Travel Tip: How It All Began
Experience the World One Trip at a Time!
Trip Review: Years in the Making
It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to showcase your family’s travel adventures along with our own each month. These stories will continue to live on The Family Traveler website at https://www.thefamilytraveler.com/category/trip-review/ should you need some inspiration for your next getaway!
Travel Tip: New Gateside Access
TSA has just introduced a new program called Gateside by TSA PreCheck at 13 airports. Eligible TSA PreCheck members can apply to go through security and enter the gate area without a plane ticket, which could be useful for parents accompanying children, grandparents helping with family travel, or meeting family members during a layover. You just have to apply 1-3 days in advance, and approval is required. The program is currently limited to participating airports but is expected to expand. Check out https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/gateside-tsa-precheck for more details and airports.
Trip Review: Jen’s Low Country Getaway
The Family Traveler’s Jen and husband Ken explored The Netherlands and Belgium this past July. Their adventure began in Amsterdam, where they stayed at the stylish W Amsterdam which is centrally located to see all the city sights. Although the weather was a little too chilly for them to enjoy the panoramic rooftop pool, they certainly made the most of their time in the city.
Their Amsterdam exploration included visits to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, and the Anne Frank House, which they found especially informative and memorable. They also enjoyed a small-group, half-day excursion to Zaanse Schans booked through Project Expedition, where they saw the Netherlands’ iconic windmills and enjoyed demonstrations of traditional cheese- and wooden-clog-making, along with plenty of delicious food tastings. An Amsterdam canal cruise with an open bar was another fantastic experience and a definite highlight of their stay.
Food was a major part of the Amsterdam experience, too. Jen and Ken enjoyed memorable dinners at Lucius and Bougainville and absolutely loved the pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam!
From Amsterdam, they went on to Belgium, traveling by private transfer with Daytrip. They stayed at the Ghent Marriott Hotel situated directly along the historic Korenlei quay overlooking the River Lys in the heart the old city center and The Dominican centrally located in Brussels. They loved both properties.
In Ghent, they enjoyed a private walking tour booked through Get Your Guide before heading to Bruges for a private tour with Tours By Locals. Both guides were excellent, but their Bruges guide was an exceptional highlight. His fascinating insights and impressive depth of knowledge brought the city to life. He also recommended lunch at Le Mystique at Hotel Heritage, which turned out to be a particularly memorable meal. They also enjoyed another beautiful canal cruise in Bruges.
In Brussels, Jen and Ken explored independently, taking in the major sights and soaking up the atmosphere of the city. Highlights included a tour of NATO Headquarters and a visit to the Royal Palace of Brussels.
And, of course, the food continued to be a highlight throughout Belgium! They enjoyed memorable meals at Le Homard Rouge and Le Marmiton. Ken especially loved the mussels, while both made sure to indulge in plenty of Belgium’s famous fries along the way.
Throughout their journey in both the Netherlands and Belgium, they also loved sampling the local beers and chocolates and browsing the local shops. One of their most exciting purchases was a piece of artwork by local Ghent artist Johan Lootens which was a wonderful way to bring a little piece of their European adventure home with them.
The architecture throughout the trip was another highlight for Jen and Ken. They particularly enjoyed seeing the variety of architectural styles across the different cities, from Amsterdam’s distinctive historic canal houses to the beautiful and character-filled buildings of Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels. Each city offered its own unique architectural personality and added another fascinating dimension to their travels.
Breakfast at all of their hotels was delicious and provided the perfect start to each day of exploring. From museums and historic sites to private tours, canals, incredible food, local beer and chocolate, and discovering unique artwork, Jen and Ken’s July adventure through Amsterdam, Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels was filled with memorable experiences from beginning to end.
Travel Tip: New EU Air Regulations
A package of reforms granting additional rights to air passengers was formally approved by the Council of the European Union. The new rules are to go into force in mid-2027. What are the new rules for air travel in Europe? And will the US ever catch up?
- Children below 14 will have the right to sit next to their parents without seat reservation fees
- Pregnant people and those with reduced mobility will also be able to sit next to a travel companion without seat reservation fees
- Airlines will be obliged to correct false spellings of passenger names on tickets free of charge
- They will also be required to provide printed boarding passes to checked-in passengers at no extra cost
- Airlines, intermediaries and booking platforms will be required to display fares including cabin baggage by default to enable an easier price comparison
- Passengers who miss the outbound leg of a return ticket will be able to take the return flight with no penalty
- Passengers who are forced to travel in a lower class than booked will receive automatic refunds
Trip Review: An Italian Art Adventure
The Gottlieb family from Jacksonville, FL, grandparents traveling with their 18-year-old grandson, celebrated his high school graduation with a special arts-focused journey through Italy. Their itinerary included Rome, Florence and Venice, making it an ideal first Italian adventure as a multigenerational family.
