Karilyn Owen

7 Epic Things To Do in the Riviera Maya with Kids (or without!)

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Visiting the Riviera Maya in Mexico is a dream destination for many people. And why not when there are a ton of epic things to do in the Riviera Maya from exploring the oceans, history and beautiful landscapes. Growing up in Texas and living much of my adult life in California it was a shock … Read more

10 Super Fun Things to Do in Red Lodge MT

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Are you ready to fall in love with small town America? Then you must check out all the fun things to do in Red Lodge MT. On our recent Montana road trip, our first stop was in the adorable town of Red Lodge. This town proves to be the perfect base for the start of a Yellowstone road trip. From amazing restaurants, small town charm and history galore you will not be bored in this cute town. Before you head off on your adventure down the Beartooth Highway onto Yellowstone, here are some really great things to do to inspire you to stay over in Red Lodge!

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7 Documents You Need When Traveling Abroad

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Planning a trip abroad requires you to considering many things, including what documents you will need when traveling. Travelling abroad requires packing all kinds of items – including certain important documents. Without some of these documents, you may not be able to travel. In other cases, they could be handy to have in case of … Read more

Top Photo Opportunities in Rio de Janeiro

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It might not be the Brazilian capital, but Rio De Janeiro is the city most of us think about when we consider a trip to Brazil. That’s probably no surprise seeing that this sprawling seaside town offers some of the most iconic sights in the country. Not to mention that this is the home of Carnaval, and was also the stage for the 2016 Olympics. If you’re thinking about a Brazilian trip anytime soon, then, you wouldn’t be alone in putting Rio at the top of your list.

Unsurprisingly, Rio’s prime location in one of the prettiest countries in the world makes it a hotspot for some pretty astounding photo opportunities. It might not be the Amazon, but getting your camera out here is sure to capture some of the most iconic vacation snaps imaginable.

There are so many astounding sights here, in fact, that you may have to take a hard drive along with you to free up memory card space on your camera. You might even want to learn how to screenshot on Mac or your Windows laptop so that you can email your best shots straight to your home computer. Once you have the space to get shooting, though, you can finally make the most of iconic Rio sights like these four top picks.

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Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland & California Adventure

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For more than 5 years we have been season pass holders with Disney. One of the main reasons is because of the amazing holiday traditions at Disneyland. Every year my son has to visit Disneyland during the Halloween season, Christmas season and for their yearly Easter Eggstravaganza. Now experiencing Disneyland at the holidays has become a must do family tradition.

My son loves Halloween at Disneyland (tied with Christmas and Easter he says!) for so many reasons, but what he seems to love the most is the wonderful holiday decor and the slight changes to a few rides. Read on to find out what not to miss while celebrating Halloween at Disneyland.

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5 Luxury Things You Must Do In Miami

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For those who love to travel in style, luxury is a must when you’re on vacation, and where better to enjoy some luxury than Miami? This is a city that knows how to handle those who appreciate luxury Miami activities, and the best thing is that you can even find some activities that don’t come with the high, luxury price tags! 

As one of the best winter vacation destinations in the US, Miami has plenty to offer travelers of all budgets, but for those who want to pay to enjoy the luxurious side of things, there is a lot to see and do. Let’s take a look at what you could be doing in Miami on your next luxury vacation.

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My Solo Momcation: A Sedona Getaway

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Thank you Expedia for sponsoring this post. Visit Expedia.com or download the app to book your solo trip today!

Coming back from an epic 9 months around the world solo adventure with my 8 year old, it was high time for my own solo getaway. In almost 9 years of being a parent, I’ve never taken a solo trip that wasn’t to a conference or on an organized press trip.

There were so many thoughts running through my head as I packed up by carry on and headed out the door with no car seat in sight. I was worried how my husband would manage the camp drop offs and pick ups and if he could keep alive the 42 monarch caterpillars my son and I were raising.

However once on the familiar road to LAX, I let go of my anxieties and enjoyed listening to the news on NPR in solitude, excited for my adventure to begin.

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Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Manuel Antonio

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If you ask anyone where you should go in Costa Rica, the answer will always include Manuel Antonio. Home to the smallest national park in the country, there are a ton of things to do in Manuel Antonio from soaking up the rays on the beautiful beaches to exploring the rainforests teeming with wildlife.

This area of Costa Rica is perfect for first time visitors due to the variety of things to do and see, the ease of getting around and the range of accommodation options. Rainforests, white sand beaches and an amazing array of wildlife from three toed sloths to white faced capuchin monkeys to endless species of little critters, there is plenty of entertainment for all ages. Manuel Antonio is great for families looking to enjoy beach life while also exploring the adventure that Costa Rica is known for. 

