Travel Tip: National Park Help

Planning to travel to a national park this summer?  National Geographic recommends the following apps to make your family photos and outdoor adventures a great success:

• National Parks by National Geographic: Comprehensive park guides plus interactive maps, park secrets, photo tips, and more.
• Nike+ Running: Great for tracking your runs and hikes.
• AllTrails: Shows you all the trails you can take, tracks your progress, and displays comments from previous hikers.
• Compass: Perfect for wayfinding.
• Weather Channel: Good for planning ahead for the day.
• Snapseed: Edit your photos on the go.

Wi-Fi can be spotty in some park locations, so it’s always wise to bring old-fashioned maps and guidebooks on your trip. Consider National Geographic’s own Guide to National Parks of the United States.

Trip Review: Disney Cruise Line

The Fratello Family of Jacksonville (2 adults and 1 child, age 6) celebrated the New Year with a week-long Eastern Caribbean sailing on the Disney Fantasy.  Their adventure began with a call from Mickey Mouse on Christmas Day to get them all excited about the trip.  Once on board the ship, the family found the service to be excellent and they really enjoyed their large cabin with verandah.  Mom was especially happy to find everything to be really clean throughout the ship.  Their excursions too were great fun.  They started their day in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands with a guided tour and concluded the afternoon with a catamaran sail/snorkel/beach excursion.  The sailing and beach trip were amazing.  The catamaran was a fun vessel to sail and the beach was very picturesque.  In St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, they started the day with the kayak ecotour.  The tour guide was awesome.  He made every portion of the trip (kayak, hike, and snorkeling) very engaging.  Son Jackson rode in the guide’s kayak and hung with him while the parents snorkeled.  They were fast pals.  After the excursion, they made their way to Frenchtown and had an incredible lunch on the bay at Hook, Line & Sinker.  The seafood was fresh and perfectly prepared.  They are still talking about that lunch!  Speaking of food, the Remy specialty restaurant on the ship completely blew them away for their adult-only dinner.  Without a doubt, they both agree that it was one of the best meals they have ever had together. The menu was innovative and the courses were perfectly executed.  It was amazing.  Overall the food on the cruise could have been a better, but these gluten free issues know they can be picky.  They crushed the unlimited soft serve by the pool.  It was hysterical.  Also, the spa was great (The Family Traveler got them passes to indulge in the Rainforest Room which is a heat, steam and hydrotherapy circuit that is guaranteed to relax).  They had an awesome time together.  They were a bit disappointed with the couples massage, but not upset by any means.  One thing that we have learned from this trip is that they really love spas!   Son Jackson enjoyed the children’s programming in small doses.  Overall, this vacation was one of the best experiences we have had as a family.  We relaxed, bonded and experienced an adventure together.  Mom literally cried when they walked off the ship.

Trip Review: Riviera Maya Return

Mindy’s family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens age 19 and 18) recently returned from Paradisus La Perla in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.   It is an adult-only resort that is part of a complex that also includes the family-friendly Paradisus La Esmeralda. Both resorts are wonderful!  The family stayed in a huge 2-bedroom Master Suite that offered a living room and dining room and connecting master bedrooms each with their own bathroom. There was a large balcony off each bedroom that featured a large jetted tub and lounge chairs.  The highlight of the resort was the service and food.

Meals were delicious… it was hard to believe that the caliber and variety of food was being served at all-inclusive resort!  Guests at both properties share a number of dining options.  In addition, there are some adult-only restaurants at La Perla.  Mindy was also impressed with the buffets that served lots of fresh seafood including sushi, langostino, shrimp, stone crab as well as other delicacies.  Best yet, Mindy was able to confirm dinner reservations prior to their arrival.

The resorts are both modern, intimate and easy to get around. The main pools are large with swim-up bars with lots of lounge chairs and Bali beds- which are first come; first serve at no charge. The resort also offers club level services with Royal Service for adults and Family Concierge Service for families.  Separate pools, beaches and dining options, along with butler services, are included with this level of service. The beach is nice here, but is not the main attraction.  It is narrow and rocky in certain areas.  You cross beautiful mangroves to reach it. The spa is very zen and Mindy enjoyed a hot stone massage.  It featured relaxing cabanas, quiet pool and various water therapies.  The gym was large and well equipped. Personal trainers, yoga and fitness classes are available.  Every day there was a different activity- salsa dancing, flower arranging, tequila tastings, etc. and the sushi making was a hit.

