I was lucky enough to have AT&T sponsor me for SheStreams, the fabulous Social Media beyond the blog conference held by Maria Bailey of BSM Media at the Doubletree Hotel in Ft Lauderdale, FL.  I have not been to Ft Lauderdale in nearly 20 years — since my grandma died.  And, man, has it changed!(There’s even a water taxi now – take a look!)

First, the conference: first of all, it was weird to be there without my other half.  Oh, my husband was there – and my kids – I mean with Rebecca Levey, my KidzVuz co-founder. Second of all, I have known Maria Bailey for several years, professionally, and I never knew before this that she led a secret life as a (mildly raunchy) stand up comedian.  I mean, the woman stood up in a room full of more than 250 women (and a few men) and cracked some penis jokes!  Who knew?

Seriously, Maria gave a keynote that really was a keynote not just a commercial for a brand or person, like so many of them are.  Her keynote was warm, funny, dotted with personal yet relevant anecdotes, broad ranging in its ideas, relatable, and most of all inspiring.  She really knocked it out of the park.

Not that I was all that surprised.  I mean, last year, she pulled the first SheStreams together in no time, and created a different interesting, informative two days of sessions unlike any I’d seen at other conferences.

I like that SheStreams is about the profession of blogging.  Not that personal blogging isn’t wonderful, but professional blogging hasn’t had its own conference.  And SheStreams focuses on going beyond the blog – with sessions on legal issues (a terrific @CharChronicles), podcasting (yay @SelfishMom), making sponsored videos (from the lovely @MyGoMom), and even one on monetizing your Twitter presence from none other than the inventor of the Twitter Party, Amy Lupold Bair – @ResourcefulMom.

The conference was small enough that I got real, hands on time with the HP eprinter the HP folks were showing off.  I love mine.  I love that I can print something by emailing it to myself at my HP eprint address, but I didn’t really understand what all of the apps for the printer could do until SheStreams: now, I get a week’s worth of  Bon Appetit recipes printed out automatically every week.  I love that.

AT&T was showing off the new and truly gorgeous Nokia 900 .  I know everybody loves the iPhone — but I’m a Windows Phone kind of gal, and I have a feeling that phones like this one are finally going to get everyone else on board.  I mean, not to sound uber-nerdy – but the OS rocks. (You can read about Why I love my Windows Phone here.)

Now on to the place itself: Ft Lauderdale.  In my mind, it’s where old Jews go when their children are sick of them and their grandchildren no longer think they’re the greatest people on Earth.  Oh, and where they can drive really, really, slowly in the left lane and no one will care.

Maybe those Old Jewish Grandparents are still there (I didn’t check out Rascals and Pumpernicks) but where I was, near Los Olas, there were chic hotels and rockin’ nightlife, and the Hotel W where I had what was quite possibly the best steak I’ve ever eaten. (pricey – but oh so worth it)

So maybe I’ll need to give Ft Lauderdale another shot – between the great surfing lessons the kids took, and the fabulous meal, and the great shopping, the miles of waterway, and the Atlantic, it’s pretty appealing.

So , in addition to my annual trek to Long Boat Key, I may have to add Ft. Lauderdale.

Now, I find out that Forbes magazine, one of the world’s leading sources of business news and financial information, has named St. Augustine, Florida as one of the ten prettiest towns in America. Experts at National Geographic, the Travel Channel and Fodor’s made the list, so you know these people know what they’re talking about. They love the town’s history, and  walkability.  They call it charming and fun.

Bummer.  Looks like I’ll be criss-crossing Florida again!

Other than my AT&T conference sponsorship, this post was completely uncompensated.

LBK Sunset

I have to be honest:  mostly, I go to Florida because my parents have a condo on Longboat Key, off the west coast of Florida, near Sarasota, so we don’t have to pay for a hotel. Also, they generally leave the fridge pretty well stocked.  All in all, it’s a good deal.  Not to say that it isn’t beautiful and everything – because it is spectacular (if you’ve only hit the east coast of Florida, you’re missing out.) But the truth is, economy wins out.

But this year, we hit all kinds of parts of  Florida. Long Boat Key (Sarasota, really), then Orlando, where we saw Universal Studios, and finally Ft Lauderdale, where I attended the SheStreams conference and the kids went surfing.

First, Long Boat (or LBK, as us insiders like to say): beautiful Gulf Coast beach (Gulf of Mexico, that is.)  Unspoiled beauty due to long standing zoning laws prohibiting skyscrapers, a slow pace, a sophisticated vibe. How about that view?

