What made those days so incredible, you ask?

Well, first of all I was there for Mom 2.0. The gathering of professional women who work and play in the blog-o-sphere, social media and traditional media was by far the best blog-focused conference I’ve been to in a long time. The topics were on point and the speakers were all mentor-worthy.

But the second thing that made it incredible was the mere fact that I made it there at all.

The last few months have been a hectic time in Heather-ville. Email woes, incredible awards, new opportunities and a general convergence of amazing things (including a piece in “O- The Oprah Winfrey Magazine” June issue! ) meant that I wasn’t as on the ball with my travel plans as I usually am.

And so it was that I found myself only a week out from the conference without a hotel room. I got lucky.

Maureen & Jill

Maureen Dennis and Jill Amery took pity on me and in exchange for my fashion tips (Wooohoooo I’m so funny! * wipes tear*) let me stay with them leading to a fun weekend with friends new and old where we posed for pictures like this:

and this:

Fun Times! But even that almost didn’t happen because less than 24 hours before I was scheduled to depart I discovered that I had booked my ticket to the wrong city.

Yup, the woman who took her husband and two children around the world on more than 50 segments that included trains, planes, cars and boats managed to mess up an Aeroplan flight from Toronto to California.

I knew where I wanted to be. I’ve taken shots of the John Wayne Airport before but for some reason I ended up booking my trip to San Diego instead of Santa Ana.

A good 75 miles away from where I needed to be. 75 miles away from this guy:

John Wayne

Not the end of the world. Nothing a car rental, overnight car parking charges times three, gas and insurance add-ons and a pocket full of cash couldn’t fix, right? Except the extra costs and time involved would’ve killed my spirit and budget.

Luckily, I was able to get on with Aeroplan and make the changes. They took pity on my (SAN) instead of (SNA) dilemma and helped me re-organize things for the flight the next day.

And though I’ll be eating crow for a long time thanks to my oh-so-supportive pals who thought my mistake was the funniest thing EVER, it did remind me that we all make mistakes.

So, in the interest of helping prevent these moments in your life…Here are five things you should think about before you run out to catch your next flight.

(Hint: Print this out, put it on the door and make it the last thing you see before you head out.)

1.  Double check your flight:  I think the reasons for this one are obvious now. It only takes a minute to stop and really read the ticket. Where are you supposed to be going? Are the times right? Take the time. Avoid the embarrassment.

2. Double check your passport: A certain friend, who shall remain nameless and who was heading to the same conference, discovered the night before we left that her passport was expired. Not a good situation when you’re supposed to be on a flight at 8:30 the next morning. Double check that yours will be valid for your entire trip at the time you book your ticket.  She was lucky and was able to get a passport on a rush basis and still join the conference. You should also keep a copy separate from your original. Make it easy and leave a copy in each of your most used bags and you’ll never have to worry.

3. Carry-on when you can: I’ve extolled the virtues of carry-on luggage before. Trust me, there’s not much worse than getting to a conference where “business casual” is expected and you only have your swimsuit cover-up with you…I’ve heard. And if conference organizers  want to send you home with things or you need to do a little a lot of shopping? No problem. Pack a bag that can be squished down to next to nothing in your carry-on on the way there, and used as a checked piece on the way home. And if the deals are really good, you can buy a bag where you are.

4.  Pack a portable charger: Unless you’re on a vacation where you’re opting out of your email, social media and online scrabble competitions, chances are you may want to stay connected on the go. Roaming plans are key to avoiding hefty charges but all is lost if you don’t have a charger and your battery is dying.  My #1 can’t leave home without it tool is the Fat Cat charger I tested out on this site months ago. I didn’t realize how much I was stressing over low battery alerts until I had it. No longer do I give the side eye to people taking up the extra plug at the airport or lose sleep over the flashing “you’ve got less than 10%” alert. I’m cool as a cucumber and charged to the nines to boot.

