Trip Review: Hawaii Adventure

The Tegtmeyer Family from Wichita Falls, TX (parents and two young adult sons aged 21 and 18) ventured to Hawaii earlier this month to celebrate a high school graduation.  Their trip began in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor.  Unfortunately the USS Arizona is currently closed due to cracks in the structure, but the boats are still going out to take you around the memorial and there is an informative video and displays at the Visitor Center along with a variety of other monuments and museums.  They found Waikiki Beach to be a bit busy, but also cool.  They stayed at the Ohana Waikiki Malia where they appreciated the friendly and helpful front desk.  Next they ventured to Maui and stayed in a condo at the Palms at Wailea.  They enjoyed the beautiful landscaping, pool, hot tub and the gorgeous sunset views right from their condo.  They had a great time at the Old Lahaina Luau.  They also took the Road to Hana which they enjoyed even with the long ride.  Next they moved onto The Big Island despite the volcano activity.  What an opportunity to see this amazing natural phenomenon!  The Family Traveler monitored the volcano activity daily since the eruption began and we had to cancel their hotel that sat right at the edge of the crater.  Instead they stayed at the Doubletree Naniloa in Hilo which they said was awesome.   There was a friendly front desk, bartenders, tour desk and of course the cookies!  The family enjoyed the  hotel pool, restaurant and shop.  They rented a car and drove around to Kona to stay at the Fairmont Orchid.  They loved their double shower in the very large bathroom and appreciated the comfy beds!  From Kona, they took a helicopter tour over the volcano and said it was really worthwhile.  A once-in-a-lifetime experience!  They had no problems with the air quality or affects of the volcano.  There was some vog (volcanic smog) near the Kona airport where it was hazy, but no smell.  No issues elsewhere.  They spent lots of time walking, biking as well as relaxing by the beach and pool.  Overall a wonderful trip for the entire family.

Travel Tip: Hotel Check-Out

Here are some important tips when it comes to hotel check-out:

Double Check the Safe

Make sure your safe is emptied before leaving the room.  One way you can remember is to leave one of your shoes inside the safe!  Don’t forget to also check under the bed, in the drawers, all the room outlets for your electronic chargers and the bathroom. If you have an early flight or checkout time, pack up as much as you can the night before; so that last-minute rush isn’t too harried.

Double Check Your Bill

You’ll want to scan your bill for anything that looks fishy — such as charges for snacks or drinks when you didn’t touch the minibar, or a dinner in the hotel restaurant that was charged to the wrong room number. Be sure to dispute these charges right away and get an updated copy of the receipt before you check out.

Use a Credit Card

Just in case you need to dispute a charge, paying with a credit card is the best way. Disputing your bill after paying with cash is a lot harder than working with a credit card company to get a chargeback. If you pay with a debit card, you may not have the protection to challenge a charge. Also, some identity thieves like to target hotel guests. Most credit card companies are set up to detect suspicious behavior, but some debit cards aren’t as well protected.

Travel Tip: Fly Baby Fly

Forget lugging heavy equipment through the airport, stressing over packing and finding baby friendly accommodations. FlyBaby will help traveling with your little ones in North America a little easier.  They deliver rental baby gear right to your destination!  Just download their app and you are on your way  (https://www.flybabyapp.com/). They can deliver the crib, stroller, highchair and more to your hotel, apartment, etc).

Trip Review: Jamaica Resort Inspections

Lauren traveled to Jamaica last month for meetings with one of our travel agency consortiums, The Traveri Group, to tour resorts, discuss our best practices and learn from other agents.  She had the opportunity to tour multiple resorts in and around the Montego Bay area as well as meet top resort staff members. Lauren stayed at both the Royalton Blue Waters and the Hyatt Zilara/Ziva.

