Omni Kids Update

Omni Hotels & Resorts has just launched Omni Kids, a brand-wide program designed to make your family stays even more memorable across its 50+ properties.

From the moment your children arrive, they are treated as VIP guests with child-friendly arrival experiences, custom room keys, welcome gifts, activity kits, special dining menus, and collectible keepsakes. Leading the fun is Ollie, Omni’s adorable golden retriever mascot, who encourages children to explore, discover, and make the most of their destination.

Some resorts take the experience even further with dedicated kids’ clubs, including Camp Amelia at Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, Little Sprouts at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, and Adventure Kids at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa. Activities ranging from outdoor adventures and waterparks to regional cooking experiences and creative workshops.

Parents will also appreciate the return of Kids Eat Free. Children 10 and under can enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch from the Omni Kids menu.

Even better for families, Omni’s Stay Together offer guarantees connecting rooms, giving everyone a little more space and privacy while keeping the family close.

Let us help you find the perfect property and create a memorable stay for the whole family!

A Sneak Peek at Crystal Grace

Crystal Cruises has shared new details about Crystal Grace, its newest ship scheduled to debut in 2028. The ship will introduce a collection of thoughtfully designed family and outdoor spaces, giving your family even more ways to relax, play, and enjoy time together at sea.

Located on Deck 11, the dedicated youth area will offer a shallow pool, outdoor recreational games, and comfortable spaces for families to spend time together.

Teens ages 13 to 17 will have their own expanded Waves Teen Center with an entertainment lounge with a large screen for gaming and movies, card and board games, and a dedicated music and dance area with a sound system and dance floor. During popular family travel periods, including the summer and holiday seasons, the teen program will offer daily activities and programming.

Younger children ages 3 to 12 will enjoy a reimagined Fantasia Children’s Playroom, featuring creative activities and supervised experiences. Crystal will continue to offer drop-off programming for younger children, supervised activities for older children, and in-room babysitting services. The outdoor experience will center around the Seahorse Pool with a large outdoor LED screen for everything from live sporting events and destination programming to movie nights under the stars.

Dominica Ultimate Family Escape

Experience the ultimate family escape to gorgeous Dominica with fun for the whole family at Secret Bay.  Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner for two on the Sunset Deck while trusted babysitters keep your little ones entertained with fun activities. Take a family adventure on the Syndicate Trail, guided by Dr. Birdie, as you explore the wonders of the rainforest and its vibrant wildlife. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, this getaway has something for all ages and with a minimum four-night stay, you’ll enjoy 25% off your entire experience! Choose from select villas: Zabuco 2-Bedroom Villas, Hillside Ti-Fèy 2-Bedroom Villas and Multi-Villa estates. Book now for travel until December 23, 2026

Your package includes:

• 25% Off Stays of 4+ Nights
• Daily ​Breakfast and ​Organic ​Breakfast ​Basket
• Airport ​Transfers
• Welcome Dinner
• A Candlelit Dinner on Sunset Deck just for parents with complimentary babysitting
• A Syndicate Nature Trail Tour
• Indian River ​Tour
• Adventure & Kid’s Concierge
• All non-motorized watersports
• Adventure gear from Go-Pros to binoculars
• Dedicated Villa Host
• Daily Turndown ​Amenities

A Family Journey in Korea

Our favorite Southeast Asian tour operators, Trails of Indochina, has created an exciting new family itinerary through South Korea. This journey brings together discovery, creativity, culture, and plenty of quality family time. Explore ancient palaces, K-pop landmarks, and bustling markets in Seoul, then board a high-speed train to Gyeongju, where your family can experience the life of Buddhist practitioners and learn more about Korean Buddhist culture and history.

Continue to Busan for a wonderful mix of coastal charm, creative neighborhoods, vibrant markets, and panoramic sea views. Along the way, families will connect through shared meals, hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, and plenty of memorable moments.

Whether your family is chasing K-pop or chasing fireflies, this is a journey designed to bring everyone closer together, one adventure at a time!

Trip Highlights

• Enjoy fun, hands-on experiences, including a K-pop dance workshop, cable car rides over the sea, and a temple stay featuring martial arts and meditation.

• Discover Korea’s ancient capital, Gyeongju, with visits to royal tombs and UNESCO-listed temples, plus the chance to make traditional pottery in a historic artisan village.

• Experience the authentic flavors of Korea through a hands-on cooking class, bustling market tastings, and insights into temple cuisine.

• Dive into Korean culture with visits to palaces, hanok villages, and art-filled neighborhoods, along with personalized experiences such as color analysis.

• Slow down in coastal Busan as you explore vibrant cultural villages, ride scenic cable cars, visit lively fish markets, and take in beautiful views of the sea.

This is a wonderful way for families to experience the many sides of South Korea while creating memories that will last long after the trip is over.

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.