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I shuffled out of bed, let the dogs out, and sat on the lawn. It was eerily quiet. Signs of the boys were everywhere: an arrow stuck in the lawn which had missed its target by a long shot. Olive, our little Sheltie, was chewing on a faded soccer ball. And one, lone, white sock, partially covered in mulch, peeked out from under the boxwood because, well, just because.

And then I cried. I mean, I really cried. I cried tears of relief because each had made it safely to his destination. I cried messy, happy tears because each of my boys was doing his own thing, taking the world by storm. And then I cried out of fear because this has been one helluva violent summer. And my babies are out there.

The oldest, 16, is in Beijing through SYA on a language immersion program. My 13-year-old is doing a student exchange with our sister city in Esslingen, Germany through our chapter of the People to People organization. And my youngest, 12, is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (feels like a separate continent) on the shores of Lake Superior at Michigan Tech’s amazing hockey camp.

Plans for our summer of 2016 began last October with applications, interviews, grant forms, webinars, essay questions, and a lot of check writing for program deposits.

Then Malaysian Flight 17 was shot down and suicide bombers attacked a train station in Turkey.

In November, Paris suffered a massive attack and chaos ensued.

Over the holidays, people asked, “Are you sure you want to let your kids travel with all that’s going on in the world?”

We continued with our planning. My son applied for his visa, the scholarship form was finalized, and we went to the bank to set up teen checking accounts and debit cards.In January, the mass shooting in San Bernardino made it abundantly clear that no safe havens were left in today’s world.

In spring, the bombings at the Brussels airport and a metro station shook me to the core.

With tears streaming down my face, I made plane reservations for the boys anyway.

We picked out adapters, journals, good walking shoes and continued to check things off our lists.

We didn’t avoid the news. Together we watched the coverage of Orlando.

We said “I love you” a lot. In fact, the act of saying “I love you” began to feel like our five seconds of safe haven. We said it before bed, getting out of the car for school, getting dropped at soccer practice, before meals, and basically all the time. When we weren’t together, we texted it. “I love you” became our daily armor to protect us from whatever unimaginable tragedy was going to strike next.

The police shootings in Dallas and the Bastille Day attack in Nice followed. It was clear the world had gone utterly mad.

We discussed these events. We mourned the dead. And we kept saying “I love you.”

On Friday, we packed the suitcases, hockey gear, and went shopping for travel snacks.

When we deposited checks from grandma and grandpa at the boys’ bank, an employee said, “I would never let my child go to Europe or Germany or any of those places.” Um, honey, oh…forget it.

I got defensive, “What should we do? Stay home for the rest of our lives? My child could get hit by a car tomorrow right outside our front door.” We live in a cul-de-sac and that would never happen, but she didn’t know that.

“Well,” she said, “I don’t think you should go lookin’ for trouble.”

“I promise you, bank-teller-lady, no one here is lookin’ for trouble. Let me guess, you spend your time on your Cheeto-stained couch watching reality TV repeats: shows of other people doing stuff that they already did.”

Ok, I didn’t actually say that out loud. I just said it in my head, but it was still quite satisfying.

The insinuation that I was careless with my children’s lives stung. And it stung hard.

Do we have to stop wandering? Do we just put our heads down and try to get by? Do we have to give up our dreams? I bet that woman has never tried ceviche, rolled the dice in Vegas, or stood in a city center with a map and a thirst for knowledge.

That woman didn’t realize she’s the one who is really in danger.

As soon as we stop learning, we begin to die.

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This post was syndicated with expressed permission from Liesl Testwuide

The post Despite My Fears: Why I Let My Three Kids Travel Abroad This Summer first appeared on BonBon Break.

On one visit to my grandmother’s relatives in the mountain town of Tronca near Reggio Calabria, my cousin, Antonio took my brother and I and our families on a walking tour of his “gardens,” as he called them. We strolled from the broken cement steps of his humble home, past apricot trees that hung heavy with fruit outside his kitchen window. Lemon, prickly pear, and olive trees dotted either side of his property, lacing the air with pungent sweetness. Continuing along a gravel road where random chickens crossed without hurry, Antonio spoke in heavy dialect of his passion – farming.

We came to a fenced in area that housed rows upon rows of plants. Tomatoes of every variety, squash, peppers, beans, basil, all types of greens and lettuces. I could go on and on. Our mouths hung open, and our eyes bulged at the abundance of goodness at our feet. We walked up and down the rows, admonishing the children not to pick the pretty red tomatoes. At one point, my brother innocently asked Antonio a question.

“Do you sell this at the market?”

Antonio pushed a breath of laughter through his nose and shook his head.

“Sell it? No, no.” He wagged his finger at my brother’s face then gestured toward his plants. “This is how I feed my family.”

I suddenly remembered the overturned milk crates I’d marveled at earlier on Antonio’s rooftop and the ones lining the stairwells in his house. They were blanketed with dried tomatoes, dried herbs. The jars that stood in his cellar were filled with an assortment of vegetables – the vegetables he’d tended to with his own wrinkled hands. He and his wife had surely picked and jarred and stored. Why? Not to be trendy. No, no.

To feed their family.

Beyond the vast array of vegetables and herbs in his garden stood a rickety whitewashed building. The closer we moved toward it, the riper the waft of animal waste became. Our children began to moan over the stink, and the skin around Antonio’s black eyes wrinkled with amusement.

“Those are the pigs and the goats,” he told us. He went on to explain that he raises the animals to make sausage, salami, cheeses, and other things. As a sing-song braying and snorting lit the air, I thought of the delicious mortadella and tomato sandwich I’d eaten on my last visit to Tronca. I remembered thinking that the mortadella tasted different from what I was used to at home. Fresher. Brighter.

No wonder.

It was “Farm-to-Table.”

Because it was on the way back, Antonio led us past the rubble of rock that was once my grandmother’s childhood home. We climbed the craggy hill, me in non-functional high wedge sandals, my young children in flip-flops, and explored among the uneven ruins. Antonio explained that my grandmother had lived in the two or three room structure with no electricity or running water. She and her family had had to walk down to the stream once every few weeks or so to bathe. I didn’t ask how they’d kept warm though the mountain winters.

For all of the nights of my youth, when I’d lain beside my grandmother in her bed, listening to the stories of her childhood as I drifted off to sleep, she had never once told me anything about these hardships. She’d talked endlessly about her family’s farm – the goats, the pigs, the harvesting. She talked about celebrations and food. Always food.

