Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby?

Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby? Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby?

Question: I just found your blog and it feels like a lifesaver right now... or soulsaver I guess I should say. I just found out I'm 2 months pregnant (not planned). I do retreats out of the country and have been excited about my career path and the possibilities for travel in my future. Having a family is something I didn't really have strong ambitions for, although I did feel I would welcome the experience. Finding out I am pregnant was less than welcomed at first. After a few weeks now of processing, I am starting to get excited. Your blog makes me happy to see that women are traveling and living their lives WITH babies. So here is my question for you:

I am scheduled to co-facilitate a really great women's retreat the first week of Dec, 2012 in Mexico. My due date is August 29th. Any advice on taking a 3 month old to a yoga resort in Mexico? I will be teaching 2 classes a day. Also, in March of this year, I am co-facilitating a retreat to Nicaragua. Any thoughts on traveling pregnant to a 3rd world country?

Answer: My best advice is: Don't worry. Everything will be fine.

I can remember when one of my best friends asked me to be in her wedding in Mexico, and I had a baby and was pregnant. I spent weeks fretting over dirty drinking water and strange viruses. I called my pediatrician in a panic and asked: "Do you think I should just cancel the trip?" She told me what I just told you: "Don't worry."

And it was good advice. We ended up having a lovely time and there were no problems. Mexicans adore children. At dinner, the waitstaff would take turns holding our daughter while we ate. Once a waitress even rocked her to sleep.

If you're nursing, feeding your 3-month-old will be easy. You'll want to make sure to stay healthy by drinking bottled water and don't eat any uncooked vegetables. Bring some PeptoBismal tablets just in case. And check in with your doctor and pediatrician a couple weeks before you leave. You might consider locating a pediatrician close to where you'll be staying in Mexico before you go.

As for traveling while pregnant, you'll find a few tips here.

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Ask Amy: Where should I eat during a two-day visit to Paris?

Ask Amy: Where should I eat during a two-day visit to Paris? Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Where should I eat during a two-day visit to Paris?

Question: My wife and I are going to be traveling to Europe for a little over a week at the end of August. We need some help in planning our Paris trip though. We only have two days there and want to make the most of it. We know the big landmarks and will be visiting those but was looking for your expertise in finding a nice hotel for a reasonable price ($100-150 per night) as well as the must hit restaurants. We want to experience the best food and local eateries that Paris has during our short visit.

Have you been to Paris and can you offer any advice?

Answer: Yes! I've been to Paris. In fact, my daughter is named Paris!

I recommend visiting BestWestern.com to find well-priced accommodations. The world's largest hotel family has about three dozen properties in the City of Light. The Grand Hotel De L'Univers in the prestigious Saint German Des Pres, the Quartier Latin Pantheon near Notre Dame Cathedral, the France Europe in the trendy Marais district, and the Ronceray Opera, among several others, are in your price range.

Here are a few restaurant recommendations:

Bistrot Victoires: Classic rustic French cafe near the Louvre. Affordable. Casual. Try the steak and chips and the creme brule.

Chez Georges: 1920s-style bistro. Lively atmosphere. Order the rib roast served with a rich potato gratin.

Rino: Hip spot in the Bastille for dinner. Modern European food.

Mi-Va-Mi: In the heart of the Jewish quarter, try falafel and spit-fired schwarma.

Berthillon: You'll have to line up for a scoop but it's worth the wait at this tiny ice cream shop on Ile Saint Louis.

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Ask Amy: Santa Barbara getaway

Ask Amy: Santa Barbara getaway Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Santa Barbara getaway

Question: Hi Amy, My husband and I along with another couple are going to Santa Barbara this weekend. We are traveling by train for the 1st time and this is our 1st trip to Santa Barbara.

Because we'll only be their from Sunday morning til Monday evening, we want to get the most out of our stay. We are staying at the Best Western Beachside Inn and we definitely want to go wine tasting, which we've never done before either. We don't want to waste a lot of time looking for things to do. Can you help me?

