Travel Tip: Passport Updates
Renewing your passport just got easier! The U.S. State Department recently announced it will open new passport offices in six cities: Salt Lake City, UT; Kansas City, MO; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; San Antonio, TX; and Cincinnati, OH. Specific opening dates have yet to be determined.
In addition, the process for renewing a passport is now fully operational online. You are eligible to renew your passport online if you meet the following criteria:
- You currently possess your passport.
- It is undamaged and was issued when you were 16 years of age or older.
- It was issued within the last 15 years.
- It was issued in your current name or you can provide legal documentation of your name change.
For more detailed information and to begin your online passport renewal application, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Services website at travel.state.gov.
Trip Review: The Stone’s Family Heritage
The Stone family, a mother and two adult daughters from Southern California, embarked on a meaningful journey to the United Kingdom last month to trace their family heritage. With a detailed family tree in hand, they enlisted The Family Traveler to craft a fully customized tour spanning 3 nights each in London, Cornwall, Belfast, and Edinburgh. Local heritage associations helped with locating their ancestors’ former homes, burial sites, and wedding locations, while our private guides provided insight into local historical and cultural contexts, offering an invaluable glimpse into their ancestors’ lives.
Their adventure began in London at the Bankside Hotel, where they enjoyed elite hotel amenities and immersed themselves in the city’s culture with afternoon tea and a West End show. Highlights included visits to Westminster Abbey, Imperial War Rooms, Globe Theater, Leadenhall Market, and Tower of London. Then they traveled by train to Truro in Cornwall; a scenic 3 1/2 hour journey. There, with the help of a private guide (and possible long-lost cousin) they explored family landmarks from the mid-1800s, such as ancestral homes, mills, and burial sites, while discovering the region’s mining history and scenic countryside.
From nearby Newquay, they flew to Edinburgh and stayed at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, which included a free Black Cab tour to explore the city’s history and culture, including murals depicting Belfast’s tumultuous past. A private Genealogy Tour in Belfast provided deeper insights into their Scots-Irish and Ulster Scots heritage, with visits to Belfast City Hall, historic churches and a 12th-century castle. At the Discover Ulster-Scots Center, they loved learning more about their family who lived in this region in the 1700s. So much history! A walk along the waterfront led them to the Titanic Exhibit, which they loved.
They flew onto Edinburgh where they stayed at Cheval Grand which was enhanced with Virtuoso amenities. Their time here included a guided and private van tour to the top of Carlton Hill where they could see both Old Town and New Town, as well as the walls that surround the city. This day was filled with many exciting highlights such as the first Protestant Church, the monument to Greyfriar’s Bobby, and Holyrood Palace. On another day they visited Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh Castle, complemented by afternoon tea there. A stroll through St. Margaret’s Chapel evoked strong familial connections and cherished memories.
Returning to London by train for their final night at Heathrow, they reflected on their enriching journey through their family history, praising their accommodations’ charm and the personalized experiences tailored by genealogists and private guides. The Trip Plans app facilitated seamless navigation throughout their complex itinerary. Summing up their experience, they expressed profound emotions, describing the journey as an unforgettable bonding experience filled with cherished memories.
Travel Tip: Find My Phone
Just a reminder to set up your ‘Find My’ tracking app on any of your digital devices that you plan to take on your trip—if any of your devices are lost or stolen during the trip, the damage will be kept to a minimum. These apps can help you remotely lock or erase your phone if it’s stolen. If a device is stolen, a police resort is required for an insurance claim.
Trip Review: Riviera Maya Wellness
The Saline Family (2 adults and daughter, age 15) traveled to the Riviera Maya, Mexico over spring break to the gorgeous Palmaia Resort. This unique property focuses on health and healing and features both an adult section and a family section. The Salines let us know they LOVED everything at Palmaia and said it was an amazing experience. They found the service to be excellent and said everyone was very attentive, accommodating, and cooperative. They also noted that the facilities were very clean and well maintained, and that there was a sense of calm and warmth throughout the entire resort that created a tranquil ambiance.
