America’s biggest, loudest showstopping party goes down in New Orleans, Louisiana every year between January and March (depending on the calendar year). This unruly scene is best known for its elaborate floats, colorful beads, live music, and French and Spanish food influences. Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday,” is the day before Ash Wednesday. However, the celebration starts 12-days prior with three-story floats parading around the city. I’ve been in New Orleans for Mardi Gras two times. Once in my last 20’s with my husband (awesome) and once for work while six months pregnant (less awesome). Mardi Gras is a truly unique experience and a trip that requires some strategic planning if you want to experience all the event has to offer. So I’m here to give you all the details on how to party in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Here's how we spent four days we will never forget… DAY ONE – BOURBON STREET & LIVE MUSIC SCENE We had a late flight that landed in New Orleans at 9:30 p.m. We checked in at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. We were happy with the hotel’s location, a short walk to Bourbon Street and the heart of the Mardi Gras activity. It was too cold ...
Top 20 Places to Travel in 2020
Another year, another opportunity to explore this big, beautiful world. If you’re like me, you have an endless bucket list of must-see destinations around the globe. How do you decide where to jet next? Below I’ve compiled my list of the top places to travel this year. These destinations made the cut based on several factors, including cheap flight options, unique events, or because they’re just that awesome. And the top 20 list is…. 1.) CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town is a city of unmatched beauty with its landmark Table Mountain and scenic Cape Point. A city that survived the apartheid and emerged more united in their national patriotism. At first, I was hesitant about traveling in Africa alone, but I found the city to be safe and welcoming and a great destination for solo travelers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Penguins love to hang out on the Boulders beach, and with a visit in the summer you are sure to see them exceptionally playful. Top attractions include Cape Point, Boulder Beach, Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Planning a trip? Check out this guide on traveling solo in Cape Town on Girl Pack ...
10 Eco-Friendly Gifts Under $50
Do you know that feeling you get when you give someone the most perfect gift? I love trying to find things that make people feel special, appreciated and loved. Sometimes, though, you get stumped and can’t find something just right. This list of 10 eco-friendly gifts are things that will be appreciated by anyone on your list, and they will make you feel good as they all aid in making a small step in keeping our world green and beautiful. Here’s my list of the very best eco-friendly gifts this year: Ello Ceramic Travel Mug, $11 Bringing along your own travel mug for your morning coffee is one of the easiest ways to cut back on waste. My two favorite travel mugs right now are the Ello Ceramic Travel Mug and the Yeti Tumbler. I really prefer to enjoy my morning coffee from a mug, so one of my biggest issues with bringing my own travel mug is drinking from a stainless-steel cup. The Ello travel mug is double-wall ceramic which keeps drinks hot and is just as enjoyable as drinking from a mug at home. I also love the sleek look and it’s top-rack dishwasher safe. The only downside is that it’s heavy to tote around. Yeti Tumbler Travel Mug, $30 For that ...
All You Need to Know About Visiting Sesame Place During Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our family kicked off the Christmas festivities at A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place. Located in Bucks County, PA (30 minutes from Philadelphia), Sesame Place has transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. Christmas shows, a holiday train ride, a visit with Santa and the fantastic Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade make this the perfect family destination to get you in the holiday spirit. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sesame Place during Christmas… CHRISTMAS SHOWS There is a big sign with all of the Christmas shows and times at the park entrance so be sure to take a picture on your phone when you arrive. The show times and locations are also listed on the park maps found throughout the park. You can also print a picture of the map off of the Sesame Place website, or download the Sesame Place app. A Sesame Street Christmas Show This show takes place in Abby’s Paradise Theatre which is an outdoor cinema near Sesame Island. Abby is not familiar with the celebrations and traditions of the Christmas season, so her ...
The Five Mistakes We Made Flying with Kids
We are just back from a family reunion in Palm Coast, Florida and we survived our first flight with two kids! I’ll add the disclaimer that we were flying with my parents and siblings, so with eight adults to two kids ratio, really… how hard could it be? All you moms I see flying alone with kids in tow, I applaud you. Even with all the help, traveling with kids involves lugging around so much crap, chasing our restless toddler, and endlessly catering to our sweet 9-month-old. Overall, we had a smooth flight and the boys did awesome. However, we did make some mistakes that we’ll be sure to correct next time. Here are the five mistakes we made flying with kids… 1. Bringing our own car seats. Car seats are so bulky and are the most challenging item to lug around the airport until you can check them. Most car rental companies offer a range of child safety seats that are suitable for babies and children. Be sure to ask when booking. The only logistical issue is getting your children from the parking lot at the airport, but if possible have one person drop you and the kids off at the airport first, or you can just strap your kids in for the short shuttle ride to your airline ...
Solo Traveler – Three Days in Prague
It’s not often you are awarded the opportunity to look back at the culture and familial roots that have defined the course of your life. Both my father and mother’s family lineage are largely from the Central Europe region formerly known as Czechoslovakia, known as independent countries Slovakia and the Czech Republic since 1993. The city of Prague in the Czech Republic is known for its historic baroque architecture, picturesque location on the Vltava River, compelling thousand-year history, and world-famous Czech lagers. In fact, did you know that the Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita than any other country in the world? While traveling for business to Switzerland, I decided to arrive the weekend prior to spend a few days exploring the breathtaking city of Prague on my own. Read on about my three-day adventure in this exceptional European city. DAY ONE // FREE WALKING TOUR AND THE OPERA HOUSE I arrived in a rainy Prague after an eight-hour flight from Newark with a transfer in Vienna. I took a car service to my residence for the weekend, the Grandior Hotel. The hotel is perfectly situated in the center of the Old City of Prague within walking distance to all ...