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We're Traveling Mamas sharing our adventures with the world. We offer tips on great (and not so great) places to visit with children and how to have the best family vacations -- but it's not all about the kids, of course! Romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, and solo trips are also important to us. Plus, we cover industry news and review travel gear, and we love to give things away!

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Twilight Tour Video – Family Vacation in Olympic National Park

Parents and children flock happily to the US National Parks every summer for family vacations. But what about that cranky, out-of-sorts teenager? Adolescents can be real downers during a family vacation, what with texting, eye rolls, and “I just wanna be with my friends.” That’s why families with teens should strongly consider Olympic National Park. This is where the Twilight book and movie series takes place, after all – Forks is right in the National Park. In fact, several Twilight locations are specifically designated as such now, such as Edward Cullen’s and Bella Swan’s houses.

Dazzled by Twilight is a store and tour bus operated by Annette Root, and she’s as passionate a Twilight fan as they come (Team Edward, I believe, but I’m not sure). She hired a fantastic Twilight guide, Travis, to show my group around. Yes, the group was all women – coincidence? I think not. Twilight fans skew strongly female. Check out the video below: Since the Dazzled by Twilight Tour is sure to be every teenager’s highlight of an Olympic National Park family vacation, I don’t give too much away.

Twilight may be why your surly teenager suddenly wants to visit Olympic National Park, but Forks is not only the setting for the incredibly popular vampire romance series. A true story, passed down orally throughout the years, was retold by my group’s travel guide in the Forks Timber Museum – yes, a dose of reality for the family may just cure that sense of being overpowered by vampire lore. For someone like me, that’s just what the doctor ordered.

June 25, 2009 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Destinations, Family Travel, Videos | 14 Comments

Travel Tuesday: Wine and Vineyards

Wine tourism has become a popular aspect of almost any destination. In fact, it isn’t just a pastime for the wealthy anymore. Moms just like me are learning about color, bouquet, and taste, all while taking some time for themselves and learning how to choose affordable wines to serve when entertaining.

The TwitterMoms Wine Club hosts online tastings each month. A bottle is selected and participants from all over the world taste and discuss the wine, sharing notes through Twitter. There is also another event that is popular, Twitter Taste Live.

I’m fortunate that as a travel writer, I am given opportunities to tour vineyards and wineries, learn the stories of how vintners got interested in wine, and of course sample some interesting and flavorful wines.

But, wine tasting isn’t limited to online events or special occasions. You can broaden your wine knowledge by hosting a tasting with your neighbors, finding wineries during your travels, or just opening a new bottle on a Saturday afternoon.

The news segment below shows just how much fun a wine tasting is:

(Video courtesy of WAFB in Baton Rouge, LA. If you can’t see the video, the direct link is here and the backstory from the cool camera dude is on his blog.)

This Travel Tuesday is all about the vino, so please share your stories of wine tasting or travel to a winery. Whether you visit Napa, Solvang, or even Disney World, we want to know about it. If you toured an Inn and enjoyed some great dinner pairings on a romantic getaway, please share. Even if you have tips for someone’s first wine tasting or if you just want to tell us about awesome wine expert, Natalie MacLean.

Please leave a relevant link to the specific post/story or it will be deleted. When Mr. Linky asks for your name, type in the title of your blog with the post title in parenthesis. Then, leave your post link in the link box and you’re done. Here are the official rules of Travel Tuesday on Traveling Mamas.

We’d love for you to tell your friends and readers about this post and even link back here, but we won’t require you to do that. The purpose of Travel Tuesday is to introduce our readers to interesting blogs and sites.

May 19, 2009 | Filed Under Culinary Travel, Destinations, Romantic Getaways, Travel Tuesday, Videos | 9 Comments

Unexpected Hawaii Whale Watching Experience

One of the better snorkel trips I’ve had was on a morning trip to Molokini, a small uninhabited (by humans, at least) atoll off the coast of Maui. The snorkeling itself was nice, of course, but what really made the trip was the boat ride back to Maui. We were enjoying our post-snorkeling juice and pastries, when suddenly two humpback whales breached around 15 feet off starboard side of the chartered catamaran. They did this a few times, and each time, the passengers in the boat gasped. Some pointed, some rummaged for their cameras, and the woman next to be broke out in tears. I found myself laughing without being aware of when I started even to smile. It was a pure Hawaii experience: Spontaneous, in-the-moment, and completely joyous.

