Eileen interviewed on WGN Radio
Travel and vacation guru Eileen Ogintz of ttk-old.o2dev.net joins Dane “On The Road” to share the latest in travel experiences and the greatest gift giving ideas for 2017!
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Luggage that glides effortlessly through airports and more
As someone who has only ever traveled with “dumb-wheeled” suitcases, the new iFly X Series (starting at $89) carry-on’s four 360-degree spinner wheels helped my luggage glide effortlessly
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A Kids’s Perspective: Living on Antigua in the Caribbean West Indies
Katherine Woodhouse, 10, has lived her entire life on the Caribbean island of Antigua where her mom is the resident manager of the Curtain Bluff Resort
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To NYC and beyond Manhattan during the holiday season
Some 6 million visitors from around the world come to the Big Apple this time of year, more tourists than at any other time of year
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
5 Reasons You Need To Take The Kids to Santa Fe NM in 2018
Santa Fe is the city different with a bustling art scene, a cultural hub and a restaurant scene that will have foodies from both sides of the coast drooling with jealousy
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Building a gingerbread chapel at the historic Broadmoor Resort in CO
The Broadmoor Resort’s 17-foot high gingerbread house this year is a replica of the Pauline Chapel, due west of the sprawling resort that was completed in 1919 by the owner of the resort, Spencer Penrose, for his wife Julie as a place of reflection
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A special new style trip as a gift
The perfect gift: a trip together, but not just any trip, a custom adventure designed for your group, based on their ages and interests. And it doesn’t have to be as big a budget-buster as you might think.
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The Holidays at Denver’s Historic Brown Palace Hotel
For many Denver families, the holidays include a visit to the historic Brown Palace Hotel to see the extravagant Christmas lights, enjoy a sumptuous tea under the holiday lights or do Breakfast with Santa.
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Holidays in a hotel? Relax and avoid family stress
This year, we’re not home for the holidays but we’re not guests or hosts. As the Thanksgiving holiday coincided with a family Bat Mitzvah in Denver, we’re comfortably ensconced at the Marriott Denver West Hotel
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Making holiday lights a post-Thanksgiving tradition
There’s no better time to see who has the biggest and best holiday lights than as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are done. In some cases, before Thanksgiving if you are looking for ways to get everyone out of the house
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Super Bag Pro Fits the Gym Clothes and the Suit
The Super Bag Pro bills itself as a “mobile closet” but it’s the size of a gym bag. Great for the gym but you can even keep a suit inside
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Debunking Thanksgiving myths
That first Thanksgiving in 1621, the Pilgrims and Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe feasted on venison, shellfish, and while there might have been wild turkey, there were just as likely swans, ducks and geese.
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Peru: Person-To-Person Culinary Experiences In The Inca World
Peru is the latest “it” culinary destination. Peruvian cuisine is a fusion of flavors. The melting pot of indigenous and migrant people is reflected in its kitchen.
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More than one Dolphin Tale at the Clearwater (FL) Marine Aquarium
Winter has inspired the hit movie Dolphin Tale (2011) and attendance at the small aquarium has jumped from 76,000 to over 600,000 a year, many with physical challenges.
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Micro-puff hoody from Patagonia keeps the chill off, packs small
My new favorite jacket is my Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody, which the brand says is the most thermally efficient synthetic hoody they’ve every made
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Supporting Sonoma County
No one wants to at all diminish the horrible impact of the fires. They just want people like you and me to realize that the best way to help is to visit
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Casual comfort shoes for day travel; spiffier for dinners and events
If you’re doing a lot of walking on your travels but also need to spiff yourself for dinners or events, Ecco has a great solution.
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Gathering the gang when budget isn’t a concern (and when it is!)
Those who are looking for the ultimate where-I-spent-the-holidays bragging rights (and have $40,000 to spare) can gather the gang Thanksgiving or Christmas (seven bedrooms in separate cabins) this holiday season for a three- or four-night experience
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Ultralight down sweater from L.L.Bean keeps the autumn chill off
At only 10 ounces, the Ultralight 850 Down Sweater from L.L. Bean is great on chilly days.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
Taking the Kids — away from the crowds to play in the snow
We discovered one week last winter that, despite the tumbles, it’s exhilarating for everyone in the family to have the chance to try a new snow activity like snowmobiling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing or biking on “fat bikes,”
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Inexpensive, lightweight travel jewelry
I hate to weigh down my bag with too many necklaces, bracelets and earrings. That’s why I like the eco-friendly BaliBead, made from recycled glass
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Tops and pants for every travel occasion
The key to packing smart is choosing versatile pieces that are not only easy maintenance but comfortable and make you feel you are dressed appropriately whatever the occasion or the weather
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Packing smart for your next family trip
If you are like me and want to pack more efficiently, especially these days when you don’t want to pay for bags for the entire family (wait at the airport for them or need a larger rental car to accommodate the bags), this column is for you.
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Taking the whole family on a cruise
There are ships to suit every budget and travel style, from adventure-minded families chartering a small ship from a company like AdventureSmith Explorations that accommodates as few as a dozen guests, to a river cruise in Europe to a megaship in the Caribbean
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To San Diego, where kids are free all month!
