A Perfect NYC Break

The snow put on damper on many things including our annual Spring Break trip abroad but that didn't stop us.  What better place to play tourist than in the greatest city in the world that also happens to be less than 2hrs. from home.  The optimist in me says, WooHoo to less time spent on planes, trains and automobiles plus, being in NYC is kinda like being in a foreign country...did you know that almost half – 49.1% – of New Yorkers speak something other than English at home?  Spanish and Chinese are off the charts as the next languages of choice followed by...drum roll...Russian!
It's no wonder the Big Apple is often referred to as the melting pot and what better place to learn why and how it earned that moniker than a visit to Ellis Island!

After living and working in NY for close to 10yrs., I finally got to experience many of the wonderful and unique touristy attractions the city has to offer.
From Roosevelt Island to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, there is so much to see an do... just take my advise and don't try doing it on a Holiday weekend.
The 2hr. wait to board the Ferry...

Despite this little setback, what's awesome in the city?  What's not!

The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt is on and starting April 16th, the beautiful eggs completed their journey to their final nesting place at Rockefeller Center, where they will be on display until April 18th.  Like what you see?  On April 22nd, you can get a crack at owning one of your own during the Grand Auction at Sotheby’s...

This one by Ralph Lauren that Jacob is leaning on is $6,500!Fabergé not your thing? Want something a bit more "affordable"?  Then the Lego store is for you!

Ice Skating Ring at Rockefeller Center...

With a playground in every park, the city is an awesome place for kids to hang out and make new friends... 

This playground in Union Square was a great break from all of the walking and just around the corner from our favorite sushi spot!

Taking a break before filling up the belly on his favorite food...

To Be Continued

Thinking Spring

Following below freezing temps, the "warm" weather has me thinking about Spring and our annual Family adventure but can't seem to land on THE place.
This article about the Top 25 Cities in the World is getting me inspired but I'm still on the fence...
Here are the parameters if anyone has any ideas;
I want prefer that it's outside of the US
Modern and metropolitan city to stay in and explore but with easy access to other area attractions and towns
Fun authentic atmosphere would be great...hard to find these days no matter where you go but that's the fun of this challenge!
Excellent restaurants and an interesting food scene
Great culture; museums, theaters, music, etc 
Warm weather in April
As I'm writing, thinking there should be an app for this!

Traveling with Kids is Fun!

One of the reasons I'm so set on documenting our trip to Portugal, as I have all previous family adventures from Paris and London when Jacob was 5...

to Italy last year...

is to create a place where he can one day come to see all of the amazing adventures he has been a part of, as well as, put those parents that are intimidated by traveling with their kids at ease.

I believe that one of the greatest gifts that we as parents can give our children -aside from love, support and respect that is- is the love of travel, curiosity about the world and, access to it.  The desire to see and know beyond what's in front of them and never accept things at face value...Ignorance is not bliss and one should never grow up thinking that!

The world becomes that much smaller when you see more of it and we become that much richer from the experience!

You know how regardless of where you grow up, you have your comfort zones from home to school to friends to coffee shops.  To some, that may be enough but to the kids who are exposed to other places, cultures and people from an early age, it never is.

My parents gave me the amazing gift of travel and I fully intend to carry it forward to Jacob and hope that you do the same.  Trust me, once you do it, not only will your child grow from the experience but so will you!

I still recall as a kid going on family trips over break only to return feeling so much more sophisticated and not in a haughty kind of way but in way that made me feel wiser, stand taller and be more accepting of things and at times less interested in the small stuff.

That is what we set out to give Jacob and took him on his first trip at the ripe young age of 9 months to our favorite spot, Miami!

This is where he learned to rule the pool...

Where he had his first taste of sushi...

and we had our first taste of what it's like to see the world through his eyes!

I'm lucky in that I found the perfect person who shares in my quest and hope my blog helps you as you plan out your next family adventure!

If, however, you are still unsure, happy to have you here reading about ours!