We have been traveling to Prince Edward Island as a family for many years and one of the things that we love most about the island is the Anne of Green Gables connection. Both of my girls have grown up with Anne stories and some of our best family memories revolve around PEI and the red-headed orphan.

Anne of Green Gables is a novel, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery early in the 20th century, that tells the story of a spunky young orphan who finds a home and a family in the rural village of Avonlea. The novel has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and countless visitors have been drawn to the island for the express purpose of seeing the land that inspired Montgomery. 

Avonlea Village is an attraction in the family-friendly Cavendish Resort area of the island (often referred to as Anne's Land) that features a full schedule of activities to entertain vistors over the course of the day. Avonlea Village is entered through the Bright River Train Station just as Anne arrived in the fictional village and once visitors exit the train station on the village side they will find that they have entered Anne's world - a magical world of imagination.

Welcome to Avonlea

A visit to Avonlea Village is one of the most anticipated days of our trip each time that we travel to Prince Edward Island. These are just a few of the reasons why.

Character Interaction:

Costumed actors portraying the novel's main characters act out highlights of the story at various scheduled times during the day, interact with visitors, pose for photos and participate in games with the children. The actors do an incredible job of staying in character for the entire day and visitors who play along will feel like they have stepped into the pages of Anne of Green Gables - children, by the way, have no trouble doing this.

Emma met Anne outside Bright River Train Station

Anne and Diana on the streets of Avonlea

Attending school in the Village of Avonlea

Musical Performances:

The Avonlea Showband (Michael Pendergast, Leon Gallant, Brendan Peters, and Rémi Arsenault) entertains the crowds with ceilidh style musical performances featuring island music, fiddling, spoon playing and sometimes step dancers. The band performs several times during the day and Pendergast also performs a show specifically for kids. The characters and the band also get together outside and lead a demonstration of square dancing and visitors are encouraged to participate.

The Avonlea Showband entertaining visitors

Shopping:

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the village as well ranging from Cows Ice Cream and Anne of Green Gables Chocolates when a sweet treat is needed, the Anne of Green Gables Store for souvenirs and the Avonlea General Store which is "just the place to meet the needs of the human race" (that's a reference from Anne of Green Gables the Musical which you should also see while visiting PEI).

Cows is the perfect place for an ice cream break

Shopping at the Avonlea General Store

Old-Fashioned Games:

Old-fashioned games such as potato sack races and egg and spoon races similar to what Anne and Diana played when they attended the Sunday School picnic in the novel are part of the fun for kids visiting Avonlea Village. The characters participate in the games alongside the kids and adults are also invited to compete much to the delight of the kids who get to cheer on their parents falling all over the field in a potato sack.

Concentrating hard during the Egg and Spoon Race

Emma at age 3 waiting to compete in the Potato Sack Race

Farm Activities:

Horse and Wagon rides are available in the village throughout the day as are pony rides for younger children and there are animals to view in the barn. The highlight of the day though has to be the final event on the schedule - the Avonlea Pig Race. A pig race is impossible to describe - it has to be seen to be believed!

Enjoying a pony ride at Avonlea Village

The Avonlea day finishes with the ever popular pig race

Playing Dress-up:

Visitors of all ages can dress up in period costumes and take photos of themselves. This is one of Emma's favourite parts of the day.

Emma dressed as Anne of Green Gables

Avonlea Village provides visitors with a full day of old-fashioned family fun. Perhaps it is a bit touristy and it may not appeal to everyone but if you are traveling in the area with kids or if you are a fan of Anne then you might want to pay a visit and judge for yourself. We have visited Avonlea Village on each of our trips to PEI and we have had a delightful day each and every time. As far as my kids are concerned, it is one of the must-see attractions  in Cavendish.

What You Need To Know:

• The Village of Avonlea is located on Route #6 in Cavendish.
• The Village of Avonlea operates seasonally. There is full programming from mid-June through the end of August and fall programming for the first two weeks of September. 
• 2013 pricing is available at Village of Avonlea information.
• No pets allowed other than working dogs.
• The village is strictly non-smoking.

RELATED LINKS:

Kindred Spirits: Our Home-Away-From-Home in PEI

Dreaming about Red-Sand Beaches and Red-Headed Orphans

Postcards from Prince Edward Island

Cows - Yummy Ice Cream and So Much More

The Magic of Anne of Green Gables on PEI (Travel Mamas post)

This post is part of Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom? and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby

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I'm sure that many of you are already familiar with Trekaroo, the community driven guide with thousands of reviews of hotels, restaurants and activities written by traveling parents, but I have only become involved with the website in the last few weeks and I'm finding it to be an incredible resource for parents searching for family-friendly destinations.

Traveling with kids can be a challenge and Trekaroo makes it easier by providing real parent reviews and advice on hotels, restaurants and attractions. Obtaining first hand information from other traveling families who have been there, done that can make traveling with kids more rewarding, more fun, and often more cost effective and Trekaroo is the go-to website for these family-focused reviews.  

Trekaroo Expanding into Canada

Trekaroo has been providing reviews on U.S. destinations for the last several years and is excited to announce that they are now expanding into Canada! “Trekaroo families have been begging us to bring our family-friendly reviews to Canada for a long time.  Canadian parents are so proud of how kid-friendly Canada is,” says Trekaroo founder LiLing Pang. “We’re excited to launch our first international destinations and to give our community what they want.”

Throughout the summer, Trekaroo will be celebrating the best of what there is to do in four Canadian provinces - British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Québec. Visitors to the website will find Canada giveaways and hotel and attraction reviews as well as trip planning tips.

