cavalletta's Passport
 

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Member since:
04 December 2008

Icon_superoo_orangeSuperoo '10, '11, '12 Icon_founder_title

Icon_pictureBeen to 372 Attractions
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Icon_star1138 First to Review
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About Me & My Family

We're a globe trekking, fun-loving family always planning our next adventure. From art museums to alpine skiing, we're ready for anything.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, relaxed, simple, independent, energetic, spontaneous, sophisticated, easy_going, scheduled, artsy, social_butterfly
We Just Got Back From
Visiting Tybee Island, Georgia. The lighthouse tour and beaches are a family favorite!
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Wherever we go next....thanks to Trekaroo, I always have a great group of reviews to help me plan a fantastic vacation!
A Place We'd Love To Visit
During the winter, anywhere with snow and easy airport access :-)
Favorite Vacation Memory
One of my favorite vacation memories was seeing my daughter splashing in the Boca Beach Club kiddie pool. Also, the first time she saw snow in Park City, Utah at the Park City Mountain Resort. She's still talking about ski school years later! Visiting Cancun! We recently visited Miami and explored South Beach, South Miami and Coral Gables. We also visited Innisbrook Golf Resort and Spa near Tampa Bay, Florida. Be sure to read my reviews about the resort and their Indaba Spa. What an amazing experience! Also, a holiday in France (wonderful home exchange--thanks for the ideas on Trekaroo!)
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Dangerous weather conditions or any other unexpected airport delay. Security delays at the airport!
Websites I Like:
trekaroo.com (of course)condenast.com snowmamas.com away.com visitflorida.com tbparenting.com

Mother's Day events and ideas in Florida

From an elegant brunch to swimming with dolphins, you are bound to find a wide variety of events any mother would love.  Read on to find out more about unique and memorable Mother's Day events across Florida.

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One South County Road
Palm Beach, Florida

Comment:
If your Mother appreciates the finest things in life, then make plans now for the Sunday Brunch at this legendary brunch tradition!

reviewed on: May 03 2011

"Legendary brunch"
It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  My spin on that classic tale is that the breakfast buffet and especially the Sunday Brunch at The Circle at The Breakers in Palm Beach is one of the most important and memorable dining experiences for every foodie family!  

My preschooler felt like a princess in this beautifully decorated architectural gem and I have to admit, so did I.  The staff does an impressive job of making every guest feel like the belle of the ball without overdoing it.  It's a fine balance and they've managed to walk that line perfectly.  The tables are elegantly appointed with fresh flowers and tablecloths as well as some of the most comfortable chairs ever!  To start the day off right, we sipped on soothing hot tea and coffee while our daughter had her fill of the fresh squeezed Florida orange juice.   She said that the juice tasted like sunshine.  What an ideal way to begin our day.  

The spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean paled in comparison to the wide variety of delicious culinary treats which were beautifully displayed in the center of the room.  From fresh fruit to custom made omelets, it was a challenge trying to choose which tasty treat to try.  Fortunately, the pace is leisurely and my preschooler was in a "try a taste" mood so we were able to indulge a bit more than usual. After all, we were on vacation!  Some of the dishes, most notably the scrambled eggs, fresh baked breakfast strata, breads and potato offerings change daily so it’s an adventure to see what the chef has prepared.  We were thrilled with each bite. Yes, even the tiny tot!  

If you have a picky eater, there are plenty of the familiar breakfast cereals, yogurt, breads, fresh fruit and plain eggs to satisfy and fill up their tummies.    Rest assured, everyone will leave the table well fed and ready to start the day.   After one meal here, you will understand why the Sunday Brunch at The Circle is a Palm Beach tradition and now, you are a part of it.  Bon appetite!  

This review is based on a complimentary stay at The Breakers Palm Beach.  I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay and meals.  The resort did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.

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Epcot Center Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Comment:
Venture to the second floor of the Living Seas Salon for an “Under the Sea Garden” Brunch in a unique hideaway surrounded by over 3,000 varieties of sea life in the aquarium.


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3000 Busch Boulevard
Tampa, Florida

Comment:
Celebrate at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun and enjoy lunch with Elmo and Friends. There will be tasty food, character meet & greets, and a special treat for Mom. One 6x8 photo with Mom, kids and your Sesame Street friends is included. Lunch is $22 adults and $15 for children. Pass members receive a 10 % discount.

reviewed on: March 28 2010

"Sesame Street's Safari of Fun now open!"
My four year old led the way as we explored the all-new Safari of Fun at Busch Gardens.  She's a great tour guide!  Fortunately, the Safari of Fun has one entrance which makes keeping an eye on your active kiddos a bit easier.  Most of the rides and play areas are shaded by trees or a canopy but it's best to remember your sunscreen and sunglasses.  There are two restroom areas (one near the entrance and the other by the water play area / outdoor dining facility).  

