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“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...
Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...
Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...
This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!
Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating. Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...
Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses. Imagine being able to do both in one...
Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...
Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....
Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...
Sure moms across the nation roam suburban streets in minivans and SUVs, picking up their kids from school and chauffeuring them to various activities and events. But I’m a soccer mom too dangit. Just because I drive a 4-door sedan, doesn’t mean I can’t have that title. Stereotype me! I deserve [ ... ]
There’s a reason “Follow the Honey,” in Cambridge, Massachusetts is not just a simple honey store. For founder and owner, anning, traveling the world on her personal journey led her to open a shop filled with honey stories to tell, and products with a conscience.
In Search of Healing an [ ... ]
Must we trade brunch dates and Bloody Mary’s for barely edible pancakes and sippy cups once we have kids? Hardly. Chicago restaurateurs, many of whom now claim the title of parents themselves, know how to host a good brunch which welcomes us and our progeny. Unlike some downtown areas which only [ ... ]
For those living in the middle of Missouri, there are only a few options for hitting the "big city" -- St. Louis, Mo., or Memphis, Tenn. Last spring, my gal pal Jessie and I chose to visit Memphis for the first time.
Our trip to Memphis might be one of the most unorganized trips I've ever take [ ... ]
I’m a sucker for an old-fashioned candy shop. I just love the candy-filled bins, the drugstore-feel complete with a bar and soda jerk…it makes everyone feel like a kid. With unique treats like Elvis Bark and chocolate-covered bacon, the Big Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas is a fun treat for any [ ... ]
When planning out your summer road trip don't overlook Devil's Tower, Wyoming. It is one of my favorite side trips and possibly one of the most overlooked National Parks.
The first time I drove through Wyoming was in the summer of 1981 on a road trip with my my Mom. Somehow, in a pre-Internet [ ... ]
Vegetarian travel gets easier in the summer, when farmers markets and their bounteous produce draw tourists and local chefs. Summer is also know for outdoor eating, and New York City has one of the best (I’m slightly biased) eating extravagnzas, orgasburg. Actually, make that two. Smorgasburg ha [ ... ]
Moms are loyal by nature. It’s as if the moment that tiny egg attaches to the wall of your uterus you become dedicated for life. The loyalty of a mother is not just about her children. It’s her community, her extended family, and worthy causes of her choosing. A traveling mom has an added square in her loyalty quilt: travel brands.
As a mom who has traveled for business for over a decade now, I’ve developed my loyalty toward certain brands. The best part of this loyalty is that they reward me for it. I’m a Marriott gal with almost 1 million points in the Marriott rewards program. Granted, 250,000 of those points came as a result of buying a couple of Marriott Vacation Club properties. Because I fly from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, I’m a dedicated Continental Airlines patron with over 750,000 lifetime miles. Because Avis “tries harder” I keep my Avis wizard number handy. Loyalty programs are a great perk for moms who travel with kids or on business.
Because I rack up the points all year along, we take a family vacation on Marriott and Continental yearly. A week-long family vacation in the family-friendly Residence Inn with its pool, sport courts, and family video rentals is courtesy of the Marriott rewards program. We stay in a two bedroom suite for FREE. That’s an extra $1400 to spend on carnival rides and vacation t-shirts.
Our flights are like a BOGO deal. We pay for our flights and the boys fly on the points we’ve accumulated. It’s kind of a turn on that we are earning points and using points at the same time. Though rental car loyalty programs don’t save you much money off of the already low prices of a rental they do save you plenty of time. If you’ve ever traveled with kids you know that standing in a 20-person line a rental counter is no fun. Membership has its privileges and you can go right to your car and get on with your family vacation.
There are many ways to provide affordable family vacations. One of my favorite is through loyalty programs of travel brands. Get the points!
Get a jump on your summer vacation with free activities all weekend in Vermont June 8 and 9. The Green Mountain State serves up a bevy of free family fun.
Free at parks
All we [ ... ]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has big city attractions and a friendly Midwestern vibe. Families can take in a Brewers game, or tour a brewery (with soft drinks for the kids). There are [ ... ]
Police, Fire and EMS Appreciation Days return in May. Police officers, fire fighters and EMS employees can receive a free single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with [ ... ]
