Take A Step Back from Stress: A Family Getaway Is Exactly What You Need

Ah, Canada. Home of snow, hockey, and really nice people. At least that’s what the stereotypes about the Great White North would have you believe, and none of them address the country’s wonders. The image of Canada as a bigger version of Alaska needs to be corrected, specifically in regards to the greatness of Newfoundland and Labrador, the easternmost provinces of Canada.

What’s so relaxing about this place? One trip to the area’s website will show the user images of the beauty and grandeur of the Newfoundland and Labrador. But if pretty pictures aren’t enough, consider the following:

The Wildlife

Nothing says relaxation and escape like the wonders of nature, and Newfoundland and Labrador boasts an incredible variety of it. Aside from the cliffs and hills, the area also boasts multiple species of whales, including the signature humpback population. And if seeing whales sounds fantastic, a visitor can also take in the sights of Iceberg Alley and explore the coast.

But don’t think the province begins and ends on the coast. The province measures more than 400,000 kilometers, offering a visitor a big chance to get off the beaten path and take in the area’s natural beauties, including St. John’s, Terra Nova National Park, and the Torngat Mountains. And because it stands at the easternmost edge of Canada, the province carries a sense of escapism just in getting to it.

It’s Got Culture

Ever wanted to go to a music festival in an area once populated by Vikings? Newfoundland and Labrador has got you covered. Every city in the world boasts about its musical offerings, but the province goes further with its sheer variety of musical offerings.

And if music alone isn’t enough to tempt a visitor, the province’s history is on constant display. Visitors can follow the Viking Trail to L’Anse Aux Meadows, featuring the archaeological remains of a Norse encampment dating back over 1,000 years. If thinking about Viking warriors makes you thirsty, the province boasts a variety of craft beers and breweries. Everything about the culture here whispers to the visitors, inviting them to partake of the area’s offerings and take a deep breath while doing so.

Downtown St. John’s features some truly unique events, such as a Mardi Gras celebration in October, the province’s cultural facility, and the Mile One Centre, conveniently located near the Marriott St. John’s Newfoundland. And that doesn’t even include the nightlife, shopping, and sights of the area.

You’ll Need to Make a Few Trips

Getting off the beaten path sometimes means having to deal with crowds, and the journey to a place to relax can require some advance planning. As stated above, the province is huge. So huge, in fact, visitors may need to consider multiple trips just to take in all that Newfoundland and Labrador have to offer. And while the province’s location may seem like a deterrent, the area’s popularity requires some thought as to the best way to get there and get lost in the area’s wonders.

Plan ahead by considering rental vehicle information with accommodations. Take care of those requirements early so you can spend more time getting lost and breathing deep.

Image source: my dear friend Hazel

Family Quality Time

There are too many things that occupy our days – most people do not run out of things to do in their list of errands. With all these things, people often run out of quality time to spend with the family. Many working parents come home late and spend only a few minutes to check whether the kids are home and safely tucked in. The weekends come as a time to do all the household chores and maybe get a few more hours of sleep. A lot of the kids today are not given as much attention as they need, especially when they reach their teenage years. It would be sad to look at your kids several years down the road and not know who they really are. Make sure you save a little bit of yourself and make time for your kids.

family

Eat meals together. Make sure that you all sit down around the table to eat a meal together. Breakfasts are usually too hurried and brief. That’s why family dinners are recommended. Set a fixed time for dinner when everyone is expected to be home. If you do not have the time to prepare dinner, you can order food from your favorite restaurant. The chores that come with preparing dinner and cleaning up afterwards can be shared among the family members.

Have a family project. Find a common interest among the members of the family and plan a project that you can all complete together. The holidays are often the best times to do these projects. You can build a Christmas nativity scene for you front lawn or you can make a Wizard of Oz display for Halloween. On ordinary days, you can have a recycling project wherein everyone collects plastic bottles or soda cans to be taken to the recycling center at a specified date. This will get the whole family working together towards a common goal.

Schedule family vacations. Have fun with the entire family. Your annual vacation from work does not necessarily have to be spent doing all your backlogged errands and long overdue tasks. Plan a family getaway and spend the week hanging out and bonding with your children.

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ImageryMajestic – Free Digital Photos.Net

Preparing For A Horseback Riding Family Getaway

BSJA clothing from equestrian clearanceIf you can still remember the day you pleaded to your parents with all your might to have that horse riding trip, you may not now be wondering why your kids do the same. It is just one of those activities that every child wants to do. Seeing horses on TV or about little kids who have already tried it will undoubtedly influence their desire to try it as well.

To end your child’s misery, why don’t you plan a horseback riding family getaway and finally make use of the BSJA clothing from equestrian clearance that you have stashed away in your closet? It is more than just conquering a fear of falling off a horse, but it could also a great opportunity to bond with the entire family and unwind from your ever tiring work.

Horseback riding is not that difficult to organize as ranches exists almost everywhere these days, unless you are living in a metropolitan district, where tall skyscraper buildings occupies every single acre of land. However, you could always make the 1-2 hour drive to your nearest ranch a part of the whole adventure and play different games along the way. A horseback riding facility could always be found online or you could ask a friend for a referral.

Most importantly for your adventure; you should make sure that the safety of your entire family won’t be compromised during the activity. Check if all their horses are well trained and that the trail adventure personnel are professionals when it comes to facilitating your horseback riding experience. Additionally, make sure that you are equipped with safety gears like, knee and elbow pads, saddle and helmet, especially for your kids.

Word of mouth has been and will always the best way to assess the quality of an adventure trail guiding service or a horseback riding facility. That is why feedback from previous clients is very important. If you have heard a lot of negative things about a certain horseback riding service, then do not bother to waste your time taking your family there.

As your impending adventure draws closer, the excitement of your children could also be replaced with fear and anxiety, especially if it is their first time on the back of a horse. As a parent, you should reassure them that everything will be alright and that you will be there to hold their hands every step of the way and before you know it, they will probably have more fun than you do.

Image Credits:
Free Digital Photos.Net