Summer Road Trip 2013

Our road trip will take us from Georgia to Indianapolis, Niagara Falls, Toronto, New York City, Philadelphia and home. This two plus weeks will be the most we have ever done. So I decided to do a quick post like a postcard from the road to keep you up to date on our adventure.

Leaving early from our home in northern suburb in Atlanta, we passed through Tennessee and Kentucky on our way to Indiana where we planned to stop.

A Detour at Mammoth Cave National Park

But along the way, as an avid national park passport holder, we looked for opportunity to add a cancellation stamp to our passport book. And as we drove along I-65, I spot the sign for Mammoth Cave National Park right off the exit. Seeing that we still have plenty of time to arrive in Indianapolis later that day, we decided to take a quick detour of our route.

And what a pleasantly surprise to have found a great national park. We had no idea what to expect with Mammoth Cave National Park. I didn’t even know what’s the park is known for.

But as we stopped at the visitor center, we soon learned that we would be visiting not just one of the world longest cave system but also the world heritage site. What a great combo! This made me want to tag my friend, Traci from Go Big or Go Home whose site features her family quest to conquer all biggest, longest, tallest sites all around the world.

Since we didn’t plan the trip, we didn’t anticipate the activities that we could do at the park. The best way to truly explore the Mammoth Cave National Park is to join one of various tours provided by the park ranger. So we settled for the next best thing and explore the visitor center where there are plenty of interactive information for us to learn about the world largest labyrinth underground.

We already talk about planning a trip back so we can truly enjoy visiting Mammoth Cave National Park.

Family Tips:

• There are various types of accommodation within Mammoth Cave National Park ranging from tent camping, cabin and hotel. So any types of travelers will be sure to find something to suit them.
• Plan at least one tour to explore the world underground of the cave system that still have yet to be explored fully. The tickets for the tour can be sold out during high season so plan in advance.

Postcard from the Road: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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During Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2013, I learned about recently released new iPhone app from Disney called ‘Story’. And I can’t wait to share with everyone about this cool app that will be perfect for summer vacation or any occasions for that matter.

What is Disney Story App?

Story is the iPhone app from Disney that curate various moments from your iPhone’s camera roll and help your organized it into stories based on date and time when the pictures or videos are taken.

How Does it Work?

Just think of it as an easy way to create a multi-media book from your iPhone. Story makes it easier for you to create your own stories. The application automatically pull moments that happen based on time and location together as a starting point. You then can add, delete, edit photos or videos to your tell your own story.

Once you are done, you can then share with your friends and families via social media or email.

See My Story at Disney Social Media Moms Day 1

Here is an example of the story I created for our first day at Disney Social Media Moms. It took less than 10 minutes to edit to the way I want. There are so many creative ways you can tell your stories.

What I Love about Story

With millions of app out there on iTune, I know you are probably wary about download yet another iPhone app. Me too! But here are a few reasons why I love this Story app from Disney.

Easy to Use

After you download and start the app, your pictures are organized by date and time so it’s easy for you to start creating your story based on the moment. The simple interface makes editing very easy.

Visually Pleasing

The design is simple and elegant. The story comes to life and very easy on the eye to see.

FREE – Need I say More

Oh! And I almost forget to mention that the app is absolutely FREE. So go download your app and share your favorite moments or stories with your friends and families.

HOWEVER, I do wish there will be a way to share story not only on your Facebook timeline but on your page as well. Maybe next update? :)

Have you create stories from Story App? Do share!

Tell Your Travel Stories with Disney Story App is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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If you haven’t noticed already, you will pretty soon realize that we love to visit Disney with kids. It’s such a magical place to visit and every time we always discover something new.

What I love most about Disney company is how the company never stop improving and introducing new things. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is one of the most popular theme parks in the world and yet Disney doesn’t sit back and cash in from visitors from all around the world. They truly do work on improving the customer experience in their parks. Every year, we will hear about something new from Disney from Carland in Disneyland California to the new Fantasyland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando.

As we visited Walt Disney World again this year during the Disney Social Media Moms event which sponsored in part by Disney, we made it our first priority to check out the new Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom.

So what’s new in the Fantasyland you asked. Here are a few things we have experienced and a couple things we wish we have experienced.

Disney with Kids See What’s New in Fantasyland

Double the Fun with Dumbo

Dumbo is probably one of the most popular ride in Magic Kingdom for the young kids and we all know how long the wait on the line can be. Well, now the wait time has improved with two dumbo rides side-by-side. Better yet, instead of waiting in line in a hot Florida heat, parents will be able to wait in the air-conditioned play area while their kids can enjoy the fun at Dumbo themed playground. I admitted we didn’t do this ride. My kids are way past the age of riding the Dumbo so they opted for the more adventure ride next door at the Barnstormer.

Cool down at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N Soak Station

Put kids in their bathing suits and let them run wild at this splash and soak station. They will enjoy the fun while cool down from the heat during a hot summer day. The nice thing about this Casey Jr. Splash ‘N Soak station is it’s located right in front of the rest room. So after they have enough fun in the water, you can just whisk them to the restroom to change.

Take a Ride Under the Sea with Ariel

In the new section of Fantasyland where the expansion include stories from Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid, we took a leisure ride under the sea to Journey of the Little Mermaid. The ride brought the story of the Little Mermaid to life with music and animated characters. It’s perfect to do after enjoying other outdoor attractions to give you a quick retreat. Plus this ride is the Fastpass ride so you can plan it by getting your Fastpass tickets first. The Fastpass distribution for the ride however is located by Mickey’s PhilharMagic so plan your day accordingly so you don’t have to trek back and forth. You know how you want to save your steps as much as you can when visiting Walt Disney World’s parks.

Have a Healthy Snack at Gaston’s Tavern

One of the newest dining option in the new Fantasyland is Gaston’s Tavern. This is a quick service dining option that offers snacks and drinks to give you a quick break. Don’t miss LeFou’s Brew, the kid-friendly refreshing apple juice with all-natural passion-fruit and mango foam. It looks yummy and it tastes equally delicious. However, the drink is not the only thing on the menu. I love to see that there are other few options for healthy snacks like fresh fruit cups, mix vegetable cup with dip, sliced apple with caramel sauce and hummus and chips. It’s good to know that you can have a healthy snack while enjoy a fun day in the theme park. Of course, no one will blame you if you will opt for the warm cinnamon roll or chocolate croissant like us.

Experience Fine Dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Ok. My friend suggested me to book Be Our Guest as soon as I told her that we would be going to Disney. But I didn’t take her advice seriously and by the time I tried to make the reservation for a meal, there is none left. So as much as I would love to be able to give you the detail on what’s good and what’s the buzz is all about the Be Our Guest restaurant, it’ll have to wait until next visit. So here are a few reviews from other bloggers that I can find for you to check out – lunch review and dinner review.

Have you visited the new Fantasyland? What do you think?

Thank you Walt Disney World for inviting our family to attend Disney Social Media Mom Celebration by Walt Disney World. We received discount rate for accommodation, tickets and meals. But as always, all opinion and what I wrote are my own.

Disney with Kids: Visiting the New Fantasyland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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One of the aspect of vacation planning for our family is hours I spent reading, researching and agonizing over our itinerary planning. Just because we have a list of things to do in the destination doesn’t mean we can just sit back and relax. It’s even more important to have a good planning for a trip to Washington DC with kids. So I realized that my time that I have spent on our itinerary planning can be given back to you, our readers. I hope it will help you in your own planning for your next family vacation to Washington DC.

DC Itinerary Planning: Five Days in DC with Kids

Children ages at the time of travel: 7 and 5 years old

Time visited: Spring 2009

DC Itinerary:

• Day 1: Travel day and DC by Night at Tidal basin
• Day 2: Natural History museum, Old Post Office tower, and American History museum
• Day 3: The Capitol and DC by foot tour of memorial and monuments
• Day 4: National zoo
• Day 5: National Air and Space museum

Day 1: Travel day and DC by Night

To save on our trip to Washington DC with kids, we loaded up the car and head north on the 10 hours road trip from Georgia. We arrived in DC late afternoon and after we checked-in, grabbed our dinner, we didn’t waste anytime to explore Washington DC. A quick metro ride from our hotel in Chrystal City transported us to the Tidal Basin area just in time to enjoy the night time stroll during the Cherry Blossom festival week.

Day 2: Museums and Clock Tower

In the morning, we started out early and planned to spend the day in the National mall area. So the first stop was the Smithsonian Castle, where we had some to enjoy coffee, grab a map to plan out the rest of the day and shopped for our souvenir. Most museums open at 10 AM but make sure to check about the admission requirement especially if you plan to visit DC during the peak season like spring break or holidays. Many museums will require tickets. Those tickets will be free but you still need to reserve or wait in line to get your tickets.

The museums we planned for today was the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of American History with a lunch break in between. Since the Natural Museum of Natural History is right across the lawn from the Castle, we strolled across the Mall to the museum right when it opened.

Arriving early allowed us to enjoy the museum before it gets too crowd. We spent a good couple hours in there. The National Museum of Natural History is truly a great place for toddlers and young kids. With so many exhibits for them to touch and explore, we had to literally drag them out of the museum.

Our next stop was the Old Post Office building. Since we didn’t want to wait in line to go up the Washington Monument, we opted for the other best place to have the view of Washington DC. If I had the crystal ball to see into the future and knew that the Washington Monument will be closed due to earthquake damage, we might suck it up and wait for the chance to go up the Washington monument.

But that’s not to say that our experience at the Old Post Office tower is anything but awesome! We took the elevator up to the top of the tower and enjoyed amazing clear view on the bright blue sky day of Washington DC. It was also fun for kids to see the tower clock up close.

By then, it was lunch time and the Old Post Office food court at the ground floor was perfect place for us to enjoy lunch on a budget. The food was good and the people watching was fun.

With energy from lunch and ice cream, we trekked our way to the National Museum of American History. But by now, the kids had been up since 8 AM and been walking around since then. So we knew their limit were near. We checked with the visitor center desk for the family guide and how to maximize our time at this huge museum. The family guide to America on the Move is perfect for family with limited time. The guide provided fun and interactive ways for kids to both enjoy and appreciate the exhibit. It turned out Mr. Z chose National Museum of American History as one of his favorite during our family trip to DC. Go figure! Boy with wheels.

Then it was time to head back to the hotel. I had purchased restaurant.com certificate to Ted Montana Grill for this trip. A little bit of planning will help save on our vacation budget. We knew we will have to eat out so why not save on those dinner. Plus, we have always loved dining at Ted Montana Grill so it was a familiar dinner to end a full first day in DC with kids.

Day 3: The Capitol and DC by Foot Tour

After a quick break from the Capitol, we were back at it for a full day of fun. The day started early and we had high hope for a fun tour of the Capitol and DC by Foot tour of the memorial and monument later in the evening for our fourth day in DC.

But thing didn’t go according to plan and there was nothing we could do about it when we missed our Capitol tour by 5 minutes and after waiting in line to get the walk-in tickets, the fire alarm set  off and everyone had to evacuate the building. So there it went out morning of Capitol tour ended up with evacuation. We just took the opportunity to check out the Union Station nearby and had lunch at the food court. There are several food courts within the downtown DC area that are perfect for family on a budget. These budget friendly food options in DC were not only great way to save on our vacation but also great for providing different options for picky eaters.

But the day was saved by the evening of fun and educational tour from DC by Foot a free, tip based walking tour in DC. The tour lasted about 2 hours and we started from the Washington monument all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.

It was a long day for us but the kids did extremely well. We walked back to the metro station and headed back to our hotel for a great night of sleep.

Day 4: The National Zoo

Another break from the National Mall and all the museums in DC but still part of the Smithsonian. The National Zoo is a great destination for family with kids of all ages. Who doesn’t love to see animal especially the Panda, the star attraction in the National Zoo. We originally planned for 2 stops today – the National Zoo and the National Air and Space Museum. However, after a longer than planned day at the Zoo, we pushed a visit to the National Air and Space museum to the next day.

It was a great decision to relax and take it easy the rest of the day after a fun filled at the National Zoo with kids.

Day 5: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and White House

On our last full day in Washington DC with kids, we saved the best for last. With young kids, the National Air and Space museum is a world of fascination for them. The museum is huge and can be crowd especially during the peak season. However, things were moving along and there were so many staffs on site to help answer any questions.

If you haven’t check out their website before heading there, you can still check the visitor information center to find out about family friendly guide to help navigate the Air and Space museum for kids. Read more on our day at National Air and Space museum with kids.

Then after we had enough of the air crafts, space objects and various science exhibit, our brain was so full that we needed a break. So we decided to walk to the White House visitor center. Even though we didn’t secure the passes from your congressmen or representative, a visit to the White House visitor center was still fun and worthwhile. Plus we couldn’t leave Washington DC without taking the obligatory picture in front of gate of the White House.

Bonus Day: Day Trip to Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore

We took a day trip out of DC to Baltimore for a fun day of Children’s museum at the Port Discovery Children’s museum. It might seem weird to decide to take a trip to Baltimore with kids when we still have so many things to do in DC with kids. First reason was we didn’t want the kids to get museum overloaded and wanted to break the trip to add a different flavor to the trip.

Secondly, we had an annual membership to our local children’s museum that had the reciprocal membership with the Port Discovery Children’s museum for free admission so there was no additional cost except the gas to go to Baltimore.

Lastly, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is considered one of the best children’s museum and is deserving so. Kids truly enjoyed every minute of our time in Baltimore.

Resources for family vacation planning to DC with kids

• 13 things to do with kids in Washington DC
• Fun things to do in DC with school-age kids
• Washington DC with kids on a budget
• Affordable family friendly food in Washington DC
• Three fun ways to tour DC with kids
• Family friendly activities during the Cherry Blossom festival

Have you been to DC with kids? Share with us your family itinerary or tips.

DC Itinerary Planning: 5 Days in Washington DC with Young Kids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Finding family friendly things to do in DC with kids is easy. But choosing what your family can fit into your schedule and limited vacation time is extremely hard. We have been to Washington DC with kids a few years ago and we knew that we want to go back there again. Even with a proper planning on finding things to do with kids on our last trip, we still have a long list of things we haven’t done in DC.

So now, I’m back at it again, searching, reading, listing and planning our next family vacation to Washington DC. This time, the kids are older. They are in elementary school and they have learned a lot more about US history and all other things kids learn in school. So our list has changed from things that will entertain toddler and young kids to things that will interest tweens and school-age children. Here are our list of top things to do in DC for school-age kids.

The Library of Congress

Not that Library of Congress is not worthy of a visit if it doesn’t have the title of the world’s largest library. But with a parent of kid who obsesses with anything that holds the world title, we couldn’t miss out on visiting the world’s largest collection of knowledge. With various activities suitable for families and kids like a free guided tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building or an interactive self-guided Passport of Knowledge, who said visiting library has to be boring.

Tour of the Capitol

Kids will love to see how their government works if we are lucky and the Congress is in session. Last visit to DC, we missed our tour by 5 minutes because we miscalculated on how long it would take to go through the security check. And to make matter worse, we couldn’t get the stand by tickets because there was a false fire alarm that day. But this time, we hope we could finally get to tour the Capitol.

Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center Air & Space Museum

We have been to the National Air and Space Museum at the National Mall location. It was huge and kids enjoyed every minute of it. We spent almost a couple hours there touring and checking out almost every exhibits. So this visting to DC with kids, we would love to change it up and check out the biggest aircrafts and space object especially the Discovery Space Shuttle. With the location in Chantilly, the visit to Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center Air & Space Museum will be a bit drive so we will probably plan to explore things outside DC that day.

International Spy Museum

With so any free museums to visit in Washington DC, it might seem odd that we will want to shell out admission fee to another museum. But as we mention, the kids are older and their interests have changed. The Spy Museum will be a big hit not only for them but for us as well. Luckily, we found a deal online from GoldStar so that will help on our budget.

