How do you hold your cup of tea? Do you lift your saucer and insert your pinky through the handle of the tea cup?

Little did I know before I had high tea at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon that I would learn the true way to hold my cup and experience an Afternoon Tea right out of England.  Yes, I do go to the UK every year and I do get served a lot of tea when I’m there, but I haven’t mastered the art of high tea.  I was in for a big surprise at High Tea at the Ritz.

The Ritz is as elegant as it gets and you can’t beat the classic, intimate dining room where High Tea is set.  The room certainly set the tone for our experience.  Our table was set for a Queen, with beautiful china that looks like it stepped out of a castle in the UK.

We were  greeted by our host for the afternoon, Jeffrey Hattrick, the hotel’s designated “Tea Guy”.  Dressed in a white tuxedo and bow tie, Jeffery took us step by step through the process of drinking tea. He clearly loves his profession and answered all of our questions with enthusiasm. In the tea menu (which he created on special tea-infused paper stock), it reads a quote by Jeffrey: “Tea is a vessel by which we can navigate our mood.  It can enhance the space we are in or guide us to a place we would rather be.”  He’s a real tea connoisseur and it was awesome to be in his presence for several hours.  We also love tea in my house but I think I now have a new found appreciation. For Jeffrey, tea is art.  He even told us the history of Afternoon Tea which dates back to 1783 during the time of Queen Victoria.

Let me explain how the afternoon went.  When we sat down, we were told we could choose any tea we wanted from the menu.  The menu has 24 different tea selections, including rare white and oolong teas. There are black teas – rich and full bodied; green teas – lighter and cleansing; white teas – subtle and refined; oolong teas – mild and semi-oxidized and caffeine-free botanical blends. We all chose Winter Blend-Yuletide, a Chinese black tea with cinnamon, vanilla and whole cranberries. When he brought it over, we immediately smelled the  delicious flavor that is neither sweet nor spicy.  Jeffrey kept our cups full the entire time, and did I mention the bubbly?  We had champagne refills during the entire two hours or our tea and all I can say is that tea and champagne does make a beautiful combination!

Then Jeffery brought out a platter of savories including (don’t read this if you’re hungry): Sharp cheddar mousse tart infused with a peach blossom tea, topped with a sweet peach chutney and candied pecan; Inverted cucumber sandwich with jasmine green tea cream cheese topped with a roasted pistachio; Poached shrimp canape’ on a lemongrass black tea cornbread muffin with aioli cream and dill; Tangerine ginger chicken salad with onions and celery topped with orange zest on marble rye; and hand-made puff pastry with a Plum Berry White Tea glee, aguave nectar goat cheese mousse and finished with a sliced blueberry.

And yes, it was all delicious.  Then we had scones with devonshire cream, lemon curd and fruit preserves and then the last course was sweets, everything from chocolate chai flour less chocolate torte and summer provence pistachio opera cake.  Jeffery infuses tea into many of these items and the tastes are really unique.

All this, along with bubbles and tea.  If all this wasn’t fantastic enough, then Jeffery serenaded us!  Accompanied by his pianist, he sang “The Way You Look Tonight”. It was like being in a lounge with Frank Sinatra or Sammy Davis, Jr. and really made the experience rather anti-climatic.

Afternoon Tea is offered at 12pm or 3pm Wednesday through Saturday in the lobby lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix. The cost is $38 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (602) 468-0700. Upcoming December tea events include the following:

Teddy Bear Tea (for children with an adult), Yuletide Tea, Breakfast with Santa (Not Teddy Bear Tea) 

Details for all these events can be found here.

The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix is located at 2401 East Camelback Road, Tel: 602-684-0700; www.ritzcarlton.com/phoenix.

 Disclosure: Tea was complimentary and was covered by the Greater Phoenix and Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau but all opinions expressed are my own.

But yesterday at 5am, I left my house and boarded the plane.  It’s never easy to leave my family for more than a few days but this was the hardest time to date.  Thankfully, we got power back this week, it stayed on, the kids returned to school and life returned to as normal a state as it could. Still what happened to my beloved city, state and region continues to weight heavily on my mind and a short reprieve from the stress I’ve endured isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

First stop: lunch.  After traveling for 8 hours, I was hungry.  My hosts took another writer and I to Angel’s Trumpet Ale House (810 North 2nd Street, Tel: 602-252-2630).  They feature an interesting menu full of specialty beer and comfort food that includes flatbreads, fish tacos, pizza, grilled cheese and something my eyes took note of on the menu called aThe Nutter (peanut butter, bananas, raspberry-chipotle jam plus homemade marshmellow fluff and peppered bacon).  My flight of beer and salad was absolutely delightful and I could see how this restaurant would be either good as a family spot or a date night. Prices are very reasonable, check out their menu here.