While the Royalton Blue Waters fell short on service; they delivered on room quality and amenities.  The property is located in Trelawny Beach about 25 minutes from the airport.  The resort opened in late 2016 and shares some facilities with the more mid-range Royalton White Sands next door that was renovated from a previous resort.  The Blue Waters offers 228 spacious suites with high tech features (your room bracelet is also your room key!) and lovely bathrooms with a split shower and toilet.  The resort features a lazy river and infinity pools, full service and beautiful poolside cabana rentals, excellent fitness facilities and fitness classes, plenty of dining options, decent size beach, small island off the beach for spa services, tennis, an air conditioned lobby and more.  It shares a water park with lots of slides, kids and teen clubs and large evening entertainment area with the White Sands which also has family suites for 5 with bunk beds in a separate area of the room.

Lauren also stayed at the Hyatt Zilara. This adult-only resort shares facilities with the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva next door; one of our most popular in Jamaica.  She enjoyed exploring all of the amenities and recreation including a long stretch of beach, great pools, plenty of dining options (most of the Ziva side), large spa facilities, excellent fitness facilities (the main one is open 24 hours), cabana rentals (we enjoyed with endless jerk chicken service and handy when a passing shower came by), evening shows, kids club and more.  All rooms will soon feature a king or two queen beds!  That makes us very happy.  Lauren’s room on the Zilara side was modern and spacious with nice ocean views.

A visit to the Hilton Rose Hall proved why this property is also very popular with our families looking for an excellent value and rooms with two queen beds.  While interior hallways and smallish rooms mark the hotel’s age, recent updates include updated rooms, new food venues, expanded beach (more than double in size!) and more.  The highlight here is the large waterpark area with slides, fast moving “lazy” river and pools.  The mature landscaping makes this quite the oasis with cabana rentals available.  Plenty of tennis courts, gym, lots of dining options and spa were all in good shape.  The children’s facilities could use an upgrade, but activities abound for children and teens.

The Jewell Grande is located between the Hilton and the Hyatt.  It’s a unique condo style and all-inclusive property that is ideal for families who are just looking to chill by the small beach with waterports, hang out at one of the two pools, play golf or tennis nearby (not on property), enjoy some spa treatments (including a Himalayan Salt Therapy Lounge) and eat in a wide variety of dining options.  There is also a children’s program, small playground and nice grassy area for little ones to run.  The resort features up to 3 bedroom condos with full kitchens (private chef services are available), spacious living rooms, washer/dryer and gorgeous ocean views from the expansive and furnished patios.

Our tour of Half Moon Resort covered the major renovation that will be finished by the winter holidays.  It will completely reshape this old-school Jamaica resort where Mindy and Lauren enjoyed their villa stay with our extended family several years ago.  Highlights will include new rooms and suites, a vegan restaurant and centrally located lobby.  We toured several beachfront suites that are spacious for families and one of the larger villas (that include cook and butler services) that was in need of some updating.  Their fitness, tennis, golf and equestrian facilities are still second-to-none in the Caribbean and their spacious and lushly landscaped spa was divine.  Especially when they treated us to foot massages!

Lauren also visited the Iberostar Rose Halls Suites and the adult-only Iberostar Grand where staff go out of their way to please their guests.  We toured the rooms (two double beds + day bed at the Suites), had a lovely dinner at the Italian restaurant and enjoyed a beautiful  sunset by the nicely landscaped pool at the Grand.  There is also a small casino between these resorts.  Our families really enjoy this property as well, but we hope future renovations will brighten up the somewhat dark rooms.

Visits to Breathless and Secrets also offered a glimpse into these adult-only properties and their facilities.  Especially enjoyable was an Indian restaurant on the roof of Breathless with amazing city views.

And of course a visit to Scotchies for some amazing jerk chicken, Red Stripe beer and festival!

