resort

Plan the Perfect All-Inclusive Family Vacation this Winter with These 4 Tips

November 10, 2016 by Kathryn 32 Comments

I’ve always believed that travel provides endless enriching opportunities for both adults and children, so travel has always been a priority for my boys and me. From a simple road trip to an exotic cruise, we’ve had the chance to enjoy all kinds of adventures together. But one of my favourite travel getaways with my boys has always been a trip to an all-inclusive resort. I love the hassle-free experience of knowing all our food, drinks and entertainment are included with our stay, while still having ample opportunities to explore the local attractions on day trips and excursions.

But like any vacation, proper planning helps to turn a good vacation into a great one! And if you’re considering escaping the cold this winter on your own all-inclusive family getaway, these four tips will help ensure that your trip to one of the best all inclusive resorts is the best one ever!

Vacation with Friends

If you have close friends with kids, consider vacationing together as a group! Not only do extra people make the vacation more fun, but many resorts will offer a discount to larger groups. That means you save money, your kids have more friends to play with and you can plan extra activities like a ladies’ spa day or a big group breakfast get-together! Make sure to also check for special deals that allow kids to stay and eat for free to save even more money! [Read more…]

Step Into the Ontario Cottage Life Affordably with Great Blue Resorts

July 22, 2016 by Kathryn 3 Comments

Last year my fiancé and I took the boys on a trip to Ontario to stay with his family for a few weeks and explore the area. We had a great time visiting zoos, checking out some of Toronto’s top attractions and meeting extended family members. But for me, the highlight of the visit was spending time at the family’s gorgeous cabin on the lake. The location was so peaceful and serene, and there was nothing better than waking up and sitting outside by the water with a steaming cup of coffee, or even going for a morning swim.

Ever since that moment, I’ve dreamed of owning a cottage of my own. But for the average working couple, buying property in cottage country is a costly luxury. A two-bedroom cottage in a prime location currently often sells for half a million dollars or more. More affordable options often mean buying property much further away or taking on a lengthy renovation of a fixer-upper. What’s a family that wants to get away from it all to do?

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Whether You’re a Kid or an Adult, Everything is Awesome at the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel!

March 18, 2016 by Kathryn 25 Comments

When I heard the news about the opening of the new theme hotel last year at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, I couldn’t help but want to check it out firsthand. With two LEGO-crazed boys at home and a pretty solid love of the interlocking bricks myself, I was sure it would be a place to remember.

And recently, my dream came true when the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel invited us to spend the night on our recent trip to the Orlando area. With bags packed, my boys, their Nanny and I set off to see just what this new hotel had to offer.

Everything is LEGO!

From the second we drove up to the hotel, we knew that our experience was going to be an amazing one. The exterior of LEGOLAND Florida Hotel provides a vibrant, LEGO-filled welcome that illustrates the type of experience to be found upon walking through the doors.

Almost life-sized LEGO creations, including a dragon, a knight, a pirate and more dominate the front of the hotel, while brightly coloured brick detailing on the outer walls gives the entire hotel a LEGO look. But as much as the exterior of the hotel impresses, the interior is even better.

The check-in desk was one of my personal favourite features. Behind the large LEGO man riding a bicycle (a moving feature that’s an immediate draw for the eye), an entire wall of Minifigures are on display. LEGO Minifigures have always been something I loved, so I could have studied the wall in detail for hours.

The lobby also featured numerous large LEGO creations including a pirate bed big enough for a child, characters including a waiter and a porter, and another perching dragon. [Read more…]

Family Fun Awaits at the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun Resort in Mexico

January 16, 2016 by Kathryn 44 Comments

I’ve always been a wanderer at heart, and luckily I’ve been blessed with two boys that love to travel as much as I do. So when I had the chance to check out the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun resort in Cancun, Mexico, I decided to give my boys the choice between a traditional Christmas present from their mom or coming on the trip with me as their gift. As I expected, both of them jumped at the chance to visit the Now Sapphire and shortly after Christmas we were on our way!

Choosing a resort that’s fun for both adults and children is never an easy task, and it’s often made harder when I travel with my boys since they both shun the idea of spending time in a Kid’s Club. But within minutes of arriving at the Now Sapphire resort, I knew that it was going to be perfect for all three of us. While I sipped the resort’s signature cocktail and checked into our room, the boys explored the gorgeous open lobby filled with picturesque fountains and plants. Then it was off to see our room and the rest of the resort.

