This past weekend I spent a few busy days in Raleigh, North Carolina. Having grown up in Georgia, I’m not a stranger to the Southern state, but I’d yet to really explore it as a parent and I was very impressed with what I found. Firstly, Raleigh is a very short flight from New York City. It took less than 90 minutes in the air. One minute, I was in a windy, rainy, cold NYC, the next in a green, flowery Southern city. The airport is relatively small and easy to get through, and it offers over 400 flights daily so you can get to Raleigh from virtually anywhere in the U.S. From its selection of things to do to a burgeoning foodie scene to a vibrant culture to the people who live there, I found myself intrigued by the city of Raleigh and simply wanted more by the time we had to leave a few short days later. It’s a quiet city, but if you look carefully, it’s buzzing, particularly when it comes to kids. In addition, it’s also considerably cheaper than most destinations. Many museums are free (state funded you have to love that!), eating out won’t break the bank and hotel stays are affordable, making Raleigh a very desirable place for families.

I took my son along for this adventure in Raleigh, the historic capital of North Carolina. Neither of us knew what to expect but if you asked him how it went after the fact, he’d probably use the word  “epic”.

Here’s a a glimpse of what we did, what we saw, where we stayed and ate – through both sets of eyes, mine and his.

Where We Stayed in Raleigh

Sheraton Raleigh is a cozy hotel centrally located downtown. The hotel has 355 rooms, but it was full the weekend of our visit due to a wedding, a conference for heads of choirs and more. Nonetheless, it never seemed over-crowded and all our needs were met if we need something sent to the room. The service is attentive and pleasant and the hotel is clean. Our room, which had a king-sized bed, was spacious and comfortable. Our room’s decor was modern with a warm color palette, an LCD TV, accessible Wifi and a sofa to sit on during the day. There were a few complimentary bottles of water and the best part for both of us, lush bedding we could sink into at the end of a busy day.

Source: Sheraton Raleigh.

The hotel offers several onsite dining options. We had dinner at Jimmy V’s Osteria, an Italian-American Raleigh Restaurant that features traditional comfort foods made with locally grown ingredients. My son tried the wood-fired pizza, and I opted for soup and salad as our meal was quite late on our first night. It was fast and reasonable cuisine. The hotel also has a cafe on the main floor, as well as room service. In addition, the hotel has an indoor pool and fitness center. Best of all, it’s in walking distance to a lot of the city’s attractions.

What We Did in Raleigh

A room full of dinosaur bones at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

From our hotel, we could walk to several museums including NC Museum of Natural Sciences and NC Museum of History. Both are a great way to spend an afternoon and are free with a requested donation. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast. Through exhibits, programs, and field experiences, they provide visitors with opportunities to get up close and personal with science and nature. We viewed the bones of a Right Whale and dinosaurs, came face to face with a Cretaceous carnivores, studied artifacts from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and learned about astronomy. My son really seemed to absorb what he learned. While there, we had a great lunch at the Daily Planet, located right inside. They offer good breakfast and lunch options including salads, fish tacos, wraps, pimento grilled cheeses, quesadillas and more.

Over at the NC Museum of History, we explored more than 14,000 years of N.C. history, from the state’s earliest inhabitants through the 20th century. It features artifacts, multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits that tell stories about the state’s military history, sports heroes, decorative arts and more.

Being brave.

Raleigh offers a great deal more activities for families. High on my son’s list was a trip of favorites was our visit to Rush Hour GoKarting, which was just a 20-minute Uber from downtown. It’s an indoor karting track that spans 1/3 mile with hairpin curves, high-speed straights, and winding turns. Needless to say, he was in his element. Also high on his list of favorite activities was our zip-lining excursion at Go Ape Tree Zip Line & Treetop Adventure, a 2-3 hour exhilarating outdoor activity through the forest canopy with suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings, and zip-lining. Even I found it thrilling, and it was a great activity we could do together.

Riding in a boat on Jordan Lake.

Pop-up art at NC Museum of Art.

Where We Ate in Raleigh

The scrumptious peanut butter cake at The Pit.

Southern biscuits at Big Ed’s.

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This past weekend we spent a lovely 48 hours in Boston. The trip was primarily planned in order for our tween daughter to visit one of her camp friends, but we wanted to introduce both of our kids to the city of Boston. We had gone for a visit when they were very young, and we felt it was time to return to soak up its important history and classic vibe.

Day #1

We started with the Hahvahd Tour (www.harvardtour.com), taking a tour of Harvard University. It’s an hour tour walking through Harvard Yard, run by actual students (ours had just graduated).  They are the official tour of Harvard Student Agencies, the Harvard Museum of Natural History and The Harvard COOP. Our tour guide was young, humorous and she offered a few good stories of what it’s like to go to school there. We learned about John Harvard and saw his statue, saw the Kirkland House (where Mark Zuckerburg invented Facebook), walked by the library and dining hall, learned about admissions and found out why Harvard is one of the best schools in the world after having gone from a public school to a private school, about 100 years before any other top institutions, giving Harvard a big head start for private funding. Tours run daily in March through December and cost just $10 or less for students/kids. View the schedule here. Bear in mind this tour does not take you into the buildings nor give you authorized access. It’s not the most academic of tours either. Nonetheless, my kids really enjoyed it, particularly my son, and I’m hoping they were inspired by the experience and will shoot for the stars in the next five to seven years preparing for to get into colleges. At the end of the tour, we bought Harvard shirts to commemorate the experience.

