Travel is more fun with kids

Travel reads

2010-03-12T16:30:00-08:00

Not to toot my own horn (but kind of), I let you discover my articles on Things to do NOW if you are traveling internationally this summer and Tips for a successful Home Exchange both of them on Trekaroo.

Love the InFlightOut article on strategies on finding ‘free’ award travel. I have been using my credit card rewards for travel after hearing horror stories of other people not able to finding flights with their frequent fliers points. Or they need to book more than 9 months in advance. This article is rounding up everything you need to know to be successful.

Enjoyed discovering 12 unusual hotels in the world: my favorite is the Hobbit Hotel in New Zealand. Talking about unusual hotels, I booked the Safari Room at the Madonna Inn Hotel in San Luis Obispo and that made for some quite fun memories: my daughters can’t wait to go back.

I am passionate about The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires (Argentina). How could people torture others is beyond my understanding. One of my favorite movies is La Historia Oficial. It won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Movie in 1986. Rent it if you have never watched it. So I was very happy when I read the story of a father and son being reunited after 33 years ago. Heartbreaking.

Last week, I was contacted by Alan Rider from www.XTRORD.com for an article I am writing on unusual places to stay with children. He has a traveling blog with very interesting articles. I particularly like the post on extraordinary cruise ship alternatives. I have never been on a cruise and may never go: only the fact of staying a day in a city just does not suit well with my idea of traveling. I like to feel places and not count the number of countries I can hit in a week. But it works for some people and that’s fine with me.

St Patrick's Day events in San Francisco and Dublin

2010-03-10T10:24:38-08:00

St Patrick’s Day is next week but two great events will happen this week-end. On March 17th, do not forget to wear green or you might get pinched!

Here are the two must places to celebrate St Patrick’s in the Bay Area (and spot some Leprechauns).

Saturday March 13th, 11 am-5pm, parade at 11:30am
St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, San Francisco
FREE. Live music, dancing, children’s rides, Irish cuisine and more
The parade starts at 11:30am at Second and Market streets and ends with a festival at Civic Center Plaza.
For more information, call 415-675-9885.

Saturday March 13th and Sunday March 14th. 10am-5pm
St Patrick’s Day Festival, Dublin
Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin
Art and crafts booths, Irish dance, live music, children’s rides, international food court, and more.
Free parking on Sierra Court and Clark Avenue

A little bit of history: the symbols of Ireland

The Irish Flag:

The green represents the Catholic majority.The orange represents the Protestants. The white stripe in the middle tries to unite the two.

St Patrick: He is said to have been born Maewyn Succat. He was a Roman Britain-born Christian missionary and is the patron saint of Ireland along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. He lived during the second half of the fifth century. When he was about sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the church, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary in the north and west of the island, but little is known about the places where he worked and no link can be made between Patrick and any church. By the eighth century he had become the patron saint of Ireland. (Wikipedia source)

The Shamrock: It is a three-leafed clover. The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland

The Leprechaun: In the Irish mythology, a leprechaun is a type of male fairy said to inhabit the island of Ireland. Leprechauns usually take the form of old men who enjoy partaking in mischief. Their trade is that of a cobbler or shoemaker. According to legend, if anyone keeps an eye fixed upon one, he cannot escape, but the moment the gaze is withdrawn, he vanishes. He is supposed to be 2 feet tall and owns a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you meet one and can keep him in your sight, he is supposed to bring you to the pot of gold.

