Get Kids Dreaming of Adventure with Travel Books from Lonely Planet Kids-Giveaway

April 23, 2018 by Kathryn 47 Comments

My family is a wee bit travel obsessed. In fact, on one occasion, we managed to fit eleven different trips into a single year! So, it goes without saying that we’re always daydreaming about our next vacation.

That’s why I’m so excited about getting to review some of the new children’s book titles from Lonely Planet Kids, distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books! These kids travel books are perfect for introducing children to the wonders of other countries, languages and ways of travel.

First Words: Japanese

I thought this would be a great book for introducing my older boys to some first words in another language, but it ended up being even better for Baby Cormac! The book features sturdy poster board pages and the proper pronunciation for a variety of basic words in Japanese. I like reading it out loud to Cormac so that he can develop an ear for other languages. And he loves looking at the simple, vibrant pictures on every page! [Read more…]

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

April 17, 2018 by Kathryn 18 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…]

5 Tips for Traveling with a Wheelchair

September 27, 2017 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Traveling has plenty of perks, but it also requires a lot of preparation. And that’s all the more true if you are in a wheelchair. The unexpected can happen during trips, and some events you may not be prepared for. For wheelchair users, the challenge is even greater, so you always need to think ahead and anticipate.

You deserve to have a great time on your vacation! So, to make the trip more enjoyable for yourself and everyone else that’s coming along on your trip, check out some of the tips for traveling with a wheelchair.

[Read more…]

The SmarTfold 500 7-in-1 Trike Takes Your Baby From Stroller to Tricycle

September 18, 2017 by Kathryn 39 Comments

One of the hardest things about having a baby is all the “stuff” that tends to accumulate as a little one grows. And that’s why I’ve always been a huge fan of products that grow along with my children. Whether it’s a car seat that converts to a booster or a crib that turns into a toddler bed, multi-use baby gear means more bang for my buck!

That’s why I was thrilled when SmarTrike offered me the chance to review the smarTfold 500 7-in-1 tricycle. Not only is this ingenious trike appropriate for babies from 9 months to 3 years, it’s also perfect for travelling! And with a trip to Europe being planned for this spring, I’m sure the SmarTfold will be essential. [Read more…]

7 Accessories Every Woman Needs in Her Beach Bag

September 16, 2017 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Oh, the beach. It is one of those places that we all dream of spending a warm, sunny day enjoying – maybe with a book or drink (or both) in hand – but sometimes the reality can be a little jarring. Especially if you find yourself without the necessary accessories. We all know that every beach outing requires sunscreen and a good bathing suit, but there are a few things that we sometimes don’t think about until it is too late. So, before you head off to the beach next time, make sure that you grab these seven accessories to throw in your beach bag.

A Great Beach Bag

First and foremost, if you need to fill your bag with the right beach necessities, you need the right beach bag. This bag needs to be large enough to meet all of your needs, have tons of pockets and compartments that can keep precious items away from the sand, be durable and sun resistant, and still look super cute and stylish. Thankfully, there are tons of companies that have this formula all figured out, so finding the right bag shouldn’t be too much of an effort. Check out Swim Wear Galore beach bags and find the perfect bag for all your beach days. [Read more…]

A Weekend in Bucharest – The Most Magical Place I Never Knew I Wanted to Visit

July 11, 2017 by Kathryn 15 Comments

Like most travellers, I have a pretty extensive list of dream destinations that I plan on visiting one day. I want to show my husband the wonders of South Africa, a place I visited in my early twenties. I dream of setting sail on a European cruise. I’m even making plans to take the entire family on a trip to explore the wilderness of Australia. But of all those exotic destinations, not once did it occur to me to visit Bucharest.

That’s exactly why I leaped at the chance to spend a week in the capital of the small European country of Romania, along with 100 other travel bloggers, video creators and influencers. I was curious about what this largely unknown destination had to offer travellers. I expected to see some amazing sights and learn a lot about the country. I didn’t expect to fall in love. But the appeal of this vibrant city is irresistible, and the more I explored it, the more I wanted to keep exploring.

Must-See City Sights

There’s no shortage of unique places to discover when you visit Bucharest and most of them are within walking distance, so pick one of the beautiful luxury downtown hotels as your starting point, grab some comfortable walking shoes and get ready to explore! I stayed at the Hotel Cigmitsu, and a quick walk up the street led me to the Palace of the National Military Circle and its beautiful fountain. This is a gorgeous photo spot and also a great place to relax and enjoy a coffee or a quick snack. [Read more…]

The Star Trek Experience at Calgary’s TELUS Spark is Must-Visit Fun for Families and Series Fans

May 4, 2017 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the best things about living in Canada is having so many amazing attractions and destinations that are just a short drive away. I’ve had the chance to explore quite a bit of Saskatchewan and its surrounding provinces in my lifetime, yet I’m always amazed to learn about new family-friendly spots just next door. That’s why I was so excited to be able to take the boys on a road trip to Calgary, Alberta this past weekend to check out the TELUS Spark Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience!

This special exhibit is at the TELUS Spark building until June 4, 2017, and as a huge science fiction fan, I couldn’t wait to check it out. My boys, on the other hand, weren’t familiar with the Star Trek franchise, so I have to admit that I was almost as curious to see their reaction as I was to visit myself! Our tickets included admission to Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience and admission to the TELUS Spark building itself, so I knew we’d all be in for one fun and educational day! [Read more…]

Give Your Favourite Traveler the Gift of Safety with These 3 Master Lock Gift Ideas-Giveaway

December 2, 2016 by Kathryn 93 Comments

Almost everyone has at least one die-hard traveler on their holiday shopping list and if you’re wondering what to get your favourite wanderer, Master Lock has some great choices for helping to keep travellers safe as they wander the world! Here are my top three choices for travel gifts this Christmas:

1) Master Lock 5900D Safe Space

The Safe Space has always been one of my favourite Master Lock products. It’s portable, durable and is sized just right for keeping cash, passports and insurance paperwork secure, whether you’re heading out on a road trip or flying to another country. The cable cord lets you lock the Safe Space to an immovable item for extra security, while a simple four-digit code provides quick access to the contents when you need it. [Read more…]