National Building Museum

Ok, we haven’t heard about this museum before until we read the post from local blogger in DC. And after checking out the website for more information, we know this will be another great non-traditional museum that kids will enjoy. There are free tours for historic building tour and family-friendly wonderous pension building tour. We also can’t wait to check out the family tool kit to help us learn and explore the museum in a more fun way.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Now that kids are older and know that value of money, what could be more exciting than seeing the money being printed. To tour BEP, if you go during the peak season like us, you will need to get free ticket at the Visitor Center or via your congressional office. The free 40-minute experience includes an introductory film and gallery tour of the production process.  The visitor center includes exhibits and currency products for sale.

United State Holocaust Memorial Museum

We don’t know what to expect but the kids have been learning about war history and Miss J has been reading Ann Frank book since 4th grade. So she knows that this is one museum she would like to visit. After checking out the museum website, there are several good information on how to visit the museum with kids. Make sure to pick up or download family guide before you go.

National Parks in DC

We bought National Park passport book for our kids a few years ago but after our first trip to Washington DC. So this revisit trip is a great opportunity for us to collect passport cancellation stamp from various national parks in Washington DC. At least we know we will visit The White House, Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and many more. We might not be able to get all the stamps but we will try to visit the ones that are close to each other.

So that’s it. Our list of things to do with kids in DC for our 4 days visit. As usual, we will use this as a guide but will also play it by ears and be flexible on the program.

Check out our list of things to do in DC with young kids from our previous visit here.

Fun Things to Do in DC for School-age Kids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

The post Fun Things to Do in DC for School-age Kids appeared first on The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog.

The trend of the staycation is well and truly done and dusted. Everyone is reaching for the holiday brochure and looking online at holidays oversees, wondering what is the most cost efficient way to make their short haul dreams affordable.

Cheap holidays to Tenerife are a favourite with travellers who want to make the most of the Canary Islands’ year round climate. Rather than putting together the pieces of your getaway individually, booking  package holidays online is key to a low cost and stress free sojourn in the sun.

Booking your package holidays online through a trusted discounted holiday website guarantees that you are paying the minimum for your break, while its ATOL insurance also gives the peace of mind needed should anything go wrong with your trip.

Aside from any insurance and cost related benefits to booking package holidays online, booking cheap holidays to Tenerife as an entire holiday means there is nothing left to think about but paying your holiday balance.

From the moment you book you are ATOL insured, and your trusted discounted holiday site will put the balls into motion for you. From check in, to transport through from your airport to your chosen destination – everything is thought of, leaving you nothing to do but relax and rejuvenate, without a care in the world.

Trusted travel companies know which hotels and which areas are best for their customers. By booking online you benefit not only from expert knowledge and guidance, but web exclusive discounts are also available with most package holidays.

Stress less this season and book your Tenerife package holiday online. Leave your worries at home and travel in style, safely in the knowledge that your holiday has been booked, planned, and will be executed by the best in the business.

Photo Credit: MendesEnrique

This post is sponsored by Direct Holidays 

Tenerife Getaways: The Benefits of Package Holidays is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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It’s not too early to start planning for your holiday breaks for the summer. With a proper planning, you will be able to enjoy family vacation at the exotic locations that your family will come back with the lasting memory for the whole clan. And if you’re after a beach holiday with a difference this summer, don’t just settle for the same old Spain or your umpteenth visit to the Greek islands. Of course wherever you go there’s always the opportunity to see more and discover more – but if you fancy breaking the mould, there’s plenty of choice out there to tempt you away from the norm.

Beach Holidays in North Africa

North Africa is one such destination. When you think about North Africa, you might not associate it with beach vacation. Over the past few years prices on holidays to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have come down as demand and competition has increased, and now you can grab Egyptian bargains or cheap holidays to Tunisia that won’t break the bank.

Egypt consists of the Mediterranean beaches on the north and the Red Sea on the east. Each of these beaches offer something for everyone with slightly different feel that is sure to please vacationers looking for wonderful holiday breaks.

In Tunisia, a comprehensive list of pristine beaches are ready to spoil you on your visit. Some of the beaches in Tunisia have soft and gentle shores and some have rugged rocky caverns and some Tunisian coastlines even are hemmed with long palm trees. The Tunisian beaches are the perfect place to enjoy sun-bathe or enjoy some exciting family water sports.

With Morocco’s several thousand kilometers of coast whose landscapes are diverse and offer the extensive stretches of golden sand, crystal clear waters and abundance of water sports, it’s no wonder that beach vacations in Morocco is considered some of the best family’s favorite holidays.

More Than just Beach Holidays

What’s more, many of these destinations offer more than just beach holidays. Take Morocco for instance. The bewitching city of Marrakech makes a fascinating city break that’s worlds away from the westernised favourites of Paris and Rome. In Marrakech you’ll find bustling souks and buzzing bazaars that fill the streets and squares with spice-scented stalls selling a heady array of Moroccon goods and fresh, tasty dishes. And once you’ve had your fill of North African cuisine and you’re ready to rest your weary legs, you can head to one of the city’s fabulous spas for a relaxing massage.

Then there’s Egypt. This vast destination has a holiday for every occasion – for beach-lovers, scuba divers, city slickers, cruisers, and just about everyone in-between. The jewel in the crown is of course Egypt’s ancient history and its magnificent monuments, ranging from the world famous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx to the spectacular Temple of Karnak. Away from the sights, resorts like Sharm el Sheikh offer a fantastic beach environment, with gorgeous golden sands and pristine waters that sparkle under cloudless blue skies. It’s beach holiday heaven.

So which sizzling beach holiday destination will you choose?

Photo Credits: wentuq, dantaylor, geezaweezer

This post is sponsored by Thomas Cook 

Unconventional Sizzling Beach Holiday Destinations is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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This could be the coolest place to visit or the most disgusting place to visit depends on how you view it. The Gum Wall at Pike Place Market is an attraction worth visiting in our book. It’s hidden down the valley next to Pike Place Market in Seattle.

During our Photo walking tour in Seattle, it’s one of the stop and actually a fun place to photograph.

The wall is part of the box office for the Market Theatre. The box office is still operating. So just imagine buying a ticket from that box office.

This local landmark is fun for kids to check out but make sure they won’t touch it as it’s one of the top 5 germiest tourist attraction.

Mr. Z wants to go back and still asks about it once in a while. Miss J, as you can see, was not that fond of the wall.

So have you been to this local landmark in Seattle? What do you think?

Check out other travel photos from  Budget Travelers Sandbox , R We There Yet Mom? and Delicious Baby.

Travel Photo: The Gum Wall at Market Theatre, Seattle is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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As a family who lives in the South where snow is a thing of special treat, planning a ski trip with kids can be very challenging and costly. And like many families who have never skied before the task of preparing all the necessary equipments and gears can be daunting. So I would like to share with you our own experience when we prepared for our first ever ski trip a couple years ago. I still feel like newbie in this ski thing. Planning a successful family ski vacation is easier with these tips for planning family ski trip from various family travel bloggers.

Ski is an expensive activity. You probably know that. Just to get ourselves ready for a day on the slope we have to purchase several clothing to make sure that we won’t freeze to death. However, there are ways to help minimize the cost by shopping smarter and know what to splurge and what to skim. If this is your first time planning a family ski trip and don’t yet know whether your family will like it, you don’t have to go overboard and purchase $300 snow pant. Read on for more tips on planning and saving on family ski vacation.

Things to Prepare for Family Ski Trip

Ski Clothing

Base Layer

To help combat the cold and prevent us from loosing the heat, a shirt made from quick-drying fabric like a synthetic blend of wool, which wicks moisture away from skin, is an essential base layer. We picked up a few t-shirt at Target for less than $20 each. For a more popular brand, you can spend a bit more with Under Armour shirt.

Mid Layer

We already have fleece sweater so fortunately we don’t have to shell out on this layer. Keep an eye out for winter clearance sale from Old Navy or sporting store like REI to score deep discount fleece sweater or jacket. During the sale, I was able to score $7 fleece sweater.

Ski Jacket

This is probably the most expensive investment we have to do. It’s highly recommended that we look for waterproof jacket. The waterproof feature drives up the price and selections. Luckily, when I went shopping at REI, we snatched a Burton Jacket for Mr. Z. Be on the look out for end of season sale at the ski store as well. Typically, they will have a sale pre-season around September or October to clear out last season inventory. It’s a great time to shop for great jacket. This is the one item that I think you should invest on.

Snow Pants

For Miss J and Mr. Z, I opted for the bib options for them. We picked one up for each of them last year from Walmart. I know.. I don’t even know if there is a brand on this but for a once a year activity, I think it will work out. We might invest in better pants or bib later if they decide they want to go skiing more often. For now, every penny counts! For me, I was able to check out the used sporting store in our area (similar to Play Again Sport) and picked up a nice snow pants for under $30.

Ski Gloves or Mittens

We need waterproof and breathable gloves. Our normal winter gloves that we use won’t do. Luckily, we found a cheap option from warehouse club for less than $15 a pair. Our gloves have a little pouch that you can store the handwarmer.

Socks

This is another key for keeping yourself as comfortable as you can because you will need all your focus on skiing downhill. Good socks will keep your feet warm even on the cold day. Looks for wool socks and preferably ski socks.

Balaclava or Neck gaiters

Balac what??? That’s my first response. But talking to my friend who has been going skiing every year, this is one piece of clothing that he highly recommended. It will help prevent your face from freezing on your way downhill. Typical scarf will only get in a way and get tangled after a run.

Ski Goggles

This is a must in my book because it will not only protect your eyes from the Sun but also the wind. The ski goggle prices are varied based on the manufacturing and feature. But if this is your first time, you can pick up an entry level ski goggle from the Academy Sport store for under $20 per pair. For kids who wear glasses, you can also look for the ski goggle that goes over the glass. Ask for OTG goggle.

Ski Helmet

We didn’t purchase the ski helmet during our first trip but we rent it from the ski shop. It’s a must in my opinion. You don’t know what can happen and you want to protect your head at all cost. Once we realized that our family love to go skiing and it’s something we will do it on an annual basis, we decided to invest in a helmet for each kid. For way to save, check out the clearance section of the sporting store like REI to see last season helmet. We were able to pick up a ski helmet for Miss J for under $30. So worth it!

Helmet Cover (optional)

We didn’t have the helmet cover yet but it’s something we are thinking about buying. It’s not only a fun way to display their helmet but it’s a great way for us to help identify our kids can they ski down the slope.

Accommodations

Choosing where to stay during your ski trip can help ease the hassle in the morning rush to get to the slope. Hotels or condos closer to the ski slope and within ski village allows the morning routine to be less work.

Also look for condo type accommodation will provide more space for the whole family and other features like dining room and kitchen will come in handy to help save the cost of eating out during family ski vacation.

Many ski resorts provide Kids Ski Free when families book accommodation with a resort. This can help save a lot especially if your kids are older than 6 years old (since most ski resorts already have a program for kids under 6 ski free).

Another way to help save on your family ski trip is to plan a vacation with another family and share the accommodation. Many ski resorts also offer cabin style accommodation that can fit a large group. By sharing with another family, you can save on the cost and have instant play pals for your children.

Ski Equipment Rentals

To rent or to buy, it’s never a question for us during our first ski trip. Ski equipment is ridiculously expensive. So for a first timer, it makes more sense to just rent the ski equipment. Even if you plan to ski for a few times a year, the cost is still cheaper. Unless of course, your kid plans to join the ski team.

Renting ski equipment is something you can plan in advance rather than wait until the day you want to ski. By arriving early to the ski resort or check out information in advance, you can most likely rent the ski equipment the night before to avoid the long line and rush. Most ski resorts will allow late night pick up of your ski rental equipment as well as lift ticket purchase for the next morning.

Another option for ski rental is to check out local ski shop. Most will have cheaper rate than the ski resort and less crowd. However, it will involve having to transport all the ski equipment on your own. So if you don’t have a car, it might be a bit difficult. Check with local shop if they offer the service the deliver your ski rental equipment.

Ski or Snowboard Lessons

For a first timer to family ski trip, ski or snowboard lesson is a must for everyone. I know that the price tag is not something we like to see. But think about the investment you have put into planning a family ski trip with all the hotel, flight, lift ticket, ski rental and ski clothes. You wouldn’t want to ruin the whole vacation by not having fun, right? Having a lesson will provide a good foundation for kids and adults to be able to eventually enjoy the slope on their own.

I would recommend for at least a full day lesson for first timer. It will help you truly learn how to put the ski on, walk on the ski, stop and probably turn as well. And if you are a quick learner, you might even get to go on the lift and take on a few run on the green. It’s much better to learn to get on and off the chair lift with an instructor. I can tell you  that!

For a way to save on ski lesson, check out also family private lesson. With the whole family learning together, it might be cheaper than putting everyone on a different group lesson and you will get more personalized lesson.

My friend, Jen @ TwoKidsandAMap, has a great post laying it out for whether you should take ski or snowboard lesson.

On the Mountain Tips

Prepare for Altitude Sickness

If you travel to the ski resort, chances are you will be traveling to a much higher altitude than your home base so one of the main thing to be aware of is Altitude sickness is real and important.

What is altitude sickness (also known as acute mountain sickness)? The altitude sickness is the effect of high altitude (mostly occur at 8,000 ft or higher) on human body. Symptoms often manifest themselves six to ten hours after ascent and generally subside in one to two days, but they occasionally develop into the more serious conditions. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, stomach illness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance.

In order to help avoiding altitude sickness, here are some tips to avoid altitude sickness.

• Drink plenty of water one week before your trip.
• If possible, arrive at the base city to help acclimate your body. For a ski trip to the Colorado mountain, a night stay in Denver will help adjust your body. Denver is already at 5,000 ft after all.
• Take it easy on the first day. I know you will want to go up the top of the mountain and make use of your time but it will be wise to just take it easy on the first day. Enjoy other activities available at the ski resort.
• Limit the alcohol intake.
• Drink plenty of water during your time at the high altitude.

For more tips, check out expert Colorado blogger, Kara @ TheVacationGals for tips to avoid altitude sickness on the mountains.

Early Bird Gets the Worms

I admit that we are a lazy vacationer type. I love to sleep and there are more than one occasion that we forego one of to-do on our list during our vacation for a bit more sleep. But when planning family ski vacation, we typically run into the busy holiday weekend as that is the only time we can have decent amount of vacation days without taking the kids out from school. With that limitation, it also means all other families are there at the same time. So waking up early and get to the slope as soon as you can is the one thing that regardless of how much you want to cuddle under that warm blanket you must get up.

Some ski resorts will let you start earlier than published lift time if you have already purchased a ticket. Even if they don’t, it doesn’t hurt to be one of the first in line to get on the slope. Waiting till late morning can mean a line mimic one from Disney’s theme park on the busy holiday weekend.

Activities beyond Ski & Snowboard

There are other winter activities available in most ski resorts that will keep even the most timid skiers happy. When planning a family ski trip, don’t forget to check out other family-friendly activities available at your ski resort like Kidtopia or snowtubing at Keystone resort.

Plan a day to enjoy what the ski resort has to offer and also give your body a chance to rest like an outdoor hot tub to relax your body with a great mountain view.

Planning Tips from Family Travel Bloggers

The beauty of travel community is the vast amount of resources and knowledge we learn and share with each other. These are just some of the tips I found from our family travel experts.

• How to Pack for Family Ski Vacation by The Q Family Adventures
• How to Plan Family Ski Trip on a Budget by The Q Family Adventures
• 12 Tips for First Time Skiers by TravelingMom
• Tips for Planning the Best Family Ski Vacation by Ciao Bambino
• Tips for getting kids gear up for the ski season by Mother of All Trips
• 5 Tips for successful holiday family ski trip by Pit Stops for Kids
• What to Wear Skiing – A Beginner Guide by Field Trips with Sue
• 30 Skiing Tips for Beginner by R We There Yet Mom

Do you have other tips to share? Please feel free to leave a comment.