Day #2

Boston is a walking town. We managed to walk everywhere and left no stone unturned. We started in Boston Common and the Public Garden where they offer Duck tours, foot-paddled boats that go around the park, a tribute to Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings,” about a duck family who found their home in the Public Garden. Then we walked a great bit of the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red brick path that takes you to sixteen of Boston’s most important sites. It took us around three hours to walk the trail while stopping in at some of the attractions like the Paul Revere House and the U.S.S. Constitution. We grabbed lunch at Quincy Market in Faneuil Hall Marketplaceand then sat on the steps and took in some of the entertainment. We ended up at the home of the bar one of my favorite shows was based, Cheers, where I channeled Sam Malone and and Diane Chambers.

A highlight of the day for me was the New England Holocaust Memorial, inspired by a group of Holocaust survivors. The memorial was built to foster reflection on the impact of bigotry and the outcomes of evil during World War II and to this day. Visitors to the Memorial are greeted at one end by words attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller, whose expression of the lesson of the Holocaust has become legendary. He had delivered anti-Semitic sermons early in the days of the Nazi regime, but later opposed Hitler and was sent to a concentration camp. The experience was riveting and I’m glad the memorial is located right in the heart of the city, so people can be introduced to the atrocities that occurred during World War 2.

It was a special weekend for all of us, one that we plan to do again soon. After all, Boston is an easy ride from New York, a mere three hours from where we live.

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to experience the Hahvahd Tour, but all opinions are my own, as always.

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We recently spent a quick few days in Houston, Texas, before boarding a ship in nearby Galveston. It was our first time to this sprawling city, and when I say, “sprawling,” I mean it. Houston is a BIG city – the sixth largest in the country, spreading over 8,788 square miles.  We had a car, which was necessary, to get around. Despite Houston being known as a popular U.S. city, I had no idea it had so much to offer tourists – from museums to restaurants to its proximity to the port, it has a lot to offer families on vacation.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in Houston long enough to make a top 10 list, which I often love to do, but I was there to capture a few highlights that my family and I truly appreciated for you to put on your list for your next trip to this Texan city.

Where to Stay

We spent one night at Omni Houston in the Galleria, a very central location. If you aren’t familiar with the hotel, it’s a more luxurious chain than your standard hotel that caters to a diverse group of travelers. While we where there, the hotel was hosting a big wedding, a few conferences and it was bustling. The room, with two double beds, was comfortable and plush, with features such as a marble bath, plush robes, turndown service, feather pillows, a coffeemaker (always a necessity for this tired traveler), a complimentary newspaper and free self-parking.

We went to Four Seasons Houston the next day. What is there NOT to say about a Four Seasons Hotel? From the minute we stepped in, we felt welcome. As elegant as it is, you feel as though you’ve somehow home away from home. I’ve always felt like that and love this chain. I used to stay at the Four Seasons Chicago often for work, and I just loved the bedding, the gym, and the coffee – needless to say, I was excited about this stay!

To add to my own excitement, it’s equally as great for kids. For example, when we got there, they were given lemonade and beanie babies. Once we were in our room, they had space snacks (pivotal as we had just come from NASA’s Johnson Space Center), as well as space suits hanging in the closet to play astronaut dress-up during our stay. The hotel boasts a lovely pool, athletic center, complimentary coffee in the lobby and ultra-comfort. We had a suite, which may have been larger than our house, with two rooms, large bay windows with a gorgeous view and a spacious living space with kitchen where we could hang out as a family. The hotel is easy going about late checkouts and very understanding towards the needs of a family. if we needed anything, it was brought quickly. I’ll be writing more about Four Seasons Houston elsewhere, so stay tuned.

When we first arrived, my kids had been riding in the car all day (we were coming from Austin), and I wanted to get them up and out. We were armed with the Houston CityPASS and had so many cool options. If you are not familiar with the CityPASS, you should be. It gives you a huge discount on attractions and really helps lower ticket costs in all the major U.S. cities. I’ve used it in San Francisco and New York City, and I can honestly say that it also cuts time in lines, which gives you a peace of mind while traveling in a group.

I instantly glanced at our options in the book and chose the Children’s Museum of Houston in the Museum District. At this point, we really had no idea how big Houston was, but I found out in the car! Once we got there, we were escorted to the front of the line, thanks to our tickets, and for several hours, my kids conducted science experiments, invented things, climbed a three-story tower and used fake ATM machines. The museum pushes education, technology and science, so we felt really good about our time there.

Wait a minute! Before I continue, guess what else the Four Seasons did for my kids? They wrote them personalized post cards, wishing them a good stay. Okay, to be honest, they wrote me one, too. That’s the kind of consideration they give guests.

