Category Archives: Travel

Family Fun, Travel, Travel Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells

Wet and Wild Fun at Wilderness Resort

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Recently, Alex and I packed up the kids and headed down to Wisconsin Dells for a little mini-vacation, our destination, Wilderness Resort for some wet and wild water park fun!

Not only was this our first trip to the Wilderness Resort, it was also our first trip as a family to Wisconsin Dells. I have been to the Dells before but it was over 20 years ago, for a day trip and I don’t remember a thing about it. So of course, this trip was going to be a totally new experience for all of us.

Now, if you’ve never been to Wisconsin Dells, I will be honest with you, I was overwhelmed driving into town. There was just so much to look at and so many things we wanted to find the time and check out.

We arrived at Wilderness Resort just in time for check-in and pulled up to the New Frontier Lobby and I went inside to get us all checked in for the weekend. At check-in I was greeted by a nice young man named Tomás who educated me on everything I needed to know about the resort, which slides and water parks were his favorite and pretty much where I could find everything and anything we would need. He was AWESOME and it was great to be welcomed by someone who clearly enjoys his job!

Places to Stay

The Wilderness Resort has a variety of options when it comes to finding a place to stay. They have everything from your standard room to cabins, condos and villas in varying sizes.

Once we were checked in we made our way to a parking spot, unloaded the van and checked into our room. Our room was a Double Suite Wet Bar.

The room was a perfect fit for us and offered us 425 square feet of space with a max occupancy of 7 that included two queen-size beds and a sofa sleeper with a semi-privacy wall between, a wet bar, two TV’s, microwave, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, Wi-Fi and more. We also had an upper-level pool view so we could watch others enjoying the water park.

The wet bar was a great addition to the room for us because we used it as a place to prep meals (we brought a lot of basic food items with us), feed the kids and take care of the dirty dishes.

*Children ages 2 & under stay FREE and do not need to be included in the number of registered guests.

Dining at Wilderness Resort

If you plan on dining while you are at the resort, I suggest you check out the restaurants and what they have to offer before your trip, this way you have an idea of what to expect. Wilderness has a variety of restaurants both inside the resort as well as some that are detached from the resort but still on site including Italian, a steak house and a burger joint to name a few.

Prior to our trip, we had decided we would dine at the Wild Canyon Cafe, where kids eats free, on our first night and enjoy their Friday Night Fish Fry buffet style.

Dinner was delicious and I ate more cod then any one person should! The kids also enjoyed their meals but I think they enjoyed their desserts from the buffet and their chocolate milk even more. I was also very pleased with our service at Wild Canyon Cafe and we couldn’t have asked for a better server! (Thanks Duane!)

In addition to the dining, there are also great places to grab a drink, like Survivors Bar & Grill or The Thirsty Buffalo Saloon. 

The Water Parks

Now lets face it, if you are staying at the Wilderness Resort, the chances are pretty good that the reason you are there is to enjoy their water parks. 

With eight AMAZING indoor and outdoor water parks – all EXCLUSIVELY for the use of Wilderness guests, you can bet you will have a wet and wild time!

Since we were hanging with the little kids for the weekend, we didn’t get to partake in the big water slide action but we had just as much fun hitting up the areas for the younger crowd.

Our first stop was the Wild WaterDome, a 70,000 square foot indoor water park overflowing with fun! The Wild WaterDome is home to the Great Wave (America’s largest indoor wave pool!) the Dueling Mammoths family raft rides, and Mini Mammoths Cove play area! 

The kids love slides, regardless of their size and it was a constant up the steps and down the slide night for them.

We also hit up the New Frontier Outdoor Water Park where Alexander took advantage of the big slides while Joey and Ellie hung out in the kiddie pool splashing and sliding.

Joey couldn’t get enough of either of the slides in the kiddie area and I really think this was his favorite thing about the entire trip to the park!

The kids really had a lot of fun at the New Frontier Outdoor Water Park and I’m glad we went down to check it out. I also really liked this park because they had an inground pool so we could take the kids in and practice their swimming or just relax. (This is the park we could see from the balcony in our room).