We were thinking about doing a wine tasting tour when we check into the hotel on Sunday around noon. Then seeing some sites or going on an adventure. Then Monday we can enjoy the beach across from the hotel before we leave that evening. Can you help us? Thanks!

Answer: You're going to have a wonderful weekend! The Amtrak train rolls right into downtown Santa Barbara and you can walk from the station to your hotel.

Santa Barbara and the nearby San Ynez Valley are known for their wineries: visit sbcountywines.com. Since you'll be without a car, you'll probably want to go on an organized tour. Santa Barbara Backroads offers a four-hour open air Hummer tour of the San Ynez Valley with three winery stops. The tour leaves at 1:30 p.m. at the Wharf, that's within walking distance of your hotel. For more info.

The tour drops you back off at the Wharf at 5:30 p.m. Time for dinner! Right downtown, within walking distance of your hotel, you'll find Brophy Bros., known for its ocean views, clam chowder, and grilled fish.

The next morning, the beach right outside your hotel is your best bet. Enjoy!

Ask Amy a travel question: Email onthegowithamy@gmail.com.

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Ask Amy: Help! I'm driving with a 2-year-old to Disney World

Ask Amy: Help! I'm driving with a 2-year-old to Disney World Read Post

Ask Amy: Help! I'm driving with a 2-year-old to Disney World

Question: My wife and 2-year-old are traveling to Disney world this week from Illinois. We're planning to drive straight through. I heard you on the Nick Digilio show on WGN this afternoon and I thought I would get some more advice from you. I love the idea of trying to play some games with my daughter and hold out on the DVD player as long as we can. Do you have any other tips?
—Dan, Illinois

Answer: If you go into the trip with an upbeat, positive attitude, you'll all have a fine time. Sensitive to their parents' moods, kids are more likely to behave if you're confident, relaxed, and happy. You can expect to hit some low points along the way but when you're daughter starts screaming in the backseat just imagine that you're in a Chevy Chase comedy and try to laugh at the situation.

But of course, a successful family road-trip requires more than a good attitude. You definitely need to plan and prepare and help entertain your daughter on the road. As I mentioned in the radio segment, you should try to keep the DVD player off as long as possible. I usually make my kids endure six hours before I'll turn it on. If we're driving longer than six hours, then I consider that torture, and I allow them to plug in. Also, I will sometimes only use the DVD player on the return leg--because if you use it on the first leg, then your little girl is going to immediately ask for a movie on the return.

So what do you do without a DVD player?

Play with toys
Put together a bin or bag of stuff for your daughter. You can start by filling it with everyday items. When my daughter was 2 years old, I used to give her a box of Band-Aids on long road trips. It would take an hour for her to stick Band-Aids all over her body. I guess it could be considered wasteful but it certainly kept her entertained. Also, a tooth brush. My kids both love to sit in the backseat and brush their teeth. My daughter has always enjoyed coloring while we drive; I bought her a lap desk at the Container Store. Something to consider purchasing: Colorforms are great because kids can stick them on car windows and they peel right off. Your daughter would probably like the set based on the Fancy Nancy books. Also, Mrs. Grossman's sells stickers that don't stick permanently. A magnetic board with shapes and numbers might be fun for a 2-year-old.

Listen to stories and games
You can borrow CDs and Books on Tape from the library for free and then download them onto your computer and transfer them to an iPod. Be sure the Books on Tape are appropriate for your daughter's age so they hold her interest. There's a lot that you can purchase on iTunes. For a 2-year-old, I found audio versions of Green Eggs and Ham, Caps for Sale, Stone Soup, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Tikki Tikki Tembo, Danny and the Dinosaur, and Curious George Rides a Bike.

Play games and sing songs
Even a 2-year-old can play Name that Tune if you limit the song choices to "Jingle Bells," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and "London Bridges." She's probably still a little young for I-Spy, but you can certainly tell her to look out the window for a "red car" or a "horse" or a "truck." Also, I always try to teach my kids one new song on every road trip and that always becomes the theme song for the trip.