Maybe she’d purposely chosen not to talk about the impoverished nature of her early life, but I don’t think that was it. I think that she was just sharing the essence of her spirit – hard work, family, and the joy of breaking bread together – these things were what mattered to her.

I loved her stories, and I loved her food. I’ll never forget picking green beans at her side in the garden. We’d wash them, snap the ends off, and she’d make a waxy green bean salad with olive oil and chopped garlic that was to die for.  Even though she’d told me hundreds of stories about her family’s farm in Italy, my adolescent mind couldn’t fathom how she’d managed to create a little slice of Eden in the heart of the city. Everything around her Pittsburgh row house was cement and gravel, but Nana’s backyard burst with the green of her garden. She even had a grape arbor that my brother and I loved to climb when we were kids. My grandfather made wine from the grapes, which was used as wine vinegar for years after his death in the nineteen-seventies. Farm-to-table, right? My grandmother was a forward-thinker.

Seeing Antonio’s “garden,” with its rows upon rows of vegetables, connected the dots for me. I understood that my grandmother must have arrived in Pittsburgh, a place she knew nothing of, and just done what came naturally to her.

She planted a garden.

Why?

Not to sell produce or to be hip.

No, no, of course not.

With her overworked hands and strong arms, she dug up the plot of land that was barely a tenth of what she’d had to work with in Italy. She sifted and raked and prepared the ground. She sowed the seeds and tended to the plants. She created a lush slice of paradise within the urban boundaries of her new home. I bet the garden stirred happy memories for her, but that wasn’t why she cared for it.

She did it to feed her family.

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The post Farm-to-Table Southern Italy Style – Simply a Way of Life first appeared on BonBon Break.

We left the Seattle-area (Renton) right at Owen’s naptime. This gave him a bit of time to look out the window, sing and talk to us before he settled down and crashed. As he was winding down, my husband turned on the audiobook of Brooklyn which kept our interest but helped soothe Owen into a deep sleep that lasted until we arrived in Portland.

The first meal we had was dinner at Apizza Scholls. Our friend from New York told us it’s the closest thing he’s found to New York pizza in the Pacific Northwest. It was absolutely delicious and the restaurant was very kid friendly. Our pizzas came out pretty quickly and they came by often to refill our water. They also take reservations, which is great for families! We will definitely be adding this place to our Portland food circuit.

Our friends arrived a few hours before us, so they grabbed donuts from Blue Star so we’d have them for dessert. They got one of everything, so we just cut them all in half. They were delicious and they still tasted great the next morning. I should know, I ate most of them for breakfast. The only strange one was Peanut Butter and Jelly, only because the jelly seemed to have hot peppers in it. My 2-year-old was not pleased.

We decided to let the toddlers dictate most of our activities for the weekend. We pared down our usual schedules to make sure the kids had lots of time to nap and take breaks. We had planned on going to the Oregon Zoo, but the weather report had said it was going to rain, so we opted to check out the Portland Children’s Museum, located in the same area.

The Portland Children’s Museum was different than I expected. For starters, it wasn’t very colorful inside. I’m used to brightly colored walls and large artwork in children’s museums. The Portland Children’s Museum looks like a converted business, with stark walls and simple flooring. The vehicle room had a large table for trains (the tracks were loose, instead of screwed to the table), a ramp for cars and a simulated bus. It felt very bare and it was kind of confusing to find. But, the kids had fun playing with the cars and trains. They really enjoyed the grocery store area where they could put pretend food in baskets and check out at the cashier. Owen also really enjoyed the water table area and I was impressed that they and lots of tall hand dryers there to dry off wet kids. We didn’t get a chance to explore the outside area. From the website, I thought it would be similar to the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, but it was completely different. The kids had fun, but at around $10/person, I’m not sure we got $30 worth of fun out of it. However, I did like the fact that you could bring your coffee into the museum.

After that, we headed to Shigezo. This Japanese restaurant was a good fit for our toddlers because they love noodles, edamame, and fried chicken. They offered half portions of their curry dishes, which would be the perfect size for children.

Then, the Dads stayed with the boys in the hotel for nap time while the Moms walked around Nob Hill to do some shopping. I ended up getting chocolates at Moonstruck and cake and macarons at Papa Haydn. We also stopped in Child’s Play toy store, which had an excellent assortment of toys and activities for babies, toddlers, and children.

When the kids woke up, we checked out the monthly Portland Night Market in the Industrial District. They have an entrance just for 21+ and they had a lot of bars. Most of the shops are indoors, which was nice on that chilly, rainy night. We found a cool Portland shirt for Owen and a fun sign that read “Readers are Leaders” for his book nook in his play room. Outside, they had lots of food vendors. Owen devoured half a plate of yakisoba noodles, several dumplings, and lots of strawberry ice cream. I had some fried chicken steamed buns that were tasty. It was nice that we could get several things to share, especially when our toddler changes his mind about food frequently. The only downside was a lack of seating, so it was kind of tricky to feed Owen while eating ourselves and huddled under a tent to avoid the rain. But, it was a fun place for dinner! This would be a fun date night while packing a baby in a carrier.

Since we had promised the kids that we would ride a train, the next day my friend and I grabbed the boys and rode the Streetcar to Powell’s books. The ride was definitely a highlight for the boys and they wanted to keep riding it. We will definitely use the streetcar next time we’re in Portland, even just to ride around. Powell’s has a nice selection of books celebrating different cultures. I found a couple of books about Chinese folk stories and plenty of books about construction vehicles. The boys were a bit antsy, so we made it a quick trip.

Next, we hit up the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). This is a legit museum! It reminded me a lot of Science World up in Vancouver, B.C. We weren’t sure how long the boys would last, so we decided to quickly look at a few of the exhibits and then head to their Science Playground children’s play area. The play area was fantastic! They had a large, enclosed sand pit with lots of activities for kids. They also had a nice water table area, infant area, musical instruments, books, a discovery lab and more . Owen spent the majority of time in the sand pit and then moved onto the vehicles and blocks. It would be easy to spend the whole day here. I love that they not only had 2 bathrooms inside the Science Playground, but they also had a nursing room.

After a couple of hours at OMSI, the boys were starting to fade, so we grabbed a quick lunch and hit the road. Owen told us his highlights of the weekend were eating pizza, playing with his friend and riding the street car. We will definitely be back to Portland soon and plan on doing the Oregon Zoo when their train is up and running this summer!

