Looking for the best cheap hotels in NYC? You’ve come to the right place! After more than a dozen visits to The Big Apple, I’m thrilled to share personal reviews for seven properties in Manhattan that offer the best value in the three- to five-star range. Some include breakfast with your stay, while others have…
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…
Restaurants – NYC: a map for your next visit
(I updated this Restaurants – NYC post on Feb. 5, 2024, adding another bakery and several more lunch and dinner recos. Enjoy!) Restaurants in NYC. Need I say more? I plan nearly every trip around restaurants I want to try, and NYC has been at the heart of my foodie adventures for more than two…
Rooftop pool in New York City + weekend in Brooklyn
What do you get when you pair a weekend in Brooklyn with a fabulous rooftop pool in New York City? You get one helluva good time in one of the most interesting boroughs in NYC — and you get this post to help you plan it. Despite nearly a dozen visits to The Big Apple…
14 fun bike trails in Toronto & near GTA
(This bike trails in Toronto post was updated on August 23, 2021.) When the pandemic first hit, we went into a bike-buying frenzy and suddenly found ourselves becoming a cycling family. It then became my mission — as a mom without child care who needed to entertain her children during the summer break — to…
7 tips for booking last-minute sun holidays
There’s little I like more than a great vacation with family or friends. Or both. But what tops it is getting those vacations for a steal of a deal. There are so many different strategies for saving money on travel and you’ll probably hear contradicting advice depending on who you’re talking to or what you’re…
Adults at Disney: Kissimmee villas, the best rides at Magic Kingdom & more
I’ve been to Disneyworld as a child, as a parent with my kids and as an adult for a momcation. All three options are awesome but I had no idea that being adults at Disney — without any partners or children tagging along — could be so much fun. Use my Disney for adults ideas…
All-inclusive resorts for families in Cancun: Beach Palace Cancun review
So you’ve been searching for all-inclusive resorts for families in Cancun and there are hundreds of results, right? That’s in part because Cancun is riddled with more hotels and resorts than I think any of us could stay at in a single lifetime, and — unless they’re adult-only — each one is going to try…
Best Mayan Riviera resorts: my Grand Velas Riviera Maya review
I have been eyeing the Grand Velas Riviera Maya for years and trying to tack on a few nights here or there for the last couple of trips to Mexico. I’m so glad we were finally able to make it happen at the end of 2019 so I can add the Grand Velas Riviera Maya…
Algonquin camping for anyone (even newbies!)
Maybe you’re an expert canoe tripper who’s ready to portage dozens of kilometres to find the perfect site. Maybe you just want to head into Algonquin Park for the day with someone who can show you around. Maybe you camped as a kid in Scouts but no longer remember any of your survival skills. Or…