My wife and I try to get away every year to celebrate our anniversary.  We live in the Phoenix area, so we’ll usually just pick one of the local resorts we haven’t tried before.  The past two years we’ve stayed at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain and the Hermosa Inn which were absolutely incredible!

This year we planned well in advance for a trip to Cabo to take advantage of the Avios sweet spot to Mexico. Unfortunately, in light of global events, our trip was cancelled due to travel restrictions. In an effort to salvage our anniversary trip I scrambled to find an alternate location that was closer to home.

Earlier the same week, the Ventana Big Sur resort announced they were reopening their hotel as an all-inclusive resort. I’ve heard amazing things about the resort, and I’ve always wanted see Big Sur, so I knew this is where I wanted to go.

Getting There

Where Is It – Big Sur is a beautiful stretch of the Central California coastline. The resort is located up on a hill overlooking the ocean in the heart of the town.

How To Get There – The closest airport to Big Sur is in Monterey (MRY), which is located about an hour north. We decided to fly into San Jose (SJC) because we have the Southwest Companion Pass and found flights for only 5,442 points total. The drive from San Jose to Big Sur is about 2 hours if you don’t stop. San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) and San Louis Obispo (SLO) are all just a little further way if you need other options.

Rental Car – You will also need to rent a car while you’re there. Don’t forget to use Autoslash to track the price of your rental.

Pro Tip – I would recommend flying in the night before and staying at a hotel near the airport. This way you can take your time driving down the coast before you’re scheduled to arrive at the Ventana Big Sur.

Booking It

With Points – The Ventana Big Sur is a luxury Hyatt Alila resort. With the hotel changing to an all-inclusive resort, one night here can easily cost $2,000 when you include taxes and fees. However, this is a Category 8 hotel so you can book a standard room for only 45k World of Hyatt points per night!

Remember, you don’t pay taxes or resort fees on Hyatt award stays. When you factor in the all-inclusive offerings like food and activities, this is an incredible value! When we stayed there, we actually stayed when it was a lower category property and during a promotion so we only paid 24k points per night which made the value even more incredible!

Booking Tip – When searching for availability, I found award space for two nights. However, when I went to book it, the site said there was no award availability. I searched for the 2 nights individually and was able to find space, so I made two separate reservations and then emailed the hotel to combine our reservation. I don’t know if this was a glitch with the site but just be aware of it in case you run into a similar situation.

Paying Cash – If you choose to pay with cash be sure to use a card that gives you bonus points travel purchases. The card_name credit card gives you 4x on Hyatt purchases. Other great cards to use are the card_name or the card_name.

Parking, Check-In & Fees

Parking – The Ventana resort offers both valet and self-parking for free.

Check-In – We couldn’t wait to get there, so we requested a noon check-in. It was the first day they were open, so they were easily able to accommodate our request. The regular check-in time is at 4 pm. If you aren’t able to check-in early, you can still grab a bite to eat and explore the hotel while you wait for your room to be ready.

We were met at our car by several members of the hotel staff who helped with our luggage and showed us where to check in. During check-in they explained the all-inclusive offerings and helped us schedule any activities we wanted to try. Everyone was genuinely nice and helpful and the process was seamless.

Service Charge – If you paid for your stay with cash, a $90 per day service charge is added to your rate. This fee is meant to cover most gratuities for the staff. If you pay for your stay with points, this fee is not charged to your room.

Pets – The Ventana Big Sur is a dog-friendly hotel. A per stay fee of $150 is charged and they will provide you with a dog bed and water bowl for your room.

The Room

The Ventana Big Sur only has 59 total rooms and suites. Reward stays are booked into standard rooms at the resort. However, we were upgraded to a Big Sur suite when we checked in. The hotel was only operating at 50% capacity so I’m assuming the upgrade was a result of availability and not because of the Hyatt Discoverist status that comes with the card_name.

The rooms are spread out over several buildings throughout the property. Our suite was at the far end of the property next to the Mountain pool.

The resort grounds are immaculately kept and almost all of the rooms are located down a single path from the Social House where you check-in.

Some rooms will face the beautiful mountains and forest. Others, depending on the location, will have a view of the ocean.

The room was spacious and decorated in a beautiful rustic mountain cabin theme. There room had a king bed and it was the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept on in an incredibly long time.

In front of the bed was a sitting area with two leather chairs in front of a wood burning fire place. The hotel provides each room with multiple fire kits. Simply place the bag of wood in the fire place and then light it with a match. It’s a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day.

The opposite side of the room has a large bath tub to relax in. Next to it is a spacious shower with a rain shower head. I loved the

Next to the bathtub is a large two sink vanity with plenty of room to get ready.

Out the back door is a large balcony overlooking the ocean. The balcony had a sitting area with a hammock and I definitely spent my fair share of time relaxing out there.

Dining

The Sur House – The main restaurant at the Ventana Big Sur is the Sur House. It’s a gorgeous location with outdoor seating that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

To get there, you can either walk along a beautiful trail that’s about 1/4 mile long or they’ll drive you there in one of the hotel’s enclosed golf carts.

You can enjoy both breakfast and dinner here and the food was absolutely spectacular! We enjoyed  a 6 course meal the first night and then a juicy steak the next night. The kitchen was slow the first night but that was to be expected because it was their first night open as an all-inclusive property. Our server was fantastic and beyond friendly. The entire team really made dining there an unforgettable experience.

Casual Dining – Throughout the day you can enjoy outdoor dining located next to the Meadow Pool. There are several delicious options to choose from so you should try as many as you can while you’re there.

You can also enjoy a bite to eat from the lounge chairs by the pools or on the lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

In-Room Dining – The hotel also offers in-room dining that you can order from a tablet in your room. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast each morning from the comfort of our bed.

Amenities

Being an all-inclusive resort, the Ventana Big Sur also offers several wonderful amenities you can enjoy. While not a complete list, here are some of the highlights. Unfortunately, due to world events at the time, several of the amenities were closed while we were there so I wasn’t able to take a picture of those.

Pools – The hotel has two large pools that are both kept at a comfortable temperature year round. Each pool has plenty of seating and umbrellas to keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Hot Tub – There’s a gorgeous infinity-edge hot tub by the Meadow Pool that I could sit in all day.

Japanese Baths – There’s a bath house by the Mountain Pool that’s open 24 hours. I think the infinity hot tub is a much better location but the Japanese Baths are open 24 hours. There’s no roof on the facility so it can be a fun place for some late night stargazing. The baths were closed while we were there, so I’m taking the staff at their word.

Picnic Lunch – You can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the ocean or in the Redwood forest. You can schedule this with the hotel a few days before you arrive.

S’mores – Each night you have the opportunity to roast s’mores in the Redwoods.  It’s a fun way to end each night of your stay.

Fitness Center – Next to the bath house is a small fitness center if you like to exercise while you’re on vacation. I can barely exercise at home so I wasn’t planning on trying it out. Fortunately, it was closed while we were there so I didn’t feel too guilty about trying all of the food options and then sitting by the pool.

Spa Alila – The hotel has a full service spa that offers several treatment options. The spa was also closed so we weren’t able to enjoy it while we were there.

Hiking & Yoga – There are hiking trails around the property that make a perfect afternoon walk. Each morning the resort offers complimentary yoga classes. I took the trail around the hotel which was gorgeous. As you can imagine from earlier comment about exercising, I didn’t partake in the yoga classes.

Social Hour – Each afternoon in the Social House there’s a social hour where you can enjoy a drink of the day and mingle with other guests.

Do You Need More Points?

Is the Ventana Big Sur now on your bucket list but you don’t have enough points to stay there? Hyatt is a transfer partner with Chase, so it’s easier than you think to earn enough points. You can leverage your existing Chase cards to quickly earn points or you can add a new card to your wallet that has a great welcome bonus. Here are a couple suggestions.

World of Hyatt – The card_name is a great card to have for Hyatt stays. bonus_miles_full

card_name – The card_name card is the travel card I recommend most often for beginners. bonus_miles_full These points can be transferred easily to your World of Hyatt account.

card_name – The card_name card is an excellent card for frequent travelers. bonus_miles_full These points are also transferable to your World of Hyatt account.

Final Thoughts

The Ventana Big Sur is definitely one of the best hotels I’ve ever visited. The staff, food, accommodations and amenities were top notch and the location was incredible! When you add in that you can pay for your stay using Hyatt points, it’s an absolute steal. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Big Sur, this is where you need to stay. Have you stayed here before? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought.

