travel
Family travel is complicated. And sometimes fun.
a cheap vacation
I needed some time away. I am trying to find myself. I lost myself so many years ago trying to make everyone happy but me. So, one late night when I was lying in bed, I decided to drive to Daytona Beach because, hey, I'm off for a couple of days. So I asked my twins, who are teenage girls if they wanted to go. Of course, they wanted to go. Who doesn't want to lie on the beach and take all the troubles off our minds? I don't have lots of money. I'm a single mother of three. This had to be a cheap trip. We decided if we couldn't get a cheap hotel for under 100 dollars, we would spend the day on the beach and sleep in the car for a little bit if we had to. And then head back home. So I was lucky and found a hotel for cheap and it just happened to still be open. We bought all the food we could before we left and took one outfit plus our swimming suits. We headed to the gas station to fill up the car and left out for our carefree days. I drove from 8 that night until 11 that next morning. We arrived at the hotel. We were four hours early, but I had an idea, so we didn't have to pay to spend time on the beach before we checked in. So I walked into the hotel and told the woman. "I know we can't check until three," but I asked if there was any way I could go ahead and park here at the hotel and get to the beach. She explained that you couldn't check in until three o'clock. But since you are going to be staying here, you are more than welcome to park here and head to the beach. We had stopped at a rest area in Georgia and switched our clothing. So we were ready for the sand, sunshine, and the ocean. So we laid and played on and on the beach from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.This was so much fun with my girls. This was the first time I got to spend alone time and learn about them. Life is always passing us by, but in those two days, I learned more about my children than I had in the previous month. It was all about them and me. We slept that night in the hotel and the next day when we woke up we had pop tarts for breakfast. Then we laid by the pool tanning, went back out to the beach, and played in it before our departure and that evening we left. Just like that. These 2 days were the greatest 2 days I have had in some time. My getaway and the amazing time I had with my girls cost me a total of four hundred dollars. A lot of people think they can't make these trips. I wanted to show anyone how to do things cheaply and in a fun way. The only painful thing was me driving the whole 12 hours. I did make it down without any rest time. I stopped at every other rest area. It was refreshing for me and my girls. I lay on the beach for hours and got to think about life and what can make me and my family happy. The hotel was only 78 dollars and it was not a bad hotel at all. So I do give Sea escape so much credit. It was clean and very friendly. From the outside, it looked a little rough and it was very old, but I wasn't there to be in the hotel and when I did approach our room and opened the door, it was very clean and smelled great. I was there to lay on the beach anyways and clear my mind and enjoy my children. That's exactly what we got to do and enjoy family time.
By Lizzy Allen5 years ago in Families
Maine on the Horizon
MAINE ON THE HORIZON Water crashing along the shoreline, the raucous commotion of the Atlantic Puffins, nesting nearby on Eastern Egg Rock; for Maddie Cartwright, islands and isolation seemed a perfect choice for reflection on this summer day in late July. She was just another unassuming tourist, escaping the trappings of big city life.
By Pam Sievert-Russomanno5 years ago in Families
10 Things I learned from my first Holiday with a Toddler
Like most of us post-2020, I was chomping at the bit for our first proper holiday in more than a year. We'd booked our traditional holiday spot, and the whole family was attending. I spent weeks leading up to it basking in nostalgic bliss. Recalling the many relaxing beachside holidays we had as kids and young adults. Dreaming of lazy afternoons with a bowl of chips and a glass of bubbly on the balcony. Listening to the gentle crashing of the waves hitting the beach while losing myself in a good book. Occasionally taking a break to soak in my surroundings and enjoy another picturesque sunset.
By Jessie Waddell5 years ago in Families
The Aussie 'dream' lifestyle that sparked a movement...
This year many Aussie families have chosen to divert from their breaking neck pace lifestyles to embrace slow-living and, life solely on their terms. The term coined for this modern Australian dream is called - Van Life. For some it’s been years of saving and planning, and for others, the chaos of 2020 simply sparkled a snap decision to reimagine life and get busy ‘living’. Whatever the reason, with more people choosing domestic travel and adventure over routine, it's no surprise that caravan manufacturers are struggling to keep up with unprecedented production and Australia’s hot spots are booking out fast.
By Jessica Tsigros5 years ago in Families
The Pietà
Many years ago, my then husband and I were fortunate to do a lot of traveling. It was BC time - before children. We started to collect an item from each place we visited that when you looked at the item, you knew exactly where we had been. Like a little Queen’s Guard doll from England and a flamingo dancer figurine from Spain. For our visit to Rome, there was no doubt about it. I needed a statue of the pietà. Not just any pietà, but THE Pietà by Michelangelo. And that is exactly what I got. It took center place in the cabinet where we kept the collection.
By Janice DiMichele5 years ago in Families
Moving On Up
You’re either all for moving, or you’re not. There’s never an in between. As a kid, I found myself heartbroken at every move we made. Nowadays, I daydream about the future house we’ll have and how we’ll be able to give our son a yard and a little sibling. I yearn for a large kitchen and spacious rooms to fill up with curtains and 70’s-inspired side tables. These were things I absolutely never thought of when Iwas a teen. In fact, my siblings will tell you how much we all hated it when mom took us to the local Home Goods and we would stare at the endless furniture for hours. The idea of getting nice stuff to fill the house was boring to me.
By Victoria Arauz5 years ago in Families
How to Spend Time with Family in Istanbul
Turkey is home to one of the most stunning cities in the world. Istanbul is a city that is steep in a deep history that has provided it with a culture quite unlike any other. It also boasts a wellspring of eye-catching architecture along with a lifestyle and cuisine that makes city life practically irresistible. To cap it all off, if you are a growing family with children, then this city can cater to everyone. There is nothing like watching your kids be enchanted by a new city!
By Peaushan Devanarayana5 years ago in Families
How to Spend a Non-Touristy Vacation in Singapore
While Singapore is a popular tourist destination, it is visited by many people for different purposes. The city-state is often cited as a playground for the rich. While this is true, Singapore offers more than just luxury shopping, fine dining, luxury accommodation and tourist highlights. It is possible to spend a non-touristy vacation in Singapore.
By Peaushan Devanarayana5 years ago in Families