Vancouver Giveaway

The Grand Tour of Canada will kick off this week with the city of Vancouver, British Columbia and to celebrate Trekaroo is giving away an incredible Vancouver Family Vacation of two nights at the Coast Plaza Vancouver plus tickets to local Vancouver attractions for a family of four! Members can share their experiences with kid-friendly Vancouver and Enter the Vancouver Week giveaway on Trekaroo at the same time! 

Canada Rewards

Trekaroo believes that it's local parents who truly know where the kid-friendly spots are and the website provides a virtual playground where parents can shoot the breeze with other parents and rave as much as they like about the amazing children’s museum they just visited or the hotel they stayed at during a recent vacation. Now this virtual playground is extending into Canada and Trekaroo wants to hear from Canadian families and U.S. families who have visited Canada. 

Starting today, Trekaroo will be offering Canada Rewards to members who write reviews about their experiences in Canada with kids. Simply sign up to be a member on Trekaroo (it’s free!), and add reviews of Canadian attractions, activities, hotels and restaurants. After you add just 10 reviews, Trekaroo will reward you with a $10 Amazon card. It’s that simple (and it’s fun, too!).

Trekaroo has $1000 to giveaway, so start writing and get your friends to join in too. When the money runs out, this offer expires. More information is available at Canada Rewards at Trekaroo! 

If you haven't used Trekaroo before then now is the time to check it out! If you are Canadian or have visited Canada then start writing those reviews and earn your Amazon card. If you have never visited Canada, then sit back and enjoy the reviews and you just may find the inspiration for your next family trip.

RELATED LINK:

Canadian Summer Vacations

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer to follow on Google+, I'm there too. You may also subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures. 

Emma and I arrived in Ottawa at the tail end of last year's festival and enjoyed searching for tulips even though they were nearly finished blooming. We were told that the best flowers could be found in Commissioners Park so we headed there. We had a lovely walk in the park enjoying what blooms there were and then we happened upon this huge statue of a man holding two hats.  

Like the tulips that are the focus of the festival, the statue Man With Two Hats which stands in Commissioners Park was gifted to Canada in thanks for the role that Canadian soldiers played in liberating the Netherlands during the Second World War. The monument was designed by Dutch artist, Henk Visch, and an identical statue stands in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. According to the commemorative plaque "the twin monuments symbolically link Canada and the Netherlands, though separated by an ocean, the two countries will forever be close friends". The two hats are said to symbolize Canada and the Netherlands and his outstretched arms represent the liberation of the Netherlands and the cooperation between the two countries.

The Man With Two Hats monument

RELATED LINKS:

Ottawa with Kids: Fun in Canada's Capital Region

Searching for Tulips in Ottawa

This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox.

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer to follow on Google+, I'm there too. You may also subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures. 

The Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country. No matter the season, families will discover a city which boasts world-class museums and other attractions, encourages outdoor activity and is home to several outstanding festivals. 

ATTRACTIONS:

There are so many attractions in the Capital Region that it is nearly impossible for a family to do everything in one visit. We have visited Ottawa with kids many times and still haven't managed to check off everything on my list - mostly because we have a few favourites that we have to repeat every time that we are in town.

1. The National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada which was established to showcase Canadian art and to preserve our nation's cultural heritage has become one of the world's most respected art institutions with a collection of works of art that now exceeds 36,000. Kids will be fascinated by the 30 foot high bronze spider sculpture called "Maman" which greets them outside the front doors of the museum and parents will be pleased to discover that there is a family program featuring hands-on activities to encourage kids to explore art. 

The National Gallery of Canada

'Maman' sculpture outside the National Gallery

2. The Canadian Museum of Civilization

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is not only my favourite museum in the Ottawa area (it's actually across the river in Gatineau, Québec) but one of my favourite museums anywhere. I love that it's a natural history museum focused on Canadian history and culture which educates my children about our country's past in a fun way. It also includes the amazing Canadian Children's Museum which introduces children to the idea that experiencing the world is a great adventure by providing them with a passport to get stamped as they travel the world and do some hands-on learning. The museum is located on the banks of the Ottawa River and when the weather is nice visitors should spend some time outside appreciating the beautiful views of Parliament Hill. 

Outside the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Totems in the Grand Hall

3. Parliament Hill

When most people think of Ottawa the first image that comes to mind is probably Parliament Hill which is located along the banks of the Ottawa River and home to the Parliament of Canada. The Peace Tower is the dominant feature of the front of Centre Block (home to the Senate Chambers and the House of Commons) and the Library of Parliament is at the rear of the building.  The Parliament buildings and the grounds of Parliament Hill were each designated as National Historic Sites of Canada in 1976.

We enjoy taking a simple stroll around Parliament Hill each time that we visit but there are also free tours of Parliament available for those who wish to learn more about the workings of government. (offered on a first-come, first-served basis) I think my younger daughter is finally old enough that we will probably take the tour the next time that we visit. Kids might also enjoy the self-guided climb to the observation deck of The Peace Tower and the Changing the Guard ceremony which is held daily during the summer months (end of June through end of August). 

Emma on Parliament Hill

The Famous Five monument on Parliament Hill

4. Rideau Hall

Another lovely attraction in the Ottawa area is Rideau Hall which has been the Official residence of the Governor-General of Canada (the Queen's representative) since 1867. Rideau Hall is located only a few minutes from downtown and tours of the grounds and the public rooms of the residence are available year-round. All tours and activities are free.

Outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa

5.  Other Museums

Ottawa is home to a number of additional museums that will appeal to children of varying ages including The Canadian Museum of Nature; The Canada Science and Technology Museum; The Canada Aviation and Space Museum; and The Canadian War Museum. We have also taken a guided tour of The Royal Canadian Mint and visited The Canada Agriculture Museum (which is a working farm) with our kids.

