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One of our favorite spots is the Inn at Sawmill Farm in southern Vermont. Until recently it had been in the same family for many years and had a well deserved reputation for hospitality, food and for an amazing wine cellar.

But new owners purchased the property in December of 2010 and have already made some significant changes......seemingly for the better. The Inn is now family and pet friendly, there is WIFI in all but 2 rooms, flat screen TV's and phones have been installed in the rooms and maybe best of all, room rates have been dropped by 1/3 to 1/2 from previous levels.

The new restaurant, Nonna, is Italian and is more casual and family style than previously. We'll miss the great wine cellar, but the new one seems more than adequate. The Inn is also hosting a number of new events like wine dinners beside the pond.

The new owners seem to understand that people's tastes and even budgets have changed and that is reflected in their approach to the Inn. We wish them well because this is an idyllic setting in a beautiful part of the state with gorgeous rooms.
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One of the best weekends of the year for many is of course 4th of July weekend which is this weekend.  Everyone skims their closets and drawers for their best patriotic outfit to represent the greatest country in the world’s Independence Day!  Beaches fill up during the day along the east and west coast, and restaurants usually have super long waits unless you have a previous reservation.  Fireworks are usually the icing on the cake for a fun-filled weekend.  How about being spontaneous this year and trying somewhere new to watch the beautiful light show in the sky you’ve been looking forward to?

I’ve found some really great places for you to try this year!  First of all, being a Jersey* Girl myself, I have to say that the fireworks in Long Branch are a must see.  Their 21st annual Oceanfest starts at 10 am and goes on until 10 pm, after their spectacular fireworks display commences.  For a great dinner, try The Avenue. Here you can enjoy a nice dinner and make your way to the rooftop bar to enjoy drink and watch the fireworks. 

If you’re in Boston* this coming 4th of July, I would suggest getting a good seat for the free Boston Pops Orchestra Concert and fireworks display along the Esplanade at the Charles River.  If still available, try to book a room at The Liberty Hotel, where if preferred, you can view the fireworks display right from your room!  What a perfect hotel name for Independence Day!

If you find yourself to be a lucky soul and enjoying 4th of July weekend in beautiful Key West*, I suggest you hop on the bandwagon for the third annual 4th of July Bar Stroll.  For only $25, you can get drinks at 9 local bars and a collector tee shirt!  I wish I was going to be there for it!  Sunset Water Sports will be offering a dinner cruise for the on-the-water fireworks display from 7:30-10:00.  This is the tropical way to celebrate!

Philadelphia*, home of the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell sure know how to throw a real 4th of July party!  They have a parade, family festival, concert and an unforgettable fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This year the concert features the unique styles of The Roots who will be headlining the show.  The concert will also feature Michael McDonald, Estelle, Earth Wind & Fire, Sara Bareilles and DJ Jazzy Jeff. With a line up like this you’ll be dancing the night away!

Last but not least, the 35th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display in New York City* will be celebrating a few special anniversaries this year.  2011 marks the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty and the 235th birthday of the United States.  Fireworks will light up the Hudson River from 20th-55th Street! Make sure to tune into 1010 WINS radio if available to listen to patriotic music in sync with the display. Performers Beyonce and Brad Paisley will help celebrate America’s birthday in the Big Apple for this event.  You can also watch this display from the comfort of your own home on NBC.  

Now that you know some of the best places to catch 4th of July fireworks this year, make sure to book your hotel and restaurant reservations ASAP!  You will not want to miss some of the best displays over America! 

[*Each destination above is linked to some of the best hotels, restaurants, and activities.]
M. Klinger

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Looking back on my childhood years, I can remember taking summer camping trips out in Pennsylvania.  We wouldn’t actually “camp” though; we would always make sure we had a cabin with electricity!  Being part of nature for a few days was always a good way to get us kids thinking about things like different wild animals and which bushes or leaves not to touch. Our minds were actually somewhere other than the television. Summertime is about spending time with family and making memories.  Since “camping” is usually considered out of the question for many of us, it would be great to have some other options for related family getaways, right?  Well, I have suggestions for you that will allow your kids to still be at one with nature, but also able to come back at night to a big comfortable bed. 

            Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA is one of the most accommodating resorts I have ever come across.  Not only do they offer 124 rooms in their Chateau Lafayette, but they have five other options including The Lodge, The Falling Rock Hotel (open May-October),  luxury homes, town homes, a 20 spot RV park!    You can soar on a zip line, climb a rock wall, challenge yourself in a ropes course, ride a horse, or even take an off-road driving course in a Jeep.  Get a taste of Africa with a Safari Tour where Nemacolin is home to Lions, Tigers, and Bears- Oh my! And Mom, there is a relaxing spa where you can get away from it all! There is something for everyone!  What enticed me the most was their pet policy.  They are the first resort worldwide to receive the designation of Pet Proud.  They encourage your four-legged friends to be with you in all public spaces allowed by law.  Your dog can stay with you, go for grooming or daycare, swim on-site, and choose from a healthy dining menu catered to their tastes. I could go on forever, so I’ll let you check it our for yourself here!

            The Omni Bedford Springs Hotel, part of the Omni Hotels and Resorts family is located in Bedford, PA.  It was recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Resorts for 2011, as well as being one of TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Relaxation/Spa Hotels in the US in its 2010 Traveler’s Choice Awards.  It sits on a breathtaking 2200 acre property in the Allegheny Mountains.  This summer, you can “camp glamorously” with their Family Glamping Getaway that gives you the feel of camping but the comfort of a luxury resort to return to at night!  They are offering two hours of on-site geocoaching or two hours of fishing (poles and worms included!).  You receive a tent that you can take home, a s’mores kit for the Fire Pit, and breakfast!  A sure A+ getaway in the kid’s memory books! 

            Crystal Springs Resorts in Northern NJ offer three lodging options including the Grand Cascades Lodge, Mineral Resort & Spa, and Mountain Creek.  They offer a variety of packages that cater to your stay.  Crystal Springs loves their families, which is why they offer free, (yes I said FREE!) outdoor movies every Friday and Saturday night;  and a scavenger hunt on Saturday’s for a “Clue” style challenge the whole family can be apart of! There are 14 indoor/outdoor pools, 7 golf courses, an outdoor water-park, and many “at-one-with-nature” activities that will bring out your inner child.  You won’t even feel like you are in New Jersey!    

            So pack your bug spray, sneakers, and even some high heels for these fun and exciting family summer getaways! 
M. Klinger

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(Hypothetical) So I’m all finished packing for my summer weekend getaway to Key West.  I booked the Sunset Key Cottages for some R &R after a very long winter in New Jersey.  I’ve got my new hot pink bikini with matching sarong packed, a few summer cocktail dresses and some comfortable clothes for an early morning sunrise walk along the beach.  I can’t stop thinking about falling backwards into a king size bed overlooking the ocean upon arrival.  I’ve been craving a Pina Colada with a little umbrella!  I’ve got my boarding passes in hand, cell phone charger and sunglasses in my purse and I’m off to the airport.  “Oh great” my friend says... “I forgot to research the daily parking rates.”  The last thing I needed to worry is finding a place to park.  I just smiled at her and said “Don’t worry, I already have that covered!”  She had such a puzzled look on her face.  I explained to her that I used About Airport Parking- a site dedicated to finding all of the parking options at major airports.  With this site you can choose the airport you will be departing out of, and it gives you a list of different lots with daily prices and hundreds of user reviews.  By using this great tool, I was able to save us $10 for each day of parking by opting for a valet service lot at an airport hotel instead of the airports lots. It provides shuttle service to and from the terminals.  So guess what? We now have $30 extra to spend on fruity girly cocktails when we get there!  #WINNING! 
M. Klinger

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Father’s Day is upon us and I’m sure many of you are still deciding what would be the perfect gift this year.  We all know Dad will be thankful for a tie or a “#1 Dad” mug, but why don’t we ever give him something he might actually enjoy?  With Major League Baseball stadiums within close proximity to most major US cities, how come many of us may not have considered a stadium tour for our favorite guy?  Some have restrictions including not offering tours on game days, holidays and Sundays; but most offer them more than once a day to best suit your schedule.  With tickets as low as $10, it’s something the whole family can enjoy!   

            Some of the most popular stadium tours include the New York Yankees Stadium ($25) which is offering a Father’s Day Special tour this Sunday which includes an all inclusive menu with the Hard Rock Cafe, a Stadium Tour ticket, a collectible hat, and 1 photo on the Warning Track for only $60 per person. Tours will be running at 11:40 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 4 p.m. Other popular stadium tours include the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park ($12), Baltimore Oriole Park at Camden Yards ($11) Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park ($10), and Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field ($25), among others. 

            Why not start a new tradition and see how many of the stadiums you can visit throughout the US together?  Find a beautiful MLB Stadium Map here where you can track your journeys together! Make sure to book your stay through Best Weekends if you decide to travel to a stadium far from home. Treat Dad to a gift he will never forget!  Come on, he deserves it!   

M. Klinger

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