Bermuda — known for its pink sand beaches, sparkling cerulean waters and knee length shorts … oh and let’s not forget the infamous Bermuda triangle (dun, dun dun!) — is a group of islands located 640 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC.

Though technically part of the Caribbean, Bermuda’s position in the mid-Atlantic, along with its subtropical climate, make it the perfect getaway for east coast families almost any time of year – Did you know that flights are less than 2 hours from both Boston and NYC, and only 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta!?

I recently traveled to Bermuda, as an invited guest of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, to discover what makes the destination so awesome. What I thought would be just a beach trip, turned out to be so much more. And it all started with my stay at the luxurious Fairmont Southampton hotel.

The Location

When it comes to location in Bermuda, The Fairmont Southampton is hard to compete with. Located in Southampton, approximately 35 minutes from L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA),  the hotel sits atop a hill overlooking the Atlantic. The resort property covers a massive 100 acres of lush landscape making it a true vacation destination with all of the amenities you could want or need.

Activities

The Fairmont Southampton features a beach club with a private beach (complimentary towels and chaise lounges!), an 18-hole Par-3 golf course, six beach front tennis courts, multiple pools, a spa and fitness center, kids’ club with daily children’s programs, and an on-site PADI certified dive shop with rentals for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking.

What really made the location stand out for me was the close proximity to Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda’s most famous pink sand beach. Even with a private beach for Fairmont resort guests, Horseshoe bay is literally footsteps away and it’s not to be missed! A complimentary trolley takes guests from the hotel down to the beach.

For guests who wish to visit the city of Hamilton, a complimentary ferry runs from The Fairmont Southampton through the harbor to The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, its sister property. The ferries run on a schedule throughout the day and take approx. 25 minutes each way.

Dining

While I didn’t dine at any of the restaurants at The Fairmont Southampton (I noshed a little bit too much in the Gold lounge; see below), there are plethora of options on-site, from casual eats poolside at Wickets to fresh local seafood surfside at the Ocean Club.

Fairmont Gold

The Fairmont Southampton is one of Fairmont’s signature properties that feature Fairmont Gold — an “exclusive lifestyle hotel experience, designed to fulfill the needs of the discerning business executive and leisure traveler”.

Basically, Fairmont Gold is concierge level accommodations with private check in and a lounge with complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, early evening canapés and after-dinner snacks. Fairmont Gold is an absolutely fabulous upgrade for any stay at Fairmont Southampton, and I utilized the amenities from the moment I checked in. If you can swing it, go for the Gold!

My two favorite times of the day in the Gold lounge were at breakfast and afternoon tea. The healthy continental breakfast includes all of the typical offerings — cereals, muffins, fruit and bagels — along with two hot dishes, which rotate daily. It’s quite a spread and a great way to start mornings in Bermuda.

Afternoon tea is served at 3:00 p.m. in the lounge for Gold level guests and includes hot tea, fresh made scones with butter, cream and/or local Gombey Pepper Jam (delicious!), and an assortment of tea cakes. Afternoon tea is just one of the British traditions that Bermuda continues to honor.

Tip: If you’re traveling with your family, seriously consider upgrading to Fairmont Gold. The lounge is open to children, so families can enjoy breakfast every morning as well as quick bites throughout the day. Meals in Bermuda are on the pricier side, so having the convenience of the Gold lounge may be worth the additional cost … especially after you factor in breakfast, afternoon tea, snacks and bottles of water during your visit.

The Rooms

I was pleasantly surprised at how spacious the rooms were at the Fairmont Southampton, and as an unexpected bonus, each room has a balcony with either a view of the Atlantic, the Great Sound or the resort’s golf course. The decor is described as “British colonial with a splash of the tropics” and I couldn’t agree more. My king bed was super comfy and I loved waking up to a view of Gibb’s Lighthouse.

My bathroom was also very spacious with a separate dressing area decked with marble counter tops and apothecary jars filled with cotton balls and q-tips. 

And because I love great bath amenities, I was really excited about the selection of toiletries from Le Labo in Rose 31 — you can leave your travel-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner at home!