6. National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre (NAC) was created by the Parliament of Canada in the 1960s and opened in 1969. Since then it has become Canada's foremost showcase of the performing arts. The NAC, which is located in downtown Ottawa, has programming in music, dance and both English and French theatre and also has a wonderful sculpture of jazz great Oscar Peterson outside which passers-by love to pose with.  

Oscar Peterson sculpture outside the NAC

7. Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River

The Rideau Canal which winds its way through the city of Ottawa before connecting to the Ottawa River is not only a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a primary recreation site in the city of Ottawa. During the warm weather months it is common to see kayakers paddling on the canal and during the winter the frozen waterway becomes the world's largest (7 kilometres) naturally frozen skating rink. Tours on the Ottawa River provide a beautiful perspective of the city and our favourite is the Lady Dive amphibus which tours on both land and water.

On the Lady Dive amphibus

8. RCMP Musical Ride Centre

If there are any horse lovers in the family then it might be worth adding a stop at the RCMP Musical Ride Centre. The Musical Ride is performed by 32 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers and their horses and consists of a program of drills choreographed to music. The Musical Ride tours throughout Canada and internationally between the months of May and October. Visitors to the centre will be able to tour the stables to learn more about the RCMP and the Musical Ride program and meet some of the horses.

9. ByWard Market

Ottawa's historic ByWard Market, established in 1826, is one of the country's oldest and largest public markets. Today's visitors will find a farmer's market, a variety of restaurants and cafés, galleries and shops. ByWard Market is the perfect place to just go and hang out in Ottawa particularly in the summer months when you can browse the shops, grab a bite to eat or just pull up a chair and people watch while sipping a drink. ByWard Market is also home to the original BeaverTails outlet and everyone should feel obligated to sample the famous pastry at least once while visiting Ottawa.

10. Parks

Ottawa has an abundance of beautiful green spaces and visitors should follow the lead of residents who take advantage of this to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Some favourites include:

• Major's Hill Park which is located behind the Château Laurier and is perfect for viewing the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal and the Parliament Buildings. The park also features beautiful displays during The Canadian Tulip Festival and hosts events during Canada Day celebrations and other festivals.
• Confederation Park is another downtown Ottawa park (located across from the Lord Elgin Hotel) that features an open lawn, a large fountain, paved pathways and many monuments. Events are also held in this park during the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Winterlude, and Canada Day celebrations. 
• Gatineau Park is a conservation park located about 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa and is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts who can enjoy a range of activities such as hiking, swimming, cycling, rock climbing, boating and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking in the winter. The Mackenzie King Estate (summer home of Canada's 10th Prime Minister) is also located within the park.
• Commissioners Park which is located across from Dows Lake features the largest display of tulips during the spring Tulip Festival.

Monument to Aboriginal War Veterans at entrance to Confederation Park

FESTIVALS:

Winterlude is the Capital Region's festival that celebrates winter for three weeks each February. Families will enjoy skating on the world's largest skating rink, checking out the ice sculptures in Confederation Park, playing in the snow at Snowflake Kingdom, and attending musical performances and outdoor dance parties.

Tulips were originally gifted to Canada by the Netherlands as a thank you for providing a safe haven to the Dutch Royal Family during World War II and as a symbol of the special friendship between the two countries. The Canadian Tulip Festival, held in Ottawa in May each year, has been celebrating this relationship as well as the return of spring for more than 60 years now and attracts more than 600,000 visitors. 

Enjoying the Canadian Tulip Festival

The Ottawa Jazz Festival is held annually from the end of June through to the beginning of July and features some of the best Canadian and international jazz musicians performing both at outdoor concerts as well as club venues.

The country's largest Canada Day celebration takes place in Ottawa on Parliament Hill each July 1st. The festivities include the Changing of the Guard, concerts, aerobatic flight demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds and a giant fireworks show in the evening. I have not yet had the opportunity to spend Canada Day in Ottawa but it's at the top of my list and I hope to get there soon. 

WHERE TO STAY:

Ottawa is a wonderful city to see on foot and for that reason we prefer to stay in a central location that allows us to walk nearly everywhere that we want to go. On various trips to Ottawa, we have stayed at the The Fairmont Château Laurier, Minto Suite Hotel, The Westin Ottawa, and most recently at The Lord Elgin Hotel. The Minto Suite Hotel's location is a bit less central than the other three but more than makes up for by offering spacious apartment-style accommodations.

The Fairmont Château Laurier

WHERE TO EAT:

In terms of finding a range of places to eat in Ottawa, ByWard Market can't be beat as the variety of cafés, restaurants and chains like Hard Rock Cafe and The Keg make it easy for a family to find someplace that appeals to everyone. 

Outside of the market area, my younger daughter and I recently ate at Johnny Farina which is a casual Italian eatery with a great atmosphere and within walking distance of the Lord Elgin hotel where we were staying. We also dined at The Lieutenant's Pump British Pub which Emma thought had some of the best fish & chips ever.

Anyone with a sweet tooth visiting Ottawa must visit BeaverTails in ByWard Market for a delicious pastry at least once and on hot summer days, Piccolo Grande which is also located in the market has an incredible selection of delicious gelato.

Enjoying a BeaverTail in ByWard Market

The Canadian Capital Region is a great choice for families whether they are looking for a weekend destination or for a longer stay. Chances are that the kids will have so much fun that it will be just the first of many trips to Ottawa.

Please let me know in the comments if you have more suggestions for family-friendly places to stay, eat or visit in the Ottawa region.

RELATED LINKS:

The National Gallery of Canada

The Canadian Museum of Civilization

A Stroll Around Parliament Hill in Ottawa

The Lord Elgin Hotel

Searching for Tulips in Ottawa

National Arts Centre - Oscar Peterson Sculpture

Piccolo Grande - Gelato in Ottawa

This post is part of Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom? and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

The Ottawa Tourism website is a great source of information for visitors to the capital region.

