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Stefanie Van Aken

~ RSMLVTravel- Luxury Travel Design

Stefanie Van Aken

Category Archives: USA

A SoCal Escape: Park Hyatt Aviara

03 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Family, Resorts, RSMLVTravel, Theme Parks, USA

≈ 1 Comment

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carlsbad, family, Family Travel, Legoland, San Diego

Roughly 30 miles northeast of San Diego is the iconic coastal beach town of Carlsbad, California. Surrounded by the beauty of Batiquitos Lagoon and the famous southern California coastline, Carlsbad offers easy access to endless amounts of fun.

WHERE TO STAY

Whether you want to explore the area with your family, spend the day at LEGOLand California or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, experience the excitement at the races in Del Mar, explore marine life at the Birch Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla, or enjoy a full day of boutique shopping, golfing at award-winning courses or relaxing at the spa, the Park Hyatt Aviara is the perfect home base for your stay.


HOW TO GET THERE

Now there’s an even easier way to get to Carlsbad. Beginning November 1, 2018, new airline, California Pacific, will begin daily flights into the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 5 miles outside of Carlsbad. Currently, service is set to take place from Las Vegas (LAS), San Jose (SJC), Reno (RNO) and Phoenix (AZA). Flight time from Las Vegas into Carlsbad is roughly
1- hour.

California Pacific Airlines | Photo Cred: California Pacific Airlines

WHAT TO DO

October starts the Holiday season of travel for families as well, and LEGOLand is on the action. On select weekends throughout October, LEGOLand offers fun Halloween festivities for the whole family with Brick Or Treat Party Nights. 

Brick or Treat at LEGOLand California | Photo Cred: Stefanie Van Aken

San Diego Safari Park is offering Kids FREE in October:

Throughout the month of October, kids ages 11 and younger receive free admission (with an adult). We’ve got special fun planned for the weekends, so go wild and join us over and over again! Kids Free admission in October 2018 includes the Africa Tram – no separate ticket needed! Kids can ride the Conservation Carousel for $6. Please purchase Carousel tickets at the Safari Park.

The holiday fun doesn’t end in October. You will find unique and entertaining options for Thanksgiving and the Festive season all the way to the end of the year, including New Years. So, if snow isn’t your thing this year- find your happy in Carlsbad at the Park Hyatt Aviara. 

Click here to see our recommendations for a Full Day Itinerary in Carlsbad, CA!

Exclusive to RSMLVTravel– enjoy your 4th night complimentary when you stay 3 at Park Hyatt Aviara, along with luxury amenities offered through Virtuoso: 
 –Daily breakfast buffet for two
 –$100 resort credit per stay per room
 –Locally-inspired culinary welcome amenity
 –Upgrade day of arrival if available
 –Early check-in and late check-out if available
 –Complimentary access to Aviara Spa amenities

Call to book now 702.743.5196 or email: Stefanie@RSMLVTravel.com.

The Ocean is Calling and You Must Go…

21 Tuesday Aug 2018

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Family, Featured, Fun, Luxury, Resorts, Resorts, USA, Where To Go Now

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family, Hawaii

Can you hear it calling your name? The rolling waves, the soft sand, the warm sun…the perfect time to plan an escape from the winter blahs. The sun is packing up its bags and relocating to the sunny island of Maui, Hawaii, claiming residence at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

The same Grand Wailea you have known and loved is now a member of the Waldorf Astoria family. Speaking of family, it is the perfect spot to escape with the kiddos where everyone can get some Vitamin D and R+R…all three are super important supplements these days! Spa Grande at Grand Wailea is one our favorite spas, and included in this package is a 15% savings on spa treatments.

Be the family hero and book your Maui trip by September 30, 2018, to the famous Grand Wailea for travel dates 1/4/19-2/28/19, and receive one of two packages: Run of House: 3 nights with air starting from $1,119 or Run of Ocean: 3 nights with air  starting from $1,299, along with some other fabulous treats that should score you brownie points for years to come.

As always….prices and rooms are subject to change and availability.

GrandWailea Hotel Package 2019

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe

15 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Featured, Fun, Travel Inspiration, USA

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Yes, perhaps a bit cliché, but some little girls dream about fairytale weddings at Disneyland, some dream about blue boxes from Tiffany. I dreamt of both. Of course, I was in my 20s before ever gifted a pretty little robin egg blue box wrapped ever so perfectly with a white satin bow. My daughter was 12.

