Ireland from the West Coast is a long trip, but Aer Lingus is making it a mite easier to get your own little Danny Boy to the capital. On October 29, the carrier instituted four roundtrip flights per week between San Francisco and Dublin, with introductory fares starting at $288 one-way. Just in time for the holidays…

[via Travel Weekly]

Happy hump day!  Lists, and toys, and tips - oh my…

• Going overseas? How you pay for your purchases can determine your exchange rate. This article from the Seattle Times gives you important info that could save you hundreds of dollars.
• Finding unique and authentic mementos to bring home is a highlight of many trips.  But many items sold overseas will be promptly confiscated by Customs; find out exactly what in this article from Conde Nast Traveler.
• Mommies with Style wrote about Buddie Packs, travel packs created for kids to keep the little buggers occupied.  You can choose gender and age range; they’re not anything you couldn’t put together yourself, but aren’t you busy enough?
• Air travel these days is a royal pain.  Doing it with kids does not make it more pleasant, so anything that makes it easier is a godsend. Over at Aviation, a list of the Top 10 Easiest U.S. Airports to Get to - all in large cities that can offer you a luxury vacation.
• If you’re into celebs, and into luxury, and into green (we mean eco-minded lifestyle, not cash), then you’ll be interested to hear that Leo DiCaprio is collaborating with the folks at Four Seasons on a green hotel in Belize.  Read more at Luxist…

Happy hump day!

• Over at Luxist, luxury travel handbags made from the recycled upholstery of yes, cars.
• In our recent travels, we’ve noticed some hotels being rather spare with the washcloths - 4 & 5-star hotels at that. Maybe we should get some of these Lightload Travel Towels, which are inexpensive, biodegradable, and according to blogger Jamie Rector, surprisingly efficient and durable. [via Vagablond]
• Have you ever been on a flight with your kids only to find that the in-flight entertainment is a tad too adult? We have, and it sure keeps us busy shielding their eyes and trying to entertain them. Check out this article about a bill in the works to create child-friendly zones on airplanes; read more and chime in. [via MSNBC]
• We love National Geographic Traveler’s series on experiencing cities for free: they take care to include options specifically for kids, but many of the attractions are suitable for families, depending on ages and interests. Learn more about what to do in Miami here.
• Heading to New York? NewYorkology has some thoughts on the NYC Explorer Pass, a city pass that is promoted as being the best deal to experience many of the city’s attractions. We’ve never been into these citywide passes ourselves, but if you’re contemplating this as an easier way to see the city with kids, read this post and decide for yourself.