Their spacious Family Suite (with a king bed + bunkbeds) had a beautiful ocean view, and the beach was gorgeous! Not only was the food delicious and made with fresh ingredients, but mom was really impressed by the flexibility and accommodation extended to accommodate their dietary restrictions. They really appreciated the resort’s willingness to cater to specific needs and preferences, even by preparing items not listed on the menu! The family loved the daily activities that were offered, especially the yoga and meditation classes, which were spectacular. Mom and daughter went to a few of the painting and drawing classes that were terrific as well. The spa looked beyond amazing, but the services were a bit expensive, so they passed on booking any services there. Mom did see a woman coming out of the spa who said it was the most amazing massage/experience she had ever had! Overall, a truly wonderful and relaxing getaway. They did not want to come home!
They family also had an unforgettable experience with a private tour to a number of small and local cenotes. The private excursion offered a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural history of the Yucatan. The family said that each cenote had its own charm and unique features and that exploring the cenotes around Tulum was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. It was an added bonus having lunch at a Mayan village and to be reminded that it is possible to live life off the grid!
Trip Review: Multi-Gen Galapagos Cruise
The Sedaka/Wagman multi-gen family of 7 from New York, NY and Bethesda, MD (grandparents, parents and 3 children ages 7, 9 and 11) traveled to Galapagos over spring break for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their cruise package included a hotel night in Guayaquil before and after the cruise along with all of their transfer needs. The cruise began in Baltra, Galapagos onboard Lindblad’s National Geographic Endeavour II for a 7-night sailing around these unique islands that ended in San Cristobal. They visited six different islands to experience an amazing array of nature and wildlife on both land and sea. Their itinerary was jam packed! Some of their activities included snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, zodiac rides, and more. The parents and grandparents let us know that everyone really enjoyed the whole experience and praised the ship staff, especially for their Young Explorers children’s program. Each day, the children met with dedicated staff to do an activity and discuss what they have seen. They each had notebooks to check off and identify different species. The children also loved swimming with, and walking alongside, all the wildlife. The family also found the boat to be lovely with top-notch service. Some of them had some issues with seasickness, even though they had chosen the larger boat. Overall, the Lindblad staff took great care of the family from the moment they got off the plane in Guayaquil (and calmed their nerves on the current political situation in Ecuador) until they went through security on the way home. Grandpa said, “I don’t think you could really ask for more.”
Travel Tip: Real ID Update
Beginning May 7, 2025, you will finally need a state-issued REAL ID-compliant license, identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (such as a passport), to fly within the United States. Please visit tsa.gov for a list of acceptable forms of ID and additional information regarding REAL ID.
Trip Review: Puerto Rico Getaway
The Slepian family (parents and three young adults from ages 19-22) spent five nights in Puerto Rico at Las Casitas Village in Fajardo this past January. This luxury property is located at the highest point of a 300-foot hill, so the family could enjoy beautiful sweeping Caribbean views and sunsets from their private balcony. They stayed in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa, which provided the perfect amount of space for their family of five. Having a full kitchen with a picky eater in the family was ideal. The family enjoy relaxing at the resort pools and the unique private island that showcases a lovely beach and watersports. A highlight for all of them was renting jet skis, but found that the resort gym’s cardio equipment was in need of some repair. They were particularly happy that they rented a car because it allowed them to explore more of this beautiful island. They took full advantage of what Puerto Rico has to offer! They spent one evening kayaking in a bioluminescent bay – a once in a lifetime experience that they raved about. Another day, they drove to El Yunque rainforest and hiked around. When they wanted a break from nature, they drove to Old San Juan, visiting the famous forts and exploring the Old Town. When they didn’t feel like cooking or eating at the resort restaurants, they ventured out to Luquillo Beach, home of the famous food stalls, and enjoyed an amazing dinner at La Parillo. Their favorite meal of the trip was brunch at Las Vistas Café, a lovely little place close to the hotel in Fajardo. This trip was the perfect combination of island activities and relaxing at a luxury resort, and truly had something special for every member of the family!
