Category: Travel and Vacations

Did you know that New York City boasts an average of 60 million tourists every year?

But while large cities on the east coast are popular, they can also be expensive. Luckily, there is a wide variety of affordable, lesser-known cities on the east coast that are just waiting to be discovered.

If you’re looking for a unique vacation this summer, you can’t go wrong with one of these smaller east coast cities.

Salem, Massachusetts

Just north of the busy city of Boston is the smaller town of Salem, Massachusetts. Of course, Salem is best known for the famous witch trials that took place in colonial days. You can learn more about this stage in American history at the witch trials museum.

The town is right on the water, which makes it a beautiful place to visit in the summer. That said, the fall foliage also makes it an ideal place to visit in autumn. You can also visit haunted attractions in the month of October.

Asheville, North Carolina

If you need to switch things up from the visiting the beach, you can take a trip to the city of Asheville, which is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina. This small town is famous for its arts community. Activities include outdoor music festivals, artisan shops, and locally-sourced farm-to-table restaurants.

While you’re in town, make sure to check out the Biltmore Mansion. This property is the largest privately owned residence in the United States and is open to tours.

Williamsburg, Virginia

If you enjoy the east coast’s rich history, then Williamsburg, Virginia is an ideal place to visit. In Williamsburg, many of the buildings maintain their colonial style of architecture. You can also tour colonial neighborhoods that are still paved with cobblestone and frequented by horse-drawn carriages.

During the day, re-enactors will educate you and your family about the way of life in colonial Williamsburg. In the evening, you can take a walking ghost tour to get more insight into the town’s haunted history.

Portland, Maine

When people think of national parks, they often think of the west side of the country. But while there may not be as many national parks on the east coast, the ones that are there are fantastic.

In Maine, you can appreciate the unique landscape at Acadia National Park. This park is marked by clear skies and blue waves crashing into the craggy, rocky shore.

If you’d like to try something more rustic, you could always go camping in Acadia National Park. Pack some sleeping bags, some Keto frozen meals, and you’ll be good to go!

Not far from Acadia, you’ll find the small coastal town of Portland, Maine. While not as well known as it’s Oregon counterpart, Portland, Maine is a great place to get seafood and explore shops.

Get Ready to Explore East Coast Cities

With a trip to any of these four east coast cities, you’ll be sure to have a fantastic yet affordable summer vacation.

Did we forget to mention your favorite city? Let us know where you love to travel to in the comments!

Families that vacation together, stay together! The only question is where will you travel next! If you’re looking for your next vacation spot choose between England vs. Ireland.

Not only are both of these locations stunning but they also many fun, interactive sites that everyone in the family can enjoy. Learn about what makes these two countries special, and find out which one is the perfect destination for your next trip.

England Vacations

Nearly 36 million people visit England every year on vacation. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it’s no secret why.

Whether your family likes to visit historical sites, eat delicious food, or spend a relaxing say in the countryside, England has it all.

Spend a day at the Natural History Museum in London. It contains some of the most amazing artifacts and fossils in the world. Did we mention it has delicious food as well?

You can also visit some of the more popular sites. These include Harry Potter World, the Ironbridge Gorge, Blackpool, Warwick Castle and more. England is home to dozens of famous locations. Which one will your family visit first?

If you’d rather avoid the crowds, just head to the Lake District instead! Lakeland Holidays outlines dozens of activities that will take your family vacation from bland to grand. Here you can go boating on the lake, shopping in the center, or hiking.

These are just a few of the best attractions that England has to offer. If you’re looking for a well-rounded trip, England’s your place!

Ireland Sites

However, if you’re looking for a relaxed and beautiful trip, Ireland is the place to go. With its rolling hills and stunning cliffsides, your family will be entertained for days.

It’s even better when you bring your dog as well. Here are our 8 tips for traveling with pets. Ireland is the perfect trip to bring your family pets. The wide-open ranges will give them room to run around, and fewer crowds.

Want to get out of the countryside for a day? Ireland also has some stunning towns and villages as well. Spend the day in Dublin and Killarney. There you’ll be able to interact with locals and get the true authentic Irish lifestyle.

If you’re lucky you might even be able to see some Irish dancing.

