Gelato in Florence

I had the best Gelato in Florence, Italy, yesterday. If you are ever there visit Vivoli near Santa Croce. You can also stop in for an espresso or even a glass of prosecco.

http://www.vivoli.it/

Check out my articles on our family trip to British Columbia

Beachcombing Along Canada's Shores

I’ve always thought of beachcombing as a daytime activity, but in Tofino, B.C., my family could troll the shores in the twilight even after 10 p.m. Not only that, but hitting the waves late at night is considered to be a completely normal activity.

Pride of the Pacific Rim

If there is one thing that impressed me the most about the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, B.C., it was the service. From the moment we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by warm, friendly, smiling individuals who were only too happy to assist my husband and I with our luggage, check-in and even entertaining our children.

Tackling Tantrums

Check out my article on tackling tantrums when traveling in the latest issue of Family Getaways magazine!
Family Getaways Magazine

World Cup Fever

Since the FIFA World Cup in South Africa is in it's third day, I wanted to take some time to post a couple pictures from my recent trip there. Posted here are the Moses Mabhida Stadium, my ride in a helicopter in Stellenbosch, me at the top of Table Moutnain and a sea star at Boulders Beach!

Flying High in Cappadocia, Turkey

Waiting to find out if we are going up.

After discovering the underground cities of Cappadocia, it was time to take to the sky and fly high above the region to truly feel the scope of the area, so, of course, a hot-air balloon ride was in store. The night before, our group of journalists turned in early. It was still raining when we headed to bed, so we were told that if we didn’t get a wake-up call by 6 a.m., our balloon ride was not going to happen. Since nothing but rain was in the forecast, we all went to bed doubting we’d get the call — still, I don’t think anyone slept very much not knowing what was in store, and our guide seemed fairly confident that we’d pull this off.
Sure enough, at 6 a.m., the phone rang, and I sprang out of bed and grabbed my camera. I was confused to find it sprinkling when I stepped out of my room. From everything I had heard about hot-air ballooning, going up in the rain was just not likely. In fact, some people said that, in the U.S., if even the slightest gust of wind blew in the wrong direction, the balloon was grounded. I could only presume that with the threat of thunder and lightening, ballooning in the pouring rain was not an option.
Click here to find out if we did indeed make it up to see the wonders of  Cappadocia.

Just got back from Turkey, and although I didn't go with the kids, I have attached some photos of my journey through Istanbul and Cappadocia.

Inside the Blue Mosque

Outside Hagia Sophia

Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia, Turkey