Travel Tips: Food on a Plane

Surprisingly, the TSA allows almost all food items through the security checkpoint, so long as none of them are liquids (or non-solid type foods like hummus, creamy cheeses and peanut butter) in amounts exceeding 3.4 ounces. It’s very easy to bring on healthy snacks and meals; especially for long flights.   Items allowed for travel in your carry-on include baby food, bread, candy, cereal, cheese, chocolate, coffee grounds, cooked meats, cookies, crackers, dried fruits, fresh eggs, meat, seafood, and vegetables, frozen foods, gravy, gum, honey, hummus, nuts, pizza, salt, sandwiches, and all sorts of dry snacks.  There are some exceptions to the rule, and some special instructions for liquids.  Canned foods, partially melted ice packs, and alcoholic beverages provide the most trouble in getting through security checkpoints as these come with specific stipulations on when they can and cannot be transported in carry-on luggage.  For example, ice packs are completely fine as long as they are fully solid while going through security. If they have any liquid inside of them at the time of screening, the ice packs will be taken out. Similarly, if canned food items that contain liquids appear suspicious to TSA security officers, they may be taken out of your checked bag.  Check out https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food for more details.

Trip Review: Paradisus La Esmeralda

Jen from The Family Traveler and her family along with the Klein/Castello Family from Philadelphia (a total of four adults and four children ages 12-14) spent their spring break at the Paradisus La Esmeralda in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Overall, Jen explained that they all loved the resort.  She said it’s absolutely beautiful and the staff and service were excellent.  She thought that the staff was very friendly and always had smiles on their faces.  The guests that she met at the hotel all seemed to enjoy the resort as well.

The two families stayed in the Family Concierge section and enjoyed their butlers.  Added amenities in this section include a private beach area, dedicated concierge lounge, complimentary cell phone to stay in touch with your butler, VIP check-in and out, kid-sized bathrobes and mini-slippers, preferential dining and spa reservations and more.  The families stayed in two versions of the resort’s One Bedroom Suites (one has two beds in the master bedroom and the other has a king).  Both families enjoyed their balcony jacuzzi which was filled several times by their butler complete with floating balloons.  The children also loved the late afternoon snacks and activities (including a scavenger hunt in the room) provided by their butlers.   Tip: the resort has drying racks to put on the balcony for wet bathing suits; they are on request.

Like other resorts, people got up very early to save seats at the pool which isn’t great for families that aren’t early risers.  Jen’s family ended up being towards the back of the Family Concierge pool area most days – her one complaint is that the waiters rarely came to that back area to see if they wanted drinks or food (she did mention to the resort).  Overall they all liked the Family Concierge Section – it was smaller and quieter and the dedicated concierge pool is heated.  The cabanas/palapas were great and many were available without an extra fee (first come; first served).

They loved the restaurants, except for Mole, the Mexican one and were able to confirm their dining reservations in advance through the Family Concierge.  It was upscale Mexican; so they struggled to find things to eat.  Studying the menus in advance is worthwhile.  This resort is also very good and attentive about food allergies.  Jen said that the food at this resort was the best she has had at an all-inclusive!

The resort has a supervised children’s program for ages one to twelve that offers a variety of activities geared mostly toward the younger

children. The foam party was a hit with their families and Jen enjoyed the water aerobics.  One night there was a fun children’s carnival.  Unfortunately they never saw any of the shows because they started at 7:30 which is also when they were having dinner .  They took advantage of the complimentary catamaran ride which was really fun.  Waverunners are available for an added cost.  Jen’s family also enjoyed an excursion off property that included ATVs, zip lining/rappelling, cenote swim and yummy lunch with Lomas Travel.  There were 13 people on their tour which did result in some waiting times.  The Castello Family took a full day tour with Altournative that included the Tulum ruins and their own Jungla Maya Native Park with Mayan ritual, zip lining, rappelling and cenote along with an excellent lunch. They said that their guide was terrific.

Overall a great vacation for all!

Travel Tip: Packing for Toddlers

Thanks to the Wherever Family website for the following tip:

You thought packing for yourself and your significant other was difficult. Add a toddler into the equation and you’ve reached an entirely new level of difficulty. When most parents pack an entire suitcase-sized tote bag just to head to the grocery store, heading off on vacation can be a struggle, particularly when you’re limited to carry-on luggage and personal items that only fit so much. Regardless of how you make it all fit, just make sure you don’t leave home without these six items.

