Family Fun in Sedona AZ

I just posted a great page about Family Fun in Sedona, Arizona, submitted by Heather Hermann at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Now I haven't been there before, but after reading this page I would love to plan a trip there!

Have you been to Sedona, AZ on a family vacation? Or do you have any other family vacation ideas? Share them here: Best Family Vacation Destination Ideas

If you have an orginal article about the destination you represent, romantic vacations or family vacations you would like me to post, please send me a note through our contact form: Contact Us

Jennifer Miner, Mudslide Mama from The Traveling Mamas, has a great post about Family Vacations in Sedona, AZ - Family Travel Adventures by Disney - Sedona Arizona

Las Vegas Trip - April 16 - 22, 2009

List of posts from our Las Vegas Trip April 16-22, with our friends Andy and Michelle.

We arrived late on Thursday night and went straight to bed.

City Center in Las Vegas

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas?
A walk along the strip, great pictures and the Foreigner Concert at the Texas Station
Day 2 in Vegas - Brunch and the Qua Baths & Spa
Ahhh the spa....
Elton John's Last Saturday Night Show at Caesars Palace
Dinner at Rao's and Elton John
Skylofts - Stepping into Wonderland
The Maybach - what a nice ride and our check into the Skylofts at the MGM Grand

Photos:
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas Strip

Videos:
MGM Grand Lion Habitat
Skylofts at MGM Grand

Fear of Flying?

I fly a lot. More than the average person that doesn't need to fly for business. And I am amazed at how many people are afraid to fly. I end up running into one on almost every leg of every trip these days.

On my way home from Las Vegas in Feburary, there was a girl that was crying and freaking out as we took off. Her friend was trying to calm her. I also tried to help out as I have done so much flying. She was fine after take off and didn't flinch during landing.

The way I look at is the stats. Chances are I will be hit by a car then be in an airplane accident. That is good enough for me.

Besides that I know that what is at the other end, whether it be a new destination to explore, or home, that it is worth it to fly. I used to be a nervous flyer.

Now I really enjoy it. I enjoy take off, landing, and everything in between - with one condition - I have an aisle seat. I still like the freedom to get up and down! (and flying business class whenever I can also makes it fun!)

I just found this awesome article from Tip Diva about how to make flying better. I think she has some great ideas. I always say that the more information you have the less you can make up.

Fear is just:

False

Expectations

Appearing

Real

Thank you to @whereivebeen from http://www.whereivebeen.com/ for bringing this article to my attention on Twitter

City Center in Las Vegas

On Twitter and other social media sites I have had alot of questions about how City Center is doing in Las Vegas. This property is the most expensive project in US history that is entirely privately funded. The first phase will cost more that $11 billion and sits on 68 acres.

It is located between Monte Carlo and the Bellagio and will consist of the Aria Resort and casino (or course it's Vegas on the strip!), condo living, convention space, shopping and a theatre. It is very modern and has been unbelivable to watch it's construction.

While we were there this time, we walked the strip early on our first morning. We took some pictures and video and you can find them here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/excellent-vacation-ideas/sets/72157617170734411/

And on a side note, the construction workers were really friendly - not whistling friendly - just friendly!

Picture of the Week - Streets of Amsterdam

Today's picture was inspired by an online Twitter friend who is on her way to Amsterdam this week.

This weeks picture is from a last minute romantic get away Warren and I took to Amsterdam, almost 5 years ago. Wow I find it hard to believe it was 5 years ago!

We LOVED Amsterdam and keep trying to get back there. It rained hard everyday and that made it all that more romantic. We had to huddle under umbrellas and try to keep warm. :-)

We booked this trip last minute and only stayed about 4 days. We loved walking together through the streets and alleyways. Then coming back to our room and watching the rain while eating the incredible pastries or chips with mayonnaise (a local favorite) that we picked up on our way back.

We toured the Ann Frank House, and the Van Gogh Museum. And of course we visited the casino. That was a prosperous visit as Warren won quite a bit of money!

When we arrived we were unaware that the Netherlands took over the governing of the European Union while we were there. There were parties and celebrations everywhere!

When we got a little tired of the city, we took a train out to Harlaam. We wandered through the market and had lunch in a little cafe where no one spoke English. Warren ended up with ham and cheese and actually liked it (He doesn't like pork products normally).

We even considered retiring here one day. We could imagine how lovely our retirement would be, living in a small cottage enjoying the Dutch countryside.

Who knows maybe one day....

Planning a Trip to NYC for our 10th Wedding Anniversay

Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up in May. It is hard to believe, but it really has been an amazing decade!

I am so thankful to have Warren and Montana in my life. I can't imagine life without them. When we got married, Montana had just turned 4 years old. Our wedding was a celebration of the family we were creating.

It has been an honour to be apart of raising Montana. She is such a beautiful young woman now. She is growing into an amazing person that still amazes me everyday with her maturity and kindness towards others.

And Warren, my partner and my friend, I love the life we have created together and I can't wait to see what the next few decades have in store for us!
Our wedding was really the beginning of our travels. Since we got married we have been to Europe, on a dozen cruises, throughout the USA, the Caribbean, Australia and Hawaii together.

We made a commitment to each other we would travel and explore the world together and as a family - I think we are living up to that commitment!

So what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than to have a family weekend getaway. Warren, Montana and I decided to go to Manhattan (one of our favorite cities). We will be in New York on our Anniversary date, and I am so excited. We have booked the flights and the hotel - now we have to determine what restaurant to have dinner in!