5.  Get good business cards: I know. Some will says that handing out your business card is old-school when everyone’s entire life is available online but the truth is sometimes you are asked for it and not having one just means you’ve lost one more chance to be remembered. I got a bunch of moo cards made recently with pictures from our trip around the world on the back and my headshot on the front and I can’t tell you how many times I’m asked about the photos. It’s a chance to connect through a story and my face on the front means they’ll be able to put face to name when I email.

Get business cards that give people something to talk about.

What about you? Any tips you’ve learned over the years through trial and error? 

While events like “Earth Day”  are bound to offer up plenty of good ideas for saving  the planet, it can also be overwhelming.  Do you recycle or upcycle? Should you compost or reuse? How do you make a difference on the planet when even getting there can raise your guilt levels?

Making a difference doesn’t have to be that hard. 

English: Planet Earth (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recently I attended an event by Aeroplan Canada where they showcased some of the ways you can use your miles to make a difference whether you’re traveling or at home.

Among them:

1.     Offset your carbon footprint:

There’s no way to get around it: Until there are developments and options in wide use that cut the emissions from airplanes, getting to far away lands is going to have an impact. What we can do is try our best to offset it with green initiatives on the ground. Aeroplan’s Carbon Offset Program allows  you to spend your miles to offset the miles you fly.  To dateAeroplan and its members have redeemed approximately 135 million Aeroplan Miles for carbon credits.  This equates to taking 11,953 passenger vehicles off of the road for one year.

2.     Support initiatives that matter to the planet

Aeroplan’s Beyond Miles program enables you to donate your miles to help charities. One of those partners is Earth Day Canada, which provides information and ideas for Canadians looking to do their part to make an environmental difference. Aeroplan began their partnership with the organization in 2009 after members asked for more environmental initiatives they could support.

 In honour of Earth Day, Aeroplan is matching all miles donated to Earth Day Canada on Monday April 22, 2013 up to 500,000 miles! Members can donate at www.aeroplan.com/donate. 

3.     Support those who are making a difference around the world.

While the focus on Earth Day tends to be the obvious environmental impact, it’s not the only way we can better our planet. There are charities out there working hard to keep people healthy alongside the trees. Among the partners that you can support through Aeroplan are organizations like The Nature Trust of BC, Small Change Fund Toronto and Ocean’s Initiative . Donations here will make a difference beyond Earth Day.

4.     Get the stuff that makes it easier to be earthy year round

And you don’t always have to sacrifice your miles to have them do good. Choosing to use your miles towards  green gifts for yourself or  for others can make a difference too. Aeroplan rewards include dozens of green and eco-friendly products that don’t sacrifice practicality for the environment. Choose from things like an Escali Bamboo Solar Powered Bath Scale to the Koolatron Outdoor composter   and you’ll reap the good karma while doing your part for the planet. 

This post was sponsored by Aeroplan Canada. As usual, all opinions are my own.

How many countries have you been to? 5? 50? 100? Do you count? I don’t.

The only number I know by heart is that last year on our trip around the world we hit 29 countries on six continents. I know this because Ish told me so.

I’m sure I could sit down and figure  out how many others I could add to that list after more than 10 years of traveling but to be honest I’ve never really wanted to do that. I think if you set out to hit a milestone number of countries, the chances that you’re going to lose focus on why you’re traveling is greater. My goal has never been to brag about how many places I’ve been to; for me it has always been the experience that matters.

Of course, this also means that I’ll probably never make the 100-country club but that’s ok. I’d probably be too busy heading to the next destination to receive the letter anyway.

But when The Traveling Brown Girls asked me to participate in a blog carnival sharing some of the places that remain high on my list of “must see,” that was something I could get behind.

