Travel Tip
The Family Traveler is happy to announce our affiliation with Little Passports, a company started by two moms who created the program to expose their young children to world culture. A topic dear to our hearts. Through characters Sophia and Sam, your children can learn about a different country each month and shorter subscriptions are also available. Little Passports is ideal for children ages 5-10. Each global adventure package includes a letter addressed to your child from Sam and Sofia, fun souvenirs, an activity sheet, a photo from the country, a passport stamp, a map marker, a suitcase sticker, and a collectible boarding pass to access more online games and activities. Little Passports souvenirs are fun, memorable and educational. Look for a link to Little Passports on our website soon!
Trip Review
Four generations of the Longwill family from Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida traveled over the December holidays 
to the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas. While the multi-generational family travels together every year in late December, this year was extra special. The Family Traveler helped to arrange a vow renewal ceremony to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Longwill. On their exact anniversary date, the family gathered at The St. Thomas Synagogue. Built in 1833, it is the second oldest and longest in continuous use under the American flag. The Longwill’s were very impressed with the facilities including mahogany pews and the sand covered floor as well the rabbi who conducted the ceremony like a wedding. The daughters gave away mom and the brother walked his dad down the aisle. They described the experience as “magical”. While on the island the family rented cars which was great for exploring and going out for meals. While at the hotel, the children spent most of their time in the water, swimming, and using the non-motorized water vehicles. The weather was gorgeous and a good time was had by all!
Travel Tip
Arriving early or departing late for a cruise out of South Florida? Bags To Go offers same day baggage delivery and up to 30 day storage services for Ft. Lauderdale and Miami passengers. The charge is $10/bag for delivery and $6/bag per day for storage. You can see more details at www.bagstogo.com. A great service if you plan to be out and about in both cities before or after your cruise and don’t want to deal with having bags to tow. They will deliver to hotels and rental car counters as well.
Trip Review
As another year comes to an end, The Family Traveler looks back and is thankful to all of you for allowing us to plan so many amazing trips for your families. We are so grateful for your business and for making us your travel agent! We smile when we think about your families enjoying so many wonderful getaways, both near and far. Travel with loved ones and friends creates ever lasting memories. With great sadness, we remember four of our dear clients who lost battles with cancer this year. We hope the next year brings their families great strength as they remember the unique and special experiences their family vacations provided. Our mom passed recently; so we too look back at the endearing memories created by our own family trips, starting with our laid back Florida Keys vacations and candy conventions throughout our school years, London, Israel, mother/daughter trips to the Greek Islands and St. Simmons, England, France, Italy, California, white water rafting trip for dad and his son-in-laws, Jamaica, Amelia Island, Naples, New York City, Skytop and more. So many amazing memories, laughs and shared experiences that help keep our family strong. Thanks especially to our dad for making it happen. Rest in peace Rosemary, Staci, Charlie, Mike, and also to Carolyn, our beloved mother. Happy holidays and a healthy and happy New Year to you all.
Travel Tip
Check out KidsGo! guides (www.kidsgotravelguides.com) which encourages your children to get involved in the process of planning itineraries. Aimed at kids ages 7-14, the series recommends ideas that will satisfy the whole family in a voice that directly speaks to its younger members. The first six guides cover New York, London, Bali, Hong Kong, Sydney and Phuket. Each colorful paperback lists fast facts, basic foreign phrases, dos and dont’s and strange and interesting tidbits about the history and the culture of the destination. The guides also include a neighborhood and general area reference map. The interactive website allows kids to get special tips before the trip and share their experiences and trip photos after they get back. The series also includes iPhone and iPad apps featuring additional content such as hotel information, reviews, maps and games.
Trip Review
Mindy’s family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 14) headed to Europe in August with an amazing trip to Barcelona and Madrid, Spain and Paris, France. 