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures.

My 9 year old daughter, Emma, loves to shop so it's no surprise that she is completely in her element in New York City. We had quite a bit of fun on a recent weekend checking out all of the shops that she thought were really cool.

Emma might have been indulged a bit on this trip because her older sister, Katie, was elsewhere in the city with her school choir preparing for their performance at Carnegie Hall. We spent the weekend doing what Emma wanted to do rather than trying to juggle competing interests and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

M&M'S WORLD NEW YORK:

As soon as we finished our walk in Central park on Saturday morning we headed down town to Times Square and M&M's World New York City. We had visited the Las Vegas location just a couple of weeks earlier so Emma was quite excited to return to candy heaven where choosing from the thousands of M&Ms is only part of the fun. She, of course, left the store with a bag full of candy but she had just as much fun browsing the merchandise and checking out the fun displays.

Blue M&M guy shaking his booty

Hard choices at M&M World

Lady Liberty - M&M style

AMERICAN GIRL PLACE: 

Both of my daughters have been big fans of American girl dolls since they were wee girls so we have visited both American Girl Place in Chicago and  the 5th Avenue New York location several times. We have banned any more doll purchases at this point but I agreed that we could stop by the store for Emma to browse and perhaps buy an outfit for her doll. She lucked out when we were there because we hadn't made dinner plans and when we inquired at the Café there was an available table for the next seating. Emma had to borrow a doll to dine with us since she hadn't brought one to New York with her and Josephina made a delightful dinner companion. (I spent years trying to convince either Katie or Emma to choose Josephina since she was my favourite doll but dining with her will be as close as I ever get.)

Emma and Josephina at American Girl Cafe

F.A.O. SCHWARZ:

This legendary toy store on 5th Avenue is as must-see for anyone visiting New York City with kids. F.A.O. Schwarz has been in the toy-selling business for more than 150 years and a visit to the flagship store is an event that begins with a greeting at the door by a real-life toy soldier. Emma gets so excited the minute she walks through the door that she doesn't know where to start darting from one toy display and demonstration to another. We were quite surprised this visit though to find an entire display of Beatles merchandise - I had no idea that kids were clamouring for Fab Four toys.

As cute as they are - I said NO!

Every kid wants a Beatles doll?

DYLAN'S CANDY BAR:

The last time that we were in New York City we had planned to walk to Dylan's Candy Bar after visiting the Guggenheim but due to miserable weather we hopped in a cab and back to our hotel instead. As a result, the candy store vaulted to the top of our must-see list this trip and Emma was ecstatic that we made it this time. The displays at Dylan's Upper East Side flagship store are as attractive as the candy is delicious. We didn't make it to the upstairs café though - that will have to wait for another trip. 

Dylan's Candy Bar on the Upper East Side

Endless choices at Dylan's Candy Bar

Dylan's Candy Bar - so many pretty colours!

TIMES SQUARE DISNEY:

We have been to quite a few Disney stores but there's something special about the store on Broadway and its New York City themed merchandise. 

Disney New York, New York

HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD: 

We had one more store to visit on Emma's mid-town shopping adventure - Hershey's Chocolate World Times Square at 48th and Broadway which describes itself as the "sweetest place on earth". No argument from Emma - she thinks that anyplace that has every imaginable variety of Hershey's Kisses plus Reese's Peanut Butter products is about as sweet a place as one could find.

Hershey's World Times Square

Hershey's World New York City - Emma couldn't be happier

Is it any surprise that Emma announced that she would like to stay in New York City for a month? 

RELATED LINKS:

A Walk in Central Park

My Goldilocks Weekend at the J.W. Marriott Essex House

This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox; Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom?  and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby

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A weekend in New York earlier this month was my fourth trip to the city in the last few years and each time I stayed at a different hotel. Four visits and four hotels. I was beginning to feel like I might be suffering from Goldilocks syndrome. I didn't dislike any of the hotels that we had stayed at but not one of them had been just right. So with some 

The elegant and sophisticated Essex House has been a fixture in Manhattan since it first opened in 1931 and is now part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Art Deco-style hotel underwent an extensive renovation in the last few years prior to a change in ownership and rebranding as the J.W. Marriott Essex House in the fall of 2012. I chose Essex House primarily for its location but the history of the hotel and the stylish photos on the website went a long way toward convincing me to book a room. 

We were spending the weekend in New York City because my 16 year-old daughter, Katie, was there with her school choir rehearsing for a Sunday evening performance at Carnegie Hall. My husband, our 9 year-old daughter, Emma, and I decided that attending the concert was all the excuse we needed to spend a weekend in New York. I wanted to find a hotel as close as possible to Carnegie Hall though so that we could return to our room quickly post-concert as we had an early flight back to Toronto the next day. Carnegie Hall is practically on the back doorstep of Essex House so it fit the bill perfectly.

Carnegie Hall in New York City (under renovation)

I also loved the fact that Essex House was located right across the street from Central Park as I was bound and determined that if I did nothing else on this trip to New York that I was going to explore that park on foot. On my three previous trips, the weather had been miserable and I had only seen the park from one of the Central Park carriages. As it turned out the location of Essex House wasn't just handy for Carnegie Hall and Central Park. The weather was perfect for our weekend visit and we walked everywhere including down to the Times Square neighbourhood several times. We did not need to take a cab once all weekend.

Emma in Central Park with Essex House in the background

We arrived on Friday evening and the lovely lobby made a very good first impression. 

Beautiful flower arrangement in the Lobby at Essex House 

Hanging out in the glamorous lobby at Essex House

Photos of Central Park line the hallway from the front to the back of the building and I couldn't help stopping to admire them whether I was coming or going.

