So here’s the thing – Lily and I are ALL about the tea parties. Our little pinkies were just made to be up in the air while sipping on Earl Gray and noshing on scones slathered with Devonshire cream.
One of the things we love doing when we travel is finding new places to have tea.
This fascination began several years ago when Lily wanted to have a tea party for her 6th birthday. We had a tea party at home that year with her grandma and aunts, but it inspired me to take her to a local tea room called Teacups and Tiaras where you can choose fancy hats or crowns to wear while you have your lunch and tea.
Seriously – you can WEAR A TIARA WHILE YOU HAVE TEA!!!!! Do you see why I love this?
Since then we have had tea at 3 other local tea rooms as well as in Chicago, Disney World and Dubuque. Now part of every trip planning involves researching a place for Lily and I to have tea.
This tradition is our special thing that we share – some quality mommy/daughter time, but also gives our boys some bonding time too. In Chicago they explored the Planetarium together while we had tea and in Disney, they managed to snag highly coveted seats with the conductor on a monorail trip around Epcot.
This is our alternative to collecting spoons or key chains or shot glasses or other kitsch. Who needs that crap? We prefer collecting memories. They take up less room.
I understand that having tea is not everyone’s –well, cup of tea. So here are some other ideas for things you can incorporate into your trips that will make memorable experiences and even give you a theme to plan your trip around.
- Letterboxing and geocaching – are freaking AWESOME! These fun excursions are endless and it’s possible to find several unique and interesting locations while you travel. Check out www.letterboxing.org or www.geocaching.com for hunts and maps.
- Races – We have a friend who loves to run so she and her teenagers try to find a 5K everywhere they travel. It’s a great way to see a new city or countryside. They even did a 10K in Patagonia! I am madly in love with this idea. Except I would die. A lot.
- Transportation – try to ride on your destination’s most famous means of transportation. New Orleans has the St. Charles Streetcar, Dubuque has the Fenelon Street elevator. And riverboats. I feel it is a mortal sin to go to Dubuque and not ride a riverboat. Yes, I’m judging you. Try to experience as many unique ways to get from here to there as you can.
Is there something you try to do every place you travel to? Please share your traveling traditions with us – we’d love to hear your stories!
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