Smuggler’s Notch is a year-round resort located in Jeffersonville, Vermont, less than an hour from the U.S.-Canada border. It is routinely named by Ski Magazine as one of the “Top 20 Resorts in the East” (often taking the top spot) and was named one of the “Best Ski Resorts in the US and Canada” in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards (2023) and the “Best Action-Packed Mountain Resort for Year-Round Fun” in Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards (2024). Does Smugg’s live up to the hype, and if so — what causes it to be such a standout among families and skiers alike?
A laid-back, family-friendly rustic mountain retreat in the middle of a long Ukrainian winter? Yes, please!
In late February, after seven months of suburban Kyiv city life, we made our way to Voevodyno, a family-friendly resort in the fresh air of the Carpathian Mountains. It was the break we needed.
Lviv . . . the most beautiful, romantic, full-of-personality little town in Ukraine there ever was. Not that I've been to that many towns in Ukraine quite yet, but I imagine that this is the best one (shhhhhh, don't tell Kyiv). It's quaint, historic, lively, full of stunning architecture, offers unique restaurants and fantastic parks . . . and we barely even scratched the surface. Like barely even scratched the surface.
In August, we traveled internationally during COVID-19 with our four kiddos, one big, loveable Golden Retriever, and about 1,000,000 bags. If a similar trip is on the horizon for you, here's our story and my tips for how to make the trip as safe as possible, and (hopefully) less stressful.
Romantic hilltop towns. Medieval town squares. Vineyards as far as the eye can see. Farm-to-table restaurants. Italian wine. Pecorino cheese. Olive groves. Ahh, Tuscany.
We just returned from a wonderful week in this paradise. We explored seven towns in seven days, ate fabulous food, and ran free in the most beautiful town squares. We visited family farms, saw saffron-picking and cheese-making in progress. We explored old fortresses and cycled along ancient city walls. We ate gelato every.single.day. The kids filled their pockets with olives, wine corks, acorns, and fall leaves. After all, it's the simple memories that are sometimes the most treasured ones.
2020 was a year of finding silver linings. One of ours? The choice to stay in Kyiv for the holidays and enjoy a Ukrainian Christmas season. Not only do the Ukrainians put on a beautiful Christmas celebration, they also celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7, which means we were able to enjoy the lights, markets, and festivities for several weeks.