My Mama Moment

I experienced my Mama Moment at the Waterlot Inn, where I had my first Dark and Stormy — Bermuda’s signature cocktail made with Gosling’s rum and ginger beer. The sun was setting and live music was playing. I toasted to the new friends I had just met and let Bermuda soak in.  If Bermuda isn’t paradise, I don’t know what is!

Conclusion

The Fairmont Southampton is the perfect hotel in Bermuda for families, couples and girlfriend getaways. There’s an abundance of activities right on property and the staff at the Fairmont couldn’t be nicer. Other than taking the complimentary ferry to downtown Hamilton, you could realistically spend your whole vacation on-site.

All things considered, The Fairmont Southampton was a great introduction to both the beautiful country of Bermuda and the Fairmont brand of resorts. I can’t wait to return with my family!

Special thanks to Bermuda Tourism and The Fairmont Southampton for hosting my visit and stay in Bermuda. All opinions are my own.

Guest post by Julia Rosien of GoGirlfriend.com

I love to travel but I have a confession. I travel cheap. I want my travel experiences to be big and rich and fill my bucket list with memories rather than bills. Thankfully, travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. In fact, with a little research and some creativity you can start dipping into your bucket list without needing a defibrillator for your bank account.

At GoGirlfriend we’ve dedicated a whole month to providing budget travel tips for our readers. And we’ll let you in on a dirty little secret, traveling on the cheap is more about planning than it is about sacrificing the kind of experience you want. Having the best vacation you can dream up is possible.

Have a look at some of the budget rescuing ideas we’re sharing…

10 ways to travel cheap
Mom always said the best things in life are free. Walking barefoot on freshly cut grass, building a snowman, an afternoon with good friends – yup, she was right. But what about travel? Is it possible to jet around the world for free? Well, maybe not free – but cheap, yes. Check out our top ten ways for traveling cheap.

Hidden costs of cruising
Cruise lines serenade potential cruisers with the “all-inclusive” promise but alcohol, excursions and incidentals can add up to more than the price you paid for the cruise in the first place. Consider all at your potential expenses before leaving home and then budget for them. Your vacation will be more fun knowing a boatload of bills are waiting for you at home. Learn more about the hidden costs of cruising.

Booking cheap airline travel
We’ve all heard of outrageous flight deals and offers of discounted flights but how do you find them? Truthfully, the bargain basement seats are fleeting and scarce and usually for off-times with a gazillion restrictions. But there are ways to get great deals and it starts with research. Lots of it. Check out these tips from GoGirlfriend to help you find cheap airline travel deals.

Staying cash positive when traveling
The last thing you want while traveling is problems withdrawing money from your bank accounts. Traveler’s checks have gone the way of the dinos and most everyone relies on credit cards and ATM machines. If you make the majority of your purchases in California but are suddenly summoning charges from Nigeria, there’s a good chance your credit card will be put on hold until the charges can be confirmed or denied. Learn how to stay cash positive while traveling.

Got some budget travel tips for us? We’d love to hear you save money while following your bliss around the world. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook – we’d love to hear your ideas!

About Julia Rosien

I’ve been getting on and off planes my whole career and made my passion for travel my online reality in 2007 when I created GoGirlfriend, a travel-based website for women. When I’m not traveling, I serve on various boards of directors and am currently the 2013 Chairman for Withit.org, a non-profit organization for women in the home and furnishings industries. I’m also co-founder of Canada’s first 140 Conference and its master of ceremonies as well as a presenter at TEDxWomen Waterloo, Impact99, Tweetstock.ca, Women in Biz Conference to name just a few. I’ve come a long way from eating stale cheesies with my brothers in the back of my dad’s station wagon as a kid – but I still love a good road trip!

It was a gorgeous and sunny day along the Gulf Coast and my parents had been pestering me to go to lunch with them in Biloxi. There was a new restaurant called The Hook Up they wanted to try, so I finally gave in when I had a free afternoon. I looked up the reviews of the place online and I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much. But then I thought of all the times I’ve read negative hotel reviews about a property, only to find that I personally enjoyed the experience.

We had a nice drive from the Baton Rouge area and followed the GPS to the Biloxi Boardwalk and Marina, which is the location of this bar and restaurant. It opened in October 2012 and the restaurant looked like a fun place for friends and drinks on a nice day. We were immediately seated inside and the place seemed pretty popular. Some of the diners were outside overlooking the water, but a cool front had come through overnight and the weather was a little too chilly for me. We opened our menus to order some starters and there was so much to choose from, we decided to try a few of the choices and share. It was a good bit of food, as you’ll see from all the photos.

