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US Travel

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

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

McLean Hilton Tysons Corner Review & American Girl Package Excellence

June 9, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 13 Comments

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

Mclean Hilton Tysons Corner Review & American Girl Package
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During our visit to the American Girl Tysons Corner Store we stayed one night at the McLean Hilton in Tysons Corner. The hotel is gorgeous and the American Girl Package was a great option.

Mclean Hilton American Girl Doll Bed

Getting the American Girl Package not only meant a great rate (cheaper than other discounts) but there was a complementary American Girl doll bed in the room that LuLu was able to keep.  She might have 3 beds for her doll at home, but having a travel bed sure made her a happy girl!

She also received a little goodie bag with a free breakfast voucher. Additionally, the package comes with FREE shuttle service to the Tyson Corner Mall, so you don’t have to drive.  It was nice to just jump on the shuttle and not have to worry about parking.

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Filed Under: US Travel, Washington DC, Accommodation Reviews, North America, Destinations

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…

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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.

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