Trip Review: African Adventure
The Josloff Family (parents and 3 young adult sons) from outside of Philadelphia traveled to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa this spring on a completely custom-designed 13-night African adventure. Their itinerary combined two diverse safari experiences with a trip to Victoria Falls and Cape Town. It began with an overnight at a Johanessburg airport hotel followed by a 3-night stay at Machaba Camp in Botswana’s famous Okavango Delta and the game-rich Khwai area. They really enjoyed the upscale tented camp experience and got to explore the waterways by mokoro canoe. The family appreciated their game driver going off-road to locate the wildlife and said that the staff and food at the camp were fantastic. The next two nights were spent on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, a destination highlight. They stayed at the lovely Ilala Lodge. Their itinerary was chock full of activities including a Sundowner sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; a walking, wet, and immersive tour of the falls; and a helicopter ride over the falls! The ride was smooth with amazing views…a must-do! From the falls, they flew south to Cape Town with a 4-night stay at Blackheath Lodge which is located in the Seapoint, an upscale neighborhood that sits between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean. They said the hotel and its staff were great. Their driver for their two private days tours was terrific as well. One day the family traveled south on a Cape Peninsula Tour that included the Cape of Good Hope and a visit with the penguins at Boulder Beach. Another day was spent on an amazing Winelands Tour to visit the nearby vineyards and taste some of South Africa’s best wines. On their last day in Cape Town, they had planned to climb Table Mountain, but it was too cloudy. They appreciated a day of rest and relaxation! The trip ended with a second safari at Jaci’s Sabi House in the Sabi Sands Reserve near Kruger National Park…a private villa experience with private game drives, a butler, and a chef. A pampering experience. They found the wildlife viewing more limited here and the ride to the camp was so bumpy that they decided to fly back to Johanessburg on their travels back home. But overall, the family said the entire trip was smooth travels and amazing!
Travel Tip: Seeking Nature
Here’s a fun nature activity to enjoy with the whole family while traveling…check out the Seek app by iNaturalist. This free app uses your camera to help identify plants and animals all around you. You can even earn badges for seeing different types of birds, amphibians, plants, and fungi and participate in various challenges. No registration is involved, and no user data is collected. Seek will ask permission to turn on location services, but your location is obscured to respect your privacy. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society!
Travel Tip: Global Entry/TSA Precheck Updates
Due to major back-ups with Global Entry renewals, IF you submit your application any time before your membership expires (you can do so up to a year in advance), you will be able to continue to use the benefits up to 24 months after your membership expiration date…if your renewal does not get processed in time! Another good way to renew is the next time you return to the United States from abroad…just ask any TSA agent if you can do your interview right then.
It was also recently announced that all children under the age of 18 (it was previously 12 and under) can now accompany a parent or guardian through the TSA Precheck line without their own personal clearance.
Trip Review: Exploring Madrid
The Edelman Family of 7 (parents, young adult children and significant others who gathered from Cleveland, Chicago, and New York) traveled to Madrid last month for a 6-night getaway. They based themselves in the capital city and took day trips to explore the central region of Spain…much easier than moving around with 7 people and luggage in tow. The brand new and boutique-style JW Marriott was their Madrid home and is nicely located next to Plaza de Canalejas and close to the Puerto del Sol. With just 139 rooms and suites, the luxury hotel was previously one of the oldest perfumeries in the city and uses that history in its décor. They found the service to be very attentive and let us know that the rooms were lovely and comfy. But the hotel, as expected with any debut, is still working out some kinks here and there. But overall a nice stay. A private orientation tour on the family’s first afternoon was a great way to get to know the city’s layout and history. Our favorite guide, Pepe, uses a tablet to showcase photos, maps, etc. to better understand and digest all of his commentary. The next day they explored the Royal Palace and Prado Museum on their own with pre-purchased entry tickets. We didn’t want to overtax them with guided tours, which they appreciated. The following day Pepe drove the group to Toledo for a full-day tour of the city’s Jewish, Muslim, and Christian history. They learned so much about the city’s location and how and why these religions converged here. The next day some of the family went for a run in Retiro Park and then the whole family enjoyed hanging out together in the park afterward. That afternoon they took a private flamenco lesson. The teacher’s lack of English and a very hot room due to neighbors’ complaints about noise created both a fun and funny atmosphere. Later that evening they met back up with Pepe for a wine and tapas tour. Pepe ensured that all special dietary needs were met! Another evening they went to an authentic flamenco show and one night indulged in a paella dinner. Due to scheduling issues, the family spent the last two days on day trips. The first was a private tour of the walled city of Avila and another day was spent on a somewhat challenging hike through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and then a tour of nearby Segovia and its famous aqueduct. Overall, the Edelmans appreciated that Madrid was a cost-efficient city, offered such a nice variety of dining options, and had such a rich culture and history that peaked all of their interests.