Their trip began with two nights at Singer Palace Rome, where they especially loved the warm and welcoming staff. In Rome, they enjoyed a variety of private half-day tours of the Colosseum area, the Jewish Ghetto and the Vatican. They were particularly impressed with their guide for Jewish Rome but noted that every guide throughout the trip was outstanding, sharing not only their knowledge but also their genuine love for their city and its history.
On their journey north, they stopped in Siena for a privately guided tour of this beautiful medieval city, followed by lunch before continuing to Florence. Their three-night stay at Grand Hotel Minerva was enjoyable, especially the rooftop bar with its spectacular panoramic views of Florence.
Their private and eclectic half day tour experiences in Florence included a city highlights tour, visits to the city’s renowned art museums and a fascinating artisan tour featuring traditional workshops for paper making, goldsmithing and mosaics. The family told us the artisan experience was a real treat and one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. To cap off their Florence stay, they enjoyed a memorable pasta and tiramisu-making class in a chef’s home, which doubled as a delicious and memorable dinner.
From Florence, the family traveled by train to Venice, where they spent two nights at Violino d’Oro Venezia, ideally located right on a canal. They loved the hotel’s unique layout, which spans three interconnected buildings…a maze they quickly learned to navigate! In Venice, they capped off a great trip with several more half day tours of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and also a private boat excursion to the islands of Murano and Burano. Here they met local lace and glass artisans and even participated in a private glassmaking workshop. Their Italian adventure came to a colorful close with a Venetian mask-painting workshop. And a private canal boat ride back to the airport for their trip home.
The Gottlieb family’s trip is a perfect example of why custom travel is such a wonderful way to experience the world as a family. Every element was thoughtfully chosen around their interests, ages and budget, creating a trip that felt personal and meaningful to everyone. It was certainly jammed pack, but worthwhile for the amount of time they wanted to travel. And, as they told us, “Every little detail turned out just over the top!”
Trip Review: Mother/Daughter Relaxation and Restoration
This spring, the Becker Family (a mother/daughter due from Naples, Florida, and New York City) enjoyed a five-night nature getaway at El Silencio Lodge in central Costa Rica.
Their experience began with a smooth airport arrival and a beautiful 1.5-hour private transfer to the lodge. Along the way, their driver stopped at one of his favorite restaurants for lunch, making the journey part of the experience.
They found the lodge to be absolutely exceptional. The spa was a particular highlight, with some of the most talented therapists they have experienced anywhere in the world.
The food was excellent and easily accommodated their dietary needs. The lodge grows and harvests much of its own food, including produce, eggs, and trout from its own farm. One morning, they even had the opportunity to collect their own eggs for breakfast!
They also loved the fresh mountain water flowing through the property. The water is filtered and treated with UV light, making it delicious and readily available throughout the resort.
The staff was another highlight. They found everyone to be warm, welcoming, and incredibly helpful. One of their favorite experiences was spending time with the stable manager and helping groom the horses.
The variety of activities and excursions was wonderful. A coffee tasting was an unexpected favorite, while several hikes with an extremely knowledgeable eco-naturalist provided fascinating insights into the region’s flora and fauna. They also enjoyed a cooking class, night walk, ziplining, and birdwatching.
Their spacious suite was another highlight, complete with a jacuzzi and beautifully appointed, high-quality furnishings and linens.
The resort was especially quiet earlier in their stay, although more families began arriving toward the end of the week. Overall, they found the property to be incredibly peaceful and restorative.
Travel Tip: South Africa Customs Declaration
More and more countries want us to pre-authorize our stays in their countries to make traveling through passport control and customs a little smoother (and probably with less staff).
South Africa is now requiring that all travelers entering or leaving the country to complete a mandatory online customs declaration within 24 hours of departure. The digital declaration, which replaces paper forms, applies to citizens, residents, and foreign nationals traveling through air, land, sea, and rail borders.
Travelers must complete the declaration through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), either via the SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration Portal or the SATMS mobile app. The app is preferred for multiple entries as it will save your details.
Passengers transiting through South Africa who remain within designated airport or port transit areas are exempt.
After submitting the form, you will receive an electronic confirmation by email. This confirmation should be saved on a mobile device or printed for presentation to customs officials upon arrival or departure.
Failure to submit a declaration or providing false information may result in border delays, financial penalties, or the forfeiture of undeclared goods or cash.
Travel Tip: Touchless ID Update
Google Wallet has become the first digital wallet to integrate with TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, allowing you to verify their identity using facial recognition instead of presenting physical ID or boarding passes at security checkpoints. This feature is available at 65 airports nationwide and works with over 100 TSA PreCheck partner airlines.