The post The Alila Ventana Big Sur Is Worth Every Point appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for a long time. Seeing pictures of the gorgeous canyons all over the internet has only made me want to visit more. For various reasons, we’ve never been able to fit a visit in our schedule. Finally, last week, we had the chance to take the family and it was even better than I expected.

First, I’ll give you all of the information you’ll need to know about visiting. Then keep reading until the end to see how I used points to offset a lot of the cost.

Where Is Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in northern Arizona just outside the city of Page. The location is definitely what makes visiting the canyon a challenge. Unfortunately, none of the major airlines fly into Page, so it’ll be a drive no matter where you’re coming from.

The closest major airports are Phoenix (PHX) or Las Vegas (LAS). Both airports are about a 4.5 hour drive. If you fly in and rent a car, be sure to use Autoslash to save some money.

Booking A Tour

There are two different canyons you can visit; Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Regardless of which on you visit, you will need to book a tour in order to visit the canyon.

We decided to visit the lower Antelope Canyon and booked our tour with Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. Our tour guide Stacy was the absolute best! She made our visit the best it could be! At the time of publishing, the price was ~$60 for adults and ~$30 for children.

I would recommend booking directly with Dixie (or the other companies). I’ve seen tours on other sites but they were always more expensive.

Which Canyon Should I Visit

A lot of people ask what the difference is between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Here’s what I’ve found based on my research and by talking with our tour guide.

Upper Antelope Canyon – The upper canyon is the more popular of the two canyons because of the light beams that can be seen during the spring and summer. While both canyon tours last about the same amount of time, the length of the upper canyon is about half the size of the lower canyon.

The upper canyon doesn’t have any stairs, so this could be a factor for those with mobility restrictions. We had young kids in our group and climbing the stairs wasn’t an issue, so I wouldn’t let that be a deterrent for those visiting with small children.

Lower Antelope Canyon – The lower canyon is located right next to the visitor’s center, so it’s only a 5 minute walk to the entrance. If you visit the upper canyon, your tour company will drive you to the canyon entrance.

The lower canyon is also more narrow along the canyon floor and wider at the top. This will allow more sunshine to enter the canyon and really highlight the color of the canyon walls.

FAQs

How Far In Advance Should I Book My Tour – Antelope Canyon has definitely become more popular lately, so I would recommend booking as soon as you can. Right now tours are operating at 50% capacity, so they’ll fill up even quicker. Dixie had a very generous cancellation policy, so there really isn’t any risk to booking far in advance.

When Should I Visit – The summer time is the most popular because of the light beams that can been seen from about March thru October. Summer is just a popular time for travel, so it will also be more crowded. Keep in mind there can be a line to enter the canyon, so if you go in the summer it can get hot. We visited in December and had an incredible experience.

What Time Of Day Should I Visit – If seeing the light beams is a must, then I would recommend visiting between 10 – 1 to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

What Should I Bring On The Tour – Right now, they don’t allow you to take backpacks, purses or other bags. Really, the only thing you can bring is water and your camera.

Where To Stay

You’ll find several hotel options from all of the major chains in Page. No matter which hotel points you have, you’ll be able to find a property to stay at. Just book your stay as soon as you can to give yourself the best chance of finding availability.

Hyatt – We stayed at the Hyatt Place which only cost about 12k points per night. Two of my favorite credit cards that earn Hyatt points are the card_name and the card_name.

Marriott – If you like Marriott properties, they have a Courtyard hotel that will run about 30k points per night. There are a couple Marriott credit cards like the card_name that can help you earn points quickly.

Hilton – Hilton also has a couple locations in Page to choose from that will cost approximately 25k points per night. The card_name has a welcome offer can earn you a chunk of points fast.

IHG – There’s a Holiday Inn Express in the middle of town that costs a modest 12k points a night. If IHG is the brand you prefer, I’d recommend the card_name as a way to earn more points for your trip.

Final Thoughts

If Antelope Canyon hasn’t been on your travel bucket list, it should be. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been and it’s perfect for all ages and abilities. If you ever find yourself near northern Arizona, I’d highly recommend you plan to stop and spend a day or two here and enjoy these incredible sites.

The post Ultimate Guide To Visiting Antelope Canyon appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

Over the years we have taken our 5 kids to Disney World a couple of times. As you can imagine, it can get real pricey, real quick for a family of 7. However, each time we went, we used a stash of our points to make it affordable (pronounced possible). With a little planning, it can be pretty easy to offset a lot of the expense with a couple credit card sign up bonuses.

First, we used points to cover our flights. With so many flights to Orlando, it’s pretty easy to find availability throughout the year. If you need recommendations, here are some of my favorite credit cards for flights.  Be sure to check cash fares too. On one trip we used points to fly us there but then found $69 return fares on a different airline so we just paid cash and saved our points for another time.

Each time we’ve visited, we have stayed at one of Disney’s hotels.  The problem is, just like at Disneyland, you can’t book most Walt Disney World hotels with points.  We just love the ambiance and some of the benefits of staying on property so we chose to go that route.

Official Disney World Hotels

I’ve always been impressed with everything Disney does.  From their hotels, to their shops, they always seem to deliver an incredible experience.  If you want to stay at a Disney hotel, there is one way to do it using your points.  While not the most valuable way use your points, it’s still possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I love squeezing a lot of value out of my points. Even though this option doesn’t provide the best monetary value, sometimes the best value is being able to have an unforgettable experience. If you want to enjoy a Disney hotel experience using points, you’ll need to get the card_name. 

This card has a feature that allows you to redeem your points as a statement credit on any travel purchase. That’s right, you can use these points to offset the cost of ANY Disney hotel.

Simply pay for your Disney World hotel with your card, then you can redeem your points for a statement credit to offset the purchase.  When you redeem your points this way, they are worth 1 cent per point. 

bonus_miles_full  You can read about the other great benefits of this card in my full review of the Capital One Venture card.

Disney Hotel Benefits

Staying at one of the Walt Disney World hotels has some really great benefits.  Here are a few of my favorites:

FastPass+ – You have the ability to reserve a select number of fast passes up to 60 days before you arrive.  This can be vital to save you from waiting hours on some of the most popular rides. (I’m looking at you Avatar – my favorite ride at any of the parks!)

Magic Hours – When you stay at a Disney hotel you get access to extended hours at a different park each day.  If you weren’t able to snag a fast pass for your favorite ride, this can be a big help.

Complimentary Magic Bands – These typically cost $15 but when you stay at a Disney hotel, they’re free.  Not only do they make things more convenient but they’re great souvenirs!  My younger kids wore these for weeks after our trip.

Free Transfers Between Hotels – If you want to splurge on a night or two and one of the higher end hotels and then move to a more budget friendly option, they’ll transfer your luggage for free!  On one trip, we wanted to try 2 different hotels.  You simply talk to the front desk and they’ll arrange everything.  Just leave your bags outside of your room when you head to the park and they’ll be waiting for you at your next hotel when you get back.

Other Disney World Hotel Options

Walt Disney Dolphin Resort – This hotel is located on the Disney property and is a Marriott hotel.  From everything I read, award availability can be hard to come by.  If you’re able to find space, you can redeem your Marriott points here.  An average night here will cost you 50K Marriott points.  Keep in mind, they charge a resort fee that’s over $30/night plus parking if you have a car.

Walt Disney Swan Resort – While the amenities are a little different the cost structure is similar to the Dolphin Resort.  You’ll pay an average of 50k Marriott points and similar parking and resort fees.  If you’re dying to stay at one of these hotels but are short on points, you might consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

Disney Springs Hotel Options

If you aren’t staying at a Disney World hotel, the next best location to use your points is at one of the 7 hotels at Disney Springs.  Disney Springs is a fun dining and entertainment district close to Disney World.  Here you’ll find properties from larger hotel chains where you can redeem your points.

Previously, these hotels had arraignments with Disney World that provided guests with some of the perks of staying at a Disney hotel; like the FastPass+ reservations.  Keep an eye out to see if these perks return because they’ll be super valuable if they do.  Here are a couple of the great options to choose from where you can redeem your points.

I’ve only highlighted the two Hilton options for one of two reasons.  1) The other hotels in Disney Springs don’t have a point currency that I would recommend accumulating or 2) The hotel reviews weren’t very good.

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

This is a great option that can give you a lot of value.  A standard night here will run between 35k-50k points per night depending on the time of year.  Hilton doesn’t charge resort fees on award stays, so that will save you $35/night.  Plus, if you have Hilton elite status, you’ll get your 5th free on award stays.