Tissues and Wet Wipes: You’re walking around your destination, enjoying the city sights, when there it comes out of nowhere. A runny nose, sticky hands, dirty mouth, dirt in general — kids are messy. Just make sure they don’t get their little messes all over you, the stroller or a stranger by keeping your pockets filled with the necessary tissues and wet wipes.

Band-Aids: Even if your kid doesn’t fall down and scrape their knees, a Band-Aid can work wonders on a crying toddler, particularly when there’s a cartoon character involved. Both good for bloody moments and just a case of the boo-boos, throw a few in the bottom of your purse for unexpected emergencies.

Refillable Water Bottle: As soon as you’re somewhere it’s difficult to get a drink, your child will claim they’re positively parched. They’ll cry they’ve never been so thirsty in their entire life. They’re practically dying. Save yourself the drama and pack a refillable water bottle, handy for both you and them.

A Reward: Bribery is supposedly bad parenting, but what desperate parent hasn’t employed it once or twice (a week)? Pack away a little something out of sight that you can pull out when you really need it. Whether it’s candy or a new toy, there’s nothing like a bright and shiny object to keep your kid’s attention and behavior on point.

A Distraction: When travel starts getting stressful, we all like a little distraction, whether it’s binging on our favorite shows on the plane or sipping a cocktail at the airport bar. Give your toddler the same treat by bringing along something you know will keep them entertained when things get fussy, whether it’s their favorite show downloaded onto your iPad, a book, a stuffed animal or their favorite music.

A Plan: Children love routines and aren’t the best at sudden changes in plans. Make sure they have what they need in terms of stability by planning out a kid-friendly itinerary well in advance that corresponds with their needed nap and bed times. Take things a step further and plan out their outfits, too, to make your own life easier. It’s as simple as picking their clothes out ahead of time and tucking them into their own plastic baggie, zipping them up and writing the designated day on the outside. When you’re on the road, you’ll be ready to grab and go.

Trip Review: New Zealand and Australia Adventure

The Malinow family of Owings Mills, MD (2 adults and 1 college aged daughter) ventured Down Under to New Zealand and Australia just prior to their daughter beginning a study abroad program in Sydney.  The Family Traveler worked together with this adventurous family to create a custom 13-night itinerary.  The trip began in Auckland, New Zealand on the North Island which included a wine tour of nearby Waiheke Island and a city bike tour.  Their stay at the Pullman Hotel was noted as “awesome”.  After picking up a rental car, the family drove north to do the unique Black Water Rafting Waitomo Caves Tours before ending up in Rotorua for a few nights.  The Princes Hotel in Rotorua was nicer than they imagined, had a separate sleeping area and laundry facilities. From here the family visited the active geothermal area at Wai-O-Tapu and experienced a traditional Maori hangi feast at the Tamaki Village.  They thought it was a bit touristy as explained in advance, but a nice way to learn about the indigenous culture.  The family then flew to Queenstown on the South Island where they had a flight tour and cruise to beautiful Milford Sound.  They also enjoyed the Skyline Gondola and Luge in Queenstown.  Unfortunately their sky dives were canceled due to weather (which does require special travel insurance!).  Their hotel stay at the St. Moritz was very nice.  Onward by air to Melbourne, Australia where they celebrated dad’s 50^th birthday with a wine tour of the Yarra Valley (unfortunately their sunrise balloon ride was canceled due to weather).  They stayed at the Stamford Hotel where some hiccups made for a less than stellar stay.  The family ended up in Sydney where they climbed the Sydney Bridge.  Their said that their stay at the boutique style Old Clare was great and very unusual.  It was chosen based on its location close to the university as well as downtown. With the help of The Family Traveler, they were able to travel lighter by shipping a bag directly to the Sydney hotel to receive on arrival.  Overall an exciting trip and birthday celebration with a nice variety of adventures and experiences.