Fun for Kids

Now Sapphire has no shortage of fun activities for kids and my boys tried almost all of them! The Bungee Trampoline is a must-experience for little ones and since it’s reserved for children at the Explorer’s Club, it makes attending a lot more appealing. The club also offers sandcastle competitions, big-screen movies on the beach and a playground so that parents can relax while kids enjoy supervised fun with trained caregivers. Open from 9am to 10pm every day, it’s the ideal way for kids and adults to both have a blast on vacation! [Read more…]

Don’t Miss These Top 3 Orlando, Florida Activities for Adults

February 26, 2015 by Kathryn 30 Comments

Orlando is a favourite family destination for good reason. With a variety of fun-filled theme parks perfect for kids of all ages, it’s easy to spend a full week in the area just checking out all the rides, attractions and entertainment available. But there’s a lot more to Orlando, Florida than just amusement parks and activities for kids! These three adventures are the perfect way for adults to enjoy some time in the area.

Orlando Balloon Rides

In front of the Orlando Balloon Rides hot air balloon basket, ready to head to the sky!

Sailing through the sky in a hot air balloon is something everyone should try at least once. There is nothing more peaceful than drifting on the breeze and looking down on the world below, especially in an area as picturesque as the Orlando region. Orlando Balloon Rides is one of the top companies offering hot air balloon adventures and provides an experience that you’re sure to remember for a lifetime. Just be prepared to get up early!

balloon assembly — Filling the balloon with air. I love how small the men holding the sides look!

For me, one of the highlights of the ride was watching and participating in the set-up and takedown of the balloon. I’d never realized just how big these balloons were until one was being filled right in front of me! And while filling the balloon with air was a job that could be done by just a handful of staff, packing it away after was a task that required everyone, participants included, to lend a hand! [Read more…]

Ready to Indulge in a Now Resorts & Spas #ResortEscape at the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun

March 21, 2014 by Kathryn 48 Comments

This post brought to you by Now Resorts & Spas. All opinions are 100% mine.

Near the end of January, I shared information about the four amazing Now Resorts & Spas properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I needed advice about which resort to visit and all of my amazing readers were happy to oblige. I am so happy that everyone shared their opinions because I won a trip for two to the property of my choice as well as one to give away to a reader!

After plenty of deliberation, I decided to book my vacation to the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun in Mexico. There were a few features that stood out to me about this gorgeous resort and I am so excited to experience it for myself. I have to admit, the fact that I'll be travelling without my boys was a key factor in my decision! Enjoying yoga on the beach and the huge variety of water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and riding the waves on Hobie cats sounded too appealing to pass up. And I have a passionate love of Tappenyaki dining, so I can't wait to enjoy a lively gourmet meal at the Lemongrass restaurant!

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Beaches Resorts – Giving Back through the Sandals Foundation #BeachesMoms

February 5, 2014 by Kathryn 45 Comments

Recently my boys and I went on an amazing trip to the Beaches Negril resort in Jamaica. With Beaches Resorts’ passion for providing the ultimate all-inclusive experience to visitors, we enjoyed plenty of relaxing and fun-filled moments on the resort. But we also had a chance to see the difference that the company makes to the community through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, and it was an experience that left me and my boys more touched than I could have expected.

sandals foundation christmas party presents — Zackary and Benjamin had lots of fun examining the tables full of presents when we arrived!

We travelled to the local Mount Airy School in the Mocho Mountains for the annual Sandals Foundation Christmas Party and to make the experience even more memorable, we had been given the opportunity to bring a wrapped gift to give to one of the schoolchildren at the party. I loved the idea of showing my boys how rewarding generosity could be, so I intentionally chose gifts that I knew each of them would love to have for themselves: Benjamin’s gift was a soft and cuddly teddy bear and Zackary’s was a LEGO set. I even brought a large Hello Kitty doll to give away myself and we were bursting with excitement when we arrived.

schoolroom st. airy school negril jamaica — The school consisted of a number of buildings that each housed different age groups in the single rooms.

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Choose Your Escape with an Unlimited-Luxury Vacation at Now Resorts & Spas #ResortEscape

January 29, 2014 by Kathryn 1,736 Comments

This post brought to you by Now Resorts & Spas. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to a vacation that the whole family can enjoy, there’s just no better and simpler option than an all-inclusive resort. With activities for children and adults alike in gorgeous tropical locations, who wouldn't love indulging in some Family travel by visiting a luxury resort?

And nobody understands luxury better than Now Resorts & Spas! The company’s Unlimited-Luxury® style vacations offer included amenities such as gourmet, a la carte dining, unlimited premium beverages, child supervision at the Explorer Kids Club and Core Zone Teens Club and indulgent spa treatments at the Now Spa by Pevonia on every one of its four beautiful resorts. In fact, with special activities and amenities at each resort, choosing which property to visit is the biggest task you’ll face on your vacation!

The Now Jade Riviera Cancun resort is located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It offers special events including a treasure hunt around the hotel that kids will love, a free kayak tour, live shows including “Idol” singing shows and deep sea diving in the gorgeous blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. With plenty of activities for all ages, it’s a great choice for families!

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