What to Do

We spent most of the next day at Space Center Houston, the official visitors center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The center features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions and theatres, as well as a tram ride through the actual offices where astronauts are trained and to see the actual space shuttle and rockets used the past 50 years. The kids went for a virtual flight and my husband was pretty mesmerized by the whole thing. Total bucket list experience, you have to do it once in your life.

Where to Eat

Molina’s on Washington Avenue was our choice for dinner, and what an excellent choice it was! It’s really good, inexpensive Tex Mex food, and this 75-year old restaurant really knows how to treat a family. They offer specialty dishes such as enchiladas, tamales, fish tacos, chalupas, pollo con mole, tilapia, redfish and more. My kids loved the food, we loved the food. It was such a surprise, given that it’s a chain. It’s actually the oldest operating Tex-Mex restaurant in the city. Raul Molina Sr. and his wife Mary have been operating it with great success for over three generations. They understand the importance of close family relations and the culture here reflects these values, and so does their staff. We had outstanding service, and our waitress looked like she really loves her job (maybe I’m not used to it – been living in NYC too long?) While the kids drank water, I opted to have one of the

ir renowned margaritas, known for its proper blend of fresh lime juice, Triple Sec and 100% agave tequila. It was beyond delicious. I’m dreaming of it now as I write this. While waiting for the food, we munched on tortilla chips with their famous dip made out of chile con queso and spicy taco meat (and also plain queso for this vegetarian).

Dessert was out of control! We shared the Tres Leches Cake (Spanish for “three milks cake”), an enormous sponge cake soaked in various milks. It was out of control, and after I posted it on Instagram, an Instagramer told me it was #KitchenAssassinApproved – which it was!

Another restaurant that I’d like to point out that was extremely family-friendly is called Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe. Founded by young entrepreneurs, Allison Young Chavez and Ivan Chavez, who are on a mission to revive the art of eating crêpes, this is the perfect place for breakfast or lunch. My son had been dreaming about our visit up until the day – he loves chocolate crepes. There are a few locations and they all have the look and feel of a true Parisian cafe. The crêpes are street-style, created in the kitchen – everything from savory to sweet, as well as omelets, Panini’s and salads for the non-crêpe customers. I had smoked salmon in mine, which was sublime, but I won’t under-estimate the smile on my son’s face as he devoured a Nutella filled crêpe. I also relished my cafe latte, probably the best cup of coffee I had in Texas.

All in all, we had a great, quick visit in Houston, but it was different. From the museums to the food, I have to say we were impressed. If you’re headed there with kids in the future, take advantage of my recommendations and let me know where you end up.

Disclosure: I worked closely the folks at Visit Houston to help coordinate our travels in Houston, as well as the teams at the Four Seasons and the Omni Houston, where I was given a media rate and complimentary rate respectively, to aid this review and others, but as always, all opinions are my own.

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I recently spent a long weekend at Ritz Carlton Philadelphia with the kids. We jumped in the car, drove the few short hours to the City of Brotherly Love and landed at this historical yet extremely cozy hotel. Located right by City Hall, Love Park and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it’s a reminder of a nation’s birth with its grand use of architecture. The building was originally Girard Trust Company, which became Girard Corn Exchange in 1951; Girard Bank in 1970; Mellon Bank in 1984, and finally The Ritz-Carlton in 2000. We felt the enormous amount of history every which we looked, as well as its elegance with the hotel’s choice of decor of marble floors, rotundas, high ceilings and classic portraits.

When it comes to family travel, you really can’t beat staying at the Ritz Carlton. Kids are indulged as soon as they enter the establishment with a glass of sparkling cider. I was also indulged, by the way, with a glass of champagne, and my eyes were instantly swept by the opulence of the lobby, where a duo was playing and singing jazzy love songs.

The Ritz clearly trains their staff to make guests feel right at home. From Philadelphia-favorite Peanut Chew candies on the counter at reception to an all day shoe shiner, the hotel goes out of the way to make their clientele happy. The rooms were made with comfort in mind and are extremely spacious for families traveling with children. Their onsite dining is plentiful, and many partake in the club suite on the 30th floor.

After we were given the full low-down on the hotel, we headed to our room. We chose to locate it on our own, but we were certainly given the option of being escorted. The decor was classic, with comfortable linens and soothing colors adorning the walls and floors.

We first noticed the most beautiful view of the city. It is very easy to understand the significance of this American city just by looking out the window. Our room offered a King sized bed, marble bathrooms with a rainforest shower head, plush terry cloth robes, a 40″ inch flat-panel HD TV, Wifi and as mentioned, access to the Club Lounge where we had constant culinary offerings throughout the day and access to a computer station − it was the perfect place to come back to after an excursion for a snack, cup of tea and a splash of breakfast. The Lounge provided a dose of ease for the weekend – I didn’t have to worry about much of anything.

We spent our first night hanging out in Love Park, watching break dancers, posing under the sign and strolling to nearby Rittenhouse Square for a bit of shopping. The next day we ventured to Federal Donuts, a short walk away, and then to Spruce Street Harbor Park for a day on the water and loungy time in hammocks. And when our days were done, the hotel was the perfect destination to come back to at the end of the day.

