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Posts Tagged ‘valle d’itria’

Villas in Puglia are Serving Up the Sweet Life

drone picture of villa in puglia

Right now everyone can’t stop talking about two booming travel topics. First, destination radars have zeroed in on a seductive slice of the Italian peninsula — Puglia, Italy.

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5 GREAT ACTIVITIES IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ WITH LITTLE K 5 GREAT ACTIVITIES IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ WITH LITTLE KIDS ⬇️ Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of my favorite winter escape destinations for families—especially if you have little kids! With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you can count on blue skies, sunny weather, and perfect 70-degree temperatures in winter. We’ve visited Scottsdale many times, and while April and May are prime pool weather, winter brings cooler mornings (it is the desert after all…) with afternoons perfect for pool time. Mornings were spent exploring the area before the kids made their way to the waterslide after lunch @fairmontscotsdl Here were our favorite family-friendly activities in Scottsdale: 🌵HIKING: Pinnacle Peak and Gateway Loop are two great kid-friendly options. My kids especially loved Pinnacle Peak because of the fun story installed along the trail—it kept them engaged the entire time! TIP - go in the morning, then have brunch at Proof @fsscottsdale 🚂 MCCORMICK STILLMAN PARK: Maverick declared this the “best day of his life!” There’s a carousel, mini train rides, a playground, module trains, and even the former Presidential train turned into a museum (my personal favorite part). 🦋 ODYSEA/BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND: Odysea Aquarium is fun, but Butterfly Wonderland stole the show. Imagine walking through a giant greenhouse with hundreds of butterflies fluttering around you—and even landing on you! Both attractions are in the same complex, so it’s easy to see them in one day. 🌵 DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN: This is a great option if you’re looking for flat trails, beautiful desert flora, and a chance for kids to run around and explore. Maverick loved “navigating” with his map and turning it into a game. 🎨 WONDERSPACES: This is not your typical art museum! This interactive experience lets kids touch, explore, and immerse themselves in the exhibits. NEXT TIME: On my list -the Phoenix Zoo, Children’s Museum, Music Museum, and McDonald’s Ranch for horseback riding. Have you been to Scottsdale? What are your favorite things to do with kids? FAMILY TRAVEL | SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA | THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN ARIZONA | TRAVEL WITH KIDS | PLANNING TIPS
A LUXURY KID FRIENDLY HOTEL THAT’S WORTH THE SPL A LUXURY KID FRIENDLY HOTEL THAT’S WORTH THE SPLURGE 📌𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 This year, we skipped the Caribbean crowds to try a desert Christmas escape @fairmontscotsdl. Did you know Scottsdale has over 300 days of sunshine a year?! It’s one of the best winter destinations for reliable weather — think blue skies, sunny days, and perfect 70-degree temps. Our days were the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation: morning hikes or excursions followed by afternoons unwinding at the heated pools. Here’s why @fairmontscotsdl is a perfect hotel for families — year round 😎 5 HEATED POOLS: Each pool offers something unique. There’s a pool with waterslides, another with a sandy beach, and another overlooks the desert terrain. There’s also a private spa pool and an adults pool. FAMILY FRIENDLY CASITAS: Choose from standard hotel rooms, luxe Fairmont Gold rooms, or the spacious “Privado Casitas.” These freestanding homes are perfect for families, with 2-bedroom options, or you can reserve the whole casita up to 4 bedrooms. FANTASTIC ON SITE AMENITIES: Winter visitors will love “Christmas at the Fairmont,” featuring rides, igloo dining, an ice-skating rink, mini golf, and even a tube park! In spring and summer, enjoy concerts under the stars. Year-round, there’s a PGA 18-hole golf course, a two-story spa (with a private pool!), tennis courts, and a kids’ club. QUICK ACCESS TO COUNTLESS OFF SITE ACTIVITIES: Explore nearby hiking trails, a butterfly sanctuary, an aquarium, a train park, a zoo, botanical gardens, museums, and sporting events galore. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚” 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭. As a travel advisor, I can VIP your reservation by getting you access to free breakfast, spend credit, welcome amenity, upgrade, and early check in/late check out if available. BEST HOTELS FAMILIES | CHRISTMAS HOTELS | FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS | SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA | BEST DESTINATIONS FOR FAMILIES | USA TRAVEL
5 QUESTIONS PARENTS NEED TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING A F 5 QUESTIONS PARENTS NEED TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING A FAMILY RESORT: 1. HOW IS THE ROOM CONFIGURED?
“Suite” doesn’t always mean a separate living area. Check the floor plan online—or call the hotel directly. Once, a hotel misled me, but since I had proof from an email, they upgraded us upon arrival. 2. HOW DO CONNECTING ROOMS “CONNECT?”
