Karilyn Owen

15 Fantastic Things to Do in Israel with Kids

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Are you considering traveling to Israel with kids? Visiting Israel this past year with my son was one of the big surprises on our year away. This complicated country often gets bad press and as such doesn’t end up high on family travel destination lists, but it should! Israel offers a myrida of great things to do for all ages and types of travelers.

Whether you are religious or not, Israel is an amazing place to travel due to the fascinating history, unique landscapes and of course the delicious food. Read on to find out why we loved Israel and think that more families should put this little country rich in history on their wishlist.

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12 Spectacular State and National Parks Near Las Vegas

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Las Vegas is well known for its casinos and nightlife. However, surprising to most, Las Vegas is also a great hub for exploring some of the west’s most beautiful nature. There are several great state and national parks near Las Vegas, offering visitors a mix of glitz and glamour while also showcasing some of the best natural landscapes in the US.

With cheap flights in and out of Las Vegas and tons of things to do with families, more and more travelers are using this city as the gateway for some of the best outdoor experiences in the West. Below we provide a comprehensive guide to 12 amazing state and national parks near Las Vegas, including national monument and recreation sites.

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10 MUST Read Tips for Traveling to Israel (+ What to Do)

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Are you traveling to Israel soon? If so, read on for our top tips on traveling to Israel along with the best things to do in Israel included too!

Israel is a beautiful, complicated, full of history country. Only the size of New Jersey, this country is bursting with amazing places to visit for both the religious and non religious. However planning a trip to Israel brings a lot of unknowns for first time visitors. After spending almost a month in the country this year with my son, I want to share this detailed travel guide with you including all that I wish I had known before visiting Israel. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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10 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Taj Mahal in India

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If you are on a trip to India, the you will surely be planning visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. As one of the premier attractions in India it is on every bucket list, but there is a lot of information to know before you go to ensure you have the best visit. 

This white marble magnificence was ordered to be built by Shah Jahan for his most loved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Often called a monument to love, the Taj Mahal is spellbinding, no matter how many times you see it. 

After living in India for a decade and visiting the Taj Mahal many times throughout the years, with and without kids, I share with you my top 10 mistakes to avoid when visiting the Taj Mahal. Make sure to read all of this as it contains very important information that will make or break your once in a lifetime visit to this iconic landmark. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Festival of Colors: Tips to Celebrate Holi in India

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Is celebrating the Festival of Colors, also known as Holi in India on your bucket list? If so, keep reading to find out all about how to celebrate one of our all time favorite holidays. After 10 years of celebrating it in the streets of India (and 7 in Los Angeles), we have become experts … Read more

Where to Stay in Tucson with Kids

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If you are heading to Southern Arizona, you must visit the wonderful town of Tucson. Below we provide you with some great options on where to stay in Tucson with kids!

For me, when planning a trip somewhere, one of the biggest roadblocks is figuring out where to stay. Every destination is filled with so many options – from budget options and home stays to fancy resorts. Do you want to stay in downtown Tucson or near the University of Arizona? A historic hotel, bed and breakfast or you just want something with a pool and hot tub! This can be one of the most overwhelming parts of travel planning. After our 10 day visit and hours of research, I wanted to share it all with you. 

All of the hotels listed below are super family friendly offering various amenities to help you enjoy your time in Tucson. There are a ton of other options in the city that we also had the opportunity to check out, but these are our favorites that we would highly recommend if you are planning a trip to the Sonoran Desert any time soon!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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15 Fun Things to Do in Tucson with Kids

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Heading to Southern Arizona and looking for fun things to do in Tucson with kids? We have you covered here with our top 10 epic things to do in this adorable town.

Surrounded by 4 mountain ranges, bookended by a national park and situated on the banks of a river is one of Arizona’s most welcoming towns. Tucson, Arizona is well known for being a fun loving college town and a haven for star watchers looking to study the skies. It’s newest claim to fame as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy is quickly making a name for the town with the foodies.