Trip Trip: A Book on Austism Travel
Just in time for National Autism Acceptance Month, Rowman & Littlefield will release the paperback edition of the multi-award-winning parenting and travel guide, “Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse” by Dawn M. Barclay. Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention disorders, it can be especially intimidating. In “Traveling Different,” Barclay presents travel strategies and anecdotes from Certified Autism Travel Professionals, parents of special needs children, associations and advocates, and mental health professionals, broken down by mode of transportation and type of venue. The heart of the book outlines suggested itineraries for spectrum families as well as venues that cater to the unique special interests that are characteristic of individuals with invisible disabilities. The book culminates with a guide of travel advisors who specialize in special needs travel and lists of organizations that advocate for special needs families, “Traveling Different” is the essential resource to make the cultural, educational, and bonding benefits of vacations available to all.
Trip Review: A Multi-Gen Hawaiian Adventure
The Gould Family of 7 (three generations including grandmothers, parents, and three children ages 15, 15, and 12) escaped the Pennsylvanian winter in December and spent 12 days soaking up the sun in Hawaii! They began their vacation on Maui with a 5-night stay at the all-suites and newly renovated Fairmont Kea Lani. The breathtaking setting, impeccable service, great food, tons of activities, and beautiful suites were greatly appreciated by all. While the youngest child preferred to hang out at the resort with its amazing pools and slides, daily activities, cultural events, and more, the rest of the family took turns exploring the island in several different ways. Their favorite was the helicopter ride, during which they marveled at the insane aerial views and loved hearing about the history of the island from the pilot. A classic Hawaiian luau, watching the sunrise at Haleakala, and a slightly boring zip line rounded out their Maui experiences. Their next stop was the Big Island where they first flew into Hilo for an overnight at the Volcano House hotel. This hotel sits right on the edge of the rim of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The group enjoyed some incredible hiking down into the crater and New Year’s Eve with a volcano view at the hotel restaurant. The following day, the family drove onto the Kohala Coast with a stop along the way to see the black sand beaches where they were treated to watching several sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. The Fairmont Orchid was their home for the next four nights and they loved the low-key vibe of this hotel. Some of them took surf lessons in Kona and really enjoyed a half-day private fishing charter which resulted in one of the teens catching a 300-pound blue Marlin! Mom let us know that this was a vacation that everyone loved. It was a special trip during which they created lifelong memories that they will never forget!
Travel Tip: Photography 101
Thanks to Wherever Family for some great tips to help you make the most of your family vacation photos: The first rule of photography during family travel is your children. The scenery is just the backdrop for your family’s adventures, and those are what you want to capture. Shoot the beautiful scenery, of course, but be sure you also catch it with people. In wide scenes, try to place your children off-center in the foreground and not pose rigidly, but maybe in profile looking at the view. For closer shots, try to get your children engaged with the subject. Nothing makes a more memorable travel photo than children doing things — inspecting a grasshopper, riding a carousel, eating ice cream. Record them taking selfies, looking up in wonder at a redwood tree, walking on a trail, sampling new food, or engaging with local children. Record children doing things, not just standing in front of a landmark; let the destination be the background. Of course, you don’t want your pictures to be only of the family. Go ahead and shoot the spectacular scenery, the straight-up view of the Eiffel Tower, or fun angles of the Colosseum. Don’t miss those perfect cover shots. But then look at the scene again and think of ways to get your family into it. Not in the center of a static image, but rather as part of the scene. A few basics of composition are good to know, too. Think in thirds: Frame a scene and move the frame to the left or right until the person or the primary object is to one side of center, at about one-third of the scene. The light source is also important, so be careful to have the light on the subject, not behind it. If you need to shoot with the light behind the subject, try moving to angle it slightly so you’re not facing the sun or light source directly. Lastly, concentrate on taking pictures your family will treasure as memories of their trip, not what photos your friends will like best on Instagram. Take a vacation from social media, too.