I prefer to liken the experience based on the many times we traveled all over the United States in search of the American Doll store and its Cafe or Bistro –or Bar if mom had her way. A sweet opportunity to bond with my daughter and her well-dressed doll(s) for a few hours over lunch, then a shopping spree to following at the store below. (If you are new to American Doll, be sure to check out my post on how to shop with an American Girl Doll Personal Shopper–you can thank me in the comments.) While fun and endearing and full of memories, I was sad when the time came to an end, but now there is a whole new grown-up version of creating those memories once again. This time, however, with an air of sophistication, historical significance, fashion statement and timeless memories. We had finally graduated from American Girl to Tiffany & Co.

breakfast at tiffany's blue box cafe

Blue Box Cafe is located on the 4th floor of the original and strikingly beautiful New York flagship store at 727 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. There are stairs available but take the opportunity to ride at least one way in the famed elevators where the doors and the floor indicators above are restored from the original. The Blue Box Cafe is an intimate venue looking out onto the hustle and bustle of 5th Avenue and Central Park (in the distance), and styled with a touch of modern, a bit of vintage and the true classic Tiffany style.

breakfast at tifanys blue box cafe

What’s On the Menu

Breakfast at Tiffany ($29), Lunch ($39) and Tiffany Tea ($49) are available on the menu at the Blue Box Cafe. The restaurant is open Monday – Saturday, 10:00AM – 5:30PM, with the last seating at 5:30PM, and Sunday, 12:00PM – 4:30PM, with the last seating at 4:30PM. It is served almost like a prix fixé menu, where there are limited choices for each dining selection. There are dessert and beverages available à la carte. Our party chose the Breakfast option. Our main selections were the truffle eggs and the Belgian waffle, served with starter courses of croissant with Nutella®, honey butter and winter fruit preserves, along with a delicious side dish of seasonal fruits and berries. A choice of coffee or tea comes with the meal, but you may also order juice or other beverages from the à la carte menu. We were all quite satisfied with our choices.

breakfast at tiffanys whats on the menu

How To Get On the List

The only way to book a reservation at the Blue Box Cafe is through an on-line reservation system called Resy.com. You can call 212 605 4270 for more information, but you will not be able to book via the telephone. Also, I would suggest booking your reservation one month out from your preferred date. I would imagine this is partially due to the popularity of the venue, but also because of its intimate atmosphere. There are not many tabletops in this coveted space. Resy.com opens its booking calendar one month out at a time, so set a reminder or alarm on your calendar to book your spot.

Who Should Go

When we visited in March, we enjoyed a multi-generational tea celebrating my daughter’s 12th birthday. I observed business meetings, an anniversary celebration, a small bridal shower happening while we were there. There was also a couple with a young girl, maybe 2-3 years old. It truly is a lovely experience, and I would just keep in mind the size of the space, and bring your party, any age, at your discretion.

breakfast at tiffanys

Would I Go Back?

Yes. I would absolutely go back. Would I go back every time? Probably not, but not because the experience wasn’t great– it was totally fab. My time in New York City is precious to me because there is always so much to do in so little time. However, I most definitely recommend Blue Box Cafe at Tiffany as an experience worth making time for, and be sure to plan in some time to shop!

Before You Go

Of course, it is easy enough to watch the cult classic film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“, but to get a true sense of the history and Tiffany & Co. mark on society and culture, I recommend these fun, easy reads: (Please note the links below are affiliate links.*)

Summer at Tiffany’s: I personally adore this book for several reasons. 1. The author, Marjorie Hart, was a professor at the University of San Diego (my alma mater); 2. The story is based on her personal experience of working at the Tiffany & Co. flagship store in the summer of 1945; 3. Quick, easy, fun summer read…indulge!

5th Avenue, 5 AM: Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman: Watch the movie, then read about the behind the scenes and the making of…I love stuff like this! Also, this is available on Kindle.

Tiffany Style: 170 Years of Design: This one sits on my coffee table at home because I truly am obsessed with the iconic styles and contributions Tiffany & Co. has made on our culture.

RockStarMomLV and RSMLVTravel are monetized sites. Occasionally, there will be affiliate links that will direct you to a third party site. If you purchase something from that site, I will get paid from that company. RockStarMomLV and RSMLVTravel from time to time are offered complimentary products, services, hotel stays and experiences for social sharing and reviews in lieu of payment. RockStarMomLV and RSMLVTravel work hard to maintain integrity with our readers and audiences. Any reviews, stories, or suggestions are 100% honest and all based on RockStarMomLV and RSMLVTravel’s personal thoughts, words and opinions. 
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