This post is also part of Travel Tips Tuesday hosting by Walking on Travel and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. Check out other travel tips from other bloggers.

Tips for Planning Family Ski Trip for First-Timers is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Whether you are hoping for a touch of winter sun this season, or you are looking forward into the summer months for a stint in the States, whatever the weather, there is no denying that Orlando Florida is one of the most breath-taking breaks your family will ever take.

With so much action on offer, the key to a stress-free sojourn with your sprogs is to start as you mean to go on. Forget rushing around, filling cases, and panicking on your way to the airport, take your time to pack and stay at hotels near Gatwick the night before your flight. Kick back, relax, enjoy a meal, a drink, and a soothing bath, before heading over to your terminal for that long-haul flight.

How to spend your time can be a little bit baffling. Orlando is brimming with world-class attractions, with astounding reputations and an air of all things magic, to boot.

There are one or two that simply cannot be missed, including the  Walt Disney World Resort and the Universal Resort. Within the two resorts, expect the six theme parks, waterparks and boardwalks to take up the majority of your time in Florida.

Disney is the place where magic comes to life and dreams come true. Regardless of the age of your children, the productions, rides and entertainment here are out of this world, and will blow all away, from the tiniest tots, to the oldest in your clan.

As well as ‘riding the movies’ at the Universal Resort – including Transformers, Cat in the Hat, Shrek and Twister –  be sure to plan a day into your itinerary to indulge in the highly acclaimed, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, situated within the Islands of Adventure park.

Sprinkle your stay with a few of the smaller-scale attractions. Although the main resorts will take up a large chunk of your time in Orlando, sites such as  SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild,  LEGOLAND and  Gatorland, are well worth popping on to your plan.

Slightly outside of the main theme park region, Busch Gardens is a must-do day out for the whole family. A wildlife park and outstanding thrill park rolled into one, Busch Gardens is well worth the trek out of Orlando terrain.

Located in Tampa, Busch Gardens is easily accessible in little over an hour using your holiday hire car. Alternatively, if you have chosen not to drive during your break abroad, the  Orlando Flex Ticket Plus will grant you and your brood unlimited access to the Universal Resort, Wet ‘n Wild, Aquatica, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. This includes a free shuttle service, direct from the gates of Universal Studios.

Let the adventure begin today, and start creating those family memories that will last a lifetime. You are about to embark on the most magical escape available, so start as you mean to go on, and get all the little details in order.

Book your break online today, grab an online discount, and reserve your stay at hotels near Gatwick for a stress-free start to your Orlando holiday.

This post is sponsored by Travelodge.

Ideas for Gatwick Getaways – Orlando Attractions in Florida is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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We visited Savannah without kids on our most recent anniversary trip. I highly recommended taking a trip without kids once in a while to reconnect with your partner. It was fun walking around Savannah without any plan or itinerary and just enjoyed taking the pictures of great architects in the city.

The Independent Presbyterian Church is one of many locations that were featured in Forrest Gump movie in Savannah, GA.

Have you been to Savannah? What’s your most favorite part of the city?

Travel Photo: Churches in Savannah, Georgia is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Visiting Phuket with kids is no doubt one of the most popular things to do when vacationing in Thailand. Last summer Phuket was high on the list of must-do for our family when we plan our trip to Thailand. Our last visit to Phuket was over 9 years ago and it was before Mr. Z joined our family. So this was his first trip to Phuket. As with other travel plan, we needed to figure out where to stay, what to do and where to eat. Luckily, for the first part we had it covered.

A Family Stay at Best Western Allamanda Laguna Phuket

My sister is a member of Laguna Holiday club (similar to timeshare in the US) and she graciously offered us to stay for a few days using her points. After checking availability and points, we opted to book at Best Western Allamanda Laguna. The Best Western Allamanda Laguna is part of Laguna Phuket, the luxury destination resort that includes seven deluxe hotels and luxury villas along Bang Tao beach in Phuket. The Allamanda is the suite hotel that offers space perfect for a group of friends or families.

Secluded Beach Perfect for Family Getaway

With the great location in Bang Tao beach, the beach of Laguna Phuket is perfect for family looking for a true getaway vacation of relaxing and tranquility. The beach is away from most popular beaches in Phuket like Patong beach or Karon beach. Heck, you probably won’t even hear about Bang Tao beach as one of the recommendation on where to stay in Phuket.

Bang Tao beach with over 4 miles in length is one of the longest beach in Phuket and yet mostly undeveloped. With limited public beach road, the beach is used mostly by hotels and resorts guests. This makes a perfect place to truly relax and enjoy the pristine beach all to yourself.

However, if you plan to explore other parts of Phuket, it will be a bit of a drive. The option will be to get a private tour for a day and a driver can take you around or rent a car like we did. Mr. Rojo was a sole driver during our time in Phuket and he had no problem at all after conquer driving in Bangkok. There are less traffic and the road is clearly marked.

Fun Activities for Kids

We visited Phuket during the low season (in July) so it’s even more deserted. There are a few restaurants along the beach and few activities for kids to do. Most prominently is the horse back riding provided by Bang Tao Riding club. During the high season (from Nov-April), there will be other water sports fun like banana boat, paragliding, water skiing and jet skiing. But our favorite activity to do with kids at the beach was simply enjoying the wave of the beautiful emerald green ocean and walking along this quiet beach to truly enjoy our family time.

Apart from enjoying beach time, there are also other fun activities available at the resort as well. The resort has great swimming pool by the lake that we took advantage of. Within Laguna Phuket, there are also other pools available for guests including a pool by the beach.

After a quick shower, we also enjoyed a boat ride along the lake to check out other hotels within the resort. The boat is one of the inter-resort transportation that allows guests to travel within the resort area.

Great Space for Family at Best Western Allamanda

 The reason we chose to stay at the Best Western Allamanda Laguna Phuket because the suite room that provide a great value when travel with kids. All suites include dining area, living room and kitchenette. It’s something that we always look for when planning for our family trip.

Even though we won’t be cooking up a big meal on our vacation especially in Thailand where there are so many places to eat, it’s still nice to have full size refrigerator to keep drinks and snacks for late night. We actually did cook our breakfast daily. It’s cheaper and much easier than get everyone dressed up in the morning for breakfast.

We stayed at 2 bedroom suites which has 3 levels. The first level is the dining room, living room and kitchen with the view of the lake from the balcony. The 2nd level is the master bedroom with the lake view from the room and master bathroom. The 3rd level is the second bedroom with two twin beds and bathroom. There are also lounge chairs on the roof top, a perfect space to just soak in the beauty of the area.

Our room is on the lake front so we had a perfect view to enjoy the Sunset right from our balcony.

Overall, we had a great stay at the Allamanda. The location is perfect for our travel style for this trip – relax, slow and downtime. But for those who are looking for doing things in town, might find that the location is not ideal.

Have you been to Phuket? Where did you stay? 

Phuket with Kids: Family Stay at Best Western Allamanda Laguna Phuket, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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I have visited Edinburgh pre-kid day but I still long for the day that we can take the kids to visit Edinburgh and Scotland soon. Now that they have watched ‘Brave’ movie, I think they are even more interested in Scotland than before. So today, I’m glad to share a post about visiting Edinburgh during one of their popular event to celebrate Robert Burns.

Commemorating a Prolific Poet: Burns Night in Edinburgh

The celebration of the life of Robert Burns is a popular tradition in Scotland. The notorious poet, who was born on 25^th January 1759, unites Scotsmen and tourists alike, in a commemoration of one of the most powerful and talented poets to ever live.

Whether you’re an aficionado of Burns’ poetry, a local Scot or just someone who wants to appreciate the life and works of Robert Burns, Burns Night is a custom that will leave you satisfied. Spend the night in Edinburgh and enjoy the festivities that are organised during the day and evening. You can find great deals on hotels in Edinburgh, meaning that it will be an affordable, yet rewarding, stay.

Ever since the first Burns night was held back in the 18^th century, the evening has been an annual occurrence, including formal and informal suppers involving traditional food such as haggis, neaps, tatties and Scotch whiskey.

Burns suppers are traditionally organised to take place all over Scotland, and Edinburgh is no different – if you fancy a piece of heritage and culture, this event is not to be missed. Whether you choose to attend a typical informal pub or opt instead or a more formal restaurant dinner, the formalities are the same and continue to be steeped with history and pride.

As a sign of the end of the winter festival of events, this memorable evening can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all budgets.

If you’re interested in a more lavish affair, head for Prestonfield House on the 31^st January for a little luxury and enjoy a dram of whiskey and a three course dinner, along with some fantastic speakers and entertainment following the meal. You can book tickets for this incredible evening now, and cost £50 per person.

Alternatively, opt for a visit to the Whiski Bar for a Burns Supper and some dazzling entertainment. On the 25^th January, for £30 each, you can enjoy the traditional fiddle music of Muckle Fuggla, whilst dining on a traditional 3 course meal to include Cock-a-leekie soup, haggis and cranachan.

The delectable food combined with the recital of Burns’ “To a Haggis”, followed by the raising of the platter and the exclamation “Gie her a Haggis!” can be expected at formal and informal events to celebrate the life and works of this prolific poet. With light-hearted readings throughout the evening, including “Toast to the Lassies” and the notorious “Auld Lang Syne” – a song that has implanted itself firmly on the musical map.

Even if you’re not as passionate about Robert Burns and his poetic and literary works, the atmosphere that will welcome you at your chosen destination will be magical. The food and drink that flows smoothly is enough for you to have a “braw nicht”.

There are thousands of Burns suppers that are presented all over the world on Burns Night, but there’s no better place to celebrate than in bonnie Scotland. Book your accommodation now and enjoy something a little different, this January.

Photo Credits: Moyan Brenn, LindaH, Nick in exsilio

This post is sponsored by Travelodge.

Visit Scotland: Celebrate Burns Night in Edinburgh is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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There are so many things to do with kids in Denver that it’s hard to pick only five family-favorite. Denver or as many called ‘Mile High city’ is an active metropolitan city with endless of fun family-friendly things to do year round. Our first visit in winter of 2011 left us with a great impression that so far is one of our favorite destination for our winter break.

When I researched for our ski trip to Colorado, I knew we want to spend a few days in Denver after the trip so I have compiled a short list of fun things to do with kids in Denver for winter vacation that we couldn’t miss. Don’t forget to check out Visit Denver (the official Denver travel and visitor bureau) for ideas and family-friendly itineraries. These are top 5 family-friendly things to do with kids in Denver that we planned for our Denver trip.

5 Family Fun Things to Do with Kids in Denver

Outdoor Ice Skating Fun

During winter, there are several outdoor ice skating rinks in Denver area that kids can enjoy throughout winter season. We chose to visit the Southwest Rink at Skyline park. With the cost of only $2 skate rental fee or FREE if you bring your own skate, you can’t beat this low-cost fun in downtown Denver.

Denver Attractions

There are several kid-friendly attractions in Denver that are highly recommended by locals. Denver Zoo is a big hit for my family travel blogger friend, Jennifer Close author of Two Kids and A map site, who just recently relocated to Denver. She loved how close in proximity she felt to the animals. The downtown Denver Aquarium is another great option especially the option to dine at the Aquarium restaurant while surrounds by a variety of marine life. Kara Williams, author of The Vacation Gals, recommended Downtown Aquarium as one of the activities for kids in Denver among other family-friendly attractions.

Dinosaur Ridge

Not exactly in Denver but within the driving distance, Dinosaur Ridge caught our eyes as one of the unique place to visit that we don’t normally have a chance in our own city. And what kid doesn’t like to put on the explorer hat and pretend to be Indiana Jones for a day. You can hike the trail, take the tour which is highly recommended and visit the visitor center. Kids will have a chance to touch the real dinosaur bones. This is a great gem just right outside Denver.

Red Rocks Amphitheater

The Red Rocks amphitheater is a popular spot especially during summer when there are outdoor concerts and movies for visitors to enjoy. Red Rocks open year round so during the winter months, you can still visit the visitor center and take in the majestic views.

The Rocky Mountain National Park

A side trip from Denver to the Rocky Mountains national park is definitely worth a drive. During winter months, there will be less outdoor activities but it’s still enough to entertain the whole family. Driving to the mountains can be challenging so make sure that you check the weather forecast and road conditions before taking the trip. We enjoyed a small hike at the Bear Lake trail head. Even for a non-hiker, you can do a short walk to the lake and enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

Do you have other family fun activities in Denver to recommend? Leave a comment or link to your post.

5 Family Fun Things to Do with Kids in Denver for Winter is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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We revisited Laguna Beach resort in Bang Tao, Phuket, Thailand this past summer after our first visit 9 years ago. It is still as beautiful as we remembered but more memorable because this trip we shared the moment with both our kids.

Laguna beach resort in Bang Tao is quite out of the way from most popular resorts in Phuket so the beach is empty that we felt that we had our own private beach.

Have you been to Phuket? What’s your favorite beach?

Travel Photo: Laguna Beach Phuket, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Beech Mountain Resort is one of the popular ski resorts in North Carolina that is within driving distance from Atlanta. Our family loves to go skiing. But living in the Southeast makes it more difficult and less ideal to have family ski trip on a regular basis. So we took opportunity on skiing in North Carolina area as much as we can. Ski Beech Mountain is a good option for family ski trip from Atlanta area.

Quaint Ski Village atop Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain town which is named ‘Eastern America’s Highest Town’ is a picturesque town with snow covered trees lining the road leading up the mountain. It truly feels like a winter wonderland once we have reach the top of the mountain. This small town offers not just a great winter getaway with snow sports like skiing or snowboarding but also other activities like snowshoeing and sledding hill.

Ski Fun for Kids and First Timer

Ski at Beech Mountain resort is fun especially those who ski for the first time or still learning how to ski. (ahem.. like myself). The short slope allows me to be able to slowly make my way downhill without the fear of getting stuck on the trail. We were lucky to ski on such a beautiful day or as our mountain host said ‘It’s a 4 or 5 golf balls day’.

The perfect temperature on the sunny day provides us the beautiful blue sky with clear view. Mr. Z and I were part of the media group after filled out the form we were suited up with our ski boots and ski in no time. I would think that during the holiday weekend it will probably be busier than this. Plan to arrive early to beat the crowd.

Miss J and Mr. Rojo arrived later but still early enough to be one of the first one to purchase lift tickets so they didn’t have to wait long to get their ski rental before they were on their way up the lift to the green slope.

Mr. Z and I signed up for a semi-private lesson for one hour. It was a good review on what to do for me since this was our first ski of the season. We stayed at the school yard area and used the J-bar to get up the hill for practice a few times for our turns and stops. In the future, I will probably enroll in private lesson for Mr. Z because his skill is clearly outpace me (thanks to ski school at Keystone resort last year) and he felt that it was something he has already known. It would probably be more beneficial if the coach will take him on the real slope for a more challenging lesson.

The school yard area is not only for skiers in class but beginners can also use the bunny slope to learn and get acquainted to ski. I like the fact that they have 2 separate lines for J-bar. One for people in class since they have limited time so it allows them to move along much faster than if everyone wait in line.

Food Options at Beech Mountain

The Alpine Village in Beech Mountain resort provides a few options for dining from cafeteria style at the View Haus where you can get a quick bite or sit down style at the Beech Tree bar and grill that provide the full menu option for those who look for a break after a long day of skiing.

Also if you are willing to drive, just right outside the entrance of Beech Mountain resort is the Famous Fast Eddie’s Chicago style hot dogs & deli that offers authentic Chicago style hot dog. Or for a bit longer drive (no more than 5 more minutes), Fred’s Backside deli offers lunch menu as well. We truly love their breakfast. It’s a great way to start the day.