In addition to these parks, there are 6 more and plenty for everyone, of all ages to enjoy. I wish we would have had more time to check out all of the water parks. I guess this just means we need to go back again!

More to Do!

If 8 water parks and a variety of restaurants isn’t enough to keep you entertained then you will be happy to know that Wilderness Resort is also the home to a variety of attractions, including 4 different arcades, lazer tag, go-karts, zip-lining, sky ropes, a 4 story play park, mini golf and more! For those who are looking for some quiet time you can hit the golf course or the spa!

Take Home Some Souvenirs

Be sure to check out one of the many shops at Wilderness Resort and bring home a little something to remember your trip! With everything from stuffed animals, toys and clothing, you will definitely find the perfect item for you!

Connect

You can find out more about Wilderness Resort and everything they have to offer for vacations, weddings, events and more by visiting their website or by checking them out on Facebookor Twitter.

Thank you to Wilderness Resort for inviting our family to come down to Wisconsin Dells for a visit. Also, thank you to the staff who assisted us when Alex became ill and needed immediate medical attention. We appreciate everything you did for him and our family.

 

 

Dining Out, Family Fun, Sheboygan, Travel, Travel Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Everything IS Better at The Blue Harbor Resort

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If you are looking for a destination for a great family getaway you should consider a visit to Blue Harbor Resort & Spa in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Blue Harbor Resort is the #1 resort on Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Coast and offers 180 hotel rooms and 64 villas. Our family was recently fortunate to visit Blue Harbor for 3 days/2 nights and check out everything they have to offer.

Now, as you can probably imagine, traveling as a group of 7 we tend to need a lot of stuff and we take up a lot of space. Thankfully, Blue Harbor has a room to fit everyone’s needs.

Loft Fireplace Suite

We stayed in a Loft Fireplace Suite, a 736 square foot room that sleeps 8 and offers 2 queen size beds and a full-size sofa sleeper on the first floor complete with a full bathroom, wet bar, mini-fridge, microwave, 2 flat screen TVs, fireplace and a small balcony as well as a loft area with a 3rd queen size bed, half-bath and a 3rd flat screen TV.

Blue Harbor also has additional suites and villas available to meet the specific needs of your family, including rooms with bunk beds or those that are perfect for a romantic getaway!

Now, as much as I wanted to crawl right into that giant and fluffy queen size bed, the kids definitely had other plans and were dying to hit up some water slides at Breaker Bay, Blue Harbor’s year-round indoor water park.

Breaker Bay

The weather is always nice and the water is always 84° in this 54,000-square-foot entertainment area and everyone is sure to have a great time!

Breaker Bay has an interactive lighthouse water fort that features a nearly 1,000-gallon tipping water ship, an activity center that is interconnected with suspension bridges, cargo nets, web crawls and more than 60 guest-activated water effects, 4 water slides, lazy river, pool, jacuzzi tub and the Riptide surf simulator.

Everyone had a great time playing in the water, going down the slides, playing water basketball and just having a lot of fun!

This trip was Ellie’s first time on a water slide and although she wasn’t quite sure about it at first, she was hooked by the time our trip was over!

For Libby and Alexander, it was a constant race to the bottom!

As for Joey, he just really liked being in the water and playing!

 

Ride The Riptide

One thing that was an absolute hit with Alex and Alexander was The Riptide Surf Simulator. I’m pretty sure they would have spent all of their time body boarding had we not had other things on the agenda while we were visiting Blue Harbor.

Dining at Blue Harbor

On our first morning, after a long night of swimming and a toddler who didn’t want to go to sleep, I was ecstatic to learn that Shoreline Café offers a full line of Starbucks coffees as well as some delicious treats.

Although the kids were exhausted after hours and hours of fun at Breaker Bay, we still had the chance to enjoy some of the delicious food from the different restaurants at Blue Harbor.

On our second night, we had dinner delivered right to our room from The Beacon while Joey napped before heading out to the Tripoli Shrine Circus.

Dinner was absolutely delicious and we have been craving those crisp Wisconsin cheese curds since!

We were also very pleased that The Beacon offers a kids menu with a large selection as well.