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The post How to Enjoy Portland with Toddlers first appeared on BonBon Break.

We get in the car and head out. The drive is short. We are not going a backpacking excursion across Yellowstone National Park or headed to Hawaii for a scuba diving adventure. No, today we are going to a nearby state park for a short walk around the lake and a picnic lunch.

When having kids made our family budget and free time shrink to never before seen lows, my husband and I realized it was time to pack up dreams of vacations of travelling and start embracing the microadventure. By definition, the microadventure is a short trip into nature – going on a day hike rather than walking the Camino de Santiago, for example. Calling these activities “microadventures” is mainly just a turn of phrase, but thinking of our simple outings as mini expeditions has given me a new perspective. Even in our hometown, we can find plenty of opportunities for learning, excitement, and fun.

Here are five reasons to start enjoying micro-adventures with your family:

1. View the world from a child’s point of view

For kids, any outing has the possibility to become a grand expedition. While adults may be seeking new sights with breathtaking views, for those who are closer to the ground, the world is ever changing. They see flowers that were not there the week before, a rock that is a different color from the rest, and every slug, snail, and bug along the path. Just because we may have done a local trail once or twenty times before doesn’t mean that we’ve seen all there is. Kids show us there is always something new to discover. 2. Getting to know your community Growing up in the Appalachians, hiking was a regular family activity. Still, we seemed to always gravitate to the same hikes over and over – the waterfall for Girl Scout trips, the one with a great view when

2. Getting to know your community

Growing up in the Appalachians, hiking was a regular family activity. Still, we seemed to always gravitate to the same hikes over and over – the waterfall for Girl Scout trips, the one with a great view when family was visiting. Now empty nesters, my parents have taken to exploring the vast network of trails that are only a short drive from their home. They call almost weekly, saying, “I can’t believe we never took you kids on this great hike we just found! We’ll do it next time you’re home.” Staying local encourages you to explore beyond the beaten path and find lesser known hikes, parks, and picnic spots that may become your new favorites.

3. Better for the environment

Staying local does more than just benefit your wallet and children’s nap schedules, it takes a smaller toll on the environment when you use less gas to get where you are going. If you are concerned about buying local or eating local, then hiking local makes sense. too.

4. Give children an appreciation for the world they live in

When we feel connected to the world we live in, we are more likely to want to help protect it. The threat of climate change is not limited to glaciers melting on distant shoes, but is creeping closer and closer to home. Teaching children about their local flora and fauna and helping them to appreciate it helps to shorten the distance between them and the natural world. When we teach them what is at stake by exposing them to the beauty of the world around them, we can help raise a generation to care for the outdoors.

5. Find gratitude

Shifting my perspective and looking for adventure, no matter how small, wherever we are has helped me to develop a greater sense of gratitude for where I am in life. Thinking of our mini-trips as adventures can help imbue them with a bit more joy and excitement, rather than just being something we have to settle for as parents who are still in the diaper change trenches or up to their ears in orthodontia bills. Living in the Rocky Mountains, I am lucky to have hundreds of trails right at our fingertips, but in every part of the country, there is always something new to explore.

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve explored a new trail or park locally, or maybe you just need a new mindset for your child-friendly activities. Often I find myself wistfully looking at my sisters’ pictures from their latest foreign expeditions, but that doesn’t mean I have to spend my days sitting at home. We can discover a new trail, pick huckleberries in the mountains, skip rocks on a creek, go swimming at the local lake, try to fly a kite, or learn the names of as many wildflowers and birds as we can. That alone should keep us busy for the next several years.

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This post was written by Jackie Semmens exclusively for BonBon Break Media, LLC.

The post Why You Need to Take Kids on Microadventures first appeared on BonBon Break.

It’s funny how the world works sometimes.

On a hot summer day, I was sitting at the breakfast table with my kids, and they pulled the latest date from Our Bird of the Day calendar. A Scarlet Macaw. “Mama, isn’t this a bird from Costa Rica?”, asked my youngest (Little Miss).

Me: “Why yes, yes it is.”

LM: “When will I get to see a Scarlet Macaw?” (in an innocent inquiring tone)

Me: “Someday.”

LM: “Some day when?”

Me: “Someday.”

LM: “Some day now?” (becoming impatient)

Me: “Someday.” (sigh)

After the tenth round of this conversation – after Jabirus, Roseate Spoonbills, Toucans, Quetzals, Wood Storks and others – I started to break down. They wanted to go to Costa Rica, but I REALLY wanted to go to Costa Rica, and I was so tired of trying to play it off as a wish for “someday”. Why, you ask?

Ten years earlier, my husband and I went on a trip, just the two of us, before kids. We went birdwatching, horseback riding, zip lining, hiking and exploring until our hearts were full of the PURA VIDA beauty. We were hooked as we tallied over 100 species of birds in our brand new Birds of Costa Rica books.

At the time, I was teaching middle school science, and I couldn’t get the idea of taking my students to Costa Rica out of my mind.  The following Spring I brought eighteen of my vivacious students to Costa Rica, and we had a BLAST. Why? It was a great group, but it was because we had this tour guide, Jimmy. I have never seen someone get a group of teenagers authentically enthusiastic to get out of bed at 5:30 or 6:00 day after day to head out on an incredible adventure. Every day, every corner held a new surprise that opened our eyes, minds and hearts. The kids LOVED Costa Rica and the birds, monkeys, coatimundis and crocodiles, but they truly adored Jimmy. He had a gentle way of sharing everything you could ever want to know about the wildlife, botany, geology and history of Costa Rica and his way of taking care of everything, always.

Since I tend to be the type of person who can’t take on just one major project at a time, I had also planned a trip two months later to the Amazon with ten of my previous students who were heading into their Junior year in high school. I knew Jimmy would be an incredible addition to the group, so I asked him if he would join us and he agreed. Yay!

After two trips abroad within 2 1/2 months, I was feeling a little guilty that my husband stayed behind. There were several moments when I knew it would be better if he had been there to experience it with me. While sitting on the Amazon, kayaking with hundreds of parrots squawking overhead, I decided that he and I needed to go on another adventure together, and we needed to do it soon. I wanted to share the awe and wonder and adventure with him, and I knew he would love to meet Jimmy.

The following December, we headed back to Costa Rica. Yes, that was three trips to Costa Rica within a year and a half. We met up with Jimmy and his wife, Kathya, and we stayed with her family. If we thought we were smitten with the country before, it was nothing. Birdwatching with them felt like home. They were hands-down the most generous and warm-spirited people we had ever met.

