Rob Taylor's Blog, page 19

Visiting Congaree National Park: South Carolina Swamp Magic!

We’ve been to Congaree National Park several times now and each time is a different experience. One of the newer US National Parks, it’s one that’s still not gained popularity the way Glacier NP or Everglades NP have. There aren’t a ton of things to do in Congaree National Park, but you’ll see that planning a visit is very much worthwhile and you’ll love it.

Thinking about the most common questions we’ve gotten about visiting Congaree National Park, it seems that most people are just unfamili...

Staying at the Hotel Trundle in Columbia SC: the Coolest Boutique Hotel for Families

Columbia, South Carolina is a great city to visit with kids. It’s full of history, there’s nature just outside of downtown and it’s a wonderfully inclusive place. Staying at the Hotel Trundle in downtown is a great way to both be in the middle of the best things to do in Columbia SC and to have a unique, trendy/cool stay. We loved the decor, the staff and our room, so let me tell you all about it!

And if you have any additional questions or you would like to add your own suggestions for eithe...

Great Things to Do in Columbia SC with Kids: from History to Congaree National Park

I had no idea there were so many things to do in Columbia, South Carolina before we arrived. I’ve always known Columbia SC to be a city that was all but destroyed in the Civil War, but not much else. As it turns out it’s a fun place to explore with lots of history, outdoor activities, foodie spots and art.

Whether you’re planning on stopping during a road trip to Savannah or Disney World or you’re making your whole trip about the city, Columbia SC has enough fun things to do to last you 4 or ...

Review of Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel: Awesome Location and Great Accommodations

We love getting to stay in luxury hotels, but we also like when a hotel is just nice, clean and spacious. The Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver is a great option for families or mid-budget travelers looking to spend a weekend in Vancouver. It’s in a great location, has some solid amenities, and it’s actually quite a bit nicer than its price point suggests.

We always aim to provide travel options that fit family travel budgets and flexibility, and I think the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Va...

Vancouver Island Road Trip Loop: Victoria, Campbell River and Beyond

I feel so fortunate that I’ve gotten to spend so much time on Vancouver Island. Its communities, nature, and combination of cultures make it a wonderful destination to explore. It’s very easy to get to the island from Seattle or Vancouver, and whether you want an outdoors experience or to just relax and take in the people, a Vancouver Island road trip won’t disappoint.

Because Vancouver Island is a popular destination with many Pacific Northwest residents and beyond, consider this a very stro...

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – a Top Shelf Experience in the Canadian Rockies

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was the first fancy hotel I ever stepped foot in in my entire life. I was a little kid on a camping road trip through the Canadian Rockies and we went in to use the restroom while visiting Lake Louise. I knew then that it was a gorgeous place that I wanted to stay at someday, and now I have. I’ve got all the details about staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, including great ideas for exploring both the immediate lake area and more of Banff National Park.

...

Things to Do for a Weekend in Vancouver BC – Easy Plan, Lots of Fun

I’ve been visiting Vancouver BC since I was a little kid and each trip is so different from the last. Since we always seem to do it as a weekend trip to Vancouver, that’s how I’m approaching my favorite things to do in this amazing city. I think a weekend in YVR (Vancouver’s airport code) is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of Canada.

We always say in our house that Vancouver is the city of the future with the accent of the future. It’s this wonderful combination of cool architecture...

Mount Royal Hotel in Downtown Banff – Perfect Location and Rooftop Hot Tubs

The Mount Royal Hotel in downtown Banff is an amazing option if you are doing a Canadian Rockies road trip and want to stay in the actual town of Banff. It’s set in a collection of historic buildings and has been wonderfully updated to be comfortable hotel rooms with some pretty great amenities. We tend to stay in Canmore when we do trips to Banff, but after this visit I feel like I can’t stay anywhere except downtown for this sort of Canadian Rockies experience.

I’ve got the full scoop on st...

Review of the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Downtown Calgary, Alberta – WOW.

Calgary is such a fun city to visit, full of good food and wonderful public spaces. The Fairmont Palliser Hotel is set right in the heart of downtown Calgary, next door to Calgary Tower and blocks from High Park and so much more. I’ve got the full scoop on staying at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, details about the historic hotel, and great suggestions for things to do in Calgary.

If you have any questions about staying at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel or any of the other beautiful hotels we’ve e...

Gorgeous Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Jasper, Yoho and More

Let me start by saying that there is more to the Canadian Rockies than just Banff. Don’t get me wrong, Banff is gorgeous, but there really is so much more, including the areas outside of the National Parks. I’ve doing the Canadian Rockies road trip six times at least, and I’ve done the train from Vancouver to Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer. These sights are some of my favorite in Canada and I’m excited to share how YOU TOO can plan to check them all out!

On this road trip through the Canadian...