For more budget-friendly option, you can also pack lunch to save both time and money. Also check out our tips on ways to save on family ski trip.

Overall, we had a great ski trip and already plan to go back again over the long weekend. It’s not ideal for experienced skiers looking for more challenges but it’s perfect for this scary cat skier. :)

 Do you plan to go skiing this season? Where will you go?

Thank you Beech Mountain for providing our family with complimentary accommodation and ski tickets during our stay.

Ski Beech Mountain Resort: Great for Family Ski Trip near Atlanta is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Happy New Year 2013

My favorite post that I love to write each year and I have been consistently keeping it up for all 4 years of blogging is our family travel year end review post. With a lack of posting in the past few months, it’s surprising for me to see that we have done quite a few adventures this year. I can’t say enough of how bless we feel to be able to afford the chances to explore the world with our family. I hope you will find this post not as a bragging on ‘hey-see-where-I-go’ but more of an inspiration to create your own family adventures with your family.

JAN: Appalachian Ski Trip, Blowing Rock, NC

We continued our ski-bug-bite from the previous year trip to Keystone resort with family ski trip with a group of friends to Appalachian Ski resort in North Carolina. The ski resort is nothing compared to the Colorado mountain but it’s the companionship that made the trip. Kids enjoyed playing in the snow when we got snowed in for a day and had a blast on the slopes the next day. It’s a great alternative for us to get some ski time near Atlanta area.

FEB: Cataloochee Ski Trip, Maggie Valley, NC

Yet another short ski trip from Atlanta to satisfy the kids new favorite sport. For a beginner in skiing, the Cattaloochee ski resort in North Carolina area is perfect for us. The within-driving distance from Atlanta, low-key ski resort, more affordable lift ticket and ski rental are great for us to learn how to master our skill after learning from Keystone Ski school. But we know eventually we will need to plan a proper ski trip out West or even further up North for them to enjoy. But this trip was yet another successful fun trip for them. It goes to show that traveling with kids doesn’t have to be fancy.

MAR: Legoland Discovery Center, Atlanta, GA

In March, we explored our own backyard and checked out the newly opened Legoland Discovery Center in Atlanta. With a boy whose currently toys collection consisted of only LEGO, it was beyond happy for Mr. Z.

APR: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

This month, we were invited to attend Disney Social Media Mom celebration in Disney World and got a chance to get a sneak peek at their new Disney’s Art of Animation resort, a great new addition to Walt Disney World resort that we plan to stay on our next trip.

APR: Stone Mountain, Atlanta, GA

During Spring break, we stayed in town and visited Stone Mountain park to check out their new attraction, the Geyser Towers. Kids had fun on the hot day.

JUN: Month long visit to Thailand

The summer of 2012, we spent 2 months in Thailand with my family. It will take us a while to write about our visit. We took several side trips from Bangkok to Hua Hin, Rayong, Phuket and Ayutthaya. It was one of the highlight for us to be able to spend a big chunk of time with cousins and relatives.

JUL: Hong Kong

With our long stay in Thailand, we took advantage of cheap airfare from Air Asia and went to Hong Kong for a few days. We explored the island slowly and enjoyed our time walking, eating and sightseeing.

JUL: Singapore

On our way back from Thailand, we had a stopover in Singapore for a few days. My family flew there with us and we had a great time checking out Universal Studio Singapore and eating chilli crab. It was a short yet sweet trip for us to end our summer in Asia.

SEP: Anniversary trip to Savannah, GA

We escaped for a couple trip to Savannah to celebrate our anniversary. I fell in love with this historic mossy town. We plan to bring the kids back with us later this year. After all, Miss J is a girl scout so she has been asking about a visit to Savannah for a while.

After that, we have been staying put in town. I guess the months long trip to Asia has done it for us. It makes me realized that I love to travel but I also love to be home in my own bed, taking my dog for a walk and having coffee with my friends. So the last quarter of the year was all about friends and parties.

It has been yet another blessed year for us that we can continue to pursue our love of travel and adventures with our children.

So here come 2013, we are excited to the new adventures. What are you most exciting about your 2013 plan?

And if you have free time, you can check out our family travel in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Our Family Travel in 2012 is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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The Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha is located in Po Lin monastery in Lantau island, Hong Kong.

Travel Photo: Tian Tan Buddha (The Big Buddha) in Hong Kong, China is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Night time viewing of animals at the Savanna overlook, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida

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The view of Brockton Point lighthouse at Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada.

Travel Photo: Brockton Point Lighthouse at Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Family ski vacation can be both fun and intimidating at the same time especially for family that ski for the first time. If you grew up skiing, lucky you. You probably know the in and out of how to prepare for your family ski trip. But if you, like me, have never gotten up the slope or put on the ski boots before, the idea of preparing, outfitting and packing for your whole family for the next ski vacation seems like a daunting task.

We went skiing for the fist time as a family last season. With countless nights of reading tips on planning family ski vacation and my faithful spreadsheet, we had the best time on the slope and we dare say that it was one of our favorite family vacation.

Outfitting your children for ski clothing and accessories can be expensive but with our tips you will be able to save on things that you can skim on and invest on things that will worth in the long run. So here are our packing list for family ski trip.

Packing List for Family Skip Trip

Ski Clothing & Accessories

These are items you must pack for your next ski trip. It will ensure your enjoyment up on the mountain.

• Ski jacket – Invest in a good quality jacket that is waterproof.
• Snow pant/Bib – Snow bib is like an overall of snow pant. It’s great for children so it won’t fall down. We bought a size bigger and adjust it to fit.
• Ski glove – Cold hand will make skiing miserable. So invest in a glove that is waterproof that also have lining to keep the little fingers warm
• Goggles – Try it out with your kid to see if it fits properly. It’s best to go to the store to buy goggles.
• Base layer – long sleeve and thermal pant.
• Mid layer – Get fleece top and fleece bottom. My kids actually didn’t wear the mid layer bottom as much. Just the base layer and their snow pant already kept them warm.
• Ski socks – Look for wicked sock so it will not hold the sweat and keep your feet dry.
• Ski mitten – It will help keep their hand warm when they need to take the ski glove off.
• Neck gaiter/Balaclavas – Not a scarf but neck/face warmer that keep the wind out of your face.
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Hand/foot warmer

Ski Equipments (you can rent)

Since this article is written for first time skiers, it’s will be crazy to advice you to invest hundreds (no maybe even thousands) on the ski equipment. All ski resorts will have ski equipment (boots, ski, poles, helmets) for rent. So these are the ski equipments that you need but you don’t really have to buy if this is your first time on the slope.

• Ski boots
• Poles
• Ski
• Helmets – If you plan to ski at least 2-3 times a year, it’s worth investing in a helmet. For health reason at least you won’t have to worry about lice and the cost of renting helmet will pay off for itself in a few days. We were able to pick up a helmet on clearance that cost less than $30 for our kids.

Après Ski Clothing

• Sweater
• Jeans
• Boots
• Shirts
• Undergarments
• Socks
• Scarf
• Pajamas
• Swimsuit – There most likely are hot tub in the ski resorts and it’s one of the best way to end your day after a hard day on the slope.
• Sunglasses

Do you have any particular tips to share on packing for family ski holiday? We will include your tips on our next post about how to save on ski equipments & gears.

Travel Tips: How to Pack for Family Ski Vacation is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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The Buddha statue at Wat Yai Chaimongkol in Ayutthaya, Thailand. We visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol during our family trip to Thailand this past summer.

Travel Photo: Buddha at Wat Yai Chaimongkol in Ayutthaya, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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As promised, here is the video of the Hong Kong Independence Day 2012 Fireworks. We didn’t get to stay at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbor but still had a great view of the show. Read more about our experience celebrating Hong Kong Independence Day here.

Hong Kong Independence Day 2012 Firework Video

Hong Kong Independence Day 2012 – Fireworks Video is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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On our recent visit to Hong Kong with kids this past summer, we did it in a way that many probably scoff at especially if they used to the fast pace of visiting multiple tourist attractions in one day.

After some research and looking at what to do in Hong Kong with kids, we decided to have a rough plan but also allow for some flexibility if we get too tired.

Our first day in Hong Kong we only had a few items on our to-do list (like visiting the Nan Lian garden) but after an early morning flight from Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, we decided to just forget it and took a quick nap in our room at the Citadines Ashley and headed out at night.

And we were in for a big surprise. As we walked out of our hotel and headed toward Nathan street, we noticed several detour signs and lot of polices. I vaguely remembered at our check-in that our hotel reception mentioned something about firework. Hmm.. It was hard to pay attention when you were sleepy. With the street closure that allowed us to be able to walk the street that typically fills with cars and buses. When would we be able to take this shot in the middle of the street in Hong Kong?

Asking around we found out that it was the Hong Kong Independence Day. The Hong Kong Independence day is July 1 which is the day that Hong Kong was transferred back to China. As a special administrative region (SAR) of China, Hong Kong has a different political system from China and for family planning to visit Hong Kong from the USA it means one good news. No need for Chinese VISA which can cost upward to $200-$300 for your family.

There was a firework celebration planned at the Victoria harbor where we headed anyway. So we went with the crowd and headed to the Victoria harbor.

We didn’t realize how big of the event was until the start of the fireworks show. It was amazing and they pulled out all the fancy fireworks to celebrate the national day. One down side though it kinda ruin our experience with the Symphony of Lights the next night.

With the amount of people who came out to watch the firework, it was surprisingly orderly and safe. We saw the policemen everywhere directing the human traffic as we moved along the Salisbury road. With a few detour, we were back on Nathan road and headed back toward our hotel.

Less than 30 minutes after the final firework was fired to the sky, the street was clear and back to normal business. It was a fun night out for all of us to participate in the celebration of Hong Kong Independence day.

Now most of you probably wonder where are the pictures of the firework. Well, being an amateur photographer and yet want to use manual mode, I managed to capture zero good picture for the firework. However, thanks to our resident videographer, Mr. Rojo, we will put up the video later.

Hong Kong With Kids: Celebrating Hong Kong Independence Day is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Our family learned to ski together the first time last season and it had been one of the fun experience we have done together. Ski with kids can be a fun family vacation with the right planning. We picked the perfect family friendly ski resort at Keystone Ski resort in Colorado for our first lesson and I couldn’t be more satisfied with all the learning and improvement my kids had done last year.

When I heard the latest announcement from Keystone Ski resort about their latest promotion ‘Kids Ski FREE at Keystone Resort. Every Day. All Season Long. No Blackouts.‘ I couldn’t wait to share this awesome ski deal with you guys.

Here is the official information from Keystone:

As simple as childhood itself, Keystone’s Kids Ski Free program removes the red tape and fine print, allowing all children 12 years of age and under to ski and snowboard free every day, all season. The program has no blackout dates and is available on all weekends and holidays, a rarity in the ski industry. To qualify, families must stay two or more nights in one of Keystone’s numerous owned and operated accommodation options, which span from luxury hotel rooms to cozy ski-in/ski-out condominiums. Families big and small are able to take advantage of the offer, as there are no restrictions on the number of children per adult. Reservations must be booked through http://www.keystoneresort.com/?cmpid=PARPR0008 or toll-free at (877) 204-7889.

We have seen many Kids Ski Free deal before in the past so what makes this deal different from other deals. Let’s see.

No Blackout dates for Kids Ski Free Deal

This is HUGE! We (especially families with school age kids) know all too well that we have limited choices of ski weekend we can take with our kids and mostly those will fall in during the holiday weekend. Most of the time, the discount or deal from other ski resort will have blackout date during the busy holiday weekends that will prevent us from taking advantage on the deal. Keystone ski resort must have read our mind because this deal has NO BLACKOUT DATES. That’s right! You can take advantage of this deal even when you want to ski during Christmas break, President day weekend or any other holiday weekends.

Kids age 12 and under Ski for Free

Many of the ski deal for families have lower age limit. So with the age limit up to 12 years old, many of the pre-tween kids can truly enjoy skiing with the rest of the family.

No Restriction on Number of Children per Adult

Most of the time, the kids ski free deal often tie to the adult lift ticket. For us a family of 4 with 2 kids, we rarely have any issue with that. One adult ticket will get one free kid ticket. But how about a larger family with 4 kids or the family that the other parent doesn’t want to ski? Keystone ski resort program takes care of all that restriction. It doesn’t matter how many kids you have. As long as you book a room within Keystone resort via their online booking or call center within the maximum occupancy per room, you will have your free kid lift tickets waiting for you upon your check-in.

Available Through 2012-2013 Winter Season

One more wonderful thing about this deal is that you have the whole season to plan for your trip. That’s why I feel obligated to share this family ski deal here. Most of the time, by the time I publish the post, most deals will be gone. But with this deal, you can take advantage of the discount anytime this season.

So if this doesn’t convince you to take a look at the deal, check out below our posts from our past visit to Keystone Ski resort to help you learn about their resort, ski school and other fun things to do at this family-friendly ski resort in Colorado.

Ski with Kids Memorable Experience @ Keystone Ski Resort

Family friendly accommodation at River Run Village – Keystone Ski Resort

Outstanding Ski School for Kids (and Adults) at Keystone Ski School

More Than Ski, Fun Things to Do @ Keystone Ski Resort

Also check out Mother of All Trips #BackToSki week for more ski related posts.

Ski with Kids: Family Deal ‘Kids Ski Free’ @ Keystone Ski Resort is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Hong Kong is a bustling metropolitan that I consider comparable to New York City of the East. With only 426 square miles and over 7 million people, it’s one of the most dense population city. So when we planed our family trip to Hong Kong, we knew we couldn’t expect the accommodation to be anything near what we used to in America.

Luckily, my sister has visited Hong Kong several times so she pointed us to the right direction. We chose to stay in Kowloon side to reduce cost and easy access to many night markets. After comparing to a few options, we booked a room with Citadines Ashley Hong Kong serviced apartment for under $200 a night. I considered it’s a great value for this big city.

Comfortable Room for the Whole Family

The room at Citadines Ashley is not the typical hotel room with bed and table. It’s a small serviced apartment with extra sitting area that can be converted into additional bed at night time. This is nothing new to many of the family sized room we have stayed but the best part for this room is the partition that allows a little bit of privacy. The partition allowed us to be able to put the kids to sleep while we caught up on late night movie.

Even though, the room size is probably not bigger than typical hotel room we used to in America, but the arrangement and the design provides a sense of space and we didn’t feel like we were on top of each other. Every nook is creatively used to maximize the space.

Another plus for this room is the small kitchenette completed with small refrigerator, microwave, sink and stove top. But we hardly used the kitchen though since there are so many food for us to try in Hong Kong. But it’s still nice to be able to store fruits and drinks for late night snack.

Just Perfect Amenities we Need

It would be nice to have a pool or a gym. But to be honest, we hardly use those amenities when we visit a city. With so many things to do in Hong Kong, our short visit was already jam packed with fun activities. However, there are certain amenities that we love and couldn’t live without but hardly standard for most accommodations naming free Wi-Fi. It’s always a pet peeve of mine having to pay extra for free wifi when we know how easy and cheap it is to provide as a complimentary service. So I’m happy that Citadines Ashley doesn’t skim on this essential feature.

The rate that we booked also come with free breakfast for 3 guests each day. So we were able to save on top of the room rate by having breakfast at the cafe.

Great Location for Exploring Hong Kong with Kids

No matter where you stay, the best advice I could give is to find your accommodation near the MTR station. Then you won’t have to worry about the long walk back to your room after a full day of sigh seeing in Hong Kong.

Our apartment is located on Ashley road which is less than 5 minutes walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui station. It made a whole world difference for us in term of exploring the city even at night time. With the convenient of quick walk we even ventured out to the Temple Night market after dinner. Walking along the busy Nathan road at 10pm was an experience we couldn’t easily find from other cities.

