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Summer in New York—-Family Friendly Cultural Choices

Mention to your children that your trip to New York is going to include “cultural experiences” and you can bet that you’ll be met with eye rolling and some groans. Well, stand tough parents because once your offspring are immersed in the Big Apple’s cultural offerings you might be surprised by their reaction. Melodious summer fun begins and ends in Manhattan. It’s music, music and more music at Central Park’s SummerStage. The series of free concerts gets underway on June 13th with a salute to gospel and soul. Artists including Mavis Staples and Stephanie McKay will kick off the summer … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Getting “Help!” in Ohio and Mexico

Don’t be surprised if you hear cries of “Help!” from visitors in Ohio. There’s something new to shout about at the Rock and Roll of Fame in Cleveland. The Beatles’ classic film “Help!” is the center of a new exhibit that opens at the museum on Saturday and runs through March 30, 2008. The new exhibit pays tribute to John, Paul, George and Ringo’s madcap movie and offers visitors the chance to see memorabilia and artifacts from the film, including the cape wore by Lennon in the Austrian Alps scene, an acoustic guitar he played in the film and an … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Seeing Red in Rome and Staying Safe in Puerto Rico

SEEING RED IN ROME The waters of Rome’s famed Trevi Fountain were running red this weekend and it wasn’t because the Italians were celebrating Christmas early. Rather, according to Italian newspapers, a man threw a bucket of red paint or dye into the 18th-century monument and colored its water bright red. Police say the crime was committed in front of a crowd of astonished tourists and residents, and the suspect remains at large. Fountain technicians were forced to shut off the water before restoring a clear flow. According to news reports, the legendary baroque fountain was not permanently damaged and … Continue reading →

More Cultural Travel Experiences

In a previous blog I discussed the growing popularity of travelers wanting to immerse themselves in foreign countries. Several companies offer package deals that allow you to participate in immersion programs and provide accommodations, meals and transportation. They are typically pricier than the standard cultural programs that offer basic amenities minus transportation fees. My last blog detailed my fantasy all-you-can-eat trip around Japan. However, if you prefer to spend your vacation consuming more lessons than calories then I would recommend an extremely affordable Spanish immersion course in colonial Mexico that will cost you less than $300 per week. The Cuernavaca … Continue reading →

Cultural Travel Experiences

The title of this blog reflects the growing trend in vacations that offer more to travelers than just a bus tour of a popular city. Travel agents say they have been noticing more requests for “cultural travel experiences” where travelers look to immerse themselves in foreign countries and walk away with something to show for it (besides Dengue fever). Whether you want to learn how to cook authentic Japanese meals or participate in language-immersion programs in Mexico, there are now more ways than ever to get in touch with new cultures or reconnect with your own heritage. Some of the … Continue reading →

Despite the Headaches, Travel is a Good Experience for Kids

A great deal has been written about the headaches of trying to travel and go on vacation with kids. All of the coordination and organization that it takes, as well as the expense and the unpredictability–but despite it all, I do think that travel–even short trips to stay with grandparents for a week–is an incredibly great experience for kids. When I was a child, we never traveled or went on any family vacations–ever. We didn’t go camping or even to stay with relatives overnight. The good thing that came of that upbringing was that I was determined to get out … Continue reading →

Free Vacations for Teachers

  It’s said that teaching is among the most underpaid and underappreciated careers in the world.  The men and women who help shape our children’s futures are often overworked, and in a time when the economy is incredibly dismal, the idea of an educator spending precious cash on a luxury vacation is almost laughable. Well, if you are a creative leader in the classroom, who has always dreamed of traveling to the ends of the earth, get ready to smile. Thanks to Hilton HHonors, you can jet-off on a vacation to remember for FREE.  This year, the company is giving … Continue reading →

Holiday Fun for Free

Various retailers have been displaying their holiday merchandise since Labor Day, so it’s no surprise that city Christmas parades are taking place earlier and earlier each year. Yesterday, I discovered that our town’s annual holiday parade is heading down Main Street on November 17th this year. A Christmas parade less than three weeks after Halloween? Apparently, this early-bird trend is sweeping the nation and it’s not just parades, but a slew of other holiday-related events as well. On the bright side, many of these festive experiences are free and open to the public, allowing cash-strapped families a chance to get … Continue reading →

Family Fun in the Sun

Where are you planning to spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend? For many families, the holiday allows them the chance to get a jumpstart on their summer tan while spending quality time with grandma, grandpa, cousins and other members of the extended clan. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel too far to have fun in the summer sun. The following popular vacation destinations offer family-friendly activities that don’t require draining your bank account to visit: Florida: If you decide not to do Disney this season, then opt to entertain the kids in Tampa. The city is home to affordable attractions … Continue reading →

Mexican Getaway

Supermodel Heidi Klum and her family are there right now enjoying a Mother’s Day retreat on its sandy beaches. And Super Bowl superstar Eli Manning just tied the knot there a couple of weeks ago. I’m talking about sunny Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. But you don’t have to make money like a movie star to take a glamorous weekend getaway to the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Right now several tour companies are offering fabulous savings to Cabo. For example, Pleasant Holidays is giving travelers the chance to soak up the sun in Cabo for just $613. The … Continue reading →