One of the things we have done as a family almost from day 1 was hike together. Through many years and hundreds of miles of adventuring on easy toddler hikes to epic backpacking trips, we have narrowed down the best hiking gear for kids to help make everyone’s outdoor adventures go smoother. While much of our gear has changed through the years of toddlerhood to pre-teen years, I share below the staples that have lasted through the years and that are well worth the investment. If you are looking for our favorites for camping and backpacking,we have that too! Car Camping Essentials for Familie ..read more

For many, Hawaii is the ultimate bucket-list destination. The golden sand beaches, the adorable green sea turtles basking in the sun, the looming volcanos and of course the immense spirit of the islands. That said, actually planning a trip to Hawaii can be quite overwhelming. There are so many options on each of the islands, countless hotels, restaurants and activities to choose from that information overload comes on quickly.  And this my friends is the allure of going on a cruise in Hawaii.  That said, if you have been around here for a while you know I am not a traditional cruiser ..read more

Are you thinking of going to Zion National Park with kids? Zion National Park located in Southern Utah was one of the best kept secrets of the national park system. These days, the secret is out about what a fabulous destination Zion is for a family vacation. When visitors discover the beauty and magic of Zion Canyon, they are hooked! While the park doesn’t have that one eye catching feature that sells postcards or pressed pennies, but it does have is a spectacular cliff and canyon landscape, an abundance of wildlife and a gorgeous river running through it all beckoning you to get in and exper ..read more

Whether you are drawn to crossing off your 7th continent or seeing wildlife in their natural habitat or you just want to sail in the footsteps of historic adventurers, Antarctica promises to provide you an adventure of a lifetime. Here we provide a guide on how to visit Antarctica with answers to the most frequently asked questions. Ever since returning from my trip to Antarctica with my 13 year old son I can only think about how to return! The White Continent really is a mind-blowing destination where you can never get enough. You might show up like me just hoping to see penguins, but leave ..read more

Antarctica has been on the top of my dream wish list for decades now. But honestly I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to visit because I just didn’t know when I would have the tens of thousands of extra cash laying around. Enter Adventure Life Travel. I was working with Adventure Life Travel to put together a trip for my 12th birthday (Leap Day baby!). We were thinking Indonesia, but nothing was quite working out. And then a room opened up on their yearly chartered sailing to Antarctica. I was blown out of the water when it was suggested we go there, even though it was a bit afte ..read more

We just returned from a week trip to El Salvador and can’t wait to share all the magic this country has to offer with you.  There are so many things to do in El Salvador, it was hard to narrow it all down for a quick week trip. Here I will recap our one week itinerary in El Salvador with kids, sharing exactly what we did, where we stayed, ate and what we would change next time. This trip was part of my yearly birthday travel tradition. This year however, I was joined by my friend Lindsay and her 10 year old son. They had never been to Central America and were looking for some warmth away ..read more

El Salvador was one of the last countries in Central America I had not yet visited. I have flown through it several times, but never stopped. While looking for somewhere to go for my yearly birthday trip, a cheap flight to El Salvador called out to me. Ignoring the naysayers, I am so glad I gave this small country a chance. There are so many amazing things to do in El Salvador that you can easily spend more than 1 one week there. I can see myself returning again and again, especially since there are often cheap flights direct from Los Angeles. Read on to learn more about what we did during our ..read more

Are you planning a family trip to the bustling streets of New York City? Prepare to enter the enchanted world of Broadway, where the magic of theater is brought to life for audiences of all ages. This guide to the top kid friendly shows in NYC will help you narrow down just what you need to plan for.  Top 5 Kid Friendly Shows in NYC As someone who has navigated the vibrant landscape of New York City’s theater scene, guiding friends and families to the most captivating shows, I’m here to share some of Broadway’s finest that will captivate your children and keep them coming back for more.&n ..read more

A dream for many is a visit to a snowy winter destination. Our suggestion is to head to Finland. There are so many amazing things to do in Lapland Finland in winter that it will make all your wildest dreams a reality! Whether you hope to spot the Northern Lights, see reindeer, or go on an exhilarating sled right with huskies, we have you covered. Below we share our top 10 things that you need to put on your Finland Lapland winter bucket list! Where is Lapland in Finland?   Lapland is actually a region in the greater Scandinavia that occupies parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. Th ..read more

A Finnish Lapland winter escape is what people do in the winter season to experience what winter is really about. Think -35 degree temperatures, steaming hot saunas, 3.5 hours of sunlight and a whole lot of adventure. Travelers come to Lapland to learn how insanely fun winter can be and of course to see for themselves what the sky can do up above the arctic circle. Not only after dark when the fluorescent colors light up the skies with the aurora borealis, but also throughout the day when the low hanging sun sits on the horizon showering the land in nordic pastels. There is no better place to ..read more