Trip Review: Puerto Rico Getaway

The Slepian family (parents and three young adults from ages 19-22) spent five nights in Puerto Rico at Las Casitas Village in Fajardo this past January. This luxury property is located at the highest point of a 300-foot hill, so the family could enjoy beautiful sweeping Caribbean views and sunsets from their private balcony. They stayed in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa, which provided the perfect amount of space for their family of five. Having a full kitchen with a picky eater in the family was ideal. The family enjoy relaxing at the resort pools and the unique private island that showcases a lovely beach and watersports. A highlight for all of them was renting jet skis, but found that the resort gym’s cardio equipment was in need of some repair. They were particularly happy that they rented a car because it allowed them to explore more of this beautiful island. They took full advantage of what Puerto Rico has to offer!  They spent one evening kayaking in a bioluminescent bay – a once in a lifetime experience that they raved about. Another day, they drove to El Yunque rainforest and hiked around. When they wanted a break from nature, they drove to Old San Juan, visiting the famous forts and exploring the Old Town. When they didn’t feel like cooking or eating at the resort restaurants, they ventured out to Luquillo Beach, home of the famous food stalls, and enjoyed an amazing dinner at La Parillo. Their favorite meal of the trip was brunch at Las Vistas Café, a lovely little place close to the hotel in Fajardo. This trip was the perfect combination of island activities and relaxing at a luxury resort, and truly had something special for every member of the family!

Trip Trip: A Book on Austism Travel

Just in time for National Autism Acceptance Month, Rowman & Littlefield will release the paperback edition of the multi-award-winning parenting and travel guide, “Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse” by Dawn M. Barclay.  Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention disorders, it can be especially intimidating. In “Traveling Different,” Barclay presents travel strategies and anecdotes from Certified Autism Travel Professionals, parents of special needs children, associations and advocates, and mental health professionals, broken down by mode of transportation and type of venue. The heart of the book outlines suggested itineraries for spectrum families as well as venues that cater to the unique special interests that are characteristic of individuals with invisible disabilities. The book culminates with a guide of travel advisors who specialize in special needs travel and lists of organizations that advocate for special needs families, “Traveling Different” is the essential resource to make the cultural, educational, and bonding benefits of vacations available to all. 

Trip Review: A Multi-Gen Hawaiian Adventure

The Gould Family of 7 (three generations including grandmothers, parents, and three children ages 15, 15, and 12) escaped the Pennsylvanian winter in December and spent 12 days soaking up the sun in Hawaii!  They began their vacation on Maui with a 5-night stay at the all-suites and newly renovated Fairmont Kea Lani. The breathtaking setting, impeccable service, great food, tons of activities, and beautiful suites were greatly appreciated by all. While the youngest child preferred to hang out at the resort with its amazing pools and slides, daily activities, cultural events, and more, the rest of the family took turns exploring the island in several different ways. Their favorite was the helicopter ride, during which they marveled at the insane aerial views and loved hearing about the history of the island from the pilot. A classic Hawaiian luau, watching the sunrise at Haleakala, and a slightly boring zip line rounded out their Maui experiences. Their next stop was the Big Island where they first flew into Hilo for an overnight at the Volcano House hotel. This hotel sits right on the edge of the rim of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The group enjoyed some incredible hiking down into the crater and New Year’s Eve with a volcano view at the hotel restaurant. The following day, the family drove onto the Kohala Coast with a stop along the way to see the black sand beaches where they were treated to watching several sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. The Fairmont Orchid was their home for the next four nights and they loved the low-key vibe of this hotel.  Some of them took surf lessons in Kona and really enjoyed a half-day private fishing charter which resulted in one of the teens catching a 300-pound blue Marlin!  Mom let us know that this was a vacation that everyone loved.  It was a special trip during which they created lifelong memories that they will never forget!

Travel Tip: Photography 101

Thanks to Wherever Family for some great tips to help you make the most of your family vacation photos:  The first rule of photography during family travel is your children. The scenery is just the backdrop for your family’s adventures, and those are what you want to capture. Shoot the beautiful scenery, of course, but be sure you also catch it with people. In wide scenes, try to place your children off-center in the foreground and not pose rigidly, but maybe in profile looking at the view. For closer shots, try to get your children engaged with the subject. Nothing makes a more memorable travel photo than children doing things — inspecting a grasshopper, riding a carousel, eating ice cream.  Record them taking selfies, looking up in wonder at a redwood tree, walking on a trail, sampling new food, or engaging with local children. Record children doing things, not just standing in front of a landmark; let the destination be the background. Of course, you don’t want your pictures to be only of the family. Go ahead and shoot the spectacular scenery, the straight-up view of the Eiffel Tower, or fun angles of the Colosseum. Don’t miss those perfect cover shots. But then look at the scene again and think of ways to get your family into it. Not in the center of a static image, but rather as part of the scene. A few basics of composition are good to know, too. Think in thirds: Frame a scene and move the frame to the left or right until the person or the primary object is to one side of center, at about one-third of the scene. The light source is also important, so be careful to have the light on the subject, not behind it. If you need to shoot with the light behind the subject, try moving to angle it slightly so you’re not facing the sun or light source directly. Lastly, concentrate on taking pictures your family will treasure as memories of their trip, not what photos your friends will like best on Instagram. Take a vacation from social media, too.