I spent a few hours after my arrival exploring downtown Phoenix.  In recent years, this part of town has apparently gone through enormous change. They’ve spent $4 billion in public and private funds, recently completing a new light-rail system, the expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, the construction of the largest hotel in Arizona, the creation of an urban campus for Arizona State University students, a multi-use retail, dining and entertainment district called CityScape, and the development of an international biomedical-research center. What’s amazing is that in the midst of hotels, business buildings, restaurants, museums and government buildings you are surrounded by the mountains of Arizona, constant reminders that the desert is just a short ride away.  There is certainly a Southwestern feeling of comfort that shadows you everywhere, with palm trees and greenery shouting out from all corners offering glimmers of what lies outside the center.

My hotel for this visit: Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar (2 East Jefferson Street, Tel: 253-6633).  I recently stayed in a Kimpton Hotel in Virginia (I called it a “treasure” in my write-up) so I had particular expectations before I arrived, and I have to say the experience has met them.  First of all, downtown Phoenix is very interesting – it’s urban and you get the sense that a lot of business takes place here yet the hotel is located in the center of the most beautiful Arizonan landscape.  Secondly, like the hotel in Virginia, the furniture and decor is eclectic yet modern and Kimpton takes extra care in comfort.  There is a signature Kimpton style and there are unique pieces of furniture in the lobby and scattered throughout the hotel. It all has an artistic flair but is cozy, a great combination. There are 242 guest rooms and suites, all with views of the city and mountains.  Guest have use of the Gold’s Gym across the way at no cost, and the hotel is right near CityScape, mentioned above. There is free coffee and tea in the mornings and a happy hour in the early evening in what they call the “Living Room” on the second floor.  The hotel staff is very warm and welcoming and the rooms are every bit as comfortable as they look in photos.  Best of all, the pool has stunning views and there are beautiful green cabanas I could just stay in all day.

Colonial Williamsburg is a place I’ve been wanting to take my family for some time.  I have vivid memories of traveling to the historical town as a child and have been waiting for them to be of a certain age to appreciate it. My kids are 7 and 9, maybe a little bit younger than needed to understand about the American Revolution, but its an education in its own rite and gave them a basic understanding of how life in America evolved over two hundred years ago.  But I also didn’t remember it being so big and diverse in its history, as this was the first time I fully explored its every angle. If you really want your kids to experience Williamsburg, you’ll want to explore its Historic Triangle, consisting of Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. It was in these three places that Americans lived together and became the seeds of a nation.

Williamsburg got its name in 1699 in honor of William III of England– but later the town became the site of heated debates about whether the young colonies should break away from England’s reign. After the American Revolution, more than 500 18th-century buildings have been restored and rebuilt and the city became a historical and important part of our country’s birth.  There is still a large English influence and many reminders of the era, including British flags, cuisine and in the mouths of the actors portraying the characters from the era (they utilize 3,500 every season).

We gave ourselves three days to explore the Triangle, but spent one of them at Busch Gardens, which I will talk about in a future post, and we could have spent more time there.  There’s a lot to see and do, and if your kids are like mine, they won’t want to be rushed, running from one spot to another.  We spread everything out over the course of the few days. It was education interspersed with fun at the sites, good food and walks on the riverfront.  But we certainly didn’t get to see and do everything, as there was far more to do than I expected, and the town was much larger than I assumed.  I’m already planning at what age we will return so I can experience and see more. For example, there was a walking tour in the evening about Women During Colonial Times, but I knew that my husband and kids needed me at dinner and for a round of miniature golf.  So, I’ll be back.

Ticket prices for the attractions vary widely, depending on what you want to do.  A Historic Triangle ticket will cost you $81 but lasts for 7 days. Kids are $35.50/free under 6.   Or you can go for a single day ticket, a multi-day ticket, a bounce ticket or a flex ticket. You have to really gage where you want to go before you get there.