The family enjoyed visiting Playa del Carmen for shops and dining including a restaurant located in a cenote – a cave, which was a unique and special.  They also have fun on a variety of excursions.  The Coba ruins are great for those who already visited Tulum and where you can still climb the pyramid.  Their tour included bike rentals to explore the ruins, a visit to a local Mayan village, a traditional Mayan dinner with a show depicting ancient Mayan culture.  Another afternoon was spent riding ATVs and wave runners at Maroma Beach. This was the highlight of the trip for the teens.

This was the Valenci’s 5th trip to the Riviera Maya over the last 12 years. They keep going back because there are always new resorts to experience, new adventures to enjoy, and it is easy and convenient destination to reach from major cities in the US. The locals are friendly and welcoming. The Yucatan Peninsula is located just off the second largest barrier reef in the world making snorkeling, scuba and other water sports spectacular. The Riviera Maya and Cancun have a tremendous selection of resorts and there is plenty to do—ecoparks, zip lines, horseback riding, snorkeling or diving, fishing, swimming in cenotes and more along with lovely beaches and clear blue water. Many of our families are also returning time and again.

Travel Tip: Cruise Tip

Here are some not-so-obvious items to bring along on your next cruise:

Highlighter – With so many activities to pick from your daily cruise planner, this makes picking must-do’s much easier.

Extra Hangers – There are never enough!

Sticky Notes and Pen – To leave messages for your family members to make plans.

Small Umbrella/Ponchos – For those Caribbean showers.

Magnetic Chip Clips – Hang clothes to dry, pin up notes on the metal door, pin down towels to beach chairs on a windy deck…the possibilities are endless.

Folding Laundry Basket-An easy way for everyone to put their dirty close and to take off the ship if you are driving home.

Day Pack/Tote Bag-Small backpacks and tote bags are useful on and off the ship.  A folding tote bag works well for additional purchases and for bringing home dirty laundry.

Extension Cord/Power Strips-Ideal when traveling with many electronic devices.

Water Toys-Inflatable toys and floats are fun for using in the ship’s pool and on shore at the beach.

Over the Door Shoe Bag-Great for storing small items and toiletries.

Any more ideas to share?

Travel Tip: Planning Ahead

Families like yours from around the country come to us for their travel arrangements because they appreciate our expertise and service, but also because you are really busy!  Many of our families come to us at the last minute because they have been too busy to even think about, much less plan, a needed and deserved getaway.  So why not take the time at the years end to figure out where you would like to travel as a family for the next few years?  Before you know it, your children will be off to college (or there already!).  Here are some ways to get started by gathering as a family and answering a few questions:

What are your vacation goals?  Some families just need to chill and relax.  Others want a trip that is more educational or to expose yourself to new cultures, wildlife, etc.  Others want a combination or something completely different.  Not all families can even agree on this matter.

What destinations are on your wish list?  Write down any and all options.  Fantasize about where you have always wanted to travel.  We can work with you to help determine the best overall options.

What are your trip budgets?  A rough and realistic budget is always helpful and can be readjusted each year.

When can you travel in 2017 or the year you are planning that really special trip celebration?  Take a look at school calenders, work schedules and other commitments to block some space well in advance.  And again when the next school calendar comes out.  Our travel insurance covers cancellation for work reasons in most states.

How active do you want to be?  We can help you find recreation that works for all the ages in your family or you can split up for some; so that different aged children can still experience your destination at their level.

What type of experiences do you seek?  Again it is hard to please everyone, but we can recommend the options that work for all ages.   Write down all of your interests in regards to destinations, experiences, adventures, special interests, etc.  We can easily adjust as we tick off each trip.

Don’t forget a getaway just for you!  Whether married, dating, single or traveling with adult friends. We have plenty of great adult getaways to recommend and plan too!