We took the kids to the Mote Aquarium, strolled in the spectacular Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, and marveled for the bazillionth time at the teeny tiny circus on display at the Ringling Museum.Relaxing, un hurried, and serene.  I even saw dolphins jumping in the gulf just outside my window. Lovely.

Then, we hopped in the car, drove about 2 hours, and hit Orlando.  Not serene.  Not uncrowded, but TONS of fun.  Last year, I went to Orlando as a guest of the CVB with The Getaway Girl. I spent three days finding out that Orlando can be a blast even if you don’t hit the theme parks.

This year, we hit the theme park.

The Piazza at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Universal Studios Orlando, to be exact.  We stayed at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.  It was lovely, and

cracked me up.  I mean — they dug a bay and put row boats in it.  They built a piazza!  But somehow, it’s not terrifyingly tacky. Not at all.  I kind liked it.  And we had a not overpriced, excellent dinner on the “piazza” Your rather expensive stay includes express passes which grant you early admission to the park, and a boat ride along the faux canal to the park and back – so you don’t have to deal with parking.  A huge plus.

Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an island of Island's Of Adventure in the Universal Orlando Resort Category:Harry Potter images (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As for the park itself, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was terrific.  The details, the signature ride, were thrilling.  And there were some other rides we loved, too.  The new Spiderman Experience was technically amazing, the roller coasters are big and scary.  But somehow, it felt more like an amusement park than a theme park.  I guess by that I mean that it didn’t feel like such an “experience.”  I never thought I’d say this – but Disney has just set that bar way up high — and ain’t nobody gonna touch it. (Though Harry Potter world comes close.)

It was the little things — like when I saw the King Tut and Cleopatra characters come out to pose for pictures in the crowd.  My guess is, they had to start at 1pm.  So at 12:55, they were standing around, looking bored, checking their fingernails. The staff overall were helpful, but you got the impression that they were working.  I’m sure that all that incredible enthusiasm and uber-niceness at Disney is forced, too.  But maybe they’re just better at faking it.

The quality of the shows also just couldn’t match up.

That being said, when my daughter fell and cut her knee, they were there in an instant with a first aid kit and got her patched up in no time. And my kids liked it fine. But  they both  missed the magic that is Disney, and preferred it to the technical, commercial Universal Studios Orlando.

One last note about the Loews hotel – when we picked up our rental car there was a hand-written note in it from the valets thanking us and hoping we had a nice stay.  Is that forced, faux enthusiasm?  Maybe.  But I liked it.  Someone sat down and wrote that out in charmingly mediocre handwriting.  Warmed my heart.  It’s the little things, I guess.

Come back tomorrow to find out about how things went in Fort Lauderdale, and why we just might have to go to St Augustine next.

Chica from Sprout will be there too!

Spring is just around the corner…so why is it suddenly so wintry feeling out there? Need a tropical fix?  Head to the Philadelphia Flower Show – (starting Sunday and running through March 11) because this year, “the nation’s Flower Show” will transport you to “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha” This is so much more than a flower show: it’s part exhibition, part learning and lectures, part kids fantasy, and part competition.  And since it is part competition, the wow factor will be impressive.  Not only that, but this year, the organizers have decided to provide a tropical experience that blends digital technology with nature’s beauty  – to spectacular effect.

Like this: a high-definition video projection, will make it feel like you’re entering the show by walking under a crashing wave.  Unless you happen to enter when that same digital projection makes it seems like you’re going through a wall of living orchids. Keep going into a canopy of palms and ferns, and you’ll end up at a 35-foot waterfall. With its own goddess.  And every hour, authentic Hawaiian hula dancers will perform – giving the show an even more “you are there” feeling.

This sounds kid friendly enough to me, but there’s a whole program just for kids, too, with visits by The Lorax (!), hands-on planting, flower arranging, Hawaii-inspired arts and crafts, and earth-loving activities in the all-new Einstein Healthcare Network Family Lounge powered by Sprout.  If you’re planning on making the trip with your kids, you might want to look into getting a Family Fun Pak which includes tickets for two adults and two children and a one-year membership with The Philadelphia Horticulture Society, all for $70. Sunday March 11th is family day with even more extras – like the chance to meet some of their favorite TV characters from Sprout TV and Universal Studios.

What I love about it is how they’ve fused the technology that grabs kids, with the natural wonder that teaches, engages, and enriches them.

That, and the fact that this is likely as close to going to Hawaii as I will ever get!

