Ski vacations to Lake Placid New York

travel makers mdLet it snow, let it snow, let it snow! That’s probably what most ski enthusiasts say this time of year. It’s winter and that time to strap on your skis and tackle the slopes. Whether you’re an advanced skier or you prefer to just glide down the bunny trail, Lake Placid, an area steeped in winter Olympic history, is a perfect skiing destination. Read More

Best time to go Ice skating in Montreal?

travel makers mdIt’s the most wonderful time of the year – it’s time for ice skating!

Winter in Montreal, Canada can get pretty blustery and that makes it a perfect time to go ice skating. The outdoor ice skating season begins in mid-December and continues until March. There are several rinks in Montreal to choose from. Spend the day outdoors on the ice at Parc La Fontaine or at Jeanne-Mance Park, which is located in the center of Montreal. Parc La Fontaine has windy icy paths so you don’t have to do the traditional skating in a circle. Old Port, the biggest outdoor rink in Montreal, is located between Old Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. The theme changes every night. Read More

Family Ski weekend to Stratton, Vermont

travel makers md‘Tis the ‘ski’sun to be jolly! It’s ski season and Stratton Mountain in Vermont has already been hit hard by the fluffy white stuff. After Winter Storm Caly hit the area at the beginning of December, Cassie Russo, Marketing Coordinator at Stratton Mountain Resort was quoted as saying, “we are on our fifth consecutive day of snowmaking and there’s no end in sight.” Read More

Best days and times to travel by air

travel makers mdWhat’s the best days and times to fly? Well, it depends on who you talk to. Some say that if budget is an issue and you want to spend less on your airfare tickets, you should fly during the week, not on weekends. However, if you want to get a deal, moneysaving experts also advise purchasing it months ahead of time or snagging a ticket at the last minute. Confusing! Read More

Touring the champagne region of France

travel makers mdYou pop the bubbly on New Year’s Eve or on any special occasion. If you love champagne, then the place you need to vacation is the champagne region of France. Here you can tour the cellars of the leading producers in the world of the bubbly.

Ruinart: Tour the Ruinart wines in the Crayères, chalk mining pits that have been designated Unesco World Heritage and Historical Monuments since 1931. Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, producing champagne since 1729. The two-hour tour includes a guided tasting of two cuvées. If you plan on visiting the region, please note that the Crayères are closed from November 10, 2016 to March 13, 2017, but it’s a great time to at least start planning your trip. Read More

The gem of Belgium (Bruge)

travelmakersmdBruges is known for its canals, cobbled streets, castles and, of course, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

This city is located in northwest Belgium and is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the world, such as the gothic-style Bruges’ Town Hall which was built between 376 and 1420. Here are six things you must see or do on your Bruges vacation: Read More

Exploring the Culture, history and beauty of Amsterdam

travel makers mdAmsterdam is one beautiful country, filled with canals and bridges, beautiful scenery and buildings that are propped up on 11 million wooden poles. Tour the country on a bicycle and stop for a brew, but however you do it, it must be on your list of places to see. Read More

10 best couple getaways if on a budget

travelmakersmdWant to get away on a romantic trip for two, but your funds are limited? Don’t worry. There are still great places you can visit even on a tight budget. All it takes is planning, research and creativity.

It’s important to note that the word ‘budget’ is different for everyone. For example, let’s say that you live in California and you’re on a budget, a trip to New York City may break your bank. It would include hundreds of dollars just in airfare and you haven’t even gotten to the Big Apple yet. Instead, a weekend jaunt to a local winery in the Napa Valley region may be more affordable for you. However, that might be one wine tasting that’s too expensive for a couple from Florida to enjoy. The good news is that there are wineries all over the United States including New York, and Michigan, so you might be able to find one close to you. Read More

Top Driving Vacations in the North East

travel makers mdIt’s almost the end of September and the leaves are just starting to turn on the trees in the Hudson Valley, New York area. Soon, the green hue will be replaced with these vibrant reds, oranges and yellows and when the leaves are at their peak, the trees are absolutely beautiful. If you plan to take a drive around the Hudson Valley during this time, you won’t be disappointed. Read More

How to entertain yourself on a long flight in economy class

travelmakersmd
What do you do when you’re on a flight for hours? Not everyone wants to sleep the time away. Here are 10 things you can do to keep yourself entertained on a long flight.

  1. Movies: download some to your tablet or computer. There may be some for rent on the plane, but it isn’t always reliable or they may not have something you’re interested in viewing. Instead, spend time at home before you leave and download your favorites and must-sees.
  2. Podcasts: There are thousands of podcasts to choose from, including Stuff You Should Know which is about exactly that, while The Truth is 10 to 20 minute stories. You Must Remember This is a must for classic film buffs, while Idle Thumbs is for the gamer in you. Again, download before you leave.
  3. Read: Delve into that book you’ve been meaning to read. Don’t want to carry a book or tablet with you? Buy a couple of magazines when you arrive at the airport. Read them on the flight and leave them for the next passenger. Buy a few new ones for your flight home.
  4. Puzzles: Jumbo puzzle books are a great way to keep your mind occupied and pass the time away. You can do crosswords, Sudoku, word finds and more.  Again, download a variety of puzzles, including The Room, or Four Letters.
  5. Write: Go old school and bring a notebook and pens. Start penning that book you always wanted to write, outline that script or just write to your dear old Aunt Fanny or Uncle Fred. Make grocery lists, to-do lists, or even your holiday shopping lists. You can also use the notebook to write about places you want to see or take notes on your flight and the people you meet.
  6. Draw: Prefer to draw than write? Relax and start sketching. You can draw the people you see on the plane or the aircraft.
  7. Color: There isn’t anything more popular than adult coloring books right now and a book and a small pack of coloring pencils are easy to carry around and a great way to spend your time.
  8. Learn: Take time to learn phrases in another language, especially if you’re heading to a foreign land.
  9. Clean: Take time to clean out old messages and photos on your phone or go through your files on your computer. Purge and organize. By the time you land, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something.
  10. Talk: Some people do like to talk to others on a long flight. Give it a shot and strike up a conversation.
  11. Read More