While doing my research for some good budget-friendly hotels for my trip to Bangkok, I came across some good options. My criteria were family friendliness, proximity to the major attractions and budget-friendly. They are listed here for you:

1. Pullman Bangkok King Power (Near Siam Square)
http://www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com/

I found this to be the best but could not get reservations here for my chosen dates.

2. Pathumwan Princess (Near MBK Mall)
http://www.pprincess.com

3. Phranakorn-Nornlen Hotel (Oriental Vegetarian Breakfast)
http://www.phranakorn-nornlen.com

4. Century Park Hotel
http://www.centuryparkhotel.com

5. Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

6. Unico Grande Sukhumvit
http://www.unicograndesukhumvit.com/

7. Siam City Hotel
http://www.siamhotels.com/sch/

8. Reflections
http://www.reflections-thai.com/

9. Dynasty Inn Grande (Near Sukhumvit)
http://www.dynastyinn.com/

10. Amari Hotels (Check out their promotions)
http://www.amari.com

Some more useful hotel URLs you might want to try if you do not find anything that suits you from the hotel suggestions above:

http://silom-serene.com

https://majesticsuites.com/accomodation.html

http://www.admiralsuites.com/

http://www.sleepatseven.com

http://www.shanghai-inn.com/bangkok_hotel.html
In Chinatown

http://www.bossotelinn.com

Amidst the hustle-bustle and pick-pockets of Bangkok, I found a wonderful retreat in the form of Phranakorn-Nornlen Hotel. This hotel is a charming boutique hotel located in a quieter neighborhood in Bangkok. If you really want to slow down and relax, definitely stay here. They even serve organic vegetarian breakfast daily which is so difficult to find in a place known solely for seafood. Visit their website (url below) for a glimpse of the lovely world they have created.

The only minus point is that the hotel is a little difficult to find and does not have too many eateries nearby so visitors with younger kids might want to avoid it.

Here is there address:

46 Thewet soi 1, Phranakorn, Bangkhunprom, Krungkaseam, Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: 0 26288188-90, 08 1308 1515

and this is there website:

http://www.phranakorn-nornlen.com

Colorado is a beautiful destination for Christmas vacation. The ski slopes are enough to invite anybody to spend Christmas in that winter wonderland. But when you are traveling with kids, there are more than one ways to ensure you don’t feel guilty of being selfish! I used to feel guilty earlier when we took vacations that included sports of adventure and my little kids didn’t have much to do. But a couple of years back, we decided that we will necessarily include something for the kids every other day of our vacations.

Here are some fun things to do when in Denver and around with kids for Christmas:

1. Meet Santa at Santa’s Workshop!

Based on the Santa theme park in NY, this one in Colorado Springs at the foot of the picturesque Pikes Peak is also a hit with the kids. Your kids will absolutely love the place and enjoy meeting Santa and the rides. And of course, the place is lovely for gift shopping.

Visit their official website for more information:

http://www.santas-colo.com/

2. Tiny Town

30 minutes from Denver is an absolutely adorable miniature town with little houses your kids will love to peek in. Some even have furniture and dolls in them! A tiny railroad takes you around.

Get more info from their official website at:

http://www.tinytownrailroad.com/

3. Children’s Museum of Denver

A one-of-a-kind experience for all kids from toddlers to older kids. Interactive playscapes help kids learn through play. And they organize events all year round which means special events for Christmas!

Get more info from their official website:

http://www.cmdenver.org/

Do add these to your itinerary if you have young children along with you on your Christmas trip to or around Denver, CO. They will have as much fun as you do!

Greenwich Village (or simply ‘the Village’ as New Yorkers call it) is a haven for food lovers and I love that place. Here are some of my recommendations:

1. The Magnolia Bakery does lovely cupcakes and was also featured in ‘Sex and the City’.

2. John’s Pizzeria - Go to this place for the tastiest pizza cooked in a brick oven. This place is for die hard foodies only  and is jam packed, so if you are looking for a place to while away some time, this one’s not for you. You will find it at Bleecker Street.

3. ‘Autumn’ - a bistro/diner that you will love to stop by for lunch.

4. Pennyfeathers Cafe - A small but cosy/comfy place for a simple and tasty breakfast. Some of my friends came out grumpy, but I was served well during my visit.