So without further ado, my five:

1. Russia

When we made our original dream list of destinations for the RTW trip, Russia was high on my list. It fell off only because we couldn’t make it work so that we both continued to avoid winter and weren’t criss-crossing the globe (and emptying our life savings) to get there.  There are two reasons I think it has remained of interest to me: (1) St. Basil’s cathedral – every photo I see of it is absolutely stunning. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be in real life, and (2) It’s one of the last places where my minds’ eye won’t let me get beyond the stereotypes of big furry hats and elegant ladies sipping vodka and holding long cigarettes. I need to go so I can replace the Flintstones characters with real people.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. The Greek Islands

I’ve been to Athens and a couple of port cities on a cruise but the Greek islands have always called to me. We almost got there last year but weather again played a factor. It was going to be too cold in April/May to live out my fantasies of lying on the beach, eating Kalamata olives and snapping endless photos of white buildings and blue skies.  I need to get there.

English: Church of Paraportiani, Mykonos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Brazil

There’s something about the culture, colours and people of Brazil that has always called to me. I’d love to get down there for a festival like Carnaval or World Cup soccer . Afro-brazilian culture also intrigues. And time must be spent in Bahia. The palm trees and beaches demand I pay them adequate attention and who argues with the palm trees?

Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Rwanda

Places that have been in the news but only in negative ways intrigue me. We all heard about the Rwandan genocides  but there is so much more to the country. I’d like to see the beauty of the country and replace the horrifying images we were shown. Among the things I’d want to do there would be seeing gorillas in their native habitat and getting a better understanding of the people who’ve survived so much and thrived.

Mountain Gorilla, Umubano Group (Photo credit: David Schenfeld)

5. Philippines

My very first best friend when I was little was Filipino. I still remember going to her home and being welcomed by her family. Fast forward to our recent visit to Dubai when again, I found that loving feeling among Filipino friends we met in India and fell in love with in Dubai. Seriously, this has got to be one of the friendliest cultures in the world! Plus, the food is amazing. Sign me up!

Dubai jump shot

What about you? What are your top 5?

Looking for the other Traveling Brown Girl Carnival participants?

Trying to figure out where you can go with your 6-year old who hates to walk, your 12-your old who has a thing for dragons and your 14 year old who is smitten with Justin Bieber .

How do you find a spot where you can be reasonably sure that all of them can have a good time? If only there were a way to find out what a family just like yours did and enjoyed on their vacation?

You could  turn to the internet and spend countless hours searching for a stroller accessible, medieval castle with Bieber ties,  or you could try your luck with “Minitime,”a new vacation site aimed squarely at families who travel.

Now you can find trips that will please even the Be-lieber in your life.

In a nutshell, MiniTime’s approach is to show you – through their online portal -  traveling families that have families that are similar to yours so that when you get a review of a family friendly attraction or hotel,  you’ll know that “other 6 year olds loved it too” or that “you might want to do this one with only the tweens.”

It focuses on hotels and attractions  and if when filling out your profile you state the month and year of your child’s birth along with their sex, it will weight reviews from other families with similar characteristics in the results when you’re searching.

Some have described the new project as a “tripadvisor” for families. Over time you can expect that you’ll begin to “follow” – just like Facebook – families that seem to share your interests and have kids the same age as yours. And that could save you time and money while allowing you to book things with confidence.

New Family Travel Vacation Planning Site helps take the guesswork out of keeping kids happy

I tried out the MiniTime site this week and was surprised to find how easy it is to use. It only takes a few minutes to put up a review and I can already see the value in being able to get another family’s opinion on a specific spot. For example, I added my two cents to the Newseum discussion and realized I wasn’t the only one who thought it was incredible. And though, I only added information about our visit to the Capitol to my review of Capitol Hill, it was useful to see that others have recommended places to eat and stay nearby. It’s the kind of information I wish I’d had during our visit.

It’s clear that the families who are trying it out are happy too as many have more than one review up on board. I’m looking forward to having MiniTime in my corner as I plan future trips with the boys.

Take that Justin Bieber!

This post was sponsored by MiniTime. As usual all opinions are my own.

But when we were invited to fly down to Washington D.C. in February to meet some of the National Geographic editors and a few of the other recipients, our minds were blown. What an honour to be on a stage with these incredible people and to be inside the famous yellow square to boot.

