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Europe Travel: A Photo Journal of Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa in Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy

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Reading Time: 5 minutes In this post we share photos from Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa, in Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy.

Set on the lakeshore, the Grand Hotel Victoria is the crown jewel experience in the area.

Visitors, whether staying at the hotel or taking a day trip to Menaggio, can enjoy a leisurely drink on its front lawn sitting and dining area. The pool and lounge area are dreamy, and the spa may be the best in the world.

Consider making Menaggio as home base when in Lake Como due its natural beauty, proximity to other villages by ferry and luxurious hotel.

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Europe Travel: A Photo Journal of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, France

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In this post we share photos from Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme.

The French government named the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme with a five-star classification of the highest distinction. It has been named one of eight official palace hotels in France, thought of the tourism version of the Pulitzer Prize.

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Europe Travel: Switzerland in 14-18 Days — Three Itineraries

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Reading Time: 4 minutes This is a high level overview of travel throughout Switzerland over a 14-18 day period.

We present two itineraries for intra country travel – one that begins in Zurich (east side of Switzerland), and the other from Geneva/Lausanne (west side of Switzerland). Most travelers will enter the country through one of these places, either into Zurich or Geneva by way of Paris.

Switzerland is a small country that is easily navigated by fast trains to major hubs with local trains to get to precise locations. The itineraries below use a blend of train and private car to access some of smaller villages and afford the traveler increased flexibility in their plans. We provide details around options are for those who choose to use public transport only.

We also include a third itinerary that includes travel from the Swiss Alps into Northern Italy, including Lake Como and Milan.

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Airport Travel Tips: How to Confidently Navigate through an Airport – Bags, Safety & General Guidance from Start to Finish

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Reading Time: 4 minutes In this post we share our top tips for navigating the airport from the time you check-in to flight arrival.

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Family Travel: Our Routine(ish) When Traveling with a Toddler

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Reading Time: < 1 minute In this post we share a rough outline of how we organize our time day-over-day when we travel with a toddler.

As children thrive on routine and structure, this overall plan allows us to be adventurous but also be mindful that we are with a little one whose moods, behaviors and energy can change on a whim, and very much depend on a nap.

Note that we are morning-oriented and the schedule reflects this.

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Planning for a Trip: Getting Organized the Week Before A Trip

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we share our approach to getting ourselves, our families, and our homes organized ahead of a trip.

Juggling the hum of normal life with travel-related preparation with all of the errands, tasks and to-dos before departure can easily become overwhelming.

To set you up for success ahead of travel day, we recommend creating a list of everything you need to do to prepare, and then sort the items on a day-by-day basis, starting 1-2 weeks before departure. We have found that taking this approach allows us to feel stress-free, giving us the a a positive start to a trip.

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Travel Tips: When Travel Goes Sideways – How to Course Correct for Future Trips

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In our many years of travel we’ve experienced our fair share of travel mistakes, mishaps and disappointments.

In this post we share two areas that significantly improve travel: having a plan for transition moments & a general idea of what a day on the road entails.

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Preparedness Tip: Documents to Keep In A Household Binder

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Reading Time: < 1 minute In this post we describe the documents we would keep in a household binder for use to fill out an application, in case of emergency, or death.

Use this as a guide to start collecting these pieces of information and adjust accordingly to your specific situation.

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Mexico Travel: Sights from Xochimilco, Mexico City

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Reading Time: 4 minutes In this post we share photos from Xochimilco, Mexico City’s famous canal system that dates to Mesoamerica’s PostClassic period (A.D. 950-1521). This area is significant for its ingenuity in agriculture that enabled pre-Hispanic people, and later the Aztecs, to create a food surplus.

In present day Xochimilco continues to be used as a source of food and vegetation, with visitors enjoying rides on the flower-garlanded boats through the canals.

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Mexico Travel: Mexico City in 3, 4 & 5 Days — City Itinerary & Activity Recommendations

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we outline how to spend three, four, or five days in Mexico City, Mexico.

Mexico City is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the world and its 16 alcaldías (boroughs, officially designated as demarcaciones territoriales) are home to nearly 2,000 colonias (neighborhoods) each with their own history, culture and flair. For this reason, we consider three to five days in Mexico City as the briefest of introductions to this city.

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Central America Travel: A Stay at The Andaz at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

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Reading Time: 4 minutes In this post we share photos from Andaz Costa Rica Resort on Peninsula Papagayo. Architected by Costa Rican Ronald Zurcher, this property’s inspiration comes from cocoons and seashells, drawing together natural beauty and thoughtful design.

This 1,400-acre ecoparadise is located on a private peninsula, where tropical forest meets stunning coastal beauty with connections to local culture.

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Mexico Travel: What To Do in Polanco, Mexico City: Our Guide & Recommended Walking Path

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Reading Time: 5 minutes In this post we share photos from Polanco. One of Mexico City’s most upscale neighborhoods, Polanco is home to luxury shopping, world-class dining, historic theaters, art galleries, and museums.

This walking tour of Polanco bring you to the area’s gems. It takes about an hour of non-stop, flat walking to complete the path. With stops for food, photos, museums, shopping and people watching in the park, plan to spend a full day in Polanco.

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Mexico Travel: A Stay at Hyatt Regency Mexico City, Mexico

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we share photos from Hyatt Regency Mexico City. Located in Colonia Polanco, the most exclusive and commercial area throughout Mexico City, the Hyatt Regency is your entry point into lively shopping, art galleries, splendid views of Chapultepec Park and distinctive flavors.

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Central America Travel: Sights from a Family Run Organic Chocolate Farm in Alajuela Provence, Costa Rica

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Reading Time: 5 minutes In this post we share our time at Tree Chocolate, a family owned and operated chocolate farm in Upala, Alajuela Provence, Costa Rica, which is located near the slopes of the Tenorio Volcano and within driving distance from Liberia and the Papagayo Peninsula.

During their time on the farm, visitors learn about each step of the chocolate-making process from planting to the final Chocolate Tsuru or Yok, a 100% handmade chocolate.

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USA Travel: Sights from Gilgal Sculpture Garden, Salt Lake City, Utah

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In this post we share photos from Gilgal Sculpture Garden, an oddball garden in Salt Lake City that offers traditional gardens juxtaposed with 12 original sculptures and over 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems, and literary texts.

The only identified “visionary art environment” in Utah, this space was imagined by its creator Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. to give physical form to his deep-felt beliefs and develop “a sanctuary or atmosphere in my yard that will shut out fear and keep one’s mind young and alert to the last.”

More curious sculptures include “The Sphinx”, featuring LDS Church founder Joseph Smith’s face and “The Monument to the Trade”, a self-portrait of Child, sporting checkered pants fashioned with brick.

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