holiday Archives - Page 3 of 7

As Seen on TV: Have Family Fun Searching-Out Iconic Images in NYC

October 5, 2017 by admin

New York City needs no introduction. It’s one of the most star-studded places on the planet. It’s the reason countless television series and movies are shot there. A tourist is sure to come upon places that are popular with locals but recognizable to many around the world. Here’s a rundown of popular places from movies and TV you’ll want to seek out in NYC.

Katz’s Delicatessen

Head to Houston Street and walk in Katz’s deli. You don’t have to ask many people to hear about the pastrami. It’s famous. But even more famous is the table where characters Harry and Sally met from When Harry Met Sally.

Joe’s Pizza

What family won’t make time for pizza? Actually, you’ll find a number of Joe’s Pizza shops around the city, yet one, in particular, served as Peter Parker’s aka Spider Man’s place of early employment. In the film, Peter Parker briefly works as a pizza delivery boy for the Carmine Street pizzeria.

Buddakan

Buddakan is one swanky place to have a meal. Fitted with chandeliers and world-class kitchen crew, it’s a treat for the eyes as well as the mouth. You may notice the glamorous interior from Sex and the City. It was the spot where Carrie and Mr. Big have their rehearsal dinner.

Bubby’s Pie Company

Many young people dream of working within NYC’s fashion district. The book made into a film, The Devil Wears Prada, features a doe-eyed young woman who wants to be a successful writer but settles to be a fashion giant’s assistant. Bubby’s is a local hangout and a place for the family to grab some snacks. You’ll probably want to order some pie.

Smith and Wollensky’s

In the mood for a steak? Walk out of your Marriott Fairfield Inn and take a cab to Smith and Wollensky’s. Another book made into a film, American Psycho, is a satire about the excess of 80s life. In the film, Patrick Bateman ironically orders his steak without hash browns. The establishment is popular with stuffy investment bankers as well as locals with a hunger for juicy steaks.

Cafe Lalo

The owners and staff at the cafe boast that theirs is the most famous in the city. Of course, that is up for debate yet you can’t deny the cafe hosted a scene in You’ve Got Mail, one of the famous romantic comedy movies from the 90s. Actually, the cafe is where Tom Hanks goes to meet Meg Ryan’s character for the first time.

Pershing Square

In the movie, Friends with Benefits, two friends decide to take things to the next level and kick things off at Central Cafe, which is Pershing Square renamed for the movie. The cafe is right across from Grand Central Station.

Russian Tea Room

A major music star, Madonna, worked at the city spot before making it big. It also stars in the movie, Tootsie, where a fading actor assumes the identity of a woman to salvage his career. If you’re more of a television viewer, you may recognize the Tea Room from Gossip Girl.

American Auto Shield Reviews – Things to Think About When Planning a Road Trip

September 27, 2017 by admin

If you are planning a road trip soon then you need to start spending some time on ensuring that you are fully prepared and planned for your upcoming adventure. I love nothing more than getting my family in the car and heading off for pastures unknown and over the years I have managed to get our preparation down to a fine art.

I thought then, that I would put together this list of things that you need to ensure that you have planned for, when you head off on your next road trip.

Insurances

Whilst car insurance is of course mandatory, there are other covers that you should be looking at to keep you safe during your trip. The first cover that I would recommend is the type that companies such as American Auto Shield offer, this is an insurance that covers the parts of your car against any damage which may happen to them, check out the American Auto Shield reviews for more info. You should also ensure that you have breakdown cover on your car in case the worst should occur, you can always count on breakdowns happening at the worst possible time and it always helps to have someone that you can call.

Entertainment

What road trip is complete without enough entertainment to keep everyone happy. I always like to plan this well ahead of time and I have been known to spend several hours getting the playlist just right. If you have kids then you should seriously think about getting some games and movies downloaded to their tablets or devices and also planning some games which you can all get involved in along the way. We always like to play quiz games on our road trip as well as games that are based on the things which you see on the road, with points given for each. I would also advise that you have things in the car which can be played with whilst you are waiting around, I have found a football to be the best thing for this and my kids and I throw it for hours at a time.

Destination

When I was younger and I used to go on road trips with my friends, we would always just jump in the car and go, with no particular destination. These days however, since the kids have come along, it doesn’t make for the best idea to take them away on a fruitless voyage and so I like to at the very least have a destination. During our trip we will often veer away from the route in order to explore somewhere and we may even spend a night in a different town or village, we do however, always have a destination.

The key to every successful road trip is in the preparation and if you want to make sure that you have a road trip which you are never likely to forget, make sure you plan it well.