We’re still pinching ourselves.

The video of the night has just been released. Grab the family along with a cup of coffee,  glass of wine or juice box, settle in and you’ll see just how incredible a group of people our fellow nominees are.

We hope you’ll be as inspired as we were to keep on traveling!

Related articles

• National Geographic Live: Travelers of the Year (globetrottingmama.com)
• What I learned from National Geographic’s travelers of the year (alloverthemap.net)

A bit presumptuous if you ask me.

Somehow it’s not enough that you forked out the airfare and gave them a great trip? Now, you’re expected to bring them home too?!? 

Here are a few way to make sure you don’t lose the little ones while you travel:

1. Start the rules about staying close long before you’re walking through that crowded Thai market:

My boys were 6 and 8 when we left for the around the world trip. They were just big enough that holding hands to cross the street was a fading affair, but before we left we explained to them that hand-holding would be making a comeback while we travelled. We assured them it wasn’t a reflection of our trust in them but of our lack of trust in our new surroundings. Often what might start out as hand-holding would loosen as we got more comfortable to shirt-tail holding, back jean pocket holding and sometimes, to just having a hand on a cart. But if we asked for it they gave in to our need to feel better in a new place. The rule was that even if we weren’t holding hands, they had to remain within arms length in busy places.  We enforced it strictly until it became routine.

2. Change the stranger danger talk.

When you’re traveling, everyone is a “stranger” which makes the whole “don’t talk to strangers” thing really tough to enforce – especially when you want your kid to order their own gelato. Instead we try to teach our kids about assessing situations and trusting “gut feelings,” and give them non-verbal and verbal ways to let us know if they’re uncomfortable in any given situation. There has been a lot of talk about codewords in Toronto lately (recently a young girl thwarted an attempted abduction when the would be kidnappers didn’t know the pre-arranged codeword she had with her parents.) It’s a great idea. We have one too. The kids also know that just because we smile and say “hello” to a stranger, doesn’t make them a trusted friend. They learned to watch our cues during the course of the trip and continue to do so now that we’re home.

3. Make it fun

An airport can be an amazing place when you’re a kid. All of the people and wheeling carts and flickering signs…it’s no wonder kids tend to wander off. Hand-holding becomes tough there too. With all of the bags and carts, yours and others, it can be a lot like walking into the middle of an intersection in Vietnam – confusing. That’s why we created…”the sandwich!” Ish and I are the pieces of bread and the kids can decide which fillings they’d like to be. We usually end up with weird creations like tomatoes and macaroni, and they may change their new names a few times as we make our way to the counter, but it doesn’t matter. The key is that the fillings are never outside the bread. A few cries of “what’s happening to my sandwich?” and they dutifully fall back in line.

My only job in the eyes of my parents: Bring them home safely

4. Consider labels and identification bracelets

We didn’t use any identification bracelets on our guys on this trip but it may be something you’ll want to consider if they’re prone to wander. I’m dead-set against the toddler harnesses that look like dog leashes. Sorry, I know some like it but it freaks me out.  We do label their stuff (Mabel’s Labels were a god-send for that) but I’ve always been wary of things with their name on it in prominent places like the back of a shirt. It makes it really easy for “strangers” to catch the kids off guard. “Hey Ethan, your mom told me you should wait here,” is bound to get a kid to assume they might know this person more than if  the would-be evildoer says  “Hey kid, your mom told me you should wait here.”  Why help the evildoers?  Just my two cents.

5. Prepare for the worst.

Whenever we went into a new situation we’d be sure to point out the people and places in that situation that could be of help if they needed it.

Make sure your kids know what to do  if they do get separated from you. Who should they turn to? What can they do? For example, our kids know that it is perfectly OK and they won’t get into any trouble if they scream.  Even in a library, even in a church, even in their school. If they are in a situation where they’ve been separated from us or feel like they are in danger, it is perfectly OK to scream at the top of their lungs.

