Cincinnati /
Northern Kentucky

It was Thanksgiving Eve 2017, and while our friends were out at the bars, we hopped on a flight from CVG to Paris and onward to London. We flew home that Monday and can honestly say we packed so much into that trip!But fast forward five years, and the four days we spent exploring… can now easily turn into five!That’s because starting June 5, 2023, [British Airways](https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_us) is offering non-stop flights to London from CVG. So that extra time waiting in terminals for connections can now be spent enjoying the food, culture, and sights of England.This new service is the only direct flight to the UK in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana!How cool is that?London Bridge is definitely worth a visit at night!So, get ready to add another stamp to your passport! (And if you need to get or renew yours, here’s the link with all the details.) Here’s why you should start planning that trip right now:It’s really not that far away\1. The departure time is awesome for the new British Airways flight. It leaves CVG at 9:30 pm, which means you can work a full day (and conserve that precious vacation time), head to the airport, grab an early dinner and hop on board. Once you hit cruising altitude, surprise, more food! Then pop your eye mask on or watch a movie, and about 7 hours later, you’re waking up in England and stepping foot inside London Heathrow at 10:15 am local time. (That’s less time than it takes to get to Hawaii. And it’s only one flight!)I really like the departure time for the flight home as well. No early wakeup calls for a 6 am departure. Enjoy a full English breakfast, take a late morning stroll, and then make your way to the airport for a 4:05 pm departure. With the time change, you’ll arrive back at 7:45 pm Cincinnati time.Hear me out… beans with breakfast are amazing!2. There’s way more than just fancy tea and cakes\Yes, you should, at least once in your life, do the fancy tea thing at a spot like [Harrods Tea Rooms](https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/restaurants/the-harrods-tea-rooms). Or, if you’re a fan of Bridgerton, check out afternoon tea at [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://thelane.co.uk/eat-and-drink-venues/grand-saloon-afternoon-tea).There are so many [attractions](https://www.guidelondon.org.uk/blog/major-london-sites/10-reasons-to-visit-london/) in London alone. A few of my faves:The Tower of London tour is very interactive.The Tower of London\The architecture is incredible and the history amazing (some of it almost unbelievable!) [Take a tour](https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/#gs.kid5tw) with one of the world-famous Beefeaters and visit the remarkable Crown Jewels along the way. You’ll also enjoy a beautiful view of the River Thames.Free is for me!The British Museum\There are so many outstanding pieces to see in this museum. Some people will tell you to allow two or more days to truly see everything. The best part? It’s entirely free. [Book a reserved spot](https://www.britishmuseum.org/) ahead of time though, especially during busy seasons.The Abbey at dusk is gorgeous.Westminster Abbey\So many historic things have happened in [this building](https://www.westminster-abbey.org/), and we found the guided tour a great way to learn a lot in just a short period of time. Be prepared to be amazed!The Houses of Parliament\You’ve probably seen news clips of a lot of people crammed into a small room, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, engaged in a fiery debate. You can actually [visit that room](https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/) and a bunch of other really interesting spots, including Westminster Hall, which is nearly 950 years old.Left: A corridor inside the Houses of Parliament, Right: A view from inside the Tower of London.The London Eye\Who doesn’t love a Ferris wheel? Especially when it’s the world’s tallest cantilevered Ferris wheel that provides one of the most spectacular views of London and the surrounding areas! [Book early](https://www.londoneye.com/) to reserve your preferred day and time.Fun facts along the way. (Believe it or not, this is true!)Covent Garden\If shopping’s your thing, [this is the spot!](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186338-d189047-Reviews-Covent_Garden-London_England.html) Plus, there are awesome pubs and restaurants. We really enjoyed the talented street performers. If you’re visiting around Christmas, be sure to make this a stop, as the whole area is decorated beautifully.Left: Big (Lego) Ben, Right: A dessert crepe at a cafe in Covent Garden.3. There are accommodations for every taste and budget\London is a major city, and like most major cities… it can be a little pricey at times. However, there are ways to save on your hotel.Consider visiting during off-peak times – generally September through November and January through March. There