If you don’t have status, consider looking into the card_name.  bonus_miles_full Terms apply. This card comes with complimentary status level at Hilton that will allow you to get your 5th night free.  The Hilton Honors has no annual fee (see rates and fees).

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

Hilton has another great option to choose from in Disney Springs.  Nights at the Buena Vista Palace also start at 50k points per night for a standard room.  They have a beautiful pool with a lazy river that are perfect for a day of relaxation when you’re not at the park.  There is also no resort fees when you pay with points and you get your 5th night free when you have status.  If you need more points, take a look at the same card recommendations above.

Other Hotel Options

If you go outside of Disney Springs you’ll find more hotels from other large hotel chains.  These are great Disney World hotel options whose points are easy to come by.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista

The Embassy Suites is located really close to Disney World and has some wonderful amenities.  Not only are the rooms larger than most hotels but they have a fun splash pad area if you’re traveling with your kids.  Here you will also enjoy a free daily breakfast and you don’t have to pay for parking.  Plus, they have a free shuttle to the Disney theme parks.  If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, this is my top recommendation.  You really can’t beat the value this hotel provides.

Here you can redeem your Hilton points at an average rate of 40k points per night.  Just like the Hilton hotels at Disney Springs above, you don’t pay a resort fee when you use your points to stay here.  And with Honors status, you can get your 5th night free.  If you need a few more points for your Disney vacation, or need status, take a look a the card recommendations above.

Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress – Located just a few miles down the road from Disney World, the Hyatt Regency is a great option.  Standard rooms here are a reasonable 12k points per night.  Hyatt also doesn’t charge a resort fee when you pay with points so that will save you some extra money.  They do charge a parking fee but they provide a free shuttle to the theme parks.

Hyatt Place Orlando/Convention Center – This hotel is even further away but provides a great value.  Here you won’t have to pay for parking and Hyatt members get free breakfast.  Rooms here will only cost you an average of 8k points per night which can really help you stretch your points.

To use points for these Hyatt hotels, I would recommend getting the card_name. bonus_miles_full These points can then be transferred to Hyatt so you can stay at these hotels for free.

Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center

This one is also located a little further away but is another economical choice.  Standard rooms start at only 25k Bonvoy points per night.  Plus, all Bonvoy members will get their 5th night free when booking their stay with points.  Plus, you’ll enjoy a free breakfast when you stay here.  If you’re a little short on points, you might want to look at the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. 

Final Thoughts

Going on a Disney vacation can be expensive but it’s an experience that will last a lifetime.  As you can see though, there are several Disney World hotel options where you can use your points to bring the cost down.  If you’ve been dreaming of taking your family here but haven’t been able to make it work financially, hopefully this has given you some new ideas on how to make it work.  What other money saving tips do you have for Disney vacations?  Leave a comment below and let us know!

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, See Rates and Fees.

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Most major cities offer passes that promise to help you save money visiting the sites on your list.   The Paris Museum Pass is no different. The pass is designed to help you save money by charging you a flat rate to visit the museums and monuments included in the pass.  We have visited Paris twice and both times we purchased the pass for our trip.  I’m going to show you why I recommend it and how you can determine if it’s right for you.

What Is The Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass is a pass that allows you entry into over 50 of Paris’ museums and monuments for one flat rate.  You can purchase a pass that’s valid for 48 (2 days), 96 (4 days) or 144 (6 days) consecutive hours.  One convenient thing about the pass is the clock doesn’t start until you scan your pass at the first museum you visit.  Previously, the pass was only valid for the number of calendar days you purchased. Now you don’t have to get up early on Day 1 to get the most value out of your pass.

Keep in mind, there’s another popular pass being sold with a similar name called the Paris Pass.  This pass does include a Paris Museum Pass but it also is valid for use at other attractions but costs significantly more.  We have purchased both and in my opinion, I think the Paris Museum Pass is more than sufficient for most people visiting Paris.

How Much Does It Cost – At the time of publication, the cost for a 2 day Paris Museum Pass was 52 Euros.

Who Needs A Pass – Children under 18 can visit most of the museums and monuments for free.  This wonderful policy saved us a lot of money when we took our 5 kids to Europe a few years ago.  If you are a citizen of the European Union, then you can visit for free if you are under age 26.

How Often Can I Visit – You can visit as many of the museums and monuments as you’re able to within the time frame that your pass allows.  However, you can only visit each site once.

Is There A Fast Track Line – Many of the locations have a fast track line for those who purchased the Paris Museum Pass.  This can be especially useful and some of the popular attractions like the Louvre.  This was the line for those who didn’t have the pass so we were able to save a lot of time with the pass.

Which Museums Are Included

Here are a list of the more popular museums and monuments you can visit with the Paris Museum Pass.  You can see a full list of all the places you can visit here.

• Louvre Museum
• Arc de Triomphe
• Château de Versailles
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Musée Rodin
• Pantheon
• Musée d’Orsay
• Musée de l’Armée – Tombeau de Napoléon
• Notre Dame Towers (currently closed due to the recent fire)
• Conciergerie
• Musée de Cluny
• Quai Branly Museum
• Musée de l’Orangerie
• Centre Pompidou
• Villa Savoye
• Château de Fontainebleau

Notable Exceptions – Not all of the national museums are included in the Paris Museum Pass.  A few of the most notable exceptions are the Eiffel Tower, the Paris catacombs, the Sacré Coeur Dome, Grand Palais, Luxembourg Museum, Musée Marmottan Monet, Montmartre Museum, and the Treasury of Notre-Dame.

Tips For Visiting The Museums

Free For Everyone – Many of the museums in Paris are free on the first Sunday of every month.  If you’ll be in Paris that day, you’ll want to consider this when you’re deciding whether or not to buy the pass and for how long.

Routine Closers – A lot of the attractions are closed on either Mondays or Tuesdays, as well as some holidays.  Be sure to check each museum you are planning to visit.  You don’t waste time getting there, only to find that it’s closed.

Visiting The Palace of  Versailles – If you can, avoid visiting Versailles on Sundays and on Tuesdays when the Louvre is closed.  The first time we visited Paris we went to Versailles on a Sunday.   The crowds that day were worse than a NY subway during rush hour.  The second time we went was on a Wednesday and it was so much more enjoyable.  The crowds were a lot smaller and you could really enjoy your visit.  Some days there are special events in the Versailles gardens and you will need to purchase a supplemental ticket if you visit on one of those days.

The Louvre – Recently the Louvre has started allowing you to book a time slot for visiting.  These are free to book with the pass and will help you save time when you visit.  Once you have your pass, you can book your time slot here.

Eiffel Tower – Even thought the Eiffel Tower isn’t included in the Paris Museum Pass, you’ll definitely want to go there.  Lines to purchase walk up tickets can be extremely long so don’t wait until you get there to buy them.  Advance tickets to ride up the tower can sell out months in advance, so you’ll want to buy them as soon as you know when you’ll be in Paris.

Where To Buy The Paris Museum Pass

There are numerous places where you can purchase the pass so it’s super convenient to get.  When you purchase your pass, be sure to use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.  If you don’t have one of these cards yet, you’ll want to get one before you go.  These fees can really add up when you’re traveling abroad.  

There are two credit cards I generally  recommend when traveling abroad.  If you travel infrequently, you should consider the card_name.  bonus_miles_full

If you travel frequently, I would strongly recommend the card_name. bonus_miles_full

There are several tour companies that sell these passes online and will typically mark them up.  Be sure to read everything carefully so you know what you’re buying.  Here are a few of the easiest ways to purchase them in person or online.

In Person – You can purchase the pass at several locations while you’re in Paris.  You can buy them at the tourist information offices at the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport or the Gare du Nord train station.  There are also several Visitor Centers located throughout the city or the Central Tourist Office in Paris.

Online – Both times we visited Paris, we were only in town for 2 days.  To save time, we purchased them online and had them shipped to our house before we left.  You can also purchase them online and have them delivered to your hotel in Paris for a fee.  If you want to avoid the fees, you can also purchase them online and pick them up in person from the Central Tourist Office when you arrive.

Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth Buying

Overall, I definitely recommend buying the Paris Museum Pass when visiting Paris.  We purchased it both times we were in Paris and I would buy it again the next time we visit.  I understand everyone’s situation is a little different but here’s why I think you should consider it.

Value – We spent less money on the pass than we would have if we had paid the cumulative entrance fees at each attraction we visited.  Take a little time and look at the places you want to visit.  If you add up the cost of visiting each site individually and it’s more than the cost of the pass, buy it.  However, if you add up everything and the pass is a little more expensive, you may still want to purchase it after you consider the other reasons why I like it.

