Category: Travel Planning

Best Work/Life Balance Cities in America

Location. Location. Location. House hunting requires a significant amount of business sense and self-reflection since our places of residence often help shape our professional and personal life experiences. We consider everything: our career opportunities, costs of living, expenses and cultural support for making a home in an area where we can also live out our personal interests. Some places in America are actually better than others in finding a balance between career, social and familial commitments. Check out some of our top picks for best work life balance cities.

goldengate-bridge-smSan Francisco, California

Northern California has been iconic for its picturesque coastline and big city landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge. The two juxtaposed embody the spirit of work life balance, with natural parks and plenty of nightlife built into a bustling city bursting with job opportunities. Sunset magazine rated the city in the top spot for Best Place to Launch a Career with the tech industry shifting its way. Giants such as Salesforce, Twitter, Pinterest, Zynga, Dropbox and Yelp have all established headquarters in the city, with Google and Facebook expanding it branch offices nearby. Many of these companies also land in Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list for 2014 which implies that employees are generally happier where they work and live.

San Francisco is also ranked among the top 5 vacation spots in America according to U.S. News & World Report so its recreational department must be doing something right. Its charm as the bohemian capital gives it an identity unmatched by almost any city. Of course as with any big city the argument of high costs of living is there but there are also ways to battle that. Easy public transportation allows residents and visitors alike to cut down on gas expenses and apply it to resources for family, friends or other recreational activities. With many free public areas to play residents can enjoy natural attractions on a budget. Its neighboring communities of San Jose, Palo Alto and Berkeley also rank consistently among the best places to live in the country.

denver-colorado-city-smDenver, Colorado

Within the last five years there has been a lot of talk about California residents heading out to Colorado to start new lives because of the high costs of living. It’s almost obvious why the city is on our list of work life balance cities when you see skylines of Denver against snowcapped mountains. With more people moving to the Rocky Mountain region, local companies are able to expand and prosper and new cultural dynamics are influencing them. Employees are demanding a balance, companies are encouraging it and the economy is supporting it.

Ground Floor Media, a Denver-based PR agency is a perfect example of this movement in action. They use the term “work-life blend” and embrace the sometimes controversial flextime policies. Momentum is also in Denver’s favor with the forecast for 2014 showing continued economic expansion in Metro Denver. Best of all, the cost of living is incredibly reasonable compared to other cities and providing recreational activities is the state’s specialty. With traditional seasons and natural wonders all around there are plenty play-time opportunities nearby, plus some iconic sports teams boot.

new-england-ma-smSharon, Massachusetts

Shifting to the East Coast, TIME recently honored this New England town as the best place to live in America in its Money section. It is perfectly situated on the map, surrounded by a wealth of good jobs in nearby Boston, Providence and Route 128 tech corridor. In fact, Boston is only a half hour away by train and is home to the best place to work in the country according to Glassdoor – Bain & Company. Sharon’s local is often credited for insulating residents from the worst recession and ignited quick recovery. That says a lot considering many cities are still struggling to get back near they were prior to the economic downturn.

In addition to job security the town’s schools attract families from all around which creates a healthy level of diversity. Sharon used to be considered a summertime resort and its history has been preserved well considering modern city sprawls. Nearly 40 percent of the area remains open space and nearby Lake Massapoag offers residents a local area to enjoy time with family and community members.

Durham, North Carolina

Livability released its official rankings of the best places to live for 2014 and transporter-bridge-smDurham made it into the top five. The criteria of their study focused on small to mid-sized cities rather than the larger more recognized skylines and included consideration for where residents are able to take full advantage of a wide variety of amenities – from social wellness outlets such as parks and museums to different commuting options and health care.

According to its mayor, William Bell, the city has embraced its past and has remade itself as a research and technology hub in the last half century with more than 1 million square feet of adaptive reuse space.

The town has taken its old tobacco mills and transformed them into residential loft and office space – the American Tobacco Historic District – to maintain the character of the 19th- and 20th-century downtown while moving into a 21st-century economy.

 

Billed as “the medical city,” Durham lives up to the reputation, scoring highly for health care based on its low spending and high number of hospitals. Not surprisingly, it also scores well in education, but it’s not all serious in Durham. The town also gets high marks for its amenities like the Museum of Life and Science. Residents take advantage of the town’s attractions, such as the Durham Performing Arts Center, one of the most-attended theaters in the United States.

