City ❀ Country ❀ Beach
This post contains no advice from any medical perspective. These are solely my opinions. If you’re like me, I have “vacation anticipation.” It’s a term that means you just CAN’T WAIT until your vacation and everything you do that leads up to it makes you …
Filled with soul and character, Memphis has everything you want to make this city your next vacation destination with our 10 best attractions for everyone. Our home state of Florida has tons of things to do, but on this road trip, we decided to join my …
The Peabody Memphis is a luxurious hotel nestled in the heart of soul city Memphis, TN. It is conveniently located within everything that is what Memphis is all about: soul, rock, and bar-b-que!
This hotel has it all! It really does! The inside is kept impeccably clean and the customer experience is top notch. This hotel is famously known for its duck march and aside from our stay here while in Memphis, we thoroughly enjoyed the ducks. Take a look at the lobby with the video below.
You know how sometimes there are maybe one or two things you might have changed from your hotel stay? Well, there is not one thing I would change at this hotel. We had room #944 which gave us great views of the horse-drawn carriage rides and Autozone Ballpark.
As we open our door there is a short hallway that leads directly into the restroom.
The restroom well equipped with towels and essential toiletries. To the right is a closet to hang your clothes and an ironing board. To the left are the two beds (we had full-size beds), the TV, nightstands, and a small desk (not pictured). We also brought our Intex Comfort-Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed with Built-in Electric Pump, Bed Height 22″, Queen
The Peabody ducks are truly spoiled (in a good way). The Duck Master has them trained to walk down the aisle from their small pond that is located in the middle of the lobby. If you want a good view or seat get here early. I saw people lining up to 1 hour before the march!
Luckily for us, we had a reserved table because I had introduced myself as a travel blogger before arriving in Memphis. They were so kind to reserve us a table and we greatly appreciated it.
The fountain is so pretty and before the march begins, the Duck Master gives out some rules. These ducks know exactly what to do. After the march, the ducks follow into the elevator and head to the top floor where they have a nice home.
The top floor houses the ducks’ indoor ponds and playground. It is so cute because they have a grassy area and plenty of sunshine.
Have you ever seen the duck march in person? If so, tell me where you saw it.
If you have a specific question about this post, please email me.
We are big fans of “The Walking Dead” otherwise we would not be writing about much less pay to tour the filming sites. Our trip started with a road trip from our home in Florida to Georgia. We had booked a tour with the “Georgia …
I want to clearly state that we are not responsible for any one statement listed as the author. All information presented here has been given by authority of the author listed. Have you ever been abroad and encountered or been surprised by something you said …
Our family travels a lot. We love it when we have the opportunity to just get away and have fun. For some traveling can mean a whole lot more than just getting away. It can mean the hassle of packing, crowded airports, and jet lag. I wanted to write something to let you all know of some of our family’s top 10 travel gadgets that can make your travel life simpler. These are not in any order of importance because they are all important!
This luggage scale made by Newacalox has saved us so much time and headaches. We use it to make sure we have not gone over the usual 50 lb limit that the airlines place on the luggage weight restriction. If you want to save yourself the embarrassment of unpacking your luggage in public and having to transfer some of your stuff to another luggage or carry on, then you NEED this! It will also save you time. The airline will still weigh your luggage, but at least you have the piece of mind of knowing how much it will weigh and save you extra fees.
I know you can use your phone for a lot of things nowadays, but having a laptop when you travel whether it’s for business or pleasure, is a must. We take this awesome Toshiba laptop everywhere because we all like to see and plan out what we’re going to be doing as far as attractions, restaurants, etc. It’s kind of hard to do that on one phone. I also blog, of course! This is a simple to use laptop, especially if you’re not as tech savvy as I am. Therefore, simplifying your travel.
This is usually not the first thing you think of when you hear about having a “necessary” travel gadget. However, this is ProCase toiletry bag is very useful in a few ways. We have used a clear see-through toiletry bag for all of our travels, especially when traveling internationally. We use it for just the liquids. It’s convenient to have all the liquids in one place and be able to take it out at airport security. I do not like to put any liquids in our checked bags just in case they open and spread all over our clothing. Those bags are not being handled with love! Just make sure that you remember to keep those liquids under 3 oz or you will end up throwing them away.
I don’t know about you, but when I travel I like to be comfortable. This entire article is about simplifying your travel, so why not be comfortable? I think the words simplify and comfort are synonymous. This Travelmate neck pillow is amazing! This is not your ordinary neck pillow. You know how some neck pillows are just too clunky? This one has an adjustable thickness to customize your comfort! Our youngest son, especially, loves to travel with his neck pillow. Honestly, that’s the first thing he thinks of when we say we’re going on vacation. On a long flight? Don’t pack it in your checked bag. Take it in your hand or pack it in your carry on. It will come in handy!
My husband decided to purchase this Canon EOS Rebel T6 Camera after the many times I complained about what a bad photographer I am. I’m really not the best photographer. However, after having this camera, I like to think I am. In reality, the camera does most of the work. I just point, zoom in/out, and shoot. As I said, I’m all about everything being simple, so voila! This camera does just that. My husband, on the other hand, is a great photographer so I give him credit for a lot of my blog photos.
