Trip Review: Croatian Island Experience

The Dimry family from Southern California (7 adults and 2 teens) gathered in Croatia this summer for a private and custom charter boat experience.  For a week, they explored the islands of the Central and Southern Dalmatia portion of the Adriatic Coast. They all met up in Split after some of them visited London and Barcelona on the way.  They began the Croatia portion of their trip in the seaside town of Trogir, just outside of Split.  They stayed for two nights at Brown Beach House, which they appreciated for its boutique style and service. The family enjoyed wandering around Trogir and had an outstanding guide in Split for a tour of the fascinating Diocletian Palace. Then they boarded the fully crewed Gulet Andjeo in Split.  Their 88 ft. boat is a classic wooden yacht with 5 cabins and water toys on board.  They opted for two meals per day to also experience local food on each island.  Breakfast was prepared on the boat each morning and they were able to help plan the daily lunch or dinner menu depending on the day’s plans.  The family’s first stop was Brac, the largest island in Dalmatia, and the third-largest island in the Adriatic Sea.  Their guided jeep safari of the island included a memorable visit to an olive oil factory and the hidden monastery of Blaca.  The tour ended with a private lunch at a local farm in Milna which they loved.  This island is very hilly; so they said that jeep exploration was ideal.  The next stop was in Hvar which is Croatia’s most popular island known for its lovely architecture, quaint town, beaches, and nightlife.  They explored this port on their own later in the day to avoid the heat.  The next day they meandered around the small island of Korcula which is only 20 miles long and 4-5 miles wide.  The island is known for its dense forest and quaint town with medieval squares, churches, and palaces.  A wine tasting here was a nice experience.  On the thickly forested island of Mljet, the family took a guided bike tour which they noted was the easiest way to explore since one-third of it is a national park.  The family also sailed through the Elaphiti Islands which is a gorgeous archipelago of 13 islands (only three are inhabited) with lush woodland, hidden caves, dramatic cliffs, and secluded beaches.  The trip ended in Dubrovnik from where they flew home.  All along the way, the ship also docked in some quiet coves where they were able to sunbathe, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, and more.  Swimming off the boat was great fun too.  The boat’s plank made an excellent high dive! The ship had a tender boat to take them onto land whenever they wanted. They found many tasty places to eat and especially appreciated restaurants where you could select a freshly caught fish and have it prepared family style. They also loved finding local artwork at the myriad of small galleries and purchased some pieces to bring home.  They found their crew to be outstanding.  A few hiccups regarding what was prepaid and paid at the time of sailing dampened the experience somewhat along with no A/C in the bathrooms, but overall the trip was great fun for all.

Travel Tips: Sleep Suggestions

Wherever Family shared these helpful tips from the sleep experts at Bed Kingdom (a UK mattress store) on how to help your children better fall asleep on planes.  

Block Out Light: Try to reduce as much light as possible in your area. This blocks any distractions and allows you to replicate a dark environment they might be used to at home. Some easy items to use include a blanket or car seat cover.

Feed Them in the First Hour of the Flight: Come prepared with plenty of snacks to feed your children. Avoid sugary treats, drinks, and juice. Instead, opt for water to keep them hydrated. When bellies are full, they can sleep easier.

Pack Favorite Sleep Items: Bringing familiar items along can provide kids with a sense of comfort and security. Pack their favorite cuddly toys, a blanket, and pillow to recreate their normal sleeping environment.

Burn Energy Before the Flight: Make sure your child gets all their energy out before boarding the plane. Whether it involves running around an uncrowded area of the airport or taking them for a long walk, burning some of their energy will allow them to fall asleep quicker on the plane.

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!