Things To Do
San Francisco

Review of the My Little Suitcase iphone app

2010-03-04T10:12:41-08:00

My children tested a very cool Iphone application called My Little Suitcase. That was a fun assignment they got to do from Trekaroo. Check it out here: Review of the My Little Suitcase iphone app - Travel Gear: Travel tips for vacationing with kids | kids travel tips | kids activities tips - Trekaroo

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San Francisco: free days at the Museums in March 2010

2010-03-01T09:59:37-08:00

Museum of Modern Art
Free on Tuesday March 2nd
Closed on Wednesdays

De Young Museum
Free on Tuesday March 2nd
Closed on Mondays
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition Review

Museum of Legion of Honor
Free on Tuesday March 2nd
Closed on Mondays

Asian Art Museum
Free on Sunday March 7th.
Closed on Mondays

Academy of Sciences
Free on Wednesday February 17th

Exploratorium
Free on Wednesday March 17th
Closed on Mondays

Conservatory of Flowers
Free on Tuesday March 2nd
Closed on Mondays
Review of the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibition

Cartoon Art Museum
Tuesday March 2nd is ‘pay what you wish day’
Closed on Mondays

Things To Do
San Francisco

Paris: free days at the Museums in March 2010

2010-03-01T09:54:04-08:00

Le Louvre
Free on Sunday March 7th
Closed on Tuesdays

Musee de l’Orangerie
Free on Sunday March 7th
Closed on Tuesdays

Musee d’Orsay

Free on Sunday March 7th
Closed on Thursdays
Part of their Art collections will be exhibited at the DeYoung Museum in 2010.

Musee Rodin

Free on Sunday March 7th
Closed on Mondays

Centre Pompidou

Free on Sunday March 7th
Closed on Tuesdays

Musee Picasso
Closed for renovations till February 2012

Things To Do

The Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco

2010-02-23T09:27:40-08:00

The Chinese Parade will happen this Saturday rain or shine in San Francisco to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. It is the biggest and most famous Chinese Parade outside of Asia so you owe it to yourself to see it at least once.

Saturday February 27 - 5:15pm-8:00pm - Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson. Click here for the parade route.
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush). Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071 ($30 for bleacher tickets).

Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden dragon, (“Gum Lung.”)

Before going, read my 10 tips to enjoy the Chinese Parade with your kids.

If for some reason, you can not attend the parade, you can still watch it on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Just before the parade, enjoy the Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00am-4:00pm (happens also on Sunday)
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information: 415 986-1822 415 986-1822

Things To Do
San Francisco

Chinese New Year Traditions

2010-02-09T09:04:14-08:00

This year is the year of the Tiger. My oldest daughter is a tiger so I am keeping my finger crossed for No Rain on the Parade! We went last year for the second time and we had a great time. It is a fabulous event. Even though we are not Asian, the cultural mix of the Bay Area make it a fabulous opportunity to share other people’s customs and celebrations.

The Chinese New Year is dependent on the Lunar Calendar and therefore changes every year. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 14th and we will enter the lunar year 4708. People will tell each other Gung Hey Fat Choy" which means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth".

It is fun to check yours and family members Chinese Zodiac sign if you do not know it already; maybe one of you is a Tiger. If you are not sure what your sign is, look at this website.You will also discover the main characteristics associated with your sign. If you are born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 you are a Tiger.

To celebrate the New Year, Chinese families eat lots of lucky foods in order to get lucky for the coming year: long noodles will bring a long life, dates, peanuts, sticky rice, lettuce (the word for lettuce and money is the same in Chinese language), and tangerines (The word tangerine in Chinese is the same as good luck).

It is customary to give younger generations a red envelope with a money inside.
Learn how to make your own Red Envelope.

Before Chinese New Year, homes will be cleaned thoroughly to sweep away the bad luck. Houses will be decorated with lots of red as it is the symbol of good luck. A traditional dinner with lots of food will be held on New Year’s eve,

On Chinese New Year, people will wear new clothes, will not take a bath or shower as it is believed to wash the luck away, same with the dusting and the cleaning. They are very careful not to break anything, visit relatives and friends.

Famous Tigers
Emily Bronte, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jay Leno, Karl Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter, Queen Elizabeth II, Jon Stewart, Stevie Wonder,Ludwig Van Beethoven,Mel Brooks, Oscar Wilde.

Next year will be the year of the Rabbit!

Reminder: Saturday and Sunday February 27 and 28
San Francisco Chinese New Year Celebrations

Saturday February 27 - 5:15pm-8:00pm - Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush). Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free
$30 for bleacher tickets
Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden dragon, (“Gum Lung.”)

