Archive 2017 - Go Here, There, and Everywhere
Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem, PA

Updated for 2022 – Christmas City is as festive as ever, full of Holiday magic. This has become a tradition for our family, and puts us in the spirit of the season like no place else. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

‘Tis the Season for a visit to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a.k.a. ‘Christmas City’, and a wonderful way to banish any and all ‘Humbugs’!

Founded in 1741 and named on Christmas Eve by Moravian missionaries, it received it’s name from the beloved Christmas carol we all grew up with. And the citizens of this charming town are committed to preserving their rich heritage and providing a most welcoming and magical experience to all who visit.

Here are the top things we enjoy at the most wonderful time of the year…

Dive Deep…

Dive Deep…

We are thrilled to feature this guest post from Organic Passengers…to follow their adventures and amazing photography follow them on Instagram: @organicpassengers

Here’s a brief introduction to our newest friends and world travelers:

Long time childhood best friends, Sonia and Hemanshu are a long distance relationship couple that live in Australia and India. Initially, travel was just a way for them to meet up with each other but now it has become a ritual where they meet every few months in a new country. Apart from loving travel, they’re very passionate about leading a very wholesome & organic lifestyle that they incorporate not just in their daily lives, but also during their adventures around the world.

Cape May

Cape May

We can be creatures of habit. Knowing what we like, it’s easy to stick with that favorite spot, that you can always count on.

We’ve been to Cape May, NJ more times than I can count, and always did just that. During our family trips to nearby Wildwood Beach, every rainy day meant a drive to Cape May. But this time we set out to cover some ground. And what we found was an historic treasure with more to see and do than we’d imagined…
Florence

Florence

The city is as much a masterpiece as the works of art that reside there.
The narrow streets of the Centro Storico, lively Piazzas, and views from across the Arno of seemingly endless red tile roofs stay in your memory forever. To walk in the footsteps of the great Renaissance artists is an inspiration for all who are fortunate enough to visit.
Depending upon how much time you have there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the museums to cover. Our advice, pick a few, there are the obvious must-sees, and leave enough time to do what is so magical about Italy. Wander. Explore. And take time to just stop and smell the roses.
Venice

Venice

Another daunting task, to offer some new perspective on a destination written about in countless blogs, travel guides, magazines…everywhere!

Well, what we offer you here is quite simply what we learned and experienced, and what made it magical for us. We hope you’ll enjoy reading our story, seeing the beautiful images, and find it useful if you or someone you know is going…or if you’ve been, rekindle the memories you cherish…and of course, when you’re ready to plan your trip, call Carla!

We found a magic unlike any other city in the world. And with that here is our list of Magical Moments.

Long Live Rock

Long Live Rock

A music lover’s guide to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Our great road trip: Memphis to Louisville to Cleveland finally culminates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We came to pay tribute to our heroes and the music we grew up with…and will grow old with. I’ve played guitar in garage bands from the age of 13 and still play today with a fantastic group of talented musicians who play because we love it. Some things never change, and never should. So, here’s our take on the Rock Hall.

It should be noted that Memphis natives argue (with much conviction) that the Hall of Fame belongs there. If you haven’t seen our Memphis blog, please check it out. It starts with the birth of the Blues from the cotton fields to Beale Street. Then to Sam Phillips vision at Sun records and the birth of Rock and Roll. The first inductees came from there! Well…we’ll let you all decide, please comment below!
           
Set on the shore of Lake Erie, the massive glass pyramids are home to original musical instruments, song lyrics, stage props and wardrobe from the artists that gave us their heart and soul. To bring the Rock Hall’s exhibits to life, you’re immersed in film, video, interactive kiosks, reading material and, of course, the music. Here are the experiences that moved us.
St. John, USVI

St. John, USVI

We are thrilled to feature our first post from our dear friend and world traveller, Pam Lach

St. John, USVI is the perfect location for my husband and I and our family. There are so many options for every age range: swimming, snorkeling, sailing, paddle board, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, etc. We often wake up to see the magnificent sunrise, visit one or two beaches every day.

Here are a few reasons why the island is a coveted travel destination and why so many visitors come back every year.

Louisville, KY

Louisville, KY

What can you do with 24 hours in Louisville KY? Bourbon, Baseball and a whole lot more!

Part 2 of our great road trip: Memphis to Louisville to Cleveland.

With limited time in a new city you need to choose wisely, and we did! Recommendation: if you’re traveling with your significant other, each pick the one can’t miss destination and you’ll both be happy. Anything else you get to do is a plus!

Phuket

Phuket

Our trip to Thailand was very special and personal for us. Our daughter went there to teach English, and we hadn’t seen her in seven months. We’re so proud of her courage and determination to set off on such an adventure. She had her ups and downs for sure, but as usual, proved to everyone that whatever you set your mind to can be accomplished.

So, this post will have several chapters, since we did and saw so much on this trip of a lifetime…let’s start with where to stay in Phuket.

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Memphis

Memphis

One of the coolest road trips we’ve ever taken – a musical pilgrimage that begins in Memphis, Tennessee, passes through Louisville, Kentucky, and culminates in Cleveland, Ohio and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2,270 miles in 7 days, we covered a lot of ground, heard amazing music, experienced musical, cultural and architectural history, and ate and drank our way around a very special part of the USA. It’s a lot take in, so let’s focus here on part 1 of our journey.

Memphis has an authenticity about it, and it comes through in the welcoming warmth of the people who live there. We can’t recall a shuttle driver, bartender, Uber driver, waiter or waitress that didn’t serve as an ambassador to their beloved city. Every person we encountered had favorites, recommendations and stories to share, and made us feel right at home. It is a special place.

There was simply too much to see and do in the 3 days we had…but we did fit in a lot! Listed below, in no particular order, are the must-see, must-experience choices we made, and highly recommend to anyone and everyone who enjoys (what we consider) the good things in life.

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Carla is standing by with travel advice, ideas, recommendations and the best deals you'll find anywhere. Reach out now to make your travel dreams a reality! Email Carla@vacationkids.com or call 973-370-5584

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