Book Review - Bradt Travel Guide - 52 European Wildlife Weekends - A Year of Short Breaks for Nature Lovers

When I saw this book at my local library, the cute bear on the cover grabbed my attention. This is a really neat book that highlights some of the wildlife (birds, animals as well as interesting flowers) in easy-to-reach European cities. Listed by month when the wildlife is at its peak viewing period. Realistically, I probably wouldn't fly for 10 plus hours to get to a city for only a weekend visit but I would definitely add these tidbits to future trip itineraries.

Another great feature of this guide are the ratings for Accessibility (how easy it is to reach the location) and the Child-Friendliness rating (out of 5).

One thing this book could improve upon is to provide maps and an overall European map to show how far or close these locations are from each other. Might make it easier to plan a multi-stop trip without having to use the internet to check.

Title: 52 European Wildlife Weekends: A Year of Short Breaks for Nature Lovers (Bradt Travel Guide)
Author: James Lowen
ISBN: 978-1784770839
Pages: 246

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Book Review - The Bucket List Wild (1000 Adventures Big and Small: Animals, Birds, Fish and Nature)

If you've ever gone into your local library and seen someone just wandering around, checking out the reshelving carts or checking out the end caps of the book aisles, then it was probably me because I love to "chance upon" interesting books. And this one here is no exception. I found it randomly while searching for more atlas-type books.

Basically, this book lists out over a thousand places or experiences related to "the wild" such as animal spottings, habitats, geological formations, and more. It can provide some interesting trips or just give you new knowledge on why animals behave as they do.

The book is broken out by geographic regions and then lists the unique experiences that can be found in those locations. In addition to tourist experiences, there are also suggestions on what we can do to preserve and protect these phenomenon or even how to join conservation type travel.

And even if you don't plan to do any major travelling, I found the pictures and education to be enjoyable.

With most books, always verify current conditions and travelability on a location before making plans to visit.

Title: The Bucket List: Wild: 1000 Adventures Big and Small: Animals, Birds, Fish, Nature
Author: Kath Stathers
ISBN: 978-0-7893-3445-9

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Review - Dallas - Dallas Zoo Lights

Dallas Zoo Lights is a family-friendly event on select nights at the Dallas Zoo featuring millions of holiday lights strung throughout the zoo grounds, cute holiday-themed photo-ops with and without lights, a meet-and-greet with Santa, and treats on sale for purchase.

The Dallas Zoo closes at 4pm and the Dallas Zoo Lights starts at 5:30pm on select nights. I highly recommend arriving early to get into the main parking lot (versus going down and around the zoo to the back overflow parking lot). As an added bonus, the main parking areas also contain lanterns (the lit up animals as shown).

Although there are no animals present during Dallas Zoo Lights, the carousel and the mini-train are still running. Tickets are available for purchase at each ride's booth. Bring your patience to the train as the conductor was also running the ticket booth so the line got backed up.

You'll also find some special "characters" wandering throughout the zoo in costumes for photo-ops.

A big draw for this event is the Santa Claus meet-and-greet. I highly suggest your family head to Santa's workshop first because the line kept growing and growing throughout the night. The elf helpers will take your family picture on your own device. Please note you must climb stairs up and down the platform.

Some of the animal lanterns.

Some of the holiday light decorations.

One special treat - the Dinosaur exhibit is open during the Lights event and the dinos are decorated with holiday lights and accessories. (Sorry, my photos turned out horribly for those dark area dinos)

Address: 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, TX 75203
Hours: 5:30pm-9:00pm
Tickets: Prices vary by dates but general starts at $16; certain Dallas Zoo membership gives discounts
For more info: www.dallaszoo.org

Review - Houston - Houston Zoo - Zoo Boo Event

This past Sunday I was able to visit the Houston Zoo and enjoy their annual Zoo Boo decorations. Zoo Boo is included with daily admission. Just a word of caution in case your kiddos are expecting some kind of candy, there are no trick-or-treats at this event.

What is Zoo Boo?
It's basically the zoo with lots of fun Halloween-themed or Fall-themed decorations. Lots of photo-ops.

The list of Zoo Boo attractions are shown on the bottom of the Visitor Guide Map (available just inside the Zoo at the digital map display).

New for 2024, you will find two giant Talking (and singing) Pumpkins. One is at the end of the Spooky Forest (which luckily for youngsters isn't too spooky during the day) and the other is in the African Forest. Also new this year are Glowing Pumpkins near the Flamingo Terrace as well as a "Ghost Town" just past the giraffe barn with great photo-ops and skeleton props. I'm sure at night, these are a lot scarier.

Zoo Boo is every day until October 31st. The price is included with regular admission (or free if you are a Houston Zoo Member). Zoo Boo After Hours is a separately ticketed event and occurs Friday nights and nightly October 23rd-30th from 5pm to 9:30pm.

Highlights of the Zoo Boo After Hours event is that the lights on many decorations will be turned on, including the Spooky Forest, the Glowing Pumpkins (near the Flamingo Terrace), and the Ghost Town. Some young children might be afraid of the glowing eyes and props. There will also be a Dance Party in the Children's Zoo area. And s'more making by the fire pit (or pay for a premium s'more).


Ghost town is series of prop buildings with cute skeleton photo-ops set up between each one. Across the way was another, bigger photo-op area.


Throughout the zoo were some really neat carved "pumpkins". Kiddos have fun searching for these and seeing which animals are carved in there.


Family-friendly costumes for both adults and children are encouraged. I personally saw very few people in costumes but I did see a lot of cool family-matching shirts and outfits. Perhaps when it gets closer to Halloween there will be more costumes?


Parking is FREE within the Hermann Park. Try to arrive early because parking filled up quickly as the park is home to lots of things to do and events. Also, it got a bit confusing driving through with some of the roads being closed by police due to pedestrian traffic.

Also, just FYI, ticket prices fluctuate by day/time. If you have some flexibility, you might want to visit on a weekday when the prices are lower.

For More Info, visit their website, HoustonZoo.org