UNSEEN TRAVEL AGENCY

I n the past couple of years Portland’s popularity as a tourist destination has skyrocketed, especially for folks from Vancouver (BC).  Vancouver’s love of all that is Portland has even spawned a bar called Portland Craft which features food and drinks inspired by Stumptown. Great idea and concept but really? Thankfully Vancouver’s craft brewery scene is taking off so we can start celebrating our own a little more. Don’t get me wrong, I love Portland. So much so that it has become an annual (at least) trip for us. All I am saying is Vancouverites need not drive 6 hours down the I-5 to get what Portland has to offer. If you are looking for a little Americana to go with your craft brewery a mere 30 minutes across the border will do. Of course, I am talking about visiting Bellingham, Washington   – w here you can find many of the things that makes Portland so great without the 6-hour drive. With that in mind, I headed south last weekend for a night of great...

When our kids were wee babies, my husband and I decided that the only way to stay sane in the winter was to get everyone outside every single day. We did this rain or shine for years and years, and even though our kids are teens now, I still throw them out regularly. The secret to providing your kids with fun and memorable outdoor experiences is starting with the right cold-weather clothes. We are lucky to live in a time when there is an incredible array of choices for winter clothes for kids.  After raising kids in Vermont for 13 years, we’ve got a lot to share about the best cold-weather clothing, from toddler snow pants and mittens to cozy base layers that won’t let you or your kids down.  There is no such thing as terrible weather, just inappropriate clothing. For our kids to enjoy being outside, they had to be warm. We experimented for years until we found the right clothing system for winter. Our babies always had rosy cheeks in the winter, but we kn...

Chennai, a metro city in India , is indeed a huge city with numerous confusing options as to where to stay. With only a day in Chennai, I knew I have to stay close to the city center and as close as possible to the famous Marina beach. And, that said IBIS Chennai city center fit in properly with my requirements. As I have already stayed with IBIS in Zurich & Vienna , I knew I’ll not be disappointed and I am glad I chose the Accor Hotel once again. If you’re heading to Amsterdam, you can peek at the review of IBIS Styles in the town.  IBIS Chennai city center is a terrific place for a budget corporate traveler like myself. But, with it’s close proximity to the US Consulate, the hotel is perfect for people visiting Chennai for work. Not only that, the hotel is a prime place for families & couples as well, the ideal room size and the remarkable food options make it for an optimal stay.  Next Read – Places to visit in Chennai in one day! IBIS Chennai C...