Experience Enchantment and Ecstasy at Disney World

September 13, 2017 by admin

It’s magical, moving, and a must see. Disney World holds so many wonders for people of all ages, it’s a great experience, and has left all its visitors wanting to return again and again. It’s a place where boys and girls see their most loved movie characters come to life, and where adults relive fond childhood memories. See a phenomenal picture of this multinational mass media company at this resplendent resort: take the kids to Disney World, and have the time of your lives. Here’s some things to see while you’re there.

Magic Kingdom Park

This is the first of the 4 theme parks opened at Walt Disney, and is suitably named, because it is truly a magical experience. Children, and adults, have been able to behold some of the most cherished, and memorable Disney characters, from Mickey Mouse to Cinderella. Electrifying and exhilarating entertainment is on offer each day at the theme park, and they surely won’t leave you disappointed.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a popular ride in the park. It’s both a haunting and hilarious experience all in one. It depicts a haunted goldmine, wrapped up in legend stories of supernatural forces within the caverns. Grab all the family, and jump on board for a evocative journey.

One of the most identifiable buildings, as you enter the theme park, is Cinderella’s fairy tale palace. A glowing, and intricate, brick structure with blue tips, not only lights up its structure, but the emotions of all who come across it. The wonderful love story of Cinderella has stayed in the hearts of many throughout all generations, and now you can step into this storybook adventure yourself.

Epcot

Twice the size of Magic Kingdom Park, this 300 acre theme park is a place where you can let your imagination run wild. Get the feel for what it would be like to travel around the world on land or sea, in a place where countries are united. Its truly a sight to behold, and to celebrate by being amazed and entertained by all its wonders.

In Epcot, you can be enthralled and enlightened at the same time, one of the attractions you can do this in is The Circle Of Life. Be captivated by these classic film characters from Lion King, as they share important lessons about the environment. Let Simba set you straight on your surroundings, as he teaches some important facts to Timon and Pumbaa.

Let your emotions come to life with a visit to Headquarters where you can meet the highly entertaining characters, Joy and Sadness, from the recent Disney Pixar film Inside Out. Capture a moment with them and gain a feel of what it’s like inside Riley’s head. The options of what to do at Epcot are inexhaustible.

Dine With Disney

Make sure you don’t missed out on the host of places to eat while you’re at the resort. You could enjoy a storybook dining experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where you meet the Disney Princesses, in a building with the ambiance of a castle and cathedral combined. Or enjoy eating the old fashioned way at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, American comfort food at its best. There’s plenty of other places you could enjoy a good meal at Disney, so fill your tummy as well as your imagination.

Essential Tips on How to Have a Great Family Vacation in LA

September 3, 2017 by admin

So, you’ve decided that you want to take the family for a vacation in LA. You know what you want to do and have already found one of the Los Angeles vacation rentals that’s going to be perfect for you and the kids. But, there’s one nagging feeling at the back of your mind. And that’s all about how you can make sure that everyone one is happy and has the best time on their vacation. If you’re in this position, don’t worry. We’ve all been there and experienced this at some point. Here are some essential tips on how to have the perfect family vacation in Los Angeles.

What Makes LA a Great Destination for Families?

The main reason is that LA has so many things to keep everyone in the family entertained and interested for the length of the trip. You can find something that suits pretty much any age and even the more resilient of teens will enjoy some of the activities. But, as parents, we all know that there’s a fine line between having a perfect trip and an absolute disaster! Let’s have a look at what you should do.

Plan, Plan, Plan:

Planning is one of the most important parts of having a successful and stress-free family vacation. The more time you take at the start by coming up with a suitable itinerary to keep everyone happy, the smoother it will be when you arrive. It’s also a good idea to read recent reviews on blogs or TripAdvisor to get an idea of any unexpected things that may pop-up so that you’ll be more prepared.

Plan what you want to do each day and draft up an itinerary to keep things organized. You should also consider spending a full day at the theme parks. One of the most important things to do is to plan carefully and not to overdo it with the different activities. The last thing anyone wants is to start off at breakneck speed to find themselves exhausted on the third day.

Start Your Day as Early as Possible:

When you’re on vacation, it can be difficult to drag yourself out of bed at 7 am. We all want to stay in bed until 11 am when we’re not working, right? But, this isn’t a good idea if you’re planning a day of sightseeing. The crowds typically start to come in the late morning and early afternoon. This means that you may be faced with long waits if you don’t get there early enough.

