Vacation 101
Looking to combine a vacation with Spanish language lessons for the entire family? The Instituto Chac-Mool 
offers language lessons for children as young as age 4 at their Spanish and Me! schools in both Tulum, Mexico and Turrialba, Costa Rica (near San Jose). Both locations provide a wonderful way to combine your family vacation with a unique educational opportunity. Classes are available year round with two different youth options. The Programa Amiguitos is a day camp style program that teaches Spanish language and culture through educational, yet fun activities including hands on crafts, sports and storytelling. The Spanish Prep program has been created for teens and for children who have had previous exposure to Spanish such as participating in a dual immersion program during the school year. The goal is to have your children not only comfortable and confident speaking Spanish, but also learn about the culture and history of the language. It includes dynamic activities, each one with a clear educational and character building objective. This program, available for a week and longer, combines structure and role play activities with workshops, social activities, and sports. It has an academic foundation with a strong emphasis on developing and improving Spanish communication skills.
Broadway on Ice in Mexico
This winter guests at Palace Resorts in Cancun and the Rivera Maya can enjoy a special holiday celebration at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort with Broadway on Ice. The show will run from December 22-January 4 and will feature the talents of Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano and Broadway star Franc D’Ambrosio, along with a dazzling “All Principal” international cast in celebration of the beauty, grace and artistry of figure skating performed to the music of such classic Broadway shows as Phantom Of The Opera, Chicago, Cabaret and Les Miserables. Book a stay of five nights or more and receive two complimentary tickets to the performance per room. Additional tickets will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster and on property for $49-100. This promotion excludes Isla Mujeres & Cozumel Palace. Transportation to the Moon Palace arena will be available from Sun Palace, Beach Palace, & Le Blanc Spa Resort at a cost of $15 and $20 from Playacar Palace.
Food Allergy Update
Grand Palladium Resorts, which currently has 14 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit and the Riviera Maya as well as in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Spain and Brazil, recently expanded its menu service to cater to individuals with food allergies. The program starts in the kitchen, where chefs and the food prep staff have been professionally trained in the preparation of dishes for gluten-free and Type 2 diabetes diets and seven other common allergy/special diets: nuts; fruits and vegetables; seafood; egg; dairy and lactose; fish; and monosodium glutamate. Guests identify their food allergy at check-in and are given a color-coded bilingual card to show to waiters. Also, selections from the buffet and a la carte menus are labeled with color codes that match the bilingual card.
New Village at Beaches
Beaches Turks and Caicos recently opened its newest and fourth section, the Key West Village. This upscale section of the resort offers large family units (studios, 1 & 2 bedroom suites as well as 3 and 4 bedroom villas) which all include dedicated concierge service and some with butler services. The spacious accommodations also feature gourmet kitchens and washer/dryers. This beachfront section also showcases three sit-down restaurants, gym and its own pool. You can enjoy this laid back resort-in-a-resort or venture to the other three villages for the water park, tennis, water sports, evening shows, 16 more dining options and more. Currently Beaches is offering up to a $335 air credit, spa credits and up to 65% off rooms and suites depending on your travel dates. Book early as this resort sells out well in advance.
Family Reunion Package
Celebrate a family reunion in Riviera Maya this year. Book four or more nights at the Azul Fives Hotel and get a Family Reunion Package 
for free! The package includes a stay in a two- or three-bedroom suite, butler service, a family meal in the suite or at the Sky Rooftop and complimentary nanny services for up to three children, for up to four hours one evening. The offer valid for stays from October 1 through December 22. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. The resort is located 10 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen and offers 360 suites, spa, gym, five dining options, kids and teen club, tennis and water sports.
Little Eko Chefs
Karisma Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its Gourmet Inclusive Experience, also understands that families enjoy cooking and is pleased to 
launch Little Eko Chefs at the newly opened Generations Riviera Maya. The program presents foodie families with fun facts, interactive techniques, and easy-to-replicate recipes. Little Eko Chefs recently debuted during an exclusive Little Eko Chefs Weekend hosted by MasterChef Junior’s Season 1 Winner, Alexander Weiss. The cooking program is held every weekday in the resort’s Eko Kids Club and will be a first-of-its-kind program, incorporating historical and cultural facts, eco-friendly food basics, and hands-on cooking opportunities. Classes will build upon Generations Riviera Maya’s existing commitment to delivering unforgettable culinary, environmental and authentic experiences as a part of its Gourmet Inclusive vacations for the entire family.
Castaway to Fiji
Getting there with the family is half the fun with Castaway Island’s five-night family Fly-In Fly-Out package that combines helicopter and seaplane transfers with a luxury Fijian escape. Two adults and two children or four adults can now fly direct from Nadi Airport to Castaway Island, arriving in style by private helicopter and enjoying spectacular aerial views along the way. As well as five nights’ accommodation, the package includes a banana boat ride, escorted snorkeling safari, dolphin safari excursion and sunset cruise for four. The return journey continues the vacation experience with guests flying from Castaway Island to Nadi by seaplane. The package is valid to March 31, 2015. Castaway Island is a pristine, four-star private island resort located in the heart of Fiji’s Mamanuca Island group. The 70-hectare island is covered in tropical rainforest and fringed by white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
Kids Free at Hard Rock
Through December 23, two children ages 4-12 stay free with one full paying adult in one room at the 
Hard Rock Resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The promotion is valid in the Family Suite room category in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya and the Deluxe Family room in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Black-out dates apply and a minimum 3 night stay is required. We just received notice that the Hard Rock Los Cabos, a newly built resort, will open in 2016. The property will be the brand’s fourth in Mexico and the fifth in its All-Inclusive Collection. This 600-room resort will offer family and adult sections, six restaurants, multiple pools, live music venues, the Rock Spa and music memorabilia.
Grand Velas Goes Single
Through December 19, the luxury all-inclusive Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya 
and Riviera Nayarit are waiving the single supplement fee for single parents traveling with their children, and one child receives their stay at 50 percent savings. Roundtrip airport transportation, welcome amenities and activities for adults and children to enjoy together are also part of the promotion. At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, park tickets to Xel-Ha and a guided onsite ecological family tour are also included. A Canopy Adventure Park Tour is included at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. The properties also feature a Baby Concierge to assist with all your baby’s travel essentials, Teen Lounge and Kid’s Club. Parents and children can enjoy an array of activities together such as yoga lessons, baking with the pastry chef, clay modeling classes, or tree and flower planting.
Beaches Teen Spa
Beaches Resorts is excited to introduce Ginger Lily, a new concept exclusive to teens and tweens as part of the Red Lane Spa experience, featuring new customized treatments using products from Pevonia SpaTeen, Spa Rituals and FarmHouse Fresh. Ginger Lily is now available at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa and will be launched in Jamaica at Beaches Negril Resort & Spa and Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Spa later this summer. The products used in these treatments are all natural, paraben and sulfate-free and many are also vegan, gluten-free and organic where possible. Additionally, Red Lane Spa carries a complete line of SpaRitual nail lacquers with 12 new signature colors just for teens. Teen treatments include various massages, facial scrubs, facial smoothies, nail services, hair styling and even a few options for boys. Prices range from $40-95.