Saves Time – When you buy the Paris Museum Pass you don’t have to wait in line to buy tickets at each location.  It also gives you access to separate entrance lines exclusively for pass holders at many of the attractions.  This can easily save you a lot of time so you’re spending more time enjoying the sites and less time waiting in line.

See Something Unexpected – The pass gives you the opportunity to see something you hadn’t planned on.  Each time we had the pass, we visited a museum that wasn’t originally on our list.  We visited the Pantheon and Napoleon’s tomb because they were close by and included in the pass.  We loved both places and would have completely missed them if we didn’t have the pass.

Final Thoughts

We all want to get the most out of our vacations and I think the Paris Museum Pass can help you do just that.  Not only can it save you money but it can also save you precious time and help you see more than you planned.  Leave us a comment below if you have any other questions and I’d be happy to answer them.

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Every year we try to sneak away and enjoy a night at a local hotel without the kids.  We live in Phoenix and are spoiled with the number of resorts in the area.   That’s why every time we get away we like to stay at a different hotel to experience something new.

A few months ago we decided to stay at the Sanctuary resort for our one night staycation.  Friends of ours had stayed there and spoke highly of it.  Plus, I saw it had recently been voted one of the top luxury hotels in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.  Needless to say, we were pretty excited to try it out.

Where Is It

The Sanctuary is located in the upscale Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley.  It’s only about 15 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX) and is easy to get to.  The hotel sits back on the north side of Camelback Mountain so the views of the valley are spectacular.

While you are centrally located, I would recommend renting a car if you stay here.  Paradise Valley is a residential area, so there are no additional restaurants or shopping located within walking distance.  Both Old Town Scottsdale and the Biltmore area are just a few miles away and have plenty of entertainment and dining options if you decide to leave the resort.

Booking Tips

The Sanctuary Camelback resort isn’t part of any of the large chains, so the option to use your credit card points are somewhat limited but possible.

Using Points – There are a couple of ways you can use your points to stay here.  There are a few credit cards that allow you to redeem your points at a flat rate for travel purchases.  If you have the card_name or the card_name, you can redeem your Ultimate Rewards points through the Chase travel portal to stay here.

The card_name card also allows you to redeem your points for a statement credit on travel purchases.  First, you need to book your hotel with the card.  Then log into your Capital One account and select the purchase using your points.  In both cases, you won’t get the most value out of your points.  However, if you just want a no-hassle way to redeem your points, this is it.

Other Programs – When I stay at a hotel that isn’t part of a major chain, I typically like to book my room with Hotels.com.  Their reward program gives you a free night after booking 10 nights.  Just be sure to check the rates offered directly with the hotel first to see if they have any specials.  If the rates are the same, I’d book with hotels.com for the rewards.

Maximize Your Purchase – If you’re paying cash for your stay be sure to use a credit card that gives you a bonus when making travel purchases.  A couple of my favorite options are the card_name, card_name and the card_name.

Check-In, Parking & Fees

Check-In – We were so excited to get away for the evening that we arrived a couple hours before the 4:00 p.m. check-in time.  The gentleman at the front desk was genuinely nice and very helpful.  He said our room wasn’t quite ready but they said they would text us once it was.  The lobby is just a small area right inside the front door, so we decided to take a walk around the property while we waited.   About 45 minutes later, but still before the official check-in time, we received a text saying our room was ready.

Parking – The Sanctuary offers free valet parking at the entrance of the hotel.  However, the rooms are spread out over several small buildings so you’ll typically want to park your car closer to your room.  The hotel does offer a golf cart service that will take you to and from your room if you prefer to leave your car by the lobby.

Resort Fee – I have a strong disdain for resort fees because I think they’re misleading and because they’re mandatory.  However, they are commonly charged at the Phoenix area resorts.  Just be aware the Sanctuary Camelback charges a $39 resort fee per night.

Pets – This hotel is also pet-friendly, so you’re welcome to bring yours along for an additional fee.

The Room

The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort is made up of 109 casitas and suites.  The suites offer more room with a relaxing living area. They also have a 2 bedroom suite option if you need the extra space.  If you really want to splurge, they also have 7 luxury villas.  We decided to go with the 1 bedroom suite and it was fantastic!

The rooms are arranged in a condo-like set-up which allows for a little more privacy and quietness.

When you enter the suite, you are welcomed into a large living space.  The entire suite is beautifully decorated in a mid-century modern style.  There’s a big screen and a fireplace on the wall.  This is perfect for relaxing and unwinding at the end of the day.

Just off the living room is the bedroom. The bed was actually one of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve slept on in a while. Opposite the bed is another large screen TV perfect for watching sports…or the latest home renovation show if my wife grabs the remote first.

The bathroom in the the suite was large and spacious.  It had a dual sink vanity, a walk-in shower and a large bathtub.

The shower is larger than normal and has all of the toiletries you’ll need during your stay.

There’s a balcony off the living room and the bedroom.  How could you ever get tired of these views?  We visited the Sanctuary Camelback at the tail end of the summer, so we didn’t spend too much time out there during the day.  However, sitting on the balcony was a perfect way to both start and end the day.

Dining

The Sanctuary Camelback hotel has two main dining options.  Both are located in the main building of the hotel complex just past the front desk.

Jade Bar – The first is a contemporary restaurant called the Jade Bar.  It offers a more casual environment and a very large menu.  They have selections that can be ordered all day, as well as specific lunch and dinner options.  There is an extensive list of drink options as well, so can find something to fit anyone’s taste.

Elements – The second option is the gorgeous Elements restaurant with breathtaking views overlooking Paradise Valley.  We had dinner here and it is a perfect place to celebrate a special evening or if you simply want to enjoy a fantastic meal.  They are known for their pork chops and I would highly recommend it.  I’ve never been a huge pork chop fan but when they say they’re famous for something, you have to order it.  It was phenomenal and I would order it again every time!

Amenities

Pools – The Sanctuary Camelback Resort has three pools to choose from.  The large infinity pool is a fantastic place to relax on a warm afternoon.  There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas to keep you comfortable throughout the day.  If you’re traveling with kids, be aware the pool is only open to those 16+ on Fridays thru Sundays.  If you are traveling with kids, there are 2 other smaller pools within the hotel complex.

Spa – If you’re looking to pamper yourself while you’re on vacation, you have to stop by their spa.  We didn’t have time for spa treatments on this trip but we took look inside and it was super luxurious.

Fitness Options – If walking up and down the hills around the hotel isn’t enough exercise for you, the hotel also has fitness center, as well as tennis and pickleball courts for your to use.

Final Thoughts

There are so many wonderful resorts to visit in the Phoenix area, but the Sanctuary Camelback really is a step above the rest.  The resort isn’t geared towards kids, so I wouldn’t recommend staying there for a family vacation.  However, if you’re looking for romantic or luxurious getaway with your significant other, this is the place for you.

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This past spring we took our family of seven to Kauai for the first time.  We’ve been to other Hawaiian islands before but this one is my favorite.  It’s significantly less crowded than Oahu and Maui and the island’s natural beauty is unparalleled.  Now matter what your interests are, there are numerous things for you to see and do while you’re there.

Our family was able to fly there using one of the best award travel sweet spots out there.  Even if you don’t live on the West Coast, there are other inexpensive ways to get there.  I frequently see great airfare sales to Hawaii from all across the U.S.  Plus, now that Southwest flies there, you can even use the Companion Pass to fly there.  However you get there, just make sure to pay for your flights using a card that gives you a bonus on travel purchases.  If you don’t have one, my favorite travel card is the card_name.

Best Adventure Activities To Do

Na Pali Coast Boat Tour – Visiting the Na Pali coast is an absolute must-do when you visit Kauai.  It is absolutely breathtaking and there’s nothing else like it in the world.  There are no roads that go to this coast line, so the only way to see the whole thing is by air or by sea.

There are a few tour companies that offer tours of the Na Pali coast and we booked ours with Captain Andy’s.  The cruise was fantastic and provided great views of the coast!  The trip also included about 45 minutes of snorkeling and a BBQ lunch which were great.  This cruise was the highlight of everyone’s trip.  If you book a boat tour, and I highly recommend that you do, here are two important tips.

First, the water can get choppy, so be sure to take your motion sickness medicine before you go.  Second, book your tour near the beginning of your trip.  The day we planned to go, out trip was cancelled because of a rainstorm.  Luckily, it was on the second day of our trip so we were able to reschedule for later in the week.