So for family who looks to find great accommodation but not yet ready to embrace the whole hostel thing, Citadines Ashely is definitely one worth looking into.

Hong Kong with Kids: Comfortable Stay @ Citadines Ashley Serviced Apartment is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Hong Kong is a fun cosmopolitan to visit especially with kids. We took a trip to Hong Kong last summer during our month long family trip to Thailand. With great public transportation system, it is a great Asian country to visit especially if you don’t have much experience traveling outside the US. English language is widely used by locals and all the public signs. So there hardly is any language barrier to overcome yet the culture is vastly different from the West.

We stayed for only 4 days and 3 nights. It’s enough to explore this small island but I wouldn’t mind stay a bit longer to allow us more time to explore each area. There will be more detail posts on fun things to do in Hong Kong with kids. But the most memorable experience we had in Hong Kong has to be the various type of transportation we tackle in these 4 days.

Plane – Air Asia

We flew Air Asia, the popular low cost airline in Asia, to Macau. Why Macau you ask. We picked Macau mainly because Air Asia ran the promotion at that time that we were able to purchase tickets from Bangkok to Macau for about $100 per person. Can’t beat that. Plus Macau is a popular day trip from Hong Kong that we already planned to visit so it worked out quite well.

With low cost airline, everything is very efficient and minimal. We pre-ordered food online since the flight was in the break of dawn and we knew we would be hungry by the time we were enroute. Self check-in kiosks are lined up and free for passenger. With no luggage and only carry-on, we saved additional fee. It’s weird to think that when the airlines in the US announced the plan to charge for additional fee to select your seats, there were many outcry from travelers but here in Asia, Air Asia has done it for years and yet people just accept it with no complain.

The flight was uneventful. It was way too early to start the trip but I have to praise my kids that they were just going along with no complain. Once we landed in Macau International Airport, we took a taxi to the ferry terminal to Hong Kong.

Ferry – Turbojet from Macau to Hong Kong

There are a few ferry companies that service Macau – Hong Kong at Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal and we chose to go with Turbojet since they have more schedule time and run on a more frequent basis. If you stay in Kowloon island, you can also take a ferry directly from Macau to Kowloon but there will be less frequent services. When we arrived at the terminal, we had only 15 minutes but luckily we made it on the ferry even after the immigration and custom. But don’t worry if you miss the ferry, you can catch the next one.

If you are prone to seasick, it will be best to take motion sickness medicine. The ride is smooth but this is an hour long ride. For me, I would rather sleep than battle the seasick. The kids were much better than me so I’m glad we can keep the kids entertained with new DSi games. With the combination of comfortable seat and dramamine, before I knew it we had arrived at the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal.

Train – MTR

I wouldn’t call myself an expert in mass transit system but by far Hong Kong is one of my favorite city in regard of mass transit system. The Hong Kong MTR is clean, efficient and easy to navigate. Plus the underground system that connect various exit/entrance within the MTR makes it easy to travel around regardless of weather. Each stop in MTR in the city center area has at least 3 or 4 exits that will take you closer to your destination without having to walk above ground at all.

With huge population who use MTR daily, there seems to be little chaos going on. People walk fast but stay on the right side and follow the arrow to avoid collision. Slow walkers like us were past by commuters and locals alike. One of the first thing we did was to purchase the Oyster card, the rechargeable smart card that can be used with not just the railway but buses and various retail shops as well. Fares are discount when used with the Octopus card but there is a deposit fee that you will get back once you return the card. We decided to keep 2 of our cards as a souvenir, quite inexpensive souvenir I must say.

Cable car – Ngong Ping 360

A trip to Hong Kong won’t be complete without visiting one of the popular destination in Lantau Island, Ngong Ping and the Giant Buddha. Our last visit to Ngong Ping was over 5 years ago so things have been improved. They have introduced the crystal cabin, the clear bottom cable car. It wasn’t as scary as I thought and it made a fun ride up to the Ngong Ping village. With the length of 5.7 km between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, the 25 minutes ride was fun for the whole family. The view from the cable car was amazing to be able to see the airplanes took off and landing at the airport, the ships in the bay and the Giant Buddha became more prominent the closer we got to Ngong Ping.

Escalator – Central Mid Level Escalator

I know it might sound weird to be so excited about riding the escalator but the Mid Level escalator is more than just a typical escalator. It’s the world longest outdoor covered escalator systems. And with Mr. Z who is chasing after anything and everything with title world longest, largest, biggest from the Guinness book world record, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check it out. Plus it’s a chance for me to redeem myself. See, the thing was when we were here 5 years ago we tried and failed to find the central mid-level escalator. In order to put my shame to rest, I came with more information and determination.

The central mid level escalator is a system of multiple escalator connected via the covered that provide a better commute for locals linking Central and Western district. The 800 meters in distance ride up the hill was fun and easy but make sure you have a plan on how to get back because there is no down escalator. However, you can easily catch a bus or taxi at the top or like us just walked down. It was fun and easier than I thought until we left our tripod behind at one of the coffee shop and had to went up and down again!

Double Deck Tram – DingDing Hong Kong Tram

Just the name itself, DingDing, I couldn’t help but had to add that to our itinerary when I planned our Hong Kong Trip with Kids. The double deck trams run on a double track along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan. The fare is HK$2.30 for adults, HK$1.20 for children under 12. It’s a bargain for a way to sit back and enjoy the city for a little while. The blending of old wooden seat, turnstile, antique open-air bus and cityscape provides the great contrast of Hong Kong.

Incline Railway – The Peak Tram

Another popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong is none other than the Peak. And there is no better way to enjoy the full experience of the Peak by riding the Peak Tram. The view as the tram made it way up the cliff is breathtaking. We visited on the weekend and Hong Kong holiday so the line was long and the queue was crazy. I wish they have a better system on getting people to board the tram. So with that, my experience was prejudice by long wait, crowd and quick ride but it was an must-do experience nonetheless. So my advice will be plan to go during non-weekend or holiday to avoid crows and long line.

Ferry – Victoria Harbour Crossing with Star Ferry

Another fun transportation experience that not only affordable but awesome was the victoria harbour crossing with Star Ferry. It’s one of the best way to enjoy the view of Hong Kong from the Victoria Harbour without costing a fortune. For as little as HK$2 per adult, we enjoyed a ride with Hong Kong island skyscraper as a backdrop. Just a note, the octopus card is also accepted here.

So here you have it, our adventure in all types of transportation in Hong Kong. It was one of the most memorable experience we had in Hong Kong. Just to be able to move around the city with ease and with so many options make me want to go back there again!

Hong Kong with Kids: The Adventure in Transportation in Hong Kong is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Most people in the US dread the flight to Asia and there is a good reason for that. A typical flight will involve at least 2 connection (or more if you live in non-hub country) and it will cross so many timezones that you lost count. In general, the flight from America to Thailand will involve 2 connection depends on where you live in the US but we took it one step further in order to save some money and add a total of 3 connections which turn out to be 41 hours total travel time. Our arrival flight to Thailand took a little detour to Singapore instead of heading directly to Bangkok from Tokyo and it added additional 6 hours to our already long flight. Luckily, the Changi Airport in Singapore is one of the best airport so we had plenty of things to do even at 2 AM!

So here is the video chronicle our flight from Atlanta to Bangkok via Los Angeles, Tokyo and Singapore!

The Real Travel Time from Atlanta, USA to Bangkok, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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As I go through our thousand of photos from our 2 months trip to Asia, I will post weekly photo as part of our Postcard from Thailand series.

Our first postcard is from our trip to visit Thailand’s old capital in Ayutthaya. We climbed up the big pagoda at the famous Wat Yai Chaimongkol on the hot day. My family who live in Thailand is smarter and waited for us in the car with AC and ice water. So be warned, get ready for the heat!

Wat Yai Chaimongkol is a temple built in 1357 during the reign of King U Thong, the first ruler of Ayutthaya, to create a center of Buddhist studies (Ceylonese Sect). In 1592, King Naresuan built the huge pagoda to celebrate his victory when he killed the Burmese crown prince. The temple is a popular destination for locals and visitors to Ayutthaya.

Postcard from Thailand: Climbing the Big Pagoda at Wat Yai Chaimongkol in Ayutthaya is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Most tourist who comes to Thailand ends up in Bangkok. But if you are looking for a quick weekend getaway from Bangkok, Ban Phe in Rayong is a perfect location. Ban Phe is the stopping point for people who plan a trip to Ko Samet as a port for a ferry to Ko Samet. We enjoyed our trip to Ko Samet with kids last time we came. But this time, we had other agenda.

Our good friends own a lovely beachfront home in Ban Phe and we decided to make a quick trip to visit them.

Easy Public Transportation to Ban Phe

We took a public bus from Ekamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Ban Phe. The fare was very reasonable. For about $40 we got round trip tickets for a family of 4.

The Ekamai Bus Terminal is conveniently located on Sukhumvit Road and right by the BRT station.

The bus is air-conditioned but is shown the sign of use and ages. I would highly recommend you to take care of your business before boarding. You don’t want to test out their toilet EVER!

The ride was comfortable. It took about 3 hours to arrive at Ban Phe station. The bus station is right in front of Nuan Thip Ferry.

Enjoy the Amazing Home at Oriental Beach Villa

Our friends hosted us a night at their home away from home luxury beach villa at Oriental Beach Villa, a luxury beach front community with infinity pool.

The home has 3 bedroom/2 bathroom, kitchen, living room, dining room and a loft. It’s fully furnished and has all the amenity we need.

But most importantly, an easy access to the pool and the beach.

For less than 2 minutes walk we were able to enjoy the infinity pool by the beach.

Kids couldn’t get enough of the water at this pool. We were there during the low season as it is currently a raining season in Thailand. So we pretty much had the pool to ourselves. If you ever planned to visit Rayong, you can contact them to rent their home. You will not be disappointed.

More Adventure in Rayong at Khao Ma Kam Waterfall 

We would be content to just stay at the villa and do nothing. But our friends wanted to show us another side of Rayong as well. It’s not all beach and pool. There are also many fun things to do with kids. Since we had limited time there we could only pick one. So we decided on the waterfall.

The Khao Chamao waterfall is located about 30 minutes drive from Ban Phe. It is part of Khao Chamao-Khao Wang national park in Rayong. The waterfall has multiple tiers that we can hike to but with a toddler and adults who wore flip-flop we agreed on the first tier.

After about what feel like a really long hike when it is supposed to be only 250 meters from the base, we were awarded with a pool that is filled with fish. Come to think about it, I think the distance they posted is probably vertical distance from the base!

We purchased fish food available at the base for 30 cents per bag for each kid. One of the best purchase at this waterfall. Mr. Z was too busy feeding the school of fish that he almost became the fish food himself.

Thailand with Kids: A Weekend Getaway from Bangkok to Ban Phe, Rayong is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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So today, I just want to take you on a little peek of what fruits we have had since we landed in the land of fruits!

And to make thing a little bit more interesting, can you name each of the fruit below?

Thailand with Kids: The Land of Fruits is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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You might already have seen our post and update from our Facebook page on our recent long flight across the Atlantic ocean from Atlanta to Bangkok. We did survive our early flight trip. But it was not the whole ordeal considering it was the longest flight with the longest layover we have had since we started traveling with kids. Oh!! Things we do to save money for traveling. But have no fear we have learned a few tricks and put together tips for flying with kids especially when you have long airport layover.

Tips for Flying with Kids: Long Airport Layover Survival Guide

Know Your Airport

Before flying, spend a few minutes checking out the airport that you will have a long layover. Check out if there is any kids play area or fun things to do around the airport. As much as I don’t want to waste my time at the airport, one of our longest layover was at one of the best airport in the world, the Changi Airport in Singapore. If you have to be stuck at the airport, this is the airport you want to be. A full review is coming soon but let just say we have plenty of things to do during our 4+ hours there and more!

Technology is Your Friend

I won’t hide the fact that we are the geek family. With the combination of more Apple products than one family should have in their possession, it’s safe to say that we love technology. However, we do limit the kids’ use of technology at home just so that when we travel it will be more rewarding for them to use them. And what’s a better time to take out your iPad for them to play a few games of Angry Birds or Zombie Farms than at a long wait at the gate in LAX.

Fill Up Your Tummy

Eat up and fuel your body with airport food because we all know that peanuts and pretzel will not keep your hunger down in flight. Unless you want to pay premium for a sandwich. Yes, airport food is not cheap either but at least you will have more options than on the plane. Plus, it will make your waiting time go by much faster.

Check for Earlier Flight with Gate Agent

If all else fails, you can also check if there is an earlier flight available to your destination from the same airline. I typically checked the departure information board as soon as I passed the security check and walked up to the gate agent and ask to be put in the waiting list for an earlier flight. This might not work well for a family since you will need more than one seat. However, if you know that the other flight is not full, you might be in luck. We did just that in Singapore and shaved 2 hours from our layover time.

I hope you will never have to endure the long layover.

Do you have any tips to share?

Flying with Kids: Long Airport Layover Survival Guide is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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On our latest trip to Walt Disney World, we took the kids on the Kali River Rapids ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time. Check out our video for the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kali River Rapids. Mr. Z got completely soaked during the ride. See if you can spot him! :)

Video of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kali River Rapids Ride

Disney with Kids: Riding Along on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kali River Rapids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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With so many stories both good and bad about flying with kids, I know it makes many parents think twice about booking their summer vacation that requires flying. It’s understandable when all we hear about is how many other passengers hate kids on the plane.

When we booked our summer trip to Asia early this year, we ended up with an itinerary that many families probably think we are crazy to embark on such a flight. But with over $1,000 saving for the whole family, we just have to make it work.

Our flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles (one of four legs we will take to get to our destination) was leaving at 7:30 AM and that means a 4 AM wake up call for the kids.

With 4 big luggage and 4 carry-on, we arrived to the airport with about an hour and a half. However, due to some technical glitch to their kiosk, we had to check-in at the counter.

Then with Mr. Rojo’s video equipment, he got pulled aside as TSA inspected his equipment. I’m glad he decided not to bring his homemade PVC pipe on this trip otherwise we might not make it to our flight at all.

By the time we cleared security, we only had 30 minutes left. We chowed down our breakfast in record time while suffering the indigestion later. It didn’t matter because we made it to our gate just in time.

One of the thing I think will make or break your trip is the plane you will take. A crappy plane with nothing means you have to provide your own entertainment for your kids. A newer plane with all the bells and whistles means free time for you to get your shut eyes on the trip.

Our lucky star was with us on our first leg. The plane from ATL – LAX on Delta was one of the nicest one I have flown. The seat is comfortable with personal entertainment unit for each person. SCORE!

Granted, to get better entertainment selection like movies or games, you will have to pay extra for those. But complimentary programs are enough to keep both Miss J and Mr. Z occupied for the whole 4 hours flight.

With the choice of Live Sat TV with limited selection of kids channel (CN and Nick) and kid-friendly music, they were a happy camper the whole flight. I wish they would take a nap but then again we have a longer flight ahead of us. So it will be ok.

Now, what are we gonna do with our 5 hour layover in LAX??

Flying with Kids: Surviving Early Flight is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Check out our inside look of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort post for detail review and photos.

Video Tour of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Sneak Peek

Video Tour of new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Walt Disney World, Florida is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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The Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be the new “value” resort in Walt Disney World Resorts. With the concept of fully immersion in Disney’s popular and classic Animation movies – Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Cars, guests will be able to experience their stays in their favorite animation movies.

We will have a video review post later. So today I just want to give you the sneak peek into the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in the photo format. The Finding Nemo section is the first to open. Enjoy!

Animation Hall – Inside the Art of Characters Creation

As we walked in, we were in awe with the wall of character development arts. The concept wall displayed the character development from sketch to colored character. It was a amazing to be able to see how our beloved characters have been developed. I could also foresee a fun game we can play with our kids just on this wall alone.