Read on for our guide for everything you need to know for planning your trip to Manuel Antonio, including our top things to do in Manuel Antonio as well as where to stay, eat and how to get around.

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A Costa Rica Family Vacation with Intrepid Travel

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A Costa Rica family vacation is a must do for those who love nature, animals and adventure. For outdoor families like ours, there is no better destination, especially when you have a nature obsessed kid! 

Having been to Costa Rica twice already, we were super excited when offered the opportunity to take a Costa Rica family vacation with Intrepid travel.

I have done two tours with Intrepid already and loved them both. My first trip was to China on my own as a 20 something traveler and last year I took an amazing Borneo family holiday with my 7 year old son in tow.

This trip to Costa Rica is a bit different, as it is a Solo Parent tour. I’ve wanted to check these trips out for a while. I even tried to book one on our around the world journey, but couldn’t get the dates to work. Thus, you can imagine how excited we were to finally get the chance to check out this variant of the family tours offered by Intrepid, all while in one of our favorite countries!

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The Essential Southeast Asia Packing List (for Solo & Family Travelers)

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Traveling across the world, thinking about what to pack is often daunting. After living and traveling in Asia for decades, I have developed an excellent Southeast Asia packing list that I go to for each trip to the region. I know what to bring versus what to buy at my destination. Honestly, this is pretty much my packing list for anywhere we go in the world these days. You never know what the weather will be like with climate change, so it’s best to be prepared for all eventualities.

My ultimate Southeast Asia packing list is perfect for solo travelers as well as for family travelers.

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The Perfect Borneo Family Holiday with Intrepid Travel

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Have you ever wanted to take a Borneo family holiday to see orangutans in the wild? It has long been a dream of mine to do this. While researching the possibility of a trip, I quickly became overwhelmed with the logistics necessary for travel on this small island. Tourism infrastructure is in place but not on a large enough scale to make solo travel cost efficient like most other areas of SE Asia.

As always I turned to my trusty guide while planning a trip, Intrepid Travels tours. I often look to their tour itineraries as a guide on what all is possible in a country. Their tours are a perfect example of what I like to achieve in a trip – nature, adventure, culture and local experiences. It was then that I noticed they offer family tours and had the perfect 11 day Borneo family holiday available.

I took a tour with Intrepid to China in 2001 and have gushed about the experience ever since, so I was excited to give it a go again with my son in tow.

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Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

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Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

When most people think of Hawaii, the image that comes to mind is of laying on the beach, relaxing while the sun sets over the ocean. You can do this on the Big Island of Hawaii, but if that’s all you do, you will miss out on so much more that the island has to offer. The largest of the Hawaiian islands has it all, from active volcanoes and lush rain forests to sandy beaches and snow capped peaks. The Big Island offers something for everyone, making it a great destination for families who love to get out and explore.

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8 Magnificent Things to Do in Northern California

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When people think of all the things to do in Northern California they often just consider the landmark destinations like San Francisco and the Napa wine tasting country. However, a little further afield up the California coast lies Redding and UpState California. This area is often dubbed “the real northern California”, which is the vast area north of Sacramento all the way up to the Oregon border. This area features dramatic waterfalls, redwood forests, adorable welcoming towns and a host of other northern California attractions.

I’ve explored much of this beautiful state in the almost 20 years I have lived here, including parts of UpState California, but the area between Muir Woods and the Redwoods (because my brain thinks in terms of national parks apparently!) proved elusive. When Visit California asked what area I would like to explore in partnership with their #Kidifornia series, I jumped at the chance to finally make my way to the true northern California region to check out the natural beauty of the area’s national parks as well as the main adventure hub of Redding. Now that I have visited, I have to share my love of the area and help put this amazing region on your radar too!

Keep reading to find out our favorite things to do in northern California from north of San Francisco up to Redding and even further UpState California.

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Insider’s Guide to the Best Disneyland Rides for Toddlers

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Going to the grocery store with toddlers is a daunting and overwhelming experience for many, so you can imagine the level of anxiety that comes up for so many families when planning a trip to Disneyland with toddlers. This is even further exaggerated if you have limited time at the parks.

To help make your trip to Disneyland with toddlers easier and more fun for everyone, make sure to read our top tips on visiting Disneyland with toddlers. Here we share the best Disneyland rides for toddlers including where to beat the heat and what to do with kids who aren’t into the rides. Read on for all our secrets gleaned from our many years of visits throughout the years.

For those of you who are bravely planning to do both parks, check out our recommendations for how to do both parks in one day as well as the best rides to do with toddlers at California Adventure.

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5 Super Fun Things to Do in Buena Park CA: A Kid’s Dream Destination

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Are you heading to Southern California? While there is so much to do in the region one of the best places to visit with kids is Buena Park. There are so many things to do in Buena Park CA that it should be on every Southern California itinerary. From visiting cool dinner theaters, theme parks and eating delicious food, there is something for everyone.