The Ritz offers vacation packages to make a trip more affordable. The Stay and Play package is geared towards family travel, which includes tickets to the Please Touch Museum, a great museum for kids. The Two Nights in the City package offers a couple or pair art, history, food, and culture with a two-night stay.

I highly recommend a weekend visit to Ritz Carlton Philadelphia with – or without – the kids. From outstanding customer service, to being right next to an abundance of culture and history, you can’t do better than this for a Philadelphia family getaway. It’s a city that begs to be explored and a hotel that demands to be booked at least once.

Disclosure: My stay at the Ritz Carlton was complimentary to facilitate this review but all opinions are my own.

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Junior’s

We met in Times Square at Junior’s at 1515 Broadway. Allyson provided menus, which outlined our 4 stops for the day (our tour was abbreviated, usually there are 6). We started with a slice of NY’s most famous cheesecake – yes, without crust. And it’s secret ingredient? Sour cream. My first indulgence.

Little Pie Company

Schmackary’s

Next stop was Schmackary’s at 362 West 45th Street. The owner, Zachary Schmahl, began on Broadway, of course! Allyson picked up a Kitchen Sink Bar, made of “everything but” including brown sugar, coconut, chocolate chips and more. It was scrumptious, to say the least.

Amy’s Bread

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Day #1

Tourist season is heating up in Hershey, so it was impossible to get a room at The Hotel Hershey, the most elegant and inspired hotel in town, located on a hill that overlooks everything Milton Hershey created. Inspired by his global travels, he built the hotel in 1933, and it’s exquisite…. even just for a visit. It’s very Mediterranean, apparently having been inspired by an actual hotel he visited with a U-shaped base with a tower at either end, creating a 170-room hotel, with a Spanish patio, tiled floors, grand fountain, and a dining room without corners.

We headed for lunch at Trevi 5, a modern Italian restaurant on the hotel’s premises that was named after the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome. It was a great place to start the weekend with exquisite food and sweeping views of Hershey Park and the Gardens from our vantage point. The menu offers healthy options, in addition to thin-crusted pizza and pasta dishes including Baked Lasagna, Capellini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp and Penne Bolognese. I had the Compressed Watermelon & Feta Salad, which was delicious. The kids sampled options from their extensive children’s menu, and it made for a great start to our Hershey adventure.

Trevi 5, THE HOTEL HERSHEY, Located at The Hotel Hershey – 100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 534-8800

Our first stop was non-chocolaty, much to my kids’ disappointment, but it turned into time very well spent. We ventured to Antique Automobile Club of America, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, where vintage cars, buses and motorcycles are on display. We toured the museum slowly, viewing station wagons, including Carol Brady’s Plymouth Satellite wagon from The Brady Bunch, the world’s largest and best-known collection of Tucker 48 automobiles, engines, mechanicals and automobilia, a restored 1941 diner, Henry Ford’s early cars from Model A to Model T, the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur factory Limousine once owned by Whitney Houston and many other vehicles. There’s an interactive area for children. In the activity room, they can do a crayon rubbing of an antique license plate and engage in a variety of hands-on projects and activities.

Antique Automobile Club of America, 161 Museum Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 566-7100

It was a beautiful sunny day so I was excited about our next stop, Indian Echo Caverns, where we would explore 440 million year-old caverns always at 52 degrees. We walked through underground labyrinth of tunnels, lakes, and rock formations that consisted of stalagmites, columns and flowstone, and crystal clear lakes. It was an afternoon full of geological marvel, and I was happy to take my kids to yet another non-chocolaty activity before the onslaught began.

Indian Echo Caverns, 368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036-8815, (717) 566-8131  

We went for dinner at The Mill Restaurant, which was an absolute delight for all of us. Located in a two-story mill that dates back to 1858, off of Old West Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, the renovated space features exposed timber beams and vintage lights, and the menu is all about seasonal, farm-to-table meals.  The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal foods including seafood such as Atlantic Grilled Salmon, Seared Sea Scallops, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna and Maryland Broiled Crab cakes. Their smoked food techniques are unparalleled and we were all gawking at the food’s flavors and aromas.

The Mill Restaurant, 810 Old West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 256-9965

For our first dose of chocolate, we headed to Hershey’s Chocolate World. We first got set up with tour times, important to do as they fill up and sell out. Getting there late at night was a good choice as they empty out and close at 11pm. First we took the free “Great American Chocolate Tour Ride,” an indoor ride that explains how chocolate bars are made. Then we went into the tasting lab and learned how to be palateers, sampling chocolate by using all of our senses. Next up was the “Create Your Own Candy Bar” experience, where we donned aprons to customize our own chocolate bars, choosing its base flavor (milk, dark, or white) and fillings, and watch them being made in an automated assembly line. We even customized our own wrappers, which my kids loved. Lastly, we went to the 4D film, which continues the chocolate theme. From Chocolate World you can pick up the Hershey Trolley Works to tour the town and learn the inspiring story of the place made famous by Milton S. Hershey and his chocolate.