When our starters arrived and I tasted the first bite of The Hookup’s specialty, Fayard Street Shrimp Bread, I think I actually sighed out loud. It was that good. I even asked the chef for the recipe, but he wouldn’t reveal his secret to what makes this particular appetizer so darn delicious.

And we had the oyster sampler, which was a dozen of Oysters Rockefeller, Oyster Kilpatrick, Garlic Parmesan Oysters, and Oyster del Mar. Oh my goodness that could have been my meal right there. To get a full description of each, here’s The Hook Up’s Oyster Menu.

Then came Bang Shrimp, D’s Fish Tacos, and Maple Street Crab Cakes. I would definitely order the Bang Shrimp again and the fish tacos were on par with the rest of the meal. However, I’m a bit critical when it comes to crab cakes and don’t think I’ll order that appetizer next time unless they change from where they source the crabmeat.

AND THEN I TASTED THE CF SPECIAL. OMG this was like a Gulf Coast version of poutine. It’s a plate of french fries topped with pulled beef pot roast in a gravy along with melted cheddar cheese. It was so good I could feel my arteries clogging up, but hey, some things are worth dying for.

The appetizers were amazing, and I honestly didn’t know how I would manage surviving the main course. But somehow I did, thanks to the give in my waistband. I ordered a crab and cheese poboy, my mother went with the grilled catch of the day poboy, and my dad opted for the heart attack on a bun, the signature burger called The Hook Up. My poboy was okay, Mom’s was tasty, but my dad’s choice. Holy smokes! This burger boasted a patty that’s a 50/50 ratio of ground beef and GROUND BACON topped with cheddar cheese, a fried egg, and chipotle aioli. That’s right folks, not a mistype, THERE’S GROUND BACON IN THAT BURGER.

Did you think we would stop there? Of course not. I had my diabetic mother with me and she had already eyed the dessert menu like a pothead in an Amsterdam coffee shop. To compromise, we had one taste of the Biloxi Bread Pudding and the oh so yummy Mary Ellen Thornton Rosetti Pusharates.

I couldn’t tell you about the ride back home because I had already succumbed to a major food coma as soon as we hit the interstate back to Baton Rouge. I will be going back, be it with my kids on a sunny summer day or on a weekend just because. I won’t be eating as much as I did this time, but now I know what to expect from this new restaurant on the Biloxi food scene. The menu is full of Old Biloxi cuisine and the atmosphere provides a new Biloxi view. On weekends live music can be found and the main deck is filled with laughter and good eats. The volleyball beach was almost complete while I was there and I have to admit, it’s a really cool place with very good food. Plus, the people working there were friendly and nice.

The Hook Up Bar and Restaurant
200 8th Street
Biloxi, MS 39530
For Reservations: (228) 432-5330
www.thehookuprestaurant.com

It’s National Princess Week here in the US and since I was a little girl, thanks to Disney, I’ve had this fascination with what the word “princess” represents. To me it was always the story of a girl, who was just herself, and then fell in love with a handsome guy that swept her off her feet and treated her like the bee’s knees. And princesses were elegant, beautiful, and always liked by everyone in those movies. We all know that’s not real life, but it sure is fun to dream! Sometimes life presents unbelievable opportunities that drop in my lap and I do feel like a princess who has stumbled into a real life fairytale.

Meeting A Princess

I’m counting the days until Princess Cruises launches their first ship in five years, the Royal Princess. Not only is it an historic occasion in the cruise industry, but also because I get to be there in person to see it happen. I’ll get to attend the Royal Gala honoring not only the cruise ship, but also the ship’s Godmother, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Plus, Princess Cruises is the REAL Love Boat portrayed in the tv series. You know, the one where everyone always went to Acapulco. But you can’t go to a royal ball without a dress!

Dressing Like a Princess

In anticipation of this exciting event, I went on a quest to find the perfect dress and I wanted to find someone special to dress me. After extensive research and interviews, I decided that Harold Clarke Couturier Atelier, a Louisiana based designer, would be the perfect one for this situation. I met with Harold and his wife at their Lafayette location and my transformation from Louisiana mom to Royal Gala attendee began. The best part? Anyone can have this experience. Harold Clarke gowns range in price depending upon the customer’s needs.