Did I mention I was four months pregnant? Yes, this was our babymoon, and we left with tears in our eyes.

Fast forward nine years. The kids’ (who were becoming great birders in their own right) frequent mentions of Costa Rica made my heart ache. I reached out on Facebook to Jimmy and Kathya and perused the pictures of their four beautiful children. It was such a shame our kids hadn’t met. They needed to; we knew that.

After several conversations, we decided we would find a way to make it happen. They needed help with their new business…WHAT!? Yes, they have a tour company now, Best Costa Rica Travel. I had a voucher and a credit for two plane tickets and air miles. Oh, my. Really?! I didn’t want to tempt fate, but I stepped outside to the Good Apple, who was working away in the garage. “Can we go to Costa Rica?”, I asked. His head popped up, and his eyes questioned. “I want to make it work. I want to go. I need to go. We need to see Jimmy and Kathya. Their kids, our kids. Our kids will have an amazing time with the animals and the adventure and COSTA RICA!” I could feel a lump building in my throat. He put his head down and went back to work. He didn’t say no – and he gave me that look.

I ran back in and started searching flights. I had to book all of the tickets on three devices simultaneously to make sure we all got on the same planes at the same time. I ran out to the garage. Can we do this? Are we doing this? I did it. Oh, my GOD, we are going to Costa Rica.

Every morning there was a buzz of excitement as we drew the next bird from the deck.

“Is this a bird we might see in Costa Rica, Mama?!” Yes. Tape it to the wall and add it to the collection of birds we might see in Costa Rica.

Three months later with an amazing itinerary in hand, we boarded our first flight and the adventure began on our family adventure to Costa Rica and to meet with Jimmy.

Over the next month, I will be sharing the stories of our adventure right here.

Oh, and please go like Best Costa Rica Travel on Facebook. They are just starting out and could use the love. See you back here in a couple of days.

The post Costa Rica: A Family Adventure and How It Came to Be first appeared on BonBon Break.

I know the thoughts that are crossing your mind: images of the line to security taking up the entire queue while your little ones scream from the stroller you’re pushing while hauling bag after bag of luggage. I’m sure it makes you want to pop a Xanax to stop yourself from breaking cold sweat

I get it. Travel is tiring, and I’ve got three kids. I’ve traveled a lot. As the wife of a man who works in professional baseball, I spent the majority of his big league years hopping planes with our oldest son. We flew across the country regularly; our longest flight was from Seattle to Tampa. We lived through travel delays, a tropical storm, and one flight that was grounded for 6 hours because they thought they smelled gas on the plane, only to decide to take off again (in the same plane!) later in the day.

In addition to the crazy travel days I’ve had, I’m afraid of flying. So the popping Xanax comment, it’s the truth for me. I don’t fly without some anti-anxiety medicine.

Did I mention when I flew all the time, my son and I flew by ourselves? Without my husband. He got to fly on the private team plane while we lugged our stuff around, living it up in coach and connecting flights.

When we found out we were having twins a couple years later, I thought my travel days were over. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get onto a flight with all three of them without help until I did.

I decided I could do it.

Last summer, I flew with all three of our kids on my own – a five-year old and twins that were one-and-a-half at the time. If I can do it, so can you, and I’ve got some tips for you to make your travel go smoothly.

1. Fly nonstop/direct. The fewer times you change planes, the higher your chances of making it on time. Every stop you make increases the probability that you will get delayed somewhere. Add in winter weather, and you’re asking for disaster. If at all possible, fly nonstop. If you can’t, try flying directly to a nearby airport and driving the rest of the way. If it’s a three hour or less drive, we usually do this rather than change planes.

2. Try to book flights at sleepy times. Naptime and bedtime are the best times to fly with kids. They get tired, and they sleep on the plane. If you have to choose between nonstop and sleepy time, though, choose the nonstop flight.

3. Bring enough diapers/ formula/ milk to last you overnight. Should you get delayed, you need to have enough of your necessities to last you through the night. You could get stuck in a city for hours with no access to the bags you checked. I know, I’ve seen it happen. Many larger airports do have diapers available in some of the shops, but they are usually larger sizes, like size four.

4. Strollers and car seats – only bring what you need. You can check either of these items at the gate, or even bring car seats onto the plane if you have purchased a seat. If you’re not going to need a stroller at your destination, though, and your child is more likely to want to get out of it than stay in it, I say leave it in the car.

5. Arrive early. Give yourself extra time, especially around the holidays. Most airlines and airports suggest you arrive two hours early for flights around the holidays. If you’re flying through an airport like Midway, that is not enough time to make it through check in and security with kids in tow without significant stress. My advice – add an hour. It’s a lot better to get to the gate early than late.

6. TSA Precheck. Look at your ticket once you’ve printed it. If it says TSA pre-check, you get to go to the shorter line, and you don’t have to take off your shoes. If you hit this jackpot, I want you to know that it’s there before you wait forever in the long security line.

7. When it comes to boarding, know your kids. I used to tell everyone that preboarding was the way to go. While I still do it for my sanity, I think that some kids are better off being the last ones on the plane. Does your child sit still well or is he or she going to be the kid getting in the way and screaming on the plane while other passengers are boarding. If your kid needs to run off some extra steam, try to get them to do that before boarding if possible.

8. For flight time, have the electronics ready. Have movies downloaded, new games and apps added, and be prepared to hand your kid your iPad or phone so they can find something that keeps them occupied. We give our son an iPad for flights, and our twin daughters have apps downloaded on old iPhones donated to us by family members after upgrades.

9. Bribery is key for takeoff and landing. I bring treats and bribe my kids into their seatbelts with it. I bribe our oldest with money to be helpful to me when we are getting on and off the plane when we are getting luggage, and when we are heading to the car.

10. Kids get hungry. Be prepared for the fact that your kids will likely need a fourth meal on any travel day. Bring some snacks (think sandwiches, granola bars, and trail mix) and be ready to stop for food as soon as you arrive. Think about how you feel after a long day of travel, and then think about how you would act if you didn’t know how to control your temper and you were hungry and tired. Keep their bellies happy for smoother travels.

With these tips, I assure you that you will be able to master your flights with ease and other parents will be amazed at how it seems that you have it all together during stressful holiday travel. Now spend less time worrying about how you will survive the flights and look forward to the time you’ll get to spend connecting with the family you don’t get to see as often. Enjoy your memories!

