The World's Only 7-Star Hotel

Yesterday we had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of taking a tour through the Burj Al Arab, the only 7 star hotel in the world. For those of you from the states, it is the large sailboat hotel, perched atop a man-made island off of Dubai's coastline.

It is something that you truly can't put into words. As you walk in the entry-way is like something out of a movie, only far more grandiose! Giant aquariums line the walls and as you go up the escalator, the view looking up simply takes your breath away. The dominant color in the Burj is gold, and by gold, I mean real gold. Gold plating or gold leaf lines the walls, the pillars, chandeliers, ground, and picture frames.

From the basement floors with a giant aquarium and private cigar lounge, to the sky-view lounge and ballroom on the 28th floor overlooking the Dubai coast, this hotel is beyond one's imagination. If you want to book a room here, prepare for their 7 star service. Each room has a private butler on-call 24 hours a day. All we could picture as we were there was the ultimate in destination weddings.

International Travel for Families

One of the most difficult things about traveling with your family for vacation is the plane flight. Uncomfortable seats, cramped quarters, and boredom all take their toll on the kids and parents alike. However, we may have found a solution, making air travel far more convenient.

We had heard that Emirates Air was amazing, but we didn't realize how outstanding it really was. From the wonderful service in LAX to the gates in Dubai, we were so impressed. In Business class you can fully recline and are given the full treatment from socks to a five-course meal. In Economy class, each person has their own TV complete with hundreds of video games and movies. We had an incredible flight and to put it in our son Dillon's words, "I loved it because I got to lay down as I at french toast and watched an awesome movie!" Now, does that sound like your normal flying experience?!

You can check out more about international flights and take an interactive tour of the Emirates Air experience here.

You Won't Believe What Your Kids Will Paint!

Have you wanted to get your kids interested in art? This may be the way to do it! Without the hassle of committing to a class, this is a unique one-time experience which will bring your whole family together for a day of creativity!

Begin the day with an art studio tour, where you'll meet the artists and get a glimpse of their creative processes up close. After an fun lunch along the beach, each family member will paint a piece of a scene on his or her own canvas, with personal instruction by a professional painter and art instructor. When the completed pieces come together, they'll form a single scene from your vacation. This will be a wonderful memory that you can hang in your home on your return from vacation.

For other family experiences on a vacation, check them out here.

Flyin' High!

Now this is an experience that is truly unique and just plain FUN! If you are looking for that activity that will get the whole family talking, this is it! Expand your creativity, and exercise your mind and body as you venture into the fascinating world of kites! Professional kite master Dave Shenkman, aka "The Kite Guy", will be your guide as you make your own kite and learn safe flying techniques. Then it's time to hit the beach to fly your kite, and also witness one of the best professional sport kite demonstrations in the state. For kids (and parents =) of all ages who want to have fun!

I found this half-day activity several months ago and took my two boys to check it out. It was a blast, and I think I had as much fun as they did. You've got to check this one out!

Unbelievable Evening for the Whole Family

STOMP at Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, CA this week only!


Back with new surprises, Stomp is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments - matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps - to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. read more


We had the pleasure of seeing STOMP last night at the OC Perf. Arts Center. This is an amazing performance and perfect to go to with the family. We made it a “multi-generation experience” with our two boys (8&9), and two 20-something year old friends of Le Rêve. All generations loved it and we even had our own tunes going on the way home. A great way to bond with the family! Enjoy our personal favorite pre-theater restaurant, Antonello Ristorante, for dinner before the show. Call us if you want us to arrange an unforgettable evening of fun!

Create memories for your wedding guests!

We know a wedding should never take focus off the bride, but imagine how popular the couple will be if they make the effort to really treat their guests to some special experiences. Take the groomsmen or dad and grandpa on a Ferrari racing experience, enjoy your final day as a single woman kayaking with your girlfriends or paddle boarding with a surf pro; capture photos from the weeks events, not just the wedding day, and have them harmonized with your favorite songs or surprise the bride & groom with a song recorded in a private recording studio.

There are so many ways to make a wedding gathering into the beginning of a legacy! In order to make sure everything coordinates well, you might want to think about having both a wedding planner for the "big day" as well as an itinerary coordinator, that makes sure everything and everyone else is taken care of, so that you don't have to!