When you start thinking about a European Christmas Markets trip, you may first consider a Christmas Markets River Cruise and decide that it is too expensive. But you don’t need to take a river cruise to experience the holiday magic and a German Christmas Markets trip cost may be less than you expect. I spent 10 days on a German Christmas Markets road trip and, while it took a little more planning than a river cruise would have, it was considerably less expensive. This German Christmas Markets trip budget includes average costs for airfare, accommodations, transportation, food, and a few souven ..read more

A New England road trip is at the top of many people’s bucket lists — especially in the autumn! Yet New England, which is made up of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, covers nearly 72,000 square miles, which is a lot of ground to cover! It is hard to fit all that into a one-week road trip. If this is your first visit to New England and you only have a week and want to see some of the best parts of New England, follow this scenic New England road trip itinerary. This will give you a taste of Maine’s rocky coastline, New Hampshire’s rugged White Mountai ..read more

Newport, Rhode Island is a popular destination for visitors seeking a New England coastal getaway (after all, it is referred to as the Classic Coast.) With Gilded Age mansions, incredible seafood, miles of beautiful coastline, and a harbor littered with boats, Newport has plenty to offer families, couples, or any type of traveler. If you are planning your first visit to Newport, you probably want to hit the highlights, but also seek out some lesser-known gems. After living in Rhode Island for over 20 years, I’ve had plenty of time to visit (and revisit) Newport’s main attractions and hidden ge ..read more

Finding new things to do with your significant other the smallest state might seem challenging, but there are many great date night ideas in Rhode Island to choose from. Whether you’re looking to keep it casual or want to try something new, the beautiful Ocean State has plenty of hidden gems to transform an ordinary date into a fun adventure.  Whether you are looking for ideas for your first date or ways to celebrate a special occasion, I’ve selected a list of 14 top locations for daytime and evening dates with the perfect setting to spend quality time with your special someone. From watc ..read more

If you are looking for a romantic date night restaurant in Rhode Island, there is no shortage of options from extravagant splurges to fun experiences. After all, Providence has received many accolades for being a great food city; including being named one of the best new food cities by Jetsetter, a best foodie destination by 10Besties Readers’ Choice Travel Award, and one of the best small cities in the world for dining by Saveur magazine Culinary Travel awards. But Providence doesn’t have exclusivity on good food in Rhode Island.  After living in Rhode Island for ..read more

Wave goodbye to low temperatures, snow, and icy roads, and extend a warm welcome to the arrival of butterflies, green landscapes, and the smell of springtime. Spring has officially sprung in the Ocean State meaning days grow longer, boats begin to set sail, and communities wake from their winter slumber to bask in the sunshine. From leisurely bike rides to tulip and strawberry-picking adventures, there are many great things to do in the spring in Rhode Island for tourists and residents.  Having experienced every season in Rhode Island, I can vouch for the beauty spring brings. After month ..read more

As a Rhode Islander, Newport is our go to “staycation” destination since it is a short drive away from home but it still feels like a vacation. Whether you are visiting for a Newport Rhode Island weekend getaway or you are a local looking for a break, I’ve put together an itinerary based on my many trips to the City by the Sea.  Summer is high season in Newport so if you are visiting from June through August you will need to plan in advance, especially if you want to stay downtown. You can also expect extra traffic getting around town so you may want to consider whether or not you want to ..read more

Whether you are planning a summer staycation, building your summer bucket list, or taking a vacation to the Ocean State, here are our favorite things to do in Rhode Island in the summer.  With such short summers, June through August is all about being outdoors in Rhode Island and enjoying the warm weather and longer days. It is our time to munch on delicious local seafood and appreciate the natural beauty of our 400 miles of coastline. Things to do in RHode Island in Summer Visiting Rhode Island at other times of the year? You can also find our suggestions for things to do in Rhode I ..read more

As a New Englander, it doesn’t feel like summer until I’ve bitten into my first lobster roll while looking out at the ocean, the scent of the sea and fried clams in the air. Savoring the delicious chunks of freshly-steamed lobster on a perfectly buttered and grilled bun is the epitome of the taste of summer. Over my dozens of trips to Maine, I’ve made it a mission to taste test as many lobster rolls as possible (tough job, but someone has to do it, right?) So whether you want to take a foodie Maine road trip or you are planning your route up the Maine coast and want to know where to stop along ..read more

Central Oregon is a gem for outdoor-lovers that gets overlooked by families that flock to the Olympic Peninsula, Oregon Coast, or the larger National Parks. Yet there are so many fun things to do near Bend, Oregon with kids. To Pacific Northwesterners, the outdoor beauty of the Beaver State is no secret, but to those of us here on the East Coast, Central Oregon is surprisingly jam-packed with outdoor adventures. Whenever moms ask me for a place to take their tweens or teens that love nature and the outdoors, I always point them to Central Oregon. From star gazing to hiking, white water rafting ..read more