Trip Review: A Punta Cana Getaway
The Ross Family from Philadelphia (2 adults and 2 girls ages 13 and 15) vacationed in Punta Cana in April with a stay at the family-friendly Finest Resort in Uvero Alto, about 45 minutes north of the airport. They said that the trip was perfect and exactly what they needed! The family was very appreciative of the resort staff saying each one of them, and there were so many, could not have been nicer. There was an issue with the parents’ room as it faced some construction that included a bad smell. The hotel kindly moved them to the adult-only Excellence side of the property, which they said was amazing! It was so relaxing, and chill and their girls didn’t miss them one bit. They were originally in club-level rooms down the hall from each other, but it didn’t matter at all. The girls had each other and were very independent. The nightlife was another highlight for the family. The resort showcased different shows every night, typically more than one, and drew a fun crowd. The sports bar was also a good spot to hang together as a family and play pool, karaoke, etc. They met another family with children of similar ages to theirs and enjoyed a rainy-day extravaganza of cards and tequila. The property had a ton to do for families, rain, or shine. The food was fine, but we warned them not to expect top-quality cuisine although on the club level there are some more upscale options (including the room service menu). Everyone in the family found something at every restaurant and the chefs and waitstaff were very accommodating to some of their special dietary requests. The club level also includes a private check-in and other amenities. Every day they hung out in the beach cabanas that we booked in advance for them. They were especially appreciative of the resort’s overall cleanliness. The excursions were good too. The zip line through the jungle with Runners Adventures was a fun adventure and the tour company staff were amazing, but the transport was a bit disorganized. The horseback riding arranged through Punta Cana Adventures was ok…unfortunately, they strolled through lots of trash to get to the beach from the ranch, but once they got there it was pretty. Overall, a relaxing and fun time for the entire family.
Travel Tip: Sea Legs
Many of us experience “sea legs” or land sickness after we cruise. Symptoms include the phantom sensation of motion that feels like you are rocking, bobbing, or swaying. This can be the malady of your inner ear’s vestibular system that regulates your balance and spatial orientation or your brain just readjusting to being back on solid ground. These symptoms impact women between ages 30-60 the most. Some steps to minimize this feeling include moving (going for a drive, walking, or other exercise), staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, getting good sleep, avoiding stress, and eating ginger. Some travelers believe that decongestants or motion sickness pills help. For more serious cases, doctors sometimes prescribe Vitamin B, ginkgo biloba, or a mild sedative. Consult your physician before taking these potential remedies. Time is often the best cure.
Trip Review: European Arts
Brittany Fenkel and her teenage daughter Anna from Bryn Mawr took a mother/daughter trip to three countries in Europe last summer with a unique focus on the performing arts. Their custom-planned trip began in Prague with a 3-night stay at the 22-room Hotel Residence Agnes, located in the city’s Old Town. They found the hotel to be charming with staff that treated them like family. On arrival, freshly made apple strudel, wine, and coffee were offered with complimentary snacks and drinks whenever they wanted. The staff reviewed their itinerary with them to make sure they knew where to go, made excellent dining recommendations and reservations, did their laundry for free, and even offered complimentary airport transfers and driving services. The duo took a city driving tour to all corners of the city with our favorite Prague guide, Luba, and also visited Prague Castle on their own. Their entertainment roster included a jazz concert with the Czech Jazz Workshop at the Jazz Dock (a jazz club literally right on the river) which they said was really fun, authentic, and unique, as well as a version of Swan Lake ballet, performed in a small (but hot) venue without live music, but enjoyable, nonetheless. A day trip to Cesky Krumlov rounded out their Czech experience. They then flew to Vienna for a 4-night stay at the Hotel Beethoven, fitting for this arts-inspired trip. The boutique hotel is centrally located in the city near the Naschmarkt. They said that their room was spacious and comfortable, but the hotel didn’t have the same family feel and service levels as Prague. They took a walking tour of the city with a private guide, and she recommend some iconic restaurants and gave them plenty of local lore. Their long day trip to Salzburg for a Sound of Music tour was also combined with Mozart history. They were hoping for more Sound of Music stops, but still found Salzburg to be adorable and gorgeous. An incredible classical music concert that included some opera was a Vienna highlight. The top-notch musicians were in period costumes which were both touristy and charming at the same time. Their last stop was Venice where they flew in and stayed at the upscale Starhotel’s Splendid for 4-nights, located on a canal for easy access and a short walk from the Piazza San Marco. While the hotel was a bit dark, they said the staff was amazing and they enjoyed their room. They took a Boat Ride and Walking tour of the city and a tour of the Burano, Murano, and Torcello Islands. The later was a large group tour, but still fun. They were pleasantly surprised by the lovely Burano which is known for its lace. They went shopping at a beautiful store that had extraordinary handmade items that the shop sells to many royals and celebrities. Torcello was nothing special, but they were fine with that and Murano was also nice with all of its glassmaking artisans. A stop for drinks at the Hotel Cipriani was beyond extravagant, but a lovely experience. The Barber of Seville opera performed in an incredible palace topped their stay. They said the intimate setting felt like an extravagance…so small, personal, special, and creative. It was a truly delightful and memorable way to end their trip. A wow! Overall, a great trip. They let us know that they walked over 20,000 steps a day in the summer’s 90+ degree heat and loved every minute of it!