One of my favourite photos of Central Park on display at Essex House

And our room? - well our room was a perfect blend of modern luxury and functionality. We booked a Junior Suite with a king-sized bed and a double pull-out sofa and we had enough space to have a party in the middle of the room. Check out that floor space - it was definitely more than I was expecting in a Manhattan hotel room! 

Our Junior Suite at Essex House

Junior Suite at Essex House

The king-sized bed was ever so comfortable and I appreciated that there was adequate lighting as there's nothing that I hate more than trying to read in a dark and dreary hotel room.

King-sized bed in Junior Suite

The living area was comfortable and had plenty of seating for day-time use with a sofa, two upholstered chairs and an ottoman. Even when the double sofa-bed was pulled out there was still plenty of floor space in the suite. Emma insisted that the pull-out sofa was "the most comfortable bed ever". She may have a tendency toward hyperbole but the bed suited her just fine.

Spacious seating area

The bathroom had a separate tub and walk-in shower and Emma particularly liked the funky above-counter sink and the bathrobes even though there wasn't one in her size. 

The Junior Suite bathroom at Essex House

Junior Suite Bathroom

There were many little things that we loved about our suite including the walk-in closet change area with iron and ironing board (not that it was used), the large desk and comfortable chair for getting some work done, lots of outlets for charging electronics, and wireless internet included in our price. (The hotel's website said that wireless internet was available for a fee but we weren't charged - not certain if the policy has changed or if it was because we have Marriott memberships.).

And something that anyone who is as directionally-challenged as I am will appreciate is the 60 foot high sign on the roof of Essex House which was like a beacon guiding me back to the hotel.

Spacious work area

We were a little sad to check out of Essex House on Monday morning after such a short trip but now that I have found my "just-right" hotel in New York City I can't wait to plan another trip. 

What You Need to Know:

• The J.W. Marriott Essex House is located at 160 Central Park South.
• The hotel has a smoke-free policy.
• Check-in is at 3pm, check-out at noon.
• Only valet parking is available at a charge of $55 per day ($65 for SUVs) and no in/out privileges. (Leaving the car at home might be a good idea!)
• Essex House has 40 floors , 394 rooms , 117 suites.
  
• Wireless internet is available in public areas, wired and wireless internet available in guest rooms.
• South Gate Tavern is an on-site restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room Service is also available. (We found a nearby Starbucks to pick up a quick breakfast.)
• Essex House has an on-site Exercise Room and a Spa.

RELATED LINK:

A Walk in Central Park

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I finally had the opportunity to explore Central Park on a recent weekend in New York City. This was my fourth visit to the city but previous trips had taken place in the winter when the weather was miserable and cold and that had discouraged us from seeing the park on foot. This time we visited on the first weekend of April and were treated to lovely spring weather.

Central Park was the first major landscaped urban park in the United States when it was designed in the 19th century and the 843 acre park is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the premier public urban parks in the world. We spent a couple of hours walking around the south end of the park moving at a fair pace because we knew we didn't have much time and wanted to cover as much ground as possible.

We stayed at the J.W. Marriott Essex House located on Central Park South so we had easy access to the park and headed there directly from breakfast on Saturday morning.

Outside entrance to Central Park

One of our first stops was near the Wollman Skating Rink where we were surprised to see skaters on a pleasant spring morning in early April.

Walking in Central Park

Central Park ice skating - Wollman Rink

We have had an unseasonably cool spring at home so Emma was quite excited to see robins in the park.

A spring time robin in Central Park

We decided to see the park on foot but these carriage rides did look like quite a bit of fun. We went on one on our first trip to New York more than six years ago but Emma couldn't remember it.

Carriage rides in Central Park

Another sign of spring that we haven't seen at home yet - daffodils blooming everywhere.

Spring flowers in Central Park

We stopped at the Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop which is housed in a historic Victorian building in order to purchase a map of the park ($4). The Visitor Centers and the Gift Shop are operated by the Central Park Conservancy which is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is "to restore, manage, and enhance Central Park in partnership with the public".

Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop

One of my favourite areas of the park was The Mall and Literary Walk where the tree-lined pedestrian pathway reminded me of parks in Paris. At the south end of the mall is the Literary Walk where there are statues of four famous writers (William Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Fitz-Greene Halleck) plus Christopher Columbus.

Walking on The Mall in Central Park

Robert Burns Statue

Statue of Columbus in Central Park

While making our way from The Mall to the Conservatory Water we discovered this statue of the sled dog Balto who was made famous in print and on screen for delivering diphtheria serum in Alaska in 1925. The popular statue was unveiled in Central Park in 1925.

Balto statue in Central Park

We also enjoyed walking in the quiet area around the Conservatory Water - the sailboats reminded us of the Stuart Little movie and are also reminiscent of sailing ponds in Parisian parks.

Sailing boats in Central Park at the Conservatory Water

A Central Park model sailboat

At the Conservatory Water in Central Park

Near the Conservatory Water is Central Park's tribute to Hans Christian Andersen which was erected in 1956 to commemorate the author's 150th birthday. Kids love to climb on the bronze statue which depicts Andersen reading from his book The Ugly Duckling. During the summer months, storytelling takes place at the foot of the statue. 

Hans Christian Anderson - The Ugly Duckling

Another statue that is very popular with kids is the 11 foot tall bronze of Alice in Wonderland which appears to be as much fun to climb on as any playground structure. I was talking to the mother of a young girl who said that they visit every weekend and her daughter insists each and every time that they take a photo with Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and friends.

Playing at the Alice in Wonderland statue

Central Park's Alice

From there we walked toward the Loeb Boathouse where boats can be rented to row on The Central Park Lake. The 18 acre Lake is the second-largest man-made body of water in the park.