Finding Your Balance

According to the experts these places are prime role models of the top work life balance cities, but we know there are many others out there that provide just as much for their residents. If it is difficult for you to find your city anywhere on the top lists, you may want to be the force that creates the equilibrium. Take control and crack the myths of work life balance: curb your long hours at work, find ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine, and actively practice stress management tactics. Whatever works for you, make sure you commit to it and you’ll be happier in your career and personal life in the long run.

Jet Setting on Norwegian Air: 5 Things You Need…

Travel Tip >> Don’t assume all international flights automatically come with meals. Do your research and check if you are expected to book extra services online in advance.

Some travel tips for those looking to travel out that way on Norwegian Air. First off we don’t have anything negative to say about the airline, the staff was friendly and the aircraft was awesome, but we did learn a few things. We were blown away by how affordable round trip tickets were through the airline so the affordability is definitely there. What we did not realize however, was that part of the reason why the cost is so ideal is because they leave it up to the passengers to determine whether they prefer to buy up for certain items or not.

  1. The great thing about this is that you get to spend as little or as much as you want without being forced to, the downside is that if you don’t plan accordingly things could be a little inconvenient or more expensive than expected. For example, although I am a pretty efficient packer, for a three week trip, we did have to check one bag which was $100 on the day of the flight, or we learned later $50 if you reserve your bag before departure online.
  2. The long flight also does not automatically come with a meal, and unlike the baggage you cannot purchase one the day of departure so you have to plan that one ahead of time if you want some grub. We ended up just grabbing food beforehand and bringing it on the flight which was much cheaper anyways since Norwegian meals run about another $50. You would pre-order that online as well.
  3. The Dreamliner itself was one of the most technologically advanced air crafts we’ve traveled on. It boasts that there is more room for your legs as well as your luggage. The cabin pressure and smart lighting is designed to reduce jet lag and there is even fresher air to enhance the whole experience.
  4. Jets designed to reduce jetlag. Not only are the windows bigger for those who want to peer outside, but they also have an electro-chromatic dimming system that tints the windows to block out the light almost completely without pulling down the shade. Crazy cool! Did all these features help reduce the jetlag? Thinking back to other trips we’ve had, yeah we’d say so.
  5. One last interesting thing we’ll note for those transferring in Stockholm, Sweden, is that if you get any drinks on the flight or before you arrive is to be sure to finish them completely. We were pretty surprised when we transferred at the airport to be stuck in a 45 minute line to go back through security x-rays and throw out all liquids. It seemed kind of wasteful to us not only in timing but also since we had to do all this before we even got to the terminal to transfer to our next plane. Some people in line were actually worried they may miss their connection. It’s just something to think about if you find yourself needing to transfer there on your next excursion.

Planning Your Itinerary: Five Seattle Sights to Choose From

Seattle offers so many amazing activities for families. Whether you’ve gone one day or one week, the city is bursting with opportunities for family friendly fun. With years of spending time with family in the area under our belts and kicking off our 10 day road trip from the urban oasis, here’s a quick snap shot of our favorite things to do in the Emerald City.