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• Not Quite a Cat Lady
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When writing the title for this, I wrote “teenanger” by accident. How ironic.

Your teen may not respond to a family vacation with cartwheels, but they do secretly look forward to travel. Vacations are a great opportunity to bond as a family, without social influences from other friends and peers putting a damper on things. You just have to be prepared and know how to avoid the drama. As a globetrotting mother, I offer you 5 ways to beat the eye rolls, attitude and survive traveling with a teenager:

Survival tip 1: Plan for space on your trip

“A little while alone in your room will prove more valuable than anything else that could ever be given you.” -Rumi

Space is the most important thing you can offer your teenager during travel.During these difficult and transformational years, living with a teen is like living with someone from another planet. The sentiment goes both ways. Teenagers need a break from us, as we do from them. The craziness gets kicked up a notch during the intensity of travel, so be prepared to schedule breaks — it’s good for both of you.

Teens are biologically wired to crave space. Alone time builds intelligence and helps teens regulate their emotions. “Time spent alone to reflect is just as important as the activities themselves,” confirms Joseph Murray, an associate professor of education at Bucknell University. In his study, he found that teenagers that enjoy regular solo time, thrive in college.

“Students need to spend time alone with their thoughts, and there’s reason to believe that’s not happening nearly enough,” Murray said.

When planning a trip, book a hotel or apartment with room for your teen to be in solitude. If a suite is out of your budget, a hotel with a pool, nice lobby or lounge will serve as a great place they can wander off to, as they need. Also consider that space can be created in the simplest of ways, like allowing your teen to put on his earbuds, hang out and listen to music.

Survival tip 2: Let them sleep in!

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a teenager’s sleep-wake cycle can shift as much as two hours, thanks to hormones. This makes it difficult for your teen to fall asleep before 11 p.m or to wake up at 9 am. To exacerbate the situation, teens need a minimum of 8 – 10 hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep makes them irritable and prone to lashing out. Sound familiar?

When traveling, plan to do things your teenager doesn’t want to participate in, while they sleep. Or take that time to indulge in an early spa treatment, a work out or personal quality time of your choice.

Knowing that your teen is a late riser, make plans in the late afternoon and evenings together, when your teens are at their best.

Survival tip 3: Schedule WiFi time

Incorporate time for WiFi to keep your mobile data bill down, and family bonding time up. This is especially important during overseas vacations when text and data rates are at a premium. Our family rule is that when we’re out, we don’t text or hold conversations with a device, just with each other.

To offset the “outrageous demand” of family bonding time, we allow our teen WiFi time, back at the hotel room at some point daily. WiFii time for the teen is the perfect coffee or wine time for adults.

Let your teens check in with friends back home and use it to your advantage! J, our teen, is often more engaged in exploring, because friends want her to report back on things she saw and pictures (and selfies) she took.

Survival tip 4: Use my hands on history activity to get your teen engaged

We travel so much, so I want my kids to really enjoy and appreciate what we are doing. They get travel homework before we leave on a trip. I tell them where we’re going, some cool things about the place and ask them to Google the place and come up with what they found interesting and what they want to see.

Put yourself in your teenager’s shoes and run the script in their head. Your teen: what’s the point of standing in this old, round building with no roof and a pile of rocks with a bunch of other people? This is hot and boring. My parents are embarassing me right now.

But what if you give them some travel homework and let them research the place in advance? The script changes. Your teen: we are standing in a round building with no roof and a pile of rocks in Rome called the Colosseum. Some gladiator in a skirt probably got shred to pieces by a tiger right here a long time ago. Awesome. It’s time for a selfie, my friends won’t believe I was here!

Survival tip 5: Slow down

Don’t pull a Griswold on your vacation! There is no need to see every sight in the guide book. You can learn a lot from your teen about slowing down. On a recent trip to Scotland, we spent the day in a small village, in and out of monasteries, museums and castles.

J was not into it. She walked out of our castle tour. I followed her, ready to give her an earful. She sat on a bench to watch birds bathe and play in a water fountain. I sat with her, not realizing how tired I was. The sun was shining on us and we kept giggling at the water war between the birds in the fountain. A large, old, creaky tree was blowing in the wind, making the most beautiful sound. It was a lovely break.

J simply said, “I just needed to come outside for a little while. My brain told me less sightseeing, more being.”

Those are the moments that make travel with teens, when planned right, a worthwhile experience. Moments when they briefly reveal their soul and you can relax and be proud of who they are growing up to be. Take J’s mantra, “Less sightseeing, more being,” and incorporate it into your next vacation with teens.

Head to the Family Room

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My family and I went to Disney World in June. Now that I’m back and had time to process everything I learned, I want to share with you some get real tips for Disney World that you may not see in other places.

When I started planning our Disney World vacation, I scoured the internet for tips. I created a Pinterest board, and I read everything I could find. I wanted to be sure this was the BEST VACATION EVER (in my epic announcer voice). There are websites that tell you everything from how to tour the parks to how to save money to what to eat. These are not those kinds of tips, but they are things that I wish I had read before we arrived at the house of the mouse.

1. Bring two pair of underwear for every day. The very first thing I wanted to do when I landed in our hotel room every night was take a shower. And the very last thing I wanted to do was put back on the same sweaty pair of underwear I wore all day. Gross. I know. That meant I had to wear the pair that I slept in to the park the next day. (Is this TMI?) That may not bother you, but as someone who showers every morning no matter what, it held an ew factor for me. Fresh undies are totally worth the room in your suitcase.

2. While we are talking about booties, pack flushable wipes for your day bag. Disney is raking in the bucks, but they are NOT spending it on quality toilet paper. Your heinie will be happy you thought of it.

3. Make a budget then wad that bitch up and throw it out the window. This is Disney and there are five souvenir shops, three snack stands, and two restaurants for every attraction. You are going to spend money while you are there. Our meals ranged from $30 (for quick service with sharing entrees and water) to $200 (for nice restaurants and character meals). Make a general plan (i.e., we will do two character dinners and a nice restaurant), but know that it is going to cost. If you accept this up front it makes it a little easier to handle along the way. I wish that we had done the dining plan. I think it would have helped me not worry about money as much.

4. Take a lot of photos. Duh? Right Jennifer? I know this seems kind of like numbskull advice, but when you are caught up in the moment you can forget. My suggestions are to buy Memory Maker before you go and take advantage of every Disney photographer you come across. Also, keep your phone accessible, not buried in a bag. Sometimes the photo opportunities pass quickly. You want to be prepared when they arrive.