Harold Clarke is a local secret, but really, it’s hard to contain my excitement knowing the man who dresses Vanna White, Patti Labelle, and a multitude of fashionable celebrities is right here near my home. And HE’S DRESSING ME TOO! The best part? He designs dresses for women with curves, and that makes me giddy. Let’s face it, with all the travel and restaurant reviews I do, I’m definitely not a slim woman and excited to have a fitting with him. I can’t wait to share my full experience of having a bespoke dress to wear to a Royal Ball! Here are a few of his couture gowns available in his showroom:

Act Like a Princess

Of course, if one wants to celebrate National Princess Week in true form, then how about a few tips from a real princess? Ivana Pignatelli Aragona Cortes knows what the word “princess” really means…because she is one. Ivana’s now-husband, Adriano, is prince of the Holy Roman Empire and can trace his lineage—which includes kings of Sicily and Spain, Catherine of Aragon, a pope, and a saint—back over a thousand years. In addition to being a princess, Ivana is also a featured blogger at Modern Mom, founder of Princess Ivana—The Modern Princess, and coauthor of the upcoming book A Simple Guide to Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year. Here are a few tips from her on how every woman can be a modern day princess:

Take care of your inner sparkle. Call it charisma, personality, verve, allure, or whatever you like—but “inner sparkle” is real. It attracts and inspires others, and it gives you the motivation and good attitude you need to keep moving in a positive direction. “Make it a priority to take care of yourself so that your inner sparkle stays polished,” Ivana instructs. “In other words, be kind to yourself. Take time to do things you enjoy. Go to the spa. Get dressed up and go out on a romantic date with your prince charming. And when you’re shining brightly, work to cultivate someone else’s sparkle!”

Fairy godmothers are real. It’s true, Ivana says—and they come in the shape of best friends. “True friends can turn your mood around, make you feel like royalty, and help you accomplish things you thought were impossible,” she comments. “Take good care of these relationships—and look for opportunities to be a fairy godmother to your own friends, too!”

Make good deeds a part of everyday life. Princesses, whether they live in the real world or in a fairy tale, are known for doing good deeds and taking care of the people in their kingdoms. “Be generous with your time, energy, and resources,” Ivana suggests. “Support the causes you care about. Feel and accept a responsibility to make a positive difference in the lives of your family, friends, coworkers, and others, such as your child’s teacher or the cashier at the grocery store. A compliment or smile counts!”

Dream, and dream big, to get what you want. Many young girls idolize fairy-tale princesses because they are able to accomplish incredible tasks against all odds. The lesson modern-day princesses can draw? “Big dreams have big results, even if you don’t end up exactly where you thought you would,” Ivana answers. “My dream is to grow The Modern Princess Foundation, which I started to offer educational and artistic support to disadvantaged kids around the world. The foundation is based upon the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity for their dreams to come true.”

Always, always dance! Ivana has a challenge for you: Name one popular princess who hasn’t twirled to a favorite song or spun in the arms of her prince. “The lesson is clear: Don’t stay on the sidelines of life’s ballrooms,” urges Ivana. “Always take advantage of the opportunity to dance. Say yes!”

It doesn’t matter if you are a real princess, marry a prince, or just like to wear a tiara around your house. Be it a charity ball, Mardi Gras Gala, or any event that comes your way where you can dress up and pretend to be a princess, just know that nothing is impossible. And most of all whether traveling the roads or at home in between trips, we’re all princesses and queens and should be good to ourselves so that we can be good to the important people in our lives.

One hundred years ago, the Art Institute of Chicago was the first US art museum to feature Picasso’s work. The endearing relationship between the Institute and the artist continues today. Now, until May 12, 2013, the museum is featuring a special exhibit, Picasso and Chicago. The collection includes more than 250 pieces of the artist’s creations representing nearly every media–paintings, drawings, sculpture, prints, and ceramics. Check the website for special presentations. Pablo Picasso was a preeminent 20th century artist known for co-founding the Cubist movement.