Boating on the lake in Central Park

The beautiful 26 foot high Bethesda Fountain which is the focal point of Bethesda Terrace was commissioned as part of the original design of Central Park and dedicated in 1873. The sculpture is called Angel of Waters and was designed by Emma Stebbins who became the first woman to receive a commission for a major work of art in the city of New York.

Bethesda Fountain

Beautiful Central Park

From Bethesda Terrace, we headed across the park toward the west boundary.

Enjoying a spring day in Central Park

Finishing up our walk in Central Park

We completed our walk near Central Park West at Strawberry Fields which was created as a tribute to John Lennon and named for the Beatles' song Strawberry Fields Forever. Lennon was murdered in 1980 outside his apartment located adjacent to the park. The black and white Imagine Mosaic draws visitors who want to pay homage to Lennon and quietly contemplate a world without conflict. 

John Lennon Memorial in Central park

We didn't come close to seeing everything that there is to see in Central Park but we will definitely return and I now have a better idea what I want to see the next time.

What You Need To Know:

• The boundaries of Central Park are: 59th Street on the South; 110th Street on the North; Central Park West on the West; and 5th Avenue on the East.
• Central Park is open daily from 6:00 am until 1:00 am 365 days a year.

• Restrooms are available at various locations throughout the park.
• The park has two full-service restaurants, five concession stands with outdoor seating and concession carts scattered throughout the park.
• There are 21 playgrounds in the park.
• The Central Park Conservancy offers guided walking tours year-round.
• Cellphone tours of many attractions are featured throughout the park. Look for green Central Park AudioGuide signs with the phone number to dial for each attraction.
• Detailed information for park visitors is available on the Central Park Conservancy's website.

This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox; Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom?; and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

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Claire and Mia are the bestselling authors of the memoir, Come Back, which told the story of a teenage Mia's drug addiction and Claire's attempts to bring her back from the brink of self-destruction. The adventures chronicled in this latest book begin a decade later when Claire (embarking on a mid-life questioning of what she intends to do with the rest of her life) calls Mia out of the blue and suggests that the two of the them take part in a Global Scavenger Hunt that would involve visiting multiple countries over the course of twenty-four days in order to raise money for charity. Claire also announces that following the scavenger hunt she plans to spend the summer in Avignon, France and Mia ultimately decides to quit her job and accompany her mother for the duration of the trip.

Claire states early in the memoir that "[t]ravel empties out everything you've put into the box called your life, all the things you accumulate to tell yourself who you are". As readers, we realize that this describes precisely why both of these women needed to embark on an extensive period of travel at that particular time in their lives - to empty out that box and start afresh with different notions of who they are and who they would like to be.

The memoir is divided into two sections: Hunting chronicles the adventures of the duo on their international scavenger hunt while Gathering details the summer spent living in Avignon. While participating in the Global Scavenger Hunt, Claire and Mia travel to China, Malaysia, Nepal, Cairo, Greece, and the Balkans where they are required to quickly immerse themselves in local culture in order to find the scavenges that they need. This part of the book will stoke the wanderlust of the armchair traveler who can daydream about visiting these far flung countries while reading about Claire and Mia's adventures and mishaps. I suffered from just a bit of passport envy as they globe-trotted their way through several countries that are high on my travel wish list. During the second stage of their adventure, mother and daughter settle into a small studio flat in the medieval city of Avignon where they soak up French culture while contemplating how to go about leading intentional lives.

Mia and Claire Fontaine

One of my favourite aspects of this book is that it alternates between the voices of Claire and Mia, allowing the reader access to both the mother's and the daughter's perspective on the same events. I could probably relate most to Claire's thoughts and insights about her role as a mother but I loved having access to Mia's thoughts as well (primarily because it was a bit like having a peek into the mind of my teenage daughter). Many of Claire's insights on travel and mothering resonated with me and I would find myself thinking "yes, that's exactly how I feel" and reading the lines over again to savour them just a bit. 

This memoir provides readers with an honest, funny and compelling look at Claire and Mia's relationship and from that one relationship extrapolates what it means to be a mother in our society and the inherent complications of the mother/daughter relationship. While Claire contemplates what she will do with her life now that her daughter is grown, she also considers issues like how we raise our daughters and what we are teaching them through our words and deeds and whether there are differences across cultures. Claire notes that "you can spot a mother and daughter a mile away even if you don't understand a word" because of the way that they interact. Much of the book revolves around the significance of this central relationship in a woman's life and these issues will appeal to women of any age but particularly to those who are approaching Claire's stage in life and considering their own relationships with their mother and daughters.

Have Mother, Will Travel paperback edition

Have Mother, Will Travel is a book that I know I will be recommending to many people for many reasons. I loved both the travel aspect of it (especially the time spent in my beloved Provence) and I loved the examination of the relationship between this mother and daughter specifically and the mother/daughter relationship in general. I laughed, I cried and I grew very attached to both Mia and Claire as I read their story and witnessed them growing closer through the process of learning more about each other and themselves. A good read for me is a book that makes me care deeply about the characters and this is one that I did not want to see end for that very reason. It is to be hoped that neither of the Fontaines are finished writing about their lives because I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in their story.

More information about the authors is available on their website and Facebook page including photos from the trip, a list of lessons learned, tips for mother/daughter trips etc.

TLC Book Tours is a service providing online virtual book tours to authors. I was provided a copy of Have Mother, Will Travel by TLC for review purposes. If you wish to follow along on the book tour then you can find a list of reviews on the TLC website.

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer to follow on Google+, I'm there too. You may also subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures. 

Las Vegas may exist primarily as a playground for adults but that doesn't mean that families can't enjoy a visit as well. I have no real interest in gambling but I was interested in seeing the city for myself so I thought that it could be fun for a few days during my 9 year old daughter's spring break.