5. During the shows, don’t go first. Follow other people down a row so that you aren’t stuck at the end. The queue line for all the shows starts in a room with doors that open when it is time for everyone to go inside. Most people gather around the door to try to be first. The disadvantage to that is that you have to go all the way to the end of the row on the other side of the theater. If you want seats more to the center, follow a group of people down a row.

6. Fast Pass+ is totally awesome, but you still hurry up and wait to try to meet your timeline. When you have to be at a meal at this time and a ride at this time, it takes some of the spontaneity out of your day. You can decide if this is good or bad. You can find websites that will help you plan how to schedule your fast passes before you arrive at the parks. My advice is to do this as soon as possible but to also talk to your family before that and decide together what you want to do. It was easy for us because we could all ride the same rides, but if you have younger family members you will want to schedule separately so that everyone has fun and smaller kids aren’t waiting on older ones or vice versa.

7. The lines aren’t that bad. I feel like I may be stoned for this one. Sure, it depends on what time of year you go (the holidays and spring break season are the busiest), but David and I both commented that it seemed like we did not have to wait in line for as long as we did several years go. Yes, there is a lot of standing and waiting at Disney, but the new fast pass system definitely makes it better in my opinion. The longest we waited was an hour, compared to over two hours for some rides the last time we went.

8. For the love of not getting dehydrated, drink a lot of water AND make sure your kids are drinking water too. We saw several people, small children, teenagers, and adults, that were being treated for dehydration. Some of them were on stretchers. You do not want to ruin your vacation with a trip to the ER because you were not drinking enough water. One of the tips you will see a lot is that a cup of ice water is free. Yes, it is. Also? Carry water bottles with you even if you don’t carry anything else. Every night I would freeze a couple of bottles in our tiny in-room refrigerator. The next morning I would wrap them in a rag to absorb the condensation and seal them in a storage bag with a couple of other bottles of water. We drank those plus refilled them multiple times in the park.

9. Trim your toenails before you go. Or get a pedicure or something. Basically, do some foot maintenance. I wore comfortable sneakers the entire time I was there, but even so, my toes were kind of squished together. I wear these shoes every day (I have tendinitis, long story). They have never bothered me before, but with the constant walking and being on my feet, I noticed a difference (and of course I forgot to pack clippers, so also pack clippers). Take care of your feet.

10. Dress for comfort, not for cuteness. Can you do both? Sure, but if you have to sacrifice one for the other, sacrifice cute. There are 10 million people there and not one of them cares what you look like. T-shirts, shorts, easy breezy sundresses (if you don’t have a wicked case of thigh rub like I do), whatever floats your boat, but know that you will be hot and sweaty and you quite possibly will get drenched in a rain storm. Make sure your clothes can stand up to all of that.

11. In that same category, make sure your kids are comfortable. I saw tons of little girls in princess dresses everywhere, hot, itchy princess dresses. Seeing them made me want to scratch. I get that little ones want to dress up like their favorite characters, and I think it is so awesome and adorable, but think about how this can be done in a way that keeps your kid cool and comfortable. And not itchy. One mom on our resort bus dressed her daughter in a cute fluffy skirt and a t-shirt and put her hair in a bun with a flower crown. She was adorable. Buy a tiara or headband, some glitter hairspray, a cute skirt and shirt, and dress her up yourself. Save a billion dollars and you will not have to listen to her complain about being hot and itchy. Bonus.

12. The characters love the characters. Before leaving, I made an autograph book by downloading character clip art and printing them on post card stock I purchased at the office supply store. The characters loved seeing themselves and other characters and interacted with us a lot more because of it. So buy those character shirts, wear the pins, dress up, share your love for them and they will share their love for you.

13. Unless you have a Star Wars fanatic in your family, skip Hollywood Studios. Of everything we did, we all agree that we wish we had not gone to Hollywood Studios. The Little Mermaid and The Beauty and the Beast shows are pretty awesome, but for us, they were not worth visiting that park. It is a lot of walking and there is not much else to do. Plus, it seemed to us, that it was the hottest park. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it is not as shady as the others. I wish we had spent another full day at Magic Kingdom (which, I think, takes a full three days to appreciate).

14. Plan for the rain. Everyone is going to tell you about the rain. I’m going to break down your options for you.

• You can carry around ponchos, which are heavy, for your entire family and pull them out when it starts raining, which is a huge pain in the butt. Then fold them all up and put them back in your bag when it stops raining. This option has the added bonus of making you look like you are wearing a giant size garbage bag. I know I said to not worry about being cute, but I think there’s a line.
• Carry a couple of small, foldable umbrellas in your day bag. You can also use the umbrella as shade from the sun when needed.
• Get wet. This was the option we chose, and it really wasn’t all that bad. Sometimes you have to embrace the weather.

Regardless of which option you choose, know that Florida thunderstorms can be pretty violent. Find cover if there is lightening. Don’t take any chances.

15. You will leave knowing that your kids aren’t the worst in the world, but that you probably should work a little bit more on manners and consideration of others just to be sure. Other people’s kids, amirite? I think that’s all I need to say about that.

Most of all, have fun. Be silly. Laugh. Bond with your kids. Say yes more than no. Apologize for losing your patience (because you will). Talk to strangers in line. Drink something fruity. Indulge. Go down the waterslide at your hotel. Embrace the experience. Then come home and show me your photos. I want to know all about how fabulous your trip was.

It’s YOUR turn!

Have you got a question, problem, or situation where you’d like a little guidance or an independent opinion? The questions/problems can be about anything: parenting, relationships, marriage (25 years of experience, yo!), work, home improvement, craft projects, sewing, living with ADD… whatever. They can be serious or silly or outofthisworldyoubettercallapsychiatrist. The only thing is that you have to remember that I am NOT a professional, and none of my advice should be considered that of a professional. I’m just a girl who’s been through a lot and likes to share what she has learned.

Ask your questions here and you just might see the answer next week!

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This content was written by Jennifer Williams exclusively for BonBon Break Media, LLC

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One of our FAVORITE parts of visiting Maui is seeing the Humpback Whales. Where we live, in the San Juan Islands, we have Orcas and if you are on a boat, you have a good chance of heading out and finding one after a cruise. On Maui, we wake up in the morning and look out the window and see Humpbacks. I’m not exaggerating. The whales come to Maui with their calves and there is a whole lot of competition between the males while attempting to “court” the females.