Travel Tip: Back Up Your Documents

Before your next international trip, make sure to back up your documents.  Just in case.  Having a copy of your passport is the most obvious necessity; if you lose it, you lose your proof of entry. In some countries, that can be a huge roadblock to getting help. Scan and print a copy of your passport, or digitally save the images somewhere secure that you’ll have access to while you’re on the road.  Other documents that should be backed up include proof of travel insurance, health insurance, any relevant visas, and student or teacher IDs are crucial. It’s also a good idea to keep your credit card and banking information handy–and, of course, as secure and inconspicuous as possible.  Keep a hard copy of some of this information somewhere organized and accessible, in the off chance that you’ll need it.

Trip Review: A Custom Israel Adventure

The Spizer/Costa/Carpiniello Family with six adults and four children (ranging from 8-13) traveled to Israel over the winter break to celebrate a B’nai Mitzvah.  The family described the experience as the most amazing trip of a lifetime!  Jen created a completely custom trip for this multi-generational family from the Philadelphia area.  The trip began with a VIP airport arrival and some time to unwind in Tel Aviv where they toured on their own with a visit to the beach and Old Jaffa and stayed at the apartment hotel, Alexander All-Suites for two nights.  On their third day, their guide and driver picked them up in a spacious bus (with wifi) for an exciting day trip to the Ayalon Institute (known as the bullet factory), to Beit Guvrin for a hands-on archeological dig and then onto Neot Kedumin for tree planting and a lesson from a local scribe.  The next day the group headed north to visit the Roman ruins in Caesarea which now offers a cinematic exhibition and audiovisual experience.  From there they continued onto the once Crusader capital of Akko where they walked on the city walls.  The charming Hotel Hagroshim, their favorite accommodations of the trip, became their Galilee home for the next two nights.  The following day they explored the Dan Nature Reserve with a nature hike and took a jeep tour through the Golan Heights.  They also visited a kibbutz to learn about this communal lifestyle unique to Israel including a meeting with local members.  The day ended with a visit to the Agamon HaHula Nature reserve; a popular resting place for birds migrating from Europe to Africa.  The following day the family headed to the mystical city of Safed and the Biblical-style camp of Kfar Kedem where they tried on traditional Israelite dress and took a donkey ride through the countryside.  Other biblical related activities included fresh pita bread and cheese making.  They also visited Nazareth before heading to Jerusalem with a visit to the Western Wall as the sabbath began.  Their three-night Jerusalem hotel stay was at the Dan Panorama.  The family explored Jerusalem on their own on the sabbath by walking over to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They found the museum fascinating and also got to see the Knesset.  Their guide picked them up the following day with a tour of the Old City.  The day started with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives and then to the City of David where an audiovisual 3D movie brought the city’s history to life.  They also saw new discoveries from recent excavations in the area, visited a Canaanite dry tunnel as well as the Western Wall Tunnels.  A visit to the Christian Quarter and its holy sites was followed by a visit to the Jewish Quarter.   The next day the group made a day trip to Masada where they took the cable car to the top and then to a nearby hotel’s private beach for a Dead Sea swim.  Their final day began with a somber visit to Yad Vashem with a private curator. The older children were “twinned” with children who perished in the war and did not have a chance to mark their own Bat Mitzvah.  Their regular guide took the youngest child to the Biblical Zoo as he was too young for the Holocaust experience.  The family really appreciated the forethought in arranging for this; so that everyone could have a special last day in the Holyland.

The family let us know that they were very happy with a mix of interactive experiences combined with the more traditional sight-seeing although their amazing guide still found ways to entertain the children with engaging activities everywhere they went like a race in the hippodrome at Ceasarea and an aluminum foil sword fight as crusaders in Akko! They found their guide to be energetic and knowledgeable and she accommodated each generation so well.  They loved her so much that they all got teary when it was time for good-bye.  Happy tears after a special trip to Israel.