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8 Hidden Gems Across the United States

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

The United States is famed for having a massive variety of cities, sights, sounds, and landscapes. Every state offers something new and unique, and you can almost feel like you are stepping into a new world when you cross a state line. However, many people tend to overlook and skip some of the country’s most incredible hidden gems.

Valley of Fire State Park

The Valley of Fire is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the entire country. You can access it via Las Vegas, either by driving or using a private jet charter. The 46,000-acre park is in the Mojave Desert and is home to different types of plants and wildlife. While it can get extremely hot and nearly impossible to explore because of the heat, the Valley of Fire Park is often overlooked due to visitors choosing Death Valley instead. However, you will be missing out on some of the most breathtaking views you could ever imagine.

Blackwater Falls State Park

The Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia is another hidden gem due to any visitors thinking it is just like any other park; this couldn’t be further from the truth. Found in the Allegheny Mountains, the 62-foot-high waterfall is the centerpiece of the park. Surrounded by amazing walking and hiking trails, the area is perfect for a picnic, a day at the falls, and spending a night or two camping amongst the trees and under the stars.

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What to Wear on an Alaska Cruise: Printable Packing List

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Planning an Alaska cruise but not sure what to wear? I spent a lot of time researching packing for an Alaska cruise prior to our trip and paid special attention to other cruisers attire while onboard and in port. I probably looked like a crazy stalker, staring at people and making notes on my phone 🙂

Weather in Alaska can change drastically during the day and even hour by the hour. Our driver from Anchorage to Seward told us that in Alaska you can wait 10 minutes or drive 10 miles and the weather will change – and not necessarily for the better. We definitely discovered this on our trip. One minute it was sunny, and we were wearing short sleeves while the next the wind started to blow, and we added layers and pulled our hoods up.

The month you travel will also affect your packing, to a degree. The Alaska cruise season is May-September. If traveling during the first or last month, expect cooler temperatures. August will be nice and warm, but it is what’s considered the start of the rainy season. We traveled the first week of June. The weather was lovely with only a little rain. We were told the week prior was cold and rainy while the week before that saw snow!

The key to dressing in Alaska is layers. I’ll start our Alaska cruise packing list discussing what to wear at port/on excursions.  You’ll also want to consider your plans for pre and post cruise as this can affect your outdoor clothing as well. You may need to pack a little differently for land tours. For example, Fairbanks can get hotter than you’d expect in the summer, so you’ll want those tanks and shorts.

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Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips {Don’t Cruise Until You’ve Read These Tips!}

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips header

Walt Disney had a magical vision.  His vision was not only transformed into the most popular amusement parks in the world but that magic is now traveling across oceans.  A Disney Cruise Line vacation offers more than just your favorite characters – from Broadway style musicals and relaxation by the pool to unlimited gourmet cuisine and family-friendly activities around the clock.  We’ve put together some of our best Disney Cruise money saving tips to help keep you on budget.

You might want to print our FREE Disney Adventure Planner for the countdown sheet & our Cruise Planner.

Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips:

1. Discounts and Special Offers –

When planning your next Disney Cruise vacation always check their special offers page online before booking.  Disney provides discounts for residents that live in Florida and U.S. Military rates year round.  Annually they will offer kids cruise free aboard some of their ships, usually in the spring or fall. In addition if you are able to sail during the off seasons you will save tremendously compared to sailing during the peak summer months or over a holiday.  We sailed for HALF the cost in February vs Christmas vacation.

2. Transportation to Port –

Compare prices for your transportation options.  Many local hotels provide a park and cruise option included in their one night stay.  If you arrive in Florida the day before your cruise you can park the rental car and ride the shuttle to the port.  There are also local transfer services and there is always Uber.  Depending on the number of people in your party, will determine which option is less expensive for you.  Disney’s airport shuttle is not the only option.

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Top 25 Things to Do in Nice, France – Holiday on the Sunny French Riviera

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

top-25-things-to-do-in-nice

Whether your visiting the French Riviera for an afternoon or a week, Nice should be high on your list of cities to explore.  In trying to come up with our top 25 things to do in Nice, we considered the typical tourist hotspots as well as some of our local favorites.   I hope this guide provides ideas for your next vacation along the Cote d’Azur.