Kauai Tubing – You can book a tubing trip down the canals of an old sugar plantation with Kauai Backcountry Adventures.  You’ll float down about 2 miles of the canal system and go through 5 tunnels along the way.  The water is calm the entire way so this trip is great for travelers of all ages.  While it’s not as adventurous as I had originally thought, each one of my kids had a fantastic time.

Helicopter Tours – There are several companies that offer helicopter tours of Kauai.  While these tours can be a little pricey, there’s nothing like seeing Kauai from the air.  The tours typically last about 45 minutes and they’ll take you all around the island.  You’ll be able to see several waterfalls, Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali coast.  If you’re going to pay for a helicopter tour, I would definitely pay the extra fee to sit in the front so you have the best views.

Bike Along The Coast – One of my new favorite things to do on vacation, is to enjoy a bike ride around town.  We rented bikes in Kapa’a and rode the bike paths up and down the coast.  While not quite as “adventurous” as my other recommendations, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy a beautiful afternoon at the beach.

Best Beaches In Kauai

Hideaways Beach – My favorite beach on the island is Hideaways Beach on the north shore of Kauai.  The trail head down to the beach is located just outside of the Princeville Resort.  There’s a small public parking lot that only has space for about 6 cars, so be sure to get there early.

From the parking lot you’ll have to hike down to the beach using various ropes along the way.  While it is a little steep, our 5 year old did it without a problem, so it’s definitely doable.  Just go slow and take your time, it’s absolutely worth it!

Poipu Beach – This beach is located on the south side of the island.  This is a great beach for snorkeling and seeing wildlife.  Each time we visited, we either saw seals or sea turtles resting on the beach.  This beach is pretty popular, so it can get a little crowded at times.

Hanalei Bay – If you want to try your hand at surfing or kayaking, spend an afternoon at Hanalei Bay on the north shore, we recommend you to check out at campingfunzone.com these tips before going in a kayaking adventure.  My favorite thing about this visiting this beach was the views surrounding it.  Directly behind the beach are the lush green mountains that have several waterfalls flowing from the top.  Where else in the world can you enjoy that kind of a view while relaxing on a beach!

Kalihiwai Beach – This beach is located on the north side of the island near the Princeville airport.  It’s a small, quiet beach where a small river empties into the ocean.  You can take kayaks or paddle boards up the river to some waterfalls nearby.

Scenic Things To Do

Waimea Canyon – Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, visiting Waimea Canyon is something you have to see when you visit Kauai.  The canyon is located on the southwest side of the island.  It can take several hours to make the round trip, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get up there and enjoy it.

When you get to the canyon, there are a couple of look out areas that can give you a great view of the canyon and waterfall.  It can get windy and chilly up here, so be sure to bring a jacket or sweatshirt.

Kalalau & Pu’u O Kila Lookouts – After you’ve had a chance to visit Waimea Canyon, continue up the highway for about another 20 minutes until you reach these lookouts.  From the lookouts you can see the gorgeous Kalalau Valley which is also the start of the Na Pali coast.  If you aren’t able to do a boat cruise or helicopter tour, this view can give you a small sample of what the coast looks like.

Queen’s Bath – Located up north in Princeville, Queen’s Bath is a natural rock formation that forms a large pool next to the ocean.  To get there, you have to hike down a trail from the parking lot.  We went right after it had rained and so it made it a little tougher to get to.  When the tide is low, you can get swim inside Queen’s Bath.  However, when the tide is high it can be very dangerous to enter.  Use common sense and be careful.

Kauai Waterfalls – Kauai is littered with gorgeous waterfalls.  Some of them are easy to get to by car and others require a lot more effort to get to.  I would recommend driving up to see Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls when you’re on the southeast side of the island.  Each has a designated area to park your car so you can get out and enjoy the view of the falls.  Another gorgeous waterfall on the east side of the island is Ho’opi’i Falls but this one requires a short hike to get to.

Best Hikes To Do

Kalalau Trail – This trail just recently opened after being closed for months due to damage caused by a storm.  The total trail is about 11 miles along the Na Pali coast and can be difficult in some places.   You won’t be able to do it in one day so you’ll need to plan to do some camping along the way.  If you want to see the beginning of the Na Pali coast, you can hike in a couple of miles and come back.  Either way, you will need a permit if you want to hike the trail.

The Sleeping Giant – This trail is located up in the Nounou Mountains.  The hike gives you beautiful views of the island and is a popular place to watch the sun rise.  Some portions of the trail are narrow and have steep drop offs, so be very careful you go on this hike.  If you decided to go, here’s some additional info that will help you on your hike.

Bonus Things To Do In Kauai

Visit Hanalei – The town of Hanalei is on the north side of the island, just past Princeville.  It’s a picturesque town that’s a great place to walk around, relax and enjoy the island life.  If you have a sweet tooth like me, there are two places you need to visit while you’re there.

The first is Pink’s Creamery.  They have some of the best ice cream you will ever eat.  The other place is JoJo’s Shave Ice.  Treat your taste buds to a snow cone with a scoop of Macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom and their homemade vanilla cream on top.

Go To A Luau – There’s nothing more Hawaiian that enjoying a luau!  There are several places on the island that host a luau most nights.  The menus will vary slightly but they all serve delicious traditional Hawaiian food.  We have been to several luaus before, so we skipped going to one on this trip.  However, I did have some friends who went to the Smith Family Luau that’s located near the airport and they had nothing but great things to say about it.

Final Thoughts

There’s no shortage of incredible things to do while you’re in Kauai.  No matter what you decide to do, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy the tip of a lifetime.  If there’s something you loved doing on your trip to Kauai that I missed, leave me a comment below and let me know what it was.  I’ll be sure to check it out the next time I’m there.

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I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, so I have had plenty of experience showing people around the city.  Whether you’re here on a family vacation, a couple’s getaway there’s plenty of things to do for everyone to enjoy.

Location & Getting There

Huntington Beach is located about 30 miles south of Los Angeles in Orange County so it’s really easy to get there.  I would recommend flying into either Long Beach (LGB) or Orange County (SNA) but you’ll generally find lower fares into Los Angeles (LAX).  My favorite airport to fly into is Long Beach because it’s generally the least crowded and it just “feels” like California.

When booking your flights, maximize your purchase by using a credit card that gives you bonus points on travel purchases.  A couple of my favorites are the card_name, card_name or the card_name.

Regardless of where you fly into, you’ll probably want to rent a car while you’re in town unless you’re planing on staying downtown the entire time.  If you do rent a car, you’ll want to take a look at what I think is the easiest way to save money on car rentals.

Once you get there, I would recommend staying close to downtown.  There are some fantastic hotels where you can redeem your points or there’s some fantastic vacation rentals in the area.  The ambiance of Main Street is really something special.  Again, be sure you use a credit card that rewards for travel purchases so you can earn as many points possible to use on your next vacation.

The Beach

By The Pier – Of course, my top recommendation of things to do is to visit Huntington Beach and the Pier.  My kids could easily spend several days just playing in the ocean and building sand castles.  If you’re not staying downtown, there’s plenty of parking along PCH or in lots along the beach.  I would recommend picking a spot close to the pier because there are plenty of amenities to enjoy close by.

Alternative Spots – If you are looking for a quieter spot to enjoy the beach at, I would move a little further north to 17th Street.  This section of the beach is generally less crowded than by the pier.  You can park across the street in the neighborhood for free.  There’s an intersection at 17th Street where you can easily and safely cross PCH.  If you have a dog, they’re allowed on the beach starting around 21st Street, so you can park here as well and just walk the rest of the way.

Local Tip – Here’s a local restaurant recommendation if you plant your umbrella down this way.  If you’re looking for great Mexican food, there’s a small place called Fiesta Grill that’s walking distance from here.  It’s located in a small strip center on the corner of 17th & Orange, which is about 3 small blocks inland from the beach.  We use to eat here all the time when we lived by the beach.  There’s also a small convenience store in the shopping center if you’re looking for a place to refill your cooler.

Bonfires – One of my favorite things to do at the beach was have a bonfire at night.  There are hundreds of fire rings all along the beach that you can use for free.  They’re first come, first served, so be sure to snag on earlier in the day if you’re going to have a bonfire.  If you want to spoil your taste buds, fill a metal trash can with ocean water and cook corn on the cob in it over the bonfire.  I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Huntington Beach Pier

No visit to the beach would be complete without a walk down the Huntington Beach Pier.  When you get to the end, treat yourself to an ice cream cone at Rudy’s while you enjoy the ocean breeze.  The pier is a great place to watch the surfers carve up the waves.  If you want to try your fishing you can fish along the pier and you don’t even need a fishing license.