Hershey’s Chocolate World, 251 Park Blvd, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 534-4900

The night ended with a real bang – two very happy, tired children. We chose to lay our heads at Comfort Inn at the Park, just off Rte. 422 and only a few miles from Hershey Park.  Rooms are casual but clean and cozy, with free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms with showers, as well as flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Some rooms have minifridges and microwaves. Suites add a separate sitting area and pullout sofas. Breakfast is complimentary. There’s an indoor heated pool with a hot tub, and free outdoor parking.

Comfort Inn at the Park, 1200 Mae St, Hummelstown, PA 17036, (717) 566-2050

Day #2

My kids jumped out of bed to make sure we got to Hersheypark right at 10am. After all, it was our raison d’etre for being in Hershey in the first place and they were rearing to go. We drove to the park, paying $15 for the day to park our car and then hit the rides, which was easy to do. For one thing, the park is smaller than Disney and very manageable. The kids were eager to ride Laff Trakk, “the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States”, so we headed directly to the back of the park and made our way forward as the day progressed. There are roller coasters for all levels (they loved the Sidewinder, Lightening Racer and Comet), water rides, an old-fashioned carousel and Ferris wheel and dozens of other rides. We saw Hershey characters strolling through the park all day, and when we were hungry we headed to the Gourmet Grille sandwiches and tacos. Other restaurants include Moe’s Southwest Grill for burritos and southwestern food, and The Outpost, for gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian meals. They even have Kosher Mart in Rhineland serving Glatt Kosher Meat and Pareve prepared under rabbinic supervision.

After we had our fill of rides and Dippin Dots and Rita’s ice, we headed to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre right next to Hersheypark and included in the price of admission, featuring North American wildlife, including alligators, owls, and snapping turtles. After an hour or two there, it was time to call it an end of day.

Hersheypark, 100 W Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, (800) 437-7439

Day #3

On our last day, we opted to explore The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue.  There we learned how Milton Hershey went from bankruptcy to brilliance, transforming chocolate from a luxury to an everyday treat in their extensive Museum Experience that features 10,000 square feet of exhibits. Even my kids were engrossed in his rags to riches story. We also learned about his charity work. Since his death in 1945 at age 88, Milton Hershey’s legacy has thrived with a constantly changing world. Today, Milton Hershey School, the institution he and his wife founded, nurtures more than 2,000 financially needy boys and girls in grades K-12. The school and the Hershey philanthropy are perpetuated through the holdings of the Milton Hershey School Trust, which in turn derives much of its support from the profits of The Hershey Company and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company.

Then we experienced a hands-on “Chocolate Lab” class and sample warm drinking chocolate at the “Countries of Origin Chocolate Tasting.” In the 45-minute Lab, we learned how to make s’mores the Hershey way and in the tasting; we sampled chocolate flavors from around the world.

The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033-1502, (717) 534-3439     

For lunch, we went across the street to Fenicci’s Italian Restaurant of Hershey for an Italian feast. Owner Phil Guarno remains committed to using quality ingredients, many from his own garden located behind the restaurant; and he still offers some of the most treasured original recipes along with new, creative additions to please any palette. We reveled in full plates of ravioli and authentic pizza. I especially loved the theater posters on the wall; it made me feel very much at home.

Fenicci’s Italian Restaurant of Hershey, 102 West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 533-7159

Last but not least, we headed to Hershey Gardens, right down the road from the Hotel Hershey. Originally founded by Milton S. Hershey as a formal 3-½ acre rose garden, Hershey Gardens fills 23 acres. Filled with magnificent themed gardens, colorful seasonal displays, more than 5,000 rose bushes, a children’s garden, and a seasonal Butterfly House – this botanical gem is a garden for all seasons. After a busy few days, it was kind of perfect to end with a relaxing stroll through well-kept gardens and to see how Milton Hershey spread his wealth and passions through nature.

Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033-9507, (717) 534-3492

The result? A fullfilling weekend for all of us and memories to last a lifetime. What more can a mom ask for?

Disclosure: I partnered with Visit Hershey & Harrisburg on the logistics of this trip, but all opinions are my own.

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Alaina Yoakum is a Marketing, Communications, Social Media and Event Planning expert with over 20 years’ experience. When she’s not traveling the world or spoiling her two children at home in Northern California, she loves to help clients promote their brands more effectively through winning strategies, catchy copy, dynamic designs, and unforgettable events. 

If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just need to grab your favorite gals and escape. The endless to-do lists, piles of laundry and constant homework monitoring just gets to be too much.

So when Holman Ranch invited me and a friend to stay at their breathtaking 400-acre historic property, I jumped at the chance. And what a treat it was! When it comes to crafting the perfect recipe for a girlfriends’ getaway, Holman Ranch has all the right ingredients.

About Holman Ranch

Set in the hills of Carmel Valley, Holman Ranch is less than a 13-mile, 30-minute drive west of the coast and tourist hot spots like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-mile scenic drive and Point Lobos, where you can often spot sea lions.