Saturday and Sunday February 27 - 28 Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00am-4:00pm
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information: 415 986-1822 415 986-1822

Travel articles I enjoyed reading

2010-02-05T09:36:31-08:00

Many interesting travel articles out there. Here is my selection:

InFlightOut pointed us to a CNNMoney article about the biggest Rip-offs: do not miss the 1,300% markup on hotel mini-bars and the 200% mark-up on hotel in-room movies.
By the way, do not miss Mike’s tip on late hotel checkout.

Trekaroo provides reviews of kid-friendly hotels, activities, and travel tips for parents and children traveling all over the US. They turned one this week and they have tons of good deals.

We have family and friends visiting us from France on a regular basis. If you have families or friends visiting from a country with a no-visa policy to enter the US, you will be interested in reading the Frommer’s article ‘Our instructions to Travelers Wanting to Visit the USA: Veuillez répondre à toutes les questions en anglais" You will learn about the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization rule for travelers who do not need a visa to visit the US.

I really enjoyed reading Ordinary items make the best keepsakes on CNNTravel. My philosophy exactly.

And just for a fun read, Forbes has put together a list of the world’s most beautiful cities, I love these lists but it is all relative. As my husband said: where is your little village in the South of France? Hey, that’s one the nicest place in the world for me.
I am always happy to see anything about Paris, London, and Sydney. San Francisco is on the list too. And check out the rest of the cities for yourself.

Reminder

This week-end is a busy one if you are in the Bay Area

Saturday February 6th
Enjoy free entrance at 25 Sacramento Museums. You can also see the performances of ‘Thriving in the year of the Tiger’.
Go pick some flowers at the San Francisco Chinatown Flower Fair
Enjoy the Oakland Chinatown Lunar Year Bazaar
Thanks FriscoKids for letting me know about the Giants Fan Fest on Saturday.

Sunday February 7th
I am taking my children to the SF Asian Art Museum and then, we will head with some friends to the Chinatown Flower Fair.
And if you missed it on Saturday, you can still enjoy the Oakland Chinatown Lunar Year Bazaar on Sunday.

Have a nice week-end!

Chinese New Year Celebrations in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento

2010-02-04T10:00:07-08:00

We are going to enter the year of the TIGER and the lunar year 4708. This year, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Sunday February 14th.

Here are some events you do not want to miss.

San Francisco
Saturday February 6, 10:30 am Southwest Airlines Mini-Procession & Ribbon Cutting
Grant Avenue from California to Pacific Avenue.
The procession begins at historic St. Mary’s Square, follows the original parade route down Grant Avenue, and proceeds to the Flower Fair’s main stage on Washington below Grant. The procession will include lion dancers, giant walking puppets, costumed stilt walkers, drummers and dancers. Following the procession, the Mayor will join honored guests in officially opening the Festival with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

San Francisco
February 6 - 7 Chinese New Year Flower Fair
Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Grant Avenue from Clay to Broadway Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton Jackson & Washington Streets from Kearny to Stockton

Oakland
Saturday and Sunday February 6 and 7, Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar 10 am – 5 pm
(9th Street at Franklin)
The event features vendors selling traditional new year decorations, flowers, gifts, candies, and other items of interest. There will also be continuous live cultural entertainment featuring dragon and lion dancing, martial arts, Chinese cultural music, and a "Little Prince & Princess

Sacramento
Saturday February 6, ‘Thriving in the Year of the Tiger’
Click here for time, location, and ticket prices.
Twenty-five groups with 300 performers will participate: the youngest at 5 years old; the oldest at 89 years old. The stellar cast will include beginners and international gold medal winners.

San Francisco
Sunday February 7th - Asian Art Museum
Lion dance, hands-on activities, and author reading, from noon to 3:00 pm
More details here.
Free (Target First Free Sunday Program)

San Francisco
Saturday February 27 - 5:15pm-8:00pm - Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush). Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free
$30 for bleacher tickets
Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden dragon, (“Gum Lung.”)