Pack snacks
Load a small cooler with healthy snacks: peanut butter sandwiches, dried fruit, cheese, apple slices. I would limit the treats but one thing that I always bring are lollipops because they last forever and occupy my kids. You can get sugar-free or fruit-sweetened ones. Also, try to avoid fast-food. Kids’ stomachs are sensitive—especially in the car.

Stare into outer space
Kids will typically go through a fussy period or two on a road trip but typically once they work through it, they're quite happy simply staring into outer space and there's nothing wrong with being peaceful and quiet. In this day and age, it's good to learn how to do nothing.

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Ask Amy: Local grinds in Honolulu

Ask Amy: Local grinds in Honolulu Read Post

Ask Amy Dining out

Ask Amy: Local grinds in Honolulu

Question: My wife and I are vacationing in Waikiki for a week this winter. Where should we eat? We'd especially like some tips on local spots serving fresh fish. Also, we're on a budget.
—Donald, Portland, Ore.

Answer: If you love fish, then you're traveling to the right place as Waikiki is full of places dishing up seafood. Here are three must-try places:

At Nico's at Pier 38, the grilled ono may come in a Styrofoam container but it's the sweetest and moistest fish you'll ever eat for less than $10. Go on the weekend when there's live music, or for breakfast (fish and eggs, mmm...).

The Diamond Head Market and Grill specializes in charbroiled entrées; the salmon is served with a tasty miso-ginger sauce and the ahi steak comes on a roll slathered in wasabi aioli. Seating is limited to outdoor picnic tables.

Rumor is that after the fancy restaurants in Waikiki close, the chefs head for downtown Honolulu to the Side Street Inn for barbecued ribs slathered in lilkoi sauce and pesto-crusted ahi.

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Ask Amy: What to do in Tallahassee?

Ask Amy: What to do in Tallahassee? Read Post

Ask Amy Best Western Hotels

Ask Amy: What to do in Tallahassee?

Question: I'm staying at the Best Western Pride Inn in Tallahassee, Fl., for a few days on business. I'll have one day to explore. I'm outdoorsy and enjoy hiking. What should I do?
—Anthony, San Francisco

Answer: Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is only 25 miles from your hotel. It's one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. On a guided boat tour ($6, offered daily) you'll see alligators, turtles, manatee, deer, and a dizzying array of birds—osprey, egrets, ibis, buzzards, ducks. You can also go for a short walk on the nature trail and break for lunch in the lodge built in 1937 by by financier Edward Ball. The dining room overlooks the springs, and through beautiful old arched windows you can birdwatch while munching on a po' boy sandwich.

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Ask Amy: Kid-friendly restaurants in SF

Ask Amy: Kid-friendly restaurants in SF Read Post

Ask Amy Dining out

Ask Amy: Kid-friendly restaurants in SF

Question: My husband and I are spending a week in San Francisco with our 15-month-year-old baby. We're staying in an apartment on Nob Hill. We know that SF is a great dining city and we'd like to try out some restaurants. Can you recommend a few kid-friendly places that dish up great California cuisine? Also, we'll have a babysitter one night and want to dine somewhere special .—Rachel, Seattle, Wash.

Answer: Since I live in San Francisco with two kids, I can definitely answer this question for you. My current favorite place is Delifina Pizzeria in the Mission District, where my son and I often go for thin-crust pizzas at lunch. He gets the Margherita spread with a sweet tomato sauce and I like the garlicky Broccoli Raab. Go on a weekday and arrive early; the restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. After lunch in the same block, grab a scoop of the deliciously creamy ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery. Favorite flavor: Salted Caramel.

