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Archive for the ‘Family Vacation’ Category

Top 10 Cities to Visit in the USA

If you are like me and have already started thinking about making plans for a summer vacation, I wanted to share a few of the top cities to check out.  Actually, I am hoping that our first family trip of the new year will be back to the DR {Dominican Republic} however, in case those plans get derailed maybe one of these cities will fit the bill. 

These top cities were chosen by the website Touropia.

1 – New York City

#1 of Best Places To Visit In Usa

The largest and most populated city in the USA, New York City is often called the “city that never sleeps” because it is constantly buzzing with activity. Located in New York state on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, New York City is made up of five boroughs, which include, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. World renowned for its concentration of skyscrapers and famous attractions, New York City is what many foreigners visualize when they think of the USA.

2 – Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Attracting millions of visitors every year, the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to visit in the USA. Located in northern Arizona, this massive natural wonder was carved by the Colorado River over a period of several million years. It is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and colorful landscape offers visitor vistas that are hard to match.

3 – San Francisco

San Francisco

Best known for the Golden Gate, cable cars and steep, rolling streets, San Francisco is a beautiful city in northern California, set on the tip of a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area. Undoubtedly, the Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s number one attraction. Tourists can drive, bike ride or walk across this famous suspension bridge to admire and photograph stunning views.

4 – Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Springing up from the desert in southeastern Nevada, Las Vegas is a major US city world renowned for its casinos, luxury hotels, comedy acts, musical productions and extravagant shows. Most of the city’s main attractions are all concentrated within the area commonly referred to as the “Strip.” In addition to gambling, show girls and lavish performances, Las Vegas offers plenty more to suit people of all ages and interests.

5 – Yellowstone

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers and hot springs, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The most famous geyser in the park is Old Faithful Geyser which erupts every 91 minutes. Yellowstone is also home to one of the finest wildlife habitats in North America.

6 – Chicago

Chicago

Nicknamed the “Windy City” and best known for its towering skyscrapers, sports teams and unique style of hot dogs and pizzas, Chicago is the third-largest city in the USA. Located on Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest region in northeastern Illinois, Chicago is also home to many notable landmarks that include one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare International, as well as one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, the Willis Tower.

7 – Los Angeles

Los Angeles

The second-largest city in the USA, Los Angeles is located in southern California surrounded by the Pacific Coast, mountains and valleys. Often regarded as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, the city is a leading world center for motion films, television productions and music recordings. A huge, cosmopolitan city comprised of many districts and ethnic neighborhoods, L.A. is known for its smog issues but remains a favored destination for its ample sunshine and year-round mild climate.

8 – Washington DC

Washington DC

The capital of the United States and seat of the federal government, Washington D.C. is located on the country’s East Coast. A cosmopolitan city that is home to many diverse cultures, Washington is widely known by its many iconic landmarks like the White House, Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Many of these monuments are all located within the beautifully landscaped parkland known as the National Mall. 

I remember being a chaperon for my son’s class when he was in middle school and we had a great time touring this historic city.

9 – Orlando

Orlando

flickr/Christian Lambert Photography

Home to world famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, Orlando is no doubt a favorite destination for family vacations. Located in central Florida, Orlando is a place where dreams and magic become reality. With several amusement parks, visitors to Orlando can meet their favorite storybook characters, reenact live famous movie scenes, ride thrilling roller coasters and watch dolphins performing marvelous tricks. 

Orlando was the city in which we had our first Timeshare and as a family would spend every summer vacation in Orlando at the Marriott Cypress Harbor.

(family picture)

10 – Honolulu

Honolulu

The gateway to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Honolulu is the state’s largest and capital city as well as the entry point for most tourists. Located 3,800 km (2,400 miles) west of California on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is best known for its top destination, Waikiki Beach, and for the historical Pearl Harbor. 

Let’s Chat > Have you vacationed in any of these cities?


What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  You guys know that we haven’t been on vacation since 2009, way before they instituted the $25.00 per checked bag fee.

Long gone are the days when the boys were young and we headed to Orlando with large suitcases full of clothes, toys and toiletries.  Now we have the arduous task of trying to get everyone to fit everything into their one bag and making sure that it weighs less than 25 lbs.

Although we are flying Delta airlines and are allowed 1 free checked bag I don’t want to over do it.  It will definitely be easy for my sons and hubby, but I am not so sure about me.

Disclosure:  Amazon Affiliate links below, so if you make a purchase I might make a few cents!


We will be staying at the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort in Puerto Plata for 8 long days, and 7 nights and it’s all-inclusive.  Have you ever visited this resort?  

I know that I won’t need to pack much, and this is what I was planning on taking so let me know what you think. 

 

 

 

 Swimsuits

Cover Up


Shorts

tank tops

Floppy Hat

Sleep shirt/undergarments


Sandals

Sundresses


Of course in my toiletry bag I’ll have a high SPF sunscreen, deodorant, makeup, and hair care products. 

What  do you think, should this be enough or is it too much?  I will be carrying a large tote bag to hold my camera, phone, make-up, and wallet, but I think I am missing something…maybe I need to go shopping – wanna come?

Oh, what do you think about this?  Is it best to lay everything flat or roll the clothes, which way takes up more space in the suitcase?  

Do you have any other packing suggestions – am I anxious or what!!!

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I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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Books to Read on Summer Vacation

MEMORIAL DAY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY !

 

I am sure that by now you realize that I am getting over-the-top excited about our family vacation next month to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic… hey can you blame me, it has been almost 7 years!  

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Processed with VSCOcam with a5 preset

Anywho, I have plans on doing absolutely nothing but eating, drinking, relaxing, reading and watching the sun rise and set.  But of course as a blogger I will be taking lots of pictures and drafting posts in between the naps on the beach and drinks on the balcony.  

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and YouTube so you can enjoy some of the views. www.instagram.com/ablake48 and www.youtube.com/amblake01 beach vacation

Reading eBooks on the Beach I have tons of magazines at home some dating back to 2014, but I plan on taking my HP Tablet Stream to read eBooks either on the beach or poolside.  I am not sure what to download so if you have a few suggestions, please leave me a comment and no…please don’t suggest “50 Shades of Grey”.  

I recently discovered Open Culture, a website with the best FREE cultural & educational media on the web. It features free courses, movies, audio books, eBooks & thought-provoking daily posts, so check it out and let me know if you find something good.


I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

Disclosure:  Amazon Affiliate attached, if you make a purchase I get a few cents.

 

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