Resort in Italy? You didn't think it would be this cheap!

Well, neither did I!

So here I was, finally planning a trip to Italy! It was on our wish list for more than 5 years but you know how it goes... you want to go somewhere, but then something happens, or money is short (or both), and you have to change plans. But I've learned that when we really want something, we can make it happen!

And we did make it happen! June 2014 we flew from NY to Milan (a ticket that I bought 8 months in advance and paid MUCH less for it! Did I mentioned it was Emirates Airlines? Oh, they are goood!).

I planned to go to 2 different parts of Italy: Florence/Tuscany and Amalfi Coast. In this post, I will only share one specific tip for the Tuscany trip... get ready, because it's big. Really, NO ONE knows about this (except for your new travel agent - that would be me :)

You can book a resort in Italy for $50/night. HA! Told you this was going to be good!

Nope, I didn't mistype the number. It's really only $50 per night for 2 adults and 2 kids (possibly more kids for the same price).

One of the two main pool areas!

Bare with me for a moment as I explain how this is possible (and no, you don't have to participate in a presentation to be part of a timeshare... this is the regular price! No catch!).

So Europe has something called camping resorts. They offer camping sites where you can bring your own tent, your motorhome OR you can rent a mobile home in the property. These mobile homes are so CUTE it looks like you are inside a doll house, but much bigger. They offer 2 or 3 bedrooms, full bathroom, full kitchen with pans, pots, silverware, plates, cups, fridge, microwave, stove and some offers dishwasher.

Ok, so how much these AMAZING, cute, comfortable mobile homes costs in June per night? Yes, $50 for the family.

This was the boys' room. They loved it!!!

What else besides the cool mobile homes, you ask? Oh you better sit down for this:

- 3 restaurants

- 1 mini market

- Gelateria

- 2 big pool areas

- Playground

- Mini golf

- Game room

- Kids activities

- Fitness room

- Wait for it... nightly entertainment! 

Somethings like nightly entertainment, fitness club, pool, playground are included in your stay. The restaurants and market, of course, you pay for your food but you have the option to eat the restaurant or to buy ingredients and cook at your doll house, I mean, mobile home.

Check out some great moments we had there:

This camping resort is about 1 hour from Tuscany! So if enjoying Italian culture at the hotel (which, believe me, there is plenty of it) is not enough for you, you can do a day trip to Tuscany to see David from Michelangelo and some other awesome attractions of this amazing city (more in a future post). 

For now, think about this: ITALY + RESORT + FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY + SUMMER=  ABOUT $50/DAY = CHEAP!

As always, let me know when you are ready to receive more information about this!! I know other camping resorts near Milan, Rome and Venice!

mc.happyhourtravel @ gmail .com 

Contact me! 

Great option for New Year!

If you don't know what to do for New Year and don't want to be home for the special date... this is for you!

I'm from Brazil and we are used to we celebrate New Year big time! It's a very important date there, right next to Christmas in importance. We get the family together, prepare a big meal, and party all night... waiting and celebrating the arrival of a new year. Oh, and we have tons of fireworks (think 4th of July celebration here in the US and you will have an idea of our New Year celebration there).

When I moved to the US 5 years ago, I didn't really understand why many people would stay in their homes and go to sleep before midnight. But that's the beauty of knowing different cultures: we always learn and respect the differences.

But if you are like me and like to party during the New Year Holiday, then this trip is for you! 

Here is a secret you might not know yet: Wild Dunes in Isle of Palms, SC (really close to Charleston) offers a great New Year Party for its guests and it's child-friendly! With DJ, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a glass of bubbles during midnight’s champagne toast with sparkling cider for the kiddos. 

New Year party goes from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m and it's only $35/adult, $12/child. Children 3 and under complimentary. Not bad, right?

Book a 4 night (or how many you want) at the Wild Dunes Resort for a perfect New Year celebration. (A 4 night for 2 adults and 2 kids it's about $760).

The weather there is usually better than Charlotte. Last year we got lucky and went to the beach and to the pool! The year before that was cold but we also had a great time!

If the weather is not in your favor, no worries because there is plenty to do in the resort: tennis, biking, beach volley...  and Charleston: great restaurants and we all loved visiting the USS Yorktown Museum. There is also the Aquarium which is fun for the whole family.

This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your family, in a beautiful hotel and close to Charlotte! Contact me at marilia.zanim@gmail.com and I will let send you more information about this trip and how you can make most of it! I'm sure you will not regret entering the New Year on the right foot!

It was a little cold but playing football at the beach is always better than staying home with electronics! 

How about this view???

A morning run, last one in 2014!

Can you have fun at the beach in cold weather? YES YOU CAN!!

Visiting the USS Yorkshire museum in Charleston. A great learning experience!

Well, kids are not cold as we usually are! 

This is how the party looks like:

My husband doesn't dance... but he did at the New Year Party!!

And last year - entering 2016 - we were lucky and got beautiful weather!! 

Contact me today!

The hotel doesn't have a lot of availability so the sooner the better 

(and really, 2017 is just 64 days away! OOOOHHHH).

Besides, you will start 2017 already ahead on one resolution: to travel more! ;-)