Our Fall Vacation Destination: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Sandestin, Florida

It's rainy and 40 degrees at our house tonight and I'm wrapped up in a blanket. Boy am I missing summer weather and could use some nice days in the sun. Luckily, my wish is coming true and tomorrow we leave for our fall vacation to Sandestin, Florida! I love vacationing on the Gulf Coast because the sand is so beautifully white and the water is almost always clear and blue. Although we have on the Gulf many, many times, we've never actually vacationed in Sandestin, so this will be a completely new experience for the family and I cannot wait.

During our 4 day, 3 night vacation as a family, we will be at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, a 2,400-acre full-service resort for seasons and full of fun for the entire family. Yes, there is much to explore around the area, but you may never even want to leave the resort. This is a completely different world with 30 neighborhoods, 16 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a marina, children's programs, fitness center and spa, and much, much more.

We will arrive Saturday afternoon and there will still be plenty to do, including a bonfire that night. I think I am most excited about the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a unique village with boutique shops, casual and fine dining and nightlife venues! Plus, resort guests can enjoy a variety of complimentary amenities during their stay, including bicycle rental, fitness center access, tennis court time, resort transportation, seasonal water amenties (kayaks and boogie boards) and more. Also, for all  you golf lovers, Sandestin is home to 72 holes of golf on four championship courses!

My husband will be working up until Thanksgiving, so I will be on my own the the two kiddos during this trip, but that's okay! We are going to have a blast and they have been asking every day if it is time to go to the beach yet. They love going to the beach and Liam was just a baby the last time we went to the beach in Florida, so he has no idea what to expect. We will be staying in a 2-bedroom condo in the Beachside Towers I building within the resort. The first day we are there, the weather will be nice and warm, but for 2 days, the temperature will dip down into the 60s. That's okay, though, because there is a heated pool and hot tub in the building, as well as a fitness center and restaurant! We can also catch a ride to the Baytowne Wharf for some additional shopping.

Beachside Towers

The more I write, the more excited I get about visiting Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort! We are getting up at 7am in the morning and will be off to the beach in no time at all. It will be a six hour drive, so hopefully we will get there with plenty of time to go for a walk on the beach and take a look around the area. When we get home, I'll be sure to write another post with some great photos and let you all know just how much fun we had!

Ready to go to the beach now? Be sure to check out their current specials and save 30% off  your rental pricing. They also have events year-round. The next will be the Thanksgiving Brunch on the Bay for a delicious holiday feast.

Disclosure: This post was written for Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in exchange for accommodations. All opinions provided are my own.

Tips for Taking Toddlers and Preschoolers to Disney

Little girls between the ages of 3 to 6 can probably tell you their favorite Disney princess.  Chances are your children have dressed up as a Disney character for Halloween.  Certainly they have watched their fair share of Disney movies.

Disney permeates our lives, and many people take their children to Disney Florida, which can be an exciting trip for young children.  They can ride rides, watch shows and meet their favorite characters in person.  Unfortunately, such an exciting trip can also be an overwhelming trip for many young children.
If you are traveling with toddlers or preschoolers, try these strategies so the entire family can have an enjoyable trip.

Plan Breaks
Young children can get overwhelmed and cranky.  If your children are early risers, try to hit the park early and beat the crowds.  Then, in early afternoon when the park gets busy, head back to the hotel and let the kids have lunch, unwind and play or take a nap.  Take a little time to play in the hotel pool.  Yes, you are on vacation to see the parks, but staying at the park ALL day can lead to tired, cranky, crying kids.

Bring Refreshments
Bring in some drinks and snacks for your little ones.  They get hungry frequently.  Keep them well hydrated and let them have some snacks, and you will have a more pleasant day at the park.

Dress in Layers
Dress the kids in light layers.  Depending on the season when you visit Orlando, the morning may start out chilly, but the afternoon may really heat up.  If the kids are dressed in layers, you can easily adjust their comfort level based on the weather.

