Touring Universal Orlando like a VIP with a guide

Touring Universal Orlando like a VIP with a guide

Because we’re staying on property at the wonderful Loews Portifino Bay Hotel, just a short water taxi ride from both parks and CityWalk shopping and entertainment area, we could have entered the park an hour before opening to avoid the mad crush. But I had another ace up my sleeve.

Four days in Orlando exploring the new theme park attractions

Four days in Orlando exploring the new theme park attractions

The baby is so fluffy! I petted the four month-old still covered in dark brown down. I did that at the behind the scenes tour at the brand new Antarctica Empire of the Penguin exhibit at SeaWorld Orlando—home to 250 penguins from four different species.

To Aspen in summer when it’s affordable

To Aspen in summer when it’s affordable

There’s no better place to combine activity and indulgence than in Aspen in summer. And it won’t bust your budget either. The Little Nell, for example, is offering free room nights and fly-fishing excursions, with rates as much as half-off peak winter rates. You can save even more on a condo rental in Aspen or Snowmass,

Whitewater Rafting and other Adventures in Wild (and Wet!) West Virginia

Whitewater Rafting and other Adventures in Wild (and Wet!) West Virginia

The sun is warming us with brief guest appearances through the clouds, and the cool river water running though the deep canyon is not too high but not too low. The conditions are perfect for a day of whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River with River Expeditions outfitters.

Abacos Islands in the Bahamas: Laid back and simple family vacation territory

Abacos Islands in the Bahamas: Laid back and simple family vacation territory

Welcome to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas —a chain of some 120 tiny islands, home to just 14,000 people and a mecca for boaters, fisherman, snorkelers and divers. Today we’re at Munjack Cay about 40 miles by boat from the town of Marsh Harbor with Lincoln and Marcus Jones who have brought us and some other guests here to cook the fish we’ve just caught.

Learning all about Junkanoo, the festivals kids love most in the Bahamas

Learning all about Junkanoo, the festivals kids love most in the Bahamas

What began with programs for school kids in the Bahamas in 2000, now attracts cruise ship passengers and other visitors for workshops in Junkanoo costume making. And what amazing costumes they are, put together with thousands and thousands of strips of brightly colored crepe paper adorned with feathers and gold and silver buttons.