Welcome to San Diego, considered California’s birthplace, and one of the most kid-friendly cities in America
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One Fine Day In Vancouver, British Columbia
My family and I recently spent a whirlwind 24 hours in Vancouver, Canada. We were impressed with this friendly, functional city and hope to return.
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Clipa keeps your small travel bags off the ground
Hang your purse, backpack or diaper bag in seconds with a Clipa bag hanger. It prevents contact with germs, water and dirt, extending the life of your bag.
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Celebrating Halloween for an entire month
You’ll need that costume a lot sooner than Halloween since theme parks, zoos, haunted attractions, farms, even zip lines everywhere are touting Halloween festivities and scares all October long
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To the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture
Since the museum opened Sept. 24, 2016 on the National Mall, next to the Washington Monument, nearly 3 million people have visited the 12 inaugural exhibitions
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Local festivals and culture year-round: Puerto Vallarta
Local festivals offer a great entrée to a new culture and, Puerto Vallarta is a terrific bet to experience them whenever you visit
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Not a single complaint. Not even a sibling spat
Eileen blogs about our recent biking adventure with families and kids along the Danube River with Backroads and AMAWaterways.
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Hot Fashion at the Style Fashion Week NYC
The Style Fashion Week NYC events at the Intrepid Museum were electrifying! I had the opportunity to see two afternoon shows in the presentation room at the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86
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Vacation rentals are perfect for families that like to enjoy home-cooked meals
My far flung family loves to cook when we are together on vacation so we like to stay in condos where we can spread out and enjoy homemade meals—whether chili and just baked corn bread, spaghetti bolognese, or steaks cooked over the condo grill.
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Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Weekly Column
To Budapest and exploring a new city through food and drink
In Budapest, The Hungarian Flodni layer cake with plum jam, apple, poppy seed and walnuts lives up to its reputation. Yum! So do the “Baselon,” (translated as a “friend’s ear”) — dumplings fashioned from potato dough with plum jam and sprinkled with brown sugar.
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On a European river cruise with kids of all ages
The all-inclusive nature of these cruises also seems to de-stress the experience — just choose which shore excursion you like, borrow a bike, enjoy complimentary wine and beer and more on some ships.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Taking the Kids — to a fall festival
There’s a lot to celebrate in fall — not the least of which is the kids getting back to school and out from underfoot. There are festivals galore
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Like running on a cloud with Hoka Trail-Running Shoes
Running on the Hoka One One Speed Instinct Trail-Running Shoes ($130) is like floating on a cloud.
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Talking to Children about Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
Once again, parents and teachers are faced with the challenge of discussing an overwhelming natural disaster with children. Although these may be difficult conversations, they are also important. There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to talk with children about such tragic events. However, here are some suggestions that you may find helpful
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A right sized day pack for travel anywhere – from LL Bean
A daypack is essential whether we are traveling with kids or not, but some are too bulky and some too small. LL Bean has it just right with the Ridge Runner 25 Day Pack
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Shoes for cycling and walking from LL Bean
Shoes make all the difference when hiking or biking or both. But many people wear different shoes for each. LL Bean has another option
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Cycling gear for comfort and affordability from LL Bean
On our recent cycling trip along the Danube with Backroads and AMA Waterways, we tested out some very comfortable and affordable cycling gear from LL Bean.
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Take the Kids (or Your Girlfriends) To Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences is a beachfront and cliff top hacienda-style resort, located along Millionaire’s Row in stunning Los Cabos
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Lunch is served at Cabarrus County’s Hospitality and Tourism Academy in NC
The farm to table lunch was expertly prepared and served. But we weren’t at some trendy new restaurant. We were at Cabarrus County’s Hickory Ridge High School
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Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
On an adventure when the kids are in or out of college
Welcome to a Backroads Breakaway trip. Besides the biking, there are special walking tours in various cities and lunches in out-of-the-way local spots.
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The Best Friends in Life are the Ones Who Stick Around!
SackPals provides a warm, cozy environment for kids to create a world of imagination and fun during playtime or while traveling in a car or plane
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Florida’s Hidden Beach Destination: Marco Island
I still wake up in the morning thinking about our unforgettable hotel room view of the Gulf of Mexico, reminiscent of the Caribbean turquoise waters
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Visiting Chicago in summer: Baseball, pizza, burgers and The Bean
Everyone told my mom and dad that the first thing we should eat was get deep dish pizza. We made our way to the original Pizzeria Uno in downtown Chicago.
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Skyroam keeps you connected globally at a low cost
International travelers know well the hassles of dealing with cellular carriers and finding WiFI hotspots. No more with Skyroam
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Hipper than Paris? Try Cousin City Montreal
Montreal is like Paris’ overseas cousin that you don’t get to visit very often although it’s close in proximity and dare I say, more hip and happening
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Pants that breathe – More Cool Travel Gear
Breathability. That’s what you need most when you want to wear pants on a hot summer night and then hop on your bike for a ride about town
