25Feb

Bonding with My Son at Keystone Resort

max and me keystone

A few weeks ago, I was invited to experience Keystone Resort with a child. The goal was for myself and other writers to experience and cover Kidtopia, a series of events offered all year long for kids of all ages, both on and off the snow. My son, who just turned 13, was just at the cusp of the age requested to attend the trip, but was prime material for both them and myself in terms of covering the resort. For one thing, he loves to ski. For another, he loves traveling and experiencing new things and he's totally open to a jam-packed agenda. The two of Read More

12Jun

Walking in the Steps of Women Who Made History in The Finger Lakes in Upstate New York

fairportcanaldays

Last week I took a trip through the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York and found a plethora of women's history to explore and trace. It was a pleasant surprise, given that I hadn't been to these particular parts of New York. Add that to my genuine interest in women's rights and human rights. It was amazing how in just a short few days, I would walk in the footsteps of so many incredible suffragettes' steps who changed the course of women's history forever. I started my journey in Syracuse where I visited the Matilda Joslyn Gage Home and learned about Read More

08May

Raleigh, North Carolina: An Unexpected Family-Friendly Getaway

nc museum of art

This past weekend I spent a few busy days in Raleigh, North Carolina. Having grown up in Georgia, I'm not a stranger to the Southern state, but I'd yet to really explore it as a parent and I was very impressed with what I found. Firstly, Raleigh is a very short flight from New York City. It took less than 90 minutes in the air. One minute, I was in a windy, rainy, cold NYC, the next in a green, flowery Southern city. The airport is relatively small and easy to get through, and it offers over 400 flights daily so you can get to Raleigh from virtually Read More

05Mar

Visiting Walt Disney World with Tweens – My Top Ten of What Not to Miss

Over spring break, we headed to Orlando for what my husband would coin as the "reluctant dad's trip to Disney". Yes, my husband is a naysayer when it comes to everything Disney, but I know the value of taking the kids and understand the significance of doing it while they're young. With my daughter going on 14 and my son a very unimaginative 12, I felt as though the trip was 100% necessary this year. So this will be my first of several pieces on our visit. I will also have pieces on publications besides this blog, which I'll be sharing on Twitter and Read More

18Dec

TheCultureMom Hotel Review: Munich’s Hotel Laimer Hof

hotel lamer hof

    On a recent visit to the city of Munich, I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Laimer Hof. Having never visited the city before, combined with coming during the last leg of an European adventure, the hotel was a breath of fresh air. Set slightly outside the central part of the city in a charming neighborhood, the hotel is housed in a neo-Renaissance villa that was constructed in 1886. Not only is it a proud homage to its heritage, but it's family-run and the hotel's owners are fully invested in their guests. They want to make sure that not only are Read More

10Sep

Hotel Review: Copenhagen’s Hotel D’Angleterre

dangleterrehotel

 Hotel D'Angleterre is the ultimate hotel for families to stay while visiting Copenhagen. It's a five-star hotel, and it truly deserves each and every one. On our recent visit, all four of us were visiting a new city and were full of wonder and excitement, not knowing what this part of the trip had in store for us. When our taxi pulled up to the hotel, we were all immediately in awe of its exterior. The hotel was constructed as a neoclassic palace, and it has maintained its 1870s historical aspects and is truly stunning from both the outside and the Read More

09Sep

Hotel Review: Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam

conservatorium

If you're headed to Amsterdam and can afford to indulge, I implore you to stay at the Conservatorium Hotel. Built in 1897, the hotel is situated in a beautiful Neo-Gothic building that was originally the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music. In 2011, it was transformed into a deluxe hotel brand. It's the first member of The Set, a collection of of hotels for sophisticated, design, literary travelers in the 21st century, and let me tell you, it's classy - it's classic - yet it stays true to its roots. Besides the magnificent violin display you encounter when Read More

08Sep

Hotel Review: American Hotel Amsterdam

americanhotel

When I found out we would be staying at the American Hotel Amsterdam, it immediately rang a bell. Why? One reason. Take a look. Recognize this bench? It's the bench used as a prop in the motion picture, Fault in Our Stars.  Yes, my tween aged daughter and I loved that film. The Hotel De Filosoof in the movie is actually portrayed by the American Hotel Amsterdam, the retro, art deco hotel that sits in the center of the bustling Leidseplein. The real Hotel De Filosoof isn't far, though, and it's conveniently located right around the corner from Read More

06Sep

Hotel Review: Old Swan & Minster Mill in England’s Cotswolds

oldswan

When we first pulled up to the Old Swan & Minster Mill, I was instantly intrigued and inwardly delighted. The hotel is a village within a village, literally 60 rooms and a few cottages that resembles a small village. It has so much charm with its dose of traditional English culture and stunning setting, with a 18th century mill located on the River Windrush across 65 acres. It's right down the road from a cathedral and authentic ruins from Minster Lovell Hall, a 15th century Oxfordshire manor house, and the nearby scenery is dynamic. In addition, the Read More

05Sep

Hotel Review: The Rectory Hotel in England’s Cotswolds

rectory hotel

When I first walked into the Rectory Hotel during our recent visit to the Cotswolds, I was in total awe of its decor which is a modern ode to British culture. The hotel is a bit of Pottery Barn mixed with luxury, and its modern yet rustic features and amenities are extremely welcoming. Located in a grand Georgian country house on three acres of walled beautiful gardens, it was the perfect spot for my family to rest our heads and one of my favorite hotels I've experienced as of late. Why were we there? To experience some of England's most stunning Read More