To tell you the truth, nothing beats the up close and personal feeling of seeing them on the water from a boat.

When we visit a new place, we like to do a little research to find out which operators are mindful of the environment. In Hawaii, they have the Hawai’i Ecotourism Association. This group advocates for Sustainable Tourism.

For years, our family has cruised with the Pacific Whale Foundation.  Since 1980, Pacific Whale Foundation has pioneered educational wildlife watching and eco-tourism in Hawaii through award-winning ocean eco-adventures. More than 3.5 million people from around the world have learned about ocean wildlife and marine conservation through these tours. Worldwide, their tours serve as a model for sustainable ecotourism practices.

As you can tell, this is right up our alley and when they offered for our family to go out on their BRAND NEW vessel, “Ocean Spirit” we were giddy. This boat is straight up luxury and their knowledgeable crew and whale-conscious captain created a perfect package.

Photo Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation

Here is what my crew had to say about our trip:

Lil Man (Age 7): We saw lots of whales and a competition pod. There were SO many awesome things. We saw an interesting Humpback Whale that was smaller, so I think it was young, but it had a really different color. It was light. They don’t know the story behind that one. There was just SO much action. So much.

Photo Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation

Lil Miss (Age 4): We saw lots of dolphins and LOTS of whales. They were blue colored humpbacks. It was VERY VERY nice on this boat. They told us how to be safe on the boat, which is ALWAYS important. We just rested and watched whales. I got to snuggle with my daddy and watch whales.

Good Apple (my husband): The  Pacific Whale Foundation’s new boat was extremely nice. (Side note: My husband is a Marine Mechanic. He was REALLY loving this boat!) The crew was very informed and friendly. We were able to see you both spinner dolphins and humpbacks and overall, it was an incredible day on the water.

MUST TELL STORY:

See that area on the front of the boat where those rectangular blue pads are? THOSE are the best seats in the house. You will get a salt water shower if you are sitting there while the boat is underway.  When whales are near the boat slows down or stops and it is the only place to be. Cuddled up with my son, we watched the action of the competition pod unfold and we had front row seats. Saltwater gently spraying on our toes. The sun warming our shoulders, noses, and knees. Humpbacks breaching RIGHT in front of us, fin slapping and going for those deep dives when you get that beautiful image of their tail.  True bliss.

SECOND MUST TELL STORY:

I was a Naturalist on our local boats for quite a few years. As a result, I have seen a lot of  “good boat behavior” and “bad boat behavior”. This crew was intentional about staying a safe distance from the whales while still giving their customers a good “show”. I could hear the crew talking to the captain about whale locations and see how he responded. Pacific Whale Foundation gets 5 stars in this department.

THIRD MUST TELL STORY:

You’ve heard us all mention the Competition pod. We’ve seen a few over the years, but none like this one. The males were AGGRESSIVE. They always are but this group, wow. The crew shared with us that they could last for days with lots of action and then they mellow out until one of the males starts up again. They were competing for the attention of the female and this gal must have been the queen because it was like a bar brawl. One advantage of watching a competition pod of chin slaps and breaches.  Since the whales are so active, they need to stay close to the surface to breathe – a major bonus for those of us who are watching from the boat.

Photo Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation

WRAP IT UP:

Sailing with The Pacific Whale Foundation is the perfect way to spend a day. It was just R E L A X I N G. Truly, it was. Every need was met and the boat was safe and sturdy. As a result, it was a perfectly pleasant day on the water partnered up with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crew.

A HUGE thank you to the team at the Pacific Whale Foundation.

They have a wonderful variety of cruises available for you and your family and they fill up quickly so make reservations ASAP. Click here to learn more about their conservation victories, here to learn about their research team, and here to book a cruise whether it is one of their Whale Watches, Snorkel Cruises, Sunset & Cocktail, Specialty & Holiday or Dolphin Watches. Whichever you choose, you will leave feeling that it was money well spent.

LESSON LEARNED: Photography is one of my passions, however, going on boating trips to take photos is not ideal when you have your kids there. There was the excitement of the dolphins and whales, water safety and general relaxed bliss. I could have focused on my pictures, but I wanted to focus on sharing the moment with my kids, so I left my camera packed in my bag and filled up our “memory camera” instead.

Check out our snorkeling adventure in Maui!

Check out our evening at the Old Lahaina Luau!

Check out our day at the Maui Ocean Center

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Humpback Photo on BigStock Photo (My photos just didn’t cut it!)

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However, as always, all opinions are our own. 

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Does anyone want to go to the aquarium? —Insert screaming— “When? When? When? Today? Now? Tonight?” I wanted to look at the weather forecast first. You see, going to the Maui Ocean Center is THE perfect activity when the winds are up or the rain is falling because a large portion of it is inside and the portions that are outside are covered. What’s nice is that they are open 365 days a year from 9am-5pm. How is that for predictable?

When we were generously offered tickets to visit, we knew it was an opportunity we wouldn’t miss. I mean we ARE the marine environment-loving family!

Here is what my crew had to say about the morning at the aquarium:

Lil Man (Age 7): I liked seeing all of the sharks and the tiger shark. It was really cool. There were awesome fish and the turtles were awesome because they had letters and numbers on them. At the touch pool, where you could touch the animals, there were soooooo many sea stars. That was cool. I like the Unicorn fish because their horn actually looked like a horn and they have little slicers on their tail. If you go, you HAVE to see the stingrays go over your head in the water tunnel and try to find the octopus.

Lil Miss (Age 4): I loved the baby turtles and the big turtles. And the sharks and the big fishes. The rays were super big. Bigger than you! They were super tall. Big. BIG. BIG! I never saw real sharks before. (Whispered “Mom why weren’t there hulagirls there?”) Oh YES, the submarine! The real one. That was new. The puffer fish were really cool, but they wouldn’t puff up. The shrimp were really cool because they were striped with white and red. I’m done. (Yup!)

Good Apple (my husband): I liked seeing the turtles because they aren’t something you would normally see in an aquarium. I also liked seeing the Tiger Shark because that is something I only want to see in an aquarium, not in real life. The seahorses and frogfish were really interesting to watch. We enjoyed watching the diver in the tank as well.