The exhibit is included with a General Admission ticket. Open seven days a week from 10:30 am until 5 pm, with extended hours to 8 pm on Thursdays. Children under age 14 are admitted free of charge and adult tickets are $23. Students and seniors pay $17. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.artic.edu/ or consider a Chicago CityPASS http://www.citypass.com/chicago.

It’s that yucky time of year. Everyone in the US has either filed their taxes or they’ve requested an extension. Some of you may owe Uncle Sam thanks to new tax law changes that went into effect this year, and some of you are lucky enough to get a refund. So now that you just might have an unexpected chunk of change burning a hole in your pocket, what are you going to do with it?

In past years I’ve always paid off a few bills and put the bulk aside for a family vacation. One year I used the refund to purchase new camera equipment. Another year I spent it on the kids summer clothes. This year, why not use your refund to make some fun travel memories by spending a weekend at a family friendly destination? And keep reading for a travel giveaway opportunity thanks to Hampton Hotels to enhance your next trip.

Suggestions on which Hampton Inn property to spend a fun weekend:

Austin – Located just steps from the University of Texas and only a few blocks from the Texas State Capitol, this newly opened property features a rooftop swimming pool with breathtaking views. The property is also in close proximity to Austin’s famous 6th street, surrounding entertainment districts and downtown restaurants.

New York – UN Property – This newly opened hotel is located in the convenient base of Midtown Manhattan, just walking distance from iconic sites including Times Square, famous flagship stores such as FAO Schwartz, and the always-bustling Grand Central Station.

Orlando – This property is located in Kissimmee, Fla., conveniently situated just three miles from Walt Disney World® Resort, and less than ten miles from Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center.

San Diego – Located right in the heart of Embarcadero San Diego, this property is located in close proximity to the world famous San Diego Zoo, historical Gaslamp District and close to SeaWorld.

Chicago – Downtown – Located just steps from the famous Magnificent Mile, this property is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, IL. The property is conveniently located near must-see Chicago sites including the John Hancock building, Navy Pier, and numerous famous deep-dish pizza restaurants.

Of course, these are just a few of the many family friendly Hampton Hotels properties located around the US. Hampton Inn would like to give one reader of TravelingMamas.com a two night stay at the Hampton Hotels of their choice. It’s super easy to enter. Just visit HamptonInn.com and leave a comment here on this post with the name of the property you’d like to visit. You can enter once per day per email address. Winner must be 21 years of age and a US tax paying citizen (since this is all about using your tax refund). One winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and will be contacted by email to respond within 48 hours with legal name and mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday April 23, 2013. Certificate for stay must be used at a Hampton Hotels located in the USA.

So what are you waiting for? Getting to planning your tax refund family vacation!

Winner Update: Congrats to Jennifer comment #8 which was chosen by Random.org.

This giveaway has been provided by Hampton Hotels.

Hubby and I recently had the opportunity for a weekend getaway to the Bourbon Classic in Louisville, Kentucky. Not only did we get to experience fantastic bourbon tasting and education, we also found out there is a lot to love about Louisville.

I always thought Louisville was this ultra-southern town with big floppy hats and lots of slow movin’ folks sipping on their Mint Juleps.  There is that… and there is also quite the hip, artsy and diverse community! Every corner revealed a gem.

Where to Stay

We decided to go off the beaten path by renting an apartment just off the popular Bardstown Road area. Resources like VRBO.com, AirBnB and Craiglist make it easy to find the most perfect and charming spot.

If you’d rather stay downtown check out The Seelbach Hilton. Apparently, it is the hotel used as inspiration as the place for Tom and Daisy’s wedding in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Pretty cool, huh? We’re going to stay there next time.

Where to Eat

Oh boy, where do I start? We had so much amazing food!

SuperChef’s Breakfast

You should not let the Chicago Gyro sign fool you. Inside this unassuming building on an unassuming street in an unassuming part of town lie plates filled with little bits of delectable heaven.

The offerings of SuperChef’s Breakfast will knock your socks off. Seriously, I thought had been given access to some super secret club. Looking around inside at the five tables and gyro menu on the wall, and my eyes and taste-buds had to battle out what the heck was going on.

Menu items include Red Velvet Pancakes, candied bacon, PBJ oatmeal, granola encrusted French toast, roasted red pepper grits and cheddar biscuits. Mouth-watering awesomeness.