WHERE TO STAY:

We stayed at the Four Seasons Las Vegas which is a non-gaming luxury hotel located on the top floors of Mandalay Bay Resort.  The Four Seasons is located at the end of the strip which is comparably quiet making it a family-friendly haven from the hustle and bustle further along Las Vegas Boulevard. The hotel has its own luxurious pool and guests may also use the pools at Mandalay Bay which feature a sand beach, a Lazy River and a Wave Pool. Your kids might not want to leave the resort once they have experienced the pools!

The Four Seasons is expert at pampering kids and every parent knows that if the kids are happy then the vacation is going to be a success. The hotel may be pricier than some of the other options on the Strip but we enjoyed our stay at The Four Seasons so much that I wouldn't even consider another hotel for a return trip.

Tip: Bring an inflatable inner tube from home if your family plans to use the Lazy River. They are only available for purchase at Mandalay Bay at a charge of $18 each and once your child sees how much fun everyone is having floating down the river they are going to insist on having one.

Hangin' out in our suite

The Lazy River at Mandalay Bay

WHAT TO DO IN LAS VEGAS WITH KIDS:

We spent 3 nights in Las Vegas followed by a 2 night trip to the Grand Canyon and then another night back in Vegas before flying home. These are the family-friendly activities that we found over the course of our visit.

1. Check Out The Hotels:

Many of  the hotels in Las Vegas are attractions in and of themselves. It can be fun just walking down Las Vegas Boulevard and seeing Egyptian pyramids, the New York skyline, or the Eiffel Tower. My 9 year-old got a big kick out of the themed hotels - as far as she was concerned, Las Vegas was just one big theme park. Walking around inside the various hotels can also provide some entertainment and many of the hotels feature attractions as well.

Outside New York, New York on Las Vegas Boulevard

Outside Paris in Las Vegas

2. Take a Walk on Las Vegas Boulevard:

You never know what you might see on the street in Las Vegas - some of it family-friendly and some of it a bit unsavoury. Depending on the age of your children, you may find that a stroll on the strip prompts a discussion about some of the activities that happen in Vegas and stay in Vegas. It's pretty hard not to notice the individuals handing out cards with photos of naked women as these hand-outs are discarded and litter the street and my 9 year old was curious as to why. It is also legal to walk the streets with alcohol and you will see people in various states of inebriation at any time of the day. Again, parents should be prepared that this may lead to some discussion. By avoiding the Strip at night we were able to limit exposure to anything too risqué. On the other hand, while walking on Las Vegas Boulevard we met some show girls in costumes that Emma thought were very pretty and we had our very own Elvis sighting which made my trip to Vegas complete.  

Meeting showgirls in pretty costumes on Las Vegas Boulevard

An Elvis sighting made my trip to Las Vegas complete

3. The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay:

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay will appeal to both kids and adults. The aquarium features 14 exhibits of aquatic predators and a total of more than 2,000 animals on display - there are over 100 species including 15 species of sharks. The highlight of the aquarium is the acrylic shipwreck tunnel which provides visitors with a 360 degree view of the animals and the thrill of seeing a shark or stingray swim directly overhead. There is also a touch tank which is quite popular with most kids - mine decided that she could live without touching a stingray.

Visiting Shark Reef with our new friend from Wandering Off

4. Fountains of Bellagio:

We paused twice to watch the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio entertain passers-by with its choreographed water display. The second time we stopped to watch was on our way to the Celine Dion concert and, much to Emma's delight, the fountains danced in time to My Heart Will Go On. We would have loved to have seen the fountains after dark as well but we never got the timing right. The shows take place at regular intervals over the course of the day and evening and are absolutely free.

Dancing fountains outside the Bellagio

5. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens:

The Bellagio Conservatory is another great attraction for families and also free! We were blown away by the elaborate floral displays that change periodically over the course of the year. The Spring Celebration exhibit had just opened prior to our visit and featured swans, butterflies, windmills, ladybugs and lots of tulips. We were also treated to a live musical performance during our visit. 

One of the beautiful floral displays at the Bellagio Conservatory

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is located near the Conservatory and is currently showing Warhol Out West - an extensive collection of works by Andy Warhol but, unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit.

Warhol Out West at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

6. The Chocolate Fountain at Bellagio:

Another attraction at The Bellagio which is both exquisite and free to look at is the Chocolate Fountain at Jean Phillippe Patisserie. Chocolate-lovers of any age will be amazed by the floor to ceiling fountain which is officially the largest chocolate fountain in the world. Be warned though, if you stop to see the fountain then you may well be tempted to indulge in some chocolate. 

This is what temptation looks like

7. 50 Greatest Photos of National Geographic Exhibit:

We were able to attend the 50 Greatest Photos of National Geographic Exhibit which is on tour and currently showing at The Venetian Las Vegas. This exhibit was one of my favourite attractions in Las Vegas as it includes some spectacular photographs as well as the photographer's story behind the photo which in many cases was a fascinating look into how these photos came to be. The collection included a photo of a heartbroken young Peruvian boy, about Emma's age, who has just seen his family's herd of sheep destroyed by an out-of-control car. The photo brought me to tears and I don't think that I will ever forget that image or the pain on his face.

National Geographic: 50 Greatest Photographs exhibition

8. The Titanic Artifact Exhibition:

We also enjoyed the Titanic Artifact Exhibition which is on display at The Luxor Las Vegas. Emma's fascination with the story of the Titanic led to us to visit several Titanic sites in Eastern Canada last summer so she insisted on seeing this exhibition when I mentioned it to her. The 25,000 square-foot exhibit features many items recovered from the wreck; re-creations of passenger rooms, the Grand Staircase and a frigid Promenade Deck; as well as a large piece of the Titanic's hull. The exhibit provides a fascinating and informative look at the series of events that led to the wreck of the Titanic and what happened in the aftermath. 