Buy Tickets in Advance
There are many places you can buy Orlando ticket deals, which is a good idea because you will save money.  It is also a good idea because you can buy these tickets online, saving you time standing in line to buy tickets at the park.  The faster you can get into the park, the faster you and the kids can have fun.
The best way to have fun at Disney and other parks when traveling with young children is to take breaks frequently and to consider their physical needs.  Keep them warm (or cool, depending on the weather), as well as hydrated and full, and you will all have a good trip full of memories for a lifetime.

Traveling to Turkey For Your Next Vacation

I love traveling each summer to beautiful and exotic places with our family. Before we had children, we used to go on cruises and vacation more often, but now we have to plan everything out and make sure there are plenty of fun things to do for everyone! This year my husband and I are, once again, planning a nice trip just for ourselves. I'm so excited!

I just recently read about turkey holidays and think this would be such a fun vacation idea. I've always wanted to visit Turkey and with the great prices, it is now possible. There are so many things to do and see that I had to do my research and narrow them down to my top 5 places to visit in Turkey, so here they are:

1. Pamukkale Thermal Pools - You can relax in the warm, healing thermal pools while taking in the absolutely beautiful scenery! This looks so amazing!

2. Whirling Dervishes - Take in the whirling sema, a Sufi religious ceremony, that will captivate and amaze you. I've heard about this for many years and would be so excited to actually see this ceremony in person!

3. Hagia Sophia Museum - I love traveling to beautiful cathedrals around the world and have seen many. However, Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for over a thousands years!

4. Turkish Riviera - I want to take a cruise, The Blue Cruise, across the riviera, which is absolutely gorgeous. We will take in the sights of the bluest bays and coves as well as ancient cities and busy ports.

5. Ruins of Ephesus - Seeing one of the seven Wonders of the World is definitely on my to-do list! When traveling here you'll see the Theater and the Temple of Artemis, both grand and beautiful even in ruins.

There are so many other places to visit in Turkey, but these are the top places on my list. If we have time, we'll add more, but I don't want to plan too much. We'll just play it by ear and, if we have time, we'll also see Mamure Kalesi and Topkapi Place. Where will you go on vacation this year?

Traveling Tips For Your All Inclusive Holiday

Summer is here and for many of us, summer is the season for holidays and traveling! Our family takes full advantage of the beautiful weather and days off of school. However, traveling with kids can be very stressful and I know in the past we've come home even more exhausted than when we left. That defeats the purpose of even going, so here are some great tips for traveling as a family this summer!

1. Plan Ahead of Time - Where are some of the places you would love to go during your holiday? Make a list, discuss as a family and do your research. Find the place that looks the best for families.

2. Find great deals on vacations - Search for great deals on traveling during the time you wish to vacation. Finding cheap all inclusive holidays is the best way to travel and save money. When you are on a budget, this is definitely the way to go and with all-inclusive resorts, most everything is included in the price (hotel stay, food, etc.)!

3. Pack Essentials Only - It's so easy to over-pack as a family, but this means hauling too many bags through the airport. Make a list of the essentials (baby bottles, diapers, etc.) before packing. This way you don't forget anything and can stop yourself from packing things that aren't as important. Don't forget sunscreen and swimsuits!

4. Don't Plan Too Many Activities During Vacation - I know you want to make the most out of your holiday, but don't plan too much. This is how you get stressed out and exhausted. Plan a few things, but still take time to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Plus, at all inclusive resorts, there is always time to plan more things at a later time.

5. Have A Date Night - All inclusive resorts often have children's activities, camps and even babysitters. Take advantage of these services and take a night as a couple. Your children will have a great time with the other kids and you can have some fun, quiet time with your love.

The most important part of taking a vacation is to have fun! Relax, don't get overwhelmed and enjoy every second. If you get stressed, take some time to yourself, breathe and remember to take it easy. We are leaving for vacation in July and I'm already planning ahead. It's the vacation we look forward to all year, so we want to be prepared and ready to go.

Where you are going this summer? Leave a comment telling me how you plan for vacations each year!