The Talking Suitcase

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Destinations

Visiting Monaco Aquarium with Kids

March 12, 2015 by Dana Zeliff 12 Comments

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

Visiting Monaco Aquarium with Kids


The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Monaco Aquarium) is a fun activity for kids when visiting Monaco.

Dating back to 1910, the Museum Aquarium is one of the oldest in the world. Prince Albert I created the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to study the collections brought back from his expeditions. It has evolved into an aquarium for visitors to interact with live fish and invertebrate specimens as well as a museum to learn about early oceanographic research.

Monaco Aquarium
Look down when you enter the museum

 

aquarium monaco net

Entering the Monaco Aquarium, you are immediately standing in a massive foyer with regal staircases on each side. Keep walking forward and enter a room enclosed in a huge metal net. You kind of feel like a little fish trapped inside a fishing net.

Aquarium Monaco Presentation

Don’t miss the presentation on Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystems to the right on the main floor. It’s a nice video with vivid depictions of underwater ecosystems on a huge screen. We were lucky enough to walk in near the beginning of the English presentation. You know, understanding what they are saying is pretty important if you want to actually learn something 😉 It was a nice way to start the tour of the museum and to rest for a bit after having spent the morning wandering around the village.

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Filed Under: Kids Travel Picks, Europe Travel with Kids, Monaco, Aquariums, Museums & Zoos, Destinations Tagged With: Day Trips from Nice

Weekend Trip to Staunton, Virginia

December 26, 2014 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

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

Weekend Trip to Staunton, VA
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Staunton is a beautiful old town full of history, quaint shops, unique restaurants, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, museums, and a theater. All of these are within walking district from several hotels. Mary Baldwin College, The School for the Deaf and Blind, and Stuart Hall are all located in Staunton.

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Filed Under: US Travel, Virginia, Adult Getaways, North America, Destinations

What We Ate At Moon Palace Resorts Cancun {& Why You Will Want to Eat There Too}

December 10, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 2 Comments

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

Moon Palace Resorts Food
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When people talk about all-inclusive resorts,  food is always on top of the list.  We love to eat and a good meal, especially one that is included with your stay,  is a priority when planning a vacation.

We had plenty of food to choose from staying at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort.  A variety of cuisine is available – from hotdogs to fish to steak. You can eat Asian, Mexican, seafood or lounge poolside.  Whether you’re traveling with a picky eater or a foodie, there is no shortage of restaurant options.

When planning our trip to a new area,  one of the first items on our list is to determine where we should eat.  I want to know other travelers experiences with a  restaurant before I go.  Granted, I’ve been spoiled and dined at some fabulous restaurants, so I am a bit finicky when it comes to food.  However, knowing what others think of a restaurant is a good indicator of the food quality, ambiance and wait staff.

Some of the restaurants at Moon Palace are definitely better than others. We preferred La Trattoria at the Golf Villas, Caribeno in Moon Grand and the Brazilian Steakhouse in Nizuc.

Moon Palace Food La Trattoria

Our favorite meal was at La Trattoria on the last evening of our trip.  A card with our last name was waiting on our table which gave a special touch to the evening.  We were offered a cheese cart, delicious bread that was still warm from the oven, a dessert cart to die for, a palate cleansing treat between courses and fabulous wine.  Everything about the meal was exceptional.  Every time I thought the meal couldn’t get any better – they arrived with another course.

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Filed Under: Adult Getaways, Foodie, Mexico, North America, Destinations

Moon Palace Resorts Cancun {Should You Go All-Inclusive?}

December 5, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

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

Moon Palace Resorts
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I made my way to Cancun this past September. I desperately wanted to attend a travel bloggers conference and figured combining a retreat with my husband and learning to expand my business was the perfect excuse.

The TBEX conference was held at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. This was my first experience at an all-inclusive resort and I wasn’t disappointed!

Moon Palace Resorts Cancun:

Moon Palace Resorts - room

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Filed Under: Adult Getaways, Mexico, Accommodation Reviews, North America, Destinations

Ocean Breeze Waterpark Virginia Beach {Family Fun in the Sun}

July 23, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 6 Comments

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

Ocean Breeze Waterpark Virginia Beach
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Are you looking for a great way to cool off during the hot summer months? Then Ocean Breeze Waterpark Virginia Beach is your answer!

slides ob

Located in Virginia Beach only a few short miles from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Ocean Breeze Waterpark Virginia Beach is the perfect way to add some water fun to your vacation!  There are rides and features for the entire family and we have been season pass holders since the boys were babies!  From Buccaneer Bay for the little ones, to The Hurricane for the more daring family members, you’re sure to find something to make everyone happy!  And if going down slides isn’t your thing, you can relax poolside by the giant wave pool or grab a free raft and float around the “Adventure River” which has earned a nickname from my kids as “The Lazy River” because it’s so relaxing!

pirate ship ob

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Filed Under: US Travel, Kids Travel Picks, Virginia, Amusement & Water Parks, North America, Destinations

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. Planning a great trip shouldn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling travel forums, watching videos, and sorting through conflicting opinions online.

I've spent years exploring the world with my husband and our two kids, and those experiences shape how I help clients plan their own vacations. Together, we've visited 48 countries across four continents and spent nearly four years living in France.

Whether you're planning a European itinerary, a cruise vacation, an all-inclusive resort stay, or a family getaway, I'll help you sort through the options and create a trip that works for your travel style, interests, and budget. Read More…

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