I was recently invited by Influenster to watch a complimentary video on Dino Lingo, a language learning program for kids. Dino Lingo uses images and repetition to help your children learn a new language.

I selected the Russian language video since I am a fluent speaker and wanted to see if this program would work well for children of a fluent speaker. I really liked how they kept it simple but still introduced a lot of new vocabulary. Children really like to look at animals so it was great that the vocabulary and images revolved around animals.

Although I can’t say I was always a huge fan of speaking only Russian with my family growing up, now that I am older I understand the value of knowing more than one language. I really hope that I will be able to teach Russian to my children and keep the language in the family.

I think Dino Lingo is a great way to introduce your children to a foreign language. If you would like to see the Russian language video that I viewed, visit Dino Lingo here.

Disclaimer: I watched a complimentary video of Dino Lingo, but all opinions are my own.

As the largest French city on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille features many interesting and beautiful sights. Below are my three favorite attractions in Marseille:

Incredible views of the city of Marseille from the top of the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde.

1)   Visit Chateau d’ If: The Chateau d’ If is a must-see for fans of Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. The Chateau d’ If has been used as both a fortress and a prison, but the most impressive part of Chateau d’ If is the beautiful views of Mediterranean Sea. Click here for a full guide on Chateau d’ If, including information on how to get there from the Vieux Port.

2)   Hike the calanques: The calanques around Marseille are small fjords amidst a beautiful coastal area. There are several different hikes that you can take to the calanques, or you can take a boat trip through the area. I prefer the hikes so that you can see the beauty from above. The calanques showcase a unique landscape. They are definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

3)   Climb on top of the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde: The Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde features the best panoramic view of the city. The basilica sits on top of a hill so the walk up may be difficult for some, but the view on the top is worth it.

The Marseille calanques showcase a beautiful landscape.

Week of August 6, 2012

Located close to Milan, Lake Como is a beautiful area that provides plenty of opportunities for a relaxing stay.

Week of of July 30

London is a great destination, offering a mix of both beautiful historical areas and fun modern places. I hope everyone is having a good time watching the Olympics in London!

Week of July 16, 2012

The Lions Gate Bridge on the south end of Stanley Park connects North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

Week of July 9, 2012

Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska is one of the best places to go whale watching in the summer.

Radiance of the Seas recently underwent a renovation, featuring eight new dining options, cabin upgrade, and a new top deck TV screen. The Radiance of the Seas features some great cruise itineraries and is a decent ship that caters to both singles and families.

Cabins: The cabins on the Radiance of the Seas are comfortable. The balcony cabins and suites are very nice, and the inside cabins are nice for two people, though it begins to feel crowded with three or four people. All rooms feature an interactive TV, where you can order room service or purchase shore excursions.

Radiance of the Seas in Hoonah, Alaska.

Dining: With the addition of several for-fee restaurants, the quality of food at the Cascades Dining Room and the Windjammer Café has dropped.  The food at the Cascades Dining Room is decent, but nothing to write home about. The Windjammer buffet, however, had some poor food. I would suggest that if you are going on a cruise specifically for food, the Radiance of the Seas is not your cruise ship.

Entertainment: The production shows on board the Radiance of the Seas are, unfortunately, some of the worst that I have seen. The dancing is basic, and the singing is not very good. However, the comedians and other entertainment that the ship brought in was excellent.

Activities: The Radiance of the Seas is not short on fun activities for all ages. Some good options are movies on the giant outdoor movie screen, mini-golf on the top deck, great massages at the spa, dancing at the nightclub or piano bar, playing tournaments at the casino, playing bingo, learning to dance, or participating in one of the game shows.

Itineraries:  The Radiance of the Seas offers great itineraries, from Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. You will not be short of beautiful places to visit while on the Radiance of the Seas.

Overall: The Radiance of the Seas is a decent ship that offers some exciting itineraries. It would not be my first choice, but it will still make for a good vacation.

Week of June 25, 2012

One of the coolest excursions I have done in Alaska is to land on Pika Glacier in a small airplane.

Hello travel friends,

I am leaving for Alaska and Canada for two weeks in a few hours. I will not have internet often (especially during the cruise portion of the trip) so I will not be able to post while I’m there, but I will update some information once I’m back!

Follow me on Twitter (@pink_valise) for some updates while I’m there.

Week of May 7, 2012

The Federal Palace of Switzerland houses the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council.