It’s that time again. You know, the time of year where the kids go back to school after you have just finished recovering from some much-needed time off. But parents, stepparents, foster parents and even grandparents know it won’t be long before their next break. Before we know it, winter will bid us a chilly goodbye and spring will make her debut. With that of course, comes the task of deciding what to do for spring break. While I’m almost always excited for a stay-cation, sometimes everyone—parents and kids—need a getaway. But it isn’t always easy finding options that work for everyone in the family. So here are six spring break vacations that are perfect for you and the kids.
If you’re anything like me, you too are guilty of spending countless hours scrolling through Instagram. Sure, I’ve wasted more time than I care to admit procrastinating on it, but there are some days and moments when I find the site inspiring, motivating, and downright fascinating. For example, I love celebrating my friends’ milestones and successes, laughing at memes, connecting with like-minded (and safe) strangers, reposting encouraging messages, and reading quotes and real-life captions that inspire me to keep going when I want to do everything but that.
But if I’m really honest, one of my favorite things about Instagram is how easy it is for me to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures—travel photos. I mean, I’m never ashamed to claim I’ve got the wanderlust gene flowing through my veins, but I could literally—and I do mean literally—look at travel photos all day long. So, if you too carry the wanderlust gene or just find travel or photography intriguing, relaxing, or just downright fun, here are 10 Instagram travel accounts you must follow. These are real people, most of whom left real jobs to pursue a dream and see the world. Call me crazy, but I absolutely love following them and think you will too. And who knows, if all goes according to plan, you’ll see me right alongside them one day—traveling the world, turning strangers into friends and telling crazy adventure stories.
As much as I enjoy summer’s arrival, there’s just something about autumn that seems to calm my soul. Like an open invitation to relax, fall swoops in after summer’s high-intensity fun, like a hero in the night. Calm and comforting. An enchanting reminder of what it means to slow… down. So, after summer’s sandcastles are washed away, and the back-to-school transition ends, here are five pretty awesome places you should definitely consider visiting this fall.
Nestled between Dubai’s over the top glitz and glam culture and Saudi Arabia’s tightly controlled conservatism, Muscat, Oman is a breath of fresh Middle Eastern air. Surrounded by the Hajar mountains and the Gulf of Oman, the city seems to hover between land and sea. Elegant mosques, smart cafes and pearly white buildings line the streets harmoniously. The smell of fresh seafood, imported incenses, ground coffee and cardamon fill the air. But there’s more. Not far beyond the city center, rugged deserts are balanced by coastal beaches where turtles sunbathe and lush green mountains. Whether you’re the adventure traveler, the historian, casual explorer, shopaholic or foodie, this jewel of a city is sure to make your Arabian dreams come true. While the possibilities are endless, here are a couple of things you should definitely aim to do.
Colorful, conservative and captivating, the Middle East is unlike any other region in the world. Known for its palatial architecture, incredible landscapes, robust coffee, sheesha, moderate attire and it’s alluring blend of tradition and modernity, exploring the Middle East is a fabulous and surprising adventure. But it’s also a complicated region with layers of political and religious history that greatly influence the culture. Having traveled to the region multiple times, here’s what you need to know.