Travel Tip: Yosemite Reservations

Yosemite National Park will once again require reservations for visitors arriving by car beginning this spring as part of a new pilot program to manage visitation at the park.  The Peak Hours Plus program will be like previous versions of the timed program but will include more reservation slots for afternoon entries. Yosemite last required reservations during the 2022 season. They will be required from April through October, in three stages: on weekends from April 13 to June 30; every day from July 1 to August 16; and on weekends from August 17 to October 27. You can now purchase access online which will be required for vehicle entry to the park between 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the above periods. You will be able to choose between a full-day and half-day visit, which allows entry any time after noon, and both types are valid for three consecutive days. The charge is $2 per reservation, on top of the $35 entry fee.

Trip Review: Jen’s Cruise Holiday

Jen and her extended family (5 adults and 4 teens aged 14-17) sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas for a week out of Port Canaveral over the winter break. At the time, this was the largest ship in the world, and it did not disappoint! The ship made four stops at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, and Roatan in Honduras. At CoCoCay, RCCL’s private island, part of the group went to the large and impressive water park. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast and chilly, so their time there was shorter than expected. In Cozumel, the family stayed together for a snorkel, beach, and island jeep tour which included a delicious lunch of fajitas and a tequila tasting. The snorkeling was short but exhilarating, as was the rest of the day. They loved exploring this compact island. At the next stop in Roatan, they split up into three groups – Jen and her family went ziplining and to a beach. The ziplines were long and fun through the dense forest mountains. The whole operation was run efficiently and there was a ton of staff. The beach area was busy, and the water was beautiful. They enjoyed a most delicious lunch of fresh paella at a restaurant right on the beach. Some of the others went on a horseback riding excursion and the rest went on a wildlife tour where they saw monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and other animals.  Holding the sloths was a big highlight. At the last port in Costa Maya, part of the group rented a golf cart and toured around town, making many stops along the way to soak up the culture, try different foods, visit the beaches, and of course, more tequila-tasting. All small group excursions were booked through Shore Excursions Group except the cruise line’s waterpark. 

Everyone loved the ship, service, amenities, and food and remarked how easy the boarding process was (this ship can sail with up to 6,988 guests!). They found the staff to be hardworking, friendly, and super accommodating. The ship was huge and there was so much to explore. There were always tons of activities and things to do and see – you could never be bored. Even just walking around the ship was fun. There was live music and entertainment everywhere and the artwork on the ship was striking. Their days at sea were busy and fun lounging at the many pools. The pool water was warm and there were plenty of lounge chairs (although the staff didn’t clear away cups and plates very often).  There were also slides, surf rider, rock climbing, basketball, and mini golf. They also enjoyed an art auction, trivia events, and watching the Eagles game and other NFL games in the sports bar. The shows at night were great – high energy, always packed and the performers were very talented. The casino provided additional entertainment and they spent plenty of time there too. The food was delicious and plentiful, with so many options for every meal and snacks.  They ate in the main dining room for most nights – the service was great and there were always vegan options that Jen loved, especially the desserts. The lobster night was especially amazing! They went to two specialty restaurants, the Italian restaurant (Giovanni’s) and the steakhouse (Chops Grille) where both meals were excellent. The taco restaurant may have been their favorite for lunch, and everyone loved the candy store. Their cabins were a nice size and well-appointed. There was so much storage! The group had both ocean view and Central Park balcony cabins. Having an ocean balcony made the room feel bigger. Overall a fun multi-gen vacation with fond memories for all.

Travel Tip: Accessibility App

Friendly Like Me, available for Apple and Android devices, is a first-of-its-kind app designed for those who may need special accessibility while traveling.  The app works to improve size & mobility accessibility in public places and to make accessible places easier to find. Through a profile and unique search features, you can narrow down businesses in a travel destination, or even just in your home city, to find which are the most accessible based on your individual needs. Based on reviews, businesses are given a friendliness score. In addition to listing businesses like restaurants and hotels, the platform also features concert and event venues, sports stadiums, national parks, beaches, and more.