Holman Ranch is a premiere location for weddings, corporate retreats, family gatherings, and special events – not to mention unforgettable, indulgent girlfriends’ retreats. An overnight on a stunning ranch with picturesque views? Check. A private wine tour and tasting? Check. Private massage therapists and manicurists? Check! They’ll even plan an ATV ride through their vineyards, hayrides, dummy cattle roping – you name it! My friend and I knew we were in for a treat – we couldn’t wait to start our tour!

Savoring the Wine & the Views

After checking into our ranch guest house, my friend and I lounged on our beds, enjoying the sweeping views of the valley outside and the rustic touches of the décor inside. Next on the agenda was a top highlight of our stay: A private wine tour and tasting with Nick Lowder, who owns and operates Holman Ranch along with his wife, Hunter.

Nick took us on a stroll through the enchanting grounds, past a blue-tiled swimming pool built in 1931, and into the wine caves. There, we tasted some of their award-winning wines – straight from the barrel. My favorite was their bold and rich 2010 Pinot Noir Hunter’s Cuvee. I was also impressed by their commitment to sustainability in how they grow, farm and produce their organic wines. Their 21-acres of vineyards yield grapes to make a range of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc wines. You can purchase their wines online, or better yet, join their Estate Wine Club for benefits like a two-night stay on their ranch.

Star Power

After a glass or two’s worth of wine and a mini power nap in our room, my friend and I reunited with Nick for a tour of the rest of the Holman estate – accompanied by a glass of their scrumptious Chardonnay, of course! We enjoyed the sunset in their blooming gardens and then entered the circa-1928 restored stone hacienda. Inside, Nick told us tales about the ranch’s illustrious history and how it once catered to Hollywood royalty, including Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin and Vincent Price.

As a fan of old black and white films, it felt luxurious to walk along the same paths and lounge in the same rooms as those heavenly stars. It reminded me of a movie I loved as a young girl, called Somewhere in Time. In it, a man becomes obsessed with the portrait of a movie starlet who lived long, long ago. Using hypnosis, he inexplicably travels back in time to an old hotel in the early 1900s, where he meets – and falls in love with her. Inside the Holman Ranch hacienda, among the old paintings and period furniture, it felt like we’d been transported to that bygone era, when women wore long slinky gowns and men wore tails.

Fabulous French Fare  

The food wasn’t the only thing that was good – I loved the decor and antique signs at this bistro!

The luxury continued as we got whisked to town in a chartered bus to Nick and Hunter’s restaurant, Wills Fargo Steakhouse and Bar, for one of the best meals we’d ever had. We started our culinary journey with a sublime bowl of French onion soup, followed by roast chicken with a heavenly potato gratin. My friend, who is typically a picky eater, surprised me by ordering seconds of the side! We ended the meal (reluctantly) savoring the molten “Fondant” Au Chocolate and a vanilla ice cream with a twist – it was made using olive oil from Holman Ranch’s olive groves.

Full credit for this exquisite meal goes to their Executive Chef, Jérôme Viel, a classically trained French chef born in Brittany and who has been studying the culinary arts since the age of fifteen. Given how delicious the food is, it’s no wonder!

All in all, Holman Ranch is the perfect combination of luxurious, modern amenities and old-world charm. If you’re planning a getaway with one friend or a dozen, I highly recommend Holman Ranch and Vineyards.

To learn more about Holman Ranch and Vineyards, check out their website, visit them on Facebook or read their blog.

Disclosure: Alaina was on a press trip at Holman Ranch, but all opinions expressed are her own.

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Do you ever stop to think about the life you’ve been given? The legacy that has been passed onto you? Do you ever think about the fact that you were blessed with beauty and you can find this beauty in every moment, no matter where you look?

On my recent rejuvenating trip to Kaua’i, where I traveled for the first time, I came into contact with a woman named Puna Kalama Dawson, Hawaiian Cultural Guide to Wellness at The St. Regis Princeville Resort. She reminded me to remember:

How important it is to take the time to appreciate what is directly in front of me.

To be inclusive.

To be humble.

To listen.

To be kind to others but also myself.

To create memories.

And most importantly, to live in the moment – not to count the tomorrows, for they may not come.

The word “Aloha” actually means a shared space, a special moment. As I was greeted with this word during the rest of my stay in Kaua’i, I remembered and breathed in her words. It wasn’t hard – after all, I was in Hawaii.

I had been invited on a Rejuvenation Press Trip. For five-six days, I would get to know the island escorted by representatives from the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau. I was given an amazing opportunity, while there on assignment for several publications, to get to know an island I had never been to.

And I discovered so much about the island, while breathing in Puna’s words and the refreshing air. After a long, cold winter in NYC, I was thrilled to be in the sunshine, amongst amazing women, also there as writers covering the parts of the island we were shown. Kaua’i is the fourth largest of the main Hawaiian islands. Its land area encompasses roughly 552 square miles and only 3% of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.

That fact became more clear to me as I scanned the island from above on a Jack Harter helicopter ride, where I gawked silently at the many wonders of the island, from the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, and the mountain cliffs that rise from the ocean floor to form the magnificent unspoiled Napali Coast. It’s simply breath-taking, and when you are surrounded by all that beauty, it is easy to take in the moment.

