UNSEEN TRAVEL AGENCY

So, New Orleans, huh?  I’m guessing you want to experience the antique French facades, the sounds of a distant trumpet forever playing in the background, the leftover beads hanging like Spanish moss over trees, and the smell of spices boiling in a pot of gumbo somewhere nearby?  I don’t blame you! New Orleans also called NOLA also called Naawlins (obviously, the most proper way to pronounce it) is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and celebrations. This city serves other-worldy energy that reverberates in the air and can’t be replicated anywhere else in America. It’s by far my favorite place to visit in the United States. Left over Mardi Gras beads that hang from the trees. Not my photo. How to Get To New Orleans You can either fly in or drive in. If you fly in, expect to pay $35 to Uber into the city. If you drive in, expect to pay a $30-35/day to valet your car at any hotel in the French quarter.  You can also bus in using the Megabus system. Pro tip: If you drove in, instead

Kids and Music Festivals are a GOOD Mix If you’re an older parent, nightmares of dragging your child through some substance-laden Woodstock environment seems like a terrible idea. And yes, there are some events not kid-friendly at all. But with some ingenuity and planning, the older or mature child and teenage crowd can definitely benefit from some incredible live music and early introduction into these types of environments. Even smaller tots can handle some festivals if executed correctly and done at your own pace. If nothing else, their observations will teach them what to do and what not to do on their own in the future. Check out the investment of VIP Festivals are not what they used to be. Recently at the new Firefly  Festival gathering in Dover, Delaware, there was a massive VIP section full of fenced-in areas for kids to play. This is a great intro event for kids, as the music covers rock, indie and classic genres and has fun elements like silent discos, hammock snooze spo

Some time ago, a friend told me he wanted to invite several of his high school friends to his house.  He was going to pay to watch one of those big boxing events in his TV.  He wanted to use the moment to reunite with old friends.  For some reason, he looked worried. Me:  What is going on?  It will be fun to have all your friends at home. Him: I am not sure I want to invite them.  I thought about calling them but I am not sure anymore. Me: Why? Him: Because they seem to be interested in talking about how many things they have.  They talk about their trucks, clothes and houses.  Then, they start asking all of these inappropriate questions to find information about what you have done after high school.  I feel like my worth as a person is determined by how many material possessions I have. After listening, I totally understood him.  I have been in that position too.  All I have to say is that, for me, situations like that are heartbreaking. What you want to do when you haven’t seen

These travel art activities for kids will keep your little one absorbed during your journey. Doodling, coloring, creating shapes and pictures in patterns is a relaxing activity that children can really get lost in. It’s great for developing hand eye coordination, imagination, as well as an understanding of abstract shape and design. Finished doodles make great greetings cards, or can be framed. Suitable for age 3+ This travel art can be done in: Cars Planes Trains Hotel rooms What you will need: Collect a selection of colored pencils/crayons/washable felt tips and put them in a plastic lidded box. ‘Crayola twistable’ are great—no lost lids and no sharpening. Postcard 1: The picture on the left is an ‘altair doodle design’, timeless and challenging, suitable for all ages.  The ‘pixel person’ is a series of squares on graph paper—encourage your child to do a self portrait! Postcard 2: Blank jigsaws are affordable and a great travel activity—after your child has created a maste

Fact: In my entire life, I’ve only cried once at a tourist attraction. And judge me all you want, but this cryfest happened at a Harry Potter studio tour. … Allow me to explain myself. Like most children born in the 90s, much of my youth was spent daydreaming about the arrival of my Hogwart’s acceptance letter. As this dream dwindled with the hardships of adulting, I instead took comfort in carbs and magical movie marathons. But, it didn’t take much for these childhood dreams to resurface. A trip to London was all it took to re-open the floodgates (literally). Let me tell you: for a Harry Potter fan, there is no attraction on this Earth more overwhelming and amazing than the  Warner Bros Studio Tour London, (AKA London’s Harry Potter set tour), which brings you through the filming site for all 8 movies in the Harry Potter franchise. In addition to sets, you’re also shown countless props, the best gift shop in the world, and even a chance to taste butter beer for yourself. Come on