Even with all the accolades, families often overlook Tucson, instead focusing their holidays on the big names of the state like the Grand Canyon and Route 66. And that is a shame. After 10 days in Tucson, we found it to be the perfect destination for a family vacation, especially for families who love the outdoors.

Additionally, Tucson provides a great deal of activities combining history, culture and science, making it a dream for homeschoolers or any family who likes to add fun, engaging educational experiences into their travels. Read on, for our top 15 things to do in Tucson with kids.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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10+ Awesome Stops You’ll Love On An Alaska Road Trip

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When you tell most people you are going to Alaska they assume you are going on a cruise. For years I also thought that was the only way to see America’s last frontier. However, the best way to get the full experience is to plan a perfect Alaska road trip itinerary full of stops most cruise ships don’t even see. The drive from Anchorage to Seward has even won awards for being one of the most beautiful drives in the country. During your road trip, you will be showered with breathtaking landscapes, stunning mountains, glaciers and of course wildlife.

While a cruise can provide a wonderful experience, not much can beat an Alaska road trip in my opinion. Road trips allow you plenty of time to explore a destination with spontaneity, allowing you to uncover hidden gems along the way as well as providing the ability to explore breathtaking landscapes off the beaten path. For families, it’s imperative to have flexibility which is another reason we opted to experience Alaska by land.

Read on for all of our tips on creating the perfect Alaska road trip itinerary starting in Anchorage.

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Best Resort for Beginner Skiing Near Los Angeles

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Are you looking for the best place to begin skiing near Los Angeles? If so, look no further than Mountain High. Located just an hour drive outside of Los Angeles, Mt High is the perfect beginner resort for adults and kids alike. While there are plenty of other ski resorts in California, and even many … Read more

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Trip to India

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India is a favorite destination among travelers for its varied and interesting culture, natural beauty and of course food. Planning a trip to India for the first time can feel daunting, but it’s not really that bad once you do a little bit of research!

After 10 years of living in India and more than 15 years of traveling to the country, I share the biggest mistakes tourists make when planning a trip to India. Read on to find out all you need to know when planning a trip to India.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Bluestem Hotel | One of the Best Hotels in Torrance CA

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Heading to Los Angeles’s South Bay area and looking for hotel options? Look no further – the Bluestem Hotel is one of the best hotels in Torrance CA!

Torrance is located just 15 minutes from LAX, and is well situated for various Southern California attractions, making it an excellent place to stay for a visit to Los Angeles. While there are plenty of chain hotel options in the area, in our opinion the best place to stay is at Torrance’s first boutique hotel, Bluestem.

Newly opened in 2019, this chic modern boutique hotel is a welcome addition to the scene in the South Bay. It is just another example of how Torrance is busy reinventing itself. With over 400 eateries, 11 breweries, art galleries and the beach, there are so many things to do in Torrance for your next stay. Read on to find out what we thought about the hotel and why it should be your only choice in Torrance!

Disclosure: My stay at Bluestem was hosted by Discover Torrance as part of a weekend trip to the area to explore all the family friendly things to do in Torrance California. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Also note, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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15 Great Things to Do in Torrance: LA’s Hottest Beach Town

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Are you looking to visit Torrance in the South Bay of Los Angeles? Whether you are visiting the area or coming on a day trip from somewhere in Los Angeles, we have you covered with all the things to do in Torrance on your visit.

What was once the sleepy step sibling to more popular Southern California neighbors of Redondo and Hermosa Beach, Torrance has come into its own. In the last few years Torrance has blossomed into a happening town full of amazing restaurants, with a burgeoning brewery scene, art galleries and even its first boutique hotel.

We had the opportunity to visit Torrance a few weeks ago and had so much fun! Between being out in nature, exploring the Japanese food and shops of the area and eating our way through some of LA’s best restaurants, we can’t wait to go back and share it with you all too.

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10 Epic Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids

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Planning your next family vacation and thinking of going to Jamaica? The island is filled with sun, fun and adventure – perfect for entertaining the kids in your life. Plus, there are also plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax. Jamaica is a lot more than beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts. Read on to find out what we think are the best things to do in Jamaica with kids.

