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Travel Tips & Tricks

The Perfect Watersport Vacation in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica, a Central American gem, is an adventurer’s dream. Full of lush rainforests and pristine beaches, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is a hotspot for watersport enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to surf the perfect wave, find tranquillity in paddleboarding or a thrill in white-water rafting, Costa Rica offers a playground for every kind of water lover. Here are the best activities to enjoy on a watersport vacation in Costa Rica.

Surfing in Costa Rica

With approximately 800 miles of coastline split between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica boasts a variety of surf breaks suitable for all levels. If you’re a seasoned surfer, head to the beach town of Tamarindo on the Pacific coast. Known for its consistent waves and vibrant surf culture, Tamarindo offers perfect conditions year-round. More advanced surfers can test their skills at breaks like Playa Grande and Avellanas.

On the Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo offers a different vibe. You’ll find Salsa Brava, suited for experienced surfers and one of Costa Rica’s most famous and powerful waves. After surfing, kick back in Puerto Viejo with reggae beats and Caribbean cuisine.

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4 Beach Read Recommendations for Your Family

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With summer well underway, many families have the opportunity to travel around the country and go abroad. Statistics on vacation destinations found that 32% of travelers prefer going to the beach to soak up the sun. It’s an excellent place for parents to relax and kids to enjoy the summer heat. Reading at these destinations is also a wonderful way for families to bond and unwind.

Thankfully, technology has made it even more convenient to bring beach reads along as a family. Digital libraries are virtual collections of books that can be accessed anytime and anywhere, as they’re less bulky than physical books. Everand, in particular, is a great platform, as they have a wide range of children’s ebooks that your family can enjoy by the shore. With titles such as Walkin’ the Dog and A Shell is Cozy, the platform offers stories that everyone in the family can enjoy.

If you are looking for beach reading recommendations for your family’s next trip, here are a few titles you can look out for:

Swim Swim Sink by Jenn Harney

Swim Swim Sink is an illustrated book by Jenn Harney about three ducks learning to swim. Two succeed, while the third struggles, making for a fun and hilarious account of trial and error. The book even has a rhyming scheme that would catch the attention of any infant or toddler.

Swim Swim Sink has amusing narratives and illustrations that your younger children can appreciate. It’s a light and bright story that can fit the happy mood of your beachside vacation. Swim Swim Sink is an easy read that keeps young kids entertained.

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What to Pack for Europe: The 6+ Things I Wish I Packed for Europe {And You Will Too!}

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After 4 years of traveling around Europe, there are a few things that we’ve learned to always pack in our suitcase.  If you’re traveling here for the first time, we’ve put your mind at ease and list exactly what to pack for Europe.  Make sure these 6 things are in your suitcase on each visit.

What to Pack for Europe:

1. Washcloths – Most European hotels and apartments don’t provide washcloths. The exception is the UK where we’ve found them more often than not – but not always. My most recent hotel in London didn’t have them, so it was a good thing I packed my own.

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NCL Secrets – Our Top 22+ Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks

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NCL Secrets

Who doesn’t love unlimited food, around the clock entertainment and almost daily visits to new countries?

These are just a few of the reasons why cruising has become one of the most popular ways to vacation with 31.7 million passengers cruising worldwide in 2023.

With all the sailing opportunities, it’s important to make the most of your time and money. That’s why we put together these 22 Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks. Don’t miss a chance to experience all that NCL has to offer!

NCL Secrets – Norwegian Cruise Line Tips and Tricks

Cruise savings –

I’ve written a more detailed article on ways to save on booking a cruise that is worth a read. Many of these tips are the same for all cruise lines, so it’s a great article to start off with before you book.

However, there are some tricks specific to NCL.   First, sign up for the NCL newsletter and you will be notified of special offers.  Each email will include any available discounts, point bonuses or specials available.   It is common for NCL to run “More at Sea” offers. Depending on the promotion and the room category you book, you can get 1 to 4 free offers per cruise.   These typically include a FREE Ultimate Beverage Package, FREE Specialty Dining Package, FREE Wifi Package or a cruise excursion credit. Pairing these offers with a cruise sale can add up to huge savings. The More at Sea promo replaced the Free at Sea promo on October 1, 2024.

**Please note that you will be required to pay the 20% gratuity for the price of the beverage package and specialty dining.  While the package itself is free, you’re still responsible for the gratuity. However, you only pay gratuity on the drink package price, you don’t pay gratuity for every drink purchased on the ship assuming it falls within the package limits.