What about you? What tips do you use/have for parents trying to keep the kids safe?

I know my Aeroplan number and my passport number by heart. I  can site my family’s passport expiration dates on request.

I can fill out customs forms in under 60 seconds and if called upon I can be ready to go on a trip within an hour.

I know its geeky but it’s who I am.

I love my passport.

Passportz (Photo credit: Jason Spaceman)

This one especially! We clocked a year of incredible places in this one. There are visas for China and Vietnam and India and stamps from the panda sanctuary in Chengdu, Macchu Picchu and the Great Wall of China.

So you can imagine my frustration and fear  when I realized that my passport was set to expire in April.

I held off as long as I could – taking one more trip to Miami this month – before heading down to the Passport office to renew. And that’s when I just about lost my mind.

AAAARRRGGGHHH (Photo credit: Evil Erin)

The passport office is designed to drive a travel junkie crazy. It’s a clear game of “let’s see how bad they really want this thing.”

Proof?

1. Line bait and double switch: When you first get to the office you have to wait in line to have someone check your forms and identification to make sure you have everything you need to complete your application. Usually it’s a fairly fast process and short line. What they don’t tell you until you get clearance is that after you leave that airy space and semi-smiling form checker, you will have to spend the rest of eternity in a room crammed with a hundred other people and no bathroom in sight waiting to actually file your form. Cruel.

2.  Forced Withdrawal: In this room where you’ll have to wait forever? You are not allowed to eat, drink or use your phone. Nope, your job while you are here is to wait and look around at the other sorry souls who want to get out of town so badly that they too hate everyone around them right now. Your shared pastime for the next hour (or six) is watching the board hoping your number will come up.

3. Mind Games: Which brings me to the number board. Never in the history of mankind has a crueler line system existed. On the day in question I was “D246.” That’s a letter and a number people. And if you think for a minute that seeing “D245″ pop up on the screen means you’re next, then they got you too. Nope, time slows once you’re only a couple of numbers away. Suddenly there’s A dozen “A’s” and “B’s” and even “E’s” on the board. I swear there’s a man sitting somewhere watching the room through a camera and the minute you look like you’re on the edge of your seat, ready to go, they skip your number.  Also guaranteed? The guy who walks in, magazine in hand, looking like there isn’t anywhere he needs to be, and is up at a counter in 30 seconds. To be fair, I think I’ve seen this same system at Ikea. (I rest my case.)
4. Hard labour: There are no harder chairs on the planet than the ones in the waiting room of a passport office. Even those of us with ample..er…padding… suffer.

5.  Earworm cruelty. No one – not even those of us who listened to it when it was an original hit – needs to hear Toni Braxton’s “He wasn’t man enough for me” twice in an hour. No. One.

The only thing that absolves this pain?

The arrival at my door a few days later of that shiny, magical, blue book to world travel freedom.

I didn’t kiss the mail man… but I wanted to.

Is your passport up to date? Where are you going next?

Nix that, their home.

It’s because they make travel so much more difficult for the rest of us.

So if you fall into this list, I’m talking to you.

Stop. And if you can’t, then at least stop travelling.

1. The entitled recliner: Congratulations!  You’ve discovered your seat can recline! And despite your four foot frame have also decided that there simply isn’t enough “leg room” there for you in an upright position. Instead, you’ve decided to maximize your space by taking this ride with your head in my lap. Seriously? Here’s a clue: If you can see up my nose when you are looking straight ahead, you’re too far back. And if you must recline, which in some circumstances is absolutely warranted, then can you go slow or offer a bit of warning? Ramming my tray table into my lap or my computer into your headrest is only going to make me accidentally on purpose make your life miserable from behind.

Crowded Airplane Seating (Photo credit: Frank Gruber)

2. The loud talker:  We are in a confined space together, granted, but that doesn’t mean I want to know your deepest secrets or what you did that you can never tell your husband. If I’m not a part of the conversation I shouldn’t be able to hear it. Keep your voice down and your racist opinions or dirty stories to yourself. The train/plane/bus  isn’t the place for it. Shut up.