We chose the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites as our hotel, conveniently located next to the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, really close to the entrance of Colonial Williamsburg.  It was certainly convenient, clean and offered activities for my kids like table tennis, shuffleboard, a pool open until 10pm and  miniature golf.  All units have Colonial-style pine furniture and photos of the Historic Area on their walls,although a bit dated, which certainly kept us in the spirit of the town. The rooms range from $79-$159 for a double; $119-$209 for a suite.  All rooms include continental breakfast.  One of the best attributes is free shuttles to all three parts of the Triangle, which come every half-hour and are very reliable.  This isn’t a 4 or 5 star hotel, but it’s very family-friendly and I’d stay there again.

We started our visit spending a few hours in Colonial Williamsburg, where you could actually spend a whole day.  Once you set foot through the gate, you’re taken back in a time machine to another time with horse-drawn carriages and reenactments by blacksmiths, jewelers, soldiers, slaves, wig makers, seamstresses and patriots.  We wandered in and out of homes, shops, the local jail cell, the Governor’s Palace, a cooper shop and learned about how Americans lived over 400 years ago.  It was raining pretty hard during our visit, so unfortunately, all reenactments were called off outside but we managed to catch one in the Raleigh Tavern of shopkeepers negotiating fair market prices for goods due to the war and the food shortage.  My kids’ eyes were wide open, particularly my daughter who began to understand the significance of what we were experiencing.  As the day went on, we stopped to regroup about everything we were experiencing.  You have to, otherwise it would be too much for a young child, and a bit overwhelming for anyone. But on a sunny day, kids can grind corn, saw wood, get water from a well, help with farm chores and really feel like it was to live in these times long ago.

Each actor never stepped out of character and made us feel like we had truly entered another era.  They are actually historians and educators who love to tell a good story, each one of them and they are very informative. They stop you in the street to chat and agree to photographs like the following one with my daughter.

As a matter of fact, at Jamestown Settlement, our stop right after the Colonial bit, my son asked a guide how he knows the answers to every question asked of him when he wasn’t around 400 years ago.  It was a good question and the guide was proud to tell him about his background as an academic.  It’s definitely worth a visit to Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America where we learned more about Native Americans and how they lived (including Pochohantas), the famine of 1609 and how the colonists rebelled against the VA Governor in 1676 and burned the town down. We all enjoyed the introductory film, “1607: A Nation Takes Roots” which traces Jamestown’s beginnings in England and the first century of the VA colony.  There are recreations of the colonists’ fort, three ships from 1607 and a Powhattan Indian village where historical interpreters bring the era to life.

On our last day, we drove ourselves to the Yorktown Victory Center to learn about some of the city’s later history. The siege of Yorktown was the final major battle of the American Revolution.   We learned about life in a re-created Continental encampment and were witness to an actual cannon going off (hold your ears).  This is an excellent way to end your trip as it focuses on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Please note that the photo collages shown above were taken at different instances throughout our trip.

Needless to say, we all enjoyed our visit to the historic town.  My husband and I were equally impressed with how well laid out the city is, how accessible everything is and how much there is for a family to do.  With careful planning, good maps, guidebooks and advice from other parents, you’ll be in good shape.  But definitely do your homework before your visit to get the most out of it.

Disclosure: My visit was mostly complimentary (the hotel was discounted) to facilitate this postsand many others that I will be writing for other publications, but all opinions are my own.  We were given terrific advice on where to go and what to do and I could not have worked with a nicer publicist.

On our recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, we had the most perfect visit at the Charleston Place Hotel.  It was our first visit to the city as a family and we could not have asked for a better location to make as our base.  Built in 1840, the hotel is very elegant yet comfortable, cozy, and the service defines southern hospitality to a tee.  As soon as we walked though the door into the refined lobby with a grand staircase and chandelier shining down from the ceiling, we were enchanted.  We knew we were in for something special.  Something historical, something quaint, something unique.

From the moment we entered the hotel, we were treated royally by the bellboy (dressed in old-fashioned, Southern garb) who showed us to our room and told us all about the hotel and our area.  We were welcomed by a lovely double room with a balcony overlooking downtown Charleston. The vintage fabrics and textiles used to design the room are classic and tasteful yet not overwhelming and the bathroom is tastefully decked out in marble.