MUST TELL STORY:

Our kids were a “wee” bit excited when we got inside and it took a lot of effort to slow them down and actually enjoy the animals in the tanks. At one point, my daughter was standing in front of the puffer fish and she started making these crazy “I’m gonna stare you down faces” at the puffer fish. Well you see, he wouldn’t puff up. Apparently she thought she could intimidate him. If you’ve met her, you would be surprised he wasn’t.

SECOND MUST TELL STORY:

There was a really nice docent at the octopus tank. He came over to show us the octopus and share some interesting information about it. This is the point where Lil Miss fully engaged him in conversation about the octopus and told us we could continue on our way. He was a COMPLETE gem and went right along with it. He started walking with us so they could continue their conversation.

750.000 gallon Open Ocean Exhibit

THIRD MUST TELL STORY:

My husband and I care deeply about the ocean environment. We met on a dive boat after all! Watching our kids in awe of all of the animals was amazing for us. Lil Miss couldn’t put down the guide that identified all of the fish. The little gasps of joy and continuous chorus of WOAHs made our day.

MY IMPRESSION:

The Maui Ocean Center has a great balance of exhibits (over 60!) that will leave you awestruck and information to keep the visitors learning as they venture through the aquarium. There is a nice blend of local culture and appreciation of the marine environment.

The section that is an interactive museum houses a great assortment of dynamic displays that allowed our kids to learn as they played. We all loved the huge baby humpback model that takes center stage in the room, listening to their songs, comparing cetacean teeth and discussing echolocation.

WRAP IT UP:

The Maui Ocean Center provides a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about the local and gain an appreciation for what lies beneath the gorgeous view that you see from the shoreline. It is a great activity to keep in your back pocket for inclimate weather or if you need a break from the sun. Give yourself about 1-2 hours to work your way through and if you want, you can stay on site to enjoy lunch or snacks.  Buy tickets in advance!

A HUGE thank you to the team at the Maui Ocean Center. This was an incredible opportunity to spark the interest of our kids in an area we have been passionate about for years.

Check out our snorkeling adventure on Maui!

Check out our evening at the Old Lahaina Luau!

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Photos by Val Curtis

BonBon Break Media, LLC was compensated for this post via product and / or payment.

However, as always, all opinions are our own. 

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“We are going to a luau this week!“

Luau! Fun! See?

The kids looked up at me with long faces. Did they hear me? Ok, maybe I had to try this again.

“So, we are on Maui and I am SO excited that we will be going to a luau at the Old Lahaina Luau! Great food! Dancers! Fun! FUN! FUN!”

They still weren’t convinced.

We took off for a shave ice and bought Lil’ Miss a new Hawaiian dress and a plumeria necklace to wear. BAM! She was in.

The Lil Man’? I just had to mention FUN one more time and he was on board and thank goodness because the exceptionally kind staff at the Old Lahaina Luau offered us tickets to a show so I could share our experience with you. Who was excited? I was!!

Here is what my crew had to say about the evening on the ride home (while eating the banana bread we were gifted on the way out of the luau):

Lil Man (Age 7): I thought it was really good because I liked when we got to play the games, and I liked the show ALOT. The food was REALLY good and I liked that they had gluten free for you, mom. **Ok, swooning over here. Onward!** The gluten free dessert* was REALLY tasty. I also like the chicken. My favorite part of the show was in the beginning with all of the dancers and at the end.

*The gluten free dessert he is referring to is Haupia – a coconut jello – and  he is right, it is SO TASTY!

Lil Miss (Age 4): (Through tears because she had a BIG day and it was late) The dancer remembered me. She said, “Bye, Kate,” because she knows me. Like a friend. The dancers wore lots of outfits. I liked it because I like all the dancers and they had a nice dance. Also, I liked when the server gave us our drinks and the boys had flags on and did a dance*. The pig was in the little strips and it tasted good. The girl told a good story, too. Can I have my bread?

*The male dancers wore “flags” and it was very windy. We will leave it at that. *wink wink*

Good Apple (my husband): I liked the finale when they all came out and shook their booties individually. I thought it was so cool how the dancers howled for each other and cheered one another on.

Everyone shaking all the things.

MUST TELL STORY:

As we were leaving, one of the dancers saw us through the HUGE crowd and said, “Goodbye, Kate!” It was all we heard about for the rest of the night. My daughter was so thrilled that the woman who had played ‘ulu maika* with her AND danced on the stage for the ENTIRE show, remembered her name. I could have hugged her.

* ‘Ulu maika is a game where you roll a stone through two sticks –ahem, I won. Just saying.

SECOND MUST TELL STORY:

The guys and the Imu. This is where they BBQ the pig beachside. They bury it in sand, cover it with banana leaves, then burlap sacks and finally with sand and they smoke that baby. It was so delicious and you HAVE to be there for the uncovering of the pig. The guys have a great sense of humor and exceptional showmanship…and, well, look!

THIRD MUST TELL STORY:

Our server, Kaipo, was AMAZING. He was the epitome of good service. While we sat on the floor on cushy pillows, he brought us beverages (get a piña colada), made sure we had everything we needed, and he was kind and funny. He memorized the names of everyone at the four tables he was working, and he was completely charming. Do I sound like I am swooning? Ok, maybe a little.

MY IMPRESSION:

The Old Lahaina Luau is a must-do activity while visiting Maui. The activities they have set up beforehand — from learning to crack open a coconut to learning traditional Hawaiian dances — show that the team behind Old Lahaina Luau thought of an endless array of details to keep everyone entertained. The music was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the show was memorable. Overall, you are there for a true Hawaiian experience. Our kids are still talking about the games, the dancers, and the Imu.

WRAP IT UP:

A fun part of the meal was that we tried things that were truly Hawaiian and new to us. We were surprised to find some new favorites like the Haupia that we will definitely seek out on future trips to Hawaii.

There was a choice between Traditional seating (on the floor) or Table and Chairs, and we thoroughly enjoyed the front row view that the Traditional seating provided us.

From the moment we walked in the door and had beautiful leis placed over our heads and a drink slipped into our hands, we felt like royalty. This is an opportunity you must add to your itinerary when you visit Maui. Make reservations in advance!

A HUGE thank you to the entire team at Old Lahaina Luau. We had an evening of memories that will last a lifetime.

Check out our snorkeling adventure on Maui!

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Pin photos from Old Lahaina Luau. The rest were taken by Val Curtis.

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BonBon Break Media, LLC was compensated for this post via product and / or payment.

However, as always, all opinions are our own. 

The post Maui Family Style: Old Lahaina Luau first appeared on BonBon Break.