The Philadelphia Flower Show is open Sunday, March 4-11 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. (so it’s HUGE!) .  Advance tickets are available at www.TheFlowerShow.com

I have nothing against Disney World.  I’ve taken them there, too. (Once.) But Disney offers a perfectly fabricated adventure – and they do it better than anyone – and I want my kids to know all about the messy, surprising, unexpected things that can happen on a real adventure, in a real place – where different cultures collide. Where they can learn about something new, get a different perspective. And we’re lucky enough to be able to do it.

I know that traveling with your family is an expensive proposition.  I’ve done it.  But to me, travel is a necessary expense.  I’d rather forego seeing movies in the theatre for a year, seriously scale back dinners out, and even  – wait for it – heavily curb my shoe-buying habit – if it means we can take a trip that my kids will remember.

That being said, for the first eight or so years of my kids’ lives, we just went to Florida. My parents had a condo, it was quick and easy.  And while I admire people who can travel with babies or little ones I just can’t do it.  I’m not that relaxed or easy going: I am a New York Jew. ‘nuff said.

Since then, however, we’ve been on a bunch of great vacations.  We saw awe-inspiring scenery in Canada, went kayaking and zip lining in Costa Rica, and got “this close” to a cheetah in South Africa. 

I’ve learned a few things along the way about adventuring far from home. Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t over-pack.  Unless your vacation is to a five-star hotel in Europe (which is an adventure of another kind.  Perhaps one best taken without the kids.), no one cares what you look like on an adventure trip.

Bring the basics.  Pack a collared shirt or two for the males in your family, and a comfortable skirt that can go from day to night for the girls – and call it a day.

Leave the curling iron/straightener/five kinds of hair product at home.

And for heaven’s sake, don’t pack perfume.  Can you say bug-magnet?

2. Be flexible.  If you go to the rain forest, here’s a shocker: it will rain. Do not decide that that means you can stay indoors.  Put on a big ole poncho and head out.  Adventure is about…get this…being adventurous. What’s the worst that will happen?  You’ll get wet.

3. Consider taking an organized trip.  Yes, I know.  You are adventuring.  But banish from your mind thoughts of a tacky looking tour guide leading a group of retirees with a multi-colored flag in her hand. 

Family adventure trips take the stress of planning away, provide great guides, and give your kids other kids to hang out with.  Let me tell you – it keeps bickering to a minimum.

Plus, these companies know what they’re doing: they’ve done it a bazillion times.

We took an organized adventure trip to Costa Rica and learned WAY more, and covered way more ground that we would have on our own.

4. Balance taking tons of Photos with being present.  I took a bazillion photos on our trips – especially to Africa.  But there were times when I made myself put the camera down so I could really SEE what was going on.  Sometimes, looking through a camera lens shrinks your experience down to what’s in the view finder.  Don’t miss your trip while you’re recording it.

5. Add a Charitable Component

In South Africa, we spent an entire day of our trip in the township of Kaylesha delivering beads to women who make and sell beaded crafts through the charity Monkey Biz. (A friend of mind who works with the charity arranged it.) It was my favorite day of the trip.  And it was important to me that my kids see how other people lived in South Africa – not just how people on fancy safari trips lived. 

In Costa Rica, our guide set our kids up with Pen Pals before we left, and then arranged a meeting while we were there. 

Pretty great.

And in the Canadian Rockies, we spent a day learning about – and practicing eco-tourism.

You don’t have to do something huge…just something to remind yourself – and your kids – that you are in a real place where people live.  Not just a vacation place for their personal adventure.

6. Most Important: Go with the Flow.  “On time” does not mean the same thing in Africa as it does here.  “Pizza” will not necessarily be what your kids are used to. Bugs will be plentiful.

Hey, if it were just like home, it wouldn’t be an adventure, would it?

DISCLOSURE:  Sponsored by Austin Lehman Family Adventures Vacations

By now I’ve had a few days to re-group – and had time to think about the lessons learned from attending a two-day event, and planning a one-afternoon event.  Vera Sweeney did a good job of summing up the tips for travel bloggers, so I’ll just give you my top ten general lessons learned.

1. Travel Bloggers get the best perks.  While us Mom bloggers are writing for diaper bags and coupons, Travel Bloggers are writing for vacations and press trips. Yeah, I know.

2. When stuffing Swag Bags, don’t have soooo many different things.  Sure, it’s great for your guests, but you, the stuffer, will suffer serious back pain from all the bending and lifting.

3. Virgil’s BBQ (now open in the Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort) makes awesome wings (800 pounds of them for Superbowl Sunday), incredible pulled pork, but will leave the un-used-to-eating-like-that in a BBQ induced coma.