At first glance of the hotel, I was worried that my children would not be comfortable and that I would have to worry about their behavior in such a posh environment.  It was night time and people in the lobby were dressed in their finest clothes and appeared to be out on the town.  But on the contrary.  We all got a wonderful night’s sleep and got all the pampering we needed during our visit.  Plus, the hotel offers free Wifi, which we always love and don’t get at every hotel.

The pool with a surrounding deck is a real stand-out and we spent an entire morning there.  It overlooks the city of Charleston with exquisite views.  We relaxed while the kids played in the pool with other children their own age visiting from Boston.  We caught sight of a few people taking conference calls from their lounge chairs, and I can’t blame anyone for conducting their business from there.  It’s one of the best mornings we’ve had on this trip.

Located in historic downtown, the hotel is really close to the public market and within a few blocks of really good shopping, cultural attractions, historic homes and restaurants.  We were able to leave our car in self-park the whole time ($14 per day) and just stroll out the door and into the streets.  Charleston Place is right near the synagogue, Hyman’s Sea Food, our carriage tour pick-up and a ton of shopping.  More of what we did and saw to come in a future post on Family Vacation Critic and more to come on this hotel in Travel Savvy Mom.

The hotel also offers a restaurant and spa but we didn’t make use of those facilities on this trip.  We really hope to return for a much longer stay and are thinking of staying for a week in the future.  We were very much taken with Charleston, a beautiful city rich with culture and history. Although it’s a five-star hotel, Charleston Place does offer excellent deals and you can get a room for as low as $245 a night.

Here’s the skinny on the hotel:

Location: 205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Tel: 843-722-4900

Web site: http://www.charlestonplace.com 

Family-friendly? Definitely.  We met one family that comes back every year.  It’s also only 15 minutes from Sullivan’s Island, a lovely seaside town and only two hours from Savannah.

Highlights: First-class service. A location that you can’t beat.

Good to know: Check their web site for packages and special rates before you book.

Disclosure: I did receive our room on a complimentary basis but I have meant every word stated in this review.  It was an honor to stay in this hotel and we will be back.

And it’s got a hotel that’s a complete treasure. Hotel Monaco Alexandria, a Kimpton Hotel, is located centrally and offers a unique experience for adults and kids of all ages.  It’s a boutique hotel, yet it’s knee deep in history and culture, and as a bonus, it caters to families.  Located on King Street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, the hotel’s 241 rooms offer access to local museums, restaurants, shops and the historic Mount Vernon as well as convenience to Washington D.C.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a chalk board which my kids gratefully employed, drawing and writing their hearts out. The hotel greets each child with a gift when they arrive and offers kid’s breaks daily from 4-5pm in the lobby.  They deliver cookies and milk to the room in the early evening.  We had a real goldfish in our room.  And the best touch? Child-size animal print robes.  We had one for each of us, too, but they are especially cute on the kids.  There’s also a lovely indoor pool where they were able to burn some energy.

I was immediately in love and enamored by the hotel’s colorful decor. The Monaco is housed in a four-story, mid-19th century building with rooms that have high ceilings, long windows and views of the courtyard.  I  literally took notes on how I’d like to decorate my own home.  The furniture is eclectic with different patterns and textures but it is somehow all tasteful and just works.

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 I even liked the decor in the elevator, see below:

For breakfast, we headed to Jackson 20, a modern American tavern on the main floor of the hotel. Continental breakfast includes coffee, a small stack, eggs, oatmeal, grits or hash browns and came with a nice starter that included small donuts.  The restaurant has an old-town yet luxurious feeling about it and it was a nice way to start out the day.

 After breakfast, we jumped on the trolley and headed to town.  Located right outside the hotel, it couldn’t have been more convenient, and FREE. We were a few short blocks from the Torpedo Art Gallery, a former torpedo factory that houses 3 floors of open art galleries.

Here’s some info about the Torpedo Arts Gallery:

• Location - 105 North Union Street, between King and Cameron Streets, along the docks of the Potomac River
• Hours - Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursdays open until 9 p.m. (will close at 5 p.m. when the building is rented for a private event that evening. Call ahead if this could affect your visit: 703-838-4565 x1.) Individual working studio hours may vary; Closed Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving
• Admission - Free
• Telephone - 703-838-4565
• Note: Artists love talking to customers about their art and will spend time describing their art form.  My kids spent time with a glass jeweler.  It may be a sales tactic, but it’s really interesting and made the tour around the gallery even more interesting for all of us.