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The Ultimate Holiday Events Guide to Christmas in Los Angeles

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The holiday season is upon us which means an overload of things to do in Los Angeles. Even though we don’t get the snowy cold weather, this city knows how to celebrate for the holidays! Parades, neighborhood Christmas light extravaganzas, Santa photo ops and of course classically southern California winter fun – sand sledding!

If you are like me, you have mental lists of everything you want to do, but then mommy brain takes over and things fall by the wayside! So here it is, for me, for you and everyone visiting Los Angeles over the holidays, our comprehensive list of all the amazing and awesome holiday related activities and events to attend in for Christmas in Los Angeles from November to January.

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Dishoom: The Best Indian Food in London

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Everyone is always looking for the best Indian food in London and I’m here to tell you that it is Dishoom! Ever since we left India several years ago I have been on the hunt for great Indian food everywhere we go. After living in India for almost a decade, you can imagine our standards are quite high.

We require a good variety of dishes common to India (aka paneer), good spice levels and authentic tastes. It is not easy, but we have found some delicious Indian food around the world, sometimes in the least expected places! One of our favorite Indian food discoveries was on our trip to Fiji last year. It was a small hole in the wall place that our taxi driver recommended when we had a 2 hour layover before our flight home. It was a perfect and unexpected way to end our trip.

However, we have found our new favorite Indian restaurant that is not in India. It’s the old style Irani Bombay cafe chain restaurant Dishoom in London. I know, it’s a chain restaurant, but keep reading!

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11 Magical Things to Do in Iceland with Kids

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Are you considering taking a trip to Iceland with kids? Do it! Iceland is the darling jewel of travel destinations these days and as such it has come to the forefront as an ideal family destination. With an abundance of amazing things to do in Iceland with kids from dramatic waterfalls, erupting geysers and other fabulous natural wonders, it’s no wonder it has soared to popularity. 

That said, planning a trip to Iceland can also prove to be overwhelming. The sheer amount of information on the internet combined with the fact that very few of the names are even remotely pronounceable can make it frustrating to plan a trip there.

After weeks and weeks of sorting through blog posts and visiting the country ourselves a few times, we have come up with the ultimate guide to Iceland with the best things to do in Iceland with kids or without! Many of these things can be done throughout the country depending on your itinerary which is nice since you don’t have to drive all over the place to do a few amazing things. While some activities require kids to be older, most are things all families can enjoy together. Read on for our top things to do in Iceland with kids along with suggestions on where to stay and how to get around.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

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The Truth Behind the Delta Basic Economy Fare

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Have you booked a Delta Basic Economy fare and not sure what you’ve gotten yourself into? Step inside where we dish the truth about what Delta’s basic economy fare really means. If you follow my blog, you will know that I am a fan of budget airlines, like Spirit and WOW Air, as their rock … Read more

21 Amazing Family Friendly Things to Do in Los Angeles for Halloween

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Are you in Los Angeles for Halloween or anytime during October? Read on for our list of 21 amazing things to do in Los Angeles for folks of all ages who are here during the Halloween season. Updated for 2019, find out some of our favorites that are on hold for the year and what new events have popped up instead!

This list was initially started to keep track of all the traditions my son wanted to do each year for Halloween. For him it’s not just the one day of trick or treating, rather it’s the build up that is the most fun. Decorating the front yard, visiting the 99 cent store for more cheesy, scary decorations and of course attending as many Halloween themed events as he can muster!

To make sure you are getting the most out of the season, here is our current list of all the things you can (and according to my 9 year old *must*) do.

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The 7 Best California Ski Resorts for All Ski Levels

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Skiing in California? Yes it is true, California does have a pretty decent ski community even though it’s not quite as grand as some of the Rocky Mountain states. Up and down the state there are many great California ski resorts that are worth checking out. Below are 7 tried and tested California ski resorts that you should make a visit to!  Travel bloggers share their tips on what makes each of these resorts great,where to stay and more.

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