Once we returned from the circus and got the kids all settled in for the night, we left them in the capable hands of our trusty teenagers and Alex and I took some time to ourselves to enjoy a nightcap at On The Rocks Bar & Grill where we were happy to find New Glarus Spotted Cow on tap!

 

Blue Harbor is also the home to Latitude 43, a more upscale restaurant serving seafood and steak in a seaside setting with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. 

If you are hungry or in need of a drink while playing at Breaker Bay, you can grab something from the Rocky Bottom Snack Bar or if you are enjoying the outdoor pool, be sure to check out the Poolside Snack Bar for a selection of beers and frozen cocktails!

Shopping

If you are looking to do a little shopping, be sure to check out The Boutique, located in the lobby, offers a wonderful selection of interesting gifts and home decor items including Vera Bradley handbags and accessories, Broken Earth Wines and so much more!

Connected to Breaker Bay, you will find Washed Ashore Swim Shop filled with gifts & sundries including swimwear, towels and more.

If you want to step outside and go for a stroll, be sure to stop by the Harbor Centre, a quaint village within easy walking distance of Blue Harbor’s front door filled with a variety of one-of-a-kind shops.

Relax

One thing I was hoping to do on this trip but just didn’t have the time for was pay a visit to Reflections Spa for some serious pampering (hopefully I can enjoy some me time on another trip!).

Reflections Spa offers a full menu of spa services and packages that are sure to make your stay very relaxing.

There’s EVEN MORE!

Although we didn’t get a chance to experience it all, Blue Harbor has even more to offer its guests including mini glow golf, a fitness center, lakeside activities, golf, kids club, activities for teens and so much more. At Blue Harbor, there really is something for everyone!

Our Experience

Overall, our trip to Blue Harbor Resort & Spa was great. We all had an awesome time, spent as much time as we could in the water, enjoyed the dining, the views and enjoying our time together as a family.

Thanks to our friends at Blue Harbor Resort & Spa for this amazing opportunity for our family to celebrate the end of the school year and kick off our summer vacation!

Connect

You can find out more about Blue Harbor and everything they have to offer for vacations, weddings, events and more by visiting their website or by checking them out on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Travel, Travel Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Save Up to 30% Off at Blue Harbor Resort {Coupon Inside}

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Like I have said more than once on this site, going on vacation as a large family is not something that is really easy for us to do.  As you can imagine, airfare for 2 adults and 5 kids is expensive and there is rarely a hotel room that can accomodate us all at an affordable price.

When it comes to vacations, we like to do little getaways and staycations that are close to home so we can keep costs down and ensure there is something for everyone to do and enjoy.

I’m excited to share that we will be heading to Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan in a few weeks to enjoy some family time.

It’s Better At The Blue

Blue Harbor Resort & Spa is the #1 resort on Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coast. With stunning beachfront and water views, Blue Harbor Resort features 182 suites, 64 villas, more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 54,000 square-foot indoor waterpark entertainment area including a mini glow golf course, a full service spa, three restaurants, and recreation amenities including watersports and access to the Bull golf course.

This award winning resort is located just two hours north in nearby and scenic Sheboygan, WI, known as the “Malibu of the Midwest.” Visit BlueHarborResort.com or call 866.701.BLUE.

The kids are looking forward to hitting up the Breaker Bay waterpark and checking out the new Riptide Surf Simulator.

Doesn’t that look like a ton of fun?? 

Of course, in addition to the waterpark, we are looking forward to relaxing and having lots of fun too! I, of course, am hoping to sneak away and pay a visit to the spa with Alex and get a pedicure or maybe just spoil myself!

Save

FREE Water Park Passes and Savings Up to 30% OFF – Get Free Water Park Passes and Enjoy Special Savings at the #1 Resort on Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Coast.

 

Be sure to check back for an update all about our trip to Blue Harbor Resort! 

