Tucked neatly into the Swiss Alps, sitting at around 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) above sea level less than 15 kilometres from the France border, a former tuberculosis sanatorium now houses 80 or so grade 12 students from some 55 countries during the academic year. But they’re not the only students at Leysin American School (LAS)…
19 things to do at American Dream mall (that aren’t shopping)
You might expect that a four-day visit to New Jersey’s American Dream mall would’ve meant we came home well over our shopping declaration limit, especially since the state doesn’t charge tax on clothes and shoes. But, no. We might have squeezed in a mere two hours of shopping despite spending a total of eight to…
Where to go horseback trail riding in Ontario
The first time I ever went horseback trail riding, I was hooked — the horses, the adventure, feeling the wind in my hair and hearing fallen leaves crunching beneath hooves. I was 11 or 12 years old and it was just an hour-long walk on an old mare, the standard trail ride you can find…
Watching the 2024 solar eclipse at Fort Henry in Kingston — and more!
Now that most of the school boards in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have declared April 8 a PA Day, many of you are probably considering using it as an opportunity to take your kids, tweens and teens to experience the 2024 solar eclipse. We’re making this a multigenerational family affair and heading to Fort…
7 personalized family gifts for the holidays
It was so much easier when the kids were little, right?! You could gift them LEGO, dolls or stuffed animals and they might even just as happy with the boxes they came in. Fast forward to the tween and teen years and they either want money or tech. For many gift-givers, though, handing over a…
The only ski trip packing checklist you need
Once we started skiing, we progressively ditched the sunny southern holidays in favour of ski trips. Now that I’ve really nailed our ski packing list and system after eight years of trial and error, I figured it’s time to share! Assuming you’re going on a five- to six-day ski holiday, here’s the ski trip packing…
The perfect 4-day New York itinerary
You did it — you decided to take on the concrete jungle that is Manhattan — perhaps for the first time. Whether you’re heading there for a long weekend or a midweek getaway, you want to go armed with some kind of plan so you don’t find yourself wandering aimlessly in a city where efficiency…
Top 7 things to do in New York City in the rain
(I updated this New York City in the rain post on Dec. 13, 2024) New York City in the rain. It happens. And yet, even in the rain, NYC’s electricity never dwindles. I’ve walked dozens of blocks in torrential downpours with a smile on my face because Manhattan is, hands down, one of my favourite…
BeautiTone paint colours in a beachy bedroom
The K Man started high school this year and — like many 14 year olds — thought about the possibility of bringing a girl home. And with it, the horror of one seeing his bedroom, decorated the same way for the 12 years we’ve lived in this home. From Scrabble-themed artwork to a bookshelf covered…
All-inclusive family resorts: best resorts for kids
There’s nothing like a tropical family vacation to escape winter and spend some much-needed, device-free time reconnecting with your kids. And having done our fair share of travel at some of the best resorts for kids in North America and the Caribbean, both piecing together our own holidays — booking flights, accommodations and managing activities…