We definitely plan to visit the Hotel Monaco again on our next visit to the area.  I also need to mention that it’s very affordable, ranging from $200-$300 per night for a double. Parking is about $24 per night, and this is the most dog-friendly hotel in Virginia, with no restrictions on breed or size. They even offer “Doggy Happy Hours”.

Disclosure: I was generously provided with a complimentary room and breakfast to facilitate this review and for other publications that I contribute to but all opinions are my own.  I really loved this property and give it a huge thumbs up for traveling families.

Tucked away in the beautiful Notting Hill section of London lies a jewel of a hotel, and what you might find a surprisingly child-friendly place to stay. The Hempel is a breath of fresh air for any family wanting a bit of an escape from the excitement and business of London.  Instead of staying in a typical London hotel and getting very little space for your money, The Hempel offers full-size apartments with plenty of space for everyone to spread out and relax after exploring the city.  Best of all, it’s located right next to Hyde Park and Notting Hill and is a hop, skip and jump from some of the best spots for families in London.

Source: The-hempel.co.uk/hotel-gallery

When we arrived at The Hempel, it was late at night, but as we drove into the quaint neighborhood, we were all instantly enraptured.  Facing a beautiful English garden or the “Zen Garden” (that was actually featured in one of my favorite movies “Notting Hill” with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant), the hotel has a lobby is likely to put you in a zen state as soon as you walk in.  It was made with the most neutral colors and an eye for relaxation.  It’s got minimalist decor and a glowing fireplace that invited my daughter as soon as she walked in.  The staff offered us welcome tea or coffee and graciously helped us to our room, which was surprisingly across the street, with beautiful views of the park in a white Georgian building.

The Hempel comprises fifty individually designed guest rooms, suites and apartments each in its own minimalist style.  We stayed in one of their apartments.  It may be old outside but the inside is completely new and modern. Inspired by the essence of modern and ancient travel, the unique atmosphere of The Hempel achieves balance and harmony through the use of warm lighting and natural materials, associated with the traditional Zen philosophy of Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire and Water.  It’s not cluttered and has a warm palette.

The effect is one of tranquility, even for my kids.  Their beds were positioned by enormous windows with views of the park in the main sitting room, which also has a big sofa and coffee table. They were really comfortable and made full use of the flat screen TV in the main space, watching “Cupcake Wars” on the Food Network, their latest addiction since we’ve been on holiday.   The free Wifi was definitely a perk, after being charged 6 pounds an hour at another boutique hotel on this trip.

The bathroom and cupboards are hidden behind the carefully painted walls.  The kitchen is compact but contains all the amenities you need to feed a family, including a full-size refrigerator.  I love the decor, as a matter of fact, I’d like to decorate my house the same way.

In the morning, we headed to No. 35 Restaurant, headed up by Head Chef, Michael Carter, who works with a seasonal menu offering the best of British and European ingredients – all borne from handpicked, independent suppliers. I had kipper, whilst the kids had cereal, eggs, toast, hot chocolate and juice.  My shameful picky eaters could have had such choice from the English delicacies being offered.

From the hotel, we walked directly to Hyde Park to Princess Diana’s Memorial Playground and then to Kensington Palace.  Straight across the park is the Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, shopping in Notting Hill, Harrods in Knightsbridge, just to name a few places nearby. After a day of being out and about, we ventured back for snacks and drinks at the bar, where we got lovely tapas and were able to relax.  The hotel really has a zen feeling that stays with you during your stay.

If you’re heading to London anytime soon, check out The Hempel’s web site for the best rates at www.the-hempel.co.uk. The hotel is located at 31-35 Craven Hill Gardens, Bayswater, London, W2 3EA.

If you’re planning to visit Manchester, England and are looking for a place to stay with the kids, the Lowry Hotel is a great choice. Located on the banks of the River Irwell, in the center of town, right near the commercial shopping district and load of things to do, this five-star hotel has 165 bedrooms, six suites and is as child-friendly as a hotel can get.

Named after a famous Mancunian artist, DS Lowry, the hotel is part of the world’s exclusive Rocco Forte Hotels and is both modern and elegant.  The inside is filled with interesting artwork, sculptures and stunning orchids. There are views of the river from every corner of the hotel and best of all, the hotel caters just as much to kids as it does to adults. As soon as our kids arrived, they were handed a very important invitation to get their own “Mocktail” at the bar.  The thought of this thrilled them to no end, but we were eager to check out our room first.