However, Ireland is very large, so just keep in mind that you might not be able to see everything. Here are our tips for traveling safely when you’re on vacation.

While you’re there don’t forget to visit authentic Irish pubs and castles!

Time to Choose between England vs. Ireland

Whether you’re traveling to England or Ireland, your family vacation is going to be great! Both sites are extremely popular for their own unique reasons.

When choosing between an England vs. Ireland vacation, find the site that best suits your family and their needs. You can’t go wrong with either of them.

Planning a trip? Let us know! Comment below with some of your travel tips!

For most of us, vacations with our family are limited. It’s often difficult to find both the time and the money to organize a well deserved ‘break from it all.’ So, when we go away, we want to get it right.

However, with the average vacation costing $4,580, it’s understandable why you’d want to shop around to find a more affordable holiday.

With that in mind, a dude ranch vacation is ideal. It’s the perfect place to enjoy some uninterrupted family time – and isn’t as expensive as you might think.

Let’s dive into seven dude ranch vacations that are perfect if you want a fabulous vacation on a budget.

Dude Ranch Vacations – Where to Begin?

If you’ve done some research on dude ranch vacations, you’ll know that prices vary massively.

However, you have to understand lots of ranches offer all-inclusive holidays. Whereas, others expect you to pay extra for all the additional activities.

So, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a great deal. Always check precisely what the total price includes.

You should also consider your ranches location. Some are pretty remote. This means you’ll have to spend more money both getting there and traveling around during your stay.

Finally, it’s imperative to find a ranch that offers either a discount or a package for families. This is usually a good indicator that the venue is set up for the kind of vacation you want, without breaking the bank.

With that in mind, here are a few of our specific recommendations.

1. Sundance Trail Ranch, Colorado

This dude ranch is both family-friendly and pet-friendly. Ideally situated, it’s only a two-hour drive from Denver.

During your stay, guests can try their hand at; horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.

Plus, it’s situated close to the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. So, it’s perfect for nature lovers.

This accommodations ideal if you’re traveling with extended family or friends. It can sleep as many as 24 guests and has wheelchair access.

Most importantly, visitors won’t go hungry. Traditionally Western homemade meals are prepared and served to guests. These dishes always go down a treat!

2. Marble Mountain Ranch, California

The Klamath National Forest surrounds this gorgeous ranch, so there’s plenty of opportunities for guests to explore.

Beautifully situated, the breathtaking Trinity Alps and Russian Wilderness Areas are close by and are definitely worth a visit!

The nice thing about this ranch is that they offer the ‘saddle-paddle’ vacation package. This allows visitors to give both horseback riding a go, alongside; whitewater rafting, fishing, and shooting.

So, rest assured there won’t be any chance of getting bored!

3. New Haven Working Cattle and Guest Ranch, Wyoming

This is a genuine cattle ranch, ran by family – perfect if you’re hoping to have an authentic Western experience.

Located on the outskirts of the Black Hills of Wyoming and near the Devils Tower National Monument, there’s plenty of scenery to take in.

This accommodation can sleep a maximum of 8 travelers.

Vistors have the opportunity to participate in various activities including; moving cattle from pasture to pasture, round-ups, checking reservoirs, etc.

Plus, guest bedrooms are beautifully rustic and have their own bathroom.

4. Southern Cross Guest Ranch, Georgia

This family-owned ranch is also a horse farm – home to more than 200 horses!

This ranch is just one hours drive from Atlanta, and unlike other ranches, experienced riders are permitted to ride their horses unguided. You don’t have to be Noel Fehily to enjoy your ride here.

Plus, the foods said to be amazing – what’s not to love about that?

5. Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch, Nebraska

This is another working ranch, so it’s perfect if you want a taste of genuine Western culture.

Guests have the opportunity to participate in plenty of ranch activities including riding and cattle work.

By cattle work we mean; cattle drives, roundups, brandings, and roping.

6. Sugar and Spice Ranch, Texas

Unlike the other ranches, this one provides specific vacations for mothers and daughters.

Moms pay from $100 per night ($50 non-rider) and daughters $50. This is the perfect place for some mother-daughter bonding if you’re both horse-lovers or just up for trying something new.

You’ll be given your ‘own’ own horse and get to; feed, groom, tack up, clean the tack, and bath him/her- it really is the full horsey package!