Top 25 Things to Do in Nice, France

old-town-nice

The Old Town is the perfect spot to begin your journey in Nice. From the beautiful buildings to the fresh market in Cours Saleya to enticing shops and quaint restaurants, everyone enjoys strolling along these age-old streets.  As you wander around, stop for a visit at the Palais Lascaris, a great museum in the heart of Old Town.  The seventeenth-century aristocratic building, now houses a musical instrument museum. While seeing the collection of instruments is definitely interesting, it’s the building itself, with beautiful frescos and intricate tapestries, that we most enjoy.

Pop into the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice on Rue du Jesus which was originally constructed in the 1600’s by the Jesuits. After the Jesuit Order was expelled by Pope Clement XIV, the church became a parish in 1801. The church is lit-up at night, so make sure to walk by if you’re in the area after dark.

Stop by Place Rosetti and visit the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. The Baroque cathedral has a gorgeous alter and incredible ceiling that is a work of art.

Traveler’s note: There is an LCL bank ATM machine in Place Rosetti.  I use this one since they don’t have an additional fee and I get various bill denominations – I hate it when an ATM just gives out 50’s!

Fresh fruits

Fresh fruits

Every morning, except for Monday, you can admire the stalls of the Cours Saleya Market.  Pick up fruits and vegetables for a picnic lunch, grab a souvenir for a friend or stop to smell the roses at the Marche aux Fleurs.  The brightly colored awnings will guide you through the market and out toward the Opéra de Nice Côte d’Azur on Rue Saint-François de Paule. If you choose, you could walk along the Quai des États-Unis to escape the crowds.

*Monday, the area becomes an antique market where vendors sell clothing, dishes, furniture, jewelry and more.

Place Massena is recognizable by the Fontaine du Soleil with its massive statue of Apollo.  Relax in the Jardin Albert I or the Promenade du Paillon.   You can also fit in some shopping on Rue France or enjoy some high-end, wallet emptying shopping on Avenue de Verdun. Follow the tram line toward the gare (train station) along Avenue Jean Medecin, stopping by Basilique Notre-Dame de Nice, where you continue with more shopping and sightseeing.

The Liberation market, a favorite of locals, can be found as you continue along Avenue Jean Medicine past the train station.

Read more about shopping, eating and exploring around the Liberation Market.

st-nicholas-orthodox-cathedral-nice

 

The St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral should be high on your list when visiting Nice. I didn’t add this to my article on what to do with kids in Nice, but once the Cathedral came into view the kids and I said a collective “WOW”.   Sometimes my kids are a little bit more into architecture than other children.

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20 Things to Know Before Visiting London

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Are you visiting the UK for the first time?  Or maybe just want to learn a few more tips before traveling to London?  London quickly became one of our favorite cities with the seemingly endless attractions, great restaurants and pubs, and abundant shopping   The hustle and bustle of the city is contagious, but there are a few things to know before visiting London for the first time.

Things to Know Before Visiting London

1. The UK uses the British Pound (£) which has recently lost a lot of ground against the  US Dollar, making it a fabulous time for Americans to visit.  While the value does fluctuate, the exchange rate at the time of writing this post is $1.25 to 1£!!  That’s crazy!  We visited 2 months ago and it was around $1.34 to 1£ and that was low.  Seeing the rate drop even further, I’m seriously having a hard time writing and not looking at airfare instead!

2. Since we’re on the topic of money, lets talk about tipping.  In restaurants, the average tip is 10-15%, although you need to confirm it hasn’t automatically been added to your bill.  You can add the tip to your credit card, but cash is preferred.   Not all establishments pass on the tips paid on a card to the servers.  You’ll even see on some menus that all tips are given to the servers.  Personally, I found this rather curious. I would have assumed the servers always got the tips, but apparently that is not the case.

You can tip the same 10-15% rate for taxis, but most people just round up or leave £1.  Tip more if its a long ride or the driver helped with luggage.

You don’t tip at the pub if you’ve ordered drinks from the bar.  However, if you are getting table serve you’ll want to tip.

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