My friend ordered the cheddar biscuit with candied bacon and his eyes rolled in the back of his head after his first-and-every-bite-thereafter. Finally I asked if he was ok and he said, “that biscuit just demands I take another bite.” He talked about that biscuit the entire weekend.

Tom + Chee

Ok, I’m just going to cut to the chase on this one. Three words. Grilled. Cheese. Donut.

Say what?

That’s right. Those people down in Louisville like their fun combos! And, after a day of perusing the shops on Bardstown Road, a Tom + Chee grilled cheese donut seemed like an obvious snack (right?)

It was a sweet and salty explosion of flavor in my mouth. A must try.

The Silver Dollar

I love honky-tonks. I love southern grunge. I love records and brick walls and sparkly lights and bourbon and good food. Imagine my excitement when all these things combined under one roof?

The Silver Dollar is located in what is called “NuLu,” a vibrant, then desolate, and newly revitalized area in Louisville. Hipsters and working class alike can find common ground in the décor and menu.

When we researched the menu ahead of time the Fried Chicken and Waffles were calling my name. Hubby wanted to try out the Pork Spare Ribs. Just like everything else in this honky-tonk-inspired restaurant, the food did not disappoint, especially the variety in hot sauces and that oh-so-yum-super-moist cornbread.

After an evening of a southern good time, we were drunk not by the alcohol but our super cool surroundings and old school country music being played on the record player.

Regardless of your affinity for gritty southerners, the Silver Dollar is a great stop in Louisville.

The Brown Hotel

Located in downtown Louisville is The Brown Hotel. Located inside the Brown Hotel is the Hot Brown Sandwich. What is a hot brown, you say? When we asked this question to a shopkeeper another patron tried to explain…

“It’s… uh… ummm… it’s amazing… it’s … ummm… wonderful… it has this …. Mmmmmm… brown….. it’s amazing…”

So, what, you’re saying is that it’s amazing?

Come to find out a Hot Brown Sandwich is the official dish of Louisville. It was created in the 1920’s at the Brown Hotel. It has become a Louisville tradition and (apparently) has worldwide appeal.

After all the hype, we knew we had to try it. It has sliced turkey, tomatoes, bacon, Texas Toast and a cheesy, creamy brown sauce drizzled all over. It was fun to experience!

What to Do

The Bourbon Classic

If you can be in Louisville around the third weekend in March, I highly recommend attending The Bourbon Classic. It is a brand-spankin-new bourbon-themed event. This first-year event showcased world-class chef and bartending talent, offered numerous educational sessions and, of course, highlighted bourbon (more than 80 varieties!) It is held at the Kentucky Center for Performing Arts. Dates in 2014 have not been announced.

To find out what I learned at this years event, check out my article: What I Learned at Louisville’s First-Year Bourbon Classic (Or A Mama’s Guide to Impressing Her Husband Through Bourbon Geekery)

The Bourbon Trail

Can’t make it to the Bourbon Classic? No worries! You can travel the Bourbon Trail!

The Bourbon Trail consists of seven craft distilleries in and around the Louisville and Lexington areas. There are bus tours, Eat, Drink & Savor Tours, bike tours and plain-old-DIY tours.

We were able to visit three distilleries, each with their own distinct personality and all chock full of fantastic historical and bourbon-based information. Kentucky has a rich and interesting history and the beautiful, rolling hills make for a wonderful experience.

NOTE: There are actually many more distilleries in Kentucky that are not on The Bourbon Trail.

If you’d prefer to stay in Louisville or cannot make it to the traditional Bourbon Trail, check out the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Louisville Mega Cavern

If you’ve ever wanted to ride a Zipline to Hell (?) boy does Louisville Mega Caverns have something for you! Created by a massive limestone quarry back in the 1930’s, this mega cavern spans 100 acres just beneath the city. In fact, approximately 70% of the Louisville Zoo sits right on top of it!

Louisville Mega Caverns offer two activities, Mega Zips and an underground Jeep Tour.  The Mega Zips feature six underground zip lines throughout the caverns. Each zip offers something unique and fun such as the Zipline to Hell and the Dual Racing Zips. Some sections required crossing so-high-in-the-dark “challenge” bridges and hanging out on very-high-up platforms (while securely double-clipped to a thick steel cable, of course!)

