So you’ve been searching for all-inclusive resorts for families in Cancun and there are hundreds of results, right? That’s in part because Cancun is riddled with more hotels and resorts than I think any of us could stay at in a single lifetime, and — unless they’re adult-only — each one is going to try…
Best Mayan Riviera resorts: my Grand Velas Riviera Maya review
I have been eyeing the Grand Velas Riviera Maya for years and trying to tack on a few nights here or there for the last couple of trips to Mexico. I’m so glad we were finally able to make it happen at the end of 2019 so I can add the Grand Velas Riviera Maya…
Shaw Festival 2019: Holiday Inn
When your 11.5-year-old son leans over 20 minutes into a musical and says, “Mom, this is so cool,” and your 50-year-old brother-in-law announces “this was better than Wicked!” at intermission (which he’d seen on Broadway), and your mother-in-law calls your husband the next day in tears because she just loved it all so much, you…
Beaches Ocho Rios review: an all-inclusive hotel in Ocho Rios
What a thrill to have visited our third out of three Beaches Resorts (with big-ups to Air Canada Vacations for making this recent trip a success!). I’ll be writing a comparison post of all three resorts as well, but I first wanted to provide you with a full Beaches Ocho Rios review so you can…
Algonquin camping for anyone (even newbies!)
Maybe you’re an expert canoe tripper who’s ready to portage dozens of kilometres to find the perfect site. Maybe you just want to head into Algonquin Park for the day with someone who can show you around. Maybe you camped as a kid in Scouts but no longer remember any of your survival skills. Or…
Chicago with kids: kid-friendly hotels, restaurants, plays in Chicago & more!
I’d been to the Windy City six years ago. But fast forward to this spring as I was adding to our family travel bucket list and started drawing up our ideal Chicago with kids itinerary, and HOLY HECK — the list was long. Between best-in-class museums and fun kids’ restaurants to plays in Chicago that…
Best places to stay in Toronto: The Anndore House review
When I decided to get a cosmetic procedure I hadn’t had before (more on that in a few weeks), I wanted a comfortable boutique hotel in Toronto to convalesce. I’d heard from a close friend that one of the best places to stay in Toronto is The Anndore House; because, apparently, what was once a…
Viamede Resort: a pet-friendly resort in Stoney Lake, Ontario
Viamede Resort is a pet-friendly family resort, situated on beautiful Stoney Lake, Ontario (or Stony Lake — depending on whom you ask!). While we haven’t explored too many of the Kawartha resorts, we enjoyed our stay at Viamede so much last time that it was at the top of our list for a repeat visit…
Child travel consent form: consent letter for children travelling with one parent
Whether you’re in a loving, committed marriage or dealing with the fallout of a separation or divorce and a resulting custody battle, if you want to take your child(ren) on a trip outside of Canada without your kid’s other parent, you are strongly advised to take a child travel consent form — essentially, it’s a formal…
Best skiing in Lake Placid: Whiteface
After four visits to Lake Placid in the last couple of years, we finally did it: we skied Whiteface. And it is definitely the best skiing in the Lake Placid area. This has been a mountain we’ve wanted to conquer for a year or two, but didn’t feel like we were ready skill-wise until this…