Pixel Play Arcade – Play time for Kids & Adults (too)

Pixel Play Arcade is just around the corner from the Animation Hall. The bright color seats situated right at the entrance is a welcome place for parents so they can sit and relax without having to worry about kids running out of the arcade.

Pool & Playground – Nemo Style

We didn’t experience the pool time during our preview but kids enjoyed the sprayground nearby. The pool is the largest pool in Disney resort outside the water park. Maybe it’s the size of the pool but I still think the pool at the Yacht Club is by far my favorite Disney’s resort pool. Another feature that only guests will be able to experience once the resort opens is the underwater sound system. Guests will be able to enjoy music while swimming in the pool.. I already have Dora’s ‘Just keep swimming.. just keep swimming’ chanting in my head.

The playground area is impressive for kids (and adults.. I admitted I was so tempted to climb up and slide down the coral inspired slide!

Everywhere we turned, we were greeted with Finding Nemo characters and environment. It truly made you feel like you are living in the story book of Finding Nemo.

Room for the Whole Family – Family Suite sleeps 6!

We got a peek at the family suite in Nemo building. The decor is bright and cheerful to go along with Finding Nemo movie. It’s Disney’s value resort with room that is big enough for family of 6.

With clever design to utilize all the space, the family suite includes dining table that turn into a murphy bed at night.

Miss J enjoyed helping the Imagineer transform dining table to one of a kind Nemo bed.

There is more room to spread out so the whole family won’t be on top of each other. The living room area also features sofa bed, TV and closet space.

Small kitchenette area with microwave, sink and refrigerator is a great addition for family who travels on the budget.

Master bathroom with walk-in shower is nicely decorated with a few touch of Nemo like pothole mirror.

Yes, I’m weird! One of the thing I look for when checking out the hotel room is counting the electrical outlet. As a digital family that travels with more electronic devices than we should, the electrical outlets are like gold mine. So I was happy to see that Disney doesn’t disappointed and provide plenty of electrical outlets throughout the room.

Resort Dining – Cafeteria Style

The dining hall is built in the cafeteria style with different sections from each movie. The large space is sure to be a great place for family to grab a quick bite.

I wouldn’t consider this post as a resort review but more of a resort preview because we only experience the walk-through of the room and surrounding area. The real test will be when they open and see how the service and amenity is. However, having stay with Disney resorts a few times, I have no doubt that you will get the same level of services as other resorts.

Room Types & Pricing

When fully operate, the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will have both standard room type and family suite type. The price will start from $179 (for standard room) & $249 (for family suite room). Check Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for current pricing and availability.

For me, I think it’s a great value especially family suites that you can sleep up to 6 people in a room. As an advocate for budget friendly family travel, I know $250 per night is not cheap but when I compare with the additional perks you will get from staying in Disney resorts, it’s definitely something worth looking at. I plan to write up another post about the value of Disney resorts comparing to offsite resort in the future. So stay tuned!

Don’t forget to also check out the Video Tour of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

Check out what others are saying about the sneak peek:

• Disney Sisters: Inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Lobby
• Disney Sisters: Disney’s Art Of Animation Video Tour – Lobby 
• Disney Sisters: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: First Look
• The Suburban Mom: Room to Spread out at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• My Organized Chaos: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World {Budget Resort for Families of 5 or 6}
• A Mom Blog: Sneak Peek at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Thank you Walt Disney World for inviting our family to attend Disney Social Media Mom Celebration by Walt Disney World. We received discount rate for accommodation, tickets and meals. But as always, all opinion and what I wrote are my own.

Inside Look of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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For many families who live in Asia, Hong Kong is one of the top destination when thinking about family vacation or even just shopping trip. With the easy access from various flights from many major cities in Asia, visiting Hong Kong is easy and convenient. Plus with first class hotels, efficient public transportation, wide range of activities and sleepless shopping areas, Hong Kong is a great destination for family vacation.

As we prepare our summer trip this year to visit Thailand, I stalked the popular low-cost airline, AirAsia, for any promotion I can find from Thailand. And my effort didn’t go in vain, I scored a great airfare ticket for less than $60 RT from Thailand to Macau. Now, that we had tickets in hand, it’s time to plan for fun things to do with kids in Hong Kong.

Things to Do in Hong Kong with Kids

This list is created selfishly for our family so you might not see many popular attractions that you have read from Lonely Planet or other guide book. One of the reason is this is not our first trip to Hong Kong. Actually, our first trip to Hong Kong was the starting point of me creating this blog. So our itinerary might not be typical. But I will add other recommendation at the end of this post.

Hong Kong Disneyland

One of the most popular attraction in Hong Kong for family is Hong Kong Disneyland. Being a Florida resident for over 10 years and even after we moved to Atlanta we still continue to visit Walt Disney World on a yearly basis, it doesn’t seem to make sense to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong, does it? I know the park might not be the same scale but I would love to experience Disneyland in other locations. I would love to see how Disney creates magical memories for different cultures and couldn’t wait to try Chinese food Disney style.

Ngong Ping 360

A fun way to enjoy breathtaking view of Hong Kong and Kowloon area from the bird’s eye view angle in the enclosed glass cable car. We did it on our last trip but the kids were too young to remember and we think they will really enjoy the opportunity again. For thrill seeker, you can also opt for the glass bottom car to add to the experience. It will cost more but the wait will be shorter as well.

Peak Tram

Having a child who loves to ride any train and his eyes lighted up whenever he sees train, I knew that we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Victoria peak on the Peak Tram. Located at at Central’s Garden Road St Joseph Building, it’s easily accessible from Central’s Star Ferry Pier, take bus 15C; or from Central’s Admiralty Station Exit B, Lippo Centre Bus Terminus and take bus 12S; or if you like to walk, you can exit Central’s MTR Station from Exit J2, walk along Garden Road which is in between The Bank of China building and The Cheung Kong Centre. The walk to the tram station only takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Ding Ding Tram

As I move down the list of things to do in Hong Kong, I realized that it seems we have some obsession with transportation. I won’t deny it. We love to move around in the city using public transportation or anything that moves. So after reading about the Hong Kong tram or Ding Ding tram as local called it, I know I will have to add that to our to-do list. Riding local tram seems like a great way to experience Hong Kong in a more unique way and provide us a chance to explore into the area that most tourists won’t go. Plus with a low cost, it’s a win in our book.

Symphony of Lights @ Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is the equivalent of Hong Kong owned version of Hollywood boulevard where it honors celebrities of Hong Kong film industry. It’s located along the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui (on the Kowloon side). It’s also a perfect location to walk at night and catch the Symphony of Lights show. This synchronized light and laser multimedia show runs everyday at 8PM for 10 minutes.

Victoria Harbor with Star Ferry Ride

A cheap but fun way to see Hong Kong in a more unique way is to take the Star Ferry ride across the Victoria Harbour. If we time it right, we might be able to catch the Symphony of Lights during the ride. I told you this trip will be all about every modes of transportation in Hong Kong. Another option is to ride on the Duk Ling – the authentic Chinese junk boat. The cost will be higher but for less than $15 I think it is worth the experience.

Lady Night Market

Our experience in Hong Kong will not be completed if we don’t visit at least one of many popular markets in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the shopping capital in Asia. Many of my friends and families go there just to shop. So even if we don’t want to spend money buying toys or souvenir, it is still a great experience to walk along the bustling market at night.

So here is our short list of things we plan to do in Hong Kong with our kids. There are many other fun attractions and family-friendly things to do in Hong Kong that you might want to check out. I found that the Hong Kong Tourism Board website – Discover Hong Kong has a great information, well designed and easy to navigate.

Source: Stuck in Customs, Cafetricot, allena29, Trenchfoot, Francisco Diez, ManilaRyce

Hong Kong With Kids: Family Guide to Things to Do with Kids in Hong Kong is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Our visit to Vancouver with kids last summer was short and mixed in with business but it was one of the most memorable trip for the kids. Not only we took several mode of transportation ranging from boat, train, trolley and bus, we also got to bike around the popular Stanley Park in Vancouver.

Explore Stanley Park by Bicycle

Stanley park is a must visit for anyone who plan a trip to Vancouver. The park is well maintained with various activities for the whole family to enjoy and the view.. the view is breathtaking even with cloudy sky!

Great Bicycle Rental Shop with Ideal Location

During this trip we had only a few hours to explore Stanley park, ideally I wish we could stay longer during our visit in Vancouver. So we decided to explore the park on a bike. We received complimentary passes from the conference I attended for Spokes Bicycle Rentals. Funny how thing worked out since that’s the company that I had been researching and planned to use them anyway.

Spokes store is located only a short walk from the entrance of Stanley park which makes it’s an ideal location. With kids, we didn’t want to have to walk with our bikes around the block. The shop has various types of bikes to fit various level of bikers. For our family, we opted for one child’s bike and one trail-a-bike. Mr. Z still hasn’t mastered his bike skill and we knew he would most likely give up on biking if he has to do it on his own.

The staff was very helpful in setting up our bike and made sure that it was the right size for each of us. The process didn’t take long and soon after we were ready to head out for a fun day except it was still raining. It was our last day in Vancouver and it was one of the activity that the kids had been looking forward to. We waited it out a bit and luckily the sky opened up and we were ready to roll.

Let’s GO!

Biking in Stanley park is very popular and easy. With separate path just for bike and pedestrian, it was safe and easy to do with young kids. The path is clearly marked with the sign to show separate lane for bike versus pedestrians. We started off at the main entrance of Stanley Park and followed along the bike trail the curve around the shoreline providing us with amazing view as we look back to Vancouver skyline.

Kids Approved Points of Interest

There are several points of interest to stop along the way that will keep kids entertain for the whole bike trail. It would have taken us the whole day to stop at everything. But with limited time, we just had to skip some and save those for next visit. Not long after the entrance, we learned about First Nation History and the Totem Poles at Brockton Point Interpretive Centre.

As we peddled leisurely along the Sea Wall bike route, we stopped to check out the Nine O’Clock Gun, the historical canon that still booms out message faithfully each night.

The bike trail wraps around the shoreline that go around the whole park. It took us about an hour and a half to complete the whole loop. The path is clearly marked for bicycle, pedestrian and roller-blade traffic. Most of the path is easy even for kids. There are some sections that narrow but with caution there shouldn’t be any issues for any kids.

We also saw several playgrounds along the way. Even though we visited Vancouver in June, the day we went to Stanley Park was cool and cloudy so we didn’t try out the outdoor water fun at the Variety Kids Water Park.

In the end, we enjoyed our time in Stanley park and we would highly recommend exploring the park on a bike. It was fun and easy to do as a family.

Family Tips:

• Dress properly with tennis shoes or non-slipper shoes.
• Dress in layer as the weather in Vancouver can change frequently. An extra rain jacket came in handy for us.
• Bring bottle of water. There are also a few concession stands and restroom along the way.
• Remember to ask for the trail map from bicycle rental shops.
• Enjoy!

Vancouver with Kids: Biking in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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In honor of the Earth Day this year, I have been thinking about ways family travel can help reduce the impact from our travel. In the past, going green in your travels meant extremely expensive hotels and often lower quality products. Today, that’s just not the case.

In numerous studies, travelers have responded that when given the choice they’d take a sustainable hotel or plane ride over one that wasn’t if they had the choice.

Because demand has been so high, sustainable travel as an industry has really taken off. Today, you can find sustainable hotels all throughout the price spectrum, including guesthouses and hotels that are perfect for the whole family. Our recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge showed how much thought and actions the resort has done to help promote sustainable environment.

Planning for Eco-Friendly Travel

Traveling with the whole family requires a lot more planning than traveling solo.

If you were traveling solo, it’s not all that difficult to just plan one city at a time. All you need to do is find an eco-friendly hotel in the next city and you’re off.

When you’re with a big family, however, you’ll probably want to plan your whole trip before you leave. This allows you to ensure you have a sustainable hotel and sustainable activities planned throughout the whole trip.

Teaching Your Kids about Sustainability

One of the best things about eco-friendly travel is that it gives you the perfect experiential opportunity to teach your kids about sustainability.

Back home, eco-friendliness can be just a concept to kids. They haven’t seen the impact of environmentalism first hand, nor have they seen the difference between being sustainable and unsustainable.

While traveling, however, kids can get a very different perspective. They get to see a very different culture and can often see the costs of unsustainability first hand, depending on what countries you visit.

This can be a perfect time to teach them about helping their planet and being sustainable in general.

Planning Eco-Friendly Activities for the Whole Family

The best way to plan eco-friendly activities for the whole family is to involve your kids in the decision process.

Instead of making the decision yourself, ask your kids: Would they like to ride elephants? Learn to scuba dive or snorkel? Would they like to see monkeys or go on a safari?

Sometimes kids will be naturally excited about certain prospects and sometimes they’ll be just terrified. The only way you’ll know for sure is to make sure you get their input before planning.

If you’ve never taken your kids hiking or camping before, this could be the perfect opportunity to try.

Going on an eco-friendly family trip can be the perfect time to educate your kids on sustainability. It can be an incredible bonding experience for the whole family and it can be great fun for everyone involved.

What other ways you have done to create sustainable family vacation?

Green Family Travel: How to Have Sustainable Ecofriendly Family Trip is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge by far is one of most memorable and our family favorite resort we have stayed in Walt Disney World. There is no doubt that the Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa & Resort is the most convenient for family but there is something about having animals roaming in the backyard (ok.. not entirely our backyard but you know what I mean) that created a lasting memory for the whole family.

Arusha Savanna View Room – Worth the Splurge

We chose to splurge on this trip and booked standard room with Arusha Savanna view. There are various room types in Animal Kingdom Lodge and the most popular type is the Savanna View type. There are 3 separate savannas within the Animal Kingdom Lodge which are Sunset, Arusha and Uzima. Each savanna has different type of wildlife but Giraffes are the only animal that can be found in all three savannas.

The animal guide inside the room became handy for kids to help them spot and try to identify the animal. And some animal isn’t that hard to identify. Giraffe, anyone?

Room with Personality

The standard room is a good size for our family of 4 with two queen beds. I love the detail that goes into the decoration to make us feel like we have stay at a safari lodge in Africa.

Of course, we won’t see Mickey Mouse towel art in Africa but it’s a little thing to keep the magic alive in Disney World Resort.

I love the detail on the wall in the bathroom. Make waiting for my turn to use the bathroom more fun.

Fun Recreation for Family

Not all resort pools are created equal and the Uzima Spring pool is one of our family favorite.

With nicely landscape around the pool providing shade for families, zero-depth entry, 67-foot slide and kid wading pool, it’s one of the best pool on Disney World Resorts.

For little kids who are not into pool time, the Hakuna Matata playground nearby is a great place to spend that extra energy. The shade area provides great cover during the hot Florida day with a great view of the savanna to boast.

Another fun family activity is the movies under the stars where guests can enjoy Disney movie in the pool under the stars. It was nice to enjoy great weather while watching one of our favorite Disney movie.

Animal, animal, animal everywhere

One of the most unique feature of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the wildlife encounter that guests can experience throughout the resort. So it’s no surprise that there are various activities available for guests from cultural immersion, animal programs & wildlife encounters to culinary exploration. Make sure to check out activities list when you check-in to find out more about available activities for everyone.

We took the Night Vision Animal Viewing where we learned about animals at night time and used night vision goggles to check them out.

Arusha Rock and fire pit is also a great place to view animals all day long. The overlook allows guests to be able to have a closer look at animals while they roam around the Arusha Savanna.

The stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge came with a high price tag. But for special occasion, it’s totally worth it. The kind of service and experience we received during our stay at this resort is one of the best we have experienced. Kids still talked about their visit even months after we have checked out. So if you are looking for one of the most memorable stay for your family in Disney resort, the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will not disappointed.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Family Favorite Resort in Walt Disney World Resorts is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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This blog has been a labor of love and I couldn’t be happier to see the result that he has created.

We have moved things up a bit but it should make it easier for you to navigate.

At the top navigation menu, you will be able to see our posts by Destinations, Travel Tips, Travel Reviews and Family Vacations. Our resources page has a great list of travel blogs for you to check out.

The search box will make it easier for you to find specific post.

We still plan a few tweaks so please bear with us.

So I hope you will take time to check it out and let me know what you think! :)

Spring has sprung the new look at The Q Family Adventures is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Picking a place to travel with a young family can be difficult for a number of reasons. Between finding kid-friendly activities, suitable places to eat, and a relaxing place to stay, there are a lot of criteria to satisfy in order to keep everyone happy. Hawaii has long been an attractive option for families due to the practically universal enjoyment derived from beach activities, as well as a unique combination of sights, sounds, and eats that is guaranteed to make even the youngest traveler smile. Plenty of family-friendly Honolulu hotels promise close proximity to the beach and to a number of inland activities that are enjoyable for everyone! Here are a few excursions that your family is sure to love.

Honolulu Zoo

The amount of things to do on one of Oahu’s beaches is no secret. Between snorkeling, surfing, or just lounging around and building sandcastles, every member of the family is sure to find something to their liking. But for a change of pace that won’t result in groans or frowns from the younger members of your gang, consider spending an afternoon at the Honolulu Zoo!  Close to the beach, the zoo champions a large array of animals that are sure to keep your kids’ jaws dropped. After a long day at the beach, it will be nice to get a walk in while surrounded by colorful, exciting creatures.

Sea Life Park

You’ve seen the photos before of friends and celebrities getting to interact with dolphins, and when visiting Oahu, you can do the same! Sea Life Park, besides having plenty of exhibits and shows to take in, allows visitors to hop into the water with a life vest on and play with the wildlife. You’ll be able to snap your family getting smooched by the infinitely entertaining dolphins at the park–giving your kids a story that they won’t stop telling for a long time!

The Bishop Museum

Another educational activity for adults and children alike is a trip out to one of Hawaii’s most famous museums–The Bishop. With plenty of cultural artifacts and specimens dating back to the earliest days of the Island, as well as a large series of exhibits (such as the Living Islands zone or Dinosaurs Unearthed), your family will learn a ton about this unique area that they’re visiting in a fun and exciting way.

After a long day of adventures, having a nice hotel to call home will certainly make your treat all the more memorable. The Lotus Honolulu caters to families with their comfortable rooms and unbeatable location, providing you with a large selection of restaurants and activities just out the front door. Make your Oahu vacation the trip of a lifetime!

Photo Credit: dexxus, frikitiki, meredith, nostri

Family Fun in the Oahu Sun is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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By now, I’m pretty sure most of you either have visited or have heard about the LEGOLAND Florida, brand new theme park in Winter Haven near Orlando.

The grand opening in October of 2011 was a huge success with many coverage from media and family travel bloggers. I have read and know that we will visit soon. Even though we have already been to LEGOLAND California but with the driving distance from Atlanta, it is a must-do for us especially with Mr. Z being so obsessed with all things LEGO. So here is our detail review post on our visit to LEGOLAND Florida. Be warned that this is a long post. I tried to provide as much information as I can to other parents who look into visiting in the future.

Where to Stay when Visiting LEGOLAND Florida

Winter Haven is actually about 45 minutes drive from Orlando area. Most families opt to stay in Orlando area so they can take advantage of other attractions in the area. Plus the options for accommodation will increased ten fold staying in Orlando or Kissimmee area. We stayed at the Residence Inn Orlando International Drive which proved to be a great choice for family.

Other family friendly hotels and resorts that we have stayed and will be a great choice are the Omni Orlando Resort which is closer than typical hotels in Orlando or the Holiday Inn Club Vacation Orange Lake which provides plenty of amenity and space for the whole family.

There are several options for staying in Winter Haven but it means you will be far from everything else. Plus with the operating hour of 10 AM – 5 PM (double check website for special hours and date), it’s very doable to just wake up early and drive from Orlando area.

LEGOLAND Florida Tickets Price & Discount

With the listed price online for $75 per adult and $65 per child, it seems very pricey comparing to other theme parks that have longer operating hours and more rides or attractions. However, there are also more discount and coupon code available from LEGO to help offset the cost.

When we went, we use the Pepsi promotion (which already expired) to snag Buy one adult ticket, get a FREE child ticket, a saving of almost 45% off. Check out MouseSavers.com for the most current deals or discount on LEGOLAND Florida tickets. There are still deals to have.

Inside LEGOLAND Florida: First Stop Ford Driving School

Plan your LEGOLAND Florida visit by arriving early before the park open at 10AM. We arrived around 9AM and they already let you walk into the park even though many areas are roped off waiting for the official opening hour. We were able to take pictures and get that out of the way before start trekking to LEGO City for Ford Driving School.

Our friends gave us a tip to head directly to the Ford Driving School because the line will get longer as more families arrive. And we did just that and we were the first group to get on the driving track. It’s another dream fulfilled for Mr. Z since last time we visited LEGOLAND California he was too small to partake in the Volvo Driving School. For parents of younger kids, no fret, Ford Jr. Driving School is available for 3-5 years old to enjoy their driving skill.

More School Time with Flying School & Boating School

We didn’t waste any time in checking off each ride on our map. Kids hopped to the next school for some flying time. Being one of the first in the back of the park has its perk. We got on the ride with no line. This kid-friendly roller coaster is just what I need. If you are the dare devil who loves the fastest or the scariest ride then don’t waste your time in LEGOLAND. Most rides have enough fun and excitement but it’s not gonna turn your stomach upside down.

Kids have no sign of slowing down. After the flying school, they zoomed to the next school but this time on the water at Boating School. It’s a good way to take a little break. We started to see more people and the line started to form. Luckily it’s a covered area so it wasn’t so bad. But during the hot months in Florid (which will be pretty much almost all year long), come prepare with fan or battery-operated fan to tame those heat down.

Another fun interactive stop for the whole family is the Rescue Academy where family will have to work together to compete with other teams. Then we headed out of LEGO City and stepped into LEGO Technic zone.

LEGO Technic Zone: Heart Stopping Fun at Test Track

In LEGO Technic Zone there are several fun rides that kids will enjoy. With the heat beating down on us, we made a beeline to the Test Track. It doesn’t seem to be scary at first but that little car on top of the track moving at the fast speed with no guard gave me a heart stopping thrill. I’m sure it was safe but when I was on the track I wasn’t so sure about that. Or maybe it was the momentum and physic at work at our vehicle that Mr. Rojo and I rode had more speed than the kids’ vehicle.

We took a lunch break at the Lakeside Sandwich Co before the lunch crowd started to come in. The space wasn’t big so it can be hard to find table to sit if you plan to eat during lunch. Plan ahead and take a break sooner than normal to avoid this problem. Another plus is the Lakeside Sandwich is indoor with A/C, a must for Florida fun day.

More Lands to Cover in LEGOLAND Florida

The Land of Adventure is another favorite for kids with Coastersaurus, the wooden roller coaster setting in Dinosaur theme, and the Lost Kingdom Adventure, where kid fires laser blaster at target to unearth treasure in the Egypt Kingdom. For parent of younger kids, Safari Trek and Beetle Bounce provide excitement and fun that tame enough for the little ones.

At this time, we already knew that we won’t be able to test every ride to go to every single attraction. We took a break at the DUPLO Village for some ice cream and playground fun at DUPLO Farm. It was a great way to break up your go..go..go day in LEGOLAND. Next to DUPLO Village is a stand for Granny’s Apple Fries which many of my travel blogger friends raved about on their blogs.

After the quick break, we made a few stops in Fun Town, checking out the gifts and toys in LEGO Studio Store, before taking in the bird’s eye view of LEGOLAND Florida on the Island in the Sky.

Great Place to Refuel: The Market Restaurant

For a quick refuel to recharge the crew battery so we can tackle the rest of the park, we headed to the Market Restaurant. It’s a food court style that offers various options from Asian Market to Kids’ Choices. Too bad many food selection had dwindling down to only a few choices from each station.

Another great reason to consider Market Restaurant for family dining option was the LEGO station where kids can enjoy limitless time to build their own masterpieces. We were there during the non-busy hours so it was fun for kids. But I don’t know how hard will it be during lunch time.

Last but Not Least Stop: Miniland USA

My favorite part of LEGOLAND Florida but not so much for the kids. Yes, they did enjoy looking at each part of the town in Miniland USA but they just ran around so fast competing to be the first one to push the button! It was also dark when we got to this part of the park. Luckily, it seems the park did extend the hour for another hour instead of their regular closing hour at 5 PM.

Even though I have heard many people say this park can be done in one day. To fully experience and enjoy all the rides, it will take more than a day. We had already skipped many kiddie rides that were too small for our school-age kids. But we still missed many parts of the park like the Cypress Garden or the Pirate Cove area where you can catch the Live Water Ski show.

Based on many resources, it seems you can easily upgrade your one day pass to include the next day admission for a fraction of the price. I couldn’t confirm this information on LEGOLAND Florida website so you might want to call ahead or ask the customer service.

I know this is a long post so thank you to stay with me till the end. I will try to work on another post with family tips for LEGOLAND Florida soon. In the mean time, check out my friend, Jen from Pensacola With Kids on her detailed review of LEGOLAND Florida that has a lot of great information and tips.

Have you been to Legoland Florida? Any tips or experience you would love to share?

LEGOLAND Florida with Kids: Fun Family Visit for LEGO Lover Kids or Any Kids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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After our first ever family skip trip to Keystone Resort, our family is hooked to this new winter sport. However, it’s hard for us to find a good ski resorts within driving distance to Atlanta. I did a little search and found that there are several ski areas near Atlanta that we can drive up over a weekend. So the plan was in motion to go for another ski trip.

We were fully aware that the snow, the trails or even the facility will not be anywhere near what we had experienced in Keystone like my friend, Kristin mentioned on her blog :) . But as beginner skiers, we just want to learn the art and skill of skiing at this time. Appalachian Ski Mountain is located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina about 5 hours drive from Atlanta, not too bad for a long weekend.

More Fun with More Friends

This trip we planned it with a group of friends that have kids similar in ages to Miss J and Mr. Z. Traveling or planning a trip with group of friends can help save on family ski vacation and kids will have instant playmates.

We had enough in our group to even get the discount group rate for our ski lift tickets and rentals. Another bonus of group traveling.

Cabin Stay in the Snow

There were different types of accommodations available in Appalachian area. Most popular ones are cabin rentals or hotel stay. We chose to rent a cabin since it can accommodate all of us and we had extra space for kids to hang out and play.

Kitchen was a center of our action during our whole stay. We cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner all throughout our stay. With a bit of pre-trip planning, each family just had to prepare minimum about of work and it was more fun cooking with friends.

We were lucky to get snow the night we arrived. Kids couldn’t dress up in layer fast enough to enjoy the snow flake and play outside.

In the morning, we woke up to several inches of fresh, untouched, white snow surrounding our cabin and covering our driveway. Here’s where we learned one valuable lesson in choosing a cabin rental (make sure that the driveway is not too steep to get in and out during snow or properly maintain with salt & gravel) or preparing for staying in a cabin rental during winter. Living in Atlanta, we don’t have to worry about snow tire or anything in that nature. So we were quite unprepared to handle this situation. We ended up stuck inside the house half a day before we could go anywhere.

But it’s not exactly a big problem for us or the kids. There were fun things to do all around the house in the snow. They built a fort, had a snow ball fight, sled down the hill and enjoyed time together.

The Appalachian Ski Mountain Experience

Our cabin was only a few minutes from the Appalachian Ski mountain entrance. So it was a quick hop in the car to start our day at the ski area.

The rental process for group rental was very efficient and fast. A coordinator gave us a quick overview and provided our group with lift ticket. After a few minutes, we were off to get our ski rental gears.

I loved the fact that there were plenty of staffs to help direct people to where they need to be. Many instructors even helped us out to put our ski boot on. With many kids on our trip, some of them took a basic lesson to refresh their learning and some headed to the magic carpet.

There are not many choices for the trails if you are an expert who frequent much higher elevation slopes in the West or the Colorado mountain but it’s sufficient for first time skiers family especially for kids. We (ok.. *I*) stick to the only slope I could manage while Mr. Rojo and our friend who is more experience skier than us took the kids to try out different slopes.

We spent the whole day there and lunch time was a challenge. We didn’t pack lunch as we should so the line was long but moved at the reasonable speed. After several more runs on the trail, it was time to say goodbye to the slope.

Kids had a wonderful time partly because they had many friends to share their fun experience with. I would be lying if I say I hardly compare this family ski experience with our family ski trip in Colorado. But knowing that this experience provided us with different experience and allowed us to improve our skill within a budget, I’m okay with that.

We actually planned another trip to try out another ski resort in North Carolina soon.

Here are family ski vacation tips we learned from our trip:

• If your schedule allows, try to ski on non-holiday and non-weekend day. We went during MLK day and ski on Monday and got a great discount in addition to our group rate.
• Choose your accommodation wisely. Check to make sure that you can get in and out of your cabin during snow. There are hotels in Boone area which is about 15 minutes drive from Appalachian Ski mountain.
• Pack your own lunch to avoid paying steep price for food.
• If you plan to buy food, eat early or later than normal lunch time.
• Enjoy!!!

So have you been to Appalachian Ski Mountain in North Carolina? Any tips you would like to share?

Family Ski Vacation in North Carolina @ Appalachian Ski Mountain is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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As many part of the country are still battling the cold and snow, we at the Q Family already are dreaming about our next adventure in Spring and Summer. Our recently family ski trip to Keystone resort put the Colorado mountain resorts on the map for us and Breckenridge is one that we want to visit on our next family vacation.

It’s without a doubt that Breckenridge is well known for winter sport and ski family vacation that comes with quite a price tag for family who looks to travel on a budget. However, there are many ways to enjoy great family spring vacation for less. As we are dreaming about our next spring adventure, we would like to share with you how we plan our next family vacation for less!

Home Away from Home

When travel with kids, accommodation is a big factor in make or break your dream vacation. Choosing the right type of accommodation for your family is crucial part of travel planning.

We always look for vacation home rental as our first option. Most home rental provides extra room for family so we are not on top of each other. The homey atmosphere provides kids (and adults) a more relaxing environment after a long day of activities or fun in town.

Breckenridge has a lot of lodging types to choose from. With a quick search on Homeaway for Breckenridge, we know we will have no problem finding the right place to stay for our family.

Friends Make Travel more Fun

Another way to help save on your next family trip is to make it a group affair! We recently took a quick long weekend getaway during the holiday break with a group of friends who also have kids that are in the same age range as our kids. The cost of home rental is considerably lower than renting traditional hotel room in the same area.

At dinner time, we enjoyed our dinner as each of the family showcase their favorite dish. Kids had a blast because they had friend to play with. So we know that if possible our next spring vacation, we would love to go with our friends again.

Feast fits for the King

Food is a big part of our life and we wouldn’t have enjoyed much of our vacation if food is blah.. So to have our own full kitchen during our vacation is a big plus and one that we always love!

Cooking during vacation doesn’t have to be painful or too much work. We plan simple family favorite meal that everyone loves. The time to prepare and cook our meal is typically shorter than the time we wait at a restaurant. Plus kids can be kids and running around the house until the dinner is ready instead of having to sit quietly (most of the time) in a restaurant.

One Last Run on the Slope

Spring in Atlanta means warmer weather and short sleeve shirt. But in Breckenridge, it means discount rate from ski resort for the end of the season discount. The resort season doesn’t end until mid April so it’s a great chance to enjoy winter sport while the rest of the country flock to the warmer destinations.