When my kids realized that they were going to have their own room, they were jumping with joy.  It was a first for us to have two joining rooms, and my son was elated to have his own key.  We were provided with the Family Package, which comes with bed and breakfast.  When we walked into their room with two twin-sized beds with teddy bears sitting on them, in Lowry Hotel robes, their own yellow chaise lounge and flat-screen TV, their own bathroom and walk-in closet and walk-in closets, my kids were in heaven.  With the floor to ceiling windows and neutral colors, the rooms are both inviting and comfortable.  My children chose their beds and we made our way to the bar for drinks and snacks.

The hotel certainly does know what children like. When we got to the bar, the kids were elated to read their special Mocktail menu with a choice of several juice cocktails.  We were given some chips and they were happily sipping their drinks when the barman came out to put a TV up for us all to watch Manchester United play Blackburn.  We were very content to sit and watch them win.

Bedtime was relatively easy, too.  They were so excited to get into bed in their own rooms, my son happily locking up his computer in the personal locker in his walk-in closet, and they took their books, jumped into bed and read before drifting comfortably off to sleep.

The Lowry also has games and DVDs upon request, and older kids can get complimentary Wifi (for others, it’s 6 pounds an hour or 15 for the day).  They have bath time accessories and can provide cots or highchairs as needed.  Best of all, meals are free for kids under 3, and half-price for over 3.

After the kids were tucked away in bed, I sneaked off to the Lowry Spa for some relaxation. I used the fitness suite and sauna until they closed.  It was a slice of heaven after a long trip to Great Britain and I was happy to have time to rest.

The kids literally jumped up the next day for breakfast. Well, that may not be true.  We were all so comfortable that we woke up at 9:30 and had to call to make sure we could still get breakfast.  When we found out we were okay on time, we slowly made our way  down to the River Bar & Restaurant. The hotel offers a lovely Continental Breakfast with cereals, pastries, fruit, yogurt, fish, cheese, toast, tea and coffee and we all found something we like.  The restaurant is cozy and decorated very much like the hotel, with beautiful art, orchids and painted in lovely neutrals.

From the hotel, you are a skip, hop and jump from some wonderful museums for children, and adults.  We spent the afternoon at The Museum of Science and Industry where my kids explored science and learned more about Manchester’s Industrial Age.  You can also get to The award-winning Imperial War Museum North, located at The Quays, where we ventured a few years ago and my kids were mesmerized by their exhibits of Britain in war times.  There is also the Urbis, an exhibition centre of city life, Manchester Art Gallery Mosley Street, The Manchester Museum at the University of Manchester, Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester Chill Factor and Old Trafford, where Manchester United plays all their home games.  We head to their shop to buy team memorabilia every year.

We had our city break at the Lowry Hotel, and it was one that we will all remember fondly for some time.  It was a unique travel experience for all of us.

The Lowry Hotel is located at 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Manchester M3 5LH. Tel: +44 161 827 4000 or you can email to make reservations at eservations.lowry@roccofortehotels.com.

Disclosure: I was provided with  complimentary lodging and breakfast, but all opinions expressed are my own.

]]> /family-stay-lowry-hotel-manchester-england/feed/ 0 /weekend-lehigh-valley-kids/ /weekend-lehigh-valley-kids/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:12:52 +0000 CultureMom /?p=3384 Last weekend, we found an unexpected hidden gem of a family travel spot in the Lehigh Valley.  Located just less than two hours from where we live in the heart of Pennsylvania near the Poconos Mountains, lies several quiet towns filled with museums, restaurants, antique shops and things to do.  As my daughter correctly stated when we left, we have never really explored much of Pennsylvania other than Philadelphia (though we have actually been to the Poconos and the Amish Country).  After this trip, I can tell you for sure that we will be back.  We were all very taken with the area, and Bethlehem was a great place to start our trip.