Connect

You can connect with Blue Harbor Resort on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

europe, Travel

Indulge Yourself in the Sweetness of Rome

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When people think of Italian food, most think of pasta, pizza and savory seafood dishes, but Italy also has a variety of offerings for a sweet tooth. Rome holidays are perfect for foodies who want to indulge in mouthwatering sweets as well as dishes and globetrotters who want to try something new. Where the idea of dessert originated, usually consisting of cheese, grapes and cakes flavoured with honey. Here are some of today’s classic favourites, and one with a different twist:

BISCOTTI

These are usually considered the crisp twice-baked pastries we all like to dunk into our morning coffee, but in Rome, the word just means “cookies” in general. Pop into any bakery or pastry shop and your taste buds will be tempted by the array of delectable choices. Amaretti are a classic favourite, with their characteristic crackled tops, as are the pignoli, a moist chewy almond paste – based treat studded with pine nuts. Another beloved pastry is the pizzelle, a waffle-type of cookie baked in a special iron, and flavoured with anise.

CANNOLI

The dessert most often associated with Italy, these luscious pastries are traditionally filled with flavoured ricotta, or sometimes mascarpone, and dusted with confectioners’ sugar. They are a staple in Roman bakeshops and cafes.

TIRAMISU

There are many versions of this delectable dessert, and its origin is hotly disputed, but you’ll have fun trying to pick your favourite! It’s based on savoiardi, or Italian ladyfingers which are soaked in coffee, and layered with mascarpone. Dusted with cocoa, it’s the treat to try when in Rome.

GELATO

The history of gelato starts in ancient Rome when ice was brought down from the mountains and kept underground. Stemming from the italian word “gelatus” which means “frozen”, there are countless flavours available, and choosing one is a holiday in itself! Try some made with “fragoline”, tiny wild strawberries harvested from the Roman countryside’ a rare and sublime treat.

CROSTATA DI VISCIOLE

This is one of the iconic desserts of Rome. Baked in a flaky lattice-topped pastry, the filling consists of jam made with visciole, a wild cherry native to Rome. This is a treat not to be missed when visiting Rome. The intense colour and flavour of this fruit is a truly unique taste experience.

In Summary

So if you’re a foodie who wants to indulge in some mouthwatering dishes and desserts while in Rome, make sure to try the abovementioned food. They are indeed mouthwatering and some of them can only be tried in this city.

caribbean, Travel

Top Barbados Attractions That You Shouldn’t Miss

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Barbados is one of the most developed of the Atlantic and Caribbean islands and still retains some of the cultural aspects attained from its British roots. Contrary to many beliefs, Barbados is not just a place of fine beaches; it is also a tourist destination that boasts of architectural and natural wonders. If you are looking to visit this magnificent destination any time soon, the following are some of its must see attractions:

Crane Beach

This beautiful beach features pink, coral sands and was at one time a boat landing and cargo unloading spot. Crane Beach is presently one of the most popular beaches on the island with locals and tourists alike coming here to frolic, surf and sunbathe. It is also a great place for snorkeling and swimming. On land, it is dotted by tranquil botanical gardens and caverns.

Bathsheba

Bathsheba is a popular village among Barbadians and international surfers. It is located in St. Joseph parish, which is about fourteen miles from Bridgetown, and is studded with huge boulders which many say look similar to Bathsheba’s, King David’s wife’s, bath. If you are not into surfing, its inshore pools won’t disappoint, and are the answer to the hot tub in this area.

The Andromeda Botanic Gardens

If you wish to unwind after spending the day checking out attractions on the island, the Andromeda Tropical Botanic Gardens offer a serene environment. Overlooking the Atlantic, they have a wide variety of tropical plants from all over the world and boast a view to die for. Some of the most unique flora here are the breadfruit trees, which were part of a collection belonging to the infamous Captain Bligh. Rare palm and succulent plant species can also be found here. In addition, there is a large number of bearded fig trees, which were once abound on the island, causing Portuguese sailors to christen the island “Barbados”, meaning “the bearded ones”.

Gun Hill Signal Station

This site was built at the beginning of the 19th century to warn of approaching enemy ships and signal the arrival of vessels with cargo. It boasts awesome vistas of the whole island, and is situated in St. George.

Conclusion

Barbados is an island that receives a large number of tourists every year. It has numerous attractions to check out. However, the highlighted are just a few of its many must visit sights.

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