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

9. Gondola Rides at The Venetian:

The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas features its very own Grand Canal along with gondolas and singing gondoliers. We only agreed to a gondola ride because Emma was keen - if she hadn't been with us then I would have skipped it. A singing gondolier boating around an indoor canal in Las Vegas is just a bit hokey and at $18.95 a person is also expensive. I should have waited to go to Venice and have the authentic experience!

A gondola ride at The Venetian

10. The Dolphin Habitat and Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy:

A family-friendly attraction at The Mirage is Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. We spent about an hour here one afternoon watching the bottle-nose dolphins swim and interact with their trainer and walking through the garden to see the white lions, white tigers, panthers and leopards. The cats are beautiful and Emma enjoyed taking a lot of photos of them but there is something just a little bit sad about seeing them behind wire fencing. 

Enjoying the Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage

A white tiger at The Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy

11. Attend Shows:

For a family that enjoys the theatre there are a number of shows that will appeal. We love the theatre so attending shows while we were in Las Vegas was one of the most anticipated aspects of our trip. We took in a performance of the Cirque de Soleil's The Beatles - Love at The Mirage; A Broadway Celebration at New York, New York, and a Celine Dion concert at Ceasar's Palace.

I was blown away by the production of Love. I wasn't really sure what to expect as I hadn't seen a Cirque de Soleil show for close to 20 years but it more than lives up to the hype. There is so much happening on that stage that it is hard to know where to look, the music is great, and the acrobatics are astounding. Emma wasn't familiar with many of the Beatles songs beforehand but she emerged from the show as a huge new Beatles fan.

Celine was Celine - she put on an amazing show and Emma was thrilled to attend her first real concert. The Broadway Celebration show was okay - it was a much smaller venue and the acoustics weren't great but the tickets were about half the price of the other shows that we saw so I suppose that reflected the quality of the show. Emma enjoyed hearing many of the Broadway songs that she was familiar with though and learning a few new ones. 

The Beatles - Love

12. SHOPPING:

We didn't really spend much time shopping but for those who are keen there are shops around every corner. We did spend far too much time at the 28,000 sq.ft., 4 level M&M World Las Vegas - the likes of which we had never seen before - Emma thought that she was in candy heaven. (Parents should prepare to be astounded when the purchase is rung up at the cash register.) We also shopped at David & Goliath for silly t-shirts as it's a store that we don't have at home.

M&M's World Las Vegas

We had no difficulty finding kid-friendly activities during the four days that we spent in Las Vegas - in fact, we had several other attractions on our list that we didn't have time to visit. So yes, Las Vegas is an adult-oriented destination but there are plenty of activities that will appeal to families as well and there is no need to worry that you will be the only family visiting. In all likelihood, you will be quite surprised at just how many families have chosen Sin City for their family vacation.

RELATED LINKS:

A Family Holiday at the Four Seasons Las Vegas

Photo Memories from the Grand Canyon

This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox; Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom?; and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer to follow on Google+, I'm there too. You may also subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures. 

My 9 year old daughter, Emma, and I love Starbucks! Now the fact that I love my lattes won't come as a surprise to most but Emma's attachment might. I think it started when she was just a wee baby and I carted her along to coffee dates with a friend at our local Starbucks. Before she was able to talk she would take my empty coffee cup and inhale the aroma of coffee. To this day she will walk into Starbucks, take a deep breath and announce "it smells so good in here". So yes, I may have created a coffee addict long before she's old enough to actually drink it.

Some time ago, Emma suggested that we take photos at every Starbucks that we visit when we are away from home and write a blog post about it. I'm always game for anything involving Starbucks so I agreed and we started making a conscious effort to snap a Starbucks photo when we are traveling. We also went back through our photo files to find the pictures that had been previously taken. This is our growing photo collection.

A little Starbucks refreshment in London, England.

Enjoying my latte outside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sitting at the waterfront at the Starbucks in Kusadasi, Turkey with an incredible view of the Aegean Sea.

View of the Aegean Sea and waterfront from our seats at the Starbucks in Kusadasi.

One of the many Starbucks that we found in our St. Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood in Paris, France.

In Geneva, Switzerland.

Enjoying the patio at the Starbucks located in the Lord Elgin Hotel just a short walk from Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada.

Starbucks in the Windy City (Chicago, USA).

Starbucks with a view of the harbour and Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland.

On the patio of the Starbucks located at the Halifax Marriott - a stone's throw from the Historic Properties of the waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Downtown Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

At the Champlain Place Mall in Dieppe, New Brunswick (near Moncton). We entered the Starbucks through Chapters bookstore in the mall and discovered that another door led into the Crystal Palace indoor amusement park.

On Queen Street in the heritage district of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

In the village of Kleinburg, Ontario near the McMichael Canadian Art Collection gallery. 

We were thrilled to disembark from our Disney Cruise ship in Cozumel, Mexico and discover a tropical Starbucks.

Outside Starbucks on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Times Square Starbucks in New York City (and it took a fair bit of patience on Emma's part to continue to pose while I waited for the changing neon sign behind her to read "Times Square").

There is a link on my sidebar which will take you to an album of the photos which I will update each time we take more Starbucks photos. I'm trying to figure out how to turn the photos into a slideshow on the sidebar but so far I haven't been able to do it. (If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears!)

This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox and Photo Friday at Delicious Baby

Have you liked our Facebook page yet? I post articles from the blog there as well as photo albums from our travels and other travel news. Or, if you prefer to follow on Google+, I'm there too. You may also subscribe to the free RSS feed or sign up for an email subscription to keep up-to-date on our travel adventures.