Known as “Christmas City”, I am quite sure this city is beyond beautiful in heart of the holiday season. It was named on Christmas Eve, 1741, by a group of Moravians who relocated from North Carolina and settled at the confluence of the Lehigh River and Monocacy Creek.  Bethlehem has six distinct National Historic Districts within its boundaries, as well as two National Historic landmarks. Many of its original structures, built by the early settlers, still line the streets of the downtown historic district.  The downtown area is quaint and great for a strolling family like ours.  We roamed around the antique shops, wine shops and art galleries on Main Street.  For dinner, we stepped into Petra at 81 Broad Street for arabic fare.  We ordered shish kabobs, hummus, cous cous and other favorite Middle Eastern delicacies.  Every restaurant in town was booked up that evening, and this happened to be the only one we could just wander into, but it was great for us.  Fortunately, my kids eat meat, pita and rice/cous cous and very much enjoyed the meal.  Service wasn’t much to be desired as the small family that run the restaurant must not have expected such an influx of customers, but the owner kept making the delay up to us by offering free appetizers, wine and, finally, dessert.

We stayed overnight at the Hyatt Bethlehem, located right in the center of town at 45 West North Street  Bethlehem, PA 18018 (Tel: 610-625-0500).  We had a suite, which was more than spacious for a family of four.  It was clean and comfortable and we loved the fact that our kids had their own beds and a wall separated where we slept so we could stay up slightly later without bothering them.  For $159 a night, you really can’t beat the experience.  Free parking in a covered lot, breakfast is included and free Wifi.  ($149-$299 per night)

The next day we set out to explore a few towns and their offerings for kids.  We started out at the Crayola Factory in Easton, just 20 minutes away, at 30 Centre Square (Tel: 610-515-8000).  My kids were particularly excited about this part of the trip and we made in on time for our 10am private tour.  First we had a live demo of how crayons and markers are made in their Manufacturing Theatre.  We learned how melted wax is boxed and labeled.  Then my kids wandered through the museum and had the most unique experiences.  They colored on a miniature race car, the Dry E-Racecar; they painted with melted Crayola Crayons in Meltdown; they played on the Chalk Walk; they colored on canvases with wands in After Dark; they jumped and danced in Cool Moves; they colored on the walls in the Inside Out Wall; and they got their creative juices flowing in the Creative Studio.  I particularly enjoyed reading the history of Crayola on the Crayola Chronology and Wall of Fame (they’re over 100 years old).  My kids loved getting tokens which they took through the museum and traded in for boxes of crayons and markers along the way, and they loved the many art projects throughout the museum.  An additional pleasure for my kids was the Waterworks gallery that is located upstairs and is free to visitors of the museum that teaches the kids about canals and water management. Admission is $9.75  per person/children ages 2 and under are free.

When it was time to eat, we walked right across the street to Pearly’s Bakery at 11 Centre Square (Tel: 610-253-9949) after the recommendation of a museum staff member.  Perfect for lunch and full of other families, they have both pub fare and more upscale entrees.  They offer delicious salads, sandwiches, soup and casual fare.  My kids loved the children’s menu, with kid’s meals for $5.95 and choices of mac & cheese, chicken fingers, fish sticks, grilled hot dogs and PB&J on wheat with carrot sticks.  The service was excellent and we were all rightly recharged and ready for the next leg of our trip.

From there, we headed to Allentown and I admit that I couldn’t help but sing the Billy Joel song all the way there, much to my children’s delight and my husband’s horror.  We ended up at the Da Vinci Science Center at 3145 Hamilton Blvd. (Tel: 484-664-1002 x112) where we would spend the remainder of the afternoon.  The center is 10,000 square feet of science and technology activities for children of all ages.  It’s a true science museum in every sense of the word.  My kids went from one part of the museum to the next with big, open eyes.  At What’s Alive? they learned about non-human living systems; at What on Earth?, they studied the Earth & Environment; at Watt’s Up?, they studied light and electricity; at What Works?, they learned about forces and machines.  We watched a short film about cosmic comets and visited their featured exhibit, KEVA Build it Up!, an interactive visitor experience in which curious minds of all ages can enjoy showing off their design and building skills using the popular KEVA planks. The museum is $11.95 for adults; $8.95 for children ages 4-12, seniors ages 62 and up, active military members, and veterans; free for toddlers ages 3 and under and members.

On our way out of town, we serendipitously passed by America on Wheels, an auto museum located at 5 North Front Street (Tel: 610-432-4200).  I can’t say too much about it, as my husband and son ran in on their own, but my son came out thrilled after exploring carriages, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles and trucks.  $7 for adults, free for children.