Travel Tip: Passport Updates
Did you know that last year the US State Department processed 21,995,760 passports? It’s a record number that’s more than at any point since tallying began in 1974. That trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2023, especially as a busy spring and summer travel season. Expect longer wait times with standard processing which is currently 10 to 13 weeks. An expedited service for $60 extra is now 7 to 9 weeks. The cost of passport renewal or a new application for adults is $130 and $100 for children under age 16. All children must apply in person with both parents or guardians. All new passports also have a $35 acceptance fee. Expedited return shipping costs are $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. Note that processing times begin the day they receive your application, not when you mail the documents. If you have urgent international travel plans within 14 calendar days or have a life-or-death emergency and must travel within 3 business days, the State Department also offers an appointment-based service at 26 regional passport agencies. To make an appointment, applicants must call 1-877-487-2778. Walk-ins are not accepted. And remember to make copies of your passport photo page to keep secure at home and bring a set with you in case they are lost or stolen!
Trip Review: An Atelier Experience
Lauren and her husband traveled to the Atelier Playa Mujeres earlier this month for a birthday celebration. This resort is available for families with children ages 16 and older…an ideal and very popular option for our families with older teens and young adults. The resort is a 45-minute ride north of the Cancun airport and showcases 593 suites. We loved the “nature meets industrial” design of the resort with the low-lying jungle mostly left intact, lots of greenery, and a Blue Flag-accredited beach that incorporates education, the environment, and cleanliness into keeping the beach naturally intact (a few bushes here and there). The beach also has netting to catch the seagrass and you can walk for a while in both directions. Our oceanview junior suite was located on the top floor with expansive views of the sea, jungle, pool, and golf course. The spacious room had a bathroom that can be left open (but still a private toilet area) or it can be completely closed off. Rooms have a king or two queen beds plus a sofabed. Another reason this resort is ideal for our older families! There are plenty of themed restaurant options. Dinner reservations can be made up to three days in advance at kiosks located throughout the resort. Plus an extensive room service menu. When we didn’t see a restaurant that we would enjoy, we just kept checking back until we did! Mostly excellent meals with plenty of fresh ingredients and always being asked by the friendly waiters about any special food needs. There is also a spacious spa, an excellent gym with fitness programs, fun daily activities including bike tours, kayak tours, and art classes, a few watersports (the water was a bit rough when we were there), golf, evening shows, wine and cheese presentations that are nice before dinner, a main pool, quiet pool and plenty of comfortable loungers at the pools and beach. The Inspira club level offers added amenities and services including a special check-in lounge, lobster on the room service menu, a round of golf, access to the gourmet restaurant that otherwise is an added cost, two club-level pools (an infinity pool on the roof and an oceanfront pool), and more. Overall the staff went out of their way to show their appreciation and offered top-level service. A relaxing and enjoyable experience!
Travel Tip: United’s Family Seating Update
Next month United Airlines will roll out a new family seating policy designed to seat children under 12 next to an adult for free, even if that means giving them a preferred seat at an economy price. A new automated seat map feature will find adjacent seats at the time of booking, looking first for Economy seats but automatically upgrading customers to Preferred Seats if needed. If no adjacent seat is available, the new policy lets you switch for free to a flight to the same destination that has adjacent seats in the same cabin. Hopefully, the other airlines will follow.