NCL also offers Military and AARP discounts for those that qualify.

Download my FREE Printable Cruise Planner to keep all your trip details organized!

Cork that bottle –

Alcohol can be expensive on board cruise ships.  Purchase a bottle while on board and have the NCL staff cork it if you can’t finish the entire bottle.  At dinner, they will label the bottle with your name and cabin number, so you can enjoy it the next night.

You can also bring your own bottle of wine. You’ll pay a $15 corking fee for a 750ml bottle upon boarding. No other alcohol can be brought on board. However, with the new More at Sea promotion, the corkage fee is waived. “Guests who have the beverage package as part of the More At Sea™ promotion, will not be charged a corkage fee if the guest brings a bottle(s) of wine onboard.”

Wine Policy – Yes, guests may bring sealed bottles of wine on board for personal consumption. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 USD for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 USD for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle. Box wines are not allowed on board. If guests do not wish to pay the corkage fee, the wine will be held onboard and returned to the guests at the end of the cruise.

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Gift Guide for Traveling Kids

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Travel Gift Ideas for Kids

Do you know someone who travels a lot with their kids?  Or may be you’re looking for inspiration on what to get your mini travelers.  We put together a gift guide for traveling kids to help you out this holiday season.  These items were suggested by my kiddos when they were younger and approved by their travel fanatic parents.

Travel Gift Ideas For Kids:

:: PROGRACE Kids Camera Waterproof – Let kids record their own adventures.

  • Camera Gift Boys Photography – kids camera is ideal Vlogging Youtube video camera for kids toys gift, starter children digital camera age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 year old christmas birthday presents.
  • Multifunctional Kids Camcorder – This kids action camera has CMOS image sensor, HD 1080P/30fps videos and 5MP photos, 40 photo frames, 7 color video modes, 4X digital zoom, burst shooting, time-lapse photo, face recognition.
  • Kids Waterproof Camera Depth UP To 98ft – Really kids underwater camera comes with strong case and accessories for skating swimming bike skateboard helmet. Cool kids camera can take pictures and videos. Great action camera for kids sports toy!

:: VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix – Young travelers can snap pictures without parents worrying about damage to the camera.

  • Take real digital photographs with the durable Kidizoom Camera Pix by VTech; real 2.0 mega pixels camera; 4x digital zoom; Frustration Free Packaging means it comes easier to open in a plain brown box
  • The kid-friendly Kidizoom Camera Pix includes all the tools that budding photographers want in a digital camera; durable design protects from drops and tumbles
  • Selfie mode detects your face and automatically takes the perfect picture; four built-in games add to the fun; includes a video recorder and voice recorder for more creative ways to play.Operating Temperature:0 – 40°C

:: KODAK PIXPRO FZ55-BK 16MP Digital Camera – Older kids can capture their own memories with a digital camera just like their parents but for a lower price tag.

  • 16 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
  • 5X Optical Zoom – 28mm Wide Angle Lens
  • 1080P Full HD Video – Vlogging Camera
  • SD Card Compatibility: At least Class 10, no more than 512GB (SD, SDHC, SDXC)
  • 2.7″ LCD Screen – Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery

:: Trunki: The Original Ride-On Suitcase – Little travelers can ride on their luggage when they get tired or bored!

  • Hard-wearing and light weight plastic
  • Award-winning British design, made in the UK and China
  • Ride-on, tow-along, carry-on suitcase, ideal for vacations, sleep overs, weekends away
  • Perfect for planes, trains and automobiles and att home, encourages pretend play and doubles as toy trunk
  • Free five year warranty & holds up to 75lbs

:: Wired Headphones For Kids – While earbuds are smaller and easier for travel, they aren’t as comfortable for my kids.  Plus they tend to turn those up too loud.

  • On-ear headphones has padded soft cushions with a soft touch finish. Adjustable headband for a perfect fit, and a lightweight design for kids age 3 and up. Foldable design for a more compact and easy storage. The cord is a 5 feet long nylon braided cable. Designed for kids, girls, boys, children, toddlers, home/online school, training.
  • 24-Month Hassle-Free Warranty, Easy to Reach Customer Service.
  • There is NO microphone, remote or volume control on these headphones but you can still speak into the device’s mic that you are plugged into. The receiving end will hear you through the device mic’s.

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