Search Results for: blog travel customsomiyage

Hello Kitty Says Hello to New Travel Job

Regular readers of this blog know how completely obsessed my young daughter is with Hello Kitty. The popular fictional feline with the oversized face is a staple in our home. From shirts to pens, purses to sheets, pillows, sandals, stickers, sunglasses, hair pins, tote bags, duffels, backpacks, hats and banks, Japan’s No.1 export has invaded every inch of our living space and it looks as though she will be sticking around for a while. Hello Kitty is known for winning over the hearts of girls my daughter’s age, but now her cuteness is being marketed to another sector of the … 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 →

Traveling with Baby

Are you nuts? That may be the question many people ask when you plan to take your baby on a trip whether it’s a day at the beach, an airplane ride or a trip in the car to head a couple of hours away. However, as parents, you have two choices when you have a baby – you can travel or you can stay at home. Either is a fair option for you, but if you are looking forward to taking a vacation, then understand that baby just means you need to plan a little differently and be a lot … Continue reading →

Ways to Save Money on Vacation

Settling on a vacation spot everyone in the family can agree upon is only half the battle. Once you know where you are going there is the challenge of budgeting for transportation, meals, souvenirs and other incidentals. The following tips are ones I have compiled from my own family’s cross-country adventures. Some may seem a bit obvious, but the fact is they are effective and have served us well over the years. Hopefully they can do the same for your family as well. COUPON BOOKS. Never underestimate the power of a coupon. I used to completely ignore those kiosks loaded … Continue reading →

St. Louis Side Trips

You’ve done The Arch and toured the riverboats, so what else does St. Louis have to offer? If you love the great outdoors and are up for a family adventure consider heading out to these other local hotspots near “Mound City.” Meramec Caverns Located about an hour southwest of St. Louis in Stanton, Missouri is a place known to many as the infamous hideout where Jesse James and his brother, Frank would count their loot after their latest bank or train heist. Believe me, their secret hideaway is no longer a secret given that now the road to the caverns … Continue reading →

Shopping In Charlotte

A vacation is not a vacation with shopping, is it? Not in my family of shopaholics. Where I come from it’s unthinkable to come home empty-handed from any type of trip, be it business, pleasure or otherwise. Given my circumstances it’s no wonder I have a list of favorite stores unique to each state in the country. If you are headed to Charlotte, North Carolina in the near future here are a few shopping hot spots where you might consider dropping a few dollars: SouthPark If you are a fan of the TLC show “What Not To Wear” then you … Continue reading →

The Power of Movies

If you ever doubted the power of major motion films then this blog may have you second-guessing yourself. According to news reports, Japan has decided to change the name of the Pacific island of Iwo Jima, site of the famous World War II battle, to its original name of Iwo To. Not because it would lend authenticity to the island, but because Japanese residents were prodded into action by two recent Clint Eastwood movies. According to the Japanese Geographical Survey Institute, the new name in Japanese looks and means the same as Iwo Jima – or Sulfur Island – but … Continue reading →

Happy Girl’s Day

Happy Girl’s Day! Today just so happens to be one of my favorite days of the year—Girl’s Day or in Japanese, Hina Matsuri. The Girl’s Day Festival has been celebrated in Japan for the past 900 years (and in my own home for nearly 35). The traditional event is held on the third day of the third month when the cherry and peach trees are in bloom. The delicate blossoms signify the feminine traits – of gentility, composure and tranquility. In Japan, families spend the day participating in activities to ensure their daughter’s happiness. Houses are decorated with collections of … Continue reading →

Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations

Sure, we just returned from a wonderful Hawaiian holiday, but as you know from my previous blog, that hasn’t stopped us from diving head first into new travel material in search of the ultimate family-friendly spring break destination. Here are a few more spots we are considering: Washington, D.C. Springtime in the nation’s capital–mild temperatures, cherry trees, and loads of hands on learning opportunities for kids (and parents)–what could be better, right? Okay, there’s no guarantee that the weather will be picture-perfect, but it’s hard to resist the chance to take in the sight of more than 3,750 cherry trees … Continue reading →