3.  The dramatic eye roller/ heavy sigher/ head shaker – Yes, they are out of tomato juice on the flight. The stewardess has explained why. Your dramatic eye roll to me when her back is turned isn’t winning you any points. Sighing won’t help either. Grow up.
4. People who get too involved in your life too quickly: I said “hello.” That wasn’t an invitation into my life. I have actually met people on the plane who I’d love to hang out with but if I’ve spent most of the flight trying to use the old “my headphones are in so I can’t hear you” routine, chances are  this relationship is going to end when we land. You trying to find out exactly where I’ll be in town tonight and when we might grab a drink is over the line. Way over. Back away from your contact book buddy. Not going to happen.

Shhh (Photo credit: Cayusa)

5. Baby haters: The baby is crying. It’s loud. It’s annoying. I get it. But you know what, judging from the way his mother is juggling him and walking the aisles and suffering through it, I’m guessing she’s not enjoying it either. Loud talking about how much you hate flying with kids on the plane isn’t helping the situation and only makes you look like a boob. Stop it. Buy a pair of earplugs and suck it up. You’re the grown up, remember?

And voila. Isn’t the trip that much better without them?

Too harsh? What’s your travel pet peeve?

Related articles

• 5 Steps to better family travel in 2013 (globetrottingmama.com)

Show me a game that requires me to strategize or answer trivia and I’m all over it.

Mom showing the boys just how War is really played…;)

Case in point: We played Scene It Jr. with the kids recently (one of my favourite games!) and I may have done a Balitmore Ravens worthy touchdown dance (away from the children) when I won.

See, when I get involved in those kinds of games I tend to get a wee bit competitive.

Not in an elbows-out-Christmas-shopper kind of way but……ok, exactly like that.

I’m not proud of it but once you introduce any kind of competitive element to a task, something takes over me and suddenly I want to win!

And this is why I’m psyched about Aeroplan’s latest offering.

The Star Challenge allows members – of which I am one – the chance to earn up to 25,000 bonus miles through more than 100 partners including social media!

Register today  and from now through April 10, 2013 doing  what you already do – buying gas at Esso, shopping at Home Hardware, renting from Avis, staying at Starwood properties, etc. – will earn you stars that will get you additionl Aeroplan miles. Collect 50 stars and you’ll get up to 2,500 bonus miles; collect 100 and you’ll get up to 25,000 miles PLUS every star collected gives you a chance to win 1 of 10 prizes of 500,000 miles!

This might be a good time to point out that 25,000 miles is enough to take you almost anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Think Miami or California or Vermont….

I bet that woke you up. Here’s how it works:

• Members need to register on aeroplan.com/star or by texting STAR and their Aeroplan Number
to 23333.
• Members earn Aeroplan Stars by shopping and using the services of participating Aeroplan
Partners when they show or swipe their Aeroplan Card. You’ll earn 2 stars for every $1000 block of spending at financial partners (to a maximum of 10 stars), 5 stars per segment of Air Canada travel booked between March 11 and April 10 and flown between March 11 and April 30, 3 Stars for each Star Alliance partner you fly between March 11 and April 10, 2 stars for every transaction at Retail partners and up to 5 stars per transaction at Non-Air Travel partners like hotels and car rentals.

This is the second year of the challenge and the folks at Aeroplan wanted to kick it up a notch. So, new this year, you can also earn Stars through engagement on Aeroplan’s Facebook page. Answer trivia questions, follow Aeroplan on Twitter or invite friends to join you and you can earn up to 9 Stars for  specific actions such as
sharing, liking, following and recommending. You’ll also be able to keep track of your progress on leaderboards online.

Want more details? Think you can beat me?

Visit www.aeroplan.com/star for a full list of participating partners, details and conditions.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Aeroplan. As always all opinions are my own.