How it works with Google Wallet:
- Check-in: Travelers check in with a participating airline and add their boarding pass to Google Wallet.
- Opt-in prompt: Eligible travelers with an eligible digital ID will see a “Get started” button in Google Wallet and will be redirected to the TSA consent page.
- Consent: Travelers authorize sharing their digital ID and boarding pass in Google Wallet with TSA.
- Confirmation: TSA confirms enrollment and sends a success code to Google Wallet.
- Indicator: Google Wallet updates the traveler’s boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator.
Trip Review: An India Adventure
Lauren recently returned from a travel agent reward trip to India. The journey was hosted by Ventours, an exceptional India-based tour company specializing in travel throughout South Asia, and the trip featured stays at five stunning Oberoi luxury hotels along the way.
The adventure began in the capital, New Delhi, with several days of exploring the city’s iconic landmarks, temples, mosques, and government buildings. Highlights included weaving through the vibrant streets of Old Delhi by bicycle rickshaw and visiting the National Gandhi Museum for a moving look into the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Lauren’s stay at the elegant Oberoi New Delhi provided the perfect introduction to an upscale India travel experience, offering luxurious accommodations, excellent dining, a beautiful spa and pools, and sweeping views of the city. We were also treated to a memorable lunch and private tour at The Imperial Hotel, a historic luxury property that has been an oasis in the heart of the city since the 1930s.
Our next stop was Khajuraho, located in the heart of India about 400 miles southeast of New Delhi. Our stay at the newly opened Oberoi Rajgarh Palace was truly unforgettable. This beautifully restored 350-year-old Bundela dynasty palace sits atop a hill with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The renovation preserved many original architectural details, including the grand stone steps once used by elephants carrying goods to the palace. We stayed in the villa section, where the spacious and elegantly appointed rooms featured garden tubs and serene garden views.
One of the most exciting experiences in the region was a safari through the nearby Panna Tiger Reserve. After exploring the reserve in open-air jeeps and spotting monkeys, deer, sloths, and countless bird species, we were rewarded with an incredible sighting…a Bengal tiger on the hunt. We watched in awe as it successfully caught two deer. Today, more than 120 tigers call the reserve home.
Another highlight was visiting the remarkable Khajuraho Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between 950 and 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty. Originally consisting of 85 temples honoring both Hindu and Jain traditions, 22 remain today. These stunning sandstone temples are celebrated for their intricate carvings, remarkable symmetry, and masterful construction achieved entirely without mortar.
We then traveled to Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Agra entered a new chapter in 1526 with the arrival of the Mughal Empire under the reigns of Emperors Akbar, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan. The Taj Mahal itself was commissioned by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved fourth wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who requested a monument to symbolize their love before her passing. Visiting at sunrise offered a quieter and more peaceful experience, with cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and breathtaking views of the magnificent white marble mausoleum as it glowed in the morning light.
Our visit to Agra Fort revealed another layer of the city’s rich history. Surrounded by towering red sandstone walls, the fort is home to palaces, mosques, and grand audience halls that beautifully blend Islamic and Hindu architectural traditions.
Our stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas was exceptional, made even more memorable by stunning views of the Taj Mahal right from our rooms.
Next on the journey was Jaipur, famously known as the “Pink City” for the distinctive rose-colored buildings throughout its historic old town. Highlights here included visiting the beautiful City Palace, which remains the residence of Jaipur’s royal family, and exploring the impressive Jaigarh Fort overlooking the city.
A special experience was our site tour and lunch at the Taj Rambagh Palace, a magnificent former royal residence transformed into one of Jaipur’s most luxurious hotels. Surrounded by expansive gardens and filled with uniquely designed rooms and elegant details, the palace offered an unforgettable setting and a wonderful lunch in its European-inspired restaurant.
We also toured the hilltop Naila Fort, an exclusive Oberoi residence featuring four beautifully appointed bedrooms, staff, large pool and kitchen ideal for multigenerational families or groups traveling together.
Our stay at The Oberoi Rajvilas was equally memorable. Designed to resemble a centuries-old Rajasthani palace, the resort blends royal architecture with peaceful gardens and luxurious accommodations. During our visit, the property was especially lively thanks to peacock mating season, with dozens of peacocks and peahens roaming the grounds and providing a colorful yet noisy backdrop to our stay. One of the most meaningful moments was participating in a traditional Hindu blessing ceremony at the resort’s on-site temple.
We ended our Indian adventure back in Delhi at the The Oberoi, Gurgaon, a modern and perfect spot to end this unique experience. Many thanks to Ventours and The Oberoi Hotels for their amazing hospitality and for arranging this special trip.
