I simply HAVE to start off by apologizing for the quality of the pictures in the Photo Gallery for this one!  Important lesson learned-don't leave your digital camera at home!  A $50 replacement digital camera from Walgreen's-well, let's just say that you definitely get what you pay for!  :) I suspect that a disposable camera might have given us better quality... 

We didn't make it to all the holiday festivities in Chicago BEFORE Christmas, so we took advantage of the time in between Christmas & New Year's (when the holiday festivities are still going strong, but about to wrap up!) to spend 2 nights in the Windy City! 

Waiting until the last-minute (literally the day before!) you travel can be rewarding-we paid $104.00 a night for a 1-bedroom suite with 2 double beds at the Comfort Inn Suites Downtown Chicago at 15 E. Ohio.  We chose a suite so we didn't have to go to bed at the same time as our 2 & 4 year old!  :) 

Some great benefits to staying at this hotel (other than the incredible price in downtown Chicago!!!):
  • FREE Continental Breakfast--and this was not your typical continental breakfast, as we had make-your-own waffles, muffins, bagels, 4 kinds of juice, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit! 
  • Great Chicago (River North) Location--we were within walking distance to Navy Pier (although there was also a free trolley offered!), Michigan Avenue, State Street, Rainforest Cafe, Weber Grill, Uno's Pizzeria, Rock n' Roll McDonald's, and more! 
  • Reasonable (for Chicago, anyway...) Self-Parking--$25.00 a day with full in & out privileges.  And the parking is literally next door to the hotel.
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We did a LOT over 3 jam-packed days in Chicago.  I think I feel comfortable saying good-bye to the holidays now... :)  Day 1 we hit the Museum of Science & Industry to see the Christmas Trees from Around the World (we have a membership and it is well worth it to not have to stand in line!).  Apparently this is one of the museum's busiest weeks of the year!  The evening of Day 1 was spent trying to get our 2 year old daughter, Victoria, to sleep.  Or stay in bed.  Or stop screaming.  Lather, rinse, repeat for a few hours...

Day 2 was all about Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest and trust me, you need to have a very patient, very long day to devote to that particular event!  We stood in line probably an average of 20-30 minutes (sometimes more, occasionally less!) for each ride (carousel, slide, train, ferris wheels)--thankfully everything was inside.  Activity wrist bands were $16.00 per person (adults or kids), but we had a coupon from their website for $13.00 per person (too bad the coupon never made it out of the van... ;)  ).  For another $3.00 per person, you can stand in line to ice skate too!  We finished off the day with a (free) trolley ride back to the hotel and dinner at the nearby Rainforest Cafe.

Day 3 wrapped up our Chicago Holiday Adventure with a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, where we also have a membership (do you see a trend here?).  If you haven't been to the Shedd recently, the renovations made to their dolphin & beluga show (Fantasea) and lower level with the Polar Play Zone for the kids are really amazing!  We always bring our lunch and eat downstairs by the belugas & dolphins to save some money and more waiting in line.

I can help your family plan even a quick local getaway--but sadly, I can't offer much advice on getting a 2-year old to sleep...
 
 
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  Our family certainly did, but we are ready to get the heck out of the house for a quick Chicago getaway before New Year's.  We're going to hit Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest and the Museum of Science & Industry's Christmas Around the World.  Remember, I can help YOUR family with accommodations & more for a quick getaway such as this too!

Over the holidays, I learned that my Mom has been VERY busy delving into our family's genealogy in Hungary and Romania.  She even put together some lessons learned/helpful hints for all of you who might be interested in researching your family's history-thanks, Mom! :)  Be sure to check out your local public library for assistance as well, as many of them offer classes. 

Now that the 'homework' is almost done, I am helping my Mom plan a Fall 2010 adventure to Hungary to visit many of the locations she's researched!  In fact, word has spread and she now has 2 or 3 other family members interested in joining her!  I'll be helping with accommodations, airfare, rail passes (more economical than renting a car and in some cases, 2-5 people can travel on ONE pass!), and excursions. 

But Mom, if you're really determined to go horseback riding in the Great Hungarian Plain, I might just have to come with you... :)
 
 
How would you like to vacation in Greece, Italy, Egypt, or other amazing locations for under $1000, with only a $250 deposit?  It can be done through Cosmos, a value (i.e. affordable!) escorted tour brand! 

Here are Cosmos' best (land only) values for 2010-their packages save you around 30-40% vs. booking all the segments separately on your own!:
-Jewels of Morocco from $805
-Cairo, Alexandria, & the Mediterranean from $949
-Leisurely Tour of Turkey from $955
-Jewels of France from $979
-Prague, Vienna, & Budapest from $989
-Jewels of Spain & Portugal from $989
-Greek Odyssey from $995
-Tunisian Adventure (North Africa) from $995
-Magic of the Italian Lakes from $999
-British Panorama from $999
But what exactly does this price include? 