What you want to see from your kids this March Break

With Ontario attractions recognizing that families who are staying home this week need attention too, you can still get a great week without breaking the bank.

Here are 5 to get you going:

1. March Break at the ROM

From March 9 – 17, head on a global adventure to explore six different worlds including archaeology, palaeontology, zoology and more.All interactive activities and art projects are included with general admission from 11 am to 4 pm daily.  Interested in the exhibitions and galleries without the activities? Take advantage of discounted pricing after 4:30 pm (Adults-$9.00; Students/Seniors- $8.00; Children-$6.00), and special extended hours open evenings until 8:30 pm.

Details: www.rom.on.ca

2. Ontario Science Centre

Got a Sonic the Hedgehog fan at home? How about Mario Bros.? Pac Man? Pong? If the love for video games surpasses generations in your house, like it does in mine the newest exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre is bound to get people excited. Arriving March 9 the Game On 2.0 exhibit will feature more than 150 playable games – including pinball games – from across the history of the medium. In its first Canadian Appearance, the exhibit is bound to be popular with visitors who can experience more than 60 years of gaming and gain insight into what’s coming next. There are interactive opportunities for all ages and the exhibit is free for all ages.

Details: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/GameOn/

3.  Ski Party at Horseshoe Resort

Tweens and teens need entertaining too. Canada’s newest and Ontario’s largest ski and snowboard festival, Horseshoe Open, March 8-10. Presented by 102.1 The Edge and hosted by radio station personalities, Dean Blundell and Todd Shapiro, the three-day event will host some of North America’s best skiers, snowboarders and DJs alongside concerts from celebrated Canadian rapper, Kardinal Offishall and indie rock group, Young Empires. Watch skiers and snowboarders  compete in  events that span the  resort’s 26 ski runs and popular terrain park, including Slopestyle, Rail Jam and Junior Jam categories. The main event comes on Saturday evening when the professional Big Air competition takes to the firelit skies. The Coors Light Pro Rider after party with performances from Young Empires and Kardinal Offishall caps it off. Stay into the week and enjoy the  Kids Korral program – winter day camps from $40 per day, which include winter adventure walks, snowman building, indoor/outdoor arts & crafts, snowshoeing, winter soccer and more. And with ski programs for kids as young as 3, you can make sure the entire family is enjoying the fun.

Details:  www.horseshoeresort.com

4.Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey Hall of Fame
byline: Doug Brown
Courtesy of Tourism Toronto

Chances are your little ones still haven’t quite got over that strike from a few months back. And now that the shortened season is in full-gear they need somewhere to go where they can work off  that pent up energy. The Hockey Hall of Fame is perfect for that. I love that it’s so close to Union Station – making it easy to get to – and it’s in the heart of downtown meaning you can easily add it on to another stop or pop out to grab something to eat without requiring a bank loan.With extended hours over March Break and a new 3D movie to watch, it’s bound to be a hit with your smallest NHL fans.

Details: www.hhof.com

5. Delta Chelsea Hotel

Voted City Parent Magazine’s “Best Hotel in the GTA” ten times since 2002, The Delta Chelsea Hotel is a great spot from which to take in the best of the city. My favourite thing about the Delta Chelsea is the effort they put into providing quality family programming during holiday weeks. This March Break is no different. Expect to be met in the lobby by the hotel robot “DC”, face painting stations, refreshments, a movie station to keep the children entertained and an information desk so you can start planning your activities. The Family Fun Zone which boasts a Kid Centre, the Club 33 Teen Lounge and a family pool with “Corkscrew,” the only indoor waterslide in downtown Toronto is always popular. And extras during March Break that include Rocks and Rings curling, complimentary Segway rides, a chance to meet  Scooby-Doo and family trivia nights handle all the energy little ones can muster. Best of all the hotel prides itself on helping families have great stays at great rates: Kids 17 and under stay free in the room of their parents. Kids eat for free from the special children’s menu for children 6 and under, while children ages 7 to 12 years old, eat for half price from the regular menu or at list price from the special children’s menu. And when you’re not at the hotel? You can hit up area attractions or check the kids into a program and head off to enjoy the separate adults-only area on the 27^th floor which features  a state-of-the-art fitness facility and pool. Hey, It’s your March Break too, right?