San Francisco
Saturday and Sunday February 27 - 28 Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00am-4:00pm
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information: 415 986-1822 415 986-1822

Things To Do
San Francisco

Saturday February 6th: free day at the Sacramento Museums

2010-02-03T10:10:45-08:00

On Saturday February 6th, 25 museums will be open for free for everybody all day long. The Wells Fargo Museum at the Capitol Mall does not participate as it is closed on weekends.

Here is the list of the participating museums and you can click here to find the map.

Aerospace Museum of California
3200 Freedom Park Drive
916.643-3192
Hours: Tues – Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm Free admission

California Automobile Museum
2200 Front Street
916.442.6802 916.442.6802
Hours: Daily: 10am – 6pm; 3rd Thurs 10am – 9pm

California Foundry History Museum
5301 Price Avenue
916.929.8001 916.929.8001
Hours:Mon–Fri 11am–3pm

The California Museum
10th & 0 Streets
916.653.7524 916.653.7524
Hours: Tue-Sat 10 am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm

California State Capitol Museum
Capitol Building, 10th & L Streets
916.324.0333 916.324.0333
Hours: Daily 9am 5pm • Free Admission

California State Indian Museum
2618 K Street
916.324.0971 916.324.0971
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm

California State Military Museum.
1119 2nd Street
916.854.1900 916.854.1900
Hours: Tues–Sun 10am–5pm

California State Railroad Museum
2nd and I Streets
916.445.6645 916.445.6645
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm

Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
916.808.7000 916.808.7000
Hours: Tues–Sun 10am–5pm; 1st & 3rd Thurs 10am–9pm; Free Every Sunday 10am-1pm courtesy of Bank of America.

Discovery Museum Science & Space Center
3615 Auburn Boulevard
916.575.3942 916.575.3942
Hours: Tues–Fri noon–4:30pm; Sat–Sun 10am–4:30pm

The Don & June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum
4030 Lennane Drive
916.779.1410 916.779.1410
Hours: Mon–Fri by appointment • Free Admission

Explorit Science Center
2801 2nd Street
530.756.0191 530.756.0191
Hours: Tues 10am-5pm, Wed-Fri 2-5pm,
Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Drive at Sutterville Road
916.808.7462 916.808.7462
Hours: Daily 9am–4pm; Nov–Feb Thurs–Sun 10am–4pm (weather permitting)

Folsom History Museum
823 Sutter Street • Folsom
916.985.2707 916.985.2707
Hours: Tues–Sun 11am–4pm

Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
16th and H Streets
916.323.3047 916.323.3047
Hours: Call for hours

Heidrick Ag History Center
1962 Hays Lane • Woodland
530.666.9700 530.666.9700
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-6pm,
Sun 10am-4pm

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
800 N Street
916.324.0575 916.324.0575
Hours: Call for hours

Museum of Medical History
5380 Elvas Avenue
916.456.3152 916.456.3152
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–4pm • Free Admission

Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
1200 Front Street
916.483.8818 916.483.8818
Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 1–4pm • Free Admission

Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Front and I Streets • Old Sacramento
916.445.6645 916.445.6645
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm • Free Admission

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
Enter on Broadway at 10th Street
916.448.0811 916.448.0811
Hours: Call for hours

Sacramento History Museum
101 I Street • Old Sacramento
916.808.7059 916.808.7059
Hours: Call for hours

Sacramento Zoo
Land Park Drive at Sutterville Road
916.808.5888 916.808.5888
Hours: Daily 9am–4pm; Nov–Jan Daily 10am–4pm

Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum
2251 Florin Road
916.320.9573 916.320.9573
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–4pm; Sat–Sun 10am–5:30pm
(by appointment)

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
2701 L Street
916.445.4422 916.445.4422
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm

Wells Fargo History Museum – Downtown
400 Capitol Mall
916.440.4161 916.440.4161
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm • Free Admission
Not open that day

Wells Fargo History Museum - Old Sacramento
1000 2nd Street
916.440.4263 916.440.4263
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm • Free Admission

Things To Do