They loved everything about Barcelona including the people, food, art and architecture and stayed in a centrally located, self-catering 2 bedroom apartment on the Passeig de Gracia. Highlights of their stay included the unique Gaudi Architecture (90% is located in Barcelona), whimsical sculptures at the Miro Museum, Park Guell, Olympic Village and port, Flamenco show with dinner and Barcelona’s soccer stadium. While in Madrid, they stayed at the beautiful Ritz Carlton and toured the city with a private guide. Cultural and historical lessons were learned at the largest food market in the city and at the gorgeous, new train station. In Paris, the family experienced another self-catering apartment in the Marais (the oldest district of Paris which is also the Old Jewish Quarter). A nighttime open top bus tour, the Eiffel Tower where they celebrated Max’s 13th birthday at the tower’s casual restaurant (entry tickets and restaurant reservations were booked in advance), shopping, Versailles, a walking tour of chocolate shops and patisseries as well as a hilarious comedy show in English called “How to Be A Parisian In One Hour” were some of the many highlights. They also met up with friends in Paris including a British family they had met on an Alaska cruise and camp friends. One unfortunate incident exposed the need to be vigilant with your valuables when a cell phone was stolen at an outdoor restaurant by some crafty street children.
Travel Tip
Taxis are a great way to get around when traveling, but keep in mind its very easy to get ripped off as well. 
Most taxi scams revolve around overcharging. Check the meter when you first get into the cab to make sure it’s at the zero rate, make sure the driver turns it on when you head off, and then watch to ensure that the meter total is corresponding with the posted per-kilometer or per-minute rate. If you notice the meter is “broken,” speak up right away and agree on a set fare to your destination, but remember to make this agreement before you’re too far away from a place where you can easily grab another cab. Taxi rip-offs can occur anywhere in the world where cabs are in use. You’re less likely to run into hassles if you take licensed cabs rather than gypsy cabs.
Trip Review
The Comer family from Philadelphia (with two teens age 14 and 17) made a return trip to Nantucket and the Jared Coffin House this summer. 
The family likes that the 43-room hotel has an Old World charm with modern amenities and a new restaurant. It’s central location in town makes it an easy walk to the harbor, beach, shops, art galleries, restaurants and is right across from the fabulous Nantucket Candy Co. The Comer’s explored the island many different ways. Fun activities included bike rides to Surfside Beach with it’s awesome waves, a 20 mile bike ride to the lighthouse plus 100 steps to reach the beach below the bluff and deep sea fishing with the opportunity to see the seals hanging out on a natural sandbar. For a rainy day the family recommends the Whaling Museum and its interactive exhibit that retells the story of Nantucket’s great whaling days and it’s skeleton of a 46 ft. sperm whale that washed ashore a decade ago. Overall another successful and relaxing trip to this quaint island 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Trip Review
The Mintz Family from Boston (2 adults and 2 teens ages 16 and 14) enjoyed a relaxing stay at Ceiba del Mar, a small and deluxe resort near Puerto Morelos in the Riviera Maya. 
The family spent a few days relaxing at this 88-room property playing pool volleyball, walking the beach to town, doing yoga, indulging in exotic spa treatments and dining on great food. They commented that the staff was extremely friendly, that the tropical landscaping and architecture was gorgeous and they loved the bread and coffee breakfast baskets that came complementary to the room. With their rental car, they also were easily able to explore the region. They had a great time at Xplor where they zip lined, rafted and swam through stalagmite caves and took ATV rides. They also took the ferry to Isla Mujeres and rented a golf cart to get around the Playa Norte area. Other outings included a great snorkel trip where the coral was breathtaking and witnessing the Mayan Ruins at Tulum with a privately guided tour (who can be hired at the entrance). The Mintz family enthusiastically recommends Ceiba del Mar . 
Travel Tip
The cell phone companies are constantly tweaking their data, text and phone plans which can help you save when traveling. Contact
your cell phone company to see if your phone will work abroad (or if they will send you one that will) and before each trip check the cost of the various plans depending on your needs. Cell phone rentals with either prepaid plans or pay-as-you-go plans are worth comparing too and we are happy to arrange them for you. Also check out new apps that are available to help you compress the amount of data you download to help you save even more.