Our tour guides were funny fellas full of interesting facts and with great humor. Since you’re waiting around while the others in your group zip (we had 12 in our group), we enjoyed the additional entertainment.

Rates range from $59-$79 per person. I would suggest no kids under about 10 years old try it out (they’re much too light to slide on some of the zips)

We completed our two-hour-heart-racing adventure with smiles on our faces.

Bardstown Road

Bardtown Road is located in the Highlands neighborhood, and is widely known as Restaurant Row. What we found were tons of shops – coffee, oddity, clothing, and fun-funky.  We also discovered while meandering hole-in-the wall bars and, of course, restaurants. We found this section of town to be hip, fun, and interesting.

Not to miss: Awesome custom t-shirt shop, Custom Tease for custom-on-demand t-shirts from ultra-cool staff and Vault Liquor & Smokes for the largest bourbon collection in the world – ok, maybe not in the world, but boy, they had a LOT of bourbon!

From amazing restaurants, to fun activities and a cool, laid-back atmosphere. There is a lot to love about Louisville, Kentucky!

Carnival Cruise Lines is one of our favorite family cruise lines and here is yet another reason. They just announced the offering of an exclusive shore excursion that is sure to wow family’s cruising to Saint John, New Brunswich on the Carnival Glory. Available only on the August 5 and 10 five-day departures, families can book this fun family experience through the online shore excursion booking options.

Carnival is the only cruise line to offer this engaging tour in Saint John, which is sponsored by Ambassatours Gray Line and provides little engineers and their families with a memorable and magical experience interacting with the iconic storybook character and his friends.

This excursion tour includes a 25-minute train ride along the Saint John waterfront aboard a full size Thomas The Tank Engine replica, a variety of Thomas & Friends-themed entertainment such as storytelling and videos, Imagination Station Arts & Crafts activities, an appearance by Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of the railway on the Island of Sodor, home to Thomas and his friends, temporary children’s tattoos, merchandise shops and other festival offerings. The excursion also includes an all-day pass on a popular Saint John excursion, The Big Pink Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour, on authentic double-decker buses – making for a fun-filled family day in Saint John.

Day Out with Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 is currently available for sale within the shore excursion section of carnival.com to booked Carnival Glory guests. If you have a little cruise guest who is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine, then you’ll want to add this memorable excursion to your itinerary.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers one of the best kids activities on the seas at the most affordable prices.

For additional information on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” cruises, including Carnival Glory cruises to Saint John, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Or A Mama’s Guide to Impressing Her Man Through Bourbon Geekery

My husband is a bourbon geek. I can’t tell you how many hours I have struggled through listened with silent fascination while he and his pals chat for hours on the “nose” and color of a particular bourbon, or firmly debate which single barrel will best pair with rib-eye.  First it was stereo equipment, then strollers and now… bourbon. I have often wondered where guys get this seemingly inherent geekery. Are they born with it? Do they learn it from their dads? I certainly do not have it, that’s for sure.

So, when I learned about the first-ever Bourbon Classic to be held in Louisville, Kentucky on the third week in March, I KNEW I had to get Hubby tickets to the event. A weekend in Louisville, drinking bourbon, eating good food and enjoying a few days without the kids? Heck yeah! (Best wife ever!)

Little did I know that after three days of bourbon classes, tasting and exploration, I too, would become a bourbon geek… and here I will pass along my freshly gained knowledge to you. You never know when you may want to impress your fella.

1. Bourbon is the only distilled spirit that is regulated in the U.S. and in order for it to be qualified as Bourbon Whiskey, it must be:

• Made from a mixture that is 51% corn (the rest is wheat, rye and/or malted barley).
• Aged in new, white-oak charred barrels.
• Distilled to no more than 160 proof.
• Must be aged for at least two years.
• Must contain no additives.

2. Does NOT have to be produced in Bourbon County, Kentucky (contrary to popular belief), however it must be a distinctive product of the United States and is often referred to as America’s Spirit.

3. Limestone can be found in more than 50% of surface rocks in Kentucky and, interestingly, has been touted as a key player in the distillery process because it filters iron out of the water. Who knew?