Other Activities – There are a lot of things you can do down by the pier.  There are several beach volleyball courts, that are free to use and the city even provides volleyballs to use.  One of my favorite things to do is ride a bike along the bike path that goes on for miles.  There are a few places by the pier where you can rent one for a few hours or all day.  They also have pedal carts to rent that are great if you have smaller children or if don’t want to sit on a bike seat for hours.

Downtown Huntington

Downtown Huntington Beach is full of great restaurants and local shops to visit.  If you’re looking for that perfect souvenir, there are dozens of fun shops filled with wonderfully unique items.  There are also a ton of great local restaurants to enjoy.  Whether you’re visiting for the day, or spending a week at the beach, there’s always something new and delicious to try.

Also, on Tuesday nights, they shut down the first few blocks on Main Street to host a farmer’s market and street fair.  You can buy delicious produce as well as enjoy the various street performers and other activities going on.

Annual Events

Each year Hunting Beach hosts several events that are unique and fun for the whole family to enjoy.  Here are a few of my favorites.

US Open of Surfing – There’s a reason Huntington Beach is the surfing capital of the world.  Each year at the end of July, the world’s best surfers descend on Huntington for the world’s largest surfing competition.  The event is free to attend so you’ll want to get there early because it can get extremely crowded.

The Great Pacific Airshow – Around the first weekend in October, Huntington Beach hosts the annual Great Pacific Airshow.  Each year some of the world’s top aviation performers fill the skies with incredible performances.  The line up for the air show will change a little each year.  However, some of the past performers have included the Blue Angles, the USAF Thunderbirds and the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

The event is free but get there early because the beach can get packed.  I would recommend sitting on the south side of the pier for the best views.  They VIP section is set up there so that’s where the focal point of the show is.

Beachcruiser Meet – At the end of March, dozens of classic cars flock to Main Street for this annual competition.  If you love vintage cars, this is the place to be.

4th of July – Each year the city hosts an Independence Day parade that marches down the streets of downtown Huntington Beach.  Filled with floats, marching bands and others, this is a great way to celebrate our Nation’s independence.  Later that night, fireworks fill the sky for all to enjoy.

Outdoor Activities

Surfing Lessons – You’re visiting the surfing capital of the world, so you might as well give it a shot.  There are several companies that offer surfing lessons that typically last about 2 hours.

Whale Watching – Several species of whales swim up and down the coastline all year long.  There are multiple companies that operate whale watching boat tours that last about 2 hours.  While not exactly in Huntington Beach, shese tours typically leave out of Newport Beach, which is about 20 minutes south of Huntington.

Deep Sea Fishing – Another one of my favorite things to do is go deep sea fishing.  These are usually half day or full day trips so you’ll be gone most of the day.  Again, you’ll have to travel down the coast about 20 minutes to find the tour companies that operate these trips.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands – Just a few miles down PCH from Main Street is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  You can walk along the trails and find numerous types of birds and other wildlife.  If you stick around until the evening, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset.

And here are some other easy and affordable ideas to do while you’re visiting Huntington Beach.

Parking

Most of the parking around Huntington Beach and Main Street can be found in paid lots or metered parking along the streets.  Generally the lots charge $2.00 per hour with a daily maximum of $15.00.  The meters also charge $2.00 per hour but you can now pay with a credit card at most of the meters.  Keep in mind if you’re in town for a special event, the rates will increase on those day.

The only free parking is in the neighborhoods north of Main Street.  You’ll need to get there early on the weekends or it can be very difficult to find a parking spot.  Be aware, during the week there’s street sweeping on select days throughout the city.  If you’re parked on the street when the sweeper comes by, they’ll issue you a parking ticket.  Due to limited parking, street sweeping will also vary depending on the side of the street you’re on.  There are signs posted on every street telling you when this occurs.  Just be sure to check the signs before you park your car.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a great beach vacation but don’t want to travel all the way to Hawaii, plan a trip to Huntington Beach.  Whether it’s relaxing on the beach, shopping or trying something adventurous, there’s something for everyone.  With so many things to do you’ll be happy you did.  If you have any questions while you’re planning your trip, leave me a comment below and I’d be happy to help!

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Booking

The Great Wolf Lodge is an independent hotel chain with 18 locations in the United States and Canada.  Great Wolf has its own loyalty program, so you aren’t able to redeem points with other major programs for a free night here. While it’s not the best value, you can use points you have earned with credit cards that have the “price erase” feature.  Cards like the card_name give you the option to receive a statement credit towards travel purchases at the rate of 1 cent per point.  For example, a $100 statement credit would require you to redeem 10,000 of your points.

When I stay at hotels where I can’t earn points with major hotel or airline partners, I will book my stay using Hotels.com.  Their reward program allows you to earn free nights on virtually any hotel stay.   Hotels.com’s reward programs gives you a free night after you book 10 nights directly with them.  The free night you earn is valued at 10% of the cost of the 10 nights you booked through them.

Regardless of where you decide to book your stay, you’ll want to maximize the number of points you earn on your vacation. Be sure to use a credit card that gives you bonus points on your travel purchases.  My favorite is the card_name.  You can read all about why I love this card here. If you travel a lot, you may also want to consider the card_name or the card_name.

Hotel Location

The Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim is actually located in Garden Grove, right on the border of Anaheim.  It’s 3 miles directly south of Disneyland on Harbor Boulevard.  If you’re planning to go to Disneyland, they do offer a free shuttle to the parks.  However, when you’re at the park I would strongly recommend staying at one of the many other options in the area.  Not only are they closer to the parks but you can redeem your points for free nights at many of them.

The closest airport to the Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim is the Orange County Airport (SNA) which is about 11 miles away.  Another great option that’s just a little bit further, is the Long Beach Airport (LGB).  It’s a lot less crowded and I’ve usually been able to find reward flights there when there’s no availability to Orange County.

While there are several dining options at the Great Wolf Lodge, there are numerous fast food and other restaurants close by as well.  This can be really beneficial if you’re on a budget, have picky eaters, or just want to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.  If you’ll be renting a car, take a look at this easy way to save money on car rentals.

Check-In

As you probably guessed from the name, the Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim is decorated to have a mountain lodge feel.  The lobby was incredibly spacious and had a giant sitting area opposite the front desk.

The day before you arrive, they will email you to give you the option to complete the check-in process before arriving.  If you do this at least an hour before arriving, you can bypass the front desk and collect your wristbands for the water park when you arrive.  Check-in is at 4pm but you can arrive as early as 1pm to begin using the water park.  We arrived at noon and hand no problem getting our wristbands a little early

The adults’ wristbands also double as your room key.  Once your room is ready, they’ll text you your room number.  When you’re ready for a break from the water slides, you can head up and unpack.

One great feature that I really liked about the Great Wolf Lodge is that you can use the water park the entire day you’re leaving.  While you have to be out of your room by 11am, you can ride the slides and play until the park closes that night.

Fees

One thing to be aware of is that the Great Wolf Lodge charges a daily resort fee when you stay there.  While it varies by location, the resort fee at the Anaheim location was $34.99 per night.  There are several reasons why I hate resort fees but there two big ones.

First, they’re not optional.  If you don’t plan on using the “services” included in the fee, you still have to pay for them.  Second, the services typically include in the fee are for things you won’t ever use.  A few examples are the ability to use the hotel fax machine or making local calls from the phone in your room.  Does anyone even do that anymore?  And the one thing almost everyone does, which is park your car, isn’t included in the resort fee.  That will cost you an extra $20 per night at this location.

The Rooms

While each location varies in size, the Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim has over 600 rooms.  They had both standard hotel rooms with one or two beds as well as larger suites that are perfect for families.  I have a family of 7 so we booked a themed suite that could accommodate up to 8 guests.

The room had a queen sized bed, a sofa bed, as well as this fun little room with bunk beds.  My younger kids thought the bunk bed room equipped with its own TV was the best thing they had ever seen.

While the little “kid’s cabin” was a fun touch, the rest of the room was pretty average.  Each room comes with a microwave and a mini fridge that can be useful if you’re staying for more than a night.  There’s also a small table in the corner as well as a flat screen TV mounted on the wall.  The bathroom was basic and very similar to what you would get at a larger chain’s hotel that caters to business travelers.

Dining

There are 9 different dining options inside the Great Wolf Lodge, so there was something for everyone.  At the high end is their signature restaurant Lodge Wood Fired Grill which serves everything from steaks to macaroni and cheese.

You also have several casual dining options to choose from.  One option is the Loose Moose Family Kitchen which serves buffet-style meals throughout the day.  There is also a pizza parlor, an ice cream shop and a donut store for breakfast.  If you don’t feel like leaving the water park to eat, the Buckets Incredible Craveables is located right inside.

