New Interview Series!
Wanderlust Travel Stories is a new Interview Series we are so thrilled to start! Dreaming of future travels and past adventures has helped us get through this different year. I have always been intrigued and fascinated by other cultures and places. For me, part of the fun is the anticipation up to a trip, the research, and learning about all of the options to do in a destination. Just like resources, I love to receive word of mouth recommendations from local families and this is a fun way to do that. Thank you for sharing your travel stories with me and the LAM community!
We hope this new series inspires more vacations together that creates family memories that instill a love of travel, learning about different places, people and ways of life in your children.
Wanderlust: A strong desire to wander or travel and explore the world.
-SARAH
We are grateful this Interview Series is sponsored by Mod Mountain Nest!
Learn more about this cozy nest in Sun Valley, Idaho below. Just steps from Sun Valley Resort, and a mile from downtown Ketchum, this is a perfect launching pad for all the area has to offer!
Holland Burton’s Adventures
Holland Burton is a local mom of 3 and a self proclaimed “southern debutante up north.” She loves all things orange and blue, floral and cannot turn down a night on the town with her girlfriends. She can often be found watching her kids’ sports, leading the Copeland Family Association and looking for things to explore in her new town. Things she misses: Great cheese dip, driving her side-by-side around the farm and the ease of southern culture.
Glacier National Park
Holland Burton’s Adventures
Favorite Regional Trip:
South Haven, MI. One of my dear friends rented a house here for her 40th and it was amazing. The town is adorable with so much to do!
Favorite Beach Trip:
30A – Rosemary Beach, Florida. Growing up in east Texas, the 30A strip is a day trip away and so much fun!
Favorite Active Vacation:
Every trip we take is active in one way or another! Chasing three kids around, even in a beautiful setting, counts as active I think!
Favorite Fall Getaway:
Blackberry Farms, Walland, Tennessee – 5 star luxury in a rustic setting with amazing food and foliage!
Favorite Winter Escape:
Montana Skiing! We took the kids for the first time this year and it was a blast! What I love about the skiing in Montana is the plethora of places you can go and they are all beautiful! If you want resort town, you go to White Fish, if you want something easier or a day trip, check out Lost Trails. They are all wide open spaces with the most gorgeous scenery!
Favorite Spring Break Spot:
The beach. I never knew how much I would love to feel the warm sun and the sand between my toes until moving to Libertyville and coming off a 5 month Chicago winter!
Favorite Summer Vacation:
Seeley Lake, Montana – you cannot beat Montana in the summer. My dad has lived there for 22 years and we visit annually. Fly fishing, rafting down the rivers and hiking are a few of our favorite things.
Best Trip for Families:
I am sure this is cliche but Disney! We went last year right before the pandemic hit and even the adults had a blast! You have to put the work in before you go (setting up all the reservations and fast passes, etc) but it’s so worth it!
Best Trip for Young Kids:
Great Wolf Lodge! So easy and fun with the littles!
Best Family Trip for Older Kids and Teens:
New York City. Scott, Whittaker and I were in NYC for 3 months while Scott was in law school. I created a blog called “Whittaker in the City” as a way to keep our family and friends updated on our adventures, and we had many! The one thing I wish is that Whittaker could remember all the things we did, but he was too young. Taking older kids and teens there would be ideal! Must sees: Broadway Show, Rockettes, Central Park, Ellis Island and shopping in SoHo!
Best Educational or Cultural Trip:
Washington, D.C. – I lived in D.C. for 10 years and worked in politics. Our oldest, Whittaker, was born there. I got engaged at the Lincoln Memorial. No matter what your political affiliation, this is the ultimate place to teach your kids about our country.
Favorite National Park or Dude Ranch Experience:
Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. When Scott and I went to Key West, we took a sea plane out to the DT and spent the day there. It is mostly untouched, only getting a few hundred visitors a year, and the water is crystal clear.
Best Girls Weekend:
I prefer a quiet getaway with my girlfriends so we can enjoy each other’s company and have fun dinners and wine. A few years ago, my best friend’s husband sent us to Vail for her 40th. The shopping, scenery and food provided the perfect weekend!
Favorite Couple’s Getaway:
Key West, Florida – I could list many things here but Scott took me to Key West last October and we had an amazing time! From the delicious fresh seafood to the unique ambiance of DuVal Street, our trip was both relaxing and energizing!
What is your favorite destination outside of the US?
London! I have been there a few times but we recently went on a couples trip and it was the BEST! It was the week before Meghan and Harry’s wedding and the country was abuzz! We stayed at The Connaught Hotel, visited Highclere Castle (where Downtown Abbey was filmed) for an amazing birthday party for my friend, and ate and drank our way through town!
Do you have a favorite hotel chain?
The Four Seasons for luxury and the Marriott for points!
Best VRBO or AirBNB experience:
We rented a house outside of Nashville a few years back and it was fantastic! Nashville has so much to offer!
Best Road Trip:
We drive EVERYWHERE with our family. With 3 kids and lots of “stuff” driving seems easier. I have many favorites but I will tell you, when I load the kids up early and get on the road to Little Rock to see my brother and his family, there is no more excitement! We can’t wait to arrive! Arkansas is an amazing place – many similarities to Wisconsin. Once I hit the Arkansas line, I know I’m almost home!
Tips for Road Trips:
Pack snacks, leave super early. I try to leave at 3 am!
Start the trips when your kids are young! They will get used to whatever you show them at an early age!
Where do you most want to go that you haven’t been before?
Greece! I am part Greek and have always heard about my ancestors! Next on our list is a trip to Greece! And after that, the Maldives!
What is your best travel advice?
Don’t stress – try to go with flow. Be flexible and set yourself up for success! I have flown and driven with all three of my kids by myself – in fact – that’s what I do most of the time. And, we usually don’t have screens! We play the old fashioned games like “I spy” and the “license plate game”.
Favorite social media accounts to follow for travel inspiration:
Travel and Leisure magazine, Southern Living, Garden and Gun (amazing southern travel recs), Conde Naste! I also subscribe to Travelzoo!
*The Interview Series Wanderlust Travel Stories is sponsored by Mod Mountain Nest! Thank you!
Run off and Reconnect at Mod Mountain Nest
Drop the kids at grandma’s and escape to the mountains! This luxury vacation rental is the perfect spot to enjoy nature, reconnect + relax. This modern yet cozy condo sleeps 3. You’ll enjoy a gourmet kitchen for meals in, luxe bathroom, washer + dryer, and are just steps to town and all the action. With access to trails, hot springs, lakes, the resort spa and pool, you’ll have endless choices for how to enjoy your time away. Located in the heart of the Sun Valley ski resort, you’ll find amazing activities no matter the season. (Mod Mountain Nest is a new part of Black Cat Yoga, so of course virtual yoga + meditation are included with each rental!)
Visit www.modmountainnest.com to learn more!