Something similar just happened this month, with the passengers on the Atlantis Submarines Maui. This underwater sightseeing trip usually takes its passengers off the coast from Lahaina. While Molikini is off the east part of Maui (which is roughly shaped like the two side-by side volcanoes that formed it), Lahaina is off the west coast, near Ka’anapali. On this particular cruise, a pod of around 5-10 humpback whales appeared maybe 25 feet from the Atlantis submersible, swimming around and apparently vying for the attention of one very desirable female whale. Isn’t she lovely? A quick-minded passenger took a video, check it out:

The activity lasted for 45 minutes or so, and then the humpback whales moved away. Only then did the Atlantis submarine return to the surface. It’s great that the Atlantis extended the tour to accommodate this special, amazing experience for the passengers. It gave them an experience they’ll never forget, I’m sure, and that’s what a Hawaiian vacation is all about.

April 21, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Luxury Travel, Videos | 4 Comments

Historic and Cultural Travel – Castillo San Cristobal in Puerto Rico

One of the first places the Traveling Mamas went to see in Puerto Rico was the Castillo San Cristobal, part of the larger Fort San Cristobal, and a San Juan National Historic Site. We’d never traveled to Puerto Rico together as a group before, and it adds value to a vacation to experience and appreciate the culture, history, and natural environs of the destination.

We all know that the Spanish were the first Europeans to discover Puerto Rico, although there were indigenous Arawak and Taino Indians there already. As so often happened, the original natives of the island were enslaved and they did much of the manual labor to build fortifications against the Dutch and other Europeans who might try to claim Puerto Rico as theirs. The Castillo de San Cristobal is the largest fort (and castle) built by the Spanish in the New World. Construction started in 1508 or so, and the Spanish Empire spent over 250 years building the fort. Castillo San Cristobal is fortified to guard against land attacks, whereas Castillo del Morro – about a mile away – protects the port from sea attacks. Our guide told us that there are underground tunnels connecting the two, but these passageways have been closed. They’re not geologically safe, apparently. Too bad! That would’ve been an exciting trek.

All-you-can-eat (and drink) inclusive vacations are tons of fun, and great breaks from our everyday lives. But to add meaning and depth to traveling, it’s important to experience the culture and history of a vacation destination too. The Traveling Mamas are glad we took the time to explore the forts of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

April 3, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Girlfriend Getaways, Videos | 11 Comments

Mamas on the Move: Zen Moment at the San Juan Marriott

Who needs a break from daily life today? Here’s the view from our oceanfront room at the San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino in Puerto Rico. CajunMama took in the scene and filmed this (with wine in hand) right after she arrived at the resort yesterday.

Take a moment out to relax today. Turn up the volume and enjoy the sound of the crashing waves while you’re sitting in the office, taking a break from housework, or for my Colorado friends and family, gearing up to shovel out your driveway!

March 26, 2009 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Videos | 4 Comments

A Beach Vacation in La Jolla, California

: Solo Surfer (Jen Miner)

La Jolla is a gorgeous, high-end beach community just a hop, skip and a jump north of San Diego. It’s got a reputation as being a relaxing (if somewhat deluxe) vacation destination. The Mudslide family has never been there; we take road trips to San Diego pretty often, but La Jolla is so close to San Diego that Laguna Beach makes for a better pit stop on the way home. As a California-based travel writer and beach town fan, I clearly needed to check out this place with my video camera fully loaded.

I’m so glad I did! La Jolla is indeed lovely, with cliffs that overhand the Pacific in ways reminiscent of the more rugged views in Northern California. The La Jolla Playhouse is a wonderful local theater, and Scripps Institute of Oceanography is a focal point for training the next generation in marine biology and other earth sciences. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps melds fun and education about marine life and resources so well, I just can’t wait to take my children there. But remember…there are those miles of wonderful, surfer-friendly beaches too.