The prices for each dining option were typical for what you would find at most resorts.  If you book your room directly through the hotel, you have the option to purchase a meal plan at a reduced rate.

Water Park

The biggest amenity and the reason why everyone visits the Great Wolf Lodge, is the giant indoor water park.  Entrance to the water park is included in the price of the stay for all registered guests.  If you have family or friends who would like to join you at the water park, you can purchase a day pass for an additional charge.  The prices will vary each day but when we were there, a day pass was $55 per person.  At this price, your friends would be better off staying at the resort with you.

The water park has 14 slides, four pools and other activities, so there’s something for everyone.  They keep the inside of the water park set at a warm 84 degrees all year.  While you definitely won’t feel chilly, it can get a little humid.  They also provide free life jackets for your children if you need them.

At the center of the water park is a large water fort that looks like a treat house.  Designed for younger children, there are water slides and other activities that will keep them busy for hours.  They also have a designated area for children under 48 inches where they play in pools and on small slides designed just for them.

In the back corner of the water park is the tower leading to all of the larger slides.  About half of the slides require inner tubes that range from 1 to 4 passengers.  These can be a lot of fun to ride as a family.  They even have a slide that’s more of a thrill ride.  You start by standing in a tube and the bottom falls out from under you to get you started.  This was a couple of my kids’ favorite slide.

They is also a lazy river, a wave pool, and a boogey board wave rider.  My youngest especially loved the wave rider.

Other Amenities

The Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim had several other amenities you can enjoy during your visit to the resort.  They have activities for the kids, a miniature bowling alley and a large arcade.

If you have any energy leftover after a day at the water park, there’s a fitness center on the second floor.

Final Thoughts

The Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim was definitely a great experience.  Everyone loved it and by the end of two full days at the water park, we were all exhausted.  While the rooms were average, when considering the use of the water park, I thought it was a good value for the price we paid.  Personally, I wouldn’t stay here any longer than I thought we could enjoy the water park.  After that, I think you could find a better value elsewhere, especially when redeeming your points.

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None of the shows listed below gave me free tickets or sponsored this article in any way.  I have seen all of these shows and recommend them to anyone I know who is planning a trip to Las Vegas.  You’ll love each of these shows and they can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Where To Buy Your Tickets

Each show has their own site where you can buy your tickets to see the show.  If you’re planning on visiting Vegas during a holiday or when a big convention is in town, I would recommend buying your tickets ahead of time.  The popular shows will typically sell out during those times.

If you’re not going to be there during one of these busy times, or you don’t care which show you see, I would recommend waiting until you get there to buy your tickets.  All along the Strip there are ticket booths that sell discounted last minute tickets to almost every show in Vegas.  Almost all of them are run by one of two companies.  I have purchased tickets from both of them on multiple occasions and never had a problem.

The discounts will vary by show and seating location but I have always saved a good amount of money buying tickets this way.  They only sell discounted tickets 48 hours in advance, so you’ll want to stop by one of these booths when you first get into town so you have the best selection.

Best Credit Card To Use

We’re all about maximizing the amount of rewards you can earn on each purchase.  Luckily, there are a few credit cards that give you a bonus when making purchases classified as entertainment.  The card_name that gives you up to 8% cash back on Citi entertainment purchases.

If you don’t want to hassle with bonus categories, my favorite cash back card is the card_name.  bonus_miles_full This card also pairs well with other Chase cards to maximize the number of Ultimate Rewards points you can earn.

The Best Cirque Du Soleil Show

Some of the best shows I’ve seen in Las Vegas are by Cirque Du Soleil.  I have seen almost every one of their shows on the Strip and have enjoyed almost every one of them.  The only one I haven’t seen yet is La Reve.  I hear it’s fantastic but since I haven’t see it yet, I can’t give a personal opinion.  Of all the shows, there are two that I would highly recommend seeing the next time you’re in town.

“O” – My favorite Cirque Du Soleil show is O.  The show takes place over a large pool of water inside a theater at the Bellagio hotel.  The theater isn’t too big, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house.  This show epitomizes everything I think of when I think of a Cirque show.  There are a lot of unbelievable acrobatics and stunts that leave speechless during the entire show.  I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Michael Jackson’s One – This was my wife’s favorite Cirque show but it is second on my list.  The music and the show were fantastic!  However, there weren’t as many acrobatics in this show as you are accustomed to seeing in a Cirque performance.  That said, if you love Michael Jackson’s music and enjoy a loud club-like atmosphere, you’re going to really love this show.  You’ll find this one playing in a theater inside of Mandalay Bay.

The Best Las Vegas Magic Show

Mat Franco – Hands down, my favorite magic show in Vegas is Mat Franco.  He won America’s Got Talent several years ago but I had never heard of him when we bought the tickets.  We decided to see the show based on the recommendation of the guy selling the tickets at one of those booths and I’m so glad we did!  Not only was the show excellent but the tickets were reasonably priced.

What I liked most about his show was the type of magic he performed.  None of his tricks were over-the-top, like making a large mechanical dinosaur appear out of nowhere.  His show was very interactive and all of his tricks left you awe-struck.  Plus, Mat has a great sense of humor so his performance was very engaging throughout.  He performs his show at the Linq hotel and the theater is very small, so even the last row is a great seat.

Budget Friendly Shows

We all know Vegas can be pricey.  Especially when you go see a popular large production show.  If you’re price sensitive, there are still some really good shows you can see.  The last time we were in Las Vegas we decided to try something different and see a variety show.  We ended up buying tickets to see V The Ultimate Variety show at the Planet Hollywood hotel.

The theater itself wasn’t very nice but show was entertaining.  It was made up of several different specialty acts that included juggling, a balancing act and a comedy routine.  The line up of acts changes nightly, so you can see something different one night to the next.  If you manage your expectations and aren’t expecting the glitz and glamour of a big production, you’ll enjoy the show.

Other Show Ideas

Concerts – Las Vegas always has a strong line up of concerts along the Strip.  Once of the best shows I’ve seen was an Aerosmith concert when they were on tour playing at the MGM arena.  There’s something about seeing a concert in Vegas that makes the experience extra fun.  If you plan to see a concert while you’re visiting, just be sure to grab your tickets before you arrive.

Las Vegas Knights – Hockey isn’t exactly a show but it’s definitely a fun entertainment option that I highly recommend.  Last year my son and I flew out to catch a game and we had a blast!  Even if you’ve never seen a hockey game, you’re going to love it.  The arena is right behind the New York New York hotel, so it’s super convenient to get to.  If the game is during the week or they’re playing a team that isn’t very popular, you can even get tickets below face value.

Final Thoughts

The next time you’re in Vegas, do yourself a favor and see one of these shows.  You’ll absolutely love it!  If you see one of them, leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought.  Have you seen another show you loved but didn’t make our list of the best Las Vegas shows?  I’m always looking for recommendations for our next trip so let me know what you liked and I’ll go see it!

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Getting To Costa Rica

Flying to Costa Rica has never been easier.  With it becoming such a popular travel destination there are plenty of direct flights from major cities across the United States.  With the increased competition the cost of flights have come down significantly.  In fact, it seems like every week there’s a new sale on flights to Costa Rica.  If you don’t see anything today, set an alert in Google Flights to let you know when prices drop.

I’ve flown into both Liberia (LIR) and San Jose (SJO) on Southwest because we have the coveted Companion Pass.  Even if you don’t have the pass, Southwest is an easy way to redeem your miles to fly there.  And the best part about flying Southwest is that you can rebook your flights for free if the prices come down after you buy them.  We did this before both of our trips and saved thousands of miles!

Most people fly into San Jose when they visit Costa Rica.  There really isn’t much to see or do there, or in Liberia, so I would recommend just staying there the night if you arrive late.  Plan on heading out the following morning to see everything else on your to-do list.

Planning Your Trip

Hotels – There types of  hotel options available will vary depending on where you are in Costa Rica.  There are several gorgeous resorts and hotels where you can redeem your points for free nights.  There are also many independent hotels throughout the country that can fit anyone’s budget.  I used Hotels.com to book our hotels the first time so I would still be able to earn rewards on these nights.

Our second trip I used points to book our hotel in La Fortuna and then cash for the all-inclusive we stayed at. There are also several wonderful vacation rentals to choose from as well.

Renting A Car – A lot of the popular things to do in Costa Rica are pretty spread out.  If you’re not planning to do a tour of Costa Rica, you’ll definitely need to rent a car.  Here is my favorite way to easily save money renting a car.