Trip Review: NYC

Lauren and her daughter, Anna (age 20) traveled to New York City right before Thanksgiving for a quick mother/daughter getaway.  We have made many trips to the city together over the years, but the magic of NYC is that there is always something new to explore and experience with each visit.  We stayed at the new Fairfield Inn a few blocks from Columbus Circle in Midtown West.  Friendly staff; small, but well appointed rooms and a large and communal breakfast room with a hearty breakfast buffet made for a comfortable stay.  We started off our stay with a visit to the new Whitney Museum.  We really enjoyed it inside and out with a wonderful array of modern art.  A short walk on the Highline next to the museum on a very windy day ended up with lunch at Chelsea
Market.  The following day we toured the UN; a first for Anna who is studying linguistics in college and therefore was interested in learning about the process of bringing the world together, the translators etc.  Before going to see The Great Comet of 1812, one of Broadway’s new hits that was taken from a part of Tolstoy’s War and Peace epic and takes place in Moscow, we had dinner at Samovar; a Russian eatery in the theater district.  We even had tea from a samovar!  It would be fun to make this an ongoing tradition by finding restaurants that match the topic of the show!  Anna was also thrilled to dine on Russian cuisine after spending the summer studying in Moscow.  The show was also fantastic.  We also saw the new acapella show, In Transit…another thumbs up for an entertaining show.  Overall a fun getaway.  And many thanks to the kind flight attendant on American Airlines for moving us up to first class!  We all share stories of the airlines when things go bad…but sometimes they can bring us joy as well.

Travel Review: Hawaii Adventure

The Hassoun Family (2 adults and 3 young adults ages 21, 18 and 16) traveled from Pittsburgh to Hawaii this summer for eight nights in paradise.  This travel loving family usually spends their vacation time in Europe with trips focusing on culture and history; so they were pleasantly surprised by their experience in the tropics! Hawaii is also a destination with rich culture and interesting history along with amazing scenery, outdoor adventures to experience the nature and relaxing resort time.  The family began their trip in Maui with four nights at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Kapalua which is beautifully situated on the hillside overlooking Kapalua Bay.   The resort offers a nice array of amenities and recreation including excellent golf, tennis, gym with fitness classes, water sports, spa, pools, restaurants and the wonderful Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program.  This program introduces families to the natural wonders and rich cultural traditions of the Hawaiian Islands.  The Kapalua Zip Line are located just across the way from the resort which made for a convenient adventure for the family.  They enjoyed the amazing views as they
zipped over the West Maui Mountains and over tropical forests, native pineapple fields, and waterfalls. The family also enjoyed a sunset sail from nearby Ka’anapali on the Trilogy catamaran offering great views of the nearby islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i.  The family then flew to the island of Kauai with a four-night stay at the lovely Grand Hyatt Kauai located in Poipu.  This upscale and oceanfront resort has a unique lagoon setting, golf, tennis, spa, water sports, gym with fitness classes, pools, restaurants and daily activities such as fitness walks, hydroponic garden tour and golf and tennis clinics.  The resort also showcases a variety of Hawaiian cultural activities including a luau which the family attended and appreciated.  The resort also offers a unique and local volunteer program called ENRICH providing guests another layer of learning about Hawaii.  Opportunities range from beach clean-up to forest restoration.  On Kauai, the Hassouns took a sail trip up to the Napili Coast with Captain Andy to see the amazing cliffs. It proved to be a bit of a rough sailing for some.  They also took the Blue Hawaiian helicopter to view this gorgeous island from the sky.  Overall the Hassoun children raved about their Hawaii experience and look forward to their next family trip!

Travel Tips: Destination Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Weddings

While attending a recent travel conference, we had the pleasure of meeting the dynamic owner of Destination Mitzvah.  This company specializes in arranging all the details for Bar and Bat Mitzvah Services and Celebrations on cruises and at family friendly all-inclusive resorts.  Their experienced team, including a Rabbi or Cantor, travels with your group to implement the ceremony, celebration, and private activities as well as provide personalized attention to detail for you and your guests. Your package includes bringing a Torah, Kippot, Tallit, Siddur, Shabbat Candles, Kiddush Cup, and Challah allowing you to focus on bonding and celebrating with your friends and family for this very special occasion in your child’s life.  The company also arranged Jewish weddings as well.  Please call us for more details and to help you create the most memorable Destination Bar and Bat Mitzvah or wedding!