A few options near Nob Hill: Bodega Bistro, where you'll want to try the Nom, shredded green papaya tossed with beef jerky; Bun Cha Hanoi, sweet, thinly sliced pork that you wrap in lettuce leaves; Pho Ga, rice noodle soup with free-range chicken; A La Turca, a funky spot specializing in Turkish cuisine and yummy homemade bread and hummus that you're son will love; Brick, where the fries with malt vinegar aioli are addictive; Cortez, a trendy spot with inventive small plates dishes; and Grand Cafe, where you should go simply for a slice of heavenly banana cream pie that will easily feed a family of three. A child will be welcomed at all of these places.

As for your special evening our, I recommend that you get a cab and head for Bar Tartine in the Mission District. It's small and intimate with elegant, rustic decor. The food is fresh and seasonal. Make a reservation.

Bon appetit!

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Ask Amy: Driving from SF to Portland

Ask Amy: Driving from SF to Portland Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Driving from SF to Portland

Question: My husband and I are driving with our three girls from San Francisco to Portland, Ore. Any places that we should stop along the way? —Tanya, San Francisco

Here are three must-stop spots full of fun for kids.

1) Redding, Calif. Your children will love Turtle Bay, a 300-acre park filled with things to do. In the museum, you can stock a covered wagon as if you were traveling the Oregon Trail. At the botanical garden, you'll find a children's sculpture and fountain decorated with ceramic mosaics. At Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, you can watch the resident golden eagle being fed. And you can walk across the Sacramento River on the Sundial Bridge, a steel-and-glass pedestrian span designed by acclaimed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

2) Jacksonville, Ore. In 1966, this gold rush town was declared a National Historic Landmark District. The best way to take in its charm is on the Trolley Tour (free for kids under 6), passing by over 100 buildings dating back to the 1800s. Your little ones will enjoy the Children's Museum, where they can dress up in vintage dresses and shop in an old-fashioned general store. Got extra time? Catch an outdoor musical performance at the Britt Festival.

3) Eugene, Ore. Oregon's second-largest city is best known for its ivy-clad university. (Go Ducks!) But it's also recognized for its kid attractions. At the Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, your little ones will be in awe at comet- and asteroid-filled light show. Or they might enjoy the Cascades Raptor Center, home to over 50 birds of prey including bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. Need to cool off? Get wet at Splash!, an indoor swim center with slides and a wave pool at Jack B. Lively Memorial Park in nearby East Springfield.

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Ask Amy: European Cruise

Ask Amy: European Cruise Read Post

Ask Amy: European Cruise

Question: My family of four is embarking on a European cruise in August. Our trip starts in the United Kingdom. We're staying at the Best Western Master Robert Hotel, near Heathrow airport, for one night. I'm hoping you can offer up tips on things to do in that area. Then we're going to the Southampton cruise port--anything we should see on the way?

Our cruise is stopping in the following locations and I'm hoping you can offer up some advice on things to see in these locations: Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; Gibratar, United Kingdom; Malaga, Spain; Callari, Sardina, Italy; Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome) Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and Villefranche (Nice) France. Finally, the cruise disembarks in Barcelona, where we're staying at the Best Western Hotel Alfa Aeropuerto--what should we see? —Ana Monteiro

Answer: Wow! This sounds like a great trip. You'll be hitting many destinations.

Let's start at the beginning: You have one night at the Best Western Master Robert Hotel, where close to many attractions from Kew Gardens to Legoland, but if you're going to visit only one place I would go to the Hampton Court Palace, a historic residence of kings and queens. My parents took me here when I was a child, and I'll never forget my dad chasing me through the giant hedge maze. During your short time in Southampton, you could drop in the Archeology Museum.

For your cruise, pick up a copy of Rick Steves' Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler. This book will ground you in art history and enrich your sightseeing experience. Throughout the book, you'll find handy lists of sights that allow you to use your newly acquired knowledge to plan your trip. You could also consider buying Rick Steves' Best of Europe, which offers tips on sightseeing in a few of the destinations you're visiting including Lisbon, Barcelona, Florence, and Nice.