are fewer people, hotels are cheaper, and it’s easier to get a table at a restaurant without a wait.For example: the four-star hotel we stayed at can cost as much as $495 per night during the peak June 2023 travel season. (I have never, and would never in my life, pay that much for a hotel room!)However, that exact same room is just $204 per night in February 2023. If you’re looking to save even more, make sure to look for promo codes for sites like [Expedia](https://www.expedia.com/), [Priceline](https://www.priceline.com/), [Hotels.com](https://www.hotels.com/), [Hotwire](https://www.hotwire.com/), [Travelocity](https://www.travelocity.com/), [Orbitz](https://www.orbitz.com/), etc. Sign up for free accounts with each and log into their apps when you search for hotels. Sometimes the price can be even lower than their website. Plus, sites like Orbitz offer “Orbucks,” which give you a percentage of your booking back to use toward future stays.Value-priced accommodations are available but often with reduced amenities or are located farther from the city center. For shorter trips, consider staying in a more central location close to the subway.Speaking of…Trying not to look like tourists (the neck pillow kind of gives it away… as does taking a photo!)4. It’s easy to get around\The London Underground system, or Tube, is clean, efficient, and can get you everywhere. We also used it to get from the airport to our hotel with ease!For many people not used to utilizing mass transit, it can be a bit daunting at first to try to figure out how to get where you need to go and [not look too out of place](https://freetoursbyfoot.com/how-to-use-the-london-underground/).Buy a prepaid subway card ([OysterCard](https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do)) when you arrive or opt for the “[Visitor](https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card)” version, which can be ordered and mailed to you prior to your trip. If you’re staying for at least a week or so, consider the seven-day [TravelCard](https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/travelcards-and-group-tickets).Use Google Maps and click on the train icon. We found it very useful to help walk us to the correct train station, get on the right train, and know exactly where to get off at. You’ll also find Google Maps very helpful as you’re walking around the city. To save on cellular data, you can highlight a box around the city and select “download maps” while you’re on Wi-Fi.And if you really get lost, just ask someone! My cell phone ran out of battery while we were in an unfamiliar part of the city, and we had no idea how to get to the correct train station. So, we just politely stopped a group of folks who not only pointed us to where we needed to go but walked with us to the station. We had a wonderful chat along the way!You can also use cabs and services like [Uber](https://www.uber.com/) as well, but they’ll likely cost you more.Fish and Chips are a must… but we also enjoyed other dishes as well!So go on! Book that trip and visit one of the most historic and vibrant cities in the world!Want to save time AND money on your next adventure? Visit the [Jay’s Deals] page for the latest flight deals from CVG!Have a favorite spot in the UK everyone should visit on their next trip? Find me at @JayKruzOfficial on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial), and I’ll share them!I’ll see you on an afternoon stroll through Hyde Park (the other one).-Jay

Peaceful paradise awaits in Florida.Spring break has been on school calendars for months, and many parents and college students have been planning their trips for just as long. So, if you’re traveling this spring, you might find that available hotel rooms are in short supply or that the flight you’ve had your eye on has filled up.Don’t worry, that Florida escape is still possible!Time by the pool is always time well spent!Be flexible in your destinationIf you have your heart set on a specific spot and don’t have reservations already, you might have to shell out some serious cash to make that vacation dream come true. However, if you’re open to trying out a new city, you can put the power of [Google Flights](https://www.google.com/travel/flights) to work to save you time, money, and stress.Here’s how:1. Visit [google.com/flights](http://www.google.com/flights)2. Choose CVG as your starting “where from” airport3. Type “Florida” as your “where to” airport4. Enter your desired travel dates5. Press the Search buttonIt’s easy to find new places to fly!Google Flights will display every destination in Florida you can travel to from CVG using nearly every airline. It will also show you the lowest cost flight for each city and nearby airport options (i.e. flying into Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood airport to get to Miami). If you want to check flights on [Southwest](https://www.southwest.com/), visit their site directly, as their routes are included but do not display