Welcome Family Travelers!

May 1, 2012

Tom Bihn Ristretto Bag

Product Review

I’d been hearing my travel buddies sing the praises of Tom Bihn bags for a while, but when you’re not a part of the band, it’s hard to get on the wagon. So when I started to look for a good travel bag for my beautiful new 13” MacBook Air, I started at the Tom Bihn site. And basically, they had me at hello. Continue reading

Apr 13, 2012

Ostia Antica

Rome's ancient seaport

By Lisa T. Bergren

If you’re trying to engage your kids in the ancient ruins of Rome, they’ll likely gravitate to the Coliseum over the Forum. It’s simply easier for them to visualize it in antiquity, since more of it remains. In the same way, they’ll likely love the twenty-seat lavatory, fast food restaurant, bakery, theater and marketplace of Ostia Antica. Continue reading

Mar 27, 2012

Italian Espresso at Home

How to Use Your Bialetti (or Similar) Espresso Pot

By Tim Bergren

When we first encountered an Italian espresso maker, we were a bit befuddled on how to use it. But once we figured it out, we loved it enough to get one for our home in the USA. Here’s how to use an Italian Bialetti espresso pot, whether you’re lucky enough to be experimenting in Italia, or at home in America. Continue reading

Mar 8, 2012

Inverness, Scotland

10 Day Itinerary

Guest Post by Dr. Jessie Voigts

If you’re in the Highlands of Scotland – the land of romance, storied history, kilts and bagpipes, Glens and Bens – consider Inverness as your home base for 10 days of exploring Scottish culture, arts, nature, food, and great people. Continue reading

Feb 14, 2012

Borghese Gardens via Riscio!

Rome, Italy

By Lisa T. Bergren

Heading to Rome with kids? Weary of the traffic and crowds? One of the best hours we had in Rome was the hour we rented a riscio in the Borghese Gardens. It truly was one of my teen’s top 3 favorite excursions. Continue reading

Feb 7, 2012

Bighorn Steakhouse

Keystone, CO Restaurant

By Lisa T. Bergren

After a long, hard day of skiing or playing at Keystone, there’s nothing like coming back for a quick shower and then heading out for a casually elegant dinner at Bighorn Steakhouse, in the Keystone Lodge, overlooking Keystone Lake. When you make reservations (970.496.4386), ask for one of the tables by the window. You can watch the ice skaters and hockey players, as well as see the mountains beyond. Continue reading

Feb 1, 2012

Unique Keystone, CO

Fun Things to Do, Beyond Skiing

By Lisa T. Bergren

After a while, it takes a bit to differentiate between ski resorts. A vital element, of course, is the number and variety of slopes the slopes and lifts, but the vibe and what we term “extracurriculars”—what a resort offers, beyond skiing—also contribute to a resort’s vibe. Continue reading

Jan 23, 2012

Campo de’ Fiori

Rome, Italy

By Lisa T. Bergren

When Emma and I checked into our historic district apartment, the manager kindly encouraged us to head over to Campo de’ Fiori to market. We loved our frequent forays over to the quaint piazza, that once was dominated by flower merchants, but now divides space between touristy t-shirts, vast fruit and vegetable stands, spices, pottery, linens and more. Continue reading

Jan 15, 2012

Oasis in Rome

Apartment: Sinibaldi A

By Lisa T. Bergren

Emma and I loved our stay in “Sinibaldi A,” a 4^th floor apartment of a 15^th century palazzo, in the historic center of Rome. Continue reading

Dec 17, 2011

Book Review: (Not-for-Parents) ROME

Lonely Planet's New Series for Kids Rocks

By Lisa T. Bergren 

I adore graphics-rich guide books for adults. Lots of pictures, lots of quick, intriguing info in bite-sized pieces. And I’m an adult.

I also love books about foreign places for kids. As a traveling mom, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to get my children thinking about where we’re going—before, during and after we’re there. They get so much more out of our travels when I’m successful on this front. Continue reading