Details: www.deltachelsea.com/marchbreak

Looking for more? CAA offers a full list of Member-exclusive partner offers and special March Break deals including discounts that can be used with some of the locations mentioned above. Visit CAA’s March Break page for details.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by CAA. As always all opinions are my own.

Listen, I understand. I know how the hours, turn into days and then weeks and then suddenly you’re staring down that “last 5 days” stretch knowing that at the end of it is complete holiday upheaval.

I’ve been there too.

The upside is that while those who are way more organized than you and I have likely booked and paid for their dream March Break travel, we can settle in and scoop up those last minute deals.

Who’s laughing now, right? Well, probably them on a beach…but soon you’ll be laughing too.

Here are a few ways to still get a break out of March Break:

1. Drive don’t fly: Even with the high cost of gas a road trip can prove to be a lot less expensive than booking your family of four or more on an airline. Leave Friday after school (or miss a few days…) and take your time driving to your holiday getaway. The money you save can go towards cool activities when you get there. And don’t think you have to go all the way to Florida for it to be a vacation. Many hotels have March Break offerings that will provide plenty for the kids to do while giving you a break on accommodation costs. Head to the next city over and book in for a few nights.

Looking to save a few bucks? Consider driving a few cities over.

2. Pick a getaway that is the opposite to the spot where everyone else is going: You’re running out of time if you’re hoping to get to one of the most popular of March Break getaways: Orlando. You can spend the next 48 hours trying to make that happen….or you can turn your attention elsewhere. Europe is on its shoulder season now. Las Vegas is offering great deals at off-the strip properties and Bermuda (which is warm without being hot) is a steal. Take off the blinders and scoop out a new family favourite.

Bermuda shores

3. Call in the rewards from plans you already have: Frequent flier? Loyal to a particular hotel brand? All of those points can save you a whole lot of moolah now that it’s time to get out of town. Take a good hard look at your reward offerings and make sure you know how to maximize those savings. An example: With a CAA membership  you can save money on everything from the hotel stay to the car rental

Looking for more or giving up on leaving home entirely? Watch for more posts aimed at helping you get through March Break or get ready for Spring Break over the coming days.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by CAA. As always all opinions are my own

Walking and Talking in China

And then there’s Portugal that stole my heart from the moment we saw it from the back of a motorcycle in Lisbon.

And India whose soul is in the eyes of everyone you meet and where you can’t help but be swept away.

And Egypt and New Zealand and Kenya and …you get the point.

And so you can imagine how difficult it is for us to pick one place over all the others.

Correction: You can imagine how difficult it is for three of us to pick one place over all the others.  Cameron has no trouble whatsoever.

From the moment he got there, he’s known. And despite the amazing adventures he has experienced in other countries, despite high flying balloon adventures, and pyramid climbing and cooking classes and french pastries , he hasn’t wavered.

The spot: Alberta.

Yup. That Alberta.  The one in his home country of Canada. And the third stop on our trip.

The only word I can use to describe him when he was there is euphoric. It was the stop that made him feel like a “big boy” whether he was riding a horse all by himself or cheering at the Stampede.

I tell you this because I think so many people are hung up on the reasons they can’t do a trip around the world. They tell me how amazing a trip around the world must be for my children and they lament the fact that it may not be something they can give their own. They spout off lists of places that are “too far away” and forget that it’s not the place but the experience in it that matters.

I want you to understand that while I am so glad and feel so fortunate to have been able to show my kids so much. I’m also very aware of how the smallest actions closer to home can have a big impact. How exposure can help a child who thinks he’s so very small, find himself .

So thanks Alberta, for showing Cameron where his heart is. In your mountains, on your trails and with a horse named Chip.