the price.Using this method, you might find a new Florida destination you hadn’t previously considered!To learn more about attractions, restaurants, and hotels available, hop onto [TripAdvisor](https://www.tripadvisor.com/) and type in the name of the city.Orlando offers more than theme parks (although those are pretty great). Check out Rock Springs Run just north of the city.Adjust your departure and return datesSometimes changing your itinerary by as little as 12 hours can significantly change the price of your flight. Using the same method mentioned above, try leaving a day earlier or a day later. Do the same for your return flight as well.A few minutes of having multiple browser windows open on your computer can work wonders!Now that’s a room with a view!Consider using Airbnb, VRBO, or other short-term rentals instead of a hotelWe’ve stayed in a half-dozen Airbnbs and VRBOs across the country. From a secluded retreat with a waterfall to a stream view condo in the mountains, each has been a uniquely fabulous experience. Plus, you get to meet some cool people along the way who serve as hosts!Here are a few tips to help book the right place for your family trip:- Use the “show total price” option One of the things that used to frustrate many people about Airbnb is that it would display a cheap nightly rate and then, upon checkout, tack on multiple fees and significantly increase the cost-per-night. However, Airbnb recently updated its app and website to show the total price (before required taxes) to make it easy to compare listings.- Find the right amenities for your family We really appreciate having the comforts of home while traveling, especially with a small child. Being able to prepare a few meals in a full kitchen, having a washer and dryer in the unit, and having multiple bedrooms so everyone has a little privacy are just a few advantages over a hotel. Use the filter option on VRBO or Airbnb to find amenities like free wifi, pool, beachfront, crib, or even electric vehicle charging.We love being able to prepare meals, especially breakfast, while on vacation.Check The ReviewsDon’t just look at the rating itself; examine how many reviews the listing has. If a place has a 4.8, 4.9, or even a 5.0 with 50+ reviews, it’s likely to be a pretty good choice. Airbnb and VRBO reviews can only be left by people who actually stayed at a property, so they tend to be pretty accurate. We aim to book properties that are as close to a 5.0 as possible.No one wants to run errands on vacation, right?Save time by using grocery delivery or pick-up at your destinationYou know the supermarket at home like the back of your hand and can get in and out in 10 minutes. But when you’re on vacation, it can sometimes take hours zig-zagging the grocery store to find everything your family wants.To spend more time at the beach and less time searching for the yogurt aisle, consider using a grocery delivery or curbside pickup service. Services like [Instacart](https://www.instacart.com/) and [Shipt](https://www.shipt.com/) will, for a fee plus tip, deliver to your Airbnb or hotel. (Check with the front desk to see how they handle deliveries; some will allow drivers to come to your room, while others will ask you to meet the driver at the front desk.)Florida grocery stores like [Winn-Dixie](https://www.winndixie.com/shoponline), [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/cp/fulfillment-options/1987240), and [Publix](https://www.publix.com/) offer both delivery (verify with your hotel if they accept grocery deliveries) and curbside pickup options.Europe? Nope. St. Augustine, Florida!Jay’s Top Five Florida Destinations1. Orlando It’s one of the nation’s top family destinations for a reason. There’s literally something for everyone, and with multiple nonstop flight options from CVG, you can get there for less!2. Florida Keys There’s nothing quite like the Florida Keys, and each one offers a different vibe. Rent a car and drive the incredible bridges all the way to the southernmost point of the continental U.S.3. St. Augustine St. Augustine is one of the oldest settlements in the U.S. and maintains that charm with cobblestone streets and a lot of history. Plus, it also offers stunning beaches!Enjoy cycling along Hobie Island Beach Park in Key Biscayne, Miami Beach4. Miami There’s a reason Will Smith wrote an entire song about this place. There’s delicious food, shopping, sporting events, and of course beautiful beaches.5. Fort Myers Beach / Sanibel Island This would normally be my #1 spot. However, the entire area is still recovering and rebuilding after Hurricane Ian destroyed many homes and businesses. Give it time, and I know things will be even better than before!Turquoise waters welcome you to Marathon, FL in the Florida KeysHave a favorite Florida destination you’d like to share? Tell me all about it at @JayKruzOfficial on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial).I’ll see you in flip-flops in Ft. Lauderdale!-Jay