Anyway since I was researching our weekend away - I wanted to share with you some of the last minute deals that Expedia has going on - If you are looking to go to New York City - check these out!

Last-minute NYC deals: Hotels from $75 - Expires 4/15/09

Book your New York activities at Expedia.com and see the sights

If New York isn't on the map, then what about other US destinations?
Top Vacation Package Deals at Expedia.com

Picture of the Week - Train to Kuranda, Queensland

This week's picture was taken on The Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda in North Queensland, Australia.

We weren't sure if this day out would be too "touristy", but Warren is a train fan so we decided to check it out. The train station is about 25km north of Cairns, Queensland. We drove there from Port Douglas.

We splurged on the "first class" cabin on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and traveled up the mountain to the quiet town of Kuranda. A former "alternative lifestyle" village, Kuranda is now a town filled with markets and shops to browse through. We actually bought our didgeridoo up here and had lunch in a local pub.

We then took the cable car back down the mountain. You could stop and do a short rain forest walk (we skipped it as we were tired) and change cable cars. We really enjoyed the cable cars and the train. It was a great day out, although there were a lot of souvenir shops etc. We just avoided the "Touristy" parts of the day...

What About a Different Type of Family Vacation this Year?

Do you take a family vacation each year? What do you usually do?

Go to the beach?
Rent a cottage?
Go to Florida?

What about something a little different. Take a Family Learning Vacation?

Take a vacation where you all learn a skill like scuba diving or skiing?

What about a vacation where your kids will learn about a new culture – maybe a culture they learned in school?

Do your kids love dinosaurs? Take them on a dig for fossils in the American badlands or Alberta Canada.

Whatever you choose it can be a very rewarding experience for you and your kids. Imagine the family bonding as you learn about something together?

I know…I can hear your kids now – I don’t want to learn! I want to have fun! I learn at school why would I want to do it on vacation? This is why it is important to keep the following points in mind while planning your learning vacation.

1. Make sure you plan a balance between fun and learning – remember you are on vacation – it should be fun!
2. Make sure the whole family is interested in the activities, destinations and experiences.
3. Before you go, show the kids where they are going. This will get them excited about the holiday. Rent movies or read books about the destination or experience.
4. Take your kids on a sample activity before you go to make sure everyone will enjoy it. For example go to the museum or take a sample scuba diving class.
5. Keep your expectations in check – not all kids will love what you plan – so don’t get your hopes up or expect your kids to love it, you may be disappointed.
6. Learning may come from simple places, like interacting with locals, or eating local food.
7. Look to experts for advice or ideas – look for tour operators that offer these types of holidays for inspiration or to organize your vacation.
8. Be creative or do it yourself, look for learning opportunities everywhere. Who knows what your kids can learn, even on a drive to Grandma’s house. Are there places you can stop so your kids have the chance to learn?

Make your next vacation something a little different. Do some research, see what is out there.

If a learning vacation doesn’t fit with your plans, what about a themed vacation – Are you kids big fans of Harry Potter or Twilight? What about a movie location tour.

For more inspiration on a different type of vacation with your family - check out Themed Vacations for Kids.

Friday's Favorites Wrap Up

For Friday's Favorite Wrap Up - I thought I would do a humorous theme, It was April Fools Day this week after all. I came across some great webpages this week that gave me a chuckle, or an all out laugh. Some I found on twitter, others through the net.

As always they are all related to Travel.

Expedia - Flights to Mars from only $99! - Expires 4/1/09

Travel Pod - 10 most mispronounced places. - The first one cracked me up when it came out as a travel destination.

Telegraph.co.uk - 20 Ridiculous Complaints

Hotels.co.uk - Book Your Room on the Moon for only 800 GBP a night

Then of course the Hotelicopter

If you get this by email and don't see the video - make sure you see it - it is worth the look!

Did you hear of any cool travel related April Fools Day jokes? add them to the comments below...

Great Deals from Expedia

Wow I was looking through the deals that Expedia are offering and am stunned at what is out there right now.

Easter Getaway:

Last Minute Easter Travel Deals - Hotels from $29! - Expires 4/12/09

Las Vegas:

Las Vegas: Book early and save! 2+ Night Packages from $160 including Air! - Expires 4/30/09

All Inclusive Vacation:

All-Inclusive vacation deals: Flight + 4 nights from $527! - Expires 5/1/09

April Fools Day - Travel Jokes

OK so I got a note from Expedia today

Flights to Mars from only $99! - Expires 4/1/09

Did you find any other Travel April Fools Day Jokes today? I would love to hear about them!

I also heard that the Concord was being brought out of retirement..... Apparently it isn't LOL

Picture of the Week - Spouting Horn

Today's Picture comes from Kauai, Hawaii. The Spouting Horn



The Spouting Horn was really quite cool...However the parking lot/shopping stalls and fences around it not very cool. But I guess it needed to be done (the fences anyway) to protect people and the spouting horn.

The Spouting Horn can spray salt water upto 50 feet in the air and to me it sounded like a whale spout.

Best time to go - Sunset and High Tide - at sunset the water looks like the rainbow in color.

It is worth the drive on Kauai. Take Hwy 50 from Hanapepe toward Lawa'i. Go just past mile marker #11 and turn right onto Koloa Road (Hwy 530) - go past Po'ipu Road and turn right. When you get to the fork in the road near the ocean go right on Lawa'i Road - Continue about a mile and you will see the parking lot on the left hand side.