The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

  • Home
  • Work with Me
    • About Dana
  • Travel Printables
  • Cruising
    • Cruising Tips & Tricks
    • Disney Cruise
    • Holland America
    • MSC
    • NCL
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise
    • Virgin Voyages
  • Destinations
    • North America >>
      • Canada
      • US Travel >>
        • Alaska
        • Florida
        • Hawaii
        • Maryland
        • Nevada, Vegas
        • North Carolina
        • Pennsylvania
        • Utah
        • Virginia
        • Washington, DC
        • Road Trip Planning
      • Mexico
    • Europe Travel >>
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Scotland
      • Slovakia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
    • Africa >>
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
  • French Riviera Guide
    • Travel in Nice
    • Day Trips from Nice
  • Travel Essentials
  • Blog

North America

Top 5 Things to See in St. Augustine with Kids – Plus St. Augustine Itineraries

April 6, 2020 by Dana Zeliff 6 Comments

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

Top Things to See in St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida is a wonderful city to visit. It is so rich in history, being the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, that it’s the perfect place to take your world schooling kids. Plus a trip doesn’t have to be long and expensive!  In just a couple days, you can experience five of the top things to see in St. Augustine.

Many of the things you want to see are close to each other.  As long as you’re okay with some walking, you can see a lot in one day. If you can spend three days, you will be able to see a lot that the city has to offer.  Our itinerary calls for at least 2 full days.

Below are 5 things that you won’t want to miss during your visit. Follow along for some tips and personal experiences with each attraction.

It’s worth noting that there are several hotels in the area. We have visited a few times and learned that the hotels near I-95 are about 5 miles from the downtown area where you’ll be spending time. For the most part, they are not much cheaper than the hotels in town. Spend the money, if you can, and get a centrally located hotel. You can walk to many of the places we will mention plus you won’t have to worry about finding parking and paying parking fees. These fees could possibly make up the difference between staying in town vs. out of town.

Things to See in St. Augustine with Kids

Indian Area at Fountain of Youth Park
Who wants to drink from the Fountain of Youth?
Archeological dig site at Fountain of youth

 

First on the list of things to see is the Fountain of Youth. It is located just a few blocks from the historic downtown as well as 3 of the other places on this list. It’s just behind the Old Town area, so try and combine those into one day if you can.  How much you pack into one day will depend on the ages of your children and how much time you have in St. Augustine.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Destinations, North America, Florida, US Travel

Fun & Budget-Friendly Nags Head Vacations – Traveling to the Outer Banks, NC

March 20, 2020 by Dana Zeliff 9 Comments

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

Nags Head Vacations

{Pin It}

My family has been taking Nags Head vacations for as long as I can remember.  We tend to take weekend trips since we only live a couple hours away, but you could easily spend an entire week relaxing by the beach and taking in the sights.

I’ve always said we are going to Nags Head, but it’s become more common to say you are going to the Outer Banks which consists of many cities; Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Corolla, and Hatteras Island, just to name a few. Each area offers beaches, restaurants and unique attractions.  They’ve even changed all the interstate signs in my area from “Nags Head” to “Outer Banks.”  Just an interesting little fact 🙂

Fun & Budget-Friendly Nags Head Vacations:

Lodging
I must confess that a family member owns a house in Kill Devil Hills, so I’ve never had to pay for accommodations. If you don’t know anyone you can beg for a place to stay, there are countless hotels and cottage rentals to suit every need and budget.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: US Travel, Destinations, North America, North Carolina Tagged With: Outer Banks/Nags Head

Chateau Meichtry Winery Review: Great Winery in Georgia!

September 25, 2019 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.

While visiting family in Jasper, Georgia we discovered several wineries are located in the area.  We tried Chateau Meichtry at 1862 Orchard Lane in Talking Rock.  This family owned winery is open seven days a week and is between Cartecay Vineyards and Engelheim Vineyards. On the weekends, they have live entertainment.

 

Pulling into the winery past grapevines loaded with grapes the tasting room had several beautiful areas where you can enjoy a glass or a bottle of wine. Inside the main building the decor made you want to sit and taste the various red and white wines. Decorated with wood, brick, and stone with comfortable seating you wanted to sit back and stay awhile.  Outside there were three other areas where you could drink a glass or bottle of wine and enjoy a picnic.  One area had tables and umbrellas, great for fall.  We chose to sit in the covered area  enclosed with screens and ceiling fans. They also provide a separate area if you bring along your furry friend.

Wesley, our wine representative, explained the various wines and enhanced our experience with his expertise.  We had some wine leftover that he packaged for us to bring home.

For information on their selection of wines or special events check out their website @www.chateaumeichtry.com

Thanks to my mommy for writing up this review 🙂

Filed Under: Georgia, North America, US Travel

Will Teens & Tweens Enjoy Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg?

September 2, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

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

As we headed toward our room, we stepped aside as smiling kids rushed through the halls with their wands, giggling with delight as they watched a tree light up or crystal glow letting them know they scored more points. When we walked into the waterpark, we saw a little boy grab his mom’s hand and pull her toward the water fort tree house as wolf howls blared through the speakers. It had been years since we visited Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg and it was wonderful to be back. I have fond memories of my kids splashing, swimming and sliding at the large waterpark and heading back to our room with friends after a day of fun.

[Read more…]

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

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

December 18, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 12 Comments

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

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
{Pin It}

Whether your visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the first time or you’re a local, making the most out of your Busch Gardens trip will help you see and experience all the park has to offer.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is more than your typical amusement park. It has been voted the “World’s Most Beautiful Park” every year since 1990.   Take time to enjoy the landscape or you’ll miss out on what sets Busch Gardens apart from other theme parks in the US.

How to Maximize Your Visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Arrival:

First, don’t wait in line to purchase your tickets.  Buy your tickets online before you go, redeem at the kiosk (when required) and head right into the park.  Even better?  You can take advantage of Busch Gardens discount coupons to help you save more on your trip.

If you’re planning to visit for multiple days, you may want to consider a seasons pass, at least for one adult.  The hefty parking fee of $15 can add up quickly if you don’t have a seasons pass!

[Read more…]

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

Looking for Something?

Book Travel Now

Get Our FREE Travel Planner

Click here to subscribe

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…

Popular Posts:


Search by Topic

Join Us on Pinterest!

Travel Tips & Tricks

25+ Cruise Mistakes to Avoid (That Most People Don’t Think About)

Printable Road Trip Games for Kids (Free Travel Activities for Cars & Flights)

Travel Activity Box for Kids (Easy Screen-Free Travel Idea)

How I Travel (Almost) Free With Credit Card Points: Travel Hacking for Beginner’s

More Travel Tips Posts

Getting Away Without Kids

How to Find Romantic Adult Getaways

Best Beaches for Spring Break {Without Kids}

Weekend Trip to Staunton, Virginia

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

More Adult Getaways

Travel Foodie

10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France – Local Nice Specialties

Where to Get the Best Food in London With Kids

Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

Charles and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea: A Family Friendly London Tea House

More Travel Food

Copyright © 2026 · Custom Theme by PixelMeDesigns.com on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Proudly Hosted by McDonald Web Works | Disclosure & Privacy Policy