Trip Review: Soccer Down Under

The Shehu and Brown Family traveled Down Under to Australia this past August to take in the semifinal and final games of the Women’s World Cup! The mother/daughter duo traveled to Melbourne, Cairns, and then Sydney. Their custom-created itinerary also included several day trips for a nice variety of Aussie experiences in and outside of the cities. Their vacation started in Melbourne with a 4-night stay at the Adina Apartments Melbourne. They liked the downtown location, the extra space, early check-in, and the washer/dryer, but found the apartment to be a bit dreary and drab. They took a small group and full-day eco-trip to the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s most famous coastal roads and the highlight of any trip to Victoria.  It was a long day with so much to see including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson’s Steps, the site of historic cliff lines along with a bushwalk in Great Otway National Park. While the tour felt a little rushed, they really enjoyed the day. Next, they flew north to Cairns where they spent four nights at the Doubletree Cairns. They found the hotel quite bright and cheery and loved their room’s water views and the spacious hotel atrium. They also appreciated the hotel’s central location and the tropical, beachy vibe of the city. From here, the two took small group day tours to explore the scenic beauty and wildlife of Northern Queensland. The first tour was to Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation where they took a guided walk, a 4-wheel drive into the forest, and a cruise down the river to see crocodiles and more. On another day, they took an eco-tour to Paronella Park and Millaa Millaa Falls with a naturalist guide to explore the Wet Tropics Rainforest of Wooroonooran National Park and the Atherton Tablelands. Their trip ended in Sydney with a 6-night stay at the Pullman Quay Hotel. They commented that they enjoyed the spacious room, great location, and hotel staff. They got a nice orientation and historic tour of Sydney with a guided 4-hour bike ride where they saw all the city’s classic highlights. We also pre-booked their entry to see inside the Sydney Opera House where they returned later to see Miss Saigon.  Another small group and full-day trip, this time to the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wild Animal Park, rounded out their New South Wales stay by offering sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, a ride onboard the Scenic Railway, koala and kangaroo interactions and a cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbor on the Parramatta River. For the long day trips, the family recommends bringing some food as the breakfasts and snacks provided by the tour companies vary greatly. Overall, the trip was tremendous fun with enthusiastic soccer games, lots of clear skies, and clean cities.

Travel Tip: Family Airplane Seating

JetBlue recently introduced a formal Family Seating Guarantee to ensure that children aged 13 years and younger can sit next to an adult traveling with them on the same reservation. The guarantee incorporates a new process that proactively identifies reservations with children and adults traveling together without prior seating assignments. For no additional fee, the process will ensure a traveling child is assigned a seat next to at least one accompanying adult when seats are available.  For bookings made within 24 hours of planned travel, seats may need to be assigned manually by a JetBlue airport crewmember. The airline is urging you to continue to proactively select your seats at the time of booking to ensure the smoothest travel experience possible.

Trip Review: A Tahitian Anniversary

We love planning celebratory trips for our families…including exotic and romantic getaways to commemorate a special wedding anniversary.  The Silversteins from Parkland, FL recently returned from such a trip to Tahiti.  Their first stop was Le Taha’a, a luxury resort located on the private islet of Motu Tautau just off the island of Taha’a. They flew from the US into Papeete, Tahiti, then flew onto the island of Raiatea where a private boat took them right to the resort.  They said it was a perfect resort to start their trip and unwind as the resort had several restaurants for dinner (including a private romantic dinner they enjoyed), plenty of water activities and the islet was nice for walking & exploring.  Special anniversary and Virtuoso added amenities included an upgrade to the Royal Suite, a 3-course dinner, a couples massage, and resort credits!  Their spacious suite had a private pool, beachfront patio, and access to a private gym. The Silversteins love to hike; so we arranged for a private hiking guide. Lorenzo was very knowledgeable and informative. He explained that most Tahitians have low stress which is why they smile so much!  After four nights, the couple then chartered a 52 ft. catamaran for three nights.  The captain and one crew picked them up at the resort. The bedroom was small, as was expected.  But the staff spoke and understood English very well, plus the food was the most delicious and freshest of their entire trip.  Their days were spent relaxing, snorkeling, and enjoying the views.  The boat charter ended at their second resort, the St. Regis Bora Bora. This was a larger resort that provided golf cart service and bicycles for getting around, but they preferred to walk.  They stayed in an upgraded over-the-water bungalow, a highlight of any Tahitian travel experience.  Their St. Regis experience also included a Canoe Breakfast…a huge meal delivered by water to their room. They also enjoyed a private snorkel trip. This special trip ended with a boat ride to the Bora Bora airport (the only way to reach it!) for their flight back to Tahiti.  We arranged for a driver to take them to dinner on arrival before the long flight back home.  The trip highlight was the plethora of marine life they saw which was ideal for these seasoned scuba divers.  They went snorkeling and/or scuba diving once or twice every day! The coral reefs are thriving in Tahiti, unlike in Florida. They said it was amazing to see huge manta rays swim amongst so many fish and witness non-aggressive blacktip sharks. They were equally thrilled to see over 50 eagle rays moving in formation, truly resembling eagle birds!