Quick Take: 5 Seattle Sights

  1. Spend the day at Seattle Center
    The opportunities are practically endless if you just follow your way to the iconic Space Needle which stands within the Seattle Center grounds. Some even go there just to enjoy the beautiful gardens and art that is all around the area. A few notable activities include the Seattle Children’s Museum, the Pacific Science Center, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture and Seattle Duck Tours. There is far too many activities to feature in this one post so we’ve gone into detail in our Seattle Center blog post.
  2. Find Flying Fish at Pikes Place Market
    Pikes Place Market is a must-see for any out-of-towner and a playground for both parents and children alike. Mom and dad, the original Starbucks location is right at the entrance to the market, if you are willing to fight the long lines you can grab your frap and revel at the home of the siren that has half the world in her spell. Walk through the marketplace and enjoy the sounds, tastes, textures of the shops that is accompanied by the fighting fregrances of fresh fish and full blooms. For a bit of extra fun, whether you tackle it as one team or many, you may even consider venturing on a Pikes Place Market Scavenger Hunt to take in the whole experience.
  3. Wander the Woodland Park Zoo
    Open daily, the Woodland Park Zoo is a wonderland of wildlife. It gives your family the perfect opportunity to inspire the little ones with dreams of international travel with exhibits from Australia, Africa, Asia and various ecosystems. The zoo is also part of the Seattle City Pass program which lets you save some cash on the top attractions. Adult admission is about 20 bucks and children ages 12 and under are $13. One of our favorite stops is the Snow Leopard exhibit. I mean when will you ever get to see such an amazing animal? We’ve been to many other zoos, including one of our favorites in Saint Louis (mostly because its free! and adult friendly), and those certainly didn’t have such a rare species to spot (pun intended).
  4. See Under the Sea at the Seattle Aquarium
    One of the most beautiful sights in the Pacific Northwest is Seattle’s Puget Sound. We encourage you to take a walk around the many shorelines and parks while you’re there but if you can’t there is always the aquarium. This attraction gives you an underwater view of the amazing sea life that surrounds the area – including sharks 🦈 and a Giant Octopus🦑.  It’s a little more pricey than watching the land animals at the zoo but it offers a ton of opportunities for learning and experiencing new creatures as a family. You may even want to print out some of the fact sheets, or access them from your phone, while you’re visiting to enhance your underwater excursions.
  5. Takeoff to the Museum of Flight
    If you want to inspire the future pilot in your family, or just revel at the genious flight engineering that our nation’s travel industry derived from, stop by the Museum of Flight on your trip to Seattle. Admission is relatively reasonable with children under 4 recieving free entry and other ages ranging from $14 to $24, with small price breaks for those who plan ahead and buy online.  The venue opens a little later in the morning at 10 a.m. and we encourage you to check the events calendar before you go to see if there is anything in particular that catches your eye. There are over twenty air and space crafts to experience and there are audio guides available in 7 different languages.

For Your Junior Park Rangers

Seattle is called the Emerald City, not because the Wizard of Oz lives there but, because it is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery. We set off on our 10 day road trip from this amazing destination and if you follow our itinerary you will start your journey with 2 awesome national parks and a million other green spaces in between.

Pike’s Place Market Scavenger Hunt

We are passionate about creating experience for all families to enjoy their adventures together. For those who find themselves in Seattle’s Pikes Place Market, consider going on a scavenger hunt. Smaller families or groups can choose to complete the list as a team, and larger gatherings may add a competitive edge by breaking up into teams and racing to catch them all. Make sure a parent is with each group if you take the team approach and set a meeting location, or finish line if its a race, to gather back together again. Take pictures along the way and post them to Instagram, Facebook or other social media network for proof of completion or just plain fun. Tag us @FamilyFriendlyAdventures to show off your photos from your Pike’s Place Market Scavenger Hunt!

The List: 20 Things to Find in Pike’s Place Market

  1. Find a Flying Fish

  2. Smell a Bouquet of Flowers

  3. Spot a Starbucks Siren

  4. Taste a Piece of Jerky

  5. Find an Old Baseball Card. Who is on it? _____________

  6. Touch a Piece of Leather

  7. Spot Some Silver

  8. Stand Next to a Magician

  9. Learn About a Painting

  10. Find a Veggie You’ve Never Seen. What is it? ______________

  11. Flip Through a Book

  12. Put a Coin in Rachel the Piggy Bank

  13. Smell Fresh Fruit

  14. Count the Crab legs at a Fish Stand. How many did you find? _________

  15. Read the Public Market Sign Clock. What time is it? __________

  16. Touch the Gum Wall

  17. Say Hi to a Farmer

  18. Find a 3D Wooden Puzzle

  19. Spot an Umbrella

  20. Find a Sculpture

 

Palawan vs Bali

Palawan or Bali? A “Best For” List Side-by-Side Comparison

I was recently asked “Where should I go: Bali, Indonesia or Palawan, Philippines? As with most things, they both have their own spirit, beauty and features that you’ll have to sift through to figure out what fits your getaway style.  To help you through the process we’ve put together a side-by-side breakdown of the “best for” by island with some more details following:

Best For…

Palawan

Bali
Affordability ✔
Wifi, Electricity and Air Con ✔
Transportation ✔
Island Hopping ✔
Zip Lining ✔
Monkey Sightings ✔
Waterfalls ✔
Beaches ✔
Resorts ✔
Caves – Natural Wonder ✔
Sunsets ✔
Jungle Canopy Hikes ✔
Variety and Quality of Food ✔
Native Authentic Food ✔
Drinking Water ✔
Shopping ✔
Turquoise Lagoons ✔
Surfing ✔
Beer and Beach Bars ✔
Rice Terraces ✔

 

All About Seattle Center: 10 Family Friendly Activities

When writing our Seattle blog post to kick off our Western US Road Trip series we realized that there is just far too many exciting things to do in Seattle Center to give a quick snapshot of the area. Instead we decided the best way to give you a breakdown activities would be to highlight them all in one easy list. So here we go:

10 Things to do in Seattle Center

#1: Go to the top of the Space Needle

Of course, the Space Needle is a must-see if you make your way to Seattle. The wraparound observation deck gives you a 365 view of the city. On a clear day you can even spot Mount Rainier, the centerpiece of Seattle’s neighboring national park.

#2 Build a fort in the Seattle Children’s Museum 

This is a perfect playground for toddlers. It provides every opportunity to create, touch, see, feel and experience the world around them. We loved the Global Village of course with mini-trips to places like Ghana, the Philippines and Japan. And what kid, or kid-at-heart, doesn’t love making forts? The museum’s Fort Adventure puts your kid’s architectural skills to work.

#3 Learn About Dinos at the Pacific Science Center 

The amount of information and exhibits to explore at the Pacific Science Center may take a whole day so you’ll want to preview the featured exhibit before you arrive. You can buy general admission tickets to see the permanent displays, but the rotating exhibits, laser dome, and iMAX films add to the cost.  Although the permanent displays may just be enough for you with tide pools, dino and animal exhibits and more.

#4 Get Inspired at the Chihuly Garden and Glass

Dale Chihuly is one of Washington’s homegrown glass artists with a passion for color and sculpture. Walking around the grounds can easily spark inspiration and hosts are available daily to talk and share information about the featured artwork. For more in-depth insight check out the audio tours. Mobile photos are allowed but more professional gear such as advanced cameras with tripods and accessories are not permitted.

#5 Explore the Museum of Pop Culture

This one leans a little more toward being a parent’s playground of sorts but the building itself is a beautiful creation of imagination. On a bright and beautiful day you can easily see the Space Needle reflecting off its shiny panneling. The music and culture exhibits that are in the museum offer great learning conversations in diversity and creativity. Plus check for activities in the summer for teens.

#6 See Seattle by Land and by Lake on the Duck Tours

You’ve probably heard of these types of tours before in other cities, but if not, this tour lets you explore by land and by lake. We actually took this as a pre-wedding activity for my brother and sister-in-law and on a beautiful day (yes Seattle does have some!) its a great way to experience the city. The tour guides are entertaining and energetic.  Book your trip just outside the Seattle Center area by the McDonalds.

#7 Find Free Peace and Poetry in the Many Gardens

Seattle center has nearly a dozen individual gardens that you can stroll around. Some are gated with an entrance fee, like the Chihuly Garden, but others are free and available to all who want to enjoy. A few others include the sculpture garden, Kobe Bell Meditation Garden, and the beautiful September 11 Memorial Garden.

#8 Be Your Own Tour Guide on the areas Tree Walk

There are 30 different types of trees that are featured throughout the Seattle Center grounds. Visit this link which will bring you to a map that you can download that shows all of the locations of trees of all kinds, some with berries and others with heart-shaped leaves. This is the perfect FREE activity for nature lovers of all ages.

#9 Frolic in a Fountain in Seattle Center

You could even add this to your tree walk. There are six beautifully different fountains that decorate the grounds. From Encircled Stream Fountain where you should only dip your hand in to the extravagant International Fountain where you can get utterly soaked in. It was built in 1961 for the World’s Fair and renovated in the mid-nineties for all to enjoy.

#10 Grab a Bite at one of the Many Eateries 

There are over 20 different places to hunker down and enjoy the view, including the top of the Space Needle for the fancy families. You can find anything from BBQ to Boba and everything in between. We’re sure there is something for everyone, even the pickiest of eaters.

 

These are just some of the many things you can do in Seattle Center with your family. The learning opportunities are practically endless and what we love the most is that in a big city, it provides the area has freemium cost options for almost any budget.