4. Always provide name tags for your event attendees/party guests…especially if you only know them by their Twitter name.

Which leads to number five:

5. Wear ear-plugs, so when people do the “Oooooh You’re @soandso” squeal, you won’t be deafened.

6. Having a Magic Show, A Princess Show, a singer, three arts and crafts stations, Wii stations and Xboxes will not be too much for a room full of blogger-kids; they’ve seen too much to be overwhelmed by anything. (I stand corrected, DadaRocks and J&R jr.)

8. TripAdvisor may be awesome, but check out Travel Video Postcard to really SEE where you’re going.

9. Luxury Travel Mom really is about the luxury.  In the funniest, nicest, least snooty way possible.  But I still want her job.

10. After planning/setting up just ONE party, I appreciate even more what a great job Traveling Mom, Family Travel Forum, Travel Media Showcase and Taking The Kids did in setting up this conference at the very lovely Omni Berkshire Place.

and since #10 wasn’t really a lesson learned (more of a thank you!) one more:

11. Whether throwing an event or attending one: high heels are not your friend.

When they were this age, no tech was no problem!

Family vacations are supposed to be all about togetherness.  So does that mean that no one can be on their phone or handheld game, or ipad, or computer the entire time?

Yikes. I mean, can you get the DTs from electronic withdrawal syndrome?

Kim Orlando gave that a shot on her recent family vacation to Aruba (the no tech – not the DTs)…and I commend her for it.  But the truth is, I’m not really willing to give up tech entirely while I’m on a trip – so I can’t really expect my kids to be. What we’ve done – without hard and fast rules, but with some success, is make the rule that tech is only for checking in with your email in the morning, and checking out a bit at the end of a long day. I do not check my phone all the time while we are away.  My kids do not carry around their various electronic accessories.  But for a plane ride, let’s face it, nothing beats a bit of DS or a movie on your iPad.

I think we’ve struck up a compromise. Works for us.  And maybe it will work for you — (and you have to read this next line in a game-show announcer voice) on your vacation to beautiful Aruba!!!! Yes Traveling Mom (where I am a contributor) is giving away a fabulous trip for a family of four to Aruba.  (including air fare!)

It’s easy to enter.  All you have to do is watch the video below about how Traveling Mom founder Kim Orlando dealt with electronics on vacation,  and her tech-deprived kids (and husband) on her trip to Aruba, and answer the question of the day. The details about the contest are all here.  Where you can learn about more ways/chances to win.

The Traveling Mom crew is also hosting a Twitter Party all about traveling with tech.  And I’m gonna be there.   January 23, 9-10 pm eastern. Wanna come?  If you’ve never been to a Twitter Party, it’s easy.  Just click here and find out how to RSVP. Still not sure? Well, just so you know, TMOM always give out awesome prizes!

But for now, check out Kim’s video.  Once you’ve watched that, you’re REALLY gonna want to win the trip!

But last year was a big travel year for us.  We went to South Africa, we went to Paris, the kids even went to Yellowstone Park without us, on a school trip.  When my daughter got back from her last trip, she said “Can we just go to a resort next time?”  Eleven years old and she already has travel fatigue!  So here I am, getting ready (i.e. dieting furiously) not to just go on a plunking myself down in one place vacation, not just to a non-discovery place, but for the second time, to  Club Med  Punta Cana.

We last went to Club  Med when the kids were in Kindergarten. (that’s little daughter, there!) This fall, they started Middle School.  So it has been a while.  Last time, they were in the mini-club. This time, they’ll be in the teen group.  Last time, we went back to the room straight after dinner, so the kids could be asleep by 8:30.  This year, they’ll probably want to go dancing at the teen disco. Last time, I worried about how I looked in the bathing suit.  This time – past 40 – I wish I looked that good!

The thing about Club Med i,s it really is all things to all people.  (Except maybe luxurious.  I don’t think it’s that.  Though there has been an extensive renovation since our last visit.)  But what it is to me, is easy.  There’s something for everyone to do.  From tennis and sailing to trapeze, to just hanging out on the beach. There’s no worry about how you’re dressed, or if the kids are being disrupted.  It’s casual, and relaxed.
Will I have cushy towels in my room? No.  Will there be Frette sheets? No again.  Will a uniformed concierge greet me?  Well, maybe if you think shorts and a club med t-shirt is a uniform.
But will the kids have free rein, giving my husband and I time together?  You bet.  Will the weather be glorious?  Always.  Will there be tons to do? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Good thing my daughter had travel fatigue.