Here's a quick rundown of attractions in each of your destinations:

Vigo, Spain: Outside of town, visit one of Europe’s most revered and historic pilgrimage sites, Santiago de Compostela.

Lisbon, Portugal: Stroll the Avenida da Liberdade. Here, you can walk along the city's most famous avenue, relax at an outdoor cafe, and spot some of the finest architecture around.

Cadiz, Spain: Walk through the charming old quarter with its narrow alleyways, delightful plazas, and flower-filled balconies. Be sure to stop in the Cadiz Cathedral.

Gibraltar, United Kingdom: Take the cable car from Main Street to the top of the Rock and see both Spain in Europe and Morocco in Africa. Also, consider going on a boat ride to visit the dolphins who live in Gibraltar Bay.

Malaga, Spain: Relax at Playa Huelin, a busy beach lined with cafes.

Callari, Sardina: Browse the Mercato di San Benedetto, a colorful fish market where locals shop.

Naples, Italy: Bite into a neapolitan pizza at Da Michele.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy: Don't miss the famed Colosseum.

Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy: Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, of course.

Villefranche (Nice), France: Go to the beach. Just a few minutes from Nice, Villefranche sur Mer is sandier, quieter and less jam-packed with tourists than other Nice beaches.

Barcelona, Spain: Tour Gaudi's architectural marvel, La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished yet astonishing church.

Bon Voyage!

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Ask Amy: Driving from SF to LA

Ask Amy: Driving from SF to LA Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Driving from SF to LA

Question: We're driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles over the Fourth of July. When we head south we'll take I-5 and when we return north we'll travel Highway 101. We're taking our 2-year-old daughter so we hope to stop frequently and break up the trip with overnight stays. Advice?
—Bao-Tran, San Francisco, Calif.

Answer: I'll start with a question for you. On which days do you plan to drive? This year the Fourth falls on a Friday and roads will be jam-packed on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Skip the traffic by leaving early in the week and returning the following Monday or Tuesday.

As for stops along the way, I-5 may be the world's most boring, barren road. The best spot for an overnight and fun is Harris Ranch, the midway point between SF and LA. The 100-year-old cattle farm is the main attraction here and it offers an elegant restaurant and a Hacienda-style inn. My advice is to splurge at the Steakhouse, where a rib-eye goes for $40, and stay at the nearby, more affordable Best Western Big Country Inn.

You'll find more attractions when you're heading north on 101. My first bit of advice is to take the I-5 to Santa Clarita, north of LA, and drive Highway 126 to Ventura, where you can pick up Highway 101. The scenic route passes through orange groves and small farming towns, before ending at the coast. North on 101, pull off the freeway in Santa Barbara and head for Chase Palm Park, right across the street from the beach. Here, your little one will enjoy an antique carousel and Shipwreck Playground where she can climb around on a boat and sea creatures.

Hungry? Try La Super-Rica, blessed with an endorsement by the Late Julia Child. The colorful shack, dishing up Mexican food on Milpas Street, is know for its tacos with spicy meat piled on top of fresh, grainy corn tortillas.

A hundred miles north on 101, make another stop in San Luis Obispo, where a clear, cold creek runs right through the college town. Your daughter will enjoy running along the path that skirts the river. She'll probably even be happier with a cone of berry yogurt from the Country Culture Yogurt Bar on the main drag, Higuera Street.

Paso Robles, the midway point, is a good stop for an overnight. In the past decade, wineries have opened up around this former ranching community, and now gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, and fancy hotels sit on the town square. The Best Western Black Oak Motor Lodge has an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, free Internet, and a swing set for kids. Rooms start at $109. For something fancier, try the Summerwood Winery & Inn, a luxurious Victorian-style mansion with nine rooms featuring fireplaces and balconies overlooking the estate vineyards. Rooms start at $225.

Before hitting the road the next morning, drop by the Cowgirl Cafe for warm cinnamon rolls drizzled with cream cheese frosting. Happy trails!

Illustration credit: © Vallentin Vassileff | Dreamstime.com

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