Photo credits: Breckenridge

This post is sponsored post. Bought to you by: 

HomeAway offers the world’s largest selection of vacation home rentals that provide travelers with memorable vacation experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations.  Make memories where you stay, not just where you go.  HomeAway.com – let’s stay together.

My Dream Vacation for Less: Spring Family Vacation at Breckenridge is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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One of the best places to take a family vacation is Hawaii, hands down. The lush tropical setting and sparkling coastline feel like an exotic foreign country, and the welcoming spirit and laid-back atmosphere make it the perfect place for a trip that pleases everyone.

Waikiki Beach, Oahu

We usually start off at Waikiki Beach. It’s a surefire crowd pleaser. There’s a reason it’s one of the most famous beaches in the world, after all. It’s safe for swimming and wading, close to Oahu hotels and resorts, and offers up many opportunities for surfing lessons, snorkeling, canoeing and beach combing.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu

This safe, calm cove is a gorgeous place, and has been a protected marine environment since 1967. The efforts to return the bay to its natural ecosystem have spawned decades of environmental stewardship throughout Hawaii and have enlightened and educated visitors for years. Just 10 minutes away from Waikiki, the curved bay is home to hundreds of species of fish and is perfect for those who are new to snorkeling or scuba diving. Children love to wade with the colorful fish, and everyone will walk away with a deeper sense of respect for pristine nature.

Dole Cannery Maze, Dole Plantation, Central Oahu

Corn mazes are so mainland. Take a tropical twist on the labyrinthine adventure by treating yourself and your family to a puzzling path through pineapple gardens! Actually, the maze is made up of hibiscus, heliconia, croton, panax and pineapple, so it’s not only breathtakingly beautiful but also pleasantly fragrant. Race with your kids to search for the eight secret stations on the way to solving the mystery of the maze, and try to beat the record-holding time of seven minutes. Most people take about an hour to finish, so don’t feel bad if you find yourself sidelined during the floral journey.

Atlantis Submarine Tour, Waikiki, Oahu

You’ve spent plenty of time staring at the water’s surface. Now it’s time to really see the world beneath with a submarine tour. Skim below the water at a depth of 80 to 110 feet past coral formations, sunken tanker ships and plenty of multicolored sea life.

Waikiki Aquarium, Oahu

Situated beside a living coral reef, the Waikiki Aquarium is one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States. More than 500 species of marine plants and animals reside in the aquarium, which is conveniently located near Waikiki hotels and beaches. Come to get a true taste of all the biodiversity unique to Hawaii!

Have you been to Hawaii with your family? What do you recommend?

This is a sponsored post.

A Hawaiian Family Adventure is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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Summer break is still months away but it’s never too soon to start planning. And actually most experienced family travelers probably map out their next summer vacation and start booking their reservation. This year I hope to go back and visit Thailand with kids again. With over a thousand dollar price tag per person on airfare, I always try to maximize our trip to Thailand by planning a trip within our Thailand trip to nearby family friendly destinations and Singapore holidays seem like one of a great option.

Singapore is a popular destination in Southeast Asia. This clean and modern cosmopolitan country has a lot of fun activities for families. With Western style education, visiting Singapore couldn’t be easier. There are plenty of English signs and speakers making communication a breeze. The melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indians, Singapore, offers the unique blend of Asian cultures. The small island is tiny in size but there are plenty of fun things to do and explore in Singapore. Here are our picks for top things to do with kids in Singapore.

Singapore Zoo & Night Safari

Locate next to each other, plan your day for a full fun day of animals. Enjoy Singapore Zoo in the morning at this “Open Concept” zoo where kids will have a chance to experience the zoo in a less cage-like environment. Also don’t forget to pack extra set of clothes or swimming outfit because I’m sure kids won’t let you skip the Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest Kidzworld.

Then at night check out one of the best Night Safari in the world at the Night Safari where you can choose to explore the park on foot via three walking trails, or by tram.

Marina Bay Sands Waterfront

The Marina Bay Sands Resort by itself is a sight to see. Three separated tall buildings connected by a long skypark looks like a scene from Star Wars. Stop by in the evening for a stroll along the Marina Bay Sands waterfront and grab a seat for the front row of Wonder Full – Light (Laser) and Water Spectacular. Best of all it’s FREE. The show time of Wonder Full  (subject to weather): Sunday to Thursday: 8pm, and 9.30pm AND Friday and Saturday: 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm

ArtScience Museum

Uniquely designed as a symbolic gesture of welcome to guests from across the globe, the ArtScience Museum, is a new top attraction in Singapore. We also love to visit museums in various cities and we definitely can’t pass up on this Lotus-inspired shape museum that hosts marquee international exhibits as well as permanent exhibits on three floors of gallery space across over 50,000 square feet.

Singapore Flyer

The world largest Giant Observation Wheel, Singapore Flyer, is the Asian version of London Eye. Out with the old day of Ferris wheel, the new generation of giant observation wheel gives tourists a better way to enjoy the bird eyes view of the city. As the wheel turns, you’ll be treated to a visual 360° feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang.

Jurong Bird Park

Another park from Wildlife Preserve Singapore boasts one of the world largest bird park. The Jurong Bird Park offers a 20.2-hectare hillside haven for 5,000 birds representing 380 species. Check out birds from various part of the world and catch one of the shows. And if your kids are too tired (or whiny) to walk, you can hop on Bird Park’s Panorail, the one-of-its-kind air-conditioned monorail available fir ferrying visitors to view the awesome Park without hassle.

Sentosa

Sentosa is the popular island resort in Singapore. With various attractions and beaches  within the resort, it makes a great family destination for visitors or locals. One of a fun way to get to Sentosa from the mainland is to take the Jewel Box cable car from Mt Faber. Once arriving to Sentosa island, there are a wide range of fun things to do from Underwater World, Sentosa Luge & Skyride , Tiger Sky Tower or just simply hang out by the beaches.

With the newly open Resort World Sentosa, the integrated resort with Casino, Universal Studio Theme park, shopping and soon-to-be-open Marine Life Park, Sentosa is sure to maintain the most popular family destination in Singapore.

Singapore River Bumboat Tour

With water surrounding Singapore, one of the best way to explore the cit is to take one of the Singapore River Bumboat Tour. The bumboat is the small boat that used as water taxi or ferry in Singapore. It might look a bit run down but I think it will be fun to cruise along the Singapore river especially at night.

Shopping on Orchard Road

I still remember the bustling of pedestrians along the Orchard Road at the end of the day. This famous road lined with department stores and shops is the epicenter for shoppers. I’m a firm believer that you have to check out the shopping mall to get the feel of the local and it’s a fun way to enjoy a relaxing day in any city. Ok… ok.. I just love to shop, ok?

Singapore Botanic Gardens

A great green space in the middle of the city, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, is a favorite spot for families. With free admission, it’s also budget friendly to anyone. Bring lunch to have a picnic in this lush escape from the bustling of the city even for a short while.

Day Trip to Pulau Ubin

To experience a completely different world from Singapore city, take a bumboat for a day trip to Pulau Ubin. Once there rent a bike to explore this Northeastern coast of Singapore’s village and local living.

Have you been to Singapore with Kids? Do you have any family friendly attractions to recommend?

Photo Credit: Xoai, Ericc1, williamcho, eustaquio, cawood, kelvin_luffs, nlann, mystical-mii, anhgemus-photography, linkway88

Top Family Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Singapore is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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It had been over 5 years since we visited Phuket with Miss J when she was just a toddle. Mr. Z has yet to visit Phuket. So our next Summer trip we might try to plan a quick trip to Phuket with him. With many Phuket Flights from Bangkok, visiting Phuket from Bangkok is easy and convenient. No wonder, Phuket is one of top family destination in Thailand.

Even though with many things that had happened since we last visited, Phuket remains in our heart as one of our first family trip to Thailand. Here are our family favorite moments in Phuket.

Lunch at Floating Village

On our way to visit Khao Ta Pu (or more famously known for James Bond Island), we stopped by the Floating Village for lunch. We had a great meal and had some little free time to walk around the village. It amazed me to see restaurants, shops and even school operated solely afloat the Andaman Sea.

Boat Ride to James Bond Island

We bought a boat tour package to visit Khao Ta Pu or more famously known as James Bond Island. I won’t lie but we had more fun on the boat ride than on the island itself. The small boat didn’t seem save to be on the open ocean but in reality we were not worried.

Beach-side Thai Restaurant

One day during lunch after a tour to Phuket’s popular spot at Promthem cape, we stopped at a non descriptive restaurant on the beach. The decoration was simple but the view was priceless. It’s not surprising to see our family favorite moments will have a current theme of food-related. :) It’s part of the culture and upbringing here in Thailand. We love our food!

Fun Night at Phuket FantaSea

A popular attraction in Phuket for family is Phuket FantaSea. Even though Miss J was still too young to remember anything. We could still remember her laugh and giggle as she watched the show at Phuket FantaSea.

Beach Time

Last but not least family favorite moment was the beach time we could enjoy as a family. The long stretch of sand beach, the wind that blow fine hair and the peace we felt as we walk along the beach was some of the moment we couldn’t wait to go back there again.

And Happy Birthday Miss J!! It has been a blast having you in our life.

Phuket With Kids: 5 Family Favorite Moments in Phuket is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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There is no doubt that family ski vacation is expensive. There is no sugar coat about it. There is only a small window each year for you to enjoy this winter sport and there are only handful of ski resorts you can visit. So when planning a family ski trip, starts with answering these three questions: What mountain should we ski/snowboard? Where should we stay while we are there? and how much we are willing to spend on lift tickets and equipment rental?

A family ski vacation can easily cost a family thousands of dollars, but there are budget tips to help family to get by on about $150 a day per person. Here are some money saving strategies for planning your next family ski trip.

Ski During Off Season

Ski resorts are busy during holidays and school break. The full peak season typically start after Christmas. So you can snag a great deal if you plan your trip before or after those peak season. A trip to Colorado mountain ski resorts after Thanksgiving or before Christmas will save you several hundred dollars on lift tickets and accommodation for a family of four.

Visit Areas with Multiple Resorts

In the areas with multiple ski resorts, the competition will drive cost down and be beneficial to us, family travelers. The Salt Lake City or Colorado mountain towns, such as Breckenridge, Vail or Keystone, have several resorts within driving distance so you will have more choices and deals to choose from.

Ski at “Low Keys” Resorts

If flying to Salt Lake City or Colorado is out of your budget, it doesn’t mean you can’t still plan for family ski vacation in other low keys ski resorts. California and Washington in the West coast have several ski resorts within driving distance and West Virginia & North Carolina offer ski slopes that can be fun for the families look for ski near Atlanta with out the high price tag.

Stay Up to Date with Package Deals

Even before the ski season starts, sign up to resorts’ newsletter to receive update and deals. Many will offer great deals for family travel like Kids Stay Free & Ski Free. Flexibility is the key to be able to take advantage of this kind of deal because most of the time the deal will have restriction and will not be available during peak season. Hence, tip #1.

Make it a Group Vacation

Most ski resorts will offer group rate if you have 15 persons or more. If you can get a group of friends together, plan your vacation together will save on lift tickets and ski rentals. Most time you can save up to 20% of the normal rate. For family of 4, you just need 3 more families to join your trip. The planning doesn’t involve more work. You will need to call ahead and make a reservation for your group.

Go with Multiple Day Passes

If you already know you want to ski more than one day, purchase multiple day pass will add additional saving to your lift tickets and rental. Most resorts will offer additional discount for multi-day passes and even upgrade option to seasonal pass. For families, most resorts will also offer free child lift ticket with adult ticket purchased.

Pack Lunch and Cook Dinner

For many families, cooking during your vacation is the last thing you want to do. But when you travel with your family eating out every meal can add up rather quickly. Instead, pack simple sandwich for lunch will save at least $30 for a family. Lunch at ski slope can be expensive and you will also be wasting time lining up with other skiers for lunch line at the food court. Bring it along if skiing with a backpack, or store it in a cooler in a locker. At dinner time, a quick simple meal will satisfy everyone and keep the money in your wallet. Staying in an accommodation with small kitchen will cost a bit more but will give you space and ways to save on food.

Family Ski Tips & Resources from Other Travel Bloggers

General Family Ski Tips

• Family travel tips: How to get kids ready to downhill ski – From Mother of All Trips
• Tackling Tahoe with Toddlers -  From Frisco Kids
• Tips for Family Ski Trips from a Former Scaredy Cat Skier – From Travel Mamas
• Tips for Planning the Best Family Ski Vacation – From Ciao Bambino

Location Specific Family Ski Tips

• Kids Ski – Free! If They’re In The NY 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport Program – From Albany Kids
• Review: Smuggler’s Notch in Winter with Kids – From Jersey Kids
• Slopeside Condo – From Bedroom Slippers to Ski Boots at Sunday River – From Albany Kids
• Whistler Weekend – From The Travelling Mom
• Whistler Wonderland – From The Travelling Mom
• Whistler Trip Report Jan 2009 – From Wander Mom
• First Ski Lesson at Whistler – From Delicious Baby
• Family Winter Ski Vacation in Tahoe – From Road Trips for Families

Do you have other budget tips to plan family ski vacation to share?

Travel Tips: How to Plan a Family Ski Trip on a Budget is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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With the amount of family ski trip posts, I hope you won’t get bored about this. We have so much information to share about our first family ski trip experience that I know other families who are thinking about it will find useful. Seeing that we don’t live in the Northern part of the country, planning a ski trip is a daunting task and it’s not cheap. However, with good pre-trip planning, you and your family can enjoy family ski vacation on a budget.

Lodging Options in Keystone Ski Resort are Endless

On our Keystone Ski trip, we stayed at the River Run Village condominium. For first time visitor, choosing the right accommodation to stay with your family can be overwhelming. Keystone Ski resort offers various type of lodging from vacation home rentals, condominiums, bed & breakfast and inn.

For family vacation, I found that renting from condominium type lodging is the best value. Not only, we have extra space for all the ski equipments, we also have kitchen that we can prepare breakfast, lunch or even dinner (if we have energy left after a long day of skiing) to help save on family ski vacation.

Inside the Dakota Lodge

Within River Run Village, there are multiple buildings for accommodation. We stayed at the Dakota Lodge that is right in front of the brand new Dercum Square outdoor ice skating rink. Unlike hotel, the setup for rooms in Dakota Lodge is more apartment type with separate living room, dining room and full kitchen. After picking up our ski equipments, the extra space came in handy. If you stay in a small room, there is also locker to put your ski equipment on the first floor.

Deluxe Mountain-Inspired Decoration

Our 2 bedroom condominium is beautifully decorated with mountain-inspired theme. Each bedroom has comfortable bed that we fell asleep as soon as we hit the pillow. All standard amenities, towels, soap, shampoo, hair dryer, are provided. With 3 flat screen TVs in our unit, everyone (for once) doesn’t have to fight over what channel they want to watch. And yes, internet connection is FREE and fast. I have to say though that with a full day of skiing, I hardly touch my computer except to check out our photo from EpicMix.

River Run Village: Great Location for Family

Within Keystone Resort, there are multiple areas for lodging. The River Run is a PERFECT location for families especially ones with beginner skiers. With its central location right at the base of River Run Gondola and the Summit Express chair lift, we don’t have to take a bus or get in a car to get on the slopes.

The Keystone Ski & Ride school and the Ski rental facility are also within walking distance from the River Run Village making it’s a breeze to pick up our ski equipments and drop kids off at their school.

All in all, the stay at River Run got a thumb up from Miss J!

Thank you Keystone Ski resort for providing our family with complimentary accommodation, transportation and some dining during our stay.

Keystone Ski Resort with Kids: Wonderful Stay for Family at River Run Village is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

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