Located near the Bird Gardens, your preschooler will want to spend most of your Busch Gardens visit at the Safari of Fun.  There are so many wonderful rides and play areas to discover!  My four year old started out on the Zoe-patra & the Hippos of the Nile flume ride.  She laughed throughout the whole ride and wanted to ride it again right away so she did.  Lots more laughing :-)  Then, she ran over to the Elmo's Safari Go-Round (carousel).  She chose the zebra and away we went!  This carousel slowly turns which makes it an ideal first ride for even the tiniest tot.

Big Bird's Whirly Birdie, a mini ferris wheel ride, was a hit with the four year olds but one two year old was a bit afraid of the view from the top.   The kids in line all wanted to ride in the egg that had the number of their age.  My daughter was no exception so she chose the #4 egg.  Thankfully, there were two, three, five and six year olds in line so they all got their choice.  The little boys all seemed to race over to The Count's Zambezi Rally and hopped in tiny cars to ride along the tribal trails.  Each seat has a steering wheel which makes every little driver happy.  The car seats two to four children, depending on the vehicle.  Of course, there are numbers to count all along the track.  Who knew learning could be this much fun?

One of my favorite play areas is the Elmo's Treehouse Trek and Cookie Monster's Canopy Crawl.  The three-story treehouse has plenty of places to play hide-and-seek and you can overlook the whole Safari of Fun from a Big Bird's eye view...way up high!  The areas are connected by rope bridges which were popular with kids and their grown-ups.  Under the Canopy Crawl, kiddos can play in Slimey's Sahara Sand box complete with all sorts of sand toys.  Also under the Canopy Crawl is a springy, bounce house like play area.  Since the sand and bouncy play areas are nice and shady, they are a cool retreat from the Florida sun.

We changed into our swim clothes for a spashing good time at Bert & Ernie's Watering Hole.  This water area has lots of jets, sprayers, overhead buckets and fountains to splash in and around but is in the full mid-morning sun.  Maybe, the trees will shade this area at other times of the day.  If you prefer more shade, visit Oscar's Swamp Stomp where the stepping stones and ankle deep water seem well suited for tiny toddlers.

There are lots of helpful park employees around to ensure that everyone stays safe and has fun.  Near the entrance, one park employee brought out lots of hula hoops for the kids to play with and later brought them to the Bert & Ernie's Watering Hole.  

The Sunny Day Theater features a 15-minute musical stage show starring Sesame Street favorites Elmo, Abby, Grover, Cookie Monster and Zoe.  Afterwards, the characters meet and pose with your children.   It is so adorable to watch their little faces light up when they hug their favorite friends.

We saw the outdoor, covered dining area where the Dine with Elmo and Friends breakfast and lunch meals will be held.  It is a great space with lots of red tables and chairs.  Be sure to make your reservations.  This looks like a great way to start your day at the park.  There's also a Snack-n-Getti Tribal Treats concession stand offering all sorts of tasty treats.

If your child wants to take home an exclusive safari-themed Sesame Street friend, you can find lots at the Cookie Monster's Trading Post and also at Abby Cadabby's Treasure Hunt.

All of the rides and play areas are colorfully decked out in a playful tribal-theme--great for photos!  So, make sure your batteries are charged and your memory cards are empty.  You'll be snapping photos on this Safari of Fun all day long!

We ended our park experience by watching the 4-D theatrical adventure, Sesame Street presents "Lights, Camera, Imagination!"  This movie is over in Timbuktu's theater which is a short stroller ride from the Safari of Fun.  There are lots of fun special effects that go along with the movie but I'll let you be surprized.  It might be best if you have your little one sit on your lap if they are the least bit afraid of getting splashed.  It's fun!

So, visit the Busch Gardens website and make your plans to go on your own Safari of Fun.  Maybe, we'll see you there!


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801 Old Water Street
Tampa, Florida

Comment:
Free admission for moms on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, from 10am-5pm. There will also be arts and crafts for kids in the Lykes Atrium and a 15% discount in the Museum Store on select items.

reviewed on: January 03 2010

"Hands on history"
This is not your typical history center!  It's a clean, modern building full of interactive historical exhibits all geared to bring history to life no matter how old you are.  When you approach the brand new LEED certified "green" Tampa Bay History Center, which is right in the heart of downtown Tampa, you might feel as if stepping back in time would be at odds with the marvelous, modern architecture but that's just the beginning of how this is not a typical history museum. Our preschooler had so much fun dressing up in historical clothes, riding horses as part of a cattle drive and especially stacking up the dominoes while waiting for our fabulous Cuban black beans and rice lunch.  There's so much to explore at this living museum and the Columbia Cafe offers amazing, tasty dishes sure to please even the pickiest diners.