This is THE best backpack! I say this because this Z-MGKISS Extra Large Travel Backpack is super versatile. Normally you purchase a backpack that you think is decent for your kids to take to school and then you come to find out that their backpack hasn’t even lasted half the school year. Well, this one has been to school, Europe, Central America, Canada, Hawaii, on road trips throughout the U.S. and beyond! This is a sturdy backpack with great strap support and a padded back. It has many zipper compartments to store every size of anything you want. It also has 2 drink holders, one on each side of the backpack which we absolutely love. They have many different colors to choose from. At times, we have made this our only carry on because it is very roomy. This may not be the cheapest price, but it is an investment that is well worth it and you won’t have to buy another one for a very long time!
Having a first aid kit is crucial. You never know when you’re going to need one and if you have children, you really never know when you’re going to need one. You’ve heard the old adage: It’s best to have one and not need it than to not have one and need it. Especially if you take adventurous trips or are outdoors a lot, it’s a great idea to have one. Since I like to keep it simple, all you need is really an inexpensive one that does the essentials. This first aid kit by Johnson & Johnson has everything you need for a “just in case” moment.
These Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones that retail about $39.00 are wonderful to have while traveling because you can tune out the business of the world and listen to your favorite music, audio books, or just hear pure quiet. I love children because I have two of my own, but on the plane when you have a crying baby and all you want is to sleep, these come in handy. These paired with the neck pillow I mention above make a great combination! You might look like a space creature with both on, but at least you’re comfortable. These really do block out all the noise. I should know because my kids this time really do tune me out when they wear them.
Not only has our son used this for his P.E. class at school, but we also use it when we travel. I was searching and searching and wasted so much money trying to get a real leak proof and heavy duty drinking mug. Countless times our son would come home with wet books because his drink spilled all over his backpack. That all stopped when I found this contigo brand insulated stainless steel travel mug. It keeps cold or hot drinks at the right temperature. It has a good grip and fits most car cup holders for when you’re renting a car while traveling. Therefore, it’s versatile that it fits in the backpack drink holders and in the car!
And then there is #
Yes, you read this right. Lipstick. Ladies, this is for you. You know when you’ve been traveling and you just feel blah, especially when you’ve been on a plane for over 2 hours? Just put on a little lipstick, Mac lipstick, to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. The best lipstick I have ever worn is made by Mac. It is the best because the colors are vibrant and it lasts a long time on your lips no matter if you’ve been drinking or eating. Also, a little goes a long way, therefore making this lipstick last you twice as long as any other brand lipstick. My favorite is pictured here. It is the Mac Flat Out Fabulous fuchsia matte color. This color looks good on all skin types and looks superb! It is on the high side of the price tag, but that’s because it is fantastic quality and lasts a very long time on and off your lips.
Final Tip:
I hope you have found these travel gadget tips useful and if you do purchase any of these or have used any of these in the past, please comment below and let me know how it was for you. I would love to hear from your experiences!
If you have a specific question about this post, please email me.
If you want to go to this very sought after event, you need to prepare. From seeking tickets, booking flights, and reserving a hotel room, here is our family prep list of what you need to do. Tickets Tickets for this very sought after event are …
(Travel Tip Tuesday was a special feature for subscribers only) Travel Tip #1 – You CAN be your own travel agent. Don’t get me wrong. There are many highly respected travel agencies out there. And, of course, if you don’t feel confident enough, you don’t …
Sea World Orlando makes for a great day getaway. With many things to see and do, you are sure to have a cool day!
Being from Florida, we have many theme park choices to go to. On this day, my oldest son and I decided to visit Sea World. We love Sea World because, as a teacher, I can get in for free! Although it was an overcast day, we still had a lot of fun.
Here are some fun things you can do and see when you visit Sea World Orlando.
The shark encounter is an aquarium enclosed within a slow moving walkway. You can stand there and admire an up-close experience with sharks and fish.
This penguin experience is my favorite! I love seeing how the penguins interact, play, and swim. I could be here for a very long time just watching them. If you don’t have at least a light sweater, you will get cold in here. But, of course, you knew that already.
At the Jewel of the Sea Aquarium, the blacklights make the beauty of the sealife stand out even more. You can’t help but be mesmerized watching the creatures swimming.
Stingray Lagoon is a large interactive touch tank of stingrays. Despite what you think of stingrays, they are not assertive animals. Here in Florida, when we go to the beach, we are told to do the shuffle step when going into the water. This warns stingrays that we are coming and prevents us from stepping on them. It’s when you step on them, that they will release their barb into your skin which in turn hurts a lot.
As you are walking throughout the park, you will see some of the animal handlers educating the public about the animals they have. We saw two of our favorites: the bald eagle and flamingos. The flamingos were out in the open and walking along with us! This is a great chance for children to get an up-close look and learn more about specific animals.
Both of these shows take place at the same stadium so it’s like getting two shows in one! The shows are informative, educational, and just so much fun to watch. These animals are extremely smart and it looks like they are very well taken care of.
Ok. So here is where I have to stop. I have to admit that I don’t do scary rides. Yes, I am a professed big chicken. However, my son loves them and so here they are. These two thrilling rides will be right up every adrenaline rush seeker’s alley!
Are you ready to visit Sea World Orlando? Have you been to any of these parks: Sea World Orlando, Sea World San Diego, Sea World San Antonio, Discovery Cove, or Aquatica?
If you have a specific question about this post, please email me.
Check out my other Florida posts!
I humbly accept the Liebster Award 2017! I want to thank Ashley Baines of Live Whilst You’re Alive for nominating me! Please check out her beautiful blog for all things travel and London life. This 5 month journey into blogging has been a lot of work, but …