4. Bourbon warehouses are ugly. I was a bit distraught at their prison-like appearance when we toured a few distilleries in nearby Bardstown. But, come to find out, that “design” (if you want to call it that) is a part of the distillery process. Warehouses are mostly white, 7-floor buildings with metals roofs, small windows and dirt floors. Ventilation is key, so the design is such that the barrels on the bottom floor evaporate at a lower rate than the barrels on the top floor. Bourbons from lower level barrels are more often the fancier kinds.

5. And, about those “fancier” kinds. There are three types of bourbon: standard, small batch and single barrel.

• Standard bourbons are the most widely distributed bourbons; Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark. These bourbons are a combination of between 100-2000 barrels taken from all over the warehouse.
• Small batch bourbons are made from a smaller lot of 100 barrels or less. A few small batch bourbons are Bookers, Baker’s, Knob Creek. The whiskey in these barrels are typically aged from six to nine years.
• Single barrel bourbons are just that, they come from a single barrel. Each bottle must bear the barrel number on the label. The single barrels are often aged longer, come from the bottom of the warehouse (with less evaporation) and have a deeper, more complex flavor. This IS the fancy stuff!

6. Distillers can only use the barrels ONCE. One time. No repeats here. Used barrels are shipped all over the world for more spirit making; Canada for Canadian Whiskey, Scotland for Scotch Whiskey (you get the idea) and some wineries and brewpubs even use these barrels. Very cool.

7. The official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby does not use bourbon (GASP!) Can you believe that? It is made with Early Times Whiskey.

8. Bourbon drinkers should be stocked with three key essentials; the proper glassware (not rocks glasses but glencairn aka ‘nosing’ glasses), the correct size of ice (one big block) and bitters (to up the cocktail ante).

I was most impressed with the science of bourbon making – from the building architecture to the water used to the specific wood barrel – every detail altars the taste. Master distillers lovingly monitor, gauge and tweak each barrel to produce the perfect product.

I left the Bourbon Classic with a newfound appreciation for the art, science and love of America’s Spirit.

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The Bourbon Classic is a brand-spankin-new bourbon-themed event based in the heart of bourbon country. This first-year event showcased world-class chef and bartending talent, offered numerous educational sessions and, of course, highlighted bourbon (more than 80 varieties!) It is held at the Kentucky Center for Performing Arts. Next year’s event will take place on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. Tickets are now available at bourbonclassic.com.

Special thanks to FSA Management Group for providing this experience. 

TravelingMamas.com is excited to be invited to witness an historic cruise event. Recently we traveled to the Fincantieri Shipyard to take a construction tour of the Royal Princess Cruise Ship, soon to launch. Our group also observed the Float Out Ceremony of the Regal Princess, sister ship to the Royal Princess. So here’s the big news everyone has been waiting on!

Who Will Be Godmother of the Royal Princess?

Princess Cruises announced today that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will name Royal Princess, the newest addition to the line’s fleet. The ceremony at which The Duchess will name the ship will take place in Southampton on Thursday, June 13, and will be the highlight of week-long inaugural celebrations to welcome the vessel into service.

The spectacular ceremony will uphold British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, together with contemporary highlights.

Alan Buckelew, the line’s president and CEO said “It is a great honor for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess. We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company’s British heritage and our commitment to the country.”

Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday, June 7, where she will commence a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of Wednesday, June 12. The ship’s inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

The inaugural period of Royal Princess also includes two short preview cruises prior to and following the naming. After her maiden voyage the ship will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn. More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

What is A Naming Ceremony?

The naming and christening of ships date as far back as 4,000 years ago. Originally, ships were blessed by priests and men were typically bestowed the title of godfather. The godfather would hand flowers to the godmother and together they would say the name of the ship to bless it. Over time, the role has evolved to be predominantly female and now most cruise ships are christened with a godmother. In fact, more recently, some godmothers have been royalty or celebrities to help see a ship off for her inaugural sailing. A cruise ship Godmother bestows a blessing on the ship asking for the safety of its crew and passengers.

Be sure to follow real time news and coverage of the Royal Princess by searching the Twitter tag #RoyalPrincess and follow @CajunMama and @TravelingMamas during the naming ceremony and events too see behind the scenes of this Royal event!