Quite simply, the best thing to do is to aim to avoid the crowds as much as possible. This means there will be less stress for you and the kids won’t get bored whilst waiting in the long lines. And the earlier you start, the earlier you finish, which means you can then have more time relaxing later in the day.

Take Advantage of Early Bird Deals and Offers:

A savvy parent will look online before taking their family vacation to see what early bird tickets and promotions are available. The better ones will give you a discount and allow you to skip the line. This is one of the best features of booking in advance because who wants to spend hours standing in the queue to get into the attraction?

Always Book a Hotel with Breakfast Included:

One of the top ways to make the most out of the time when you’re on vacation is to book a hotel or resort that offers a buffet breakfast. This saves you both time and money in the morning and the day will typically start off in a positive light. Compare this to waking up early and then spending 30 minutes walking around the street to find a place to get some food. If you’re staying at a vacation rental, consider stocking up on food from the supermarket for breakfast. This also helps you to leave at the earlier times to avoid the crowds and long lines later on.

Allocate at Least One Day to Relax:

There’s nothing wrong with spending a few hours relaxing around the pool. It’s a good idea to find your accommodation in a place that’s near the beach or has a pool at the very least. One day of relaxing will be perfect for everyone. And the best part is, you don’t have to plan the day!

Choose the Activities to Suit Everyone in Your Family:

Just because you and the spouse want to see Hollywood or visit some of the museums, it doesn’t mean that the kids or teens will appreciate it as much. Make sure you ask everyone what they want to do and find something to suit everyone. Younger kids tend to prefer areas where they can play and older ones love the thrills at the theme park. This is a family vacation and everyone should have their say on what they want to do.

Have a Budget and Stick to it:

The final point is a practical way to enjoy your holiday and not feel the post-vacation blues when you return home and realize just how much you’ve actually spent. Set a daily budget and stick to it as much as possible. It’s OK to spend a little extra, but if you do go overboard, the little extras quickly add up when there are three or four of you.

The Takeaway Message:

Los Angeles is a great place to spend a family vacation. Plan ahead and ask everyone what they want to do and see. And don’t forget to have at least one day around the pool or beach to relax!

How I Was Traveling To My Nephew’s Football Game

August 29, 2017 by admin

Ten years ago, when my nephew only was born, I lived with my parents in a little town in Massachusetts. My sister and her husband bought a house next door, so all our big family used to hang out together, watching tv, babysitting the little one and playing sports on weekends.

Especially we all loved playing football. Therefore, as the second youngest member of our family, I was very close to my nephew, Steve. We both were about crying when I was leaving to New York for my Master’s degree. Vividly, I remember a scene, when my 7-year-old nephew stands with a football in his hands and asks me if I come to his first game. I made my promise and departed.

Three more years have passed, Steve joined the boy scouts, so I forgot my promise, as one day my sister called me.

‘Stevie has his first football game in a week’, she said. ‘Come Friday night’.
‘In a week?’, I felt really irritated. ‘And you’re telling me now?! I have other plans, I have a girlfriend, I have a job!’

‘Honey, calm down. If you don’t want to come, do not come then’.

And she hung up.

What did I have to do besides packing for my trip? I called my employer and arranged stuff with my girlfriend, apologizing so many times, and in a week, on Friday morning, I drew out of New York, heading North.

The music was playing loud, I was in a cheerful mood, imagining how happy Stevie would be when he sees me at the game. But suddenly my car stopped for no reason. I tried to turn on the engine, however, there was no luck. I stuck in the middle of the highway!

The road was quite empty, so somehow I pushed my car aside. Actually, all I was thinking at that moment was how would I get to the game on time. So, I couldn’t think of a better idea than to hitch-hike. I stopped by a local store to buy some helmet accessories for my nephew.

It is hard to say how long I was standing there with my finger up. For me, it seemed like an eternity. All those cars passing by with drivers, who do not give a damn about you and your trouble.
Suddenly an old green truck stopped. A small lady in her sixties waved to me in a friendly way.
‘Any problem, hun?’

‘I need to get to Boston as soon as possible’, said I. ‘Could you give me a ride?’

‘Sure. Get it. I am going to a football game of my grandson. The first one! And you?’

I have never believed in miracles until that day. Now I know that the most beautiful things happen to us in an unexpected way. The lady was going to another town in Connecticut, but she gave me a ride home and dropped me off by the front door of my parents’ house. She disappeared as fast as she appeared before, and I still don’t know her name. Maybe, she was just an angel? Who knows. But my nephew’s team won the game and it was one of the happiest moments of my life.