Make Your Holiday Getaway Fantasy a Reality

Plan your holiday escape and entertain the kids, too!

From the LifeMinute Team

November 13, 2014

It's not even Thanksgiving yet and you're already fantasizing about the perfect holiday getaway (hint: Monterey, CA!) and the perfect way to keep the kids entertained (hint: LeapPad3!). But, of course, you don't have time to plan a trip like that.

That's why we brought in Lifestyle Expert Elizabeth Mayhew to act as your personal travel concierge. You can thank us later.

First, let Elizabeth give you the lay of the land... "It's home to Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach. It's one of the best road trips in the country along the iconic Highway 1," says Elizabeth. And why should you go now? Elizabeth explains, "During the holidays, historic downtown Monterey is beautiful; it's illuminated by candlelight for 'Christmas in the Adobes.' It's an annual event where they have music, dancing and games, along with tours of decorated historic buildings. It's must-see."

Okay, but you're more of the outdoorsy type... Elizabeth says, "Now, if you're into outdoor adventure, you can also go kayaking with sea otters, you can take a nature boat ride in the Elkhorn Slough, one of California's largest wetlands, or go hiking at Point Lobos, which has incredible views of Big Sur. If you're a golfer, Monterey is home to the finest fairways, including Poppy Hills, which was just renovated, and Del Monte, which is the oldest golf course West of the Mississippi."

You're having second thoughts. Maybe this vacation should be less adventure, more R & R. Says Elizabeth, "If you're looking to relax, they have incredible spas. Check out the thermal spa called Refuge in Carmel Valley; also, Monterey is a top destination for foodies, with award-winning restaurants. There's so much bounty there, they call it the Salad Bowl of the World, and it's a leader in sustainable seafood. It's also one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top Ten Wine Destinations; they're famous for their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that you can enjoy on wine tours, in tasting rooms, or just hanging out at a beach bonfire."

Okay, but you're thinking this fantasy escape will likely be strictly a family affair. Is there enough stuff for you to do with the kids? Elizabeth recommends, "For families, there's so much to do; you can go horseback riding at Salinas River State Beach; you can visit the Monterey Bay Equestrian Center for eco-tours and carriage rides, or take in the sea creatures at the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium."

So, ready to take this trip from fantasy to reality? Right now you can enter for a chance to win a 2-night, 3-day trip and spend the holidays in Monterey. All you have to do is go to seemonterey.com/holiday and enter to win.

Now you know where to go, but if you're taking the kids with you, you maybe want something to keep them occupied. Elizabeth thought of that, too. "My pick this year is LeapPad3 from LeapFrog," she says, "They make really fun educational games for kids; this tablet is targeted at kids ages 3 to 9. It's a compact, on-the-go solution that keeps kids entertained and learning throughout the holiday season and beyond. It's right now the fastest, highest-performing 5-inch tablet ever from LeapFrog, and, best of all, it includes 6+ hours of battery life with a built-in rechargeable battery so it's fantastic for travel. It gives kids access to a library of over 1,000+ age-appropriate educator-approved games, apps, eBooks and videos that draw from a comprehensive curriculum of over 2600 skills across core subjects like Reading, Math, Science and Creativity. And what's really cool is that it automatically adjusts the learning to each and every child, asking more challenging questions as children's skills develop. Your child will progress and, as he or she does, it remembers from game to game so learning keeps moving forward."

Bonus: kid-safe Wi-Fi so parents can be assured that every content experience is safe and age-appropriate. And LeapPad3 is kid-tough, reinforced with a great frame and break-resistant glass. Elizabeth says, "It's very cool. And best of all, it's under $100, so you can find that at stores nationwide."

You're welcome.

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