All Inclusive, Family, Romantic Getaways, Staycations

National Plan for a Vacation Day is January 26

National Plan for Vacation Day: Looking Ahead to Brighter Days The Passport and Pen is excited to announce it is supporting National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD), the annual day for Americans to plan their vacation for the entire year at the start of the year, on January 26. Though many Americans are not ready or able to take a trip just yet, there is a wealth of information that says simply planning a vacation can increase happiness. In fact, 97% of survey respondents say having a trip planned makes them happier—and that’s exactly what we will encourage Americans to
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Disney, Family, Franklin, Staycations

Sweet Haven is a Sweet Addition to Westhaven, Franklin

If you know me, you know ice cream is my favorite food on earth. I’m instantly drawn to the ice cream aisle as soon as I walk in the grocery store. I dream about ice cream. I know all the ice cream shops in town. Or so I thought. Sweet Haven Sweets and Treats is the newest ice cream shop in town, and it just happens to be down the street from my home. Located in Westhaven neighborhood in Franklin, Tennessee, off New Highway 96 , Sweet Haven opened on July 2– without even telling me! The secrecy lasted only
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Covid-19, Hotels, Romantic Getaways, Staycations, Travel Hacks

A Classy Getaway at Nashville’s Historic Hermitage Hotel

Maybe you’re not ready to hop on a plane yet. I understand. But there’s no reason you can’t have a travel experience in your own hometown. I live in a suburb of Nashville, one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Over 100 people move to Nashville every day, and it’s one of the most popular destinations for bachelorette parties. I hardly recognize the downtown area anymore. Whenever my friends come to Nashville, they rave about touring the Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, Belle Meade Plantation, the Carnton Mansion, Hatch Show Print or the Frist Art Museum. I’d always feel
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Covid-19, Family, Staycations, Travel Hacks

High Country Adventures Cures the Covid-19 Blues

I love planning other people’s vacations. Some planning takes weeks, and other trips take years of preparation. But when it comes to my travel, I tend to be spontaneous. Last weekend was no exception. My daughter, Adelynn, was invited to go whitewater rafting with a friend and her family, and all of a sudden, rafting sounded like an excellent idea. The weather was hot, and we needed something active to do in the summer heat. Nadia is too young to raft, so Mark said he would stay home with her. That left me, Ethan (17) and Clarissa (14). Choosing High
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Hotels, Romantic Getaways, Staycations

Mother’s Day Staycation at Harpeth Hotel

For Mother’s Day, my husband gifted me with a stay at the new Harpeth Hotel in Historic Downtown Franklin, Tennessee. This luxury property is part of the Hilton Collection and is located on the banks of the Harpeth River at 130 N. 2nd Avenue. We live only two miles down the road, but the charming exterior of this establishment has been beckoning me since it opened in 2019. Why would I want to stay at a hotel that is within walking distance of my front door? The Harpeth Hotel is the first hotel to be built in the historic downtown.
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