Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom, Author at Traveling Mom

Best Pizza in Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Oct 3, 2017 | 0 |

Philadelphia is having a pizza moment. Excellent pizza spots are popping up all over Philadelphia and its far flung neighborhoods. World TravelingMom Sarah Ricks tells you where to find the best pizza in Philadelphia. Philly welcomed waves of Italian immigrants in the 1900’s, so this city has deep pizza roots. Pizzerias today still offer classics like pepperoni and sausage. But today you can top your pizza with fig, caramelized onion, goat cheese, arugula – and more. I love classic Neapolitan thin crust pizza. And Philly’s got it, in neighborhoods all over the city. Here are some places for the...

Hallstatt: A Fairy Tale Village in Austria

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Sep 27, 2017 | 0 |

The Austrian village of Hallstatt is on a lake and clings to the base of a mountain. It is one street wide. Hallstatt squeezes into the narrow space between the lake and the mountain. Since ancient times, people have lived in and mined salt in Hallstatt. A creepy and fascinating collection of town people’s skulls is in the Catholic church. World Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks says the fairy tale village of Hallstatt, Austria is a great Salzburg day trip. The village of Hallstatt, Austria is at the base of a mountain and faces a lake. Even though we...

Train Travel in Europe is Clean, Cheap, and Relaxing

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Aug 25, 2017 | 2 |

Train travel in Europe is easy. For example, take this summer, when World Traveling Mom lived for 6 weeks in Austria. From her home base in Graz, it was easy to jump on a train and travel inexpensively to other parts of Austria, like Vienna and Salzburg. Also, international train travel was easy. Her family took trains from Austria to Budapest, Hungary and to Ljubljana, Slovenia. They even took a train from their apartment directly to the train station. Seriously, door-to-door travel is inexpensive, clean, efficient. And relaxing. Travel by train in Europe is my favorite way to explore....

My Top 11 Things to Do in Budapest, Hungary

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Jul 23, 2017 | 2 |

Among the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary are enjoy pastries while sipping coffee in luxurious cafes, explore its gorgeous architecture, or visit a public bath, says World TravelingMom. Or walk its bridges over the Danube River for great views of the city. At night, the city lights up its monuments, a dramatic sight best appreciated from a boat on the river. Ready for more tips? Read on for this and other things to do in Budapest. Budapest, Hungary has changed dramatically over the five times I’ve visited since 1983. Now, Budapest is a thriving Central European capital...

Is a European River Cruise Right for Your Family?

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Jul 20, 2017 | 18 |

A European river cruise might be a good fit if your family enjoys exploring palaces, churches, medieval history – and skipping logistics. Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks and her family have taken two European river cruises. With her teenagers, she cruised the Seine to visit places in Normandy, France. Without kids, she and her husband cruised the Danube to visit Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. They loved exploring different places across a region – without the hassle of logistics. My husband, teens, and I cruised the Seine River to visit villages and cities in Normandy, France. Without kids, my husband...

7 Reasons to Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Jun 23, 2017 | 8 |

Beautiful Ljubljana, Slovenia is filled with gorgeous 17th – 19th century architecture. Lively sidewalk cafes and city squares, good museums, and a friendly, sprawling green park, all appealed to Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks. In the center of town, there’s a castle on a hill and a river. The Old Town is easily walkable. Nearby is the natural beauty of Lake Bled and its surrounding mountains. And these are just are some of the reasons to visit Ljubljana, Slovenia. I visited Ljubljana for four days with my husband and college-age daughter. And I immediately fell in love with this...

My Accidental $2000 Room at Hotel Imperial in Vienna

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Jun 12, 2017 | 4 |

Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks got a good deal at the luxurious Hotel Imperial in Vienna, Austria. But when she checked in, the hotel desk clerk played fairy godmother. The hotel upgraded the room, for free, by a huge amount. Oh thanks, said our Traveling Mom, not appreciating the enormity of the upgrade. When she arrived in the fabulous $2000 a night hotel room, she got a taste of how the other half lives. In 1863, the Prince of Wurttemberg built an extravagant palace in the heart of Vienna. Since 1873, the palace has been a sumptuous luxury hotel,...

Harry Potter Themed Tour of the Metropolitan Museum

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | Jun 12, 2017 | 19 |

Harry Potter fans, this Harry Potter themed tour is for you. Kids are often bored by art museums. But Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks discovered a magical way to make art come to life at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. She explored the Met by hunting for wizarding wands, horcruxes, and magical creatures. The Metropolitan Museum’s art and statues come alive through a lively new Harry Potter themed tour. Harry Potter Themed Tour of the Metropolitan Museum I discovered a great way to spark kids’ interest in visiting the amazing art at the Metropolitan Museum in New...

Family Fun at Beaches Near Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | May 21, 2017 | 21 |

Swim and sand time top the list of family fun at beaches near Wilmington, North Carolina. But Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beaches have lots to do when you’re not splashing in the surf. Philadelphia TravelingMom Sarah Ricks explored a botanical garden, enjoyed an exhilarating sailboat ride, and visited the ruins of a Civil War-era fort. She’s got restaurant recommendations for foodies, for great ocean views, and for relaxing with family. Family fun at beaches near Wilmington, North Carolina includes sailing, exploring a botanical garden, restaurants, visiting a Civil War fort, and more. Sailing – Ride or Lesson I have...

Wonderful Things to Do in Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted by Sarah Ricks, World TravelingMom | May 10, 2017 | 4 |

Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks says strolling the pretty wooden walkway on the riverbank was one of her favorite things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina. Plus, the riverwalk is free. But Wilmington has much more. Explore antebellum house museums, gorgeous 19th architecture, an historical downtown district that is easily walkable, and African-American history. A plantation near Wilmington is both a house museum and – surprise – a horse sanctuary. Things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina include exploring antebellum architecture and house museums. We enjoyed walking along the river front, a ghost walk, and boutique shops in Wilmington’s walkable...