Princess Pinky Girl: Travel-nista!

Travel is one of my passions.  I love everything about it!  I love getting on an airplane, landing in a new city, finding my first Starbucks, checking into my hotel (and then switching rooms at least once, if not twice), exploring the city, finding the perfect restaurants and then making the most of every single minute I am there!

One of my very favorite parts of traveling is the planning - some people hate it, but I just love it!  I don't exactly know what it is about the planning aspect of the trip, I think it has to do with the feeling of anticipation for the trip - sometimes I think the anticipation is almost as good as the experience - it almost extends the vacation that is over before you even know it.  The best part is, I have a knack for travel planning.  It may be my OCD of researching every aspect of the trip.  I must find the best flight, the best seat on the plane, the best hotel, the best restaurants, the best things to do and see - but for me, if you don't get all of these things for the very best price - you have failed!!

As many of you know, we have three boys ages 8, 11 and 14.  My husband, Adam, and I have always loved traveling with our kids and we have been extremely fortunate to be able to do so many times.  However any parents out there understands that traveling with kids is a whole new ballgame!  You see, there is a difference between a "trip" and a "vacation".

trip  verb \trip\ 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: to hit your foot against something while you are walking or running so that you fall or almost fall  

Fishkind Family: to go away from home with your family over a school or summer break, pay ridiculously high-season prices and continually hear "I am bored"

va·ca·tion noun, often attributive \vā-ˈkā-shən, və-\ 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel 

Fishkind Family: a period of time that a family spends away from home and EVERYONE, including the parents get to relax and enjoy themselves

We have taken many, many trips, but only a few real vacations.  We have gone down to Florida over school breaks only to have crappy weather and numerous trips to the mall and Target to fill some time.  We have gone to Mexico, Disney, California and a number of cruises.

I thought it may be a nice idea to write some posts on family travel and planning.  I will share some tips and some insight on experiences that we have had over the years.  We also have some upcoming trips that I will share our pre-planning, our actual 'on the trip as we go' and a post trip debrief.

I hope this will be helpful to those of you out there in the midst of trip planning.  Hopefully some of my advice will help turn your next "trip" into a "vacation!"

Also, I am happy to answer any question that you may have and help find some good deals for you too!!