After a full day, we ended up at one of my favorite U.S. national chains, the Olive Garden, in Allentown. Where else can you feed a family of four for $30 with tax?  With full bellies, full minds and as content as a family could possibly be, we headed home.  We all want to return to the region to explore more of what it has to offer.

Meanwhile, if you live in the NY or NJ area, and you’re looking for a family getaway, consider the Lehigh Valley.   Check out the slide show below of pictures from our day out in the region.

Disclosure: Much of our trip was paid for graciously by Discover Lehigh Valley, but all opinions are my own.

]]> /weekend-lehigh-valley-kids/feed/ 4 /passports-purpose-supporting-literacy-spending-time-disney/ /passports-purpose-supporting-literacy-spending-time-disney/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:02:29 +0000 CultureMom /?p=3066 When I try to imagine a world without books, it’s just too hard.  My whole world revolves around the written word, it always has.  When I was a child, I ran home from school to read books.  My mother took us to the library all the time.  When I finally got around to reading the classics, it was as though a whole new world opened up to me.  I majored in Journalism, started my career in television but naturally found my way into the publishing industry where I have worked for the last eleven years.  My love for reading and books has never waned and I am very good at marketing anything to do with the written word.  I read anything I can get my hands in – books (I’m in a faithful, dedicated book club), magazines and I follow zillions of online publications.  My children have dutifully followed in my footsteps, and have appreciated the never-ending amounts of books I have received from all the publishers I have worked for, filling the shelves in their rooms.  There are books all over our house and we will never stop buying them.

This year, Passports with Purpose, a travel blogger’s fundraiser that I am participating in, is supporting Room to Read.  If you read this blog regularly, you know that giving back and travel are two of my passions so I’m thrilled to be involved.  You might also be interested to know that I am very involved in the local chapter of this terrific organization and that we just raised 20K for them.  Here is a photograph of CEO and co-founder Erin Ganju at our recent event in Westchester.

Room to Read believes that World Change Starts with Educated Children. They envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.  Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

For Passports with Purpose, this translates into specific, concrete efforts — they plan to raise enough money to fund the establishment of two libraries, their exact locations TBD, in under-served communities in Zambia. The program will put books in the hands of kids that don’t have them. There are corresponding goals — bring in good teachers and librarians, engage the libraries in supporting regional education programs, increase literacy and, by doing so, change lives for the better. There’s lots of information on the Room to Read site about their programs, please go read up if you want more detail.

This is where The Culture Mom comes in.

Lending a hand is simple. We’re joining over 100 other bloggers who have all secured fantastic prizes. Blog readers like you have the opportunity to check out the assortment of prizes. Then, for each $10 donation, you get entered into a drawing for the prize(s) of your choice.

This is where our prize sponsor comes in.

Earlier this year, my family and I stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek® while in Disney World and it was the perfect place to stay for afamily our size.  It’s comfortable, convenient, and quite luxurious.  Even to this day, my kids keep asking when we are going back.  The resort has so much to offer: location, activities, accessibility, spacious rooms, amenities, free shuttle service to all the Disney parks, five fabulous pools scattered around the resort, miniature golf, club rooms, an extremely kind staff and more. It’s the perfect kind of trip for a family that wants something for everyone.

In support of PwP, Wyndham Bonnet Creek® is offering a complimenary three-night stay in a 2-bedroom deluxe unit: Located in Lake Buena Vista, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is mere minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World®. You’ll not only enjoy free scheduled transportation to and from the Disney Theme Parks, but a very rewarding stay on site. From the full activities calendar to special touches like the tranquil Lazy River, beautiful pool and private lake, this is no ordinary stay.  Valued at $713.52.   Certificate must be presented at check-in. This offer expires12/23/2012. Based on availability. No cash value.

This is where you come in.

Do you have $10 to spare?  Want the warm feeling that comes with giving back? Follow these steps:

1. Head on over to the prize catalog / donation page.
2. Select Wyndham’s prize (and/or whichever strikes your fancy) and make your tax deductible donation via PayPal for a chance to win.
3. Wait patiently.  Prize winners will be announced on December 23rd.

Check out the PwP website for full details or let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below and finally, watch this video about the program:

Disclosure: This prize was provided to me free of charge as a entree in this fabulous campaign to help people in other countries.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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