Trip Review: Kosher Italy

The Erlbaum family of Philadelphia (2 adults and 4 children ages 14, 12, 9 and 6) traveled to Italy this summer in celebration of a Bat Mitzvah.  This religious family needed accommodations to keep their kosher dietary laws; so The Family Traveler arranged apartments and an apartment hotel that were also close to a synagogue, kosher markets and restaurants in each city they visited: Rome, Florence and Venice.  The trip was chock full of unique experiences and tours with the Sabbath open for relaxation, services and wandering.  The trip began in Rome with an apartment stay in the Jewish Ghetto.  Their first tour was a guided golf cart ride around the city for a nice city overview.  This is an ideal touring option especially after a long, overnight flight and zipping around in a golf cart allows you to get to many sights with ease.  Other Rome tours included private touring of the Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum as well as the Colosseum.  For a nice history lesson, they also visited the Time Elevator for a film about the city’s ancient past.  On the way from Rome to Florence, our favorite private driver and guide, Giancarlo, took the family for a day trip to Orvieto in Umbria which was enjoyed by all.  In Florence the family stayed at the Residence Hilda apartment hotel.  They took a private city tour to learn about its Renaissance past that also included the Accademia Museum, the Palazzo Davanzati (a reconstruction of an old Florentine home) and learned how to make Florentine marble paper with a local artisan.   A kosher cooking class in nearby Lucca was a highlight with bike riding along the rampart walls after a great meal.  A private drive and private boat ride brought them to their Venice apartment.  In Venice they took gondola rowing lessons, privately toured the Doge Palace along with a city orientation tour and took a private tour of the islands of Murano, Burano and the Jewish Ghetto.  Seeing the glass blowers and lace makers in action was a treat. Overall the family truly enjoyed Italy and its culture with so many special experiences to bring it all to life and to celebrate a special occasion!

Travel Tips: Ski Planning Tips

Travel Tips: Ski Planning Tips

Ski season is just around the corner!  Here are some great planning trips.

Book ski lessons early

Considering the impact that lessons can have on your vacation.  We recommend booking as soon as you decide on a resort. Let us help you decide on group vs. private lessons for just the children or the entire family.  When booking early, you’ll have a greater chance of landing a top instructor and more flexibility in terms of private vs. group lessons and half vs. full day.

Consider the terrain beyond the bunny slopes

The availability of beginner and easy-intermediate terrain outside the ski school slopes can make a world of difference in how enjoyable it is to ski as a family. Once your children get the hang of linking turns, the right resort can offer a whole day of terrain that doesn’t make parents feel ‘stuck’ on one slope. Deer Valley, for example, gives skiers a ‘green’ way down on five of its six mountains, and Park City Mountain has a number of long green and easy blue runs ideal for novices. And since learning to ski is as much about navigating the mountain and maneuvering in traffic as it is about reaching the bottom, choosing a resort that lets your children explore more terrain will help them become better overall skier

Don’t ignore the weather

Even the most enthusiastic children can sour on skiing if their memories are linked to icy fingers and wind-burned faces. Preparing your children for the cold can mean the difference between ‘triumphant’ and ‘miserable’ when they think of their ski experience. Think in layers, starting with long underwear and good mittens. If you can have some flexibility in planning your ski vacation, consider going (or returning) when the weather becomes more comfortable, but above all, listen to your children. A few more hot cocoa brakes early on can mean more enjoyable skiing throughout the day (and in the future).

As the children get older, give them freedom

As your children become confident on the mountain, it’s inevitable that they’ll want to take off on their own. One of the easiest ways to balance freedom with family logistics is staying slope-side. When you don’t have to worry about packing up the car to beat the crowds or rounding up the family at last chair, you can enjoy your vacation even if you and your children (or spouse) have different ski styles. You’ll thank yourself when you’re ready to score first tracks, and your teenager is still hitting the snooze button.

Plan an off-mountain day or two.

Taking a day off to rest tired legs and regroup as a family is one of the best ways to prevent on-mountain meltdowns before they happen. Spend a day tubing at Gorgoza Park, touring the Utah Olympic Park, or simply lounging in the theater or game room of your ski home. We can help you plan the perfect activity for your family.