5. Corner Bistro - A long, long wait in the line for me - but if you find it a little less busy, go in for burgers and fries.

This baroque style church, now a ‘World Heritage Monument’ located in the beautiful Goa state of India. While I had been there when I was very young, my friend Lata, the owner of Dot Com Women, visited it recently and gave me this very recent photo of the place. That is Lata and her little daughter Sanika that you see in the picture.

The basilica is devoted to Bom Jesus (or Infant Jesus) and apart from it’s magnificent interiors, is famous for holding the holy mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The saint, a member of the Society of Jesus worked for the upliftment of people in Goa and shortly thereafter died on a sea voyage near Japan and was subsequently buried there.

One year later, it was decided to shift his remains to Goa. While doing that, it is said that the body was found intact - just like it was when it was buried.

The body is still on display there in a decorative casket and is also made public every ten years when people can actually touch the body. The holy saint’s body is said to have miraculous healing powers.

The church is located in Old Goa, about 10 minutes from Panjim City and is exactly opposite to ‘Se Cathedral’.

Berkhampstead, a pretty, quaint town in Hertfordshire, served as a getaway from London during my visit there.

The historic town has a lot to boast of from its victorian bakeries, the oldest extant shop, cobbled streets, picturesque schools to the largest church in Hertfordshire - St. Peter’s Church. The 13th century church is one of those places where you absolutely love being around and feel close to yourself. This beautiful architectural model, comprising of three different styles - Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular was started in 1220 and has served the masses since. It is also the center of a lot of local activity from choirs to concerts.

If you chance to visit London, take a day off from the city traffic and do visit this charming place with this beautiful church. Visit their official website for directions, location, photos and more information:

http://www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/

If you are looking for some spooky adventure travel during Halloween, how about a Haunted House Tour? One of the more famous Haunted Houses in USA is Spookwoods located in the tri-city known as Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem over a large farm in North Carolina. This house also made it to America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions.

The place has a spooky history which you can read at http://hauntworld.com/spookywoods_haunted_house_in_north_carolina.htm in an interview given by the owners.

Their website http://www.spookywoods.com gives detailed information on the tours and also has a ‘trailer’.

Cairo is a place filled with timeless treasures and it can be difficult deciding upon what to do and what to leave out, when short on time. Here are some must-see’s and do’s when in Cairo:

Egyptian Museum

Tutankhamun’s gold death masks and remains of his personal belongings are a must-see but they only form a small part of what this amazing place has to offer. You are bound to get lost in the Egyptian treasures on display.  Visit http://www.egyptianmuseum.com.

Tip: Hire a guide. The place is not too organized for non-Egyptian tourists.

Sunset Ride on the Nile in a Felucca

For an experience truly Egyptian, take a boat ride on the Nile in a wooden sailboat (called Felucca) and get away from the traffic to experience your own views of the lovely place.

The Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids

Narrated by Sphinx, this show is one of the most impressive ones I have ever seen. The show is held in different languages and you will need to consult the timings and dates for the different languages from http://www.egyptsandl.com/shows.asp?show=1.

Jump into my dream as I step out of the airport all set for an exotic vacation. I am dressed in simple and elegant white, pulling a pink trolley case and carrying a pink handbag over the shoulder. My kids are lugging smart pink flight bags and my hubby is looking dashing in a cool blue shirt carrying……. a black suitcase.

As much as my DH steers clear off anything pink when it comes to luggage (or pretty much anything…lol), I LOVE PINK! And traveling being a great passion, Pink Suitcases and hand baggages are sure to figure in my travel plans. Pink-Luggage.co.uk has a great collection of luggage for pink-lovers. Pink trolley cases, suitcases, handbags, totes, flight bags and backpacks - all can be ordered online and they accept Paypal and ship internationally too!

Do check them out!

The beauty of Canada never fails to please me, but this time, it was an invigorating Yoga Science Workshop by Swami Ramdev in Toronto which I attended upon hearing high praise from my friend. The six days of the workshop have changed the way I look and feel. Yoga, accupressure techniques, proper diet, exercise, pranayam and meditation all combined together have made me feel positively healthier and lighter.

I recommend such vacations to relax, de-stress and most importantly, rediscover yourselves. You are sure to find Yoga and meditation camps somewhere around you. Go ahead and make a difference to your life!