-Convenient & comfortable hotel accommodations:  Moderate First Class, First Class, or Superior Tourist Class
-Sightseeing with local guides
-Many meals
-Transportation in between cities (not airfare though, although they do run frequent airfare promotions!)
-Professional Tour Director
-LOTS OF FREE TIME!  Escorted tours certainly aren't what they used to be.

These tours are a hassle-free, comfortable, and affordable way to experience somewhere new & unfamiliar!
 
 
Well, I'd have to say this is a pretty darn good deal.  Essentially you're getting TWO very different (yet still very Disney!) family vacations for the price of one!

Receive a FREE Disney Cruise Line 3-Night Bahamas cruise with the purchase of select Adventures by Disney departures!  Book by 1/15/2010 for travel with Adventures by Disney through 10/2/2010 and Disney Cruise through 12/15/2011.

Never heard of Adventures by Disney?  Well, that's probably why they are offering such a great promotion! :)  Here are just some of the eligible vacations available through this offer:

-Italy
-China
-Australia
-Alaska
-Grand Canyon
-Germany
-Costa Rica
-Canadian Rockies

Why travel with Adventures by Disney?  Click here to find out!
The 3-night Disney Cruise Line Bahamas Cruise is fabulous as well considering all of this is included:

-All meals
-Most non-alcoholic beverages (bottled water is additional)
-All entertainment, including movies, shows, the Oceaneer Club for the kids, pools, & parties
-A visit to & meal on Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay-the characters visit you on the island as well!
-Port fees

Our family is going on a Disney Cruise in January, so stay tuned for lots of details from that experience! :)
 
 
Are you wondering what a I can do for you?  Not sure if I can help you with the intricacies of YOUR travel needs?  Seriously, no request is too big or too small for me to handle, so  it can't hurt to JUST ASK!  :)

I am working on a wide variety of travel itineraries at any given moment-take a look at what's on my plate recently! 
  • Several "Grand Gatherings" (8+ people) of family members at Walt Disney World.  FYI, as a Grand Gathering, you are eligible for some fun extra events and you can use your Disney Dining Plan meals for many of them!
  • A couple heading to two of my favorite locations, Munich & Vienna, planning to ride Falkor (from The Neverending Story-great movie!) at the Bavarian Film Studios (I didn't even know you could do that!).
  • Two sisters, their families, & their parents taking a Carnival Cruise to the Mexican Riviera next summer (now that is what I call quality family time!).
Hmm, I wonder what will be next? 
 
 
It really wasn't fair for me to tempt you with all those mouthwatering New Zealand details and pictures, then not provide you with any details on how YOU can get there! Sorry about that... Here are two options for you, although the possibilities are really endless! 

Collette Vacations has been in the escorted tours business for over 91 years-check out their vintage ad below!  They offer some really amazing destinations and tours, including a South Pacific Wonders tour that covers New Zealand & Australia.  Check it out here:  South Pacific Wonders.  Their current special, which must be booked by 10/31/2009, might make it a bit easier for you to get to NZ next year:  buy 1 airfare & your companion flies for as little as $699! 

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Another option for a journey to New Zealand is through Gap Adventures.  Check out their New Zealand Travel & Destination Guide.  Although not QUITE in the same price range or category, you probably won't be able to help yourself from ALSO perusing their 3 Trips & Tours for Space!!!  I'll have to see if they offer a really great travel agent discount for that one!

Enjoy!
 
Why New Zealand? 09/23/2009
 
My husband & I went to New Zealand on our honeymoon.  Nothing like a 20+ hour plane ride to bring a newly-married couple closer, right? ;)

So, why would YOU want to go to New Zealand?

First, let's get the very few perceived 'negatives' out of the way:

-New Zealand is far away, which=loooong plane ride.  But hey, what better time to catch up on that 1000 page novel you've been meaning to tackle?!

-They drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, which can take a bit of getting used to.  But what a learning experience, right?

-There are more sheep than people in New Zealand.  Again, is that really a negative?

Now, on to the good stuff--the many wonderful, indescribable reasons to vacation in New Zealand, including some of my favorite locations:

-NZ is refreshingly non-touristy, especially since there are not many chain hotels. We stayed in wonderful boutique hotels and Bed & Breakfasts all over both islands, which was a great opportunity to chat with the locals.

-Don't forget how close NZ is to Australia!  It would be a great idea to do both countries on one vacation. 

-There is a huge variety of activities for just about every taste, including:
*The Marlborough Wine Region (known for their Sauvignon Blanc)
*Milford Sound:  an amazing Fiordland where you can stay overnight on the Milford Mariner or walk & camp along the Milford Track
*Glacier Adventures:  hike or helicopter to the top of the South Islands' Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers
*Take a thrill ride on a Hukafalls Jet
*One of the best ways to experience the unbelievable beauty of New Zealand is through a scenic flight tour on Glenorchy Air
*Did you know bungy-jumping originted in Queenstown, South Island? So if you are looking for the more adventurous side of New Zealand, this is the place to go!