 There isn’t always time or money to take elaborate vacations out of town, but that’s where staycations come in handy.  Buena Park is a great place for a staycation for those of us living in Southern California. It offers family centered fun that is easily accessible to all members of the family. 

I don’t often plan trips that are solely centered on what my child would like, but a visit to Buena Park is what most kids would plan if they had the opportunity to plan their own dream vacation. Read on to find out more about the super fun things to do in Buena Park CA.

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15 Insider Tips for Visiting Disneyland with Toddlers

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Planning a trip to Disneyland with toddlers can be overwhelming. After several years of attending as season pass holders, we have learned the ins and outs on how to get the most out of a visit. Find out all you need to know on how to avoid screaming meltdowns from you and your toddler! Also, … Read more

The Best Kids Travel Backpack Options for All Ages

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OK, you are ready to set off with your kids for the first time or the 100th, but just haven’t figured out how to pack. Our top recommendation for traveling families is to invest in a great kids travel backpack. Considering life on the road has its own obstacles to overcome, functional travel gear is a great way to help reduce everyone’s stress. 

Through the years we have found that the best travel backpacks are much more helpful than roller bags while schlepping through airports or train stations. That said, my son used his monkey roller bag in over 15 countries for several years. It was a great bag which kids love, but it is not always convenient. My son often struggled getting on escalators and up and down stairs, which meant I was left carrying it along with my bag as well.  For parents with more than one kid, this is not fun to deal with as you run for your tight connections.

Enter, the best kids travel backpack options for all ages. When my son was smaller he would carry just his travel essentials (i.e. art supplies, toys and snacks) in his backpack. Now at age 9, he carries everything he needs for our trips on his own.

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10 Magical Things to Do in Joshua Tree (+ 1 Day Itinerary)

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Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Joshua Tree for me symbolized music, not a National Park.  But because of the music, the park has always held a certain allure. Once I discovered how close it was to LA, it moved to the top of my local travel list. But, even then, it took me almost a year of living here before I made it out. Now after several trips, it continues to be one of my favorite places in Southern California.

If you are like me and can’t ever find a weekend to go, dump the excuses and head out for a day trip! It is such a magical place that it’s worth the drive even for just the day. It will be a long day for sure, but if you have kids who will nap in the car, then go for it. Even my non-car napper managed to take a quick after lunch snooze and slept the entire way home. You will not regret exploring Joshua Tree with kids – and they will thank you!

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 Must Visit San Francisco National Parks

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Do you love National Parks? Are you going to the Bay Area? Then find out 10 must visit San Francisco National Parks to put on your to do list!

During our recent visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, we unexpectedly found ourselves at a national park site that we didn’t even know existed. Researching this a bit more, I was surprised to learn there are 10 national parks near San Francisco. Considering how much we love the national parks and seek them out everywhere we go, you might find it surprising that we didn’t know about these parks. To our defense, there are over 400 sites in the US that the National Park Services manages, many of these being lesser known sites of historical significance.

While images of extraordinary natural landscapes of places like Yosemite and Yellowstone pop to mind when talking of the national parks, there are a great deal of wonderful sites located in busy populated urban areas. Many famous and well visited tourist sites are also classified under the park system (i.e. The National Mall in Washington DC), which most people don’t even realize.

For people visiting (or living!) in the San Francisco area, there are a great deal of parks that are easily accessible no matter where your trips takes you. As with all of the NPS locations throughout the country, these attractions provide an educational and fun adventure for kids and their parents, not to mention the awesome junior ranger badges!

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7 Spectacular Places to Visit In Delhi

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Are you heading to New Delhi in India? Whether it’s your first or 100th visit, we have all the best places to visit in Delhi to ensure you have the best time.

Delhi, the capital of India, is for most visitors their first view of what this fascinating country has to offer. Filled with breathtaking forts, mosques and monuments from the days of Mughal rulers alongside markers of a new, modern country that is taking hold. The contrasts between the congested, narrow roads in Old Delhi and the well-planned green New Delhi is quite striking. The city can either be overwhelming or totally engrossing, depending on how you approach it.

Having visited a handful of times, usually spending most of my time in Old Delhi being hassled by touts, I wanted to discover something new and find a way to get the real pulse of the city. On my most recent visit, I set off on a adventure looking for the best places to visit in Delhi to get a real feel of what’s happening today.

I definitely recommend spending at least some time in Old Delhi at Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, but when you are ready to get out of the craziness head to New Delhi for some of the best places to eat, shop and experience the city.  While much of this is applicable to families as well, if you have kids, check out what else is on our top picks of what to do in Delhi with kids. Otherwise, keep reading for our top picks for things to do in Delhi.

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