The trip was amazeballs, full stop. It was hard not to pinch myself at times, particularly when I gazed at the gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets. We stayed on both the North Shore and South Shore in lovely hotels, sampling the island’s activities and cuisine. Our accommodations ranged from luxurious resort hotels to more moderately priced hotels, from The Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa to The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas to Kaua’i Beach Resort. They were all beautiful yet different. I experienced a range of adventurous activities from a Kaua’i Sea Tours Napali Coast Snorkel Sail to a Spa Treatment at ANARA Spa Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa to a downhill bicycle ride on Waimea Canyon with Outfitters Kaua’i to a Waterfall Picnic Horseback tour with Princeville Ranch Adventures to Mountain Tubing with Kaua’i Backcountry Adventures.

I’m going to stop talking as I have several posts coming out on various sites where I’ll be going into depth about my trip. I’ll post them in the “My Writing” section here on this blog.

Kaua’i is more than rejuvenating. My senses were awakened, memories were created. The sunsets, the waterfalls, the sound of the waves as I drifted off to sleep, horseback riding through wide fields, biking down a canyon at sunrise, witnessing pure spectacles of nature.

I can’t wait to tell you more.

Disclosure: I was on a press trip hosted by the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau. As usual, all opinions are my own.

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This past spring break was an interesting one. After living in and near NYC for a lot of years, I decided it was time for my kids to have a NYC staycation.

We stayed in hotels, went to museums on 42nd Street like Madame Tussaud’s, took a bus tour, ate in Chinatown and Korea Town, went to the top of the Empire State Building, visited the Statue of Liberty and toured Ellis Island, went to the 9/11 Memorial, explored the orchids at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx and had pizza on Arthur Avenue, indulged in cupcakes at Carlos Bakery, strolled through Soho, munched on hamburgers at Five Guys in Times Square…wow, I’m tired from reliving it all. But I want to relive it for you here, so I can wear you out.

Here are highlights from our weeklong staycation in New York City:

– We stayed overnight at The Westin New York at Times Square, where they offer a WICKED Night Out, an exclusive WICKED-themed hotel package. As fans of the show, the experience of seeing the cast perform in an intimate setting was a one of a kind, in addition to our fabulous views of the NYC skyline from our room.  Find out more about our experience here.

The Westin New York at Times Square at Times Square is located at 270 West 43rd Street and you can get more info about the WICKED Night Out at their web site, www.westinny.com.

– We took a 3-1/2 hour bus tour of the film and TV sites in NYC via On Location Tours, along with an animated tour guide and a bus full of tourists. The guide mentioned sites used in Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, GhostBusters, Serendipity and to off the beaten path to Manhattan neighborhoods including SoHo, the Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, Tribeca and the Upper East Side. We were shown where Taylor Swift lives and driven by film and TV shoots. The guide gave out yummy black & white cookies and there were several opportunities to take quick strolls and get off the bus. It was a great way to see all sides of the city, even natives will enjoy it.

Information about On Location Tours can be found at http://onlocationtours.com.

– We went to see the extremely creative and utterly wonderful CATCH ME! (Attrape-moi) at the New Victory Theater, featuring the six young talents of Flip FabriQue, an up-and-coming troupe from Quebec City, Canada, whose members have performed with Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, 7 Fingers and more. It’s one of those fearless, fast-paced shows that takes athleticism and showmanship to new heights in a high-flying spectacle that highlights the artists’ (men and 1 woman) individual talents, including aerial hoop, aerial straps, banquina, juggling and trampowall, among others. Read the rest of my review here and check out the New Victory’s upcoming shows here.

The New Victory Theater is located at 229 West 42nd Street.

– We had lunch in Korea Town, not once but twice, at a place called Mandoo Bar. They make the dumplings in the window and then serve them sizzling hot and they’re divine. When you sit down, they bring salad and Korean pickles over. I lunched on Spicy Ramen Soup with Tofu, the kids had bibimbap, steamy delicious meat and veggies served in a hot stone bowl. The waiter adds hot sauce and rice and stirred it up in front of us. 

Mandoo Bar is located at 2 West 32nd Street in NYC’s Korean Town. For more info, visit http://mandoobarnyc.com.

– We spent an entire day at the annual orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Chandeliers are the theme of the NYBG’s 13th annual orchid show. Each year showcases a different design. Along with the show’s massive chandelier, the exhibit features hanging baskets and columns of orchids and plants and it was all ogle-worthy. The NYBG offers classes on orchid care, as well as gardens that are available all year. We rode a 25-minute tram around the park to take in all its offerings and look forward to future visits. Our visit also took us to nearby Little Italy where we indulged in the real thing – Italian pizza and pastries.“

The Orchid Show: Chandeliers” runs at the New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory through Sunday, April 19. Price of admission varies, with tickets costing $20 for adults on weekdays. For more info, visit www.nybg.org.

