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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...
“’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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!
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 [ ... ]
I'm excited to be the new Budget Traveling Mom and share some of my favorite tips and finds along the way. For me travel is as much a creative experience as it is an inspiring adventure. I'm the daughter and sister of pilots and growing up it never occurred to me you need money to travel. We may not have had a lot of money for fancy lodging or Disneyfied vacations, but we always traveled.
When I reached adulthood and needed to pay for my own airfare and expenses, I decided I would continue the mindset of not needing a lot of money to hit the road. And this was all while living in New York City on a tiny salary with nonexistent disposal income.
But there's always a creative alternative to the typical vacation of airfare + hotel + food + recreation. Along the way I've learned that creativity transforms travel with more meaning than you can imagine. And budget travel doesn't mean you have to stay in the dumps.
To kick off my blog, I'm introducing a five part series on unique Family Budget Accommodations.
Convents and Monasteries
You don't need to be Catholic, religious, or married to stay in religious lodging. Score accommodations for nearly half of what area hotels are going for and soak up some flavor. Convent and monastery stays can be found in just about every country but are easier to find in Catholic areas like Rome.
We stayed in a convent in Rome and a monastery turned religious center in Venice. I loved the old buildings, the graceful staff, and the idea I was contributing to their budget instead of a chain hotel. Of course, you forgo luxuries like room service and calling downstairs for every need from lost toothbrushes to wake-up calls.
But what you gain is a unique experience most of your friends and neighbors have never considered. It also offers your kids a first-hand lesson in history, religion, and architecture. Are religious accommodations right for your family?
Pros to Convent and Monastery Stays
Cons to Convent and Monastery Stays
Depending on what kind of travelers you are, the pros may actually be cons and the cons prove beneficial for you. Are you kids willing to forgo televisions an fancy cable packages? Do you have older children who want to stay out past midnight? Does peace and quiet bore you to tears? Do you need a full buffet breakfast to satisfy the family?
Weigh your options and decide what kind of adventure you're looking for. You may also find it's the best way to stay in budget, especially in countries where the euro crushes the dollar.
To get started, search at GoodNightAndGodBless.com for monasteries in countries from Africa to England and beyond. You can also find a list of convents in Itlay at SantaSusana.org or pick up the books Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses: A Pilgrim's Travel Guide, New Edition or Good Night and God Bless: A Guide to Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Europe.
(Photo by karaian)
One glimpse of Skagway and it’s easy to see why this quaint Alaskan town is a popular port for cruise ships sailing along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Skagway offers beautiful [ ... ]
As the price to fly continues to rise, and the inconveniences rise, more and more people, and especially families, are turning back to the good, old-fashioned road trip.
My pa [ ... ]
Rhode Island may be a small state, but it celebrates summer in a huge, family-friendly way.
One of the best known free warm weather events is the annual Waterfire celebration, [ ... ]
