on with nature, Idaho really does have something for everyone. Pick a few must-try activities and plan your trip today!

How to Drop Everything and Travel Abroad

November 30, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Have you always dreamed of traveling abroad to another country and spending more than a week engaging in the culture? For some people, this will always remain a dream.

After all, the average person has a career, a family and responsibilities. And you can’t just up and leave them…or can you? No matter what kind of situation you’re in, if you dream of dropping everything to work and travel abroad, then here are the best possible ways to make it all happen.

Get Your House in Order

Once you decide you want to leave the country for an extended period of time, you need to get your house in order. At https://www.livible.com/, they recommend using a storage facility to keep all your belongings safe while you’re away. Whether you pack up your stuff or leave it where it is, you have options for your home. [Read more…]

Fun Family Activities To Try on a 2-Day Vacation to Banff National Park

April 17, 2018 by Kathryn 17 Comments

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the picturesque town of Banff. Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, it’s like a secret passageway into the wild world beyond. As a child, I stopped there with my parents on the way to visit family in B.C. As a teenager, I set out to explore the town with a car full of friends. And now, as an adult, I have the chance to introduce my boys to the spot that holds so many memories for me.

And if there’s a great spot for a family vacation, it’s Banff National Park! That’s why my husband and I recently decided to spend a few days exploring the town and surrounding area. And if you’re planning a trip of your own, these activities are perfect for families:

1) Climb to the Top of Tunnel Mountain

A trip to Banff National Park wouldn’t be complete without climbing to the top of a mountain! This climb is on the outskirts of Banff and while there are some tough stretches, it’s easily done with children. Just make sure to bring plenty of water and a few snacks! At the top, climbers are rewarded with a picturesque view of the town of Banff and the nearby mountains. [Read more…]

Five Stunning Locations For A Much-Needed Health Retreat

April 6, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Life can get stressful. In fact, it does get stressful and from time to time, we can find ourselves yelling a hearty “I need a break!” Well, I’m here to tell you that you do, and it’s a very well-deserved one at that! What I’m also here to tell you, however, is to consider setting aside the sunny beach holiday with all of its sandy towels and awkward sunburn, and swapping it in for a health retreat. A holiday focused on you, your well-being and your health is exactly what the body and mind need when the going gets tough. Wondering where to go? Check out my personal top five of the hundreds of locations you could choose from!

Istanbul, Turkey

While Istanbul is rife with spa resorts to enjoy, I actually suggest that you bypass the resorts completely and just enjoy Istanbul on your very own city break. Home to some of the world’s most hospitable people, you could find yourself completely refreshed just walking the streets enjoying some of the finest food and most exciting tourist destinations within the city. Of course, if you do want to opt for a spa resort or at least a luxurious hotel, you could try out the Titanic City Hotel, or maybe the luxurious Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel! [Read more…]

Tokyo with Kids? 10 Things to Do

April 4, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Visiting Toyko is a dream of mine, so I was thrilled when Tiffany of AsiaTravelBug offered to share her top ten things to do in Tokyo with kids. If you’re planning on making a trip to Tokyo with your family, make sure to put a few of these activities on your itinerary!

Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, and it is full of many exciting adventures for you and your kids. With so many things to do, it may be overwhelming to try and narrow down your list of adventures. But one of the best things about the city is that there are so many different activities available, rain or shine. Whether you are visiting for a day or a week, there are plenty of attractions to keep you and your little ones happy and entertained. Here are ten great ideas to get you started!

Enjoy a Full Day at Hanayashiki

This amusement park is the oldest one in Japan. There are entertainment aspects for both parents and kids. The park is located near a temple, and there are numerous restaurants and souvenir shops within the park. You can visit for a couple hours, or make a full day out of this one location. This park is great for small children because it is rather small, and they won’t have to walk nearly as much as in other amusement parks in Tokyo. [Read more…]

A Day in Dublin – Seeing the Best the City has to Offer in Less than 24 Hours

February 28, 2018 by Kathryn 9 Comments

When my husband and I flew into Dublin to spend ten blissful days exploring the country of Ireland, we knew we were in for an incredible experience. And I couldn’t have been happier that our journey started near the capitol, so that we would get the chance to spend a day in Dublin before we headed off across the country.

day-in-dublin-castle-hotel — Checking out the view from the balcony in our castle hotel room!

Our castle hotel was in the Dalkey region and on our first day, we napped to get over our jetlag and then spent the rest of the day wandering through the picturesque spot. The quaint shops, ocean view and towering Dalkey Castle had us falling in love with Ireland immediately. But we were even more excited to dive into the heart of Dublin the next day, and we planned our excursion carefully so that we’d be able to make the most of our visit.

Getting Around

Even though we had a rental car, we were informed at once that driving in downtown Dublin is not a great idea. The streets are just too crowded, and parking is minimal. Instead, we took the DART to the downtown station and then got passes for the Dublin Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. This tour travels to over twenty different spots, visiting all the most popular landmarks in the city. And, as an added bonus, the bus features a tour guide that shares facts about the city and its top attractions along the way. [Read more…]

Tips for Traveling with 2 Under 2

February 23, 2018 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Traveling with kids is a challenge, and that’s especially true with two kids. When both are also under two years old…well, let’s just say challenging probably isn’t a strong enough word! Today Katelynn from Hampers and Hiccups is sharing her tips and tricks for making traveling with 2 under 2 just a little bit easier!

When I was pregnant with our second baby, my husband and I were considering taking a trip over to Wales, UK to see my aunt and her family before Sweet Girl turns 2. This would put us in the air with 2 under 2 for, oh, about a million hours. It’s a long trip from our home in Saskatchewan to their doorstep in Wrexham.

While we were still chewing this over, my father-in-law brought up the idea of taking the entire family down to Maricopa, Arizona. The timeline was the same as our dream trip! All these conversations were taking place before we even had a second baby, but I was sure we’d be able to do some traveling with a rambunctious toddler and a 6-month-old. So, we agreed to the Arizona trip and decided to save Wales for another year. When we head off, Sweet Girl will be 23 months old, and Pip 6 months old.

Now that Pip is born, and Christmas is over with, I’ve started focusing on our April trip to Maricopa. I was half-planning the whole time, but just in my head. Now I’m actually making lists. And holy moly is there lots to consider!

This will be our first real trip with kids. No more carry-on luggage only. We’ll be waiting at the baggage carousal with the rest of heavy packers. [Read more…]

Sharing the Best of Edmonton on the Trivago Weekend Travelogue

December 14, 2017 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Living on the Prairies may seem a little limiting when it comes to looking for an exciting weekend road trip excursion, but there are actually quite a few action-packed cities to explore. And since moving to Saskatoon, one of our family’s favourite destinations is a weekend in Edmonton.

The city is bustling with exciting things to do and see, so finding the best of the best can be a challenge. That’s why I partnered with Trivago to showcase my perfect weekend itinerary for families that will let you see the most appealing attractions that Edmonton has to offer. Find the best places to stay, the most mouth-watering spots to eat and so much more! [Read more…]