– I hadn’t been to Madame Tussaud’s in years, since BlogHer 2010, so when my daughter asked to go during spring break, I was happy to oblige. I took both my kids and one of her friends, and we spent about 90 minutes taking the tour. There are six themed, interactive environments showcasing nearly 200 masterfully crafted, lifelike wax figures, that includes Woody Allen, Bette Midler, Nicolas Cage, Hugh Grant, Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump, Marie Antoinette, The Dalai Lama and Maya Angelou. The tour is historical and interesting for pop-culture lovers like my kids, who loved the new Taylor Swift and Jimmy Fallon fixtures.

Madame Tussaud’s is located in Times Square on West 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Ticket information is here: https://www.madametussauds.com.

– We also stayed over-night at Wyndam Garden Chinatown on Bowery, a hotel right in the center of Chinatown. The hotel is clean, cozy and gave us complete access to the area including Soho, LES, Tribeca and Little Italy.

The Wyndam Garden Chinatown is located at 93 Bowery and booking info can be found here:  wyndhamchinatown.reservations.com.

– We each used a CityPASS for reduced admission to some of the city’s best attractions. It gives free entry to all top iconic places but also to many unique tours, as well as easy access. There are over 80 attractions to choose from. We went to the top of the Empire State Building, an attraction my kids had long awaited. They enjoyed going up 86 floors and looking down on a city they live near and love, but the crowds on the top were pretty intense. The CityPASS also took us to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, two places my kids had yet to visit, and a visit, which took a full day, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Information about the CityPASS is located at http://www.citypass.com. New York CityPASS is a booklet of admission tickets to 6 must-see tourist attractions in New York City. You’ll save 41% compared to combined regular box office prices.

– Other stops included Carlo’s Bakery in Times Square where we waited 45 minutes for a cupcake made by the Cake Boss chef; burgers and fries at Five Guys Burgers & Fries; Shanghai Cafe at 100 Mott Street for an authentic Chinese meal; Taqueria Tehuitzingo on 578 for high-quality, low-cost Mexican fare and Full Moon Pizzeria at 600 East 187th Street in the Bronx for real Italian pizza.

I want to emphasize what a treat it was to be a tourist in my own town. As a New Yorker, I saw the city through a slightly different lens and it was very impressive. It was also very crowded. We actually ended our tour at the 9/11 Memorial, which was fitting and a wake up call to the reality we are living in. We were also reminded that life has changed immensely since I first moved to NYC and went to some of these same sites for the first time by the extra-tight security at many venues. The security checks made the lines longer and added to the time at each venue and the tourists are certainly spilling in, but we just blended right in and I love New York even more than I did before. And that’s really saying something.

Disclosure: The CityPASS, On Locations Tour, hotel visits and Madame Tussaud’s were complimentary to facilitate the writing I am doing here and on other web sites, but as always, all opinions are my own.

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The elevator going up to our room on the 43rd floor.

This past weekend was a special one for my tween and I as we stayed over night in NYC in Times Square for the first time. Sure, we’ve stayed over night in the city before but not right in the heart of Broadway. And for two culture vultures, that meant everything.

We were invited by The Westin at Times Square to check out the WICKED Night Out, an exclusive WICKED-themed hotel package.  My daughter first saw the show at age 6 and again at age 10. As a tween, the show holds special memories for her and I knew the hotel would have an appreciative visitor. I’ve written about the show a few times, the last time here on this blog.

Upon checking in, we were shown to our room on the 43rd floor, which we arrived in taking a WICKED covered elevator up to. The views of the NYC skyline were simply fantastic. The room itself was simple yet luxurious, with all the essentials from cozy bed linens to a terry bathrobe to a 32-inch LCD TV to Wi-Fi access to a soothing white color palette to in-room movies. The hotel has on-site dining and gym facilities, both of which we used. It was the first time my tween ever followed me to the gym in the morning and I loved it.

Our cozy Westin bed.

We then headed to the lobby for a WICKED extravaganza a special showcase of show costumes, props, and memorabilia for guests’ front-row viewing pleasure in the lobby. Drinking a Wicked-tini (a special cocktail made for the event) and soda, we sat in front of the three main cast members from the show as they belted out three songs from the show. No “Defying Gravity,” but three songs including “Popular”.

It was a thrill staying in the heart of Times Square. We spent the evening eating Mexican food, going to the movies and having cupcakes at Carlos Bakery – everything a tween can ask for. To add to the WICKED theme, the hotel offers a cast-recorded wake-up call. We didn’t opt in for that as we slept in the next morning. My tween demanded that we sleep in!

The WICKED Night Out getaway at The Westin New York at Times Square, valid through April 30, 2015, starts from just $299 and includes: ^*

• Grand deluxe accommodations just steps from the brilliance of Broadway
• A pair of WICKED-tini cocktails at the hotel’s Bar 10
• Access to show tickets (priced separately) for Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG) members with exclusive earn and redeem options.
  

  Our tremendous view of NYC from our room.

To book the WICKED Night Out at The Westin New York At Times Square, reserve your stay online or call 866-837-4183 and request rate code LKPKG1.

Disclosure: We received a complimentary room to facilitate this review and others but as usual, all opinions are my own.

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