Tours  –  My mom loves to travel with a tour group, so we booked a tour with Tour Radar to take us around the country on our first trip. With the exception of visiting Tortuguero, I think you can easily visit Costa Rica on your own if that’s your preference. On my second visit with the family, I used the guide we met below to help plan all of our activities.

Guides – During our trip, we had different tour guides at each location.  They were all good, but one was incredible!  His name was Leonardo Morales and he was super knowledgeable, personable and so much fun!  He is an independent tour guide and will take you anywhere you want in Costa Rica.

I’m not getting paid to mention him but he was that good that I would recommend him to anyone!  If you want to contact him, his email is leoaraya10@live.com or his number on WhatsApp is 506-8639-0237. He was with us for 3 days when we went as a family and we had the best time!

Money – The currency in Costa Rica is called the Colon.  However, the U.S. dollar is accepted pretty much everywhere so we never had to exchange our money.  I also don’t like to carry a lot of cash on me, so I make sure to have a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees when I travel.  Depending on how much you travel, my favorite travel cards are either the card_name and card_name.

Tortugeuro

The first place in Costa Rica I would recommend visiting is Tortugeuro.  It’s located on the east coast of the country in the middle of the rain forest.  Due to its remote location, it’s a great place to see a lot of wildlife.  We had to travel in small boats down the river in order to get to our hotel.  Because it’s difficult to get to, I would strongly recommend booking a tour for this part of your trip.

Nature Walk – There are a couple small hotels in Tortuguero to choose from.  Most are bungalow-style hotels and really provide a unique experience.  Right next to the Pachira Lodge, there was a boardwalk trail that takes you back into the rain forest.  Along the trail you will see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and many more animals.  You can complete the loop in under an hour but it’s a great way to explore at your own pace.

Canal Tour – Another fun thing to do is take a canal tour through Tortuguero National Park.  You can book one of these with any of the hotels in the area.  You’ll get to explore the canals in the small boat accompanied by a tour guide.  They’ll point out all of the wildlife you come across and is a great place to spot turtles and caiman.

My favorite part was being travel down these beautiful tiny canals deep in the rain forest.

Turtle Tour – If you happen to be in Tortuguero between July and October, you have to go on a turtle tour.  These tours can be booked through any of the hotels in the area.  During this time of year, giant green turtles come to Tortuguero to lay their eggs at night.  These tours are overseen and sanctioned by the National Park as part of their conservation efforts.  You will be able to get close to these magnificent creatures as their nesting and laying their eggs.

Shopping & Beach – Get out and enjoy the local shops and restaurants in Tortuguero.  The majority of the stores line the main street and it’s a great place to buy souvenirs and eat the local cuisine.  After a nice meal, take a walk along the beach that’s a stone’s throw from the main street.  You should not go swimming though because there’s a rip tide, barracuda and jelly fish in the area but it’s a gorgeous place to wander.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is located in the northwestern part of Costa Rica and is home to the most recognizable landmark in the country, the Arenal volcano.  There is so much to see and do here that I would place it high on my itinerary. After being there twice, I would actually make this my top place to visit.

Where To Stay – We stayed in a small boutique hotel close to the main plaza in the center of town. On our recent trip, we stayed at the Tabacon Resort using points and it was absolutely incredible! I’ll be writing a review soon, so stayed tuned for that. There are also several resorts and Airbnb’s located within a couple miles of downtown.

Restaurant Recommendations – There are taxis everywhere and it’s only a short ride to downtown.  If you want a restaurant recommendation, try Tierra Mia.  It’s a tiny place that’s about a block southwest of the main plaza and everything we ate was fantastic! Another great place was Casa Fortuna which is about a half mile away from the main square.

Suspension Bridges – My favorite thing we did in Costa Rica was the suspension bridge tour at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.  I would recommend visiting in the afternoon when the crowds are typically smaller.  We did this tour with the guide I mentioned above and it was incredible!  You’ll walk through the rain forest and cross several suspension bridges while you enjoy breathtaking views!

You may think I’m crazy but if you can do this tour while it’s raining, it’s even better!  What better way to experience the rain forest than when it’s actually raining!  You won’t regret it but don’t forget to bring your poncho.  Turn up your speakers as you watch this video and enjoy the sweet symphony of nature.

River Tubing – Tubing down the Rio Celeste made everyone’s Top 2 of things we did on our trip. When you’re in the national park, you aren’t allowed to swim in the river. However, once you’re outside of the park, you’re free to do so.

The best way to do this is to take a tubing tour down the river. We booked the tour through the hotel Catarata Rio Celeste. The guides were the nicest and stayed with the younger kids the whole way. The water was perfect and what could be better than floating down the river in the middle of the forest on a summer day?

Near the end, it started to rain, which made the whole experience incredible! The entire trip takes about 2 hours and is a short drive from the national park, so you can easily go tubing and hike to the waterfall on the same day. I’d recommend doing the hike first and then go tubing after.

Rio Celeste – From La Fortuna, you can book a day trip to hike to the Rio Celeste.  The gorgeous blue water is a result of a chemical reaction from the minerals in the two rivers that combine to create Rio Celeste.  The entire hike takes about 3-4 hours round trip.

To get down to the waterfall, you have to climb a ton of stairs. It’s not so bad going down but coming back up can be tough. It’s definitely worth it so just take your time if you need to. After the waterfall, you can continue hiking another half mile or so to where the river turns blue which I thought was really interesting to see.

Caño Negro – If you can’t make it to Tortuguero, another excellent place to view wildlife is in Caño Negro. It’s about a 2 hour drive north near the Nicaragua border. We hired a local boat operator to take us up and down the river.

We were able to get up close to a pack of white-faced monkeys, which was the absolute highlight. We also saw cayman, birds and other species of monkeys. We may have also gone up the river into Nicaragua a little ways to check another country off our list.

Natural Hot Springs – There are several natural hot springs originating from an underground river by the Arenal volcano.  There’s nothing better than soaking in one of these after a long day of adventure.  We did this at least daily on our trip with the kids.

Most are them are by the resorts and a lot of the them have private access for their guests to use. If you stay at the Tabacon Resort, access to their hot springs is included. However, there’s a public spot by the resorts that anyone can enjoy.  Just park your car along the road and walk down to the springs.

Soak In The Culture – Do yourself a favor and sit in the main plaza one evening and just soak it in.  Each night the plaza was filled with people and children running around.  With the Arenal volcano as a backdrop, there’s no better place to unwind and “experience” Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Anotonio is located in the southwest portion of Costa Rica next to the town of Quepos.  There are several hotels in Quepos located along the main road.  Don’t worry if your hotel is further from the beach than you’d like.  There are buses that run up and down the road all day and only cost around $1 per person each way.  There are also several great restaurants that line the road as well as down by the beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park – The highlight of visiting this area is definitely the National Park.  The park is closed on Mondays, so keep that in mind while planing your trip.  We took a guided tour of the park and were able to see several animals like monkeys, sloths and iguanas.  If you don’t do a tour, you can still see a lot of wildlife but they’re just harder to spot on your own.

There are a couple beaches within the park where you can sit and relax all day.  In fact, one of the beaches within the park has been voted one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

Keep an eye out for wildlife while you’re relaxing on the sand because you never know what you’ll see.  Visiting this park is definitely a must-do while you’re here.

Quepos Beach – Spend a day relaxing on the beach in Quepos.  The sun is plentiful and the beaches are gorgeous.  There are several activities like surfing and parasailing you try from one of the local vendors.  Or just park yourself under an umbrella and read a good book all afternoon.  There are plenty of restaurants and shops along the beach to enjoy as well.  No matter what you decide, you’ll have a fabulous time.

Guanacaste

Zip-Lining – On our trip with the family, we spent a couple of days at the beach in Guanacaste. Right next to our hotel was the Diamante Adventure Park. There they have a zip-lining course that was so much fun! One of the lines is a “Superman” experience where you lay on your stomach and fly about a mile through the air.

Our youngest is 7 and she did everything but the Superman line because she was a little too scared, but had a great time. On their website it says there’s a minimum weight requirement to do the entire zip-line course. My youngest 2 weren’t heavy enough but it ended up not being an issue. For the Superman line, they just added some weight packs when it was my youngest son’s turn and he was able to do everything.

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit and should be high on your traveling bucket list.  While this isn’t an all encompassing list of things to do in Costa Rica, it can definitely help you narrow things down.  Is there something else you’ve seen or done while you were there that you would highly recommend?  Leave us a comment below and let us know.

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