The above rates include meals, riding, activities, lodging, tax and evening entertainment.

7. Sweet Grass Ranch, Montana

Finally, we come to the last of our dude ranch vacations.

This is another family-owned working cattle ranch, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.

This accommodation’s situated in the beautiful Crazy Mountains, so it’s perfect if you want to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and admire natures bounty.

There’s plenty of opportunities for guests to try their hand at riding. With thousands of acres of mountain country, meadows, and plains to explore, you’ll be spoiled for a choice of scenery.

The riding experience is ‘unstructured’ and tailored to what you’re interested in doing. This helps you get the most out of your ranch vacation.

The hosts offer various packages, starting from $225 a night. The all-inclusive riding package allows you to go on all-day rides either moving cattle or to explore the serene alpine lakes.

However, non-riding packages begin at $180 per night. If riding isn’t your thing, don’t worry there’s still plenty to do. Hiking, fishing, row-boating, and golf are all favorite pastimes.

Kids can stay for as little as $160 (including horseback riding and other horse activities). Your little ones are bound to enjoy the ranch’s natural water slide, and the quality time spent around the evening campfire.

Are You Interested in Other Ways to Save Money?

If you’ve enjoyed this piece on affordable dude ranch vacations, we’re sure you’ll love our other content.

We understand family life gets expensive. So our blogs committed to providing information on living a high-quality lifestyle for less.

We cover everything from thrifty DIY hacks to cooking on a budget we’re sure we’ll have a post on something you’re hoping to save money on.

If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us, please feel free to fill out our contact form. One of our friendly team members will get in touch as soon as they can.

Are you about to make your kid’s dreams come true with a trip to Disney World?

Disney World is a place your child will always remember. It is deemed the “most magical place on earth”, and we know you want your child’s trip to be memorable.

Since Disney World is such a big place, it can be difficult to sift through it all and pick the best attractions and restaurants to go to.

This article will give you valuable Disney World tips so you’re family will have the vacation of a lifetime.

1) Dress Your Cutie Up

Disney is a place for dreaming, dancing, and dress up!

Ask your child which princess, prince, or character they want to be for the day. Buy them the costume on Amazon and let them parade around in it all day.

They’ll feel so special posing for pictures in front of Cinderella’s castle while dressed like Cinderella.

Looking for Disney lanyards to keep your hotel key on? Try custom lanyards for you and your family.

2) Go to Epcot

Epcot is one of the 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World and it is as much educational as it is fun.

In this day and age, society is becoming more and more globalized. As technology increases our ability to communicate and travel, we have access to the whole world.

Epcot is a great place for your child to learn about other cultures. Epcot also has amazing food, fun rides, and adult beverages to make your day that much better.

3) Take Animal Lovers to Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is another one of the four Disney World theme parks.

Animal Kingdom is home to more than 1,700 animals from 250 species. Your child can see and interact with animals they would never normally get to experience all while having fun at Disney.

4) Check For Special Magic Hours

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you can take advantage of Disney’s extra “Magic Hours”.

Resort guests can get access to one of the theme parks either an hour early or an hour late. This could save you a lot of time waiting for the best rides.

Be sure to head directly to Space Mountain during your extra magic hour. This way, the line won’t be long and you’ll get to enjoy a more open park.

5) Take Tons of Pictures

Your kids are only little once. Everyone says it goes by in a blink of an eye and it’s true.

Don’t get so stressed out planning the day that you forget to take pictures of your children enjoying the magic. Take candid pictures of their reactions when they see their favorite Disney characters. There’s nothing like capturing your child’s joy on film.

Enjoy These Disney World Tips

Before you head to the land of Mickey Mouse, take these Disney World tips into account.

Bringing your furry friend? Disney has a doggy daycare that you can keep him in while you enjoy the park.

If you enjoyed this article, have questions, or want to contact me for any reason, please do so here.

Now that the holiday season is over, you probably need a vacation from your vacation.

So, where can you go that’s far away from prying in-laws, screaming kids, and the town where you grew up in?

No matter what kind of destination you’re looking for or experience you’re interested in having, this list of some of our favorite luxury getaways will have you ready to hit the ground running in 2018.

Here’s to a healthier, happier, and more well-traveled you.