Families of 5+, listen up! Not all “connecting” rooms connect internally. Sometimes, they share a small private hallway, but you have to technically exit one room before entering the other. This layout may work for older kids, but might be tricky with little ones—ask ahead! 3. ARE KIDS’ CLUBS COMPLIMENTARY?
Some brands (like @fourseasons and @rosewoodhotels) offer free kids’ clubs, while others charge a fee or require reservations. Know the cost/age requirement before you book. 4. DO KIDS EAT FREE?
Many hotels let kids eat free off the kids’ menu—but servers might not know your kids’ ages. We’ve had surprise charges, so now I always mention it upfront. 5. DO YOU OFFER BABY/TODDLER AMENITIES?
Beyond cribs and pack n’ plays, some hotels provide extras like diaper pails, bed rails, and even bottle sanitizers. Always ask—you might be pleasantly surprised! 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 FAMILY TRAVEL | LUXURY TRAVEL | TRAVEL WITH KIDS | FAMILY HOTELS | TRAVEL PLANNING TIPS
HOTELS WITH BATHROOMS/CLOSETS BIG ENOUGH FOR A PAC HOTELS WITH BATHROOMS/CLOSETS BIG ENOUGH FOR A PACK N’ PLAY 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 Have you really traveled as a parent if you haven’t put your kid to sleep in a hotel bathroom? It’s practically a rite of passage — and one of the top questions I get from parents planning vacations. In fact, when I call a hotel’s reservation team to ask them this about bathroom size, they almost ALWAYS know why I’m asking. 😂 The truth is, room-sharing is tough with little ones. No parent wants to go to bed at 7 PM with the kids. So when planning my own trips, I’ll budget a bit more/night on a larger room, even if it means going for less time. It can make all the difference for a restful vacation with kids. SAFE SET UP TIPS: 
🍼 Remove towels/gadgets from baby’s reach
🍼 Leave the door slightly ajar for airflow Here’s my cheat sheet of luxury family hotels (and room type you’ll want to book) where a Pack N’ Play fits comfortably in a bathroom/closet 🏔 @fschateauwhistlr – Fairmont Gold 1- or 2-bedroom suites have a spacious primary bath + 1/2 bath for parents. 🏝 @seaisland – One-bedroom wing suites have a HUGE primary bath + a 1/2 bath in the living area. 🌿 @fscostarica – Canopy suites have a large closet for a Pack N’ Play + an extra bathroom! 🌊 @fsanguilla – One bedroom suites have a spacious primary bath + closet. Our 2-bedroom suite upgrade had a massive closet — plenty of space for even a few cribs. 🛶 @rwmayakoba – Deluxe lagoon suites have 2 large bathrooms. I love this hotel because you get great room value for the cost! 🌅 @grandhyattbahamar –The “Reserve” 1-bedroom suites have a half bath that’s large enough to accommodate a pack an play. No need to sacrifice your nice en-suite bathroom. 🦞 @cliffhousemaine – Best New England find! Sunrise & 2-bedroom suites offer great space + large bathrooms. 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 “𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩” 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐌𝐬! Need help booking a room with extra perks (like free breakfast)? DM me! FAMILY TRAVEL | LUXURY TRAVEL | TRAVEL WITH KIDS | BEST HOTELS FOR KIDS | BABY SLEEP
DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A QUIET ESCAPE IN THE MIDDL DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A QUIET ESCAPE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROCKEFELLER CENTER IN NYC? 💌𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐘𝐂 Welcome to the rooftop garden loccated at 620 5th Ave. To access it, you need to purchase the VIP Top of the Rock Ticket. COST: $285.00 per person (holiday edition) WAS IT WORTH THE SPLURGE? Yes! Experiencing the gardens alone made it very worth it as a unique NYC experience, PLUS the ticket gives access to even more VIP experiences GOOD FOR KIDS? Given the cost, I saved this as a special holiday date idea for myself + Niall, but yes, it’s very kid friendly. Duration: 90-120 min WHAT DID THE TICKET INCLUDE? 🎄Private VIP welcome lounge (no waiting in long lines outside in cold NYC) 🎄Short (but really fascinating) historical tour/movie 🎄Up close and personal viewing of the Christmas tree. The crowds are required to stay 100 feet away behind gates, but we were escorted to the base for some spectacular photos 😍 🎄Access to the rooftop garden overlooking 5th Ave (Tip - a night time ticket means you’ll see the holiday lights of Saks and 5th Ave shops illuminated!) 🎄Aerial views of the Christmas tree from a Rockefeller penthouse 🎄VIP pass to the Top of the Rock (No long lines) 🎄VIP Beam experience - You know that iconic beam photo of construction workers building the Top of the Rock from the 1930’s? Well - you’ll get to experience their views. You’ll be strapped on a beam, elevated above the viewing glass at the top of the building — and rotated around to see the skyline. I’m very afraid of heights, but this was worth it. CAN YOU ACCESS THE TOUR YEAR ROUND? Yes, you can. It’s slightly less money at other times because it won’t include the tree viewing. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬. FAMILY TRAVEL | NYC CHRISTMAS | ROCKEFELLER CENTER | SECRET ROOFTOP GARDEN NYC | TOP OF THE ROCK | VIP TOUR | LUXURY TRAVEL
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