The Talking Suitcase

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North America

Our Experience with American Girl Food in DC

June 6, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 1 Comment

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

American Girl Food at the Bistro in DC
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Last week I shared about our trip to the American Girl Tyson’s Corner store in DC. One of the things we did during our trip was eat at the American Girl Bistro for a late lunch.

My experience was different than many others. I read (and was told) rave reviews about the bistro. Atmosphere is awesome, food is fantastic. Well, they had the atmosphere part right.

We were pretty disappointed in the food and service. It all started with us having to wait 25 minutes after our reservation time. Mind you our reservation was at 2:30, so we were STARVING!  So after waiting almost 30 minutes we finally get a table.   Only to wait another 7 for someone to come to the table to take drink orders.

Okay, maybe they were super busy or I just shouldn’t have high service standards.  BUT, I was still optimistic at this point…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Kids Travel Picks, Washington DC, Foodie, North America, Destinations

How to Find the Best Las Vegas Deals: Hotels and More

June 3, 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.

Las Vegas Deals Hotels and More
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You can find the best Las Vegas deals hotels, suites, and more, without doing a lot of work. Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, and with a little effort, you can travel in style for less than you might think. Here are some tips for finding the best hotel deals in Vegas.

How to Find the Best Las Vegas Deals: Hotels and More

Join Casino/Hotel Email Lists – Despite what many people think, not all deals are advertised on sites like Travelocity and Expedia. Many of the best deals at the MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Bally’s send their best deals to their email list members. Consider joining the email lists a few months before your trip so you can keep an eye out for the best deals.

Check with the Las Vegas Tourism Office – Las Vegas is known for its marketing campaigns—”What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” comes to mind for many people—so don’t forget to check here for deals. There is a tab on the tourism office’s website that is dedicated to special deals. You can find sale prices on hotels as well as deals for restaurants and those famous Vegas shows.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Adult Getaways, Travel Tips & Tricks, Las Vegas, North America, Destinations

American Girl Tysons Corner Store

May 30, 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.

American Girl Tysons Corner Store
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We made our first trip to the American Girl store in Washington, DC for LuLu’s birthday.  It was an awesome experience for the entire family. LuLu (and I) were in awe of the massive American Girl Tysons Corner store. Dolls and accessories were everywhere!!

Our first stop was to the Doll Salon. We set up an appointment, picked a style, then headed off to shop.    If you’re visiting the salon or getting ears pierced, make sure you set that up as your first thing to do as there can be a long wait time.

American Girl Tysons Corner Store - Just Like Me

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Kids Travel Picks, Washington DC, North America, Destinations

Staycation Ideas for Families: Over 60 Cities You Should Visit

May 20, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 1 Comment

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

Staycation Ideas for Families
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Staycations are a great way to save money.  It also gives you a chance to find new and fun activities in the city you live.

I’ve teamed up with bloggers from across the US to share fun things to do in their cities. See if the city you live in (or near) is included in the list below. You can also use these ideas if you’re planning to travel to one of these areas.

60 Staycation Ideas for Families:

A – D

Phoenix-Metro, Arizona ~ Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona ~ Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona ~ Desert Chica Ramblings
Bentonville, Arkansas ~ This Sweet Life
Fullerton, California ~ More with Less Today
San Diego, California ~ Southern Cali Saver.com
Denver, Colorado ~ Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia ~ Kidventurous

F – I

Jacksonville, Florida ~ Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida ~ The Educators’ Spin On It
Tallahassee, Florida ~ SwagGrabber
Tampa, Florida ~ Not Consumed
Chicago (and suburbs), Illinois ~ A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois ~ Entertaining Chicago
Fort Wayne, Indiana ~ Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana ~ Chaos Is Bliss
Des Moines, Iowa ~ Eat, Play, Love Des Moines

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, North America, Destinations

Visit to Blue Bird Gap Farm {Hampton, VA}

May 6, 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.

Bluebird Gap Farm
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We attended a birthday party at Blue Bird Gap Farm in Hampton, VA this weekend.  It was such a fun afternoon for all the kiddos – from toddlers to my oldest. They ran around climbing, looking at animals and just pain enjoying being crazy kids for an afternoon.

I used to go to Blue Bird Gap Farm with my aunt as a child, so it was nice to be back after all these years.  Even though a lot has changed, it still brought back great memories.  I enjoyed getting to share the farm with my children all these years later.

Blue Bird Gap Farm Animals

Where is Blue Bird Gap Farm?

Blue Bird Gap Farm is located just off I-64 near the Hampton Coliseum.  If you’re traveling along I-64 near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel then it’s a great spot to let the kids out to stretch their legs and have a bite to eat.  It’s only about 3 minutes to the farm once you jump off the interstate.

What to See and Do at Blue Bird Gap Farm:

The 60-acre farm has about 150 animals, both domestic and wild.  You’ll find deer, tortoises, racoons, goats, birds of prey and my personal favorite – PEACOCKS just to name a few.

Blue Bird Gap Farm Playground

There is a large playground with a big playset for big kids and a smaller set for little ones.  You’ll also find an ample amount of swings to accommodate lots of kids.

Bluebird Gap Farm Collage

After you play, take a walk around the nature trail and make sure to visit the barn and feed the goats.  You’ll also want to take a peak at the Hampton Master Gardeners’ Display Garden and Arboretum.  It’s a pretty little area full of flowers and plants.

Another nice feature is that the farm also has restrooms that are surprisingly well cared for and clean.  Going to public restrooms on a farm can sometimes be pretty gross.  Is it odd that the restrooms are one of the things I remember most?

If you’re hungry there are snack and drink vending machines, but I advise bringing your own food.  Have a picnic (or just a few snacks) on one of the benches, picnic tables or simply spread a blanket of the grass near the Azalea trail or the pond.

The best part?  It’s FREE to enjoy the entire Blue Bird Gap Farm!

 Bluebird Gap Farm Picnic Area

Having a gathering such as a birthday party is fantastic at this location. There are so many things to keep the kids busy and you don’t have to pay a rental fee! Since you can’t reserve a spot, make sure to come early. Our party was held back near the tortoise and rabbit enclosures.   It really is the perfect spot for an event. You’re tucked away from most of the crowd, have picnic benches and a huge tree to provide shade. Plus it’s only about a minute walk to the playground and the barns.

Bring lots of quarters to feed the animals. The goats will eat right out of your hands! Watch for peacocks – they run around everywhere. They’re nice but it’s kinda scary seeing them staring at you from on top of the bathroom.

Visit the park website HERE for information on hours (closed Tuesday).

Have you been to Blue Bird Gap Farm? Share with us your favorite memories.

Have you even gotten home and realized you’re missing a ton of pictures?  I took 10 (at least) of the kids feeding the goats.  Where are they?  I took a couple shots of the entire playground and a peacock on the restroom roof.  Nope.  Don’t have those either.  I’m sticking with I have not lost my mind and my camera ate my pictures.

While you’re on the Peninsula, you might want to stop by Busch Gardens and save with these Busch Gardens Discount Coupons!!

Filed Under: US Travel, Kids Travel Picks, Virginia, 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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