1. The Chiva-Som International Resort/Spa In Thailand

Did 2017 really do a number on your body? Have you noticed a few new wrinkles forming? Do you just feel like your alignment is completely out of whack?

If so, then book your stay at the iconic Chiva-Som resort in beautiful Thailand.

If you really want to reboot, then we suggest traveling for one of their many wellness retreats. You’ll get personalized wellness, physical, and even skin consultations. You can also take part in one (or more) of the eight daily fitness classes.

You’ll also get an incredible daily spa treatment, including a scalp massage, body polish, and the signature Chiva-Som massage. If you really want to take it to the next level, book your stay when a visiting consultant is on the grounds.

The resort frequently hires experts in facial relaxation, hypnotherapy, reflexology, and more to come and teach on the grounds.

Even better?

Don’t worry about dressing up. Guests usually walk around and explore in special pajamas and bathrobes designed by the resort.

2. The Marulivo Resort In Italy

Next up on our list of the best in luxury getaways?

The hidden gem that is the Marulivo Resort in the tiny village of Pisciotta, Italy. If you want to stay in stunning, specially-designed apartments that combine Italian comfort with the ultimate in luxury, then this is the place for you.

Think cozy stone fireplaces, balconies overlooking the sea, and enormous bathtubs that allow you to truly relax and take in the UNESCO World Heritage site surrounding the resort.

You’ll even be able to relax on a stone terrace and take in evening cocktails, the olive trees, and stunning sunsets.

Talk about romantic.

Especially if you want to experience the ultimate in Italian cuisine, you simply must book your stay here. In addition to stunning gastronomy and homemade bread with everything, you can also take Italian cooking classes, so you’ll be able to bring the knowledge back home with you.

What else is there to do at the resort?

Explore the ancient Paestum Temple, the Palinuro Cape and caves, or even take a ferry to Capri or tour the coast in a sailboat.

If you’re more the artistic type, the resort even offers local pottery classes.

Want to bring your furry friend along for the ride? Good news — the hotel is pet-friendly.

3. The Constance Moofushi In Maldives

Last on our list of luxury getaways?

The absolutely jaw-dropping, total escape that is the Constance Moofushi in Maldives. Think bright blue water, shining sun, your own seaside (we mean that the Indian Ocean is literally three feet away) private home, and more.

You’ll dine nightly on freshly-caught seafood, take sunset cruises, and even have the chance to swim with the dolphins. You’ll also be able to explore under the sea in private diving tours.

If you’re a fan of gold, there is a course available for you to play. In terms of spa treatments, it goes without saying that this resort offers some of the best in the world.

You’ll step into a stone and rose hot natural spring, enjoy rejuvenating facials, and experience the top massages. But you don’t have to worry about missing the scenery. You can be pampered on your porch, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

If that’s not luxury, we don’t know what is.

What Should You Bring?

Now that you have a few destinations in mind, it’s time to start packing for these luxury getaways.

So, what are a few things you need to take care of before you go?

First, if you’re traveling abroad, get to know the local currency. While it might be convenient to switch out your dollars at your destination’s airport, the commissions and exchange rates won’t be on your side. Always stash some cash before you go.

Additionally, make sure that you protect your phone from the elements, whether sand or snow. Invest in a Custom Envy phone case to ensure your data is always protected. Traveling at the last second? Don’t sweat it — they offer rush delivery for those spontaneous trips.

Finally, we suggest picking up this “Airplane Mode” travel kit to make sure you’re in tip-top shade when you arrive. It has an eye mask, emery board, wrinkle remover, and much more so you’ll land looking your best.

What Are Your Favorite Destinations For Luxury Getaways?

Thanks to this post, you have more than a few ideas about possible destinations for the most unforgettable luxury getaways.

Is there a special place you think we forgot to add? Where are your favorite places to travel when you want to be pampered and unwind? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking to vacation like your favorite celebrity?

Take your Instagram (and your luxury getaways) to the next level by checking out our website and blog. We’re sharing the latest scoops on must-have travel items, exotic destinations, and what you should wear to turn every head on the beach.

The only New Year’s resolution you really need to be happy?

Forget that ten pounds. Instead, make the time to travel, meet with locals, sample international cuisine, and definitely to meet that cute foreign hottie.