One beach has been in the news off and on; The Children’s Pool was actually man-made to create a relatively wave-free bay for kids to play in, but this serene alcove was also perfect for seals to birth their pups. (This is somewhat controversial; the philanthropist Ellen B. Scripps had it built for children, but not exclusively so.) Because there are so many other child-friendly beaches along La Jolla’s coastline – and because marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act – the seals unknowingly won a legal battle to stay in The Children’s Pool during baby season. I love seals! I had to find them…and hopefully get a quick video of the seals in action.

Starting at the south end of La Jolla was a mistake; I found a bunch of beautiful little beaches (and a ton of fancy shops) but no seals. I had my Flip Digital Video Camera on the ready, though: Check out this video. Oh, before you do, keep in mind that I’m no professional. Holding the Flip at arm’s length and hoping for the best resulted in me chopping off my chin. Wish me better aim next time!

Ha, ha! It’s no wonder that The Children’s Pool has also been named “Seal Rock.” They look cute and happy, don’t they? But even from our respectful distance, the other tourists, gawkers, and I were just about equally impressed by the smell emanating from the beach as we were the sight of all those baby seals flopped out next to their mamas. Phoo! I wonder how long it takes to clear the air after the Harbor Seals leave.

: La Jolla Beach (Jen Miner)

In any case, the Harbor Seals (and yes, I know, I accidentally call them sea lions once in the video above, mea culpa) are a huge attraction when they’re tending to their pups. Since there are a plethora of other beaches around La Jolla, I believe that setting aside Seal Rock/Children’s Pool for the seals and their babies is a good thing. The crowd of tourists, happy to pose for photos with a seal-filled background, surely agree.

March 18, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, Travel Gear, Videos | 16 Comments

The Best of Austin at SxSw

I’ve been at SouthbySouthwest (sxsw) in Austin, TX this weekend learning about new things and issues involving interactive media. I caught up with a few social media personalities and they shared with TravelingMamas.com some of the best things they like about Austin. I think Neenz at the end sums the whole thing up.

If you can’t see the video below, you can view the direct link.

March 16, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Travel News, Videos | 8 Comments

Mama on the Move: Eagle Island, GA

I’m currently hiding out at Eagle Island, GA, a private island located in the inner coastal area of Georgia. This is a unique destination where all your worries and cares can be left behind. As I’m typing this, there is a bald eagle staring at me from her little hideaway in a tree above me. Whatever your reason for a visit, be it a romantic getaway, a family reunion, or just a place for all your friends to gather, you’ll find this a place to reconnect with nature and your companions.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach resort with 24 hour room service, you should look elsewhere, but if you want to bring your heart rate real low, visit Private Islands of Georgia.

Here’s a video I put together of how to get to Eagle Island and the natural setting of this wonderful retreat.

If you can’t see the video, the direct link is on the Traveling Mamas YouTube Page. I can’t wait to come back to Eagle Island and share it with my family on our travels, or even with the other mamas on a girlfriend getaway.

March 10, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Culinary Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, Videos | 4 Comments

I’m a “Best Job in the World” Reject

Tourism Queensland is in the midst of an absolutely brilliant marketing campaign. It goes like this: Announce to the world that you’re hiring an “caretaker” for one of the islands in the Great Barrier Reef. The pay is $100,000AUD for a six-month stint, and all the caretaker has to do is feed the fish, clean the pool and blog all about his or her adventures swimming and snorkeling and playing in the ocean.

Uh, hello! Pick, me! Pick, me!

Indeed, I’d happily move my whole family to Australia to take this “job”! My husband could homeschool the kids while I’m out bushwalking and shooting underwater video of tropical fish. I’ve got it all thought out.

Unfortunately, Tourism Queensland didn’t want me. Yep, I uploaded my 60-second application video that detailed why I’m the best person for the job. I even got my kids involved. I (frankly) thought it was darling. But I was up against 35,000 other applicants and didn’t make the cut. (Not to mention, I believe all but one of TQ’s shortlisted applicants are under age 30; clearly, they’re looking for a hot young thing to rep the destination.)

So, I’m posting it below to see if any other tourism boards (shout out to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize and Caribbean Islands) would be interested in hiring a bright, professional (and, ahem, mature) writer who’s super-involved in social media and who has a super-cute family that would be willing to relocate for six months to help you promote your destination.