Laurie K. from N.J., is our newest winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Ireland.

Laurie built this ye olde trip to the Renaissance Faire on TravelMuse to introduce her children to the countryside and experience times of yore.

Why are you taking this Trip?
My sister asked me to come along to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, and since I was meaning to get out to Lancaster with the kids, I used your cool website to make a trip of it!

What are you most excited about seeing/doing?
I am excited to show the kids the countryside via horse-covered wagon and also to take them to Dutch Wonderland. I hear it is a really fun place for young children.

Any other interesting facts/ considerations about the trip?
I haven’t been to a Renaissance Faire in years so I am excited to see how the kids will react to it. I plan on enjoying it myself as well!

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Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

Kara from the Capital is our newest winner of Trip of the Week and a recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Italy, which will be perfect when she starts helping her sister plan a trip to celebrate their dad’s 75th birthday.

Kara built this relaxing trip to Calistoga, Calif., on TravelMuse to take some time for herself (no kids!) and relax with her girlfriends.

Why are you taking this Trip?
I’m planning the trip as a girls’ getaway from the kids.

What are you most excited about seeing/doing?
I’m most excited about the mud baths and soaking in the swimming pool. I remember the water in the pool seemed to have more viscosity. It felt fabulous. I’m also looking forward to returning to the Greystone for dinner. My last time [there] was off the charts delicious.

Any other interesting facts/ considerations about the trip?
Hiking to the top of Mount St. Helena should be fun. I hope we have a clear day. If not, an Old Vine Zin might help; it couldn’t hurt.

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

Happy Fourth of July and congrats to Gina L. from New Orleans, our newest winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Italy.

Gina built this trip to Chicago on TravelMuse to enjoy with her fiancé. Her mother is meeting them for the last few days to celebrate her birthday on the ninth. There are definitely some great dining spots on this itinerary—you two must be foodies.

Trip of the Week winner Gina and her fiancé

Why are you taking this Trip?

We are taking this trip because Michael has a conference, we love to travel and vacation, and we just got engaged!

What are you most excited about seeing/doing?

Being from New Orleans, we are complete foodies, so we are excited to go to one of the few other places in the United States that has lots of food choices. This will be my first time to Chicago. We love the arts, culture and city life. I am excited to see Millennium Park and really want to embrace Chicago culture and do things the way a local would do them.

Any other interesting facts/ considerations about the trip?

I’m hoping that it’s not as humid as it is here in New Orleans. It will also be nice to get away from the sadness of the oil spill.

Have fun in Chicago and congrats on your engagement!

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

Congratulations to Nick from Lancashire, England, our third winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Italy.

Nick built this family-friendly trip to Orlando, Fla., on TravelMuse to enjoy with his spouse and two sons. It definitely looks like fun!

Why are you taking this trip?
We have two sons, ages 15 and 10, who are pretty active and aren’t the types to laze by the pool for two weeks baking under the sun. After doing the Disney bit back in 2007, we realized that this style of holiday provided just the right mix of relaxation and excitement that would give the whole family the kind of break that we all needed, so we returned in 2009, this time focusing more on the non-Disney side of Orlando.

When considering the cost to take our family of four from England to the usual hotspots of Europe, a trip to Orlando, when planned right, can be more cost effective and we get to stay in a top class accommodation too. It was pretty much a no-brainer where we would end up in 2010. Add to the mix the new Harry Potter attraction and we’re sure to have a great time

What are you most excited about seeing/doing on your trip?
I’ve always loved Sea World and the great conservation work that they do there, plus the kids are quite looking forward to the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal. We have some friends staying a short drive away when we are there and we intend on taking a drive down to their villa to spend some time with them before they set off home.

Some new slides in Aquatica should help keep us entertained, and we can’t wait to get back on the Rip Ride Rocket at Universal, as it had only just opened last time we were there and we only got one ride.

Any other interesting facts you care to share?
Plan, plan, plan.

I’ve learned through plenty of research that you can have a great holiday at the Orlando theme parks without a great deal of waiting in line. The secret is to go on the right days because some parks are busier on certain days than others. The time of day is also important, so plan carefully.

Though it may sound ridiculous, many of the top restaurants like the fabulous California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Mama Melrose at Disney’s Hollywood Studios book up well in advance, so we phone ahead months before traveling to reserve our place.

Have fun in Orlando with your family, Nick! Sounds like you are quite the Orlando expert. Great tips!

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

Congratulations to Laurie from Ringoes, N.J., our second winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Hawaii.

Laurie and her husband have never been to London or Amsterdam, so they built out this excellent European Trip on TravelMuse to help them along the way.

I asked Laurie a few questions about her upcoming trip and here’s what she had to say:

Why are you taking this Trip?

My husband and I have not been to either Amsterdam or London and would love to see both cities.  We think it would be thrilling to see the vast histories and cultures of both places and hopefully relax on an overnight boat ferry in between.

What are you most excited about seeing/doing?

I am very interested in seeing the castles of England and having traditional tea. I also think it will be fascinating to see the houseboats in Amsterdam and, seasonally permitting, the famous show of tulips.

Any other interesting facts/considerations about the trip?

Luckily my husband and I enjoy similar activities on vacation and would both be excited to shop in the many boutiques and markets, try the various cuisines, take copious photographs, and peruse the art and history